Well, seems the new year is upon us already. Like most years, there were ups and downs.
Looking forward to a fresh start, though technically we get a fresh start every day that we open our eyes upon waking.
:::
I ended up making the "orange" lemon bars last night. I haven't tried them yet but hubby says they are good.
Almost the same as the bars using lemon or lime, so it seems that the citrus flavor is pretty interchangeable and the taste stays fairly well the same.
I believe what I used was clementines, but I'm just not sure. In any case, I will consider it a success.
Not sure about baking things at a higher temperature to avoid browning on the bottom. I guess I'd have to cover the top with foil to make sure the top didn't get too browned. lol
In any case, I did make another loaf of bread this morning and I finally got the temperature right without having to adjust it every 5 minutes. And, the bottom didn't come out too brown, it was almost just right.
I will figure this out! lol
:::
Foot is still bugging me off and on. Good excuse to sit around, even though I have things I actually want to do. I do get some things done, but mopping the place is a no go because we don't have a pail big enough for the mop so I have to use the bathtub and so it means A LOT of trips back and forth to the bathroom while I'm mopping. Not good for sore feet.
Hopefully I'll be able to get some more comfy shoe slipper thingies for around the house. Everyone here wears thongs / flip flops around their house, which I find somewhat... odd, but understandable since most floors are wood or tile and tend to build up dirt and get water quite easily. They call the flip flops "ship ships". Cute.
:::
I believe we're going to visit the in-laws tomorrow. There is other family visiting from Kuwait, so it will be nice to see everyone. Also nice to just visit and not live there. lol
Though I'll be back for hubby's business trip soon enough. It sounds like it could be up to 10 days now. I hope not!
:::
I was looking on the back of a package of pasta we bought the other day, when I read the following, "The company is irresponsible for improper storing." I was laughing about that for a little while. Sometimes I really wonder who they get to do their translating.
Many things that have a sell by or use by date will list either, "sell by" or "use by" in English, but then they put the date in the numbers that they use here. I would call them Arabic numbers, but oddly enough, the numbers that we use in English are the Arabic numbers, and the ones they use here are from somewhere else and I can't remember at the moment. So anyways, I can never read the date. Silly.
:::
Happy new year to everyone. May God always bless you and keep you safe, and keep you traveling down the right path.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Alfred Hitchcock presents....
The Mosquitoes!
We haven't had much by way of mosquitoes at the new place. We get one or two a night, but we moosh them and then everything is fine.
Last night, for some very odd reason that we are unable to fathom at this point, there were at least 10 mosquitoes that were in the room, over a period of late night / early morning.
At one point, hubby woke up (I was still up, sitting on the bed reading), and he turned the light on and we saw 3 mosquitoes sitting on the wall directly behind the bed. Waiting. Biding their time.
I found another on the wall and got it before sleeping sometime past 6 a.m.
All in all it was pretty weird.
We can't figure out exactly where they're coming from, so it's hard to deal with the problem. The screen in the kitchen window does have some holes in it, but there happens to be a wood beam across those holes, and none of the other screens have holes that we know of.
I suggested that hubby go by his folks house after work and pick up my mosquito net for us to hang over the bed here. Better than being bitten all night.
:::
Had a problem with my foot the other day and so had a day of sitting around and reading and doing nothing much more towards getting the apartment fixed up than a few dishes. lol
I don't know why but sometimes the bottom of my foot, where the ball / pads are, gets very swollen. This time was the worst and I had to limp around putting no pressure on it at all.
Nice excuse to sit around and be lazy. Not that I didn't just do exactly that for 9 months. lol
:::
There is an awful smell that comes up through our kitchen sink drain hole. I can't figure out exactly what it is except stinky. We have to keep the plug in the drain hole or you can smell it all the way in the bedroom. I can't imagine why it would smell, since it's the kitchen drain. A smell like that I could understand coming from the bathroom drain, but the kitchen? Another mystery it seems.
:::
The dish set that we bought is really great. Except for the fact that there don't seem to be any dinner sized plates. lol
There are little plates for the tea cups and the coffee cups. There are dessert plates and what I would guess are something like salad plates. But no big plates.
And the bowls are quite tiny as well. I'm sure you could get one ladle of soup in there, but I'm not sure if you could get much more.
We have found some plates that we like but they are sold as separates, and we can never find more than a few pieces, in assorted colors, at a time.
We'd like to get some of these as they are nice, so as soon as we can find some complimentary colors, I think we'll get them.
:::
Made another batch of cinnamon swirl bread. This was the first time I lit and used the oven all by myself.
I put in the additional tray, hoping it would help keep some of the heat from the bottom of the bread pan. It seems to maybe have helped some, since even though the bottom did get very dark, it wasn't quite as bad as the last time, and I had the bread baking for about 15 or 20 minutes longer this time since I was having trouble getting the oven temperature regulated. lol
Hubby wants something like lemon squares only with oranges. Not sure how that would work as oranges or tangerines or whatever aren't nearly as sour as limes and lemons. I'm afraid if I didn't adjust the sugar it would just taste awful. We'll see.
He also wants me to bake up a couple of batches of lemon squares for his trip to Kuwait. lol
They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Perhaps it's true.
:::
I'm sure there must be something more interesting to report but it's just escaping me at the moment.
We haven't had much by way of mosquitoes at the new place. We get one or two a night, but we moosh them and then everything is fine.
Last night, for some very odd reason that we are unable to fathom at this point, there were at least 10 mosquitoes that were in the room, over a period of late night / early morning.
At one point, hubby woke up (I was still up, sitting on the bed reading), and he turned the light on and we saw 3 mosquitoes sitting on the wall directly behind the bed. Waiting. Biding their time.
I found another on the wall and got it before sleeping sometime past 6 a.m.
All in all it was pretty weird.
We can't figure out exactly where they're coming from, so it's hard to deal with the problem. The screen in the kitchen window does have some holes in it, but there happens to be a wood beam across those holes, and none of the other screens have holes that we know of.
I suggested that hubby go by his folks house after work and pick up my mosquito net for us to hang over the bed here. Better than being bitten all night.
:::
Had a problem with my foot the other day and so had a day of sitting around and reading and doing nothing much more towards getting the apartment fixed up than a few dishes. lol
I don't know why but sometimes the bottom of my foot, where the ball / pads are, gets very swollen. This time was the worst and I had to limp around putting no pressure on it at all.
Nice excuse to sit around and be lazy. Not that I didn't just do exactly that for 9 months. lol
:::
There is an awful smell that comes up through our kitchen sink drain hole. I can't figure out exactly what it is except stinky. We have to keep the plug in the drain hole or you can smell it all the way in the bedroom. I can't imagine why it would smell, since it's the kitchen drain. A smell like that I could understand coming from the bathroom drain, but the kitchen? Another mystery it seems.
:::
The dish set that we bought is really great. Except for the fact that there don't seem to be any dinner sized plates. lol
There are little plates for the tea cups and the coffee cups. There are dessert plates and what I would guess are something like salad plates. But no big plates.
And the bowls are quite tiny as well. I'm sure you could get one ladle of soup in there, but I'm not sure if you could get much more.
We have found some plates that we like but they are sold as separates, and we can never find more than a few pieces, in assorted colors, at a time.
We'd like to get some of these as they are nice, so as soon as we can find some complimentary colors, I think we'll get them.
:::
Made another batch of cinnamon swirl bread. This was the first time I lit and used the oven all by myself.
