Crazy Islander on the loose :)

just came across a dvd copy of A Samoan Wedding (aka Sione's wedding) at our local dvd rental which had me grinning from ear to ear...in the Middle East, loving how we're infiltrating the whole world hee hee

Moved in and settling in

ahhhh...there's nothing like moving house to get in the way of your addictions is there?

Forget detoxing for a couple of days, just move house and without an internet connection forget all about Facebook and blogging and...life lol.

How about, a week of packing, settling bills, threatening to break someone's knees if I didn't get my ENTIRE deposit back, snatched sleep, abuse from letting agents, I had forgotten what it was like to be on the net?  And the effects have lasted for a week now and now with all the boxes unpacked and just some reorganising going on - I have time to sit and yack away on my blog mindlessly again (don't groan, I know you all missed my meanderings and witless posts :P) 

So the moving process went OK.  I could have done without the last minute key handover to the new place, the constant lies from the agents, the dead grass in several places of the garden, having to teach a few people about telephone manners and courtesy callbacks.

There's a truth in our relationship with Rich.  I do the negotiating - more to do with the fact that I talk a lot, have no shame and don't mind busting balls (sorry there really is no better way to say it) and it's not because I enjoy it (I seriously don't like confrontation) it's because I believe that if you're being unfairly treated it needs to be done.  This is the reason we paid 28 grand less for this house in the more sought after compound then my friend Nicola 4 compounds down (she's in the heart of all the roadworks as well!).  I managed to con negotiate with the landlord to hand over 3,000 for painting and decoration costs even though the house is perfectly fine (is it sad that I played on his weaknesses?).  As of Monday I've got a truckload of receipts for refunds headed his way, I wonder if he'll still call me "such a sweet and lovely tenant" next week? 

Well the property bubble has truly burst and my oh my did it go splatter.  Maybe I should feel bad for those involved but I can't seem to summon up much sympathy for money grubbing shysters who tried to control the market and force people to pay 100% inflation within a 2 year bracket.  We had such a one sided contract our first year here and the first thing I did when we decided on this place was make amendments to every clause that screwed us over.  Then decided to go in for the kill and add all the laws that are supposedly followed but which never are because this is Dubai and things can change whenever the powers that be get bored and have nothing better to do.  SO, I'm not 100% sure I've covered all our bases but I do feel a lot better this time round with the lease situation and if I were to be completely honest I'd like to see the landlord try something underhanded if only for the opportunity to wave the lease back in his face and yell something like "read it and weep you weasel!" heh heh.

It's so good living here.  Quiet, peaceful and accessible.  There's a tiny lounge like room off the master bedroom with doors that lead to an upstairs balcony which I have turned into a reading room.  Bookshelves and a newly acquired second hand sofa bed take pride of place up there and I get excited whenever I think about it!  I am currently undecided whether to turn the maids room (with toilet)  or study into a computer room for Rich.  Somewhere he can leave his tools and half open computers lying anywhere and everywhere without a mad woman throwing mini tantrums about mess and whatnot :)

So far my favourite thing to do is walk around the garden and just listen to the birds and crickets and the kids laughing, arguing and the smell of BBQ.  Pure luxury.  It's also purely corny =)

Have a great weekend all.

attempt to be productive -FAIL, here's what we did at the weekend instead...

I'm procrastinating.

Instead of packing my valuables and delicate items, I've taken to keeping myself busy staring out the window, daydreaming and trying to convince myself that I'm not hungry, not necessarily in that order.  I also pause in-between these very difficult tasks to give the boxes which are shaking their heads and tutting their lid flaps at me a menacing look and a *snip* *snip* motion of the scissors.  That should stop their judgemental looks for a few minutes.

Rich's best friend Chris, his lovely wife Caz and their most gorgeous 16 month old daughter were here for only 2 nights for a whirlwind of a catchup before heading off to Oz for a wedding.  I last held Emily in my arms when she was just a wee bebe at 6 months and now she's a chattering, walking little person!  She was absolutely scrumptious and has the cutest chubby cheeks which were always rosy and I had to stop from doing that terrible old auntie Marge thing of pinching her cheeks constantly and cooing.  

