So much to update on!
Leanne hitting the books:
I have decided to do a two-year distance education program from the Canadian School of Naural Nutrition. I will obtain a diploma in Registered Holistic Nutrionist. I did it for many reasons. Firtly is to get my health back - practice what I preach so to speak. I have had a rough few years being sick and losing hair from my colitis. I want to feel healthy again. My family will get healthier in the process as well. I also did it to 'pass' the time here in Kuwait. i can do exercises and reading while the kids are in school and at night. Once i return tothe US, I have to take two upgrade courses in order to be recognized by the Nutritional Assiciation there. I feel it will be a great field to work part time, in any one of a number of areas/. This way I can still be around for the kids, but have my own thing going on for me. In fact, my books just arrived today, so tonight I will start the course!
Heading to Dubai:
In order for us to get our resident visas here (me and the girls) we have to do a medical test outside of Kuwait and get it certified by the Kuwait Embassy before re-entry. So, we will be spending the first part of November in Dubai dealing with this, as well as making a small vacation out of it, as we will be there over the weekend. It works out well, as Robb has to stay for a few days longer for work meetings. Jessie will turn 3 while in Dubai, so we will have to plan a special activity for her, as I wasn't planning a party or anything for her. I may send cupcakes into school for her classmates. Saige spent her 4th birthday overseas and flying, so it is fitting that Jessie gets to do the same :)
Leanne is OUTTA HERE!!!
One of my great friends from home has been living in Singapore as an expat for a year now. I was wondering if and when I would get the chance to see her while she was there, as it has been years. Robb told me the other day that he gets 10 days off of work in mid-November for a national holiday, as do the kids. SOOOO, a well timed Skype call convinced me to see if I could pull some strings...and as a result, a spur of the moment, 5 day kid free trip to Singpaore is in the near future! It worked out great, I was able to use reward miles and it is basically a 'free' trtip, and Robb doesn't need to take any time off of work to watch the kiddos. It would have been nice to take the whole family, but I decided that I needed a few days for me. Darlene and I have always made a point of trying to connect when we can, as she moved from BC to Ontario at 23. I have made a few trips to see her there, once for her wedding. Robb's extended family lives near her, so I am able to meet her whenever we rarely head there (for weddings and funerals). She has made the trip to BC to visit several times as her family is still there, plus has driven to see us in Kelowna while we were vacationing in BC as was she. I made a trip to go canoeing/camping with her as part of an extended work/visa trip to Toronto. She made it to Houston to visit me while we were both preggo (our daughters were born 1 month apart). I barely missed seing her this summer when we were both home from overseas. and finally, it has been years, we will CONNECT IN PERSON! No more Skype, facebook, emails, phone calls. OK, yes, I am excited.
Halloween will be celebrated with some parties at school and the Mom's Group. We won't get to trick or treat, but I think enough fun and candy will be had by all so they won't miss the door to door so much.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
The 'Santa' talk
While in the car last week, I decided to bring up Santa. I rarely use 'Santa' as a form of bribery ie - "You had better be good if you want Santa to bring you a present" etc.. Instead, I wanted to start asking what the girls would want Santa to bring them, because living where we do, there may be a bit more planning to do on Santa's part to make it happen. I explained to them that it needs to be something small so it can fit in Santa's sleigh with all the other toys for the other boys and girls. (or, perhaps, the suitcase for the plane ride to/from Canada). So, as of October, here is what the wish list consists of:
Saige - flippers for the water to swim faster (I think Santa can do this one)
Jessie - A princess snowman (whatever floats her boat, this can also be do-able with a bit of imagination and pink fabric).
I am sure the list will change a few times. In general, my kids are not greedy Santa listers. Because a Princess Snowman can only make it back to Kuwait as a digital photograph, I will keep working on Jessie for a more tangible item for her wish list.
In other, more seasonal notes: Happy Thanksgving to all my Friends and Family back in Canada. We will be joining a group of Canadians having a delicious catered Turkey Dinner. Can't wait!
