Sports Day

Reception classes celebrated Sports Day last February 11th. A series of 12 stations, 2 of which were water stations and the rest varied games or activities that every child got to participate in. Each class was further divided into two subgroups, Vivian's was called the Black Bears. Each group spent about 10 minutes in each station and then moved on to the next station.

We've been in school on her previous school activities but this seemed a first. Seeing the (not so) little girl run around and participating in the activities was a bit of a wake up call of sorts... she's no baby girl nor some toddler anymore. She's growing up. Seeing her giving a real effort to participate in a structured sport activity, following the rules, giving cheer to friends, pushing past pain (she was coughing a lot)... there was notably something different about how she was 'playing'.

Bear Day

At the start of second term, the reception classes had been learning about bears and using it to study across the curriculum areas. they were asked to bring their own teddy bears in class and made the toys stay in school for a while. after few weeks of learning, the school declared february 9 as bear day. children needed to wear or come of course in bear costume. vivian decided to go as her favorite....Pooh Bear.

Vivian tells a story of "The Bear Hunt".

desert exploits

Towards the latter part of last year I was handed this monster of a project which involved a large network build-up all over the Sultanate. Projects are projects...whether huge or diminutive, quickies or long engagements, they follow this natural order of progression. This project has had its ups and downs (and some bit more of the downs) but the thing I just can't get over are the long and frequent trips out of Muscat.

They're fun in their own way but apart from being away from the family (which was h--l during the recent holidays), its been really grueling and is starting to take its toll on my body. As much as hate admitting it, am no young cub no more. Ten years ago this would've been a piece of cake. But these days... taking in around 3 - 5 hours of travel, partly black top and graded roads; sleeping and waking up to temperatures of 8 - 10 degreesC; most recently - having to cope with extremely strong winds and, subsequently, sand storms (yes, I have been in one)... I can start feeling my body (and not so far behind, my will) creak and break down.

And I haven't even begun to talk about all the drama in the office...

The good side of all this is that... I am experiencing all of this. That in itself is a big deal I guess. I've seen the beautiful desert dunes near Lekhwair, which I guess is as close as one can get to the Oman border without getting lost. In fact, in the farthest station there I went to, moving one step towards a certain direction, your mobile would actually switch carriers from the local Omanmobile carrier to UAE's Etisalat. I'd be roaming, I received the usual greeting - 'Welcome to UAE' -something, but still well within the Oman border. Stepping back, I'd get switched back to Omanmobile, 'Welcome Back to Oman'-something. Found it quite amusing...

One other (mis) adventure I had was that for one night, for some reason our team's accomodations got screwed up. We each had to sleep in a porta-cabinet (which was modified to form living quarters) about 12 x 5 or so meters long. Was pretty sure I wasn't being a priss about it but cleanliness was more than a bit questionable particularly the bathrooms. The worst thing about it was, these porta-cabinets were freezers, it wasn't keeping any heat or any of cold out at all. The temperature when we woke up was around 6 degreesC. That was and will be the first and last time.

Cupcake Holder

Finally got it! the cupcake holder that holds 38 pieces. it can also be a dessert or fruit stand, a party favor stand or a center piece. excited, i baked cupcakes and checked different kinds of icing. i decided to make chocolate buttercream. i guess i did not make a mistake, as the little girl said, "scrummy yummy on the tummy". my inspiration on the icing is the famous cupcake store in the fort, philippines. one of my nieces really loves it and i can share this mouthwatering and easy recipe to her. =)

Junior Monopoly

everytime we go to a toy store i wanted to buy a board game where we can play and have fun together. when i was a kid we have millionare's game and another one that i don't remember anymore. my siblings and i used to play until they outgrown it and i was left playing with the fake money pretending to be a cashier or in a bank. finally one weekend, we decided to buy monopoly. i was surprised that there are different versions now. i got the junior monopoly (ages4-8), an amusement park where you can own a ticket booth and with the same general rules as the original. vivian can practice her counting, addition, subtraction and reading. after three turns she got the concept of the game, buying a booth, roll again when you land on a railway, chance(?) cards (she called it "a mystery" just like in mickey mouse club house), collecting and paying a fee when ever we land on others booth. she ended up the winner the first time we played and she said "i'm rich"...my husband and i called it beginners luck =).

Gardening

Two weeks ago, we checked out a nursery plant in Seeb. after looking around we selected some santan and two other low maintenance plants. i planted some outside the gate and in the family room, the corner where we put the christmas tree during the holidays. we went back last thursday and bought more plants that grow flowers with different colors to be placed in the hallway near the maindoor. we also got some pots, a sack of soil and compost. i hope i can maintain and grow flowers, lots and lots of them. let see if i have green thumbs =) ...after 30 days.