The cattle aren't lowing. The baby is not awake. Maybe I've been listening to too many Christmas carols.
I do have time and energy to post to the blog. Tomorrow is the last day of exams and the day before we head home to Canada for Christmas. It's pretty exciting. Calgary is showing clear sunny skies and highs of -7. It's pretty exciting.
Today, I finished my first set of exams, the English ones, which are the ones that take longer to correct. Tomorrow, it's Social Studies, which is mostly short answer and multiple choice questions. I might be being a little optimistic here, but I have a chance of getting them all done tomorrow afternoon and coming home empty handed. Karla is not so fortunate. There's just a bit of packing to be done tonight, a PTA Christmas feast tomorrow afternoon, a 4am taxi ride to the airport, and we'll be back on snowy, frozen ground in no time.
And now the new reason to come to Cartagena: the dentist. I had my first Colombian dental experience this week. I had a filling replaced. The office was small and not nearly so full of fancy equipment as the Kuwait dentists office, but the dentist was patient and conscientious. The whole visit consisted of an exam, an xray and the filling. It took about an hour and a quarter. It cost $40. I figure that anyone needing any dental work should come to Cartagena. Sure the flight and the work will cost a little bit more, but it's worth it for a week in the sun. Heck, I even opted for the more expensive procedure. Between the exam and the actual drilling, the dentist asks if you'd like the filling done with anesthesia, or without. In my best Spanish, I had to ask, "Does anyone have this done with nothing?" Yes, according to the dentist, they do.
Otherwise, this last week has been a sometimes slow, sometimes quick countdown to this weekend. At school, everyone has spiralled inwards, getting excited about their own Christmas plans. For al the other holidays, teachers group together and go out and explore, but for Christmas, almost everyone is headed home or to meet someone somewhere. However much Christmas has changed - been altered by Santa and gift giving and overindulgence, it's still packs a punch. It's the one holiday that most makes people think of home and loved ones.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Thursday, December 08, 2005
It's beginning to look a little like Christmas
Karla and Aysha are out to look for a few Christmas things - they have been for a while and I am waiting for them to get home to reheat dinner.
Christmas has arrived in Cartagena. The decorations and trees are up everywhere. At night (any time of night), we can look out and see the glowing trees in people's apartment windows. There are lots of lights decorations everywhere too - trees and pointsettias and butterflies. The trunks of all the trees around out apartment buildings are wrapped in little lights that flash all night. It's festive, but it just doesn't quite feel like Christmas. Last night was our school concert. I though, "I'd better get dress up a bit nicer than I usually do." So, I got out a clean pair of dress pants and a fresh shirt - you know, the usual Christmas gathering outfit, less the sweater. The students and Colombian staff all arrived in their shorts and t-shirts ; they looked ready for a family picnic, nice but definitely relaxed. The concert started with "White Christmas", which just about summed it up for me - as much as people try to be Christmas-y here, it just won't be the same until I get home and see the snow, feel cold and Christmas trees everywhere.
I also found out that Friday, the third last day of classes before the exams (and the day of my test) would be partly cancelled so that the Cartagena Soccer team could come and play against our school team. It was a good thing I went to the Christmas concert, otherwise, I would have been blissfully unaware that my test was not going to be able to be held on Friday until Friday morning when I got to school. I am often frustrated by the school's cancelling of classes without notice. It discourages me from planning too far in advance.
Marilyn and Cody visited. It was great to have them here and it forced us to get out and do all the things that we are too lazy to otherwise do. It was exhausting to keep up with them on the weekends, then with Aysha all day and be ready to go back to school. We kept moved Aysha's crib into our bedroom, which upset her rhythm and kept us busier than usual.
I copied a bunch of music off of Marilyn's iPod and discovered dynamic playlists on my own - in iTunes, you can create a playlist that selects it own songs based on some criteria that I set up - like songs that are less than 30 days old, or songs that haven't been played recently. I have been meaning to make some playlists since I got the iPod so I could have easier access to my favourite songs, but have never got around to it.
Alright - Karla and Aysha came in in the middle of this post - it began about 6:30, but now it's close to 9:30 and time for bed. Tomorrow I'm going on a field trip to see a Spanish play and then there's the big football game. In case you are thinking that my Spanish has developed enough to attend a play, it's not. My new hope for learning Spanish is that when Aysha starts to speak it, I will have to learn it to keep up with her.
Good night.
