.comment-link {margin-left:.6em;}

Granola to Go

Friday, February 23, 2007

recent obsessions and the long weekend

I cannot stop listening to The Weight (Take a Load Off, Fanny) by The Band. I think it is one of the best songs ever written. Elie got me addicted to it! It is also one of those songs for which it's fun and easy to create alternate lyrics. Mostly I love the harmony and the guitar. I have become readdicted to music and unaddicted to cooking and eating. This is a VERY GOOD THING!

I still eat as I get hungry, but I am not obsessing over food like I did until recently. I guess after 16 months of food being the main pastime here, I just got tired of it. Honestly, now it feels like a burden to go out for a meal and I have significantly simplified my cooking. I am somewhat obsessed with the notion of my lack of interest in eating...so I guess I'm not really over it!

I gave up going for specialty coffee and hot chocolate for Lent. I had a discussion with my high school seniors (who I love a little too much) about giving things up for Lent. One of my students said he had given up giving up stuff for Lent. Much in the spirit of my New Year's Resoultions not to make resolutions. Then I told the students of the time in third grade when I gave up biting my fingernails and then it became habit for me not to bite my nails and I never did it again. So the aforementioned student said he as going to give up playing guitar with his thumb over the neck for Lent. Brilliant- a kid after my own heart.

I am staying in Kuwait this weekend, though it's National Day Celebrations (five day weekend), which result in absolute madness downtown. The trick is to stay out of downtown after sunset as people will spray aerosol cans of foam and worse all over cars and people. And of course, traffic is worse than ever.

I went to Folk Music Club on Wednesday evening for the first time in awhile. It was very fun, as always. I so love the people who go and play and sing and humour me into thinking I can sing and may someday become a decent guitarist. Sweetness and gratitude for having found this amazing group of random people with big hearts and good souls.

And, finally, my friend will be returning soon and I will have to return her car key. I have really enjoyed driving and have been lucky to not have any bad episodes. I am going to have to rent a car right away as the temperature is increasing as is my need for freedom. To give you an idea of the weather- yesterday I swam in an heated outdoor pool and then sat, in my swimsuit, on a chair on the sun deck for half an hour feeling warm and cozy. I love the morning sunshine, though it tends to get cloudy, windy and cooler in the afternoons.

Lots of love to everyone.

Friday, February 16, 2007

good things

I am tired today as I was up late last night dancing to live music. My friend Elie played with a cover band, not the best music ever, but good enough for dancing an singing along. The venue was nice- a large diwaniya style tent- decent sound and a fun time.

Here is my quick list of things that make me feel good:

1. Dancing to live music.
2. Having access to my friend's car while she's away. Freedom! I love driving!
3. Having good friends with a connection so close you can will them to call or text message.
4. Having room to spare in a pair of jeans I literally had to tuck myself into in October.
5. Holding my friends' 10 day old girl- she has the longest fingers I have ever seen on a baby.
6. Dealing with a difficult situation in the best manner possible and feeling my tension headache literally melt away in moments.
7. Wishing people a Happy Over Commercialized Love Day!
8. Sleeping enough to function normally. That is what I will do now.

peace out!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Dubai Part 2

I thought I would share with you a few photos from Dubai. I am not sure if you will fully get the Legoland ideal, but here is a taste of it. Stay tuned for more photos of architectue from the most superficial city on earth.



Here is a photo from on the short walk from the beach, which is 5 minutes from the school, to the mall which is about 10 minutes from the beach. Make sure you read the sign at the medical centre.





and a photo from the Cirque du Soleil

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Dubai Part 1

No photos in this edition!

A brief overview of the school trip to Dubai:

Our flight was delayed about 3 hours (so common) but we found out during the school day so we didn't have to rush to the airport after school. We arrived in Dubai around midnight and by the time we got to the school and sent our students with their hosts and got to bed, it was almost 2am. The next day started at 8 with a meeting and then a full day of rehearsals.

That night, my colleague and I decided to go to the Cirque du Soleil as we hadn't seen it and it was playing so WHY NOT? It was pretty awesome! Except the music was very calm and I was tired so I struggled against sleep for about 20 minutes but otherwise- the body movement and control of the performers is incredible.

Friday after rehearsals we went to the mall and I attempted a snowboard lesson. The cool temperature was awesome but I was not so interested in the falling down part of the learning process that day. It was fun but my friend and I left the snow park after awhile to wander around the mall.

Saturday was the gala performance which was AWESOME! Then we went to dinner at the drama teacher's house. It was fantastic. It's such a treat to spend days with other arts teachers. Thank goodness.

Dubai is like a legoland- the buildings are new and pristine and everything, even the trees and flowers look manufactured, like plastic lego flora. It was beautiful in an odd way, and very surreal. You will see pictures soon.

That's all for now, folks!