Chris is Rich's best friend and was the best man at our wedding.  Rich is always on top form around him and I love watching them interact - you can see what they were like as youngsters ; cheeky, mischievous and dodgy bwahahaha.  Listening to them reminisce about their various entrepreneurial pursuits when they were in Secondary school, both legitimate and *cough* dodgy had me in fits of laughter.  Things like charging kids to use the computer (we're talking before most of us knew what a computer was 20 odd years ago), a successful printing business (with a side of fake ID making) to selling condoms for twice the price (as part of a "genuine" concern for fellow students).  Absolutely legit.

It's not often that I get to see Rich like this, he's the shy one in our marriage (in case you hadn't noticed).  We had 2 nights and a full day with them.  We were racking our brains trying to come up the best way to spend a day in Dubai and what it would be that they'd want to see.  In the end it turned out to be half a day as we weren't up and ready till half 12, 1pm.  After a quick consultation with the F family, it was decided they'd like to see the iconic bits which Dubai was well known for. 

So away we went, down the main stretch of highway which passes from Sharjah, through Dubai until you reach Abu Dhabi (Capital of UAE)  Took a right until we were on the scenic Beach Road taking in the varying large mansioned houses, beach parks, zoo until we arrived at the;

Burj Al Arab (photos another time as it takes way too long to upload) 7 Star Hotel, rumoured to have a cross only visible from the sea where the Restaurant juts out - TICK

A quick wander and paddle at Umm Suqeim beach - TICK

Palm Jumeirah (man made island in the sea) - TICK

Atlantis Hotel - sits on the crest that goes over the top of the Palm.  Kylie performed at opening ceremony and also famed for it's $18,000,000 firework display at opening - TICK

Mall of Emirates (Lavish Mall, designer brands, biggest indoor ski slope) - TICK

Strolled down the Bur Dubai Creek (immdiately opposite Deira creek for some history) - TICK

Dubai Mall (apparently biggest in the world) Fountain spectacular - TICK

Burj Dubai (Tallest building in the world) - TICK

Shababeek for some Lebanese food - TICK x2 because the food was great as usual :)

We got home about 10.30pm, shattered, stuffed stupid and ready to roll into bed but not without a hot cuppa tea (Caz) milo (Chris and I) and valiant attempt to thwart the threatening yawns of a late arrival (3am) and a full on all day excursion.

Such a fulfilling day, lots of laughs, great company and hand holding from my little girl Emily.

Summer

Summer is fading away now, and you can hear the collective sighs of relief from every ex-pat young and old to the local Emirate's.  In this day and age with the advancement of technology, there is no longer a need to suffer the heat of the desert(unless of course you're a labourer which then means it's a lottery)

It's been my first real summer in Dubai, I've normally been away overseas and I have to admit to understanding why it becomes a ghost town from July to September (it would probably be longer but schools don't close before July).  The heat dictates activities outside at certain hours of the day but even on a good day at the height of the the season, it boggles the mind how anyone could do work in that 45+ degree weather and not faint from the sheer heat and dehydration.  

There's a law here in the UAE which prohibits labourers from working between midday(the hottest hour) till about 3pm in the Summer but also states that labourers who are then made to work extra hours for those lost in the day, are to be paid overtime.  There are many laws like these here in the UAE, which in print protect the rights of the labourers.  In actual fact, many Employers don't follow the law, it's sad but true.  I often find myself taking bags of food, blankets and clothes to drop off spots for those in extreme need, who haven't been paid for months and can't afford the basic necessities.  These lowly paid workers come here because the pay is better than in their own homeland like India, Sri Lanka, Phillipines, Lebanon.  At the end of the day, it is money, it puts food on the table, gives their children an education so that they don't have to go through what are going through now.

They come here because they have large families and little chance of work where they are from.  Because the money here goes 10 times further than what they would make at home. The stories behind these people are heartbreaking.  They leave their children behind, many as young as a couple of months to be raised by family members.  Many women come on their own, many men as well.  And they live on the very minimum in order to send as much money home as possible every month.  Some are required to work for 2 years before being allowed to go home to their loved ones, some are promised a  ticket home every other year but often it's 3 years.  The conditions may not be as extreme but the reasons behind leaving one's country in order to provide for their family reminds me of our Samoan people.