Christmas has arrived in Cartagena. The decorations and trees are up everywhere. At night (any time of night), we can look out and see the glowing trees in people's apartment windows. There are lots of lights decorations everywhere too - trees and pointsettias and butterflies. The trunks of all the trees around out apartment buildings are wrapped in little lights that flash all night. It's festive, but it just doesn't quite feel like Christmas. Last night was our school concert. I though, "I'd better get dress up a bit nicer than I usually do." So, I got out a clean pair of dress pants and a fresh shirt - you know, the usual Christmas gathering outfit, less the sweater. The students and Colombian staff all arrived in their shorts and t-shirts ; they looked ready for a family picnic, nice but definitely relaxed. The concert started with "White Christmas", which just about summed it up for me - as much as people try to be Christmas-y here, it just won't be the same until I get home and see the snow, feel cold and Christmas trees everywhere.
I also found out that Friday, the third last day of classes before the exams (and the day of my test) would be partly cancelled so that the Cartagena Soccer team could come and play against our school team. It was a good thing I went to the Christmas concert, otherwise, I would have been blissfully unaware that my test was not going to be able to be held on Friday until Friday morning when I got to school. I am often frustrated by the school's cancelling of classes without notice. It discourages me from planning too far in advance.
Marilyn and Cody visited. It was great to have them here and it forced us to get out and do all the things that we are too lazy to otherwise do. It was exhausting to keep up with them on the weekends, then with Aysha all day and be ready to go back to school. We kept moved Aysha's crib into our bedroom, which upset her rhythm and kept us busier than usual.
I copied a bunch of music off of Marilyn's iPod and discovered dynamic playlists on my own - in iTunes, you can create a playlist that selects it own songs based on some criteria that I set up - like songs that are less than 30 days old, or songs that haven't been played recently. I have been meaning to make some playlists since I got the iPod so I could have easier access to my favourite songs, but have never got around to it.
Alright - Karla and Aysha came in in the middle of this post - it began about 6:30, but now it's close to 9:30 and time for bed. Tomorrow I'm going on a field trip to see a Spanish play and then there's the big football game. In case you are thinking that my Spanish has developed enough to attend a play, it's not. My new hope for learning Spanish is that when Aysha starts to speak it, I will have to learn it to keep up with her.
Good night.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Holiday Blues
I've got the holiday blues - but only because our holiday is nearing an end. We've spent the last week at home doing not much, and it has been blissful (despite that I've been sick with my usual chest cold). On Tuesday it is back to school. I feel as though I could use another week to catch up on on the school work I thought I would get done, but somehow didn't find the time or energy for. I did manage to read three novels this week, which is great considering that when the holiday began I was still working on a novel that I'd started in April!
Aysha is busy playing at my feet and grunting away. That means it will be time for me to change her diaper soon. I've just asked her if she has "stink" and she has smiles in her eyes (the soother is in her mouth). She makes me laugh.
A week or so ago I took some photos of our street after a morning of strong winds. I wanted everyone to see the ineffective drainage that makes walking even two blocks to school an exercise in flood navigation on occasion. If my post works, you will have already taken a look at these. Visitors should definately bring a pair of sandles that can get wet!
Well, time for me to change that diaper!
Aysha is busy playing at my feet and grunting away. That means it will be time for me to change her diaper soon. I've just asked her if she has "stink" and she has smiles in her eyes (the soother is in her mouth). She makes me laugh.
A week or so ago I took some photos of our street after a morning of strong winds. I wanted everyone to see the ineffective drainage that makes walking even two blocks to school an exercise in flood navigation on occasion. If my post works, you will have already taken a look at these. Visitors should definately bring a pair of sandles that can get wet!
Well, time for me to change that diaper!
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Back in the Saddle
Karla has been encouraging me to post a couple of the photos I took of Aysha in the morning before we went to school, and I just did. They should be right below this post. Now don’t skip right to the bottom just to see the pictures... they’ll still be there when you’ve finished reading this. I haven’t posted in a long time. Karla took over for a couple weeks and I have been doing other things. I took a bunch of photos of some of my students, first at a sports tournament and then on a team-building field trip. I have been having fun posting them on the flickr website. I took tons of action shots with the digital camera and a few turned out well. The students were either very impressed with their pictures or begged me to delete them.
It’s Novembrinas in Cartagena – a week long holiday that only happens here. The highlight of the week is the crowning of Miss Colombia. We talked about going to Tayrona, the national park about 3 hours away to camp (or at least stay in a cabin) by the beach for a few days. However, we looked at treadmills on the Thursday before the break began and decided to invest in a treadmill instead of spending our money travelling. That’s what a baby does to you. We’re staying at home, where it’s safe and comfortable. The idea of staying on a beautiful beach, but having to battle bugs and entertain a hot, sweaty little girl is not as enticing as having a machine to walk on in our home.