Saige - flippers for the water to swim faster (I think Santa can do this one)
Jessie - A princess snowman (whatever floats her boat, this can also be do-able with a bit of imagination and pink fabric).
I am sure the list will change a few times. In general, my kids are not greedy Santa listers. Because a Princess Snowman can only make it back to Kuwait as a digital photograph, I will keep working on Jessie for a more tangible item for her wish list.
In other, more seasonal notes: Happy Thanksgving to all my Friends and Family back in Canada. We will be joining a group of Canadians having a delicious catered Turkey Dinner. Can't wait!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Just an update
This is about nothing in particular. Just random goings on in our life.
Last week Robb had to fly to Calgary for 8 days. I was just starting what felt like a cold. It turned into what has been my very worst sinus infection yet. I suffered (as did the girls) for 3-4 days until I decided to go to the Dr. for help. The reason for not going sooner (mainly) is this: I have colitis, and the last time I had a sinus infection, I ended up in the hospital with my diagnosis. I did not want to repeat this experience. I did have a few things going for me this time: I have not been taking any Advil cold and sinus (Advil (ibuprophen) is a colitis no-no). I stocked up on yogurt and probiotic tablets to counteract the antibiotics I was eventually going to get. I was better able to anticipate a reaction, so i made sure I was extra hydrated in case a reaction DID happen. So, via IM, Robb demanded I head to the doctor. A lady who's daughter goes to the same school as Saige and Jessie offered to watch the girls. I went there, got the diagnosis and medications and was home within an hour. The infection was MUCH better the next day, and gone by 2-3 days post antibiotics. The sniffles and coughing still linger, but I am so much better. I had a tough time dealing with the kids and the almost migraine headaches that came with the sinus infection. The pain meds were not at all helping, and lask of sleep and inability to be upright with my eyes open took it's toll.
The girls each got to go on a field trip this week. The school took them to the Natural Science Museum to see a T-Rex display, dig for bones and have a picnic. They were so excited to ride on the bus (they even had car seats!!!) They are really loving school. Jessie seems to fit right in with the 'Monkeys' class. Saige will benefit from going 3 days/week next term, as she is the only one going 2days/week now, and they cover SO much stuff. I can't see doing 4 ro 5 days just yet - she will have enough of that next year for Kindergarten...
We have finally got our banking situation figured out, so we can make some purchases for the house. We still need mainly storage items and wall hangings. Robb says our home is too 'hospital-like' and sterile with bare, white walls. We were losing so much in exchange rate loss using our US based debit and credit cards. But, let the buying games begin! The weather is finally showing signs of cooling, so we may venture out to the Friday Markets to see what goodies we can come across.
I have hired a cleaning lady for a once per week scrub down. She has turned out very well. I feel a slight guilt, but it is my treat to me and I am going to try and concentrate on experimenting with cooking etc. I have made arrangements to buy a car at the end of the month, so in the meantime, we are renting one. It is from a non-brand name rental compnay, so I will see if it sees me through to the end of the month! I am happy to have transportation, though. I did use a taxu last week to collect the kids from school, and it was an over all pleasant experience. We may have to head to Dubai as a family at the beginning of November. Robb needs to go there for work, and the girls and I may have to do a 'visa' run, meaning leaving the country to have a medical done to obtain a civil ID. If this happens, we will celebrate Jessie's 3rd birthday there. If not, I will make cupcakes for her class and let her choose what she would like to do.
The weather is showing signs of cooling, especially at night. We have had a few days of taking the scooters outside for a spin, and heading to parks at sundown.
