.

My Apologies

2009-11-25T09:33:00.005+03:00

I would like to apologize to the man driving that little blue car in front of me on Saar road this morning. I honestly didn't mean to startle you, it is just I've been in the car for way to many hours this month and I guess realizing that I won't have to do this for a few days for Eid holiday got me in a good mood. I was almost home, the kids were already dropped off at school and sometimes it is good to let loose in the car. Considering that I'm in it at least 3 hours a day I have to make the most of it.

Part of the blame should be put on the DJ of Radio Bahrain who usually annoys me. I mean how much talking over songs can one do without annoying every single listener. And you would think since they know when the news is about to be aired that they wouldn't play a good song and than cut if off especially if you consider the crap they put on the air to begin with. It could be worse, it could be that guy at 12pm who constantly turns the volume up than down to talk, than up than down to talk at least five times. I swear it is like being in the car with one of my kids playing the volume control.

But he chose a song I hadn't heard in such a long time and I just couldn't help but to get my grove on. I know a hijabi woman rocking to the beats in her car isn't what you would think of seeing so early in the morning. But I can't see how it is that odd to you that you so blatantly stared. The double takes that you did through you rear view and side mirrors weren't all that necessary.

Honestly man you didn't have to slow down either that just annoyed me and almost messed up my grove but it didn't stop me from singing off key. I was close to home where I could park in my driveway and finish out my grove with only Naomi staring at me like I lost my mind. But she is familiar and easier to ignore than some stranger who stares. Perhaps it was all a bit new for you that we Muslim gals do cut loose once in a while, but we do. We are just like everyone else who have a bit of fun here and there especially if we are going a bit car crazy. But the thing to do when you see anyone grooving in their car is not to stare but to smile and be happy their enjoying their life and move on in your little blue car. And if the feeling hits you groove to your own beat, I promise I won't stare.

You might be wondering what it was that got me so excited in the morning well here it is. Maybe not your type of music but it is an American oldie that is sure to get some of my fellow readers bums moving in their chairs I'm sure.

Is It Time To Stop Blogging?

2009-11-24T10:00:00.002+03:00

I asked myself the other day if it was time for me to stop blogging all together. I mean lets face it I haven't been a very good blogger lately. This is my second entry for this month and some times I feel like I'm repeating myself a bit too much. I mean how interesting can my live and views of it be to other people?

My life is rather boring if you ask me. I'm just an everyday kind of mom doing everyday kind of mom things. Who really wants to listen to that?

Than I thought well who cares if I talk to myself, I mean I'm a mom I'm used to that. And if I stopped blogging where else could you get these kinds of entries...

The other morning in the car on the way to school I was reviewing Science with Jihad and Hannah. One section involved what organs made up the female reproductive system.

Me: "Jihad what organs make up the female reproductive system?"

Jihad: "Oh man this is embarrassing... eggs, womb.. vaginal"

Hannah: "not vaginal... vageeena"

Me: "no not vageeena"

Between the two: "vag - i- nal" with a hard g

Me: "No not vag- i - nal.. Vagina!"

Both: "ohh"

Jihad: "what is a vagina anyway?"

Me: "I told you before I won't say it again"

I know he asked to get the entire car started on a gross conversation I didn't want to have a 7:15 am

Jihad: "Yea but what does it do?"

Me: "Go ask your teacher"

Jihad: "what will she say?"

Me "I don't know ask her, or better yet ask your father" and I pass back the phone

Jihad "I'm not saying Vagina to him"

Hannah: "Ill say it"

phone rings.. laughter and giggles.. Hannah: "Baba.. (giggles) umm Jihad wants to know (laughs) what a vageena is"

Me yelling "It isn't a Vageena it is a vagina"

Jihad laughing

Hannah to Mr. Man: "oh.. ok Jihad wants to know what a VAGINA is"

on speaker phone Mr. Man: "A Vagina?"

Both: "yea"

Mr. Man: "Its a womans private parts"

Jihad: "Yea but why does Hannah say when a girl gets to be 13 she has to wear a diaper?"

They hang up on Mr. Man and Hannah laughs saying "NOOO I didn't say it Leyna said it"

Leyna: "I did not"

Hannah: "But they do"

Jihad: "Why wear a diaper?"

Hannah: "for the babies"

Jihad: "You can't wear a diaper on your vagina you'll kill the baby"

And The School Year Just Started

2009-11-08T13:50:00.002+03:00

There I was sitting in the car with Mariam and Umar on a Saturday waiting for the other three to get out of school. They had their first Saturday class to make up for some of the days missed due to the closure by the ministry. The phone rings and I am told I need to see the Principle of Jihad's school tomorrow morning. I breath deeply and think "this can't be good" and set a time for 9am.

I meet the kids after school and I spot Jihad from a distance walking slowly. He has a note in his hand and walk towards me and I ask "What happened?"

"I got in a fight. "

"What?"

"Ok look I was going in the school after you dropped me off and I bumped into this kids leg and I said sorry and walked off with my friends. He thought I was laughing at him and he chased after me, pushed me up against the locker and called me a bastard so I punched him in the face"

"Good" I don't think that is what the Principle was expecting one of Jihad's parents to say but it is the same comment Mr. Man gave too.

This year hasn't been without incident for both Hannah and Jihad but nothing to this extent but I guess it is inevitable. All of our kids are now being taught that if someone hits them they are to hit back. They need to stand up for themselves and not be bullied. We have had continual problems over the years and this year didn't seem to get better for Jihad or Hannah.

The first issue was with Jihad who had some nasty mouth girl dropping the F bomb at his work table on a constant basis. But not only that she proceeded to tell him "f-you" but also "f your mother". Nice mouth this hijabi girl has on her. I told him to tell her to stop, which she did and after two days of this he had enough. He told her stop or I will tell and her response "go ahead I won't get in trouble". So Jihad went to the school counselor and told him who in turn told the Principle and Jihad left that encounter believing that the Principle didn't believe him that he let the girls go and this was after this brazen girl walked into the Principle's office and said "F you" to Jihad (yes she did) so he could hear it.

The principle denies that this is the exact set of events and is confused why children don't trust him enough to come to him with problems. Mind you he is proud of being 'harsh' and is known for yelling to the point of absolutely scarring the wits out of Hannah "He yells louder than Baba". Nothing happened to the girl and he yelled at Jihad and I told the principle that Jihad's perception, true or not, is that the girls got away with it.

"she had to apologize in front of me" he insisted although only for cussing Jihad in his office not for the things she said before or about me.

"Yet she cussed him as soon as they left and said 'see I told you nothing would happen' so how do you think Jihad felt?"

Let me tell you this meeting did not go well for a few reasons one was his inability to actually hear what I was saying and just think I was attacking him. I am telling him as a parent what the children in the school perceive of him as the Principle, he took that personal and thought he could blame me. BAD MOVE!

