Norah and the Grubster

Today, Grubby and Norah met early in the morning and became attached at the hip.  There were a few hours where they had some alone time, but as soon as Norah was up from her afternoon nap, Grubby found himself in her arms again.

I have finally found someone who loves Grubby as much as I do.

As Norah sat in her mummy's lap tonight reading a bedtime story, I found out that she had wanted to extend their hang out time and sleep with him in her crib.  I didn't know what to do, how could I separate two of the people I love the most...  Thankfully, Gloria suggested I simply say, "Thank you so much for looking over Grubby for me."  Norah gave him one last hug and said, "Night, Night."

Meatloaf

Growing up, my parents never made meatloaf.  I didn't really taste it until earlier this year when one of my favorite people and roommates, Emily, made it for dinner one night.  I'm not embarrassed to say that I loved it.

So when Amanda and Kate wanted to make meatloaf I screamed, "PLEASE" quite loudly in the supermarket.  And thus, the meatloaf was made.  The picture sequence is, of course, in honor of the great meatloaf.

In Recovery

An Update on Dave

Classy Little Princess

If you would like to know how to pray for me and those I'm serving, here is a good place to start:

Dave's surgery

It's quiet around the villa today as we wait in anticipation for Dave and Gloria to return from surgery.  Norah is taking a nap now and I find myself missing Aliza while she's at the hospital.  So this one's for you Aliza.

I don't know if you're familiar with Gigi... but check it out- this outfit is Aliza's ode to the popular children's book character.  So classy.

Coffee and Jazz

One of the bonuses of living in the villa is that quite often, we have to make desserts and goodies for different events that are held here.  When doing this, we find that it's best for everyone involved if we double the recipe.  That way, the guests can partake in the goodness during the event and we can partake in the goodness right after it's made.  Besides, it's always important to do a taste test, I'm sure you all would agree.

On Saturday, we made pumpkin streusel coffee cake for an upcoming event.  And let me tell you... It's a good thing we tasted it beforehand because it was delicious- we wouldn't have wanted anyone to suffer through anything that's un-delicious...  I mean seriously people.

But in partaking in my piece of coffee cake, I had a brilliant idea.  Why not make myself an afternoon of coffee cake, lattes and jazz.  So I made a latte, brought my ipod to the kitchen and relaxed with a little taste of home- pumpkin...  And it was good.  I tried to capture my love for this in picture form.

Boy, do I love coffee and jazz.

Introductions

Aliza meet Grubby.

Grubby meet Aliza.

The first time Aliza saw Grubby on my bed she started saying, "He's scary, he's scary."  Then I started to sing "He's not scary, he's just misunderstood."  Those two phrases have become a musical moment between us whenever Aliza comes into my room.  It is quite beautiful.  

So far, she still thinks he's a scary monster, but the fact that she's singing those words tells me that she is warming up to him.

And he's just waiting for the day.

Kevin

Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, Kevin.

Kevin.

Just seeing if you're paying attention.

Kevin is not a person.  No, no, no, no.

Kevin is a bird.

Kevin is the bird in the movie "UP."  Kevin joined our lives this week after Aliza and Amanda watched "UP."  For a few days, it was hard for me to see him.  Until.... he came to life.

Thank you Martha Stewart.

There they are, best friends forever.  Until...

Kevin died.  A painful, painful death.

But we found a new Kevin.

The Aquarium

Malls.

I don't really enjoy frequenting the mall in the States, but there is something interesting about the malls here...  Sometimes they leave you speechless.

For instance, last weekend I saw fish swimming in the mall....  Not just little goldfish.  BIG FISH.

This is Henry the shark, named after my nephew Ephraim.

You can see that this aquarium is definitely in the mall...

The good thing is that you can see most of it without actually paying for anything.  My friends told me that there's more inside, but seeing the outside is just as good!  Sounds like my kind of aquarium.

Henry swimming with his "friends"...  Hmmm.

And the Winner Is...

As soon as the sun goes down, the skyline lights up in Dubai.