Last week Robb had to fly to Calgary for 8 days. I was just starting what felt like a cold. It turned into what has been my very worst sinus infection yet. I suffered (as did the girls) for 3-4 days until I decided to go to the Dr. for help. The reason for not going sooner (mainly) is this: I have colitis, and the last time I had a sinus infection, I ended up in the hospital with my diagnosis. I did not want to repeat this experience. I did have a few things going for me this time: I have not been taking any Advil cold and sinus (Advil (ibuprophen) is a colitis no-no). I stocked up on yogurt and probiotic tablets to counteract the antibiotics I was eventually going to get. I was better able to anticipate a reaction, so i made sure I was extra hydrated in case a reaction DID happen. So, via IM, Robb demanded I head to the doctor. A lady who's daughter goes to the same school as Saige and Jessie offered to watch the girls. I went there, got the diagnosis and medications and was home within an hour. The infection was MUCH better the next day, and gone by 2-3 days post antibiotics. The sniffles and coughing still linger, but I am so much better. I had a tough time dealing with the kids and the almost migraine headaches that came with the sinus infection. The pain meds were not at all helping, and lask of sleep and inability to be upright with my eyes open took it's toll.
The girls each got to go on a field trip this week. The school took them to the Natural Science Museum to see a T-Rex display, dig for bones and have a picnic. They were so excited to ride on the bus (they even had car seats!!!) They are really loving school. Jessie seems to fit right in with the 'Monkeys' class. Saige will benefit from going 3 days/week next term, as she is the only one going 2days/week now, and they cover SO much stuff. I can't see doing 4 ro 5 days just yet - she will have enough of that next year for Kindergarten...
We have finally got our banking situation figured out, so we can make some purchases for the house. We still need mainly storage items and wall hangings. Robb says our home is too 'hospital-like' and sterile with bare, white walls. We were losing so much in exchange rate loss using our US based debit and credit cards. But, let the buying games begin! The weather is finally showing signs of cooling, so we may venture out to the Friday Markets to see what goodies we can come across.
I have hired a cleaning lady for a once per week scrub down. She has turned out very well. I feel a slight guilt, but it is my treat to me and I am going to try and concentrate on experimenting with cooking etc. I have made arrangements to buy a car at the end of the month, so in the meantime, we are renting one. It is from a non-brand name rental compnay, so I will see if it sees me through to the end of the month! I am happy to have transportation, though. I did use a taxu last week to collect the kids from school, and it was an over all pleasant experience. We may have to head to Dubai as a family at the beginning of November. Robb needs to go there for work, and the girls and I may have to do a 'visa' run, meaning leaving the country to have a medical done to obtain a civil ID. If this happens, we will celebrate Jessie's 3rd birthday there. If not, I will make cupcakes for her class and let her choose what she would like to do.
The weather is showing signs of cooling, especially at night. We have had a few days of taking the scooters outside for a spin, and heading to parks at sundown.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
A Day in the Life
What a morning. It started early, as sleep isn't a thing we do much of in this house. Robb is away (in Canada in the Fall of all the beautiful places I'd rather be). After a caffienated drink and a few cartoons (I don't attempt to entertain this early in the morning), I made a yummy, from scratch pancake breakfast. It was the perfect opportunity to get dressed, head to the store before the crowds and traffic, stop at the company apartment to drop off clean sheets I washed this weekend and come home to swim. We started towards the grocery store (as I had to go for the very basics - toilet paper, cat food and bananas). Gas light came on...grrrr...I have no cash to buy gas. Bought the groceries, tried 3 bank machines to withdraw money to buy gas - all out of service. OK, I have enough gas to get back home. Stopped at the company apartment...the reserved spot is parallel park - and I am not saying I cannot parallel park, I admit I am quite capable. But NOBODY could have fit in the space that was left for me. Because it was the weekend, there were no spots to even sneak into for just 5 mins. GRRRR, I will try again tomorrow once people have all the cars at work. Had to drive PAST the house to go to the only bank I know of to get money...haul both kids out of the car into a flithy, non-AC mall amid what seems to be only males who like to stare and me and the kids, scambling to get out of the car seats in a parking spot made for a Corolla, but I have an FJ. OK...have money in hand. Stop by the gas station, fill with gas. Notice a DRIVE UP bank machine that was working. OK, store that in the memory for next time. Go home, notice it is only 10 am.....I need a drink and some cough medicine! Is it bedtime yet? :)
Monday, September 20, 2010
I'm back!