But back to the fight, according to the Principle Jihad is an "honest boy, he tells the truth even if it is against himself. But he acted in anger not appropriate. This other boy, also honest and very quiet just went to Jihad and put his hands on his shoulders and admitted to calling Jihad a bad name and than Jihad punched him in the face twice."

Make sense? Not to me.

"So you say Jihad is honest?"

"yes he is"

"And is Jihad known to act out of anger and hit boys?"

"No"

"Is he known as a trouble maker or a bully?"

"No."

"But what your telling me is that this boy, after Jihad ran into him by accident, calmly walked up to Jihad put his hands on Jihad's shoulders and called him a bad name that you say Jihad didn't even hear and than Jihad punched him in the face?"

"Yes"

"That makes no sense to me at all and I can't accept that."

I don't think he liked that, nor the fact he had two parents in his office saying quite honestly that yes we have told our children to hit back. That Jihad was not in trouble with us and that we don't believe he was totally in the wrong. Was punching him in the face a step beyond? Could have been I wasn't there but I wouldn't take too kindly to a boy coming and pushing me up against a locker. And unlike the principle I don't think this boy just was as calm as could be and did no harm to Jihad. This is the first time Jihad has acted out like this in school so he must have felt threatened enough by this boy.

"So did Jihad chase after this boy and beat him more?"

"No"

"But you want me to believe that Jihad just punched him in the face for no reason and allowed the boy to walk off?"

No it didn't go well at all and I have a feeling any future meetings won't be all that pleasant either.

Now what is really funny about this whole ordeal and an example that the Principle used to show us Jihad's honesty about the situation, however don't forget he doesn't believe Jihad when he says the boy pushed him hard up against the locker but he went on about how honest he is. The boy who got hit wasn't going to say anything it was Jihad who told on himself.

"So after you punched him what happened" I asked

"He went to his friends."

"Did he tell?"

"No"

"So how did they find out?"

"Well my hand hurt and I went to the nurse for ice, she asked how I hurt it I told her I punched a boy in the face"

He has a two day in school suspension and parents that stood by him although we told him next time to respond in kind. "He pushes you push, don't take the first swing" Again not what the principle was looking for.

Helping Sinan

2009-11-06T18:17:00.003+03:00

I was actually going to make a long post detailing some of the costs that parents of children with specific needs tend to have. How things work in Saudi in regards to finding the help, than having the help that is there available to you when you a. aren't covered by insurance and b. can't afford private care.

But I'm tired and unmotivated to really do such a writing at this point. And each day I put it off is one more day I put off telling you about how you can help Sinan get the care he needs in the US. So stop by Abu Sinan's blog and check out his post and plea for assistance to get his son the help he requires.

I will be back with the post I had in mind, a long one and I'm tired from driving. Kids have a six day school week in order to catch up on days missed so I'm going to be a bit out of it.

Umar Update

2009-11-03T08:43:00.004+03:00

So I know that some of you read just because of Umar. Forget about me and what I blog about it is all about the boy. Don't worry my feelings aren't hurt he is my favorite too. So without further delay I'll give you an update on how my boy is doing.

Yup that is right my boy is walking and doing it very well I might add. He tends to keep his legs spread wide apart to keep his balance and at times reminds me of a little robot walking about. But the fact is he is walking everywhere at 19 months. He has been working hard on this for the past month and he has a ways to go, he isn't running yet, but I'm so very proud of my boy. Although this does mean that he gets to places I wish he didn't.

One of those places is the couch! Yes mothers of the world this short little boy with his short little legs swings them up high (thanks to his flexibility that would put any gymnast in awe) and pulls his little strong self up on my couch. When I'm sitting there I will swing his little leg off and he puts it right back up only for me to swing it off again. He than has the nerve to get angry and yell at me with the fiercest of faces and put his leg right back up. Strong willed he is and happy as a clam when he finally gets up on the couch. He knows how to scoot down but sometimes doesn't judge the distance properly so he has to be helped or he'll take a tumble.

My plan was to start him in speech therapy but we ran into a bit of a hiccup with that. I wanted to take him back to the same therapist I took Leyna to in Saudi. There was talk of trying to bring her to Bahrain once a week for some of the other ladies in town who have children with DS. Mr. Man would have provided a driver for her making it that much easier but I received a message that she couldn't come. I gave her a call to find out she is six months pregnant and will be stopping her practice for about four months. Of course after she gives birth we can't expect her to want to come to Bahrain with a new born. I congratulated her and told her I would look for someone else. She was really upset because there were no other options for the ladies in Saudi.

So I began my search at the Children's Academy here in Bahrain. I have spoken of this school before an British based special needs school. I remember reading they had a speech therapist and also had after school appointments. So I gave them a call and asked if they have services for children who weren't enrolled in the school, happily she said "YES". A wonderful word to hear folks when it comes to therapy options for the boy. BUT since the ministry of education shut the doors for all preschools, KG schools and special needs school until Nov. 1st they were unable to take him until after that date. I'm waiting now for them to finish their first week of school, get a schedule together and call me back letting me know that Umar is ready for action. They cost 25 BD a visit (250 SR or 67 USD) which is more than what I paid in Saudi by 10 BD (100 SR or 27 USD). But I'm hoping that they will be set up better for such a young boy and do so well I'd be willing to pay double that if they asked.

That will be his only therapy as I have stopped taken him to Physical therapy. Since he is walking, pulling himself up, and doing so many movements that we take for granted such as bending at the west and picking something up from the floor and pulling himself back to a standing position, I honestly don't feel the need. One Saturday when Mr. Man is off I think I'll take him in to see Bayzura for an evaluation and she can give me some tips on how to get him to bring his legs in closer when walking.

I'm also planning on finding a preschool for him next year. I want him to become a bit more strong in his balance before I do that in order for him to keep up with the other kids. But I think putting him in a few hours a day several times a week will help him in interacting with other children without resorting to violence. Yes my boy is violent. He isn't biting as much, he didn't take to me plopping him down on his bottom when he did so that is a good thing. However when little kids try to come up to him in the park and want to kiss him on the cheek (He is a baby to them) he will swat them in the face as to say get away from me. He also holds his own on the playground with children older than him which is a good thing and his best friend is an 8 yr old boy. I think that says not just a lot about Umar but also a lot about that boy that he would take to a small child like he has.

Umar is also taking an interest in following what others are doing which is a wonderful thing when it comes to sign language. He is starting to really want to follow along and is trying which is great for his development. He also is very smart and understands how things should work not that he can always get it right. Such as shapes going in certain spots in a shape container, but he gets frustrated when the star won't fit into the circle than pulls my hand to do it. Alba unfortunately gives in easily and does it for him although I've told her to stop. He has to be forced to do it on his own and figure it out. By the end of her vacation with consistency with Mama I think he'll do a bit better with that.

So my boy continues to surprise me in the most wonderful of ways. And I have no doubts he'll continue to do so the rest of his life.

Where Am I?