I put in the additional tray, hoping it would help keep some of the heat from the bottom of the bread pan. It seems to maybe have helped some, since even though the bottom did get very dark, it wasn't quite as bad as the last time, and I had the bread baking for about 15 or 20 minutes longer this time since I was having trouble getting the oven temperature regulated. lol
Hubby wants something like lemon squares only with oranges. Not sure how that would work as oranges or tangerines or whatever aren't nearly as sour as limes and lemons. I'm afraid if I didn't adjust the sugar it would just taste awful. We'll see.
He also wants me to bake up a couple of batches of lemon squares for his trip to Kuwait. lol
They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Perhaps it's true.
:::
I'm sure there must be something more interesting to report but it's just escaping me at the moment.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
ho ho
Well.... one more ho and it would be quite seasonal, but we could stop at two and remember the choclate and creme filled snack instead? lol
It doesn't seem like Christmas here at all. I have to keep checking the calender to see what day it is so that I can wish those who celebrate a merry Christmas. :D
I did see a couple of stores that were somewhat decorated on the outside for the holiday, but it really isn't celebrated much here except by ex-pats and by orthodox Christians who celebrate it on January 7th I believe.
:::
I finally uploaded the goat movie. It's only about 12 seconds long so it shouldn't take too long to download.
I've not checked on the goats in a couple of days but I assume they are still there, munching their way around the roof.
Roof goats
At least they aren't noisy. lol
:::
I went to make some rice to go with dinner tonight. I was going to make it with some chicken bouillon and just a smidge of butter.
I got the water in the pan, stuck the bouillon and butter in and started the flame under the pan.
I went to get the rice out, and finished one package with not quite enough rice, so I opened a new package.
I was measuring the rice into the strainer to wash it, and I saw some black spots. I thought, no big deal, just some dirt or something and it will wash off. But... of course... lol, not dirt. They were bugs. And when I started looking, I saw there were quite a few of them. Gross!
Well, obviously not washing that rice to eat so I dumped the rice back into the box but then didn't know what to do with the box. We don't have a bin outside that I can toss the garbage into, it is collected by the door man downstairs and who knows what he does with it.
I finally found a big ziplock bag that I could stick the whole box in so that I could close it up and no bugs would escape.
Not sure even what kind of bugs they were! They were similar in size to ants, but looked a bit different and moved fairly slowly.
Well, dinner was saved by using a couple of packets of ramen noodles with the water and bouillon, unhealthy as ramen noodles are. lol
But it tasted great actually!
Hubby is down at the store right now trying to get a refund or something or more rice (bug free insha'Allah). He took the bug rice with him and the receipt. I hope it's not a big problem. People tend to get a bit over heated here sometimes about things.
:::
I made some quick bread last night. Cinnamon Swirl bread. Not sure what is up with me and cinnamon lately but I can't seem to stay away from the stuff.
We still haven't figured the oven temp out yet. Hubby stayed by the oven and watched the temp while the bread was baking to make sure it didn't go up too high. Everything was going fine until the very end. It had been smelling soooo good!! You know how things baking in the oven smell. It makes the whole place smell like heaven. Well, all of a sudden, it stopped smelling good. lol
I checked it several times because I wanted to make sure that it got cooked all the way through. This was the first time I had made this recipe so I didn't have anything to compare it with. And we don't have any toothpicks for me to check doneness, so I was using a fork, which doesn't work quite as well.
We finally took it out of the oven, because it was past the suggested limit and I decided it was done enough.
After letting it cool for 15 minutes in the pan, I took it out and we discovered what the earlier smell was. The bottom of the bread had ever so slightly burned. Not completely black but just about. However, it was a very small layer, so the bread is fine. Hubby even ate the bottom crust, though I picked mine off.
I've noticed on all three things that I've baked, that they do develop a darker crust layer on the bottom of the pan. Whether this is due to the gas, the glass pans, the heat or what I don't know.
There was an additional solid metal sheet that went into the oven that we took out and put under the bottom since it didn't seem useful, but I suggested we put it back in to give some extra insulation from the direct heat coming up from below. There is a sheet in place, but maybe the second sheet will help.
This bread though... wow it's SO good! So moist, just sweet enough, and with the slight touch of cinnamon it's just divine. It has 1 cup of milk and 1/3 cup of oil. I generally don't like using oil in recipes but this didn't call for any butter and 1/3 cup doesn't sound like too much.
Next up is something called Koulourakia (Butter Cookie Braids), which I've never made before but sounds good for breakfast with tea or some such. Though I might make another batch of this bread, it's so good!
:::
Just got word, hubby's trip should be taking place sometime a week or so into January. I hope it's a short trip. I'll be back staying at the in-laws while he's gone. I don't want him to leave!!!
:::
To all my friends and family who celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
It doesn't seem like Christmas here at all. I have to keep checking the calender to see what day it is so that I can wish those who celebrate a merry Christmas. :D
I did see a couple of stores that were somewhat decorated on the outside for the holiday, but it really isn't celebrated much here except by ex-pats and by orthodox Christians who celebrate it on January 7th I believe.
:::
I finally uploaded the goat movie. It's only about 12 seconds long so it shouldn't take too long to download.
I've not checked on the goats in a couple of days but I assume they are still there, munching their way around the roof.
Roof goats
At least they aren't noisy. lol
:::
I went to make some rice to go with dinner tonight. I was going to make it with some chicken bouillon and just a smidge of butter.
I got the water in the pan, stuck the bouillon and butter in and started the flame under the pan.
I went to get the rice out, and finished one package with not quite enough rice, so I opened a new package.
I was measuring the rice into the strainer to wash it, and I saw some black spots. I thought, no big deal, just some dirt or something and it will wash off. But... of course... lol, not dirt. They were bugs. And when I started looking, I saw there were quite a few of them. Gross!
Well, obviously not washing that rice to eat so I dumped the rice back into the box but then didn't know what to do with the box. We don't have a bin outside that I can toss the garbage into, it is collected by the door man downstairs and who knows what he does with it.
I finally found a big ziplock bag that I could stick the whole box in so that I could close it up and no bugs would escape.
Not sure even what kind of bugs they were! They were similar in size to ants, but looked a bit different and moved fairly slowly.
Well, dinner was saved by using a couple of packets of ramen noodles with the water and bouillon, unhealthy as ramen noodles are. lol
But it tasted great actually!
Hubby is down at the store right now trying to get a refund or something or more rice (bug free insha'Allah). He took the bug rice with him and the receipt. I hope it's not a big problem. People tend to get a bit over heated here sometimes about things.
:::
I made some quick bread last night. Cinnamon Swirl bread. Not sure what is up with me and cinnamon lately but I can't seem to stay away from the stuff.
We still haven't figured the oven temp out yet. Hubby stayed by the oven and watched the temp while the bread was baking to make sure it didn't go up too high. Everything was going fine until the very end. It had been smelling soooo good!! You know how things baking in the oven smell. It makes the whole place smell like heaven. Well, all of a sudden, it stopped smelling good. lol
I checked it several times because I wanted to make sure that it got cooked all the way through. This was the first time I had made this recipe so I didn't have anything to compare it with. And we don't have any toothpicks for me to check doneness, so I was using a fork, which doesn't work quite as well.
We finally took it out of the oven, because it was past the suggested limit and I decided it was done enough.
After letting it cool for 15 minutes in the pan, I took it out and we discovered what the earlier smell was. The bottom of the bread had ever so slightly burned. Not completely black but just about. However, it was a very small layer, so the bread is fine. Hubby even ate the bottom crust, though I picked mine off.
I've noticed on all three things that I've baked, that they do develop a darker crust layer on the bottom of the pan. Whether this is due to the gas, the glass pans, the heat or what I don't know.
There was an additional solid metal sheet that went into the oven that we took out and put under the bottom since it didn't seem useful, but I suggested we put it back in to give some extra insulation from the direct heat coming up from below. There is a sheet in place, but maybe the second sheet will help.