Don't get me wrong, there are many good Employers here but it would seem that there are just as many bad.  

Ex-pats here are quick to voice their "educated" opinions and some make flippant remarks like "well if they don't like it they should go home".  I'm betting that were there a chance of decent jobs or even the actual opportunity of a job, those working as labourers here would be home in a shot.  Not everyone is as blessed to have well paying jobs and the ability to question their work situation without reprimand.  It is illegal to go on strike here, as is having unions.  Like I said before, it's a lottery - if you get a good Employer, the work is hard but you are treated fairly, kindly but more importantly humanely. Before I started driving(the last year and a half) I always spent my Taxi Rides yacking away to the Drivers about their lives, it was a mixture of tales, though the majority were not nice to hear about.  Some come from very honour bound societies.  They return home and sing praises of Dubai whether it be true or not, and so the next wave and generation come over. 

It's easy for me to slap myself back to reality when I start to whine or complain about life, all I do is look out my window and watch the construction workers from dawn till dusk, hammering away, without safety harnesses, or the proper safety attire.  People say that it's easy to get lost in the glitz and glamour of Dubai, I wish they could show me where that is, because no matter where I am, whether it's Jumeirah, the Marina or in the poorest areas nearby the creek, there is always a constant reminder of those who have more than they need and those who don't have nearly enough.

It's still a great experience here in Dubai, there are fantastic stories with happy endings for many labourers.  Conditions for the labourers are improving, there are many charities that help them and ensure their well-being.  We support many of these charities both financially and physically.  There are times where we wrestle with shutting off and enjoying what Dubai has to offer guilt free.  Sadly, we've become so accustomed to seeing it that I don't think we take as much notice of it as we would have done 2 years ago.  Life just goes on until the media reports something shocking that makes you pay attention again. 

It's a sobering thought, but it's the honest truth.

I did love him...

from	Netia Gxxxx <xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
to		Richard Gxxxx <xxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
date		Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 9:33 AM
subject		Cafe

My darling husband,

Due to reason's beyond my control, I cannot access Facebook and would therefore be grateful if you could check my cafe and serve my roast chickens and cheesecake.  If you could also put on more chickens and cheesecake to cook, that would just be wonderful.

Your loving wife,

Netia

xox

from	Richard <xxxxxxxxxx>
to		Netia  <xxxxxxxxxx>
date		Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 10:42 AM
subject		RE: Cafe

Done… though the only thing ready was the cheesecake.  Chicken had 6hrs to go.

And I was perfectly happy and content, no withdrawals and only missing FB a little bit like you would miss something like mopping the floors which you do like twice a week and not every day you know?

Then he found out about my 48 hour faceoff, did a song and dance to the tune of "OMG - and you're asking me to cook your cafe food for you?  You are such an addict, I'm going to tell everyone on your wall" *cackle, cackle, lol*

Just go ahead and imagine my response to that...yeah you can forget about your "special" (wink wink) night today or any time resembling the word soon Mr G, until I read what your comment was!!

Only 13 hours and minutes to go, not long at all and then I'll make sure to stop by yours Jody for sure :-)

Facebook 48 hour Faceoff

                                          

"...ladies and gentlemen, in the red corner..."

Lani and I have found ourselves in a rather serious predicament - that of a person with a serious addiction.  And in true "rip the plaster off" style, we're abstaining for 48 hours. Which right now seems a life time and already, mere minutes if not seconds after properly logging out and unticking the 'remember' me box, we are twittering about it.  Gloves are off and it's time to start remembering how to deal with life outside a virtual cafe, start talking to people again and writing!  The prospects are already dizzyingly exciting! 

I'm pretty sure I've passed the first step of recovery with flying colours :)  and yes I do absolutely realise how pathetic I am right now

...and what's your point? lol 

Ding Dong - Nobody's home, go away :)

It's 9pm and the doorbell's ringing.  Whose come all the way out to Shrjah to see me?  No one in their right mind, that's who.  So I'm just sitting quietly in my bedroom, typing ever so slowly to minimise the noise in case he hears it.  I'm pretty sure it's the car wash guy but he's 2 days late and hello I'm in my PJ's already!! 