2009-11-02T18:14:00.002+03:00

Well in the car most of the time from three to four hours a day as a matter of fact. Yes I'm now the family driver and I'm annoyed with it. Mariam started school this week which means my driving schedule has become totally insane

6:30-6:45 am we leave the house usually on the latter end of that because I have to remind kiddos to brush their teeth, their hair, and tuck in shirts. Did you know that a boy tucking in his shirt means he is a nerd in their school? So what looking like a slob is the new cool look? Brat kids I tell ya.

Back at the house around 7:45-8:00 depending on traffic and I can't say enough how people just don't know how to drive or are rude drivers. Here is a clue.. your not the only one that matters in the world!

Than I'm back out at 12 noon to collect Mariam from the mob of moms that think only their children are worthy of anything. I now wait in the car till they are gone and I'm left with as little contact with parents, maids and drivers as possible.

1pm -1:30 we are back at the house, depending if I have to pick anything up

2:30 I'm on the road again to go collect Hannah and Leyna and Jihad unless he has after school soccer. Back home between 3:30 and 4 again depending on the idiots on the road.

If Jihad has soccer I'm out of the door at 4pm to collect him and drag myself through the door to do the whole dinner, homework, bedtime routines that will drive anyone mad.

Now if this wasn't all annoying enough I get the added bonus of loosing the nanny for a month. Her parents are coming to Saudi from Morocco thanks to her brother who got a visit visa for them (he works for Mr. Man). So they have 30 days and so does Abla who smiled as she went from a six day visit with them till a full month and committed to staying with us until July when the kids are finished school.

So not only am I loosing help with the kids, which means I have to fight Umar during homework time when usually Abla can take him and Mariam to the park or give their baths. But I get the added bonus of putting that poor boy in the car for the same amount of time I am. Nice huh?? I need a driver for this month.

Wondering why the maid will be no help with Umar? HA I can't even leave that woman alone with my MIL without it being a problem. I was about to toss her out last week over some stupid drama she caused over the way she behaves towards Mr. Mans mother. But that is a whole other blog post in itself.

Anyway I have a slew of things I want to say, more on that woman journalist (sentenced to 60 lashes than pardoned but I'll give the full scoop latter), child custody laws and its failure to protect children, and the ever important update about Umar.

So that is where I am in the car usually yelling at some idiot driver. Although I'm trying to relax and make it as stress free as possible, but than I drive on roads in Bahrain and know that is an impossible experience.

And This Is Why!

2009-10-20T09:17:00.002+03:00

I just posted on children not running errands alone and that in Saudi it is not uncommon to see young children running around a neighborhood unsupervised. And just so I am clear on how dangerous this is.

Man who raped 9 children arrested
Arab News

JEDDAH: Jeddah police arrested an African national who allegedly kidnapped and raped nine Asian children in two Jeddah districts, a local daily reported.

The rapist threatened his victims with harm if they reported the rape. Police received a large number of reports from families complaining their children had been raped. The rapist targeted children aged between 9 and 12. He used to wait near a grocery shop and monitor children playing in the street. The man then took his victims to an isolated street before raping them.

Northern and Al-Safa police center launched a massive manhunt and distributed a description of the rapist. Secret police eventually arrested a number of people who matched the description.

In a lineup, some of the victims managed to identify the rapist. The police center recorded six cases while the Al-Safa center recorded three.

Saudi Gazette gives other details on this case.

Boys as young as nine running freely on the streets. I am angry every single time I see such small children just out running around with no one watching them. And there is no shortage of evil people that are willing to take advantage of this situation and take the innocence from a child and scar them for life.

Prove Innocence?

2009-10-18T09:55:00.002+03:00

Being an American I'm familiar with the quote "innocent until proven guilty". Now the American legal system surely isn't without fault and at times some are assumed guilty but instructions given to the jury are quite clear that a prosecutor has to prove the persons guilt. I'm sure one can argue how reliable the American justice system is, jury by ones peers, prejudice and racism, and economic disadvantage may all and do play into innocent people being found guilty of crimes they didn't commit.

What is interesting to me, not only as an American but as a Muslim who firmly holds to the believe that the Islamic legal system is based on the idea of assumed innocence until one is found to be guilty or confesses their guilt. That Saudi, one that claims to uphold the Islamic legal theory in their courts (although one can argue, and rightly, that it is one narrow interpretation rather than being in total spirit of Islam to begin with) that one is asked to prove their innocence.

Such is the case with the female LBC reporter who is being brought to court for her involvement, or lack there of, of the 'sex braggarts' t.v spot. She is assumed guilty and is being asked by the court to prove her innocence. That she, and two other women, are being charged at all I find questionable. These low ranking part time reporters aren't decision makers at LBC. They aren't the producers or company executives who make the decisions on what to air and what not to air. So why choose just them? Easy targets of course, and they are women to the idea that Saudi women are involved in broadcasting this mans interview is probably just as appalling to some as the man they interviewed.

To catch up some of my readers, LBC is a Lebanese based broadcasting group that had a few offices in Saudi. They air various news shows and other programs all in Arabic. This Saudi man Abdul Jawad decided to openly discuss his sex exploits, and he lives in Saudi, on the air. You can see the video for yourself although it is in Arabic. I won't even comment on his "red room" with teddy bears but I do wonder what his concoction to get women in the mood is and have to wonder how many he took advantage of with it. He was sentenced in Saudi to five years in prison, 1000 lashes and lost his car and his cell phone, not that they matter much after he is in jail. I feel bad for his mother who related how is is a 'good boy' and recites Qur'an and there is some mix up. She evidently didn't know this divorced father of four spent his time roaming the streets for women.

I've mentioned before that things go on in Saudi that many don't want to admit. Men and women do hook up, plenty of booty calls even though people deny it. This man has brought out of hiding what many of us know. Men cruise for women and girls and they find willing participants to join them for sex. Yes people are outraged this man showed his sex toys on tv but he is one of many roaming the streets night and day that no one really does anything about. They use blue tooth, the chase women in malls, the harass women going out to eat. We see it all the time it is no secret so I suggest Saudi society wake up to that fact.

Should the man be lashed? Well considering what he did is against the law in Saudi yes. If nothing else for his stupidity to go and publicly put his face to his exploits as it was something to be proud of in Saudi society. No matter how many times he blames it on LBC for putting him in a 'bad light' during the interview doesn't change his words, his red room, his toys, or his bragging of having so many women.

I do question that the reporters or any low level employee should be brought forward with criminal charges. They don't make the decisions to air such an episode they are only gathering information, or interviews, in order for their executives to make the final decisions. That this man chose to say what he did and a broadcasting station used it doesn't surprise me. I'm sure their ratings went over board. And why should a reporter be held accountable for something that goes on daily by too many Saudi men on a daily basis? This is a problem in the society, this is happening, they don't make it happen they only report it. If ministries or citizens are angry, offended and upset about this is it really the reporters fault? Would it really be better to ignore what is going on instead of bringing it to the publics attention?

