International Day (Singapore and Malaysia)

Yesterday the girls' school celebrated International Day. It was an important annual event on the school calendar and truly reflect the multi-national nature of the place. There were so many booths representing so many countries. Many of their national costumes were just awesomely beautiful, and it really hit you that we have no national costumes like many other countries.

The Singapore booth was most unique. It was a joint effort between the Malaysians and us. Indeed outside Singapore and Malaysia, we see each other as one. Unlike the reception for President Nathan the night before, I was told the food here is more generous and much better quality too. Lin and I enjoyed many sticks of satay. It was truly yummy. Thanks!

Look at the state flags hanging side by side above. Should I forgive the MFA for refusing a Singaporean friend from bringing her Malaysian fiancee to the reception? They solved the problem when the guy decided not to attend. So often politics divides, but culture unites, yeah?

Mother's Day

Now I know one place to find the important and commercially valuable dates is Carrefour here at MOE. How quickly Norooz has been succeeded by Mother's Day (yesterday I think). Like Teacher's Day, Mother's Day apparently is celebrated on different days across the world.

The young lady in the photo, I was waiting for her to go away before I snap this picture. I gave up waiting for her. She is truly an unintented inclusion.

Happy Norooz

Happy Nooroz to Taleb and Ansari. Taleb is our landlord and Ansari is the lady from Hamptons that was very helpful with arranging for us to be in our present apartment.

The above shot was taken surreptiously at Carrefour MOE. I stood there for a very long time admiring the beautiful narcissus and other roses. There was an exceptionally beautiful bunch of yellow roses which I didn't manage to get a shot of.

The humidity keeps getting lower

Looks like the humidity keeps getting lower. I set the humidifier at 50% for the children. Usually it will pause sometime during the night but this morning despite working through the night the display reports: 46%. The one in my room is worse: 42%

Day trip to Abu Dhabi

We took a half day trip to Abu Dhabi last saturday. Left Dubai at about 10am and came back around 3pm. Overall, we find the capital a prettier place than Dubai, which is still like one giant construction yard.

Our second visit to the Doc

Back at the expensive and relatively empty American Hospital once again. This time it is Zhen that needed to see the doc. No choice, but to come here as the symptoms refuse to subside after several days. Diagnosis: Bronchitis.

We had a light snack at the cafe after seeing the doc (picture of the cafe above). Only two tables were occupied. Prices were similar or lower than Costa - read OK prices. The choc croissants were quite nice. Zhen opted for hot chocolate.

Klacid for seven days, 500mg/pill to be taken after meals once daily. Thankful it wasn't the foul tasting liquid version.

It Rocks!

This happened late afternoon yessterday.

Yes, it rocks! but not like youngsters these days use the word. This big fellow perched on the big truck was unstable and rocking. I was driving right behind it and trying to keep a safe distance. The steel cables, no it was steel chains holding it down didn't inspire confidence at all. As you know, the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I thought they would have used cables instead. I was thinking of the awe inspiring cables of the Golden Gate, at least a more modest cousin.

Well I lived to tell this story. No newspaper story today that it fell off. Might not be so lucky next time.