We’ve been back to Abu Dhabi for nearly two months and it’s time for another blog update J Life has got noticeably busier for us this fall...Carmen accepted a full time job at the Canadian school as a Learning Support Specialist and this working full time thing seems to be cramping her style (her words, not mine) J It is not her dream job, but the IVF center finally admitted they weren't ready for her and to go ahead and take the school job. Things left off fine but she may have a big decision to make some time in the New Year. Compensation is noticeably less at the school, but she is very pleased with the staff, and of course being with the kids, running them to activities after school and of course great holidays counts for a lot. She hopes that this will lead into the counselor role next year. She has been also very busy trying to find a new supervisor who specializes in school psychology so that her time at the school can start to count toward becoming a psychologist. She should hopefully find this out by end of October.
Kids are back in school and enjoying it. They have the school principal's wife for a teacher and she is great! They are learning a ton, but must admit sometimes I think it is too much - full days, nightly reading, weekend activities. We don't do it all with them, they need to be kids....good parent, poor parent, or just lazy...jury is still out! Also, we have them in way too many activities this term – each week both in swimming, ice skating and golf; Rafi also ballet and Trace soccer. They seem to enjoy it all, but they are so tired and they got so sick. Both had a nasty cold and fever and Trace after two weeks just started antibiotics and finally on the mend. Everything is so accessible and year round that it is hard to decide what to eliminate, but after Christmas we have to start a rotation.
For Trace and Rafi’s real birthday (at this point their 4th separate party), Carmen had this “brilliant” idea to invite their whole class to their b-day party. We hosted at our complex community pool. It was so great, with a bouncy castle slide into the pool and then pizza party in the multipurpose room. However, I don’t think she was expecting such a turnout...37 kids including the twins, plus parents and sometimes whole family. Oh well, the kids loved the mountain of gifts and so many people said it was such a great party. We’ve done our duty though, next school year it will be someone else's responsibility to get to know the class community!
And on the topic of parties, Carmen decided to cook her first turkey and host Canadian Thanksgiving. It started small but again, 11 adults and 13 kids in our small place...she just don't know when to stop. Thank goodness for Sally, our nanny, as she really helped get everything organized given it was a work day, so when I say she cooked the turkey, she really just supervised and provided her mom's directions minus the thawing, thermometer check when she got home, and the gravy (she’ll admit to all of this…I think) J It turned out to be a nice night, but again, next year, smaller scale!!
Carmen and I have both been training for the triathlon in Dubai Nov 23rd. It has been good exercise, but a lot of time. We did a 10 km race a couple of weeks ago. It was my first outdoor run (mainly running on treadmill) as it is still quite hot here. Did fine first 7 km and then tanked as it got hotter and just haven't trained enough yet (and maybe came out a little fast). I don't think we will be breaking any records, but we are enjoying the challenge. Carmen has been going to the Formula One race track to train for the bike and running on Tuesday evenings (I should be there as well, but its my one golf night ;). They open the track up to the general public and you can either bike or run the 5.5 km track. We will be attending the actual formula one race in early November and ironically one of the headliners for evening concerts is Nickelback. The other concert will be Eminem.
Did we mention we are also moving? We will be in the same complex/compound, but upgrading to a four bedroom. Prices have gone down so only $3000 more a year for the 4 bedroom and there is soooo much more room. It is a two story villa and right now we only have one story. We could have survived, but Ryan's allowance covers the cost and his parents are booking a trip in Feb to see us, and my dad is talking more seriously about coming too, so thought we better get the extra space. Hint, hint, time to start scheduling your visits J
Finally, holidays...three long weekends coming up in Oct-Dec. We are going to fly to Muscat, Oman at the end of October and chill in the city. Supposed to be beautiful. In November we are going to a UAE safari spot and in December off to Jordan to see the dead sea, Petra (red city), and Wadi Rum - a desert oasis. We are actually staying in the desert for two nights - yes me! Then we have booked our Christmas tickets home so kids and Carmen will be back Dec 14th to Jan 2nd and myself a week later.