1 minute later

Oh rats, there goes the doorbell again...Damn...I just inched slightly to the right and the bed just squeaked and in light of my current mission (minimise noise and pretend not to be home) it's not doing me any favours!

10 minutes later

Hmmm...I can't hear anything, that must mean he's gone!  Gosh, what a relief!  You know when you're in your PJ's - the ones you wouldn't let any human being see you in, except for the hubby?  That's what I'm wearing right now and it's not exactly, erm,culturally friendly to this part of the world (if ya know what I'm sayin' y'all).  I feel a little guilty for not opening the door now, but I seriously can't be bothered getting changed all over again - plus I've spent the last 2 days tracking him down to pay him but he just doesn't seem to want to be found...until 9pm at night, when people are in their rags and tatty pj's hanging low and swinging freely!!

So Rich is back in Saudi this week, he gets back tomorrow and boy will I be happy to see him.  It's been 3 months of him spending a week in Saudi and coming back home for the weekends and I just feel so sorry for him having to do this travelling.  He wouldn't have it any other way though according to him in his very own words "there is <enter expletive of your choice here> all to do here"   He was meant to be back for a good few weeks last weekend but he was called away last minute which gets pretty frustrating especially after you call your friends for the 10th time to apologise and cancel on them.  I'm surprised we have any left to be honest...must be my spanking oi I mean sparkling personality and twingle in moy oye that does it heh heh heh.  

Anyway back to my poor husband coming home - one friend suggested that I throw my energies into planning a "special" homecoming (wink wink) for him.  So I was thinking about it (which takes a lot of effort now that I'm 30) and came up with;

• hot bath
• hot dinner (which isn't really special as he always has that)
• a laptop lap tray thingy (I haven't bought it, just a thought) to make it just that little bit easier to access his mistress.

Then I realised that we hadn't changed our dinner plans with friends for tomorrow night...so he's actually going to come home to an empty house, no hot bath (but will turn on the hot water for him) and a maybe laptop lap tray thingy.  And then several moments after that, the realisation hit me of the kind of "special" night my friend had in mind.  Perhaps, I am a lot more tired then I thought!

From eating to bottom poofs in one breath.

I love my cousin.  I'm pretty sure she loves me.  And below?  Well it's just one of our loving conversations on G-Chat I thought I'd share with you all because...well because it made me smile and remind me that there is no way that we aren't family, also copy and paste makes it easy :)  

Faautu:  what you got to eat?

me: nothing my cupboard is bare, narry a bone for the wee dog

me:  now back to the topic, when you coming to Dubai?

Faautu:  yeah

Faautu:  well, i've been avoiding this because of denial really

me:  heyyyyyyyyyyyy you shouldn't feel that way

Faautu:  but i do

me:  thats why I brought it up, I feel you may feel

Faautu:  and there's nothing you can say to make me feel any different.  I'll just have to deal with it

me:  but its not like that you know 

ummmm

I'm lost sorry

Faautu:  LMAO

me:  I just saw a picture of tupperware

Faautu:  me too actually

me:  and I drooled

and lost my brain for a bit

start again?

lol

Faautu:  ANYWAY... I won't be coming over in the next three months

me:  thats okay it's okay if you don't ever make it

Faautu:  other than samoa, my next trips are all for work

me:  I just want you to know

Faautu:  and i can't get out of them...

me:  that you are special enough to me

that I ask regularly

Faautu:  i'll be damned if i dont make it

lol

me:  those who aren't so lucky are asked once and forgotten

so you seeeeeeeee it's not pressuuuuuuuuuuuureeeeeeeeeeeee

it's a sign of LURVE

Faautu:  LMAO *mutters* "lurve under pressure"

i know

me:  Pure unadulterated lurve

Faautu:  but i disappoint myself when i dont come round

me:  se leai

eh lookie here

I want you to come

I have imagined all our late night talks

swims

laughing

Faautu:  yeah seriously

me:  BBQ's

you know all that stuff

and that's why I keep asking, because we both know it's always a great time when we're together

