I got up early to walk because it is still too hot to walk once the sun is up completely and blazing. Once I got home from my walk, I leisurely took a shower and got ready for my day.
I decided I would partake in the fasting activities of the locals. The things I won't fast from are coffee, water, and my beloved Diet Coke. So really I am only half fasting.
I would make a terrible Muslim because I was complaining and had a horrible headache by 11 am. I am terribly weak. However, I am proud to say I fasted from food, during the day, the entire week. It wasn't that difficult during the work week, but Friday and Saturday it was a little difficult.
We had a full agenda at work, and some of our teachers looked as if they hadn't slept in weeks. It seems that the trend is to fast all day and party (as much as Muslims do) all night. The last time those fasting can eat is before 4 am. So most either get up at 3:30 am to eat or stay up from the previous night and then sleep at 4 am until it is time to go to work. Then often times people will sleep at work. Those who follow Ramadan correctly don't behave in this way. They eat healthy when they can and they get rest when it's appropriate. There were teachers in my committee that didn't even show up for our meeting on Tuesday. Hmmm!
Sunday after school we went to a birthday party for Evie (Rochelle and Andrew's daughter). We sat and chatted with people and had a laugh. The kids played in the house and ate plenty of crap.
When we got home the kids were ready for baths and bed. I did try to feed them both but Millie fell asleep before she ate anything. My fear was that she would wake up in the middle of the night and want to eat. She did wake up around 10 pm but went right back to sleep when I put her in my bed. She slept there for a while and then I put her back in her bed.
Jack got into our bed around 4:30 am, so needless to say the kids were a little off kilter. I am not positive, but I would venture to guess that the parties carrying on just outside their bedroom window until nearly 1 am may have disturbed their sleep just a touch.
When I got back from my morning walk on Monday, Millie came into the kitchen and wanted me to pick her up. Sweaty! So I put her in our bed until I was showered. Getting up really early is not necessary any longer since we don't even leave the house until after 8:30 am each morning, but a few moments of quiet are nice as well.
Again, school was full of things to do to get ready for next year. No one asked me, but I would think the 2 weeks we have at the end of the year would be better if they were moved at the beginning of the year because everyone would be more fresh and ready to work hard. Instead we are all worn out from a long year. Again, no one asked me.
Monday after school I had to take Millie to the doctor because she had a fever when I picked her up from Miss Janet's. She was burning up and ended up having an infection in her throat. She didn't cry one bit at the doctor, even when the nurse put the suppository in her 'bum bum'. She seemed to rebound quite quickly. The kids got a little on our nerves but we managed for the remainder of the evening. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was watched again. I find myself singing 'Toot Sweets' randomly throughout the day. Jack started coughing that evening. Basically we are falling apart just before our trip home. Perfect timing!
Tuesday I had a meeting at the ADEC office for new Heads of Faculty. I was told they know where they are sending the new people, but they are not letting us know yet. Makes sense. Tuesday afternoon we headed to the pool for a few hours before heading to the Horse and Jockey Pub with Cathy. Claire came to babysit so we could go to the pub quiz. However, as per Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's ruling on Live Entertainment during the Holy Month of Ramadan, the quiz was not allowed to happen. So instead, we decided to go anyway and watch the football (soccer) match between Argentina and Switzerland. It was okay, but we had to sit inside instead of sitting out on the patio because also during Ramadan there are restrictions on serving booze outside. They are strictly prohibited from selling any booze until 8 pm, anywhere.
I was supposed to have a root canal on Tuesday evening. I have been having a bit of discomfort on one of my crowned teeth. However, after thinking about it I decided to postpone it until we come back from summer break. I may be wrong, but having a man drill my tooth at 6 pm at night, after a day of fasting from food and drink seems a bit dangerous. Not to mention the fact that most Muslims sleep patterns are altered quite a bit during this month. I just decided waiting would be okay.
Stuart spent his entire week in meetings and wasn't at school much, which I can tell you, broke his heart. He was hoping that next week he would be able to do the same as this week, but I am pretty sure he will need to go next week. I know he is beyond ready for this school year to be over.
