Waiting for Water - Our life in the desert
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Christmas 2 of 4
Part of living out here is sharing our cultural events with our friends. We've had our family Christmas and now I am planning our times with our neighbors to share what we do/eat/sing/play/etc during Christmas time. I was expecting to have some full-time help during this month but alas, those plans have fallen apart so I am rather daunted but will just pursue it all anyway.
Here is what happened last night which was totally crazy because I forgot that Layla had ballet before these friends came over. So I lost an hour of prep/clean up time which in my world of two young kids is ESSENTIAL.
These neighbors are our closest friends - she has three kids but the oldest who is a daughter is studying for her major exams.
What went "right":
They came.
On time.
I gave them bigger and better gifts than they gave me (first time EVER...she always out-gives me. This is an important cultural value and not just a shallow American consumerism thing).
I had something hot and cold to drink in matching cups on a tray.
Ryan did not tip the tray though he tried to grab everything on the tray.
I had a great time catching up with her as it as been ages since we've seen each other.
Her two boys played really really well with Layla and Ryan.
We decorated Christmas cookies
We ate Christmas cookies
I explained the meaning of the shapes of the cookies (star, angel, tree, etc)
What went "wrong":
Did not have drinks ready when they arrived.
House was not picked up...they had to step over toys to get to the sitting room.
I did not sit peacefully chatting and catching up while the maid got all the food and drink ready. Oh wait. I don't have a maid to do that. yet.
Instead, I was also trying to cook dinner for the kids while still chatting so they wouldn't just eat Christmas cookies for dinner. Again.
When I passed out their Christmas gifts I asked them to open them right there. They usually do not acknowledge gifts and put them aside until after you leave.
She sat in my kitchen (you never never do this. again the mythical maid is in there doing everything for you. Hah.)
She found Layla's old pjs and underwear on the chair next to her (pretty sure this is unacceptable in any culture.)
Kitchen floor was crunchy and dirty
Didn't read the Christmas story (this is the only thing that went wrong in my opinion)
See the next post for the photos (= She looks about 50 lbs heavier than she is because of wearing so many winter layers. 57 degree is oh so cold out here (=
Here is what happened last night which was totally crazy because I forgot that Layla had ballet before these friends came over. So I lost an hour of prep/clean up time which in my world of two young kids is ESSENTIAL.
These neighbors are our closest friends - she has three kids but the oldest who is a daughter is studying for her major exams.
What went "right":
They came.
On time.
I gave them bigger and better gifts than they gave me (first time EVER...she always out-gives me. This is an important cultural value and not just a shallow American consumerism thing).
I had something hot and cold to drink in matching cups on a tray.
Ryan did not tip the tray though he tried to grab everything on the tray.
I had a great time catching up with her as it as been ages since we've seen each other.
Her two boys played really really well with Layla and Ryan.
We decorated Christmas cookies
We ate Christmas cookies
I explained the meaning of the shapes of the cookies (star, angel, tree, etc)
What went "wrong":
Did not have drinks ready when they arrived.
House was not picked up...they had to step over toys to get to the sitting room.
I did not sit peacefully chatting and catching up while the maid got all the food and drink ready. Oh wait. I don't have a maid to do that. yet.
Instead, I was also trying to cook dinner for the kids while still chatting so they wouldn't just eat Christmas cookies for dinner. Again.
When I passed out their Christmas gifts I asked them to open them right there. They usually do not acknowledge gifts and put them aside until after you leave.
She sat in my kitchen (you never never do this. again the mythical maid is in there doing everything for you. Hah.)
She found Layla's old pjs and underwear on the chair next to her (pretty sure this is unacceptable in any culture.)
Kitchen floor was crunchy and dirty
Didn't read the Christmas story (this is the only thing that went wrong in my opinion)
See the next post for the photos (= She looks about 50 lbs heavier than she is because of wearing so many winter layers. 57 degree is oh so cold out here (=
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Camping near Fins
We went camping for 2 nights with 2 other families. We had been gone from the house for 2 nights over Christmas, the house was a mess and our water had been shut off. It was a bit of a crazy scene as we were leaving the house, but it was a great time camping!
Ye Olde Christmas Photograph
Across the border they actually have Christmas trees decorating the mall! We were so surprised....much is changing out here (= It used to be super taboo to have Christmas decorations up at all (=
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