It seems like so much has happened since my last post!
I’m now on holiday for three weeks so it was heaven this morning to wake up and not have to leave the house until I was ready. Which was around 10am when I headed downtown to collect a parcel from home.
Prior to that I’d skyped two of my children back home in Blenheim. It was so good to talk to them and see them enjoying the wonderful summer weather that New Zealand is experiencing at the moment. The down side was that I felt homesick after talking to them and then viewing all the photos of their wonderful day down the sounds with my good friends.
But a parcel from home is nearly as good as a long flight home. Especially when it contains goodies that one can only get in good ole New Zealand! Thanks Mum & Dad! First it was the Maggi onion soup for making dip for Christmas Day. Then the second parcel contained a few extra bags of pineapple lumps. So I’ve spirited one bag away for Christmas Day also.
Since my last post I’ve attended a concert with two kiwi artists. Dave Dobbyn and Don McGlashen played two concerts here in Abu Dhabi and we went along to the second night. This night was cheaper and much more up close and personal. As you can imagine it was a night full of kiwis all out drinking, singing, dancing towards the end, and generally having a good time. I caught up with lots of people that I haven’t seen for ages so really enjoyed myself. The teenager wasn’t into the music though! Not much hope there.
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I’ve survived one whole term at my new school and in my new post as HOF (Head of Faculty). The job is often a glorified secretary. Not at all what I expected. Whatever happened to using my extensive knowledge of pedagogy and curriculum to improve outcomes for students? With my co-Hof having resigned and gone I will be on my own with 19 EMTs (English Medium Teachers) next term. I'm sure it will be a busy term with lots of learning curves for me.
With holidays started the expat population (especially teachers) thins out considerably. Driving becomes bearable, the malls are less crowded and the poolside is empty. The weather is glorious at the moment so those who choose to stay hang out by the pool, not necessarily swimming as it’s too cold! The pool is only around 26 degrees now, not that I’ve been in it for a while. I’ve been using the cooler mornings and evenings to get out and walk. I usually manage to get 45 minutes to an hour in, preferring the mornings to evening.
The weekend just gone saw me attending a BBQ brunch for my friend’s sons 18th birthday. So off to PJ O’Reillys we go. You may remember this venue from an earlier post as it provides a great priced, well liquored lunch. The food was different but the prevalence of booze remained the same.
The lunch ended up with quite a crowd of mostly kiwis so was a fun day meeting new people and catching up with old friends who I don’t always see.
Being a BBQ there were a couple of baby poaka cooked whole (not on a spit like in NZ). So the heads ended up on our table being pulled apart and enjoyed. Can’t say the other vegetarian or myself enjoyed having the head deposited on the table right in front of us.
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The next day saw me acting as a manager for a friend’s touch team at a local tournament. It’s been a while since I was cast in that role and once again memories flooded back as I filled in the tournament team sheet. I recall all the basketball tournaments where I’ve done that - too numerous to count.
As it’s nearly Christmas I’m staying put until Christmas Day at least. There is a crew of mostly kiwis coming to lunch so it should be a great bash. With four young folk between 18-21 no doubt a few bevvies will be in order. Then other friends with younger children may join us later in the day for swimming, board games and other things you do in ‘winter’ in the Middle East.
So I’ve bought my Christmas dress and this morning I picked up a Santa Hat along with some Christmas lights. I succumbed to the commercial pressure (and the teenager’s pressure) to buy a tree this year. Last year I made do with my wreath on the door but with others coming for lunch I felt the need for more. With all the pressies that have been arriving in the mail it’s looking very festive already. The aroma of the peppermint chocolate is tantalising but it’s still safely under the tree.
You can bring any food into the country so if you are visiting you will get the ‘list’. I did find a kiwi food shop online but it was expensive to get things shipped and I don’t remember what it was called - thinking I could live without these things - until I got them then realised I really do miss the taste of home. Just need some Levin liquorice allsorts to top of my Christmas table.
I’ve enjoyed reading the Christmas Cards I’ve got, some of which included newsy annual letters. I always say I’ll do that but have never managed to get round to it yet. Oh well, there’s always next year!
If I don’t post again before Christmas, I wish you all a peaceful festive season. Eat heaps, drink lots, love lots, laugh lots, cry if you need to, but most of all just live life!
I’m now on holiday for three weeks so it was heaven this morning to wake up and not have to leave the house until I was ready. Which was around 10am when I headed downtown to collect a parcel from home.
Prior to that I’d skyped two of my children back home in Blenheim. It was so good to talk to them and see them enjoying the wonderful summer weather that New Zealand is experiencing at the moment. The down side was that I felt homesick after talking to them and then viewing all the photos of their wonderful day down the sounds with my good friends.