This bread though... wow it's SO good! So moist, just sweet enough, and with the slight touch of cinnamon it's just divine. It has 1 cup of milk and 1/3 cup of oil. I generally don't like using oil in recipes but this didn't call for any butter and 1/3 cup doesn't sound like too much.
Next up is something called Koulourakia (Butter Cookie Braids), which I've never made before but sounds good for breakfast with tea or some such. Though I might make another batch of this bread, it's so good!
:::
Just got word, hubby's trip should be taking place sometime a week or so into January. I hope it's a short trip. I'll be back staying at the in-laws while he's gone. I don't want him to leave!!!
:::
To all my friends and family who celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tuesday
Even though I had planned to bake today, hubby somehow convinced me to bake something last night. It didn't finish baking til about 12:30 a.m., so it was a bit late, but I guess we were both happy about the end result.
The recipe was called Snickerdoodle scones. And the topping of cinnamon and sugar was indeed reminiscent of snickerdoodles. The scone part was... well... not exactly like the scones I'm used to making, but it still tasted okay. I'm not sure if I'll make the recipe again any time soon since I have so many others I want to try.
At the moment, I can hear hubby coming through the front door. He was on a quest to find powdered sugar because he has asked me numerous times today about making lemon bars and I finally told him that when he went to the store and got some powdered sugar I would make some. Well, lol, that got him dressed and out of the house very quickly.
So, shortly I will be off to make lemon bars. Only with limes because we don't have lemons. Don't know if they will taste okay or not. I'm wondering if they would need a little more sugar since limes seem to be a bit more tart that lemons? Gosh who knows. We'll see how they turn out.
:::
I guess it's okay that the washing machine takes so long to run a load since I have to hang the clothes to dry anyways, and in the winter we don't get much sun so they take a while to dry. One or two loads a day in the winter will be the max I guess. During the summer it should be easier as it will be hot enough for the clothes to dry, sun or not.
The way our apartment faces, we get the rising sun and so by mid day we are shaded. This should be nice for the hot summer months in general, but for winter, it's a bit chilly.
:::
Still haven't fixed the goat pictures for upload but I think I'll upload the short video I took instead. The pictures didn't turn out all that well. Insha'Allah I'll do that tomorrow.
:::
Oh, lol, we had an adventure with the oven last night. I asked hubby to read the manual to see if there was anything we needed to do before using the oven for the first time. I'm not sure how thoroughly he read the thing but he didn't see anything that stated we needed to do anything specific before use.
He turned the oven on and after a couple of seconds smoke was coming out. Stinky smoke. So we turned it off and opened the kitchen window. We looked at the oven and couldn't see anything that could be burning, so I went into the bedroom and closed the door to avoid the smell while he lit the oven again and let the smoke burn off, which it did shortly, leaving the oven ready to use for the snickerdoodle scones.
:::
I had a sudden craving for ravioli tonight and was telling hubby about them. I'm not sure if they sell them in Cairo or not, but we will have a search for them, and if they don't sell them, then perhaps at some point I will make an attempt at a home made version. However that is not very high on my priority list at the moment.
I know I had more to write about but I can't think of anything at the moment. We're still busy getting things done and cleaning up around here.
The recipe was called Snickerdoodle scones. And the topping of cinnamon and sugar was indeed reminiscent of snickerdoodles. The scone part was... well... not exactly like the scones I'm used to making, but it still tasted okay. I'm not sure if I'll make the recipe again any time soon since I have so many others I want to try.
At the moment, I can hear hubby coming through the front door. He was on a quest to find powdered sugar because he has asked me numerous times today about making lemon bars and I finally told him that when he went to the store and got some powdered sugar I would make some. Well, lol, that got him dressed and out of the house very quickly.
So, shortly I will be off to make lemon bars. Only with limes because we don't have lemons. Don't know if they will taste okay or not. I'm wondering if they would need a little more sugar since limes seem to be a bit more tart that lemons? Gosh who knows. We'll see how they turn out.
:::
I guess it's okay that the washing machine takes so long to run a load since I have to hang the clothes to dry anyways, and in the winter we don't get much sun so they take a while to dry. One or two loads a day in the winter will be the max I guess. During the summer it should be easier as it will be hot enough for the clothes to dry, sun or not.
The way our apartment faces, we get the rising sun and so by mid day we are shaded. This should be nice for the hot summer months in general, but for winter, it's a bit chilly.
:::
Still haven't fixed the goat pictures for upload but I think I'll upload the short video I took instead. The pictures didn't turn out all that well. Insha'Allah I'll do that tomorrow.
:::
Oh, lol, we had an adventure with the oven last night. I asked hubby to read the manual to see if there was anything we needed to do before using the oven for the first time. I'm not sure how thoroughly he read the thing but he didn't see anything that stated we needed to do anything specific before use.
He turned the oven on and after a couple of seconds smoke was coming out. Stinky smoke. So we turned it off and opened the kitchen window. We looked at the oven and couldn't see anything that could be burning, so I went into the bedroom and closed the door to avoid the smell while he lit the oven again and let the smoke burn off, which it did shortly, leaving the oven ready to use for the snickerdoodle scones.
:::
I had a sudden craving for ravioli tonight and was telling hubby about them. I'm not sure if they sell them in Cairo or not, but we will have a search for them, and if they don't sell them, then perhaps at some point I will make an attempt at a home made version. However that is not very high on my priority list at the moment.
I know I had more to write about but I can't think of anything at the moment. We're still busy getting things done and cleaning up around here.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Wow, tired
Well, I meant to get a post in yesterday but I was just beat with all the cleaning and figuring stuff out here at the apartment.
Things are going well, if a bit slow. Lots of cleaning to do. And we're still acquiring things we need.
Got the washing machine working and kind of have the cycles figured out. Was able to get hubby to kind of translate the different loads, though I still have some confusion. A manual in English would be great, but I think I'll be able to work it fine. I've done a load of towels and a load of sheets. Both hanging to dry right now.
The stove works, and I'm assuming the oven does, though I've not tried to light it yet. One interesting thing that I didn't notice about the appliance while buying it, is that the oven knob does not have any temperatures listed on it. At all. There is a small and large flame, just like for the burners. Hmmmm....
Good thing I have an oven thermometer or I'd be pretty lost. I think I'm going to make some tick marks on the stove at 25 or 50 degrees around where the dial turns, or I'll always have to kind of be guessing where to set it and then checking the thermometer.
We did cook on the stove. I made some rice tonight and it seems that I had the flame too high since the result was a bit... um, well... dry. The bottom was hard and crusty and kind of hurt to chew, but I gave Ahmed all the fluffier rice. lol It did have decent taste, just a bit too crispy.
In any case, next time I know to turn the flame lower.
The thing about the washing machine that I'm not entirely happy with is that it takes anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 hours to do a load of wash. Which seems pretty outrageous to me. Not that I'll always have a ton of laundry to do, it just seems like a very long time. And right now it seems more so because I do have piles of laundry to do.
Been unpacking and washing the kitchen stuff that we've bought. I lined the kitchen cupboard shelves temporarily with foil as I didn't want to put stuff down on the unfinished wood and we don't have any shelf lining paper yet. I thought the foil might just be okay, but it appears to be on the thin side and prone to tearing, so we will have to get some liner.
We found some great rugs for a VERY cheap price. Very nice oriental looking ones, I forget what they're called, but we found some for 100 to 200 pounds. Which is like 20 to 40 bucks. And they're a decent size. So we're pretty happy about that, though we still need to pick a couple up.
Lots going on. Hoping to bake something tomorrow. We'll see.