Faautu:  ioe 

me:  gawd doesnt this sound like the back of a mills and boon story

bahahahahahaha

anyhoot

but if you can't make it

you can't make it

sad for you

sad for me

sad for the whole damn world except for UAE who will be wiping their brow in "THANK GOD" like attitude

because you know, you're a mini tornado all on your own

Faautu:  LMAO

kae

me:  lol

Faautu:  hahahahaha

no im not

me:  ummm yeah you are

hahahaha

Faautu:  im a light breeze

me: not even a light breeze

Faautu:  that cools you down and makes you sigh with delight

me:  more like a LOUD Pungent FART bwahahahahahahahahahahaha

Faautu:  BAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

me:  that LINGERS

Faautu:  ai kakae!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Faautu:  when do you leave Dubai?

Missing this

I have really missed blogging the last few weeks.  Ever since the Tsunami hit Samoa, I've been left wordless, without imagination (it is questionable that there was any there before) and generally feeling so low and without enthusiasm for much at all.  Then the last week, I've just wanted to put fingers to keypad but have found myself without the luxury of time.  You see, we're moving...again.  Remember how we moved to Sharjah to save some money?  Well that's all done and now we're headed back to Dubai and I've spent the last week looking at Villas as we've both decided that apartment living is just not for us.

Just as we predicted last year with Rich, the housing bubble popped a few months ago and we are reaping the benefits of sacrificing a year in Dubai out in Sharjah, hours of commute time, horrendous traffic and no get together's with friends.  I spent 3 intense days of house hunting and it was lucky number 56 that did it for us.  No tears this year, no angst just exhaustion from driving from 7am till 8pm and I'm so glad I did it.  

We move in on the 5th November God willing everything goes to plan, as in the Landlord sends the contract back signed on Monday.  We got a great deal.  More house than the first time we were in Dubai for less money - I couldn't find any smaller Villas which weren't ready for the demolition man or in a good area.  And this time, I not only scrutinised the contract with a fine tooth comb, I also made added clauses in there which would protect us from money whore landlords (I make no apology if you are in this category!  Of course you can get regular nice guy landlords like us).  I am so excited that I have started drawing out the floor plans of the house and assigning furniture, which in my mind (to justify what some would call odd behaviour) is for the movers...to make their life easier :)  I'll just keep on telling myself this, shouldn't be too long before I totally believe it heh heh.

Anyway, that's all I have time to share seeing as I have to drop off cheques to said money whores, because even though we've managed to save money and pay less I could still build that mansion in Samoa and have dinner with what it's costing us. :)

*Note to SIL Caroline - When should I pencil you in for,  now that I can drive, are back in Dubai and have space for kids to run around and swim in? :)

First UAE Fund Raiser for the Tsunami hit Samoa

Rugby Touch Tournament to Fund Raise for Tsunami Victims in Samoa in Dubai is TODAY hosted by the Samoan Community in the UAE.  There is still time to come down and register your team or else bring the family along, as we'll have lots of things for the kids as well.

Flick me a text if you need directions or any other information.  

Faafetai Tele Lava.

A tribute to the Tsunami Samoa Victims 2009

A slideshow of pictures put together by Mega:

I cried when I watched it, it's not the first time and most certainly won't be the last.  I haven't written about the Tsunami yet, I think it's a post for a bit later.  But just the out pour of love from all of you and everyone else I know is incredibly uplifting.  It's a sad sad time for Samoa, but it's time to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and get on with it, rebuilding, reconnecting, reliving our lives.  

Thank you Mega for this xx

Tsunami hits Samoa

Our beloved Samoa 

has been devastated

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/30/samoa-tsunami

Please help if you can.

"Push the Button"

Crazy busy time

These past few weeks really have just been so busy and filled with last minute things to do, people stopping over and just sorting out various bits and pieces of life.

Right now I'm feling quite ill.  After Mega, Alex and Tau left I suddenly came down with a fever and vomiting...maybe time to see a doctor.  I've been stuffy the last few days but just kept putting it down to, too much living and not enough sleep.  Perhaps I was wrong!  I have been sleeping all afternoon and was only woken by a phone call from my friend Anna, checked the phones and I have several missed calls and text messages.