If these women reporters are at fault with airing things that shouldn't have been is it really a criminal issue where they could be subject to jail and lashes? Or is this a matter for the Ministry of the media to handle with fines against LBC and its executives and the reporters if they find that their choices were in violation of the regulations laid down by the media laws.

At the very least these women who are being accused should be accepted as innocent until proven that they in fact held the executive powers to air this episode for the world to see. And if the overall society of Saudi starts to deal with the sexual issues that are going on in Saudi due to this program isn't such a program worth it? But sadly I'm sure these women will be lashed and the society will continue to ignore what is an increasing problem.

Children Shouldn't Run Errands

2009-10-11T09:09:00.002+03:00

There are a few issues I would love to see changed when it comes to parenting in Saudi. Near the top of my list is the fact that adult parents, especially mothers, use their small children to run errands to local neighborhood shops. I'm sure for some it seems safe enough, it does for a nephew of Mr. Mans (yes the same one who won't tell his wife to buckle up). A local little mini mart type store that is in the neighborhood maybe a few houses down or around the block where one would pick up those daily items like milk or eggs. It may seem harmless, a few minutes for a small child to run to the store, get those eggs and run back. But a few minutes is all it takes for someone looking to harm children to snatch your child.

Mariam will be five in December (inshallah) and I only let her play next door alone and even then she is checked up on several times. She isn't allowed to the compound park alone and we live in a gated villa compound. I certainly would never choose her to go run down to a mini market and run my errand even if it was just down the street. Many however don't think the same way but luckily this little girl was able to fight back and escape. But that a parent doesn't give thought to sending a five year old child on an errand is common and she won't be the last little girl to get abducted.

I always mention to Mr. Man my horror as I look on at young children, especially boys, who run the streets without an adult in sight. And I'm not talking teenagers, but rather young children who have free rein to go anywhere they please. He usually remarks "we did it as children" but is Saudi the same as it was when he grew up? He recalls a time of safety, where everyone in the neighborhood knew everyone else. A smaller town not over run with strangers and fast cars. A time when the perversion that exists in Saudi today was totally unknown to him. Such times have changed long ago and it isn't safe for children to run around the streets or be sent on errands because a parent is too lazy to get off their bums to go with them or instead of them.

Sadly it isn't unusual to read in the papers where a child is abducted and raped by some perverted man who seeks out children who are alone. No Saudi doesn't hold a monopoly on this but it exists and parents need to wake up to this fact and safe guard their children a bit more. Rein in those boys who run the streets with no supervision don't use your children to run errands and keep a better watch on your children.

It could be that I'm over protective but at least my children are safe and I know where they are.

Saudi Men Can

2009-10-10T19:06:00.003+03:00

I was going through some pictures this week and stumbled across one that I knew I had to post here. I know that there is this idea that Saudi men can't do things within the home and with children. This isn't really just an idea the outside world has because even Saudi women have this impression that Saudi men just don't do certain things.

I remember the first time I handed off Jihad to Mr. Man in front of his family members to change a diaper. There were mostly women in the room who all gasped and were in shock that I would send off a child to "THE MAN" to change a diaper. How insane was this American woman? I just laughed and told them "He does it all the time in America I'm sure he can handle it"

There is also the idea that they can't pick up after themselves. While this is a battle between Mr. Man and me at the moment, I think in part he just got lazy and used to household help, and part living on his own during the week with no one nagging him to pick up. But this habit was changed a bit while we were in the US, he even washed a dish or two and helped at breakfast time. So I am witness to the fact that yes Saudi men can actually DO for themselves and in the house.

In case this is still questioned and one requires proof look at this!

Are We Destined To Become Our Parents

2009-10-06T19:31:00.002+03:00

This past summer has really opened my eyes to some things, part good but part not so good. And as I have sat back and thought about certain aspects of my experience I've come to question if we are, in some part minor or large, destined to be like our parents? And if we are is this a good thing or bad? Should we embrace it or work hard to avoid it? I think some of this largely depends on who are parents were.

My father asked, himself mostly, what did he do to deserve 'this'. This of course being a lonely old man who is being not only neglected by his only son but in some forms abused verbally and emotionally. Life for him isn't the best, not that he has made the best choices either. He has health concerns like diabetes which he controls through diet and medication as well as COPD which he further complicates due to his severe smoking habit.

Even with these health issues I've watched him slowly just start to fade away and not really hold an internal drive to want to live. He speaks often, as many old people do, about when he dies and what he would like done for him and his 'money'. Which to be frank, after he has given large sums to my brother over the years there isn't much left at all it might buy his grand kids a few school books one semester but nothing much beyond that. But his drive to live is about coming to a halt and so is all that goes with living such as good hygiene, the desire to meet with people, the need to get out and be a part of the world. This isn't an easy thing to see but I do think a part of it is a depression considering his living circumstances.

This is not to say my father is a peach of a man to live with I don't ever remember him being such either. In fact I breathed a sigh of relief when we, as children, were told my parents were divorcing. He was always an unhappy man and made those around him unhappy as well. As a father he was harsh, critical and physically abusive which I got my fare share of. So it is understandable why I wouldn't mind him leaving, in fact I never really sought a relationship with him after the divorce. I saw him less and less and since neither of us liked who the other was at the time we simple stopped talking it being a mutual decision but both claiming soul ownership to the fact.

I'm not all that angry about that, I mean we stopped talking when I was 15 and it is hard as a young person who needed more support than ever feeling as their own parent gave up on them. But at this point now I'm not upset with him in the very least over that part of my life. I mean I'm a grown woman (forever 17 remember) and I've come to learn that there is no real need to hold onto the anger and hurt at some point you have to let it go and move on.

This is not to say that as a daughter I wouldn't like to hear an apology or even a word of regret for the decisions that he made as an adult and as a father. But as he so makes a point of saying so many times in our talks, he has no regrets and he makes no apologies for who he is. I've come to accept, although I don't understand, that I won't get out of him what I think I should. No not money, not any inherited heirloom passed down from one generation to another, but rather an acknowledgement from a parent who just wished they did better.

No, that isn't my father for as I've come to learn his world has always been a selfish mode of thinking. He always did what pleased him or what he wanted no matter the cost to others around him. No criticism could be laid at his feet for he was always right and it was others who got it wrong. He held to his beliefs, no matter how ignorant they were/are and justifies it by one way or another. He was never open, you had to guess what was going on with him beyond him just being angry and he had several vices which lead him in wrong directions.

Now as I watched my brother on the few occasions that we did see him, storm through the house, be a grouch and speak to my father with such contempt I figured out that he is my father. I also realized how ironic the entire situation was, for really my father is the source of my brothers anger, the source of his blame for all that is wrong in the world and the source of all that he says he hates. But yet he is him in so many ways and the saddest part of it all is that neither realizes it.