The other night, my friends and I went to the Dubai Mall and I saw the Burj Khalifa, the diamond of the Dubai skyline, up close for the first time.

If you remember my post from a long time ago, I talked about how being the tallest has always been a competition.  After seeing the Burj Khalifa in person I've realized... Big Tex does not compare to this building.

As I stood at the base and looked up, my neck felt the strain after only a minute...  therefore, even though everyone already knows it, I have an announcement.

And the winner is....

The Photo Shoot

Running in the Desert

We spent some time at the Desert yesterday!  Finally, right?!?!

It took about 5 minutes to get there.  You could say it's right next door.

We had a special reason to go to the desert because we needed to do a photo shoot.

But I've discovered there are many other desert past times here:

- camping

- off-roading

- barbecuing

- scorpion hunting

-bonfiring

We'll see which of these past times I'll get to experience...

Aliza also showed me how running is a fun desert past time.

Being cool is also a past time.

Shoes on Wrong

Some people really really really like shoes.  And they don't mind if they're on wrong.

And some people really like babies.  And pigtails.

Norah is one of those people.

Hard Work and Geckos

We did a lot of yard work the other night.  This picture is of Amanda and Aliza throwing branches over the wall to the branch pile.  Aliza was kind enough to help us with that task... we weren't tall enough.

It's too hot to spend any considerable amount of time outside during the day, especially laboring over dirt and plants, so we resort to working in the yard by flood light.  It's a good chance to get some exercise and to be outside for more than a few minutes at a time.

Aliza loves going outside.  She also spent some time playing in the dirt, which was very cute.  But she really loves being outside because that's where the geckos live.  You can barely see it, but there's a gecko in her hand.

Oooo, now you can see it better.

I'm sorry to say, it didn't have a very long and happy life after that...

Interesting Skype Habits

I skyped with my parents for the first time the other night.  I know that people change, but that usually happens over time.  I was surprised to see that it only took my parents 3 days to change...

One Two Many Kates...

There's one funny thing about living in the villa...

I'm not the first Kate that's ever lived here.

Earlier this year a Katie lived here and now there is not one, but two Kate's living in the villa.

 People have taken to calling me a few different things.

Here are some of my nicknames so far...

#3

Miss Kate insert last name here (which Aliza calls me)

Onomatopoeia

The Knife

Okay, I made that last one up, but maybe I'll suggest that one tomorrow and see how it rolls over.

It's important to look on the bright side... It would be much worse if all of the housemates were named Kate.

Thankfully Amanda's here too!

Here we are together!

Hellos

That's right people, I'm in Dubai...

This is a sign Aliza made for me.  Notice that she captured my undying love for ice cream on the left side.  How could she have known?

Goodbyes

My parents took me to the airport on Tuesday afternoon and sent me off.  I was surprised..... none of us cried.  But don't let that tell you anything about the wonderful time I spent with my parents this month.

From the road tripping duo of Baba and Kate to the Navigating Wonders of Rodger and Kate... it was a wonderful month and I'm so grateful.

Thank you Mom and Dad.  I love you as big as the sky.

Mystic Seaport

One last Connecticut adventure...

Going to Mystic, CT with a boat builder is always interesting...

Please, notice the sign and the delicate location of this boat builder...

Staff Only... hmm.  Do you think it will stop Rodger...

Nope... haha

I, on the other hand, spent my time finding another career path instead of trespassing.

I'm going to be a whaler.  And sail this ship...

The Charles Morgan

It's taller than a house.

And I'm taller than this anchor.

Day well spent.

Only 2 Days!

This is what only 2 days left in Connecticut means to me:

1) Getting to spend two more days with my parents....

My mum and I went to an end of summer Connecticut classic- the Guitars Under the Stars concert:

This is me getting lulled by a guitar

You can't see the guitars or the stars, but I promise they are there!

We also went to one of our customary stomping grounds....

Whole Foods

What!  A California Raisin by the grapes.... weird!

2) And it means..... Packing!

Don't worry, I'm bringing more than just multiple seasons of various TV shows... I think.