The phone has been on half service for the past two days (recieving calls only). Mustafa went this morning to pay the bill and they told him there were no cashiers to take our money. Very weird - as usual. But they were nice enough to turn the phone back on, but we had to promise to come back tomorrow to pay the cashier. - so the phone is back on. I wonder if they will ever get the phone system /billing figured out here.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Happy Thanksgiving!
To all my friends and family,
I wish you a peaceful and safe holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 21, 2004
An Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie (AFDB) is a type of headwear that can shield your brain from most electromagnetic psychotronic mind control carriers. AFDBs are inexpensive (even free if you don't mind scrounging for thrown-out aluminium foil) and can be constructed by anyone with at least the dexterity of a chimp (maybe bonobo). This cheap and unobtrusive form of mind control protection offers real security to the masses. Not only do they protect against incoming signals, but they also block most forms of brain scanning and mind reading, keeping the secrets in your head truly secret. AFDBs are safe and operate automatically. All you do is make it and wear it and you're good to go! Plus, AFDBs are stylish and comfortable.
What are you waiting for? Make one today!
Saturday, November 20, 2004
We did it!
Yesterday I told the kids that as soon as we finished lunch we were going to take ALL the winter clothes out of the storage and go through them - decide what was garbage, what was hand-me-downs and what was wearable. So while I washed up the dishes the kids were busy dragging out all the clothes and piling them in the living room. Then we spent the entire afternoon sorting them all out in different piles.
Mustafa complained about the growing garbage pile. He kept saying things like 'I think this one is still usable.' 'That one's a classic.' 'I'm sure this one could be fixed if we take it to the tailor.' 'I think if we keep this one it will come back in style again.' - but most of all he kept saying - 'I spent a fortune on these clothes and none of you appreciate it!' - Finally, God blessed us with his mercy - Mustafa decided to go out and leave us be.
The kids got bored after a while and I had threaten them with bodily harm if they didn't help me finish off the job. But we got the job done and we won't have to do it again until it's time to take out the summer clothes.
Mustafa complained about the growing garbage pile. He kept saying things like 'I think this one is still usable.' 'That one's a classic.' 'I'm sure this one could be fixed if we take it to the tailor.' 'I think if we keep this one it will come back in style again.' - but most of all he kept saying - 'I spent a fortune on these clothes and none of you appreciate it!' - Finally, God blessed us with his mercy - Mustafa decided to go out and leave us be.
The kids got bored after a while and I had threaten them with bodily harm if they didn't help me finish off the job. But we got the job done and we won't have to do it again until it's time to take out the summer clothes.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
We've had a fire!
Ibrahim lit his hair on fire yesterday!
He found a lighter an was playing with it. He turned the flame all the way up as far as it would go and caught his hair on fire. He didn't injure himself, thank God, but he looks a bit funny now and it smelled awful! I can not for the life of me find a single place to hide the lighter. He finds it everytime.
His school is on holiday until next Saturday - I can't wait until he starts back again.
Eid
A horrible sandstorm began on the evening of the first day of Eid. It went on for about 24 hours. Blowing not only sand, but plastic bags, paper and garbage everywhere. The winds were strong enough to knock over small trees.
It meant that we spent a day cooped up with a bunch of wild children since they couldn't go outside to play. Of course the kids were supplied with all their exciting toys they got for Eid to keep them busy. Most of these toys were of the noisy variety. Not to forget the balloons and pellet guns.
Boy was it a loooooong day!
It started to rain the evening of the second day of Eid. This settled the sand. The third day of Eid I stayed home and tried my best to clean house.
Dust, dust, dust, and more dust.
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Go Gorilla Go!
A small Arkansas Wild Animal Park acquired a very rare species of gorilla. Within a few weeks, the gorilla, who was a female became very difficult to handle. Upon examination, the park veterinarian determined the problem. The gorilla was in season. To make matters worse, there was no male gorilla available.
Reflecting on their problem, the park administrator thought of Ted Standen, a redneck part-time worker, who was responsible for cleaning the animal's cages.
Ted, like most rednecks, had little sense, but possessed ample ability to satisfy a female of any species. The administrator thought they might have a solution. Ted was approached with a proposition. Would he be willing to mate with the gorilla for $500.00?
