Kathy and Mariah's visit

Camels heading home after a race

Anastasia enjoying the desert after watching the camel races


Anastasia wearing her Singapore dress at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque


Leanne, Mariah and my hands against the desert sand


A newborn camel


On a break from the dune bashing


the view from our window: below a few local men were enjoying tea and pretending they were in Venice


Anastasia had a bit of cabin fever the day it rained: we ended up taking multiple trips to enjoy the freakish rain


Misrak driving Anastasia and a neighbor on their remote control cars

2nd Eid/National Day holiday in Singapore and Malaysia

Singapore and Malaysia

Note: Click on the photo above to see the album highlighting our most recent trip.

Halloween

Anastasia used the pumpkin as a bowling ball


Carving the pumpkin


Playing with the pumpkin innards


Anastasia dressed as a flower for Halloween


Anastasia's drawing

Anastasia had a nice Halloween. The festivities started Thursday night when we carved a pumpkin at Leanne's flat. Anastasia enjoyed playing with the insides of the pumpkin. The next day, after a dinner of Lowcountry boil, we went to the Corniche for a free concert, part of their Beats on the Beach series associated with Formula One's latest track--right here on nearby Yas Island in Abu Dhabi! We saw Timbaland, but his "concert" was more of a trick than a treat. He sang--intermittently--to some of the songs that he had helped produce, and periodically the dj would stop the music altogether to let the crowd sing along. The overall effect was like singing along to a radio and going through a series of tunnels. This morning, Anastasia went trick-or-treating. A teacher at school set it up with a few volunteer teachers to provide candy. So, Anastasia along with four other little children went door to door (just to fellow teachers' places since Halloween isn't actually celebrated here in the UAE) and collected her goods. Everyone liked her costume--she went as a flower.

Life in these United Emirates

(Yes, I have been reading Readers' Digest lately.)

There's not much going on here. Randy has long since returned from his sister's wedding in Virginia. School is school; open house and parent conferences are over but the end of the first quarter is looming.

Anastasia is growing. A waitress asked today if she knew how to walk or if she could only run. She's got a very distinct style of dancing. Her speech is still primarily "this", "dad", "mom" with a lot of squeals and growls in between. She loves the movies Randy brought back from the US. Her favorite: Jungle Book, especially the elephant marching song.

We're already looking forward to the holidays. Second Eid/National Day will be spent in Singapore and KL. My Aunt Kathy and cousin Ri will be here for a week mid-December. And then we're back on holiday for Christmas. The current plan is Turkey and Cyprus.

A few pictures from a day in the life of Anastasia...

Dancing to Jungle Book (I'm quite impressed with her style and intensity)


Randy and I finally decided to see what was up at Sparky's, a kids play arcade in our neighborhood mall. Misrak takes her there pretty regularly so several of the attendants referred to her by name. This place has a bowling alley, miniature ice rink, rollercoaster, 3D theatre, you name it- it's probably there!

Eid in Jordan

Jordan, Sept 2009

Note: Click on the photo above to see the album highlighting our trip to Jordan.

Eid Mubarak! We have returned from our Eid trip to Jordan.
It was a good week-long holiday. We landed in Amman and spent the night in western Amman before heading to Mount Nebo, where Moses is supposedly buried. From the top of Mount Nebo, we saw the Jordan Valley, Jericho, and Bethany, where John the Baptist baptized Christ. We also saw St. Elijah's Hill, where Elijah ascended into heaven in a chariot of fire.

From Mount Nebo, we headed south, stopping at a deep canyon at Wadi Al Majib and at the hilltop Shawbak Castle (from the time of the Crusaders).

The next day, we visited Petra, immortalized in INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE. Pictures make it seem so remote, but our downtown hotel was within walking distance. However, once you pass through the siq (a deep, narrow, 1.2 km long gorge), you ARE isolated from everything. We rode horses at Petra (Anastasia rode with Christine in the Baby Bjorn, A's first horse ride!).

The following day, we were exploring Wadi Rum, immortalized (I promise not to use that word again in this space) by Lawrence of Arabia--both the real guy AND in the movie. It was cool; it was like walking onto the movie set. A Bedouin in a rusty old 4x4 took us on a bumpy, dusty tour...oh, and Anastasia sat on a camel while we were out in the desert.