I have a birthday post coming up, long overdue but it's been a long long celebration and I have many people I want to thank and pictures that need editing and then uploading.

Did I mention that Megs and the family have left?  The silence is deafening!  R is also away in Portugal visiting mum and Richard so it's getting lonely right now.  Facebook isn't doing it's "thing" for me and my laptop has either died a horrid death or the cable is stuffed, either way I had to turn on the desktop and painstakingly get it to working mode which I, in the last hour have improved by kicking Windows Explorer out on it's toosh and downloading my beloved Chrome (yes it has it's minor faults but works SO much better than WE) and other little tweaks from the holidaying hubby (I now owe him a couple hours of uninterrupted computer time in lieu - fantastic marriage aye?  It's all about taking AND giving lol)

Some fabulous news this week, 2 of my lovely friends gave birth this week.  Megan had a little girl who hasn't been named yet and Jenn had baby boy Tautai.  Such beautiful blessings :)  Congratulations to you both!!

I've been getting back into baking and cooking.  Got a Rachel Ray cookbook from Rich for my birthday but haven't managed to try any recipes yet, but we do have tons of people coming over in the next couple of months so hopefully I can put it to good use.  Reading up on all the different cooking/baking blogs just makes me want to be creative...though I have to admit right here and now that it hardly ever looks like the picture in the cook book, sorry I meant to say it NEVER looks like it :)

The road switch in Samoa came and went.  I haven't mentioned it in my blog at all because it just felt like I was hitting my head against a brick wall.  But I will say that just because there haven't been more deaths on the road and with people making comments like "gosh, what was the fuss about?" doesn't mean that it was a good thing.  The Samoan Government has banned the sale of alcohol at a certain time, the early closing time of night clubs and bars as well as enforcing a speed limit, so let's hope all is well enough after things return to normal.  I still stand by my reasons for opposing the switch which were to name a few, that Samoa is a poor developing country surviving on loan after loan from the world bank and various Aid agencies, does that sound like a country who should be flippantly changing sides of the road they drive on?  I also believe there are much more important and pressing items that could do with that money, namely Health and Education, support for the farmers and families to make them more self sufficient.  Oh and the BS about families in NZ being able to send relatives in the islands cars a lot easier.  Of course that's probably true given the proximity of the two countries but maybe the PM missed the memo about it being a global recession or the one where Pacific Islanders are sending more money from NZ to their families in Samoa even though THEY can't really afford to.  Eh, okay, rant over...sorry needed to get that out, whenever I feel particularly ill I get really submissive or angry :)...can you tell which it is today? hehe.

My mother has joined the ranks of Face-book goers...scary scary thought - Now I have to watch what I say on my status update.  I may need to write her a "Dear John" letter about loving her and all, but needing my space lol.  A few of my friends have their parents on Face-book and boy do some of them have their wrists slapped even though they're older than me, like who does that...oh yes Samoan parents hehe.  We shall see how the relationship progresses.

I've really been neglecting my reading and it's showing from my lack of imagination these last couple of weeks :(  I feel so unfulfilled when I don't read, like I'm missing something, like my hand or half my brain.  I only have a couple left over from my little deal I had with Rich which ended at the end of August.  I was getting 2-3 books a week in return for things he was getting from me *sigh* and now I'm almost done, time to strike up another deal with the hubster.  He thinks it's great, though I lay claim to my great haggling skills because 3 books a week?  How brilliant is that?!  We shall have to talk Mr G and I when he returns from his holiday in the sun from the sun ;).

Photo Friday

Photo Friday has been missing in action for a bit on the blog, and what better way to bring it back than a little picture story :)

I never did blog about my trip home for 10 weeks to help out with the family and all the hilarity's that went with it and to be honest, it's so 2 months ago I wouldn't know where to begin or what to write except that it wasn't a holiday, I was always on my feet running after a hyper active 3 year old, working for family and I loved most of my time there. 

So this is My trip in a few Pictures.  Enjoy

 

Home sweet home

I was there for Fatu's 3rd Birthday

I spent a bulk of my time looking after this monkey who spent most of his time in the water

...and I met my little nephew Faitala for the first time and how is that not chocolate melting in your mouth sort of stuff?  Look at him!