Oh yeah. We have a rooster nearby. It cockle doodle doo's at odd hours during the night. Last night was around 2 a.m. or so, and the night before was around 5 a.m., though it wasn't light out yet.
Alright, tired, will try to post more tomorrow. And will post some pictures too insha'Allah.
Things are going well, if a bit slow. Lots of cleaning to do. And we're still acquiring things we need.
Got the washing machine working and kind of have the cycles figured out. Was able to get hubby to kind of translate the different loads, though I still have some confusion. A manual in English would be great, but I think I'll be able to work it fine. I've done a load of towels and a load of sheets. Both hanging to dry right now.
The stove works, and I'm assuming the oven does, though I've not tried to light it yet. One interesting thing that I didn't notice about the appliance while buying it, is that the oven knob does not have any temperatures listed on it. At all. There is a small and large flame, just like for the burners. Hmmmm....
Good thing I have an oven thermometer or I'd be pretty lost. I think I'm going to make some tick marks on the stove at 25 or 50 degrees around where the dial turns, or I'll always have to kind of be guessing where to set it and then checking the thermometer.
We did cook on the stove. I made some rice tonight and it seems that I had the flame too high since the result was a bit... um, well... dry. The bottom was hard and crusty and kind of hurt to chew, but I gave Ahmed all the fluffier rice. lol It did have decent taste, just a bit too crispy.
In any case, next time I know to turn the flame lower.
The thing about the washing machine that I'm not entirely happy with is that it takes anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 hours to do a load of wash. Which seems pretty outrageous to me. Not that I'll always have a ton of laundry to do, it just seems like a very long time. And right now it seems more so because I do have piles of laundry to do.
Been unpacking and washing the kitchen stuff that we've bought. I lined the kitchen cupboard shelves temporarily with foil as I didn't want to put stuff down on the unfinished wood and we don't have any shelf lining paper yet. I thought the foil might just be okay, but it appears to be on the thin side and prone to tearing, so we will have to get some liner.
We found some great rugs for a VERY cheap price. Very nice oriental looking ones, I forget what they're called, but we found some for 100 to 200 pounds. Which is like 20 to 40 bucks. And they're a decent size. So we're pretty happy about that, though we still need to pick a couple up.
Lots going on. Hoping to bake something tomorrow. We'll see.
Oh yeah. We have a rooster nearby. It cockle doodle doo's at odd hours during the night. Last night was around 2 a.m. or so, and the night before was around 5 a.m., though it wasn't light out yet.
Alright, tired, will try to post more tomorrow. And will post some pictures too insha'Allah.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Wahooooo!
Just a short update to say we are here at our apartment. We got here around 2:30 this afternoon, but it's almost 3 a.m. now and I'm beat so I'll try to write some details tomorrow.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Update 3
Well, yesterday, Thursday, hubby wasn't able to get all that much done at the apartment. He and his helper did some more cleaning and other assorted small items.
They were supposed to get the stove upstairs and connected, but apparently the elevator is out again. I don't blame the guys for not wanting to walk it up 4 flights of stairs. lol
Today, we left the house early afternoon and walked across the street and bought some pots, pans, flatware, and a few other small items, and then walked down the block and bought our plate settings and a few tupperware like containers.
Funny thing about the dish set we ended up getting, is that there was only 1 set left in the pattern I wanted, and that was the set that was in the display window. Well, guess what, no problem at all for them to take it down and pack it all up. Hurray! Great customer service.
After gathering our purchases, we headed over to our apartment. Hubby traipsed most of the items upstairs, though I did carry one bag. lol
Oh, I forgot, lol, after we brought everything upstairs, all 4 flights of stairs, we opened up the windows and were just generally checking things out, and I looked across the building from us, and there were 2 shaggy goats living on a roof. Um... yeah. lol
They are on the second floor I guess so I can easily look down on them. I guess that is where they are being raised, though it doesn't seem like a very nice environment. In any case, I took some pictures and a short video which I totally forgot about til just now, so I will have to upload those later.
There is a slight issue with water in the apartment, in what appears to be inside the walls? Hubby says it's just water, but to me, the areas on the wall where there is a problem, it looks more like someone spilled something caustic on the wall and it's kind of... calcified up or something. I dunno. I'll try to take some pictures tomorrow. I'm not happy about it whether it's water or something else. Mold and mildew inside walls can cause a lot of health problems.
And while we were there, the guys who worked in the owner's store downstairs carried the stove 4 flights up and set it up. We still need to buy the gas tank for it but we are supposedly getting that tomorrow from the owner. Of course, the stove manual is all in Arabic. Not very helpful. Oh, it has a rotisserie thingy inside the oven. Not sure if we'll ever use it but it might be fun to try sometime. Just not with company coming. lol
Hubby says he'll read the manual to me. I mean, not like I don't know how to operate a stove, but I've never used a brand new stove before to my recollection, and I want to make sure there's nothing to be done before we start using it.
Okay, are you tired of reading yet? lol
Tomorrow, the plan is to leave sometime mid-morning with what belongings we have here at the in-laws, and then head over to another branch of one of the stores we went to today which is close to our apartment, to pick up so last few things to get settled into the apartment, and then insha'Allah, tomorrow we will stay!
I have SO much cleaning to do. As in, washing all the kitchen items before use, cleaning out the kitchen cupboards and then lining the shelves, figuring out laundry, etc., etc.
I plan to keep hubby busy. :D
Hopefully my next post will be saying that we are all moved in.
I asked hubby what he wanted the first thing I cooked to be and he said lemon bars. lol
I said, no, not baking and sweets, what do you want your first meal to be. He said lemon bars. hehe
My sweety.
I've been browsing all the recipes I've been collecting on the computer and I have a few here and there that I plan to make which are fairly simple since we won't have a fully equipped kitchen just yet.
Let's see how cooking with a gas stove and oven goes. Should prove interesting. I'm sure it's nicer in some respects but it's an adjustment. Plus... fire! lol
Alright, that's enough. See you all tomorrow!
They were supposed to get the stove upstairs and connected, but apparently the elevator is out again. I don't blame the guys for not wanting to walk it up 4 flights of stairs. lol
Today, we left the house early afternoon and walked across the street and bought some pots, pans, flatware, and a few other small items, and then walked down the block and bought our plate settings and a few tupperware like containers.
Funny thing about the dish set we ended up getting, is that there was only 1 set left in the pattern I wanted, and that was the set that was in the display window. Well, guess what, no problem at all for them to take it down and pack it all up. Hurray! Great customer service.
After gathering our purchases, we headed over to our apartment. Hubby traipsed most of the items upstairs, though I did carry one bag. lol
Oh, I forgot, lol, after we brought everything upstairs, all 4 flights of stairs, we opened up the windows and were just generally checking things out, and I looked across the building from us, and there were 2 shaggy goats living on a roof. Um... yeah. lol
They are on the second floor I guess so I can easily look down on them. I guess that is where they are being raised, though it doesn't seem like a very nice environment. In any case, I took some pictures and a short video which I totally forgot about til just now, so I will have to upload those later.
There is a slight issue with water in the apartment, in what appears to be inside the walls? Hubby says it's just water, but to me, the areas on the wall where there is a problem, it looks more like someone spilled something caustic on the wall and it's kind of... calcified up or something. I dunno. I'll try to take some pictures tomorrow. I'm not happy about it whether it's water or something else. Mold and mildew inside walls can cause a lot of health problems.
