Sunday, December 19, 2010

The Diamond


This morning we were playing outside.  As Norah and I were swinging she found a beautiful bedazzle.  This is what I did with it:


A few minutes later Yaya walked over to us from across the yard and got ready to ask me a question.  She stopped mid-sentence, looked at me and said, "Hey, what's going on?"  I proceeded to tell her this story:

"Earlier today I was walking around in the house and I bumped into a wall.  I got hurt on my forehead and part of the skin came off just like it always does when you get scratched.  But somehow there was a diamond underneath my skin instead of blood.  It's always been there, I just didn't know it."

She responded, "The exact same thing happened to me on my leg."....

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Phew!

This morning we woke up extra early to take Amanda to the airport.  So early in fact that I had some trouble sleeping before and after the airport run.  That's what happens when you're just too excited...


At the airport we said goodbye to our dear Miss Amanda.  And as she left for home, I felt a rush of excitement that the Lord is forever in control of her life and He will show His faithfulness during her semester of student teaching and after.  It will be amazing to see how He guides her through this next year.

After a wonderful morning of practicing with the Christmas Eve choir and taking a nap in the afternoon, I feel very refreshed.  When things change so drastically, it hits you before it happens, during the event and after.  But in the midst of all of this I'm grateful that God is so faithful.  And I'm grateful for these two:

Thursday, December 16, 2010

There are just some people...

That the Lord puts in your life for a special reason: to draw you closer to Him.  I am so grateful to have spent the last 3 months serving beside Amanda Blair.  We have grown and learned so much together and I will miss her more than I can say.  It's our last day of normal villa life before she leaves and I just wanted to post some pictures of the last 3 months.  I'm so grateful Amanda, thanks for letting me laugh with you!





Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Documented

This is the first time in recorded history that Norah ever wore a jacket.  Documented.  Check.


Stepping into Christmas

Get it?  Stepping into Christmas.... stockings.... get it?
Anyway, Kate and I have Christmas stockings!  And here they are....


Gloria crocheted me a beautiful stocking with a tree on it.
I love it and may snuggle with it every night!


And I crocheted a stocking with a snowman on it for Kate!
It was so fun!
I wish I could make one everyday!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque

One of our friends, Cindy, was kind enough to take us to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.  It was very interesting, quite beautiful and a wonderful time with friends!  Here are the pictures:








Monday, December 13, 2010

Snow and Family!

I had a wonderful skype date which proved a few things...

1. I have a wonderful family!



2. The Second Skype Law is very, very scientific.
And correct.
That black animal next to my sister Ann is a dog.


3. It's actually snowing somewhere in the world right now...
Like in the U.P.


Hindi Lane Up Close

We went down Hindi Lane in the Textile Souq again last weekend and I got some more pictures:






Amanda being shown the traditional Indian dress.


Very nice, very nice.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

It's About Time


I finally got to see my parents after two weeks...
It was about time.

Everyone Needs to Swim

So, a few months ago two Red-eared Sliders came to live with us at the villa.  Their names:  Gregory and Aubergine, French for eggplant.

In the beginning of their time with us they lived in the tiny container they came with.  We could refer to  it as Motel 6.  They were boring and made me sad every time I looked at them forcing me to think to myself, "That's no life."  They had a plan in making us feel that way because...

Recently, we upgraded their room to a full suite.  We will refer to it as the Turtle Hilton.  Here are the pictures of Yaya being surprised by mom on the best Turtle day ever!


On the stairs, closing her eyes and waiting for her surprise.


Checking out the new turtle scene.


Yaya helping transport the sad turtles to their new happy home.


The turtle tank came with some new friends for the turtles.
Two goldfish named Dave and Gloria.
And three guppies named Kate Swanson, Kate Wright and Miss Amanda.


Still too little to only require one chair while turtle watching.  :)

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Beach Bums

If we lived any closer to the beach, I feel like we would be there everyday, every way...  Quite fortunately for everyone else, we don't.  But we try to go there as much as possible.  And on one occasion, Amanda and I chose to get there by metro!  You could say we're quite savvy.


Wow.... there are so many sky scrapers in Dubai.
This is just a taste.



Walking to the beach.


Me and my friend, Mandy!

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Public Service Announcement

I used to make these all the time in Limnology.  But I have an important public service announcement and it doesn't have to do with any reptiles... well actually it does.  This is called a PSA if you're really savvy.

Grubby is a part of everyone's life here in the villa.  Amanda often spends quality time with him even when I don't suggest it, Norah and Aliza are always looking for him and Kate Wright hasn't taken a liking to him, but I can tell that she will soon.

Here is a sign of how much people love Grubby:


Aliza included him in her beautiful Art drawing.

But that's not my PSA because everyone already knows about Grubby's fame.  My PSA is that Grubby is a dragon.  Here is the proof:


Grubby is a Gronckle.

I identified him as I was watching "How to Train your Dragon".  I don't know how I didn't see it before.  All I can say is, "Wow!"  Listen to this, it sounds just like Grubby:

The Gronckle is the toughest dragon in the dragon world and more than lives up to its looks on the battlefield. The Gronckle can launch a devastating fire attack but is limited to six shots at a time. The Gronckle can be slow, lazy, and cranky; it has been known to fall asleep mid-flight, waking only when it plunges into the sea or crashes into a mountain. Because of its tremendous weight and small wings, it would seem impossible for them to fly. However, because the wings of a Gronckle beat at a speed similar to that of hummingbirds' or bees' wings, it is possible for one to sustain flight. In fact, a Gronckle can fly backward, sideways and even hover in place. Its tail can be mistaken for the head if little attention is paid. It is also prone to dragon acne. Because of its large stout body and clubbed tail, the Gronckle somewhat resembles an ankylosaur.
from http://howtotrainyourdragon.wikia.com/wiki/Gronckle

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

I Wanna Be A Sadie...

Anybody seen Funny Girl?
We Won't Let Anyone Rain on Our Parade!


Singing with the song.


Emily's very own interpretation of the song.

Christmas Away from Home

This year there hasn't been as much gearing up for Christmas as I'm used to.  In the States, people prepare for the holiday in different ways, but general society transforms into one of holiday cheer.

If you go to the mall here you'll see store keepers wearing "Santa's Helpers" t-shirts, but general society doesn't transform the way it does at home.  Really this isn't a horrible thing.  There is enough Christmas cheer in the villa to prepare my heart for Christmas, but it wasn't until today when I got this email that I really felt like Christmas was approaching.

Hi, Kate,

I went to the post office and followed Santa's instructions to the letter (get it?).  He thanks you for
promptly supplying your address.  Fortunately, the one you supplied and the one Santa has on
file match.  How about that?

According to Santa, a number of fathers are helping out this year in the same manner I have.  He says
this builds character and is generally good for us.  I told him that I am already a character--what
kind of foundation is that to build on?  He said I should stop smarting off and get on with the program.
I suppose he's right--after all, he is Santa.

Love, Dad


Monday, December 06, 2010

The Smells of Home



Guess where I found this.......

DUBAI!

Can you believe it?

Christmas Cheer

Our friends the Parks invited us over yesterday to get in the Christmas spirit.  This is what Christmas spirit really looks like:


Sugar cookie dough!
We spent the afternoon making delicious cookies and it was wonderful!



A slice of pumpkin pie made by Emma.


Emma and her cookie artwork.
Wow.


If anyone knows what this is, I'll give you a long distance high five!
It was made by Kate Wright.


I made this one...  I found out that cookie making isn't exactly my gift.


But I still had fun!