I was there during mothers day, we made mum her favourite meal, though I didn't have time to make the trifle, so guess what I'll be making this Christmas?  Check out the lipstick on Fatu :)  We gave away those sweetie leis so that he wouldn't be tempted to ask for any, he's not really allowed sweets.

My weekly trip to the plantation to gather up coconuts for the family - I learnt after the first week that for Fatu, going to the plantation was exactly what it used to be for me when I was younger - a big adventure with so much to do and so many hiding places!

And of course there was the obligatory outing in town with Megs and my did we laugh up a storm :)

Standby birthday crew and other nonsense

The weekend catch up - hopeless since it's almost the next weekend but HEY HO :) 

A friend whose lived here 18 years celebrated her birthday in Dubai for the first time since moving here - can you imagine that?  Her birthday has always coincided with their annual trip to Samoa with the kids, away from the worst of the summer heat here in the desert.  She had been hoping to get on the plane to China with her hubby (who was the pilot) but it was a full flight and she had to come home.

But not to worry, the standby crew were there with cupcakes, music, many bottles of champers, sushi and a wicked sense of FUN.  It was a small crowd of 5 of us, but the poor kids will attest to the fact that it not only felt like there were 50 people but it definitely sounded like it too!

My kids (Axie & Josh) and I made cupcakes, topped with with chocolate icing and some disgusting pinkish freckled looking butter cream which I must confess was made when the supervisor(me) was half cut (4th glass of bubbles I think) and very merry shouting things like "YES KIDS, Put ALL those colours in, the more the merrier" or some sort of rubbish like that.  We topped the cupcakes with candle letters spelling HAPPY BIRTHDAY and these cool colourful tall swirly candles, very pretty.  Surprisingly, no one died after sampling the cupcakes though I can't remember seeing the skinny B's eating any (NOTE to self: That is probably why they are skinnies and I'm the round one lol)  

It was all very civilized, if you don't count the dancing on table tops, the un-ladylike language and the head banging to some rather nifty metal numbers.  Shock of all things unnatural, I had no hangover the next day and proceeded to be hopping from one place to another very much high on probably all the sugar in the midori & malibu I'd been slurping all night long.  

Something I realised the next morning was that I need to teach my kids a thing or two about aunties and their "little" parties.  During the party, Josh had continuously asked me to come up and watch Transformers 2 with him after the party so we could learn a few more super cool moves (because I'm not yet 30 and a responsible adult who sort of works) to use when we next wrestle (all I do is watch...honest).  Then Axie would ask me when the party was finishing because she'd set up the DVD player in her room so we could watch charmed and have a girlie catch up (she's 11 lol)  The sweet thing is, that they thought mummy and aunties party are like the ones they go to.  The ones where the invite looks like this:

The invite clearly states a finish time, so you know you're always going to be picked up or going home at a very specific time.  Now Mummy and aunties parties don't follow the same rules...not exactly.  So instead of going through the varying technicalities of adult and children parties, I felt it would probably be easier to explain it with a visual aid like this:

Notice how child friendly it is with the different colours?  Hopefully that will explain it sufficiently enough so that I won't get any; "But why auntie Nets?" and "How come's?"  

The next day after the birthday party was good for both my sanity and liver.  I went to my scrap booking class (that i have been neglecting) and was very proud to have been called artistic with a good eye for colour.  I don't know how Maryam came to that conclusion becaue the truth is, when we went to pick out the various bits of coloured cardboard, I basically inky inky onky'ed it and picked out what my finger landed on.  And how do you have a bad eye for colour?  Aren't you either colour coordinated or uncoordinated?  Anyhow, it was hilarious watching these two 40 something year olds who fancied themselves a bit of a Michelangelo, battle out who was going to get the big teal button, use the glue gun first and brown nose the most.  Tut tut ladies, you need to get out more!!

I brought home my master piece and Jing promptly put it somewhere obscure prompting another of her games that keeps me occupied anything from a couple of mins to the whole day of "Where the *Bleep* did Jing put the *Bleep* *Bleep* thing now?"

Hope everyone had a good weekend :)