And while we were there, the guys who worked in the owner's store downstairs carried the stove 4 flights up and set it up. We still need to buy the gas tank for it but we are supposedly getting that tomorrow from the owner. Of course, the stove manual is all in Arabic. Not very helpful. Oh, it has a rotisserie thingy inside the oven. Not sure if we'll ever use it but it might be fun to try sometime. Just not with company coming. lol
Hubby says he'll read the manual to me. I mean, not like I don't know how to operate a stove, but I've never used a brand new stove before to my recollection, and I want to make sure there's nothing to be done before we start using it.
Okay, are you tired of reading yet? lol
Tomorrow, the plan is to leave sometime mid-morning with what belongings we have here at the in-laws, and then head over to another branch of one of the stores we went to today which is close to our apartment, to pick up so last few things to get settled into the apartment, and then insha'Allah, tomorrow we will stay!
I have SO much cleaning to do. As in, washing all the kitchen items before use, cleaning out the kitchen cupboards and then lining the shelves, figuring out laundry, etc., etc.
I plan to keep hubby busy. :D
Hopefully my next post will be saying that we are all moved in.
I asked hubby what he wanted the first thing I cooked to be and he said lemon bars. lol
I said, no, not baking and sweets, what do you want your first meal to be. He said lemon bars. hehe
My sweety.
I've been browsing all the recipes I've been collecting on the computer and I have a few here and there that I plan to make which are fairly simple since we won't have a fully equipped kitchen just yet.
Let's see how cooking with a gas stove and oven goes. Should prove interesting. I'm sure it's nicer in some respects but it's an adjustment. Plus... fire! lol
Alright, that's enough. See you all tomorrow!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Update 2
Well, hubby was busy today!
He and his helper were at the apartment doing a few things.
They took the wooden shutters down and washed them in the tub. At least I think that's where they washed them. Yes I will be cleaning the tub quite well before I step even a single bitty toe in it.
Before putting the shutters back on, they took what I believe from the description to be a staple gun, and stapled some sort of plastic sheeting to the outside, so that they are air tight and won't let dust in.
There is still areas around the edges of the windows and balcony doors where the air/dust can get in, but insha'Allah what they did today will decrease the amount of dust greatly. Hubby says most of the dust was coming in through the shutters.
Hubby also contacted the guy who was doing the kitchen sink/cabinet. He will go ahead and finish it, though I'm not sure when it will be done. The basic frame is done but he needs to put on the outside wood layer and then put the marble on top.
We need to haul the stove up from the store downstairs that's been holding it for us. The building owner and our landlord also runs a store on the bottom floor. How convenient. Only we didn't but the stove from there, he was just holding it for us.
I think the plan for tomorrow is to start buying some things for the kitchen and at least a couple of chairs to sit on.
Until we can get the carpet we would like for our personal living room, we'll put down a layer of... well, it's not exactly carpet padding like we know it in the States, it's some kind of thin material that um, I have no idea what it's made of. We'll put that down and then perhaps some wall to wall carpet. But I think that carpet will probably be thin and we'll end up getting a nice area carpet to go on top. That all sounds kind of strange, so I dunno, we'll see. But that room, with it's very bright green paint, definitely needs the floor completely covered so that the tile doesn't show.
Will update more tomorrow.
He and his helper were at the apartment doing a few things.
They took the wooden shutters down and washed them in the tub. At least I think that's where they washed them. Yes I will be cleaning the tub quite well before I step even a single bitty toe in it.
Before putting the shutters back on, they took what I believe from the description to be a staple gun, and stapled some sort of plastic sheeting to the outside, so that they are air tight and won't let dust in.
There is still areas around the edges of the windows and balcony doors where the air/dust can get in, but insha'Allah what they did today will decrease the amount of dust greatly. Hubby says most of the dust was coming in through the shutters.
Hubby also contacted the guy who was doing the kitchen sink/cabinet. He will go ahead and finish it, though I'm not sure when it will be done. The basic frame is done but he needs to put on the outside wood layer and then put the marble on top.
We need to haul the stove up from the store downstairs that's been holding it for us. The building owner and our landlord also runs a store on the bottom floor. How convenient. Only we didn't but the stove from there, he was just holding it for us.
I think the plan for tomorrow is to start buying some things for the kitchen and at least a couple of chairs to sit on.
Until we can get the carpet we would like for our personal living room, we'll put down a layer of... well, it's not exactly carpet padding like we know it in the States, it's some kind of thin material that um, I have no idea what it's made of. We'll put that down and then perhaps some wall to wall carpet. But I think that carpet will probably be thin and we'll end up getting a nice area carpet to go on top. That all sounds kind of strange, so I dunno, we'll see. But that room, with it's very bright green paint, definitely needs the floor completely covered so that the tile doesn't show.
Will update more tomorrow.
Not an update
We didn't get to bed til quite late last night, around 4:30 a.m.
During the evening, I had been sitting on the bed closer to the window in our bedroom, and I noticed that there were some strong winds outside for most of the night.
Well....owing to the fact that we have shutters and wooden windows with glass inset, and also to the building being a good 40+ years old, there isn't a way to keep the window and shutters from rattling in the wind. Nothing fits tight or close anymore.
I woke up around 7:30 and was convinced I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. I was worried about hubby going out later and if he would be okay. Also worried about the 5 million pounds of dust I was surely inhaling while I slept.
Woke up again around 9 when hubby's alarm went off. Also the window had blown open. The "locking" mechanism on it is a little... worn and so it doesn't stay put for too long if there's enough wind.
Well.... it seems there is dust along with the wind, but not like the dust we had after I first got here. That made the skies a horrible brownish color. They are just kind of... very gray/dusty looking right now.
Winds roughly 30 miles per hour according to yahoo, though I think it's very likely we're getting gusts higher than that. Hard for me to put a number on it.
It whips down the sides of the buildings and lashes against all of the trees around the apartment, banging them into the walls.
Also, it says it's 75 degrees! I'm not sure I believe it, it still feels a bit chilly to me.
Definitely strange weather.
Hubby is at the apartment so I will update about that later.
During the evening, I had been sitting on the bed closer to the window in our bedroom, and I noticed that there were some strong winds outside for most of the night.
Well....owing to the fact that we have shutters and wooden windows with glass inset, and also to the building being a good 40+ years old, there isn't a way to keep the window and shutters from rattling in the wind. Nothing fits tight or close anymore.
I woke up around 7:30 and was convinced I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. I was worried about hubby going out later and if he would be okay. Also worried about the 5 million pounds of dust I was surely inhaling while I slept.
Woke up again around 9 when hubby's alarm went off. Also the window had blown open. The "locking" mechanism on it is a little... worn and so it doesn't stay put for too long if there's enough wind.
Well.... it seems there is dust along with the wind, but not like the dust we had after I first got here. That made the skies a horrible brownish color. They are just kind of... very gray/dusty looking right now.
Winds roughly 30 miles per hour according to yahoo, though I think it's very likely we're getting gusts higher than that. Hard for me to put a number on it.
It whips down the sides of the buildings and lashes against all of the trees around the apartment, banging them into the walls.
Also, it says it's 75 degrees! I'm not sure I believe it, it still feels a bit chilly to me.
Definitely strange weather.
Hubby is at the apartment so I will update about that later.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Update 1
Well, no move today, but we did look at some stuff to buy and will be buying it tomorrow insha'Allah.
Hubby plans to go with a couple guys so they can do a quick clean on the floors because they are so dusty and he doesn't want me inhaling all the dust.
Then he plans to cover part of the windows/doors on the outside that is letting in all the dust. He'll hopefully be getting some clear plastic sheeting that he can staple onto the wood shutters.
When we went out tonight to look at things, it was 20 minutes to walk to the store (at hubby's normally fast pace), 15 minutes of looking around, 20 minutes to walk to KFC where we waited 5 minutes for what turned out to be a horrible tasting sandwhich, and then 5 minutes back home. It was a quick trip, just over an hour in all. But nice to get out. Well, except for all the exhaust we breathed in. lol
I'll update again tomorrow with what is happening.