Ted showed some interest, but said he would have to think the matter over carefully. The following day, Ted announced that he would accept their offer, but only under the following four conditions.
1. "First,", Ted said, "I don't want to have to kiss her on the lips." The park administrator quickly agreed to this condition.
2. "Second", Ted said, "you must never tell anyone about this" The park administrator again readily agreed to this condition.
3. "Third," Ted said, "I want all the offspring to be raised Southern Baptist." Once again the administrator agreed.
4. And last of all Ted stated "You've got to give me another week to come up with the $500.00."
Reflecting on their problem, the park administrator thought of Ted Standen, a redneck part-time worker, who was responsible for cleaning the animal's cages.
Ted, like most rednecks, had little sense, but possessed ample ability to satisfy a female of any species. The administrator thought they might have a solution. Ted was approached with a proposition. Would he be willing to mate with the gorilla for $500.00?
Ted showed some interest, but said he would have to think the matter over carefully. The following day, Ted announced that he would accept their offer, but only under the following four conditions.
1. "First,", Ted said, "I don't want to have to kiss her on the lips." The park administrator quickly agreed to this condition.
2. "Second", Ted said, "you must never tell anyone about this" The park administrator again readily agreed to this condition.
3. "Third," Ted said, "I want all the offspring to be raised Southern Baptist." Once again the administrator agreed.
4. And last of all Ted stated "You've got to give me another week to come up with the $500.00."
Eid Mubarak!
Yes, that's right! another Ramadan has passed and now it's Eid. - elhamdulillah!
Last night was the big rush to get the very last of the Eid shopping done. I took Nora and Jenna out shopping - boy was that a headache! Nora said yuck! about everything in every shop. In the last shop I told her we were going home and she was not going to get anything. Then she said we should go to every shop all over again. Phew. . . finally she was able to make up her mind. She does this every year! I think she just wants to see everything in every shop first - then decide. This way she won't have bought something and then found something she liked better in another shop. Drives me crazy!
We stopped in one shop and I bought socks for Sara - as we were leaving ther shop Nora said well I need some stockings too. I wanted to slap her! I told her I already paid the man and we were leaving - why she couldn't say she wanted stockings earlier, I will never know - but she does this about most everything. I HATE shopping with Nora. Sara is great - goes right in, knows what she wants, and buys it - no fuss, no bother.
Jenna was just along for the fun. She complained about the smell. Since she is only a little bit of a thing she gets smooshed in the crowd and her face is about level with peoples behinds. She says the suqs smell like farts - and I suppose they do if thats where your face is!
Well today is Eid and I am sitting at home because Mustafa could not be patient enough. He wants to be out the door and off to his family. He was down stairs sitting in the car - revving the engine. I was upstairs getting all these kids dressed - the house straightened and locked up. By the time I got out he had driven off. Jenna and I came back upstairs - unlocked the house and we will wait for him to come back. I will NOT be rushed! There is no reason we have to get to his mother the first every year. We are only sitting there ALL DAY LLLLLLOOOOONNNNGGGG anyway.
Well - HAPPY EID! Everyone!
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Nearly over
Ramadan is nearly over and I still have shopping to finish. I hate the thought of the shops and having to drag the kids around trying to find them something suitable to wear. They all need shoes - so we'll all pile into the car and see if I can get six kids shoes all in one go.
I'll be happy when it's all over. . . very happy!
I'll be happy when it's all over. . . very happy!
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Hadith
The fasting person has two moments of joy: one when he breaks his fast and one when he meets his Lord and rejoices over his fasting. (Muslim)
In Paradise there is a gate called al-Rayyaan, through those who fast will enter, and no one will enter it except them; when they have entered it will be locked, and no-one else will enter through it. (al-Bukhaari).
In Paradise there is a gate called al-Rayyaan, through those who fast will enter, and no one will enter it except them; when they have entered it will be locked, and no-one else will enter through it. (al-Bukhaari).
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Another day is done
Yesterday I broke a tooth. I knew it was going to happen sooner or later - I was hoping later. But there are other more pressing things to do before I get myself to the dentist to get it fixed. And, since my tooth is not hurting (unless I eat something cold) I will put off doing it for a bit.