Now I wondered am I my mother? And yes most women will knock a man out for uttering such a thing but I admit there are ways in which I am my mother. Mr. Man says I have the 'boy' preference my mother had. Yes my mother was one who had a preference for the male gender when it came to children. This wasn't just in relation to my brother, who so sadly disappointed her in life, but it extended to Mr. Man as well. I don't know how many times she took his side in matters of dispute in the house, or made excuses for things and just did that boy preference mom thing she did with him. Yes in the big picture Mr.Man earned that right with her, he was more than good to her, he was a real son to her, but she didn't have to take his side over mine!

I don't know if I really have that, even if Mr.Man claims other wise. I just tend to want to protect Jihad (Umar well ya'll know he is my favorite) from what I see as harshness. Be it from his father in punishment or even the world in general. But I don't think that is any different than the girls but it does make a good amusement for Mr. Man as he teases both me and Jihad about it.

But there are other things about my mother I see in myself. I'm antisocial, I lack the tact or willingness to suck up to people, you always know how I feel be it good, bad or indifferent. I want to see the best out of the ones I care for and tend to extend myself too much at times and it comes back to bite me in the rear, as it did with my mother on many occasions. I'm creative in my own way and I picked up some, thought not all, of her shopping habits. And for the con part of the list once my mother set her mind up about you that was it unless you made drastic changes to yourself as a person forget it. I tend to be the same way but generally people don't prove me wrong either. I don't warm up easily with people and I have the habit of being blunt, to the point it may offend others and have been accused of being a bit cold, all my mother's traits.

So it leaves me to question, are we destined to become our parents? Be it for the good and the bad? And I have to wonder how this relates to gender? Am I taking on traits of my mother due to gender influence or because she was the only real parent who formed my upbringing? And if this is true, I wonder how that will affect my children? Will they become like me in some ways? And if so, what do I need to change to ensure they become better people than me?

This change of course would not be in them, but in myself thus meaning a whole no study of self and how to become a better person so they are in turn better. Could I be over thinking it all?

"I Didn't Really Kill Her"

2009-10-06T14:55:00.002+03:00

One would think at times you are reading a comic strip instead of an actual defense for various crimes here in Bahrain. If I knew Arabic better I would find my source of entertainment in a court room here because just reading the defense arguments are just so ridiculous surely it is a joke.

Background: A Bahraini man killed an Indonesian house maid and dumped her body. He got caught but is evidently claiming innocence.

Defense argument: He didn't really kill her, nope surely not what happened was she pissed him off and he through a screwdriver at her and she passed out. But he thought she was dead he panicked and decided to dump her body so he put it in the trunk of his car and was caught.

A few things though

1. Her throat was slit and people actually witnessed this. Yes it appears her sponsor was there when it happened and so where other members of the family as they held the sponsor back from aiding this woman who was being murdered in the families home.

2. Defense says that the defendant couldn't feel a pulse but fails to mention dude his a nurse! He should know more than others if a person is dead or not.

3. Defense says he didn't kill her really, he just hit her upside the head and than put her in the trunk of his car which could have killed her but he didn't. He also dumped her body which animals latter took pieces of but he didn't kill her maybe the act of dumping her did it but he didn't.

Make sense? Well if your a Bahraini defense attorney maybe it is as good as a gang of men that gang raped a women were good boys just having harmless fun.

Men Don't Listen

2009-09-29T11:21:00.002+03:00

After a few years of marriage Mr. Man should have learned that listening to me would be the smartest decision he ever made. Perhaps it is his Saudi influence that prevents him from doing just that. You know the male Saudi thing where men think they know better, can decide better, and are better than us little women who are so dependent on them. But perhaps now that he is sitting in his teeny weeny apartment in Saudi with the swine flu he might finally come around and listen to the Mrs.

Ok so pipe dreams they are as he will say "yes you were right" as he usually does (or I force him to) but than continue on the path of not listening to the wise one. Yes you read that right Mr. Man has the swine flu which he caught probably from Hannah who caught it during her trip to Jeddah. And yes the one thing I told him not to do, if you remember from my last post, he did and won't be living that down anytime soon.

Some might think well how cruel is this woman give the poor Mr. Man a break he has the swine flu after all. But this is after two days of talking to him about my concerns over them catching the swine flu while in dreaded Jeddah (I hate Jeddah for many reasons this one will top the list). He just ignored my motherly concerns and assured me no worries everything will be just fine I was simply over reacting or worse yet wanting to keep my children away from his family. (we women all know this guilt trip). So away they went with my words "Don't bring home the swine flu!"

Two days ago Mr. Man started with a fever that is AFTER he spent some time with Umar, hugs and kisses and loads of playing in the teeny weeny apartment. What fun he had bonding with the 'best boy in the world' he told me. While I was happy for their father and son time I wasn't happy when he told me about his having a fever latter that night. He went to work the next day, in order to share his germs with his entire office and returned home early with a "very bad fever".

I knew it then the man was a walking swine flue carrier and I asked "when can you bring back my kids here" since I was in Bahrain with now two sick ones, Jihad was now having a sore throat but nothing more. "Tomorrow" he told me and than I went on here, caring for the swine flue carriers I have here only to receive a call from Mr. Man at 8 something am the next morning that he was at the hospital "I tested positive for swine flu" Of course my concern was about Umar and he needed to get him out of that teeny weeny apartment and back to his mother.

Umar, along with Mr. Mans mother, Leyna, Mariam, Abla (the nanny) and Naomi (the maid) have all arrived here and I did an exchange for Hannah and Jihad who will sit with their swine flu infested Baba in the teeny weeny apartment in Saudi. He has instructions to actually feed the children as they both still have very big appetites even if they are sick and give them plenty of fluids. A friend of mine asked "Well who is going to take care of them" huh Mr. Man is going to be like any other parent and take care of them while he is sick "It is the same for mothers!"

He assures me they will "go into drive thrus" to eat, hey at least he is going to feed them. And they have been sent with work books and pages already marked for them so I expect that all to be finished upon their return. Of course Mr. Man wants to take them to the hospital but this American Mama told him there was no need. Hannah's fever is gone, she now is stuck with a head cold and Jihad only has a sore throat and no fever at all. According to the hospital Mr. Man has a 'mild' case of the swine flu and there are no big worries. Other than the fact that he was around Umar while contagious as well as his mother.

There is no telling if our household would have eventually caught the swine flu. And we are quite thankful it is only a mild case and nothing severe so far. And as I told Jihad "Be happy it is mild and your immune system can build a resistance". So yes things could be worse but I'm still going to remind Mr. Man once again that he should have listened to his very smart wife!

Quarantine The Bean

2009-09-26T20:45:00.003+03:00

Yes Hannah Bean is in quarantine since she came back with some sort of flue. Swine flue? Dunno and I won't take her to the Drs just to check for it either. I told Mr. Man don't be bringing that swine flue back from that drasted Jeddah and sure enough she came off the plane looking so sad and coughing.

