Still in BAHRAIN!

We were all set to leave on Friday as planned. Arrived at the airport, checked in and went to Immigration. We were told, firmly, that we would not be leaving Bahrain- our residency visa had expired. Now, wouldn't you think that they would make us leave the country? No, instead, they cancelled our flights, returned our bags and told us to handle at the Immigration Office on Sunday. UGH. Today, Chris has his office people working on this issue and we hope to be on the 9:30 flight tonight--In SHallah (God willing!) This doesn't effect our arrival in the States but cuts short our time in Amsterdam. Only in Bahrain--and it feels quite weird not being allowed to leave....a feeling I don't like. We are all fine, but antsy, and will see many of you in a few days. personal note to Judy: we are arriving with 4 large suitcases!!

3 Days left in Bahrain...

What a week! I even forgot it was Mother's Days -Happy Mother's Day to all!! After the madness of our decision ( and what an emotional decision it was), we are now in the throws and logistics of yet another International move.Visa, passports, pet health clearances--all the order of the day. As if I didn't have enough to do, I found a baby kitten on the side of the road. At first, we felt a lot of anxiety about what to do with her-we couldnt take her with us. Luke and Layne became immediate surrogate parents and were amazingly responsible as they feed her, took her outside, and nurtured her. Luckily, my friend Lexi agreed to adopt her as their family pet and she will be returning to the states with them in a year or so. All the maids here think she is the luckiest cat ever!! The day after I found the kitten, I backed my Land Rover into a big hunk of concrete sitting in the middle of nowhere. I had just verbally agreed to sell it to my friend Sharon. So, now its in the shop and I'm carless. In a way, all these things have been a blessing-the kitten has brought us alot of joy these past few days and her primary care has been a priority and distraction for the kids. Not having a car has kept me at home and focused on my immediate reality- swimming with Luke and Layne, packing , and avoiding all the running around and goodbyes. I am greatful for the present.


The future, which is Friday, will involve a red-eye to Amsterdam where will will hibernate for 4-5days in an apartment. We will take the train over to Brussels to see my old friend Els from Singapore. It will be great to see her after 7 years, she was a wonderful friend to me there. Not sure if I'll get a chance to blog next week, but I'll let you know when we are stateside. Namaste

SECRET

1. Luke and his Rugby Team 2. Layne and Illiana

WOw! SO glad to hear so many are reading my blog. Well, not to keep you in suspense any longer-CHris has left Maersk after 13 years and has accepted a job in Germany! If you know Chris, you know he really likes his job, colleagues and Maersk in general. He was presented with a great opportunity which would have us living in Germany for 5+ years. I am so excited and proud of him for not resisiting change, letting go off any fears or insecurities he had, and just "going for it"! This all brought me full circle to all I've learned about change--people often resist out of fear, and thus hold onto security when in truth, security is only for insecure people and is truly not a reality. We don't know the exact time table yet, but its all happening and happening fast, so I'll keep you posted.

On the homefront, I am busy preparing for yet another international move! Once again, passports, visas, pet health clearances are the matters of the day. The biggest change for our family will be that the kids will be back in school. Homeschooling is illegal in Germany, dating back to pre-WWII, although I expect to see this changing in the years to come. Actually, we are excited about the school we think will work for us which is the International School of Wiesbaden. It offers the PYP program which is very "whole child" "international citizen" and inquisitively based. (sound familiar Montessorians?)It is the primary program that preceeds the International Baccuelerate. Luke is very nonchalant--Im hoping... trusting my judgement. Layne insists she is NOT going to school. I have applied for her, but compulsory education doesnt start until age 6 1/2. I could keep her home one more year. Academically she is years ahead of her peers, but I think she'd enjoy the PYP style kindergarten and socially it would be a positive. We'll see.... The best news for Layne is her best friend here in Bahrain is also moving to Germany and will be about 20 minutes away from us. Her paretns both work for the State Department.

Took the kids to the German bakery today for some pretzels and we are singing the German drinking songs we learned at Oktoberfest at Busch Gardens last summer ( ha ha). More details soon....

I would just like to say that NO, I AM NOT PREGNANT! Interesting that everyone thought that was the secret. My Aunt Patsy once told me she thought she might be at 47 and her husband told her if she was, he'd push her off a bridge and jump after her. (ok, sounds morbid but you had to know Uncle Acey!) I cn relate. My doctors all tell me I am lucky to have two healthy children and since Layne was 10 lb 8 oz, I should count my blessings and be done. I also breastfeed for 6 years straight between the two- Im worn out! Most of you know the secret but I cant put it on a public forum right now. (no winkies on blogspot)

Also, I type 60 wpm and generally don't error check. Its reflecting in my "thoughts of the moment" but to some my spelling errors "do not reflect the level of education I have received." (is that the quote dad?) So, if you are offended my typos, sorry. No time for second guessing here......

GREEN EGGS AND "HAM" (Veggie Sausage)

There it is!!!!! Yes, I AM WEARING AN ABAYA! Swore it would never happen. We went to the Grand Mosque for a tour and you have to wear an abaya. I didnt really like the way they did the head dress, my friends do it much nicer and have pretty colored scarfs (Nazia!) Still, it was a cumulative experience of my time in the Middle East. Didn't really learn much new on the tour but it was interesting to be in the Mosque. I would have liked our tour guide to be Bahraini, I love the gentle spirit, but we had a Frenchman! He was quite arrogant and made several comments about "wives obeying their husbands" to which CHris responded by laughing nervously. One of my "looks" stopped that in it's tracks. He later told me he much prefers his equal as his partner. Layne didnt have to cover, but she wanted to so here she is!

Both Luke and Layne are very interested in prayer. Luke on his own went and did the prayer movements ( forgot the name) that is done 5x a day. Layne went to the rug and did her Lotus position and started her yogic prayers. It was a nice experience for them and Im glad we did it.

I have a secret...I have a secret....but can't say anything...YET. Give me a few days. Im not good at secrets.........

Redirecting.!!! We took the kids to an excellent production of SHakespeare4Kidz by the Royal Shakespeare Company. The performance lasted almost 3 hours but both Luke and Layne sat and watched the whole thing. We discussed Shakespeare a bit beforehand, and they knew bits and pieces. When we got home Luke spent 3 days reading the bios of all the actors from the program, quoting Shakespeare and then asking if I had any of the plays. Just so happened, I had my Pelican SHakespeare from college. Luke sat at the dining room table reading college level "Hamlet" for 2 days! I didn't dare interrupt him, and was just, once again, amazed at this little man. Occasionally I'd hear him, in his best English accent, quoting something from the play. I heard him say, "Alas, dear Hamlet.." In true homeschooling style, we went online, got out the encyclopedia and learned all about William Shakespeare!

Layne loved the play as well, and we were very proud of her for sitting and paying attention( not an easy task for a newly 5 year old). Layne is working on the geography of South America. It helps because we know people from Peru, Venezuela, and Columbia . She is also very busy making books these days, stapling, pasting, using stickers etc. She made her infamous "Prize Pooch Magazine" and carries it with her everywhere.

Chris is about to head off to the states for 1 1/2 weeks. Weather is nice here so we'll be busy. I'll spill the beans in the next post!