Have I fallen off the face of the Earth? No. Have been half way around the Earth? Yes. And back again? Yes.
I will not attempt to give a play by play of the vacation, as we did so much, but here is a Photo Tour of the trip.
We arrived home from our 5+ week vacation to Canada to all of our 'stuff' in boxes. It was so nice to see some of it, and others may not be making the return trip. We brought alot of toys with us, as we knew the girls will outgrow them if we didn't. The nice thing is that there are alot of people who will feel very grateful for some of the toys and clothes I will give them once we leave.
We are almost finished putting the 'stuff' away, there are a few small things waiting for us to buy storage for, and we are waiting to see where things will go before putting up the big pictures.
The girls started pre-school twice a week, and so far they love it. I have hired a housecleaner once a week, as a Middle East treat to myself. I will try not to get used to it. We are in the process of buying a car for me, as taxi's to and from school seem like a hassle, although I haven't tried them yet. I will have to for the month of October as I won't have the car yet. Life is getting a bit less stressful. I plan on using the great little gym in the building more and more, now that I have a few hours to myself each week. The weather is showing signs of cooling, so we are hoping to start a more outdoor lifestyle soon. I am also enjoying flipping through recipe books for ideas, I just need to get organized and make of list of what I need to make these yummy recipes before I head out shopping. I seem to fall into a rut, making the same things over again, but I am still getting comfortable with what is available here, and substitutions for things. Robb seems to have settled into the office here, and will start a bit of traveling soon. And so it begins....
I will not attempt to give a play by play of the vacation, as we did so much, but here is a Photo Tour of the trip.
We arrived home from our 5+ week vacation to Canada to all of our 'stuff' in boxes. It was so nice to see some of it, and others may not be making the return trip. We brought alot of toys with us, as we knew the girls will outgrow them if we didn't. The nice thing is that there are alot of people who will feel very grateful for some of the toys and clothes I will give them once we leave.
We are almost finished putting the 'stuff' away, there are a few small things waiting for us to buy storage for, and we are waiting to see where things will go before putting up the big pictures.
The girls started pre-school twice a week, and so far they love it. I have hired a housecleaner once a week, as a Middle East treat to myself. I will try not to get used to it. We are in the process of buying a car for me, as taxi's to and from school seem like a hassle, although I haven't tried them yet. I will have to for the month of October as I won't have the car yet. Life is getting a bit less stressful. I plan on using the great little gym in the building more and more, now that I have a few hours to myself each week. The weather is showing signs of cooling, so we are hoping to start a more outdoor lifestyle soon. I am also enjoying flipping through recipe books for ideas, I just need to get organized and make of list of what I need to make these yummy recipes before I head out shopping. I seem to fall into a rut, making the same things over again, but I am still getting comfortable with what is available here, and substitutions for things. Robb seems to have settled into the office here, and will start a bit of traveling soon. And so it begins....
Friday, July 30, 2010
Leaving on a Jet Plane
It is about 45 minutes before we have to leave for a 21 hour journey (about 26 door to door) from Kuwait to Houston. I am traveling alone with the kids, which always psychs me out. I have butterflys, but I know once we get settled on the plane, it is a matter of sleeping and keeping occupied. The issue I have is that the flight leaves at 1 am...so we have already been up since about 7 this morning. The kids have had just over an hour nap earlier in the day. It is already past bedtime, and they may snooze on the 30 minute drive to the airport. I have had ALL day to stress over it, think about what I may have forgotten to pack. I much prefer getting up in the morning, showering and hitting the road (or sky). I don't do well with no sleep, and it is about 38 hours of being awake. I have a good friend meeting us at the other end, so I don't have to worry about getting a shuttle to the car, installing car seats, driving an hour home, then finally heading to the ER for a broken finger for Jessie....I am hoping for an injury free trip this time.