Hubby plans to go with a couple guys so they can do a quick clean on the floors because they are so dusty and he doesn't want me inhaling all the dust.
Then he plans to cover part of the windows/doors on the outside that is letting in all the dust. He'll hopefully be getting some clear plastic sheeting that he can staple onto the wood shutters.
When we went out tonight to look at things, it was 20 minutes to walk to the store (at hubby's normally fast pace), 15 minutes of looking around, 20 minutes to walk to KFC where we waited 5 minutes for what turned out to be a horrible tasting sandwhich, and then 5 minutes back home. It was a quick trip, just over an hour in all. But nice to get out. Well, except for all the exhaust we breathed in. lol
I'll update again tomorrow with what is happening.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Maybe, just maybe
It seems that hubby's trip to Kuwait has been most probably put off until January, which is fine with me.
=)
I wish he didn't have to go, but hopefully it will bring in some more business, which is always good.
:::
I've been told.... that we might.... MOVE tomorrow.
Now... let's not get our hopes up, but it's possible.
We have stuff to buy, so it might be a couple days of buying stuff since hubby is taking 4 days or so off work, and after buying stuff, then maybe we will move.
In any case, a cautious yippee coming from me!
:::
My in-laws and I, minus hubby who was at work, went through some old family photos last night.
Hubby was so cute when he was little. And he was so skinny!! lol
There's definitely some keeper/blackmail photos in there. :D
It's always fun to see pictures of the people you love when they were younger. When you only see them as adults, it's hard to remember they weren't always grown up.
=)
I wish he didn't have to go, but hopefully it will bring in some more business, which is always good.
:::
I've been told.... that we might.... MOVE tomorrow.
Now... let's not get our hopes up, but it's possible.
We have stuff to buy, so it might be a couple days of buying stuff since hubby is taking 4 days or so off work, and after buying stuff, then maybe we will move.
In any case, a cautious yippee coming from me!
:::
My in-laws and I, minus hubby who was at work, went through some old family photos last night.
Hubby was so cute when he was little. And he was so skinny!! lol
There's definitely some keeper/blackmail photos in there. :D
It's always fun to see pictures of the people you love when they were younger. When you only see them as adults, it's hard to remember they weren't always grown up.
Friday, December 11, 2009
No distance
Family is a topic that has more to write about and speak about than any one person has the time or probably the inclination.
We are all born of a mother and father, and even without siblings, the ancestors reach further back in time than we can easily trace.
There are a lot of sayings about family. One that comes immediately to mind for me is, "blood is thicker than water", but here is a whole page full of sayings that are funny and quite often true, Family Sayings
I don't believe there is such a thing as a perfect family. Even when we are alike, we are all so different.
There are bound to be squabbles over many things, the more mundane such as food and larger things such as politics or religion.
And yet, for the most part, most of us are lucky and blessed enough to love our family and be loved in return.
I feel doubly blessed because I've had the opportunity to have more than the normal family unit. Since I was adopted, I have my biological family, and I have my adoptive family. Two families instead of just one. How lucky is that? There could be twice the amount of squabbles, but what I have ultimately found is that really there is twice the love.
Although I am separated by quite a distance from the family I have grown to know and love, they are always with me in spirit, and in my heart.
There will always be memories I cherish that will bring my family so close to me it is as if there is no distance at all.
I have wonderful memories of taking longs walks with my father and discussing anything and everything. That is something I won't forget, that I will hold dear for the rest of my life.
And likewise I have fond memories of my mother as well. I think what we probably came closest on over the years was food, and a love of recipes and cooking. She was always patient with me in the kitchen and always willing to show me how to do something or explain what she was doing.
So though at times I feel lonely for family and friends I knew, really they are right here with me, keeping me company in my memories and thoughts.
And, as it often happens in life, I now have a third family, the one that I married into! And though it requires some patience and a lot of learning and adjusting, I care for them and they for me, like I belonged here all along.
Alhamdulillah for family, for love, and for memories.
We are all born of a mother and father, and even without siblings, the ancestors reach further back in time than we can easily trace.
There are a lot of sayings about family. One that comes immediately to mind for me is, "blood is thicker than water", but here is a whole page full of sayings that are funny and quite often true, Family Sayings
I don't believe there is such a thing as a perfect family. Even when we are alike, we are all so different.
There are bound to be squabbles over many things, the more mundane such as food and larger things such as politics or religion.
And yet, for the most part, most of us are lucky and blessed enough to love our family and be loved in return.
I feel doubly blessed because I've had the opportunity to have more than the normal family unit. Since I was adopted, I have my biological family, and I have my adoptive family. Two families instead of just one. How lucky is that? There could be twice the amount of squabbles, but what I have ultimately found is that really there is twice the love.
Although I am separated by quite a distance from the family I have grown to know and love, they are always with me in spirit, and in my heart.
There will always be memories I cherish that will bring my family so close to me it is as if there is no distance at all.
I have wonderful memories of taking longs walks with my father and discussing anything and everything. That is something I won't forget, that I will hold dear for the rest of my life.
And likewise I have fond memories of my mother as well. I think what we probably came closest on over the years was food, and a love of recipes and cooking. She was always patient with me in the kitchen and always willing to show me how to do something or explain what she was doing.
So though at times I feel lonely for family and friends I knew, really they are right here with me, keeping me company in my memories and thoughts.
And, as it often happens in life, I now have a third family, the one that I married into! And though it requires some patience and a lot of learning and adjusting, I care for them and they for me, like I belonged here all along.
Alhamdulillah for family, for love, and for memories.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Boats, planes and trains, oh my!
The last couple of days, hubby and I have been discussing a trip to the States.
At this point, it would be easier for me to go by myself (read cheaper), but I do want him to come and meet my family, and he is eager to visit the States in any case.
We talked about some different ways to travel instead of just straight plane trips the whole way.
One thought was to take the train to Alexandria, then take a boat over to Italy (or thereabouts) and then fly from Italy to the States.
After that, we can either fly direct in to San Francisco, or we can fly to the east coast and take an Amtrak train across the States, which takes a couple of days but would be exciting for the both of us.
I have traveled across the States in a car before, so I've seen a bunch of things, but Ahmed has never been in the US, and I think it would be really great for him to get this chance.
Also, we could stop and visit other family that way.
The only thing is, although the train trip isn't that expensive in itself, add to that the cost of flying, renting cars and staying in hotels while in California, and it stops being so cheap.
In any case, perhaps we can skip the boat part since I was having trouble finding any information on that anyways. We can fly from Cairo to say Boston or so, start the Amtrak there and take it across the States, and then on our return just fly straight to Cairo.
Of course, it all depends on money. Hubby thinks we will need like $10k for the trip, which sounds like a bit much to me, and I don't know when we'd ever have that much saved up, but we shall see. I want to get there for spring break, which is beginning of April.
:::
I'm finally out of the hair conditioner that I brought with me from the States. I use it sparingly, so it's lasted quite some time, but alas, it is done!
This is a bit of a shame, as it was a nice organic conditioner, with no scent added.
Since I'm particularly sensitive to scents, this is of utmost importance when buying shampoo and conditioner.
I'm hoping I'll be able to find something to replace it. I have heard some people using olive oil or egg or all kinds of food in their hair, but honestly, that just sounds way too messy for me. Plus, I'd like to keep my food on the inside. lol
I also ran out of the soap that I brought with me. Ran out a couple of months ago actually. Thankfully, we did find something to replace that. I had been using Dove sensitive skin/ unscented. The unscented part being the most important.
