We are still here!

Sorry (again!) for the infrequency of blogs, but things have (as usual) been a little hectic.  First of all, we would like to reassure all who have been/may be concerned about little old us in the Middle East.  We have seen no trouble at all, and heard about the trouble in Sohar (around an hour north of Muscat where we are) via the good old BBC! 

Just a few highlights of the last few months (the time is simply flying by so fast!!!)

We had International Day celebrations at school with a food fair and 'around the world in 30 minutes'.  My class chose England (no prompting from me - they wanted Ancient Greece originally but then decided on England when I told them it would be modern Greece).  We had a traditional English cream tea to celebrate with scones (jam and cream obligatory) and tea from a tea pot.  They adored the scones, many of them taking the recipe home to make themselves!  They did find the idea of tea with milk rather odd, and many chose scone with butter and cream no jam...  Still, several entered fully into the spirit of the occasion and dived in like true English people.  My offering for the food fair was good old cucumber sandwiches (white bread, no crusts).  Once more, they adored them, although many asked what else was in them apart from cucumber!!!

My parents paid us a visit for 3 weeks which was great, spanning half term and my birthday.  I am struggling to believe how time has flown!  We took them around the sights of Muscat and they were very adventurous while we were at work taking themselves around in taxis and visiting good old LuLu.  We went to Jabal Shams and stayed overlooking the canyon once more which was beautiful, although not sure dad was too impressed with the drive to the top of the mountain!  However, the absolute highlight of the week was the trip to Wahiba Sands and the desert.  My father came with a request that he leave with a picture of him on a camel.  Not too much of a problem, although we had planned various other activites which did not include such antics.  Anyway, they went away happy with a picture of dad on that camel.  That was not all though...  they also went away with a picture of mother on a camel too!  Not only did we spend the day in the desert, had a quick camel ride, went dune bashing with a guide, but we also hired quad bikes!  We also have a photograph of both parents on them too!  I am so proud.  My mother's first experience of quad bikes.  Well done mom!

My birthday was another quite exceptional experience.  Not only did I get to go on a school trip to 'The Wave' and the '2011 Extreme Sailing' competition which consisted of little more than sitting in the sunshine watching huge catamorans race round in front of us.  We were welcomed by Khamis who was one of the competitors and last year's champion.  Great fun!  I was also surprised by a party thrown by my class!  The scoundrels had discovered not only the date for my birthday, but also my age!  One had brought a home made cake (beautifully made and hand decorated with my name.  Almost as good as mom's but not quite), another had brought candles and a third had brought candles for my age!!!  Aren't they brilliant!  I also had lots of food and pressies given to me which was truly wonderful.
We went to Left Bank for fish and chips on my actual birthday and the Shangri-La for dinner the night after for the parents to experience the 5* luxury buffet and it didn't disappoint.
In addition to all of this being spoiled at work, I also had a marvellous post-birthday party on the roof at the compound.  Yet another cake (again, absolutely delicious) and more presents, including some Laduree macaroons and a massage at one of the nice spa places.  What a lucky girl I am!

Nothing has really happened since then of note, I've been to Qatar which served to show just what a spectacularly beautiful country Oman is and we have made several trips to the beach.  Again, reminding us how lucky we are to live here!

We are coming to the end of our penultimate term, again I can't believe how quickly this year has flown!  Tuesday heralds 'Stars in Your Eyes'.  I have found myself agreeing to play a part in the staff Spice Girls act.  I'm Baby Spice.  Hmm.  Still, it will provide amusement to many, of that I'm sure!

No more news for now, but I promise I will let you know as soon as we  have some!