In Kuwait, we always had a gym in our apartment, but here no apartments seem to have gyms. There are a couple of gyms that we could get memberships at, but they are expensive and inconvenient –a half an hour walk away. So we have a big black noisy machine in between the dining room and living room, sort of almost out of the way.
One important thing I learned during the treadmill purchase is that Colombia is not a good place to change money. Banks, for what I suspect are reasons related to preventing terrorism, have nothing to do with foreign money. You can’t buy or sell any foreign currency at a Colombian bank, or transfer money to another country. The only place to change money here are either through suspicious little money change shops in the streets or through black market money changers. The shops were offering 2100 pesos to the US dollar and the guys on the street 2500. The official rate is around 2275 pesos to the dollar. The Lonely Planet warns against the guys on the street who are able to skim money off as they count it. All of the little money change shops almost never had rates posted, but all quoted the exact same rate. In fact, the two shops that I did find that had rates posted, offered a slightly worse rate. Canadian dollars were even worse. The shops were offering 1300 pesos when the actual rate is about 1950.
I have been listening to quite a bit of Al Franken. For a week, I was downloading his TV show, which I believe was the first hour of his three hour radio show. The one hour was great. It was a fairly serious commentary on the US news. I’ve tried to listen to the podcast of 3 hour show, but it’s too long and I always find my attention drifting off to something else. He talks to senators and members of congress who point out things that you don’t otherwise hear. There was a Democrat from the government that wanted to start cancelling contracts for the rebuilding of Iraq. Iraq isn’t being rebuilt because the American companies that got the contracts though they would be welcome, but now can’t leave their hotels in the Green Zone. The work doesn’t get done, and the Iraqis are more convinced the Americans came for their oil and not to rebuild their country. Until the existing contracts cancelled, new contracts cannot be given to Iraqi companies who are able to do the jobs.
Well, it’s I know you’re eager to see those new photos and Karla’s getting Aysha into some clothes to head out and see the gang by the pool. It’s only about 5 weeks until we get home for the holidays. It still feels a long way off here, but I suspect you’ve already heard the first of this year’s Christmas carol muzak.
It’s Novembrinas in Cartagena – a week long holiday that only happens here. The highlight of the week is the crowning of Miss Colombia. We talked about going to Tayrona, the national park about 3 hours away to camp (or at least stay in a cabin) by the beach for a few days. However, we looked at treadmills on the Thursday before the break began and decided to invest in a treadmill instead of spending our money travelling. That’s what a baby does to you. We’re staying at home, where it’s safe and comfortable. The idea of staying on a beautiful beach, but having to battle bugs and entertain a hot, sweaty little girl is not as enticing as having a machine to walk on in our home.
In Kuwait, we always had a gym in our apartment, but here no apartments seem to have gyms. There are a couple of gyms that we could get memberships at, but they are expensive and inconvenient –a half an hour walk away. So we have a big black noisy machine in between the dining room and living room, sort of almost out of the way.
One important thing I learned during the treadmill purchase is that Colombia is not a good place to change money. Banks, for what I suspect are reasons related to preventing terrorism, have nothing to do with foreign money. You can’t buy or sell any foreign currency at a Colombian bank, or transfer money to another country. The only place to change money here are either through suspicious little money change shops in the streets or through black market money changers. The shops were offering 2100 pesos to the US dollar and the guys on the street 2500. The official rate is around 2275 pesos to the dollar. The Lonely Planet warns against the guys on the street who are able to skim money off as they count it. All of the little money change shops almost never had rates posted, but all quoted the exact same rate. In fact, the two shops that I did find that had rates posted, offered a slightly worse rate. Canadian dollars were even worse. The shops were offering 1300 pesos when the actual rate is about 1950.
I have been listening to quite a bit of Al Franken. For a week, I was downloading his TV show, which I believe was the first hour of his three hour radio show. The one hour was great. It was a fairly serious commentary on the US news. I’ve tried to listen to the podcast of 3 hour show, but it’s too long and I always find my attention drifting off to something else. He talks to senators and members of congress who point out things that you don’t otherwise hear. There was a Democrat from the government that wanted to start cancelling contracts for the rebuilding of Iraq. Iraq isn’t being rebuilt because the American companies that got the contracts though they would be welcome, but now can’t leave their hotels in the Green Zone. The work doesn’t get done, and the Iraqis are more convinced the Americans came for their oil and not to rebuild their country. Until the existing contracts cancelled, new contracts cannot be given to Iraqi companies who are able to do the jobs.