They do sell Dove here, but not unscented, so that was a no go. And they do sell 5 million kinds of scented soaps here, none of which appealed to me.
We finally found a glycerin soap that has no scent. It's made in Egypt which is nice, as we can support the economy here instead of me buying all imported stuff. I wish that they listed exactly what was in the soap though. All I know is that it's glycerin and unscented. I think they often times add other ingredients as well.
That is something I have noticed with products here, both beauty products and food, is that if it's produced in Egypt, they often don't have very comprehensive labeling. Bakeries don't label anything with an ingredient list, which drives me crazy.
I guess the regulations here don't call for it. Which is a shame. At least as far as I'm concerned.
At this point, it would be easier for me to go by myself (read cheaper), but I do want him to come and meet my family, and he is eager to visit the States in any case.
We talked about some different ways to travel instead of just straight plane trips the whole way.
One thought was to take the train to Alexandria, then take a boat over to Italy (or thereabouts) and then fly from Italy to the States.
After that, we can either fly direct in to San Francisco, or we can fly to the east coast and take an Amtrak train across the States, which takes a couple of days but would be exciting for the both of us.
I have traveled across the States in a car before, so I've seen a bunch of things, but Ahmed has never been in the US, and I think it would be really great for him to get this chance.
Also, we could stop and visit other family that way.
The only thing is, although the train trip isn't that expensive in itself, add to that the cost of flying, renting cars and staying in hotels while in California, and it stops being so cheap.
In any case, perhaps we can skip the boat part since I was having trouble finding any information on that anyways. We can fly from Cairo to say Boston or so, start the Amtrak there and take it across the States, and then on our return just fly straight to Cairo.
Of course, it all depends on money. Hubby thinks we will need like $10k for the trip, which sounds like a bit much to me, and I don't know when we'd ever have that much saved up, but we shall see. I want to get there for spring break, which is beginning of April.
:::
I'm finally out of the hair conditioner that I brought with me from the States. I use it sparingly, so it's lasted quite some time, but alas, it is done!
This is a bit of a shame, as it was a nice organic conditioner, with no scent added.
Since I'm particularly sensitive to scents, this is of utmost importance when buying shampoo and conditioner.
I'm hoping I'll be able to find something to replace it. I have heard some people using olive oil or egg or all kinds of food in their hair, but honestly, that just sounds way too messy for me. Plus, I'd like to keep my food on the inside. lol
I also ran out of the soap that I brought with me. Ran out a couple of months ago actually. Thankfully, we did find something to replace that. I had been using Dove sensitive skin/ unscented. The unscented part being the most important.
They do sell Dove here, but not unscented, so that was a no go. And they do sell 5 million kinds of scented soaps here, none of which appealed to me.
We finally found a glycerin soap that has no scent. It's made in Egypt which is nice, as we can support the economy here instead of me buying all imported stuff. I wish that they listed exactly what was in the soap though. All I know is that it's glycerin and unscented. I think they often times add other ingredients as well.
That is something I have noticed with products here, both beauty products and food, is that if it's produced in Egypt, they often don't have very comprehensive labeling. Bakeries don't label anything with an ingredient list, which drives me crazy.
I guess the regulations here don't call for it. Which is a shame. At least as far as I'm concerned.
Monday, December 7, 2009
No ark just yet
I follow the weather forecast here, checking a few times a week, though these days there really isn't all that much variation.
I'd been looking the last few days and keeping track on the weather for today, as it said there was a 20% chance of rain. I've seen that before in the forecast, a slim chance of rain, and it never happens, so I really wasn't expecting anything. Particularly as I awoke to blue skies this morning.
But sure enough, a little after 3 p.m., it started pitter pattering outside. Of course this required me to go out onto the back balcony and watch.
The skies still looked blue out the window while walking toward the balcony, which made it seem odd that it would be raining, but when I got outside and looked up I could see there was a big gray cloud overhead.
There were a few ladies in the building across the way who were dragging their laundry in off of the line so that it wouldn't get any more wet than it was. Also... I have a feeling the rain is actually pretty dirty, and might leave your clothes dirtier than before you washed them!
I called hubby to see if it was raining at his work and it was. He even saw a rainbow, though from the balcony I couldn't spot it. That would have been just lovely.
The rain was short lived. Less than 5 minutes. But it was very refreshing and very welcome and it did cheer me up.
Needless to say, we are not building an ark just yet, but you never know, one of these days....
I'd been looking the last few days and keeping track on the weather for today, as it said there was a 20% chance of rain. I've seen that before in the forecast, a slim chance of rain, and it never happens, so I really wasn't expecting anything. Particularly as I awoke to blue skies this morning.
But sure enough, a little after 3 p.m., it started pitter pattering outside. Of course this required me to go out onto the back balcony and watch.
The skies still looked blue out the window while walking toward the balcony, which made it seem odd that it would be raining, but when I got outside and looked up I could see there was a big gray cloud overhead.
There were a few ladies in the building across the way who were dragging their laundry in off of the line so that it wouldn't get any more wet than it was. Also... I have a feeling the rain is actually pretty dirty, and might leave your clothes dirtier than before you washed them!
I called hubby to see if it was raining at his work and it was. He even saw a rainbow, though from the balcony I couldn't spot it. That would have been just lovely.
The rain was short lived. Less than 5 minutes. But it was very refreshing and very welcome and it did cheer me up.
Needless to say, we are not building an ark just yet, but you never know, one of these days....
Sunday, December 6, 2009
In the middle
I've noticed that quite a few of the tubs/showers here have their incoming water spout/shower head in the middle of the side of the tub instead of at one end or the other.
This creates a little bit of an issue, as when you are standing in the middle of the tub, there isn't much room to move except from side to side, and that's not where the water is pointing to.
It means that taking a shower is always awkward. Always.
Thankfully, at our new apartment the shower head is at the end of the tub. Not that I've had a chance to actually use the shower yet. lol
Another thing that causes me to ponder while in the shower is the water pressure. Or lack thereof of a constant water pressure. And along with that, lack of constant water temperature.
I don't know why the pressure isn't constant. It seems to cycle up and down on a regular basis during the course of a shower. When the pressure is at its height, the water is at the temp you like, when the pressure gets to its low spot, the water temperature cools down to a temp that is not exactly what you would like.
If you adjust the temp of the water to be what you like on the down pressure, it's too hot when it's at high pressure.
So... for our showering pleasure, we are trapped awkwardly in the middle of the tub, with varying water pressure and temperature.
Gotta love it.
:::
It's interesting to note that we often don't think about things that we can't see. Hubby opened the blinds in the bedroom yesterday upon waking, and I could immediately see all the dust in the rays of sun streaming in.
The dust is always there, and yet we don't think about it when we can't see it.
Does that mean I should keep the blinds closed all the time so I don't see the dust? lol
:::
No word on the Kuwait trip yet.
I thought I understood about being patient before I moved here, but it seems I was wrong.
I guess there is no way to know your limits until you really test them. No matter how many times you think you can't take any more, you find a way when you need to.
:::
It's downright chilly here. And the days are so short. We're almost at the middle point, the shortest day, and then we will work our way back to lighter days.
It's almost a shame. I can't say I care for such long dark days, however I'm definitely liking this weather better than the heat of the summer, which lasts for about 8 months of the year here.
Four months of nice temps is not enough.
Is there someplace in the world that's at about a constant 76 degrees with low humidity? If so, I'd like to move there please.
This creates a little bit of an issue, as when you are standing in the middle of the tub, there isn't much room to move except from side to side, and that's not where the water is pointing to.
It means that taking a shower is always awkward. Always.