We have taken action, she has a fever and other flue symptoms so she is in quarantine. I put her in Leyna and Mariam's room and sent those two off to Saudi with their Baba. I also gave my little man Umar the boot as I don't want him getting ill. Now it is just me, Jihad (he has school work I will make him do) and poor sick Hannah Bean. And she is the one in the house that you just want to cuddle when she is sick but I can't. Nope no spreading germs!

See men don't listen! The one thing I told him not to do he probably did! And yes it is his fault.

Mr. Man, Jihad and Hannah went to Jeddah for the Eid holiday to see family. It was good for her, she got to see her cousins, come out of her shell, and bonded with her youngest Auntie and go out shopping. Which is probably where she picked up someones cold (flue whatever it is). But her Arabic improved in that short period so there is always a bonus.

So keep the Bean in your prayers inshallah she'll be over this soon and the little Man doesn't catch it.

She Is Annoying Me!!

2009-09-25T14:35:00.001+03:00

Just check her out she'll annoy you to!

Click here

For The Record

2009-09-25T00:11:00.003+03:00

If I ever had a baby that was 19.2 flippen pounds I would kill Mr. Man slowly. That little baby beside him is like WTH is that??

Swine Flue Madness

2009-09-24T21:42:00.002+03:00

So it is official, got a message from the school today it will be closed according to the Ministry set dates. Hannah and Jihad will return on Oct 11th, Leyna Oct 18th and poor Mariam Nov 1st. They will make up for the days lost by first extending the school year to July 1st. Which is only one week gained. They also plan on having school on Saturdays (thus a six day week) through out the school year. Jihad said "I will have a riot at the school" when he heard that. Evidently he is delusional and thinks he has a choice to attend school. It is as if the boy has lived in someones elses home all his life, choice? This is a dictatorship he is going!

I had to laugh today as a friend of mine sent me a message today "Just returning from the water park". So much for swine flue concerns. I took Mariam, Leyna and Umar to go see cloudy with a chance of meatballs (I would give a review but I didn't see much as Umar decided to scream the entire time which meant I was in the hallway entertaining cranky butt boy). and it was packed. Loads of children and their parents no concerns of swine flue.

And I'm not the only mother not happy about this in fact a few hundred are said to be planing a street march to show their displeasure. I can't help but think there will be an outbreak of swine flue among the parents thus defeating the purpose of shutting the schools to prevent an outbreak.

Rumors abound all of which you can catch on this face book page. If they intend on closing the schools until January, let me know so I can leave to our house in MO a bit earlier that way I can get a better discount on my tickets. I'm sure the kids would love to go beats sitting around here doing nothing. Although Mr.Man might complain about a budget (what is that anyway?) not supporting my spending habits in the US. And with the increased baggage allowance at Gulf Air he might be right.

Teachers are in limbo and some worse yet have been laid off because their jobs are on hold for two months. But they can get compensation, see how expensive this gets for the country in general, depending on their circumstance. Rumor mill has it that some teachers are leaving due to the up in the air policy that the MOE seems to be setting. Not knowing if you'll have an income? What your work load will become vs what a contract states it was to be and many more issues that we don't seem to know because no one is talking to educators or schools.

There is a mixed bag with parents. Some are afraid and think not having school is good but probably some of these same parents are at water parks and the cinema. Others are sick of the targeting of schools for if one were to follow the logic shut down the entire kingdom and be done with it. But for more reading check out the letter section of the GDN they are a good tabloid sense of entertainment.

As for me I'll be making a study plan for the kiddos on Saturday.

Kids don't need no edumacation!

2009-09-22T16:23:00.002+03:00

Not if they live in Bahrain that is. It seems the board of education has decided in their ultimate wisdom that the perfect way to combat against swine flue is to close schools until mid October for most and November for KG and Special needs schools. You thought most of my kiddos were in school? Well they were and than they had this week off for eid which has now been extended until October 11th for Hannah and Jihad and October 18th for Leyna. Oh and Miss Mariam was excited to finally be able to start on October 4th well scratch that because she won't start until November 1st.

Make sense? Well sure because kids are free to go to the malls, the water parks, the cinemas and restaurants in order to pass around the swine flue. I guess as long as it isn't done in a classroom setting they aren't seen as 'responsible' for a flue actually doing what it will do regardless, which is spread. No worries about fees related to running a school, or making up missed assignments, or squeezing in a curriculum in a shorter period of time (stuff it pass them all). Won't have to concern themselves with parents who now have to figure out what to do with their kids or teachers looking for pay checks for their own families. Nope shut the school keep them all germ free and ignorant.

I'm sure most kids will be super happy I know I would if I were Jihad who is probably planning out how he can spend his time between the wii and the PSP. Of course that is until this Mama tells him we will be working on English, reading, writing, spelling, all that good stuff and I will be calling up the tutor who is a teacher and passing her on some extra income to come here three times a week to keep these monsters going in Arabic. I'll also be contacting the school and see what assignments they can be doing at home (extra credit would motivate them more) and how we can best make use of the time.

I think this will force me to home school because I'm quite sure that come mid October the Ministry will than decide not to open schools until December. If that how it turns out I'm leaving to our new house a bit early.

Eid Mubarak

2009-09-20T15:00:00.002+03:00

From our family to yours I pray this is a wonderful day for all of you.

Notice my little man all dressed up for Eid? Yes he is a cutie and nope you can't have him!! I have no idea why he is dressed up we do nothing on Eid, nothing exciting to get dressed up for. The only two dressed up in this house is Umar and Abla (the nanny which explains his Moroccan outfit). Evidently they have plans we don't know anything about and it turned out to be too much excitement for my boy because he is napping it off right now.

Ramadhan was hot this year honestly I had one day where my head was literally going to explode because I was so dehydrated. 115 degrees is just plain torture inshallah next year we will be doing it in the states. Sure a longer day but ya know 90 degrees is tolerable. Hannah and Jihad did exceptional fasting with very few complaints. Their growing which I'm happy about and sad about all at the same time.

At any rate I hope everyone enjoys their Eid and if you don't celebrate well have a happy Sunday!

Elaborate Just A Little!

2009-09-18T12:03:00.003+03:00

This is a prime example of why I so dislike reading English news papers in Saudi. I've tried to explain it to people with examples like "An article can read Man buys goat, man feeds goat, man dies" and that is it! Honestly I'm not really exaggerating too much. Take a look at this article.

14,000 infant deaths reported
Arab News

JEDDAH: The number of infants who died in the Kingdom during the Hijrah year 1428 (2007-8) was approximately 14,000, according to a report issued by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs. The largest number of infant deaths was reported in Makkah (5,392), followed by Riyadh (4,152) and the Eastern Province (1,196). About 29 percent of these were children of expatriate workers, Shams Arabic daily reported.