Well, it’s I know you’re eager to see those new photos and Karla’s getting Aysha into some clothes to head out and see the gang by the pool. It’s only about 5 weeks until we get home for the holidays. It still feels a long way off here, but I suspect you’ve already heard the first of this year’s Christmas carol muzak.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Halloween and Other Happenings
The witches, ghosts, and goblins were out early this year (the Friday before the 31st) with the annual school Halloween celebration. It was a big event, with decorations covering the patio the entire month of October as well as our school bells being changed to spooky howls and similar scary sounds (we have different bells for elementary, middle, and high school). As the Faculty advisor for middle school student council, I had to supervise the creation of the haunted house Thursday afternoon and evening (it took about six hours) as well as be there all Friday morning as we guided classrooms in turn through the house. Considering that I was on my own (our high school student council advisor and director had gone to a conference out of town), I think it turned out not too badly.
Jamie and I brought Aysha to school with us on this day, as she was the accessory that tied our costumes together. We went as Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and Wendy. I've already posted some photos, but may get Jamie to post a couple better ones, because they were taken in the morning and the lighting was better. The costumes were a bit tricky here - no Value Village to plunder, but I think we managed very well without spending a lot of money. The best part was Aysha's wings, which took some time to figure out. In the end we cut dishwashing sponge and covered it in three or four layers of tulle. We then pinned the wings to Aysha's shirt. Jamie even shaved his goatee and mustache for the occasion (Peter Pan couldn't have facial hair).
Right now we are on a week long vacation, but instead of exploring the country, we've decided to stay in Cartagena and save our money. We want to buy a tread mill to exercise with, and as these are not cheap, forgoing this vacation seemed the only way we could justify such a purchase. Besides, we're going to be home for Christmas very shortly (less than a month and a half away), and Marilyne and Cody are coming for a visit on November 23rd. We are excited about having our first guests!
I have been fighting a cold the past two or three days, and my aching head won't allow me too much time at the computer, so I will end this post.
Jamie and I brought Aysha to school with us on this day, as she was the accessory that tied our costumes together. We went as Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and Wendy. I've already posted some photos, but may get Jamie to post a couple better ones, because they were taken in the morning and the lighting was better. The costumes were a bit tricky here - no Value Village to plunder, but I think we managed very well without spending a lot of money. The best part was Aysha's wings, which took some time to figure out. In the end we cut dishwashing sponge and covered it in three or four layers of tulle. We then pinned the wings to Aysha's shirt. Jamie even shaved his goatee and mustache for the occasion (Peter Pan couldn't have facial hair).
Right now we are on a week long vacation, but instead of exploring the country, we've decided to stay in Cartagena and save our money. We want to buy a tread mill to exercise with, and as these are not cheap, forgoing this vacation seemed the only way we could justify such a purchase. Besides, we're going to be home for Christmas very shortly (less than a month and a half away), and Marilyne and Cody are coming for a visit on November 23rd. We are excited about having our first guests!
I have been fighting a cold the past two or three days, and my aching head won't allow me too much time at the computer, so I will end this post.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Aysha's Christmas Wish List
I think I've been a good baby this year, so my Christmas wish list is long. Of course I don't need all of these things, but this list gives some ideas for those of you who agree that I've been a great baby.
Pull Toys
Riding Toys
Crayons
Finger Paints
Baby Musicial Instruments
(or Baby Friendly Musical Instruments)
Pretend Doctor Stethescope
Putting and Taking Things Toys
Shape Sorters
Dexterity Toys
Bath Toys for Water Play
Bath Bubbles (for Mom or Dad to blow in the bath tub)
Durable Books
Toy Trucks and Cars
Simple Wooden Puzzles with Pegs
Any of the Fisher Price Play Sets (ie House)
Pull Toys
Riding Toys
Crayons
Finger Paints
Baby Musicial Instruments
(or Baby Friendly Musical Instruments)
Pretend Doctor Stethescope
Putting and Taking Things Toys
Shape Sorters
Dexterity Toys
Bath Toys for Water Play
Bath Bubbles (for Mom or Dad to blow in the bath tub)
Durable Books
Toy Trucks and Cars
Simple Wooden Puzzles with Pegs
Any of the Fisher Price Play Sets (ie House)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)