But a parcel from home is nearly as good as a long flight home. Especially when it contains goodies that one can only get in good ole New Zealand! Thanks Mum & Dad! First it was the Maggi onion soup for making dip for Christmas Day. Then the second parcel contained a few extra bags of pineapple lumps. So I’ve spirited one bag away for Christmas Day also.
Since my last post I’ve attended a concert with two kiwi artists. Dave Dobbyn and Don McGlashen played two concerts here in Abu Dhabi and we went along to the second night. This night was cheaper and much more up close and personal. As you can imagine it was a night full of kiwis all out drinking, singing, dancing towards the end, and generally having a good time. I caught up with lots of people that I haven’t seen for ages so really enjoyed myself. The teenager wasn’t into the music though! Not much hope there.
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Rubbing shoulders with a Kiwi legend.
Stunning Abu Dhabi architecture - Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Don McGlashen
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Dave Dobbyn
I’ve survived one whole term at my new school and in my new post as HOF (Head of Faculty). The job is often a glorified secretary. Not at all what I expected. Whatever happened to using my extensive knowledge of pedagogy and curriculum to improve outcomes for students? With my co-Hof having resigned and gone I will be on my own with 19 EMTs (English Medium Teachers) next term. I'm sure it will be a busy term with lots of learning curves for me.
With holidays started the expat population (especially teachers) thins out considerably. Driving becomes bearable, the malls are less crowded and the poolside is empty. The weather is glorious at the moment so those who choose to stay hang out by the pool, not necessarily swimming as it’s too cold! The pool is only around 26 degrees now, not that I’ve been in it for a while. I’ve been using the cooler mornings and evenings to get out and walk. I usually manage to get 45 minutes to an hour in, preferring the mornings to evening.
The weekend just gone saw me attending a BBQ brunch for my friend’s sons 18th birthday. So off to PJ O’Reillys we go. You may remember this venue from an earlier post as it provides a great priced, well liquored lunch. The food was different but the prevalence of booze remained the same.
Two redheads go head to head!
Finished first - but is it the best?
And the winner is???? Me!
Now for the drinking...
I am proud to announce that I won a Guiness t-shirt for pouring the best pint of Guiness! I forgot to mention that I’d spent a few years behind the bar - something the teenager was surprised to hear! So, I still have a few tricks, and secrets, up my sleeve yet.
The lunch ended up with quite a crowd of mostly kiwis so was a fun day meeting new people and catching up with old friends who I don’t always see.
Being a BBQ there were a couple of baby poaka cooked whole (not on a spit like in NZ). So the heads ended up on our table being pulled apart and enjoyed. Can’t say the other vegetarian or myself enjoyed having the head deposited on the table right in front of us.
Look who's joining us for dinner!
At least it wasn’t like a particular pig cooked out the back at Spring Creek that the puppies ended up feasting on as the crew were too drunk to clear up the food before heading into town to the pub! Memories that one of you out there should recall!
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Relaxing with friends.
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Getting a few drinks in!
The next day saw me acting as a manager for a friend’s touch team at a local tournament. It’s been a while since I was cast in that role and once again memories flooded back as I filled in the tournament team sheet. I recall all the basketball tournaments where I’ve done that - too numerous to count.
As it’s nearly Christmas I’m staying put until Christmas Day at least. There is a crew of mostly kiwis coming to lunch so it should be a great bash. With four young folk between 18-21 no doubt a few bevvies will be in order. Then other friends with younger children may join us later in the day for swimming, board games and other things you do in ‘winter’ in the Middle East.
So I’ve bought my Christmas dress and this morning I picked up a Santa Hat along with some Christmas lights. I succumbed to the commercial pressure (and the teenager’s pressure) to buy a tree this year. Last year I made do with my wreath on the door but with others coming for lunch I felt the need for more. With all the pressies that have been arriving in the mail it’s looking very festive already. The aroma of the peppermint chocolate is tantalising but it’s still safely under the tree.
You can bring any food into the country so if you are visiting you will get the ‘list’. I did find a kiwi food shop online but it was expensive to get things shipped and I don’t remember what it was called - thinking I could live without these things - until I got them then realised I really do miss the taste of home. Just need some Levin liquorice allsorts to top of my Christmas table.
I’ve enjoyed reading the Christmas Cards I’ve got, some of which included newsy annual letters. I always say I’ll do that but have never managed to get round to it yet. Oh well, there’s always next year!
If I don’t post again before Christmas, I wish you all a peaceful festive season. Eat heaps, drink lots, love lots, laugh lots, cry if you need to, but most of all just live life!
“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth.”
William W. Purkey