Yes that is all there is to the article, no explanation, no discussion, no information. 14,000 infants died in a span of one year and it gets a blurp in the news. Hello!!!! What the hell kind of reporting is that? 14,000 infants dying is a big number, at least to me. And so I want to know why? What are the causes? These infants have expatriate parents, ok so what the hell does that mean? (used hell twice you know I'm frustrated)

I as a reader want to know how they died, and what age is 'infancy' to them and how does them being expatriates play a roll into infants dying in such larger numbers in one year. Yes actually do reporting with investigations and evaluations of an issue. Now if the reporters (and I use that term very loosely here) at Arab News need a helping hand in what questions to ask let me ask some for you.

What is the listed cause of death? From there you would look for a pattern, is it SIDS? Is it premature births? Malnutrition?

Is the cause of death in line with infants from Saudi families? If not how does the cause of death differ when it comes to expatriates?

If the answer is related to birthing, such as still born, premature births, or complications it would lead me to ask what type of prenatal care did these women receive if any? Do expatriate families of certain income levels receive significantly less care during pregnancy? If so why? Is it due to the rules of Saudis only receiving free medical care? Or is it an education issue among certain expatriate families?

If it is SIDS I would look into issue related to is it among a certain community where this rate is higher? And what can Saudi health officials do to help educate the population (both Saudi and Expatriates) about SIDS (note bundling babies up like they do here in thick blankets on their bellies doesn't help)

Now I'm sure if a reporter puts their thinking cap on they can come up with a whole lot more questions to ask. And in the end maybe address the social need for expatriate women who are pregnant to have access to health care. Every pregnant woman should be cared for, either by a private hospital or a government hospital. I feel the same way about children as well. If Saudi can fly in families to aid them for medical treatment those living on their own soil can certainly benefit from such charity from the government. Even if they have to pay a subsidised fee based on their income it should be done.

In order to address these social issues it would be a great help if there were some decent reporting. I know hold my breath until I burst it still won't happen, especially with Arab News.

Ever Wonder?

2009-09-09T22:00:00.003+03:00

There has been countless times in my life when I'd be driving along a main road or highway when suddenly I would see a shoe in the middle of the street. For the life of me I can't figure out how in the world people loose a shoe in the middle of a busy road. I've wondered how that could be? Were they moving and their shoe suddenly fell from a box on a moving truck? Did someone have their feet out of the window and it fell off? Did someone loose it after making a narrow escape across the busy intersection? Or why didn't a mother see when a child threw their shoe out of the window?

In Bahrain it has been even more odd when I've noticed a complete pair of sandals (on more than one occasion) simply left behind. It looked like someone just opened a car door and put their feet on the ground, slipped off their sandals and left. Could it be some odd game of the owner where they secretly watch from afar as people curiously look up on these pair of sandals? Or was a driver caught lounging and Madam is a real B?

I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering how in the world people loose a shoe in the middle of the strangest of places. It seems odd to me that a person wouldn't realize at some point they have one missing. I look at these shoes and wonder what in the world is wrong with people. And I'm sure the people who saw a nice new black school shoe with a pretty silky black bow and glitter stones on the toe of the shoe and a decent brand, Hush Puppies, wondered how in the world could the little girl who lost that not notice? And what in the world is up with the mother that lets her child loose a school shoe?

Well I'll tell you. I've been going a bit crazy trying to pick Leyna up at 1:30 and Hannah and Jihad at 2:30 so I'm a bit surprised only a shoe was left behind. Yesterday I picked up Leyna with the company of Mariam of course, and I decided to drive to the store and pick up some things instead of waiting in the heat for the other two. I was rushing back because I was a tad bit late (only five minutes) and I drove up to find Hannah and Jihad waiting where I was told "Mama we had to come from the sixth floor and walk all the way here and we still beat you" Hannah's way of telling me she didn't like the wait.

Jihad jumped in the back stepping over lazy Leyna who seemed more asleep than awake, she complained when I picked her up of being very hot and that tends to make her zone out on the way home. Everyone was in, seat belts where on, even Mariam was buckled up in her new pink booster we got from the states and off I went. We talked about their day, how things went, and our plan to eat at Chili's for dinner. After we pulled up at the house Leyna complained she couldn't find her shoe and muttered in a mix of anger and frustration "Jihad always steals my shoe" and went off into the house. I asked Naomi (our maid) to go and help Leyna find the shoe out of the car and than I went on about my afternoon until 5:30 when we left for dinner.

As we were going out of the door Leyna still complained of her lost shoe, I ordered her out to the car in search of it and asked Naomi once again to help her. After the two of them and myself looked in every possible place in the car we couldn't find it. So I asked Leyna when was the last time she saw her shoe "in the car" well yea I got that but before or after we picked up Hannah and Jihad.

"Before" she said
"Did you have your shoes off?" I asked in annoyance at this point
"Yes I was hot" and the tears were going to start any second now
"Where did you have the shoe?" giving her that look telling her not to start the water works
"By the door" and her voice got squeakier
"Jihad came in the car on your side?" now she knows she is in trouble
"Yes.. no.. I don't know!" with tears
"Jihad did you get in on Leyna's side of the car today?" exhale, breath, exhale, breath
"Uhhh yea I think so, no I got in on Mariam's side...no wait it was Leyna's side" confused if he just admitted guilt
"And you didn't notice that her shoe fell out of the car???" fasting remember
"uhhh no there was no shoe" confused as to how he is going to get of this
"Leyna you didn't notice your shoe..."

No sooner did I turn to her than that girl was screaming crying and running up the stairs saying something about how everyone hates her. So instead of enjoying our ride to Chili's for iftar (Hannah and Jihad are fasting now too so I hate to be late) I had to drive 20 minutes out of the way to the school in order to pull up and let Leyna go collect her school shoe that was sitting in the sand as lonely as could be. Yes folks we were the family that left that shoe in an odd place and how so easy it happened. I don't think I'll stop wondering how people loose shoes and sometimes I'll wonder if it is a story not unlike mine. But one thing for sure as I count heads to make sure everyone is in the car and than make sure everyone is buckled up I'll now have to ask "Does everyone have all the shoes they came with?"

Our Home

2009-09-07T12:58:00.008+03:00

Welcome To Our Home

This is the entrance to our home where Mariam
will rush to greet anyone coming in.

Notice that Mariam will walk you through this
grand tour. She is now standing in the dining
room. To the left are two huge windows which
allow loads of sunshine to brighten up the home.

To the far left is the entrance from the dining room into
the kitchen. Where you are sure to always find Hannah
looking for some goodies. We have all brand new
appliances that came with the home. I also noted where
the closet is to hang guests coats and a storage area for
all my kitchen goodies. To the right notice where I marked
there is a door leading to the outside, just don't step out yet
it is a long way down we have yet to build a deck.

Standing in the kitchen you will see our sitting area complete
with a fire place for those cold winter MO nights. A large
bay window brightens up the entire area and than off to
the right is a hallway leading to the front of the house.

This is the storage closet in the kitchen. Where I
will be sure to place many of my Sam's club purchases.