We then headed north again for the Dead Sea. We saw the lights of Jerusalem at night, but of course, as UAE residents, we can't cross the border into Israel--sigh. At over 1300 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is 20*F warmer than in Amman. It's the lowest place on earth, and yes, you float in it. We stayed at the Dead Sea Spa, a big resort on the Jordan side. Anastasia had her first experience in a pool here (yes, one day it was her first horse ride, then first camel ride, then first pool, all on consecutive days!).

Our holiday concluded with two days in downtown Amman, where we walked around the old downtown with its shops and Roman ruins, including an old Roman theater.

It was a good trip...

Ramadan 2009

Anastasia telling cousin Reed a thing or two


Christine and Anastasia meeting a horse in Indiana


Anastasia at Hunting Island, SC


Anastasia growling at Old Sheldon Church, SC


Anastasia getting back to her roots, SC, on our anniversary

School is back in session, but it's Ramadan, meaning that our school day is shortened. There is still no word on the car, which, evidence suggests, has been towed by the police and then lost. It's an unusual situation....My toe (this is Randy) is still messed up, and I had to get new glasses thanks to Anastasia...We are gearing up for our Eid trip to Jordan...

We are missing the trips to the coffee shop (it's Ramadan, so during the day restaurants are closed) and any ventures to restaurants...

Can't wait for Eid!

The last bit of summer

Jeff and Lyndsie's wedding.


Holiday World.


Anastasia and her twin cousin Reed.

In Scotland on the way home.

BACK IN ABU DHABI. Some interesting events...Upon our return, we made a few startling discoveries. First, our car was missing. Three days later, we still can't find it. The police appear to have towed it, but they've lost it and have no record of ever towing it. A neighbor says he saw a yellow piece of official-looking paper (in Arabic) on the car this summer, and the next day the car was gone. He had assumed that we had moved it. Thus, it would seem that the car was towed, not stolen; the police have just misplaced the car. We're opening a case, meaning in a few days or weeks, the car might show up. Or not.

The second discovery occurred when we walked into our living room. The school had, without our knowledge, replaced our curtains, our sofa, and our chairs. The sofa and chairs are now a chocolate brown (clashing terribly with our dark red carpet), and the curtains are a yellowish beige, like butter. It's just not a good look. We're thankful for the new stuff, of course. It's just not something expected.

Happily, the house was neat and clean, thanks to Misrak, who was very happy to see her baby after two long months. They have been playing well together.

School starts soon for us: Teachers return this Sunday, and students return the following Sunday. We'll be on a shortened schedule for Ramadan, though, so it's a slow start. We'll be eased into teaching. Then we'll have a week off for Eid in mid-September (we're planning on going to Jordan to see Petra and the Dead Sea).

USA lately

SC: Randy giving the alligator a bite

Anastasia wrote her name on the beach


Squinting into a lowcountry sunset


IN: adding a bit of flair


Numerous face smashes (recent updates not available!)


She got under the stool and then started pushing it around. We're considering this method to prevent any more injuries :)

ONE already...

Click on the picture below to connect to an album of adorable photos taken on Anastasia's birthday. Since we were in Beaufort for the occasion, we took her to Old Sheldon Church, where we were married, for some commemorating photos.

One Year Photos at Old Sheldon Church

Some other activities from the day:

A new favorite: brushing her teeth


Mowing grandpa's driveway


Eating her third first birthday cake


Enhaling boiled peanuts to the great pleasure of her southern daddy


Playing in the sprinkler


(PS: Month 11 collage has been added. Click on the Month by Month collage area to the right.)

Summer tour 09: FL and 1/2 SC completed

Just a quick photo update:
Anastasia loves pets! She has been chasing cats and loving on dogs ever since we arrived. Luckily, Fluffy is very tolerant. They even kiss, which is gross but it gives her so much joy I can't make her stop.

At Pinckney Island, just outside of Hilton Head Island, SC.

She's been eating really well and has grown a lot already. You can probably guess who gave her the mohawk.

The new backpack used for the first time at Bok Tower, FL. Each time she has been in it so far, she falls asleep. Hopefully, that means it's comfortable.

Anastasia with her Grandma French at a second first birthday party (and still before the actual date: July 11).