We have 4 days in Houston to get over jet lag and see friends. Then we fly to Alberta for a week and 1/2, then to BC for 2 weeks, where Robb will join us. Then another week in Alberta before we fly home again. Wish us luck! Poor Daddy will be without his girls for 3 weeks! (he has the cats to snuggle, though), The cats are gonna miss us, I feel so bad leaving them for so long.
See you on the flip side of the world.
We have 4 days in Houston to get over jet lag and see friends. Then we fly to Alberta for a week and 1/2, then to BC for 2 weeks, where Robb will join us. Then another week in Alberta before we fly home again. Wish us luck! Poor Daddy will be without his girls for 3 weeks! (he has the cats to snuggle, though), The cats are gonna miss us, I feel so bad leaving them for so long.
See you on the flip side of the world.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Progressive Driving
I think I have had the perfect situation for preparing for the driving experiences I have had. When I was young, my Dad would let me sit on his lap and steer the truck on the old logging roads while out gathering firewood. Then, eventually, he let us actually drive when we were big enough to reach the pedals and see over the wheel. At 15, my mom let me take her car to basketball practice every Saturday, using the 'back roads'. Once I turned 16, Dad spent countless hours with me driving down the streets of Prince George, parallel parking on 3rd Avenue till I got it right. It was a mild paced city, perfect for learning how to drive properly and safely, even in the snow and ice. Fast forward to school in Edmonton, a bigger city with divided, multi lane roads and freeways. It was there I learned the proper way to navigate through a traffic circle, or round-about, from a taxi driver. I then had to take my first professional driving course for my job, where I was to drive numerous vehicles large and small through the mountain passes. It was a defensive driving course where you learn to anticipate moves of the drivers all around.
Fast forward again to getting married, moving to Houston, Texas...the 4th most populous city in the US. I was SCARED to drive there...freeways, exits, not really sure where I was going. I would actually take frontage roads for miles so I didn't have to get on the freeways. I eventually got the hang of naviagting the highways and by-ways, and spent numerous hours making my way through rush hour Galleria traffic.
Now that I am in Kuwait, I feel so lucky to have had these past, progressively challenging cities in which to drive. It is a free for all, rules not apply place to drive. I actually feel sorry for anyone who has to LEARN how to drive here, as there is no way to learn properly. Apparently it is mandatory to have professional training to get a license for the first time here, so that is good, I guess. I don't think I will be signing up anytime soon to be a driving instructor here ;)
In my years of driving, I am happy to say I have had 2 incidents: A slide into a ditch from the ice, and having my Dad's truck slide down an icey driveway, scaping the egde along a light pole :( DAMN ICE- I hope to continue my streak of safe driving - no ice here!
I am SO looking forward to driving the back roads and secondary highways in Canada in the next few weeks. I may even stop on the side of the road (because I CAN), roll the window down, breathe in the fresh air...and enjoy the pleasure of being there.
Fast forward again to getting married, moving to Houston, Texas...the 4th most populous city in the US. I was SCARED to drive there...freeways, exits, not really sure where I was going. I would actually take frontage roads for miles so I didn't have to get on the freeways. I eventually got the hang of naviagting the highways and by-ways, and spent numerous hours making my way through rush hour Galleria traffic.
Now that I am in Kuwait, I feel so lucky to have had these past, progressively challenging cities in which to drive. It is a free for all, rules not apply place to drive. I actually feel sorry for anyone who has to LEARN how to drive here, as there is no way to learn properly. Apparently it is mandatory to have professional training to get a license for the first time here, so that is good, I guess. I don't think I will be signing up anytime soon to be a driving instructor here ;)
In my years of driving, I am happy to say I have had 2 incidents: A slide into a ditch from the ice, and having my Dad's truck slide down an icey driveway, scaping the egde along a light pole :( DAMN ICE- I hope to continue my streak of safe driving - no ice here!
I am SO looking forward to driving the back roads and secondary highways in Canada in the next few weeks. I may even stop on the side of the road (because I CAN), roll the window down, breathe in the fresh air...and enjoy the pleasure of being there.
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