This is the hall way to the right of the living room.
You'll notice I marked the bathroom, no need to
show you and the laundry room. Right behind (from
angle of taking the picture) is the door leading to
the basement.

Through the laundry room is our two car garage. Notice the
huge van we rented for a small ransom while in MO.

This is the main portion of the basement what I didn't take a pic
of is the entrance from the stairs which will be my scrapbook
area and a small bench me and Mr. Man can snuggle in. This
main area will have two sections, one a sitting area and another
will be a bathroom with shower.

This is the basement and shows you the plans for the 2nd window
(somethings you notice after the fact) in the section that will
be Hannah's bedroom. She is going to have a huge room when
it is over with and something tells me she won't be spending too
many nights down there alone so she'll need it.

Master Bedroom

Master bathroom and take notice to the HUGE window
right above my tub. So I need window treatment ideas
I so don't want to go with plain old blinds blaah boring. So
let me know if you come up with some good decorating
ideas.

To the right of my sink is this big closet which I'm sure
Mr. Man will have no problems filling (he is a closet hog).
And in case your wondering the toilet is to the right of this
closet in a room all its own. I'm sure it will be the best
hiding spot in the house.

Mariam's room I did manage to get curtains up before I left.

The view outside of Mariam's window.. now don't ask me
why we chose MO this should be sufficient enough of an
answer.

A corner room for Leyna I would have loved this room as a girl

Leyna's closet

Kid's bathroom

Jihad and Umar's room

The rest of Jihad and Umar's room as you can see with a large
closet (all rooms have this)

The view outside of Jihad and Umar's room which leads
to a nice big hill which will not be complete until I slide down
after a good snowfall. Think I won't? HA!!

And that is all folks thanks for visiting!

Back To School.. well kind of

2009-09-07T10:46:00.002+03:00

The kid's school, along with many other private schools in Bahrain, was scheduled to open on the 1st of September. However, in their plan to fight against the spreading of swine flue it was delayed until the 6th of September. Which in the end means that the kids missed only three days of school. How this is to protect the children from swine flue is a bit beyond my comprehension, especially since the Kingdom is just getting started in their inevitable infections among the residents of Bahrain. But whatever the Ministry of education decides than so it is.

However not all are returning back to school as the kids found out yesterday. Leyna's class was missing 8 children on the first day back. Jihad and Hannah's class (they are now in the same class) were missing 10 children. Most of the Al-Khalifah family decided they didn't have to attend the first day or will be among some who choose not to attend classes until after Eid (not surprising at all). In the end they'll miss out on ten days of class have no fears it won't affect their grades for who would fail someone of the royal family.

Mariam would have been starting school tomorrow, I say would have because they delayed the start of all Preschool and KG classes until October 4th. That is an entire month of school as she was scheduled to start on the 3rd of September, don't think I'll get a month discount on her fees though. She is starting KG1 this year as I decided to keep her back a year and not put her in KG2. She was born in December which is the cut off month and I just didn't want to push another child in their schooling. I see the difference with Leyna (who is at grade level) vs that of Hannah and Jihad (who are a year ahead) and having Umar honestly has taught me not to rush it and let it go at a slower pace. I have no doubts she'll flourish even if she is one of the older kids in class.

School is going to be quite interesting for me this year because I have the privilege of being their soul source of transportation. This isn't so bad in the morning as I can drop them all off at 7:15 am and leave (Leyna can even walk Mariam to class). However it is the pick ups that have me wanting to scream. Mariam will be released at 12:30, Leyna at 2:00 and Hannah and Jihad at 3:00 except on Tuesday as they have an early release of 1:20. I have no driver and I won't allow any of my children on a school bus here so it is up to me to go absolutely insane and do the pick ups. Not sure how I'm going to work this other than Leyna having to wait an hour at school four days a week. If she has after school activities it won't be that bad for her but I hate to ask her to wait, although she'll have the company of other kids in school who do the same thing.

I've also came to learn over the holiday that I have to socialize Umar outside of our home. He has learned some bad habits, fully encouraged by his bad siblings, which he needs to unlearn before we even think of getting that boy in school. I'm sure you're thinking school? Is she crazy? But I will put him in a nursery as soon as I'm able in order to help him learn the school environment early on. I'm hoping this will help him in the long run and I have further ammunition to fight any school her in Bahrain that I choose to take on to accept him.

Little Man is a rough one, probably the roughest one I have had yet. Sure this is to be expected since he is growing up the youngest from five older ones. But I'm not sure how much understanding from others he'll receive when he pulls their hair, bites them, or knocks them upside the head with a toy. Yes it seems our bully Umar knocked a friends 10 month old (only child too what a shocker for him) upside the head with a toy hammer. Just wailed him for no reason other than it seemed like fun to him. This does mean that he can certainly hold his own when it comes to the other four, but doesn't give him much social grace at all.

He isn't unlike other children in this respect however considering he has DS it might make it more difficult for him to unlearn these behaviors especially when they are supported and encouraged by his siblings. Sure we might laugh when he takes a bite and runs off laughing, at times even stumbling over because he is amused. But this only supports the idea that what he is doing is a good thing which will carry over to school. Trying to convince the nanny to be firm when he tears her face apart (he has a habit of grabbing a hold of your flesh and bringing you to your knees) is difficult enough. Trying to convince the kids not to laugh when Umar clobbers Jihad is proving to be impossible.

On other Umar news that boy is really going to walk soon! He can stand up by himself he needs no aid to pull himself up at all. And he can stand for quite some time. He also takes small steps, nothing that will get him across the grand canyon but they are a start. I think all he needs is some confidence and a bit more balance and he'll be off. Which is exciting but also a bit scary because who knows where he'll be off to, fear of new things (other than people) just isn't in his vocabulary at the moment.

Moo

2009-09-01T14:28:00.000+03:00

I don't think Umar will ever be a farmer, he doesn't seem to like cows.

Taking Flight

2009-08-23T07:40:00.002+03:00

I haven't forgotten to upload pics of the house I just haven't had time. I have to take new pics with the sod in it really makes all the difference to the outer appearance to the place. Mr. Man had quite the time setting up the sprinklers on set timers but hopefully it will all work out. We did find a teenager (and his father) to come around help with the yard, run the water inside the house (so the pipes don't freeze) and just keep an eye on the place.

The neighbors are super friendly and have been told we will be away until December so they will keep an eye out as well. The head of the neighborhood watch not only wants to take Mariam home to "Miss Kitty" but will be looking out for mail and the house as well. We must seem a bit odd, we buy a home and a few days latter leave the country.

Usually when I'm away from 'home' in Saudi (or Bahrain) for such a period of time I am ready to go back. I want nothing more than to be in my own home, with my own things, living my boring life even if it is in the heat. But this time we aren't in a rush and could hang out even longer here in our new home. It will be interesting to see how our sense of 'home' changes or even if it does.

Ramadhan Mubarak to all I'll update with pics as soon as I get over my jet lag.