We took Adam to see the orthodontist last night for a consultation. 10 dinars to look at his mouth and say go have x-rays taken. needed 2 x-rays at a different clinic - 25 dinars each (so far 60 dinars now spent on this kids mouth) Tonite we will take the x-rays back to the first dentist and he will evaluate them - he says he'll do this for a 30 dinar fee - so thats nearly 100 dinars for Adams mouth. Mustafa griped and complained about it all. I told Mustafa to stop griping - it will be alot more than 100 dinars by the time he is through with straightening out his number one boy's teeth. Poor Mustafa . . . what he really hates is the idea that he will be dragging Adam back and forth to the orthodontist for what will seem like forever. He really hates having to take anyone anywhere. (alot of these problems would be solved if he gets me my own wheels).
IN the mean time, last night we planned to look at 2 womans dress-shops downtown. I want to see if I can find some blouses. But it started pouring down rain so we went home.
Of course, while we were out Ibrahim was busy doing 'his thing'. He turned the water on in the bathroom and flooded the entry room sitting area. Carpet - furniture, the whole shabang! This morning I got up to try to continue to straighten up the mess and Ibrahim decided to complete the deal by running out of the kitchen with his cup of yogurt and tripping and spilling it on my newly covered chair. Thank God I made the cover so it could be taken off and cleaned. It is now in the washing machine - we will see what it looks like after it comes out and dries.
Haven't even thought about what to cook today. . .
Monday, November 01, 2004
Eid Shopping
I got some of the Eid shopping done. Yusef still needs a long sleeved shirt. Sara needs a pair of shoes (she wants pink loafers!). Jenna needs stockings and shoes. Adam, Nora and Ibrahim have not even begun yet.
Actually I think the only bad thing is the crowds. Clothes are plentiful here this year. All colors, styles and sizes. Elhamdulillah! The good (?) old days when there was nothing in the few shops are over, and I hope they never return.
There are tons of beggars out there. I can't imagine where they all come from. They seem to pop out left and right during Ramadan. A little Egyptian girl came up to us with her hand out. Mustafa asked her how old she was and she said she was seven. I think she was more like a malnourished 12-year-old. It's very sad. At the same time most of these beggars look healthy enough to do an honest days work - but since they can make more money begging they don't even bother looking for a job. Now that is more than sad!
Actually I think the only bad thing is the crowds. Clothes are plentiful here this year. All colors, styles and sizes. Elhamdulillah! The good (?) old days when there was nothing in the few shops are over, and I hope they never return.
There are tons of beggars out there. I can't imagine where they all come from. They seem to pop out left and right during Ramadan. A little Egyptian girl came up to us with her hand out. Mustafa asked her how old she was and she said she was seven. I think she was more like a malnourished 12-year-old. It's very sad. At the same time most of these beggars look healthy enough to do an honest days work - but since they can make more money begging they don't even bother looking for a job. Now that is more than sad!
Hair in your food!
What do you do when you find a hair in your food?
Did you Know . . .
In many processed breads and baked goods is an ingredient called L-cystine and it is used as a dough conditioner. L-cystine is derived from human hair. There are companies in India and China that actually specialize in selling human hair for the manufacture of L-cystine.
You may be a cannibal and not even know it! You'd better read the packaging of your food very carefully.
The Ballot(S)!
Mustafa went to the post office today to pick up the mail. I couldn't believe my eyes! He brought home another OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOT.
Does this mean I'm entitled to TWO VOTES? What does this say for Florida?
It doesn't really matter anyway, because I've decided to sit this one out. I mean really! Who is there to vote for anyway? Bush - absolutely not! Kerry - another no way!The rest of the candidates are just a vote for Bush. So what is the point?
Does this mean I'm entitled to TWO VOTES? What does this say for Florida?
It doesn't really matter anyway, because I've decided to sit this one out. I mean really! Who is there to vote for anyway? Bush - absolutely not! Kerry - another no way!The rest of the candidates are just a vote for Bush. So what is the point?
Aaaaaagggghhhh! Democracy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
My Link List
-
After living in Libya for twenty-six years you would think my Arabic would be perfect, but it is far, far, far from that. I do get my point ...
-
In my last post I wrote about how I felt on the first day of my arrival back to Libya after a month's absence. I said it was dirtier and...
-
The rains have finally come, accompanied by lightening and thunder. The weather is cooler and the dust has settled. We'll see how treac...