Wednesday and Thursday were virtually uneventful at school and at home. It is amazing what little there is to do during Ramadan. Everything slows almost to a stop. You are constantly reminded of how your social life revolves around food. Hardly any restaurants are open until after Iftar (sunset), and if they are open it is only for take away.
Thursday afternoon we went to the Rugby Club for a birthday party. The place was empty. I saw Andrew there and told him to bring the kids over to our house for pizza. Stuart was having the Turners over, so the more the merrier. Rochelle, Andrew's wife, and I were going to a leaving party for Helen, the lady who houses Miss Janet, so it only made sense that I invited another 4 kids over to our house with Stuart. Ha! No sweat off my back.
Again, school was full of things to do to get ready for next year. No one asked me, but I would think the 2 weeks we have at the end of the year would be better if they were moved at the beginning of the year because everyone would be more fresh and ready to work hard. Instead we are all worn out from a long year. Again, no one asked me.
Monday after school I had to take Millie to the doctor because she had a fever when I picked her up from Miss Janet's. She was burning up and ended up having an infection in her throat. She didn't cry one bit at the doctor, even when the nurse put the suppository in her 'bum bum'. She seemed to rebound quite quickly. The kids got a little on our nerves but we managed for the remainder of the evening. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was watched again. I find myself singing 'Toot Sweets' randomly throughout the day. Jack started coughing that evening. Basically we are falling apart just before our trip home. Perfect timing!
Tuesday I had a meeting at the ADEC office for new Heads of Faculty. I was told they know where they are sending the new people, but they are not letting us know yet. Makes sense. Tuesday afternoon we headed to the pool for a few hours before heading to the Horse and Jockey Pub with Cathy. Claire came to babysit so we could go to the pub quiz. However, as per Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's ruling on Live Entertainment during the Holy Month of Ramadan, the quiz was not allowed to happen. So instead, we decided to go anyway and watch the football (soccer) match between Argentina and Switzerland. It was okay, but we had to sit inside instead of sitting out on the patio because also during Ramadan there are restrictions on serving booze outside. They are strictly prohibited from selling any booze until 8 pm, anywhere.
I was supposed to have a root canal on Tuesday evening. I have been having a bit of discomfort on one of my crowned teeth. However, after thinking about it I decided to postpone it until we come back from summer break. I may be wrong, but having a man drill my tooth at 6 pm at night, after a day of fasting from food and drink seems a bit dangerous. Not to mention the fact that most Muslims sleep patterns are altered quite a bit during this month. I just decided waiting would be okay.
Stuart spent his entire week in meetings and wasn't at school much, which I can tell you, broke his heart. He was hoping that next week he would be able to do the same as this week, but I am pretty sure he will need to go next week. I know he is beyond ready for this school year to be over.
Wednesday and Thursday were virtually uneventful at school and at home. It is amazing what little there is to do during Ramadan. Everything slows almost to a stop. You are constantly reminded of how your social life revolves around food. Hardly any restaurants are open until after Iftar (sunset), and if they are open it is only for take away.
Thursday afternoon we went to the Rugby Club for a birthday party. The place was empty. I saw Andrew there and told him to bring the kids over to our house for pizza. Stuart was having the Turners over, so the more the merrier. Rochelle, Andrew's wife, and I were going to a leaving party for Helen, the lady who houses Miss Janet, so it only made sense that I invited another 4 kids over to our house with Stuart. Ha! No sweat off my back.
This time of year is very hectic for everyone. There are teachers anxious to go home to visit family and friends, and teachers who are leaving for good. The teachers who are leaving for good are trying to sell all of their things as well as fulfill the check list provided for them to legally leave the country in good standing.
The teachers here are transient. Although everyone can opt for more years once their two year contracts are over, most stay the two years and go back home. When that happens, it is sad. You grow to love these people who you are thrown tougher with. Saying goodbye is never fun. We have met people for all over the world, literally. Our friends here are from New Zealand, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Australia, Mexico, and of course, the United States. When we return home we will never lack for a place to holiday. It still amazes me that this experience has been afforded to us. We have had our eyes open to such new and different opportunities. It is often surreal to think about the changes that have come about in the last year for us. We still love our lives here, but are very excited to get home to see people we have missed.
