Election Day Eve (by Randy)

It's the Eve of Election Day in the United States, and yes, it's getting plenty of press overseas as well. However, in Abu Dhabi we've only seen one bumper sticker about the elections, an "Obama 08" sticker. I'll be glad when it's all over, even if--as it would certainly appear--the uber-liberal gets elected.

Meanwhile, we're doing well here, keeping busy with school and a relatively (for new parents) active social life. Last night, though, Christine and I went out on a "date," something just for us (thank you, Joyce, for babysitting!). We went to Finz (I did NOT choose it because of its similarity to the Jimmy Buffett tune--I chose it because it has received top awards and is billed as THE place for outdoor seafood dining in this capital city) and enjoyed some nice seafood (and dessert) overlooking the water and a ton of cranes (it's Abu Dhabi; of course there were cranes!).

Anastasia is doing well. She smiles quite a bit these days, even to strangers (we're hoping she maintains this attitude next month when she hits the United States). Christine takes her for a walk in the Baby Bjorn in the morning, and I do the same in the evening. Somewhere in between, we manage to teach, work on lesson plans, and grade papers. Also, we both have enrolled in distance-learning classes from Colorado State University for teacher recertification credit, and that will take up some of our time as well.

On weekends we take Anastasia to the beach or the park or one of our many malls...she's quite agreeable as long as she's in the Baby Bjorn!

Anyway, we'll be in the United States a month from now. Our schedule tentatively looks something like this:

3 December: Land in Orlando, Florida, and visit with my paternal grandmother, Mom, and Peter;

9 December: Drive up to Beaufort, South Carolina, to see Dad and our Beaufort friends;

17 December: Begin our drive to Indiana, perhaps driving through Asheville (Michelle?) and Knoxville

18 December: Arrive in Dale, Indiana, to see Christine's family

31 December: Fly out of Evansville, Indiana, for home.

Hopefully this summer, I'll get a chance to see the Illinois (maternal) grandparents, aunts, uncle, cousin, etc...

And Becky (the godmother!)...well, she needs to make plans to either come to Beaufort or Indiana to see us! And of course, she still needs to book that flight for Abu Dhabi in January or February...

Take care, everyone...and be sure to vote Libertarian.