Friday morning I slept until 8 am. What? I can't remember the last time I did that. We got up and Jack helped me reorganize his and Millie's toys. He worked until the job was completed. Millie helped for about 2 minutes, until a toy caught her eye and she just had to play with it.
Jack had Henry over for a sleepover on Friday evening. I didn't tell him because I knew all I would hear all day was, 'When is Henry coming over?'. So, once we got to the pool and Henry was there, Henry told him. It was perfect. I had told Jack I had a special surprise for him since Thursday morning. So when he came up to me after talking to Henry he asked if Henry was having a sleepover with him that night. I said, 'Surprise!' He was beyond thrilled. Now Henry is almost 3 years older than Jack, as I think I have mentioned before. You can only guess what that means. However, Henry comes from a fantastic family. Scott and Clare hold their kids to a certain expectation, which I like. Henry is a good boy. He is also super smart.
The entire evening, whatever Henry did Jack wanted to do. Henry got his jammies on, which were long pants and no shirt. Therefore, Jack got on long pants and no shirt. Jack NEVER wears just long pants and no shirt. It was so cute. When all the parents left, they sat on the sofa to watch Ironman (rated PG13, by the way). Every once in a while Jack would leave the room and then return with a new pair of jammie pants on. He changed from Angry Bird to Batman to Spiderman back to Batman. He was totally cracking us up.
When the boys finally did go to bed, Jack had some issues. First of all, since Jack and Millie share a room and they have bunk beds, it was impossible for both boys to sleep in Jack and Millie's room. So I put them in the guest room, or what Jack refers to as 'Grammie and Pop's room'. They went in there easily. I quietly asked him if Jack wanted me to bring him Monkey. He said, 'No, I don't want Monkey'. I looked at him and he kind of smiled. I walked away and almost started to cry. I can't stand the thought of him growing out of Monkey. Ugh!
After calling me in several times, he finally came into my room and told me he wanted to sleep in his own bed. He had insisted on using Grammie's pillow and not his. I told him I would bring him his own pillow and then he would need to stay in the guest room. I explained to him that it wasn't fair for him to have a friend over and then for that friend to wake up all by himself. I told him he could either suck it up and go to sleep in the room with Henry or he could go to his bed. I told him that I would probably not allow a sleepover again if he went into his own room because that would mean he really wasn't ready for other kids to sleep over. I told him that sometimes we make sacrifices for friends and this was one of those times for him.
Like I knew he would, he went right back into the guest room and went to sleep. What a big boy. He did, however, end up with Monkey in the bed with him. He is still a little boy in many ways.
Just after 7 am on Saturday morning, I had Jack staring in my face, asking if he and Henry could get up. I suspected that the sleepies would hit about mid-afternoon, and I was right. The boys kicked the soccer ball around in the house and then went to the grassy area behind our apartment and kicked it around until they thought it got too hot, which was about 3 minutes. They came inside for a reprieve, then back out again to ride Jack's bike and scooter. That also was short lived.
Around 10 am we went to swim at the pool. After the pool we ate some lunch at the Rugby Club. It is the only restaurant in Al Ain that serves food during the day. There are screens set up at the front door to block the eating from any Muslim who might walk by. After lunch we drove Henry home. We stayed for a bit, maybe a bit too long. Meltdown city was what I got when we started to leave. He was exhausted and was refusing to leave. I really wish there was a magic spell you could cast on someone and get them to comply with your wishes when they flat out refuse. In the end, he came out to the car, but I bet he wished he hadn't. I had a real 'come to Jesus' talk with him. Hopefully next time it will be better.
We ended up going to Cathy's for a bar b que on Saturday evening. We had lamb chops, chicken, and pork sausages, a well as many side dishes that were delicious. Gemma and Fechen brought their kids and Claire kept them all entertained. Cathy is in a new apartment so it was her first meal with guests, and it was a success.
Sadly, we left later than we had intended, causing our kids to have a third late night in a row. I can only assume an early evening on Sunday will be in order. We are gearing up to come back to Arizona. We will arrive on Friday evening and are beyond excited.
I will resume the blog when we return to the UAE in the middle of August. Love to all who have remained faithful in reading this blog each week.