Thankfully, at our new apartment the shower head is at the end of the tub. Not that I've had a chance to actually use the shower yet. lol
Another thing that causes me to ponder while in the shower is the water pressure. Or lack thereof of a constant water pressure. And along with that, lack of constant water temperature.
I don't know why the pressure isn't constant. It seems to cycle up and down on a regular basis during the course of a shower. When the pressure is at its height, the water is at the temp you like, when the pressure gets to its low spot, the water temperature cools down to a temp that is not exactly what you would like.
If you adjust the temp of the water to be what you like on the down pressure, it's too hot when it's at high pressure.
So... for our showering pleasure, we are trapped awkwardly in the middle of the tub, with varying water pressure and temperature.
Gotta love it.
:::
It's interesting to note that we often don't think about things that we can't see. Hubby opened the blinds in the bedroom yesterday upon waking, and I could immediately see all the dust in the rays of sun streaming in.
The dust is always there, and yet we don't think about it when we can't see it.
Does that mean I should keep the blinds closed all the time so I don't see the dust? lol
:::
No word on the Kuwait trip yet.
I thought I understood about being patient before I moved here, but it seems I was wrong.
I guess there is no way to know your limits until you really test them. No matter how many times you think you can't take any more, you find a way when you need to.
:::
It's downright chilly here. And the days are so short. We're almost at the middle point, the shortest day, and then we will work our way back to lighter days.
It's almost a shame. I can't say I care for such long dark days, however I'm definitely liking this weather better than the heat of the summer, which lasts for about 8 months of the year here.
Four months of nice temps is not enough.
Is there someplace in the world that's at about a constant 76 degrees with low humidity? If so, I'd like to move there please.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
No lights
Because I am Muslim, and living in a country that is full of Muslims, I won't be witnessing the Christmas and holiday season like I would if I was living in the States.
I won't be hearing the sale ads on the radio and on television.
No Christmas specials on tv and no holiday cooking shows.
There will be no driving past many a house decorated brightly with all manner of lights and sparkly festive items.
And I miss it.
I thought it would be nice to get a break from the incessant advertising and commercialism that comes with the holiday season, and yeah, that part is nice to get a break from. But it's only a small part of what makes the holiday season in the States.
Even though I don't technically celebrate Christmas anymore, the feeling that the holidays brings comes regardless of what holidays I celebrate. When October and November hit, that holiday feeling starts up!
After 40 years of living through the holidays, that feeling of "holiday" is part of who I am I suppose.
The cold weather, the baking, the cheerful songs on the radio, people bustling around trying to get things done, and in general, people getting excited about something.
I don't miss the gifts, I just miss the feeling of being in the middle of and surrounded by everyone else getting excited and celebrating. Well, and lets be honest, who doesn't like gifts, no matter the occasion? lol
I guess this isn't coming out as clearly as I had wanted it to.
But I miss being in the States during the holidays. Insha'Allah next year I will be able to visit, though if I'm visiting earlier in the year, around springtime, then perhaps I still won't be there for the holidays later in the year.
All things for the best. I just need to remind myself that I'm here because it's where I need to be right now.
And after all, I can still carry that happy holiday spirit around in my heart.
I won't be hearing the sale ads on the radio and on television.
No Christmas specials on tv and no holiday cooking shows.
There will be no driving past many a house decorated brightly with all manner of lights and sparkly festive items.
And I miss it.
I thought it would be nice to get a break from the incessant advertising and commercialism that comes with the holiday season, and yeah, that part is nice to get a break from. But it's only a small part of what makes the holiday season in the States.
Even though I don't technically celebrate Christmas anymore, the feeling that the holidays brings comes regardless of what holidays I celebrate. When October and November hit, that holiday feeling starts up!
After 40 years of living through the holidays, that feeling of "holiday" is part of who I am I suppose.
The cold weather, the baking, the cheerful songs on the radio, people bustling around trying to get things done, and in general, people getting excited about something.
I don't miss the gifts, I just miss the feeling of being in the middle of and surrounded by everyone else getting excited and celebrating. Well, and lets be honest, who doesn't like gifts, no matter the occasion? lol
I guess this isn't coming out as clearly as I had wanted it to.
But I miss being in the States during the holidays. Insha'Allah next year I will be able to visit, though if I'm visiting earlier in the year, around springtime, then perhaps I still won't be there for the holidays later in the year.
All things for the best. I just need to remind myself that I'm here because it's where I need to be right now.
And after all, I can still carry that happy holiday spirit around in my heart.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Baa baa black sheep
The last few hours of morning here, before waking, were quite strange.
Because of Eid and the animal slaughtering, some people bring animals to their apartments and tie them up outside, and then have a butcher come to them instead of just buying an animal from the butcher. I don't know how common that is, but the last couple of days, we've been listening to a cow (or steer/buffalo/something!) across the street, and also a sheep or goat somewhere nearby.
Hearing this animal make noises on occasion (probably from some kid irritating it) was slightly disconcerting. Not a noise you expect to hear on your residential street. Out in the country, sure, but in the city??
In any case....as I was saying, the last few hours here have been strange.
I turned the light off at the somewhat decent hour of about 3:50 a.m. It wasn't long before I slept, maybe 10 or 15 minutes.
The morning call to prayer would have happened sometime around 4:50 or so, though I don't recall hearing it.
What I do recall hearing was rain. Lots and lots of rain. Heavy rain. The thing that made it so entirely loud, aside from being able to hear it on the tree leaves outside the window, was the rain coming down hard on the outside portion of the window a/c's that everyone has. Not quite like hearing rain on a tin roof I imagine, but maybe something similar.
I remember thanking God for so much rain, because I sat and listened to it come down for some minutes, but I also remember asking God to make it last so that when I got up in the morning I could see it. lol
I had wanted to know what time it was when the rain was coming, but I was also very tired and didn't want to open my eyes and focus enough to check the time and risk not being able to get back to sleep.
Sleep won me back shortly though it was broken intermittently by the cries of both of the animals that were down on the street.
At some point after that I was awoken by the sound of people going to the morning prayer for Eid, during which people speak (not exactly like chanting, but something like that) a particular phrase on their way to the mosque (only during Eid, not for regular prayers). I remember wondering if it was still wet out and if they were going to get rained on, and if so, what would happen. I don't think too many Egyptians have umbrellas. No idea what time it was when I heard them. I asked hubby later and he said around 6:30.
And then next thing I know hubby is out of bed and through my bleary eyes I can see that he's getting dressed to go out. I ask him where he's going and he says that he and his brother are going out to the butcher to get the sheep that the family has purchased.
I look at the clock. It's 7:39 a.m.
I wonder to myself why it can't be later and am resigned to the fact that I'm going to be up for a while now, and hopefully I'll be able to sleep later.
I ask if he heard the rain in the night and he said yes he had heard it. I hadn't wanted to ask him while it was raining, as he had gone to bed with a toothache and if he was sleeping, I didn't want to wake him.
I told him it lasted for some time, but that I wasn't sure what time it was when it rained. He said it was around the time of the morning prayer, as his brother had mentioned it to him.
Well, it was a strange night/morning. A little less than four hours of sleep, which was broken up by rain and prayers and bleating animals.
Hubby and his brother will take some time at the butcher, depending on how many other people are there. The butcher doesn't actually kill the animal til they are there, and they actually WATCH!!!!
Gross yeah?
I guess it should take about an hour or so for the whole process, but if they have to wait for anyone before them it could take longer.
They will come home after that, with the WHOLE sheep, and stick most of it in the freezer for the time being to store it. But, they will give a lot of it away as you are supposed to. Some to the poor, some to friends and family and some to keep as well.
After getting up I opened up the balcony door to see what it looked like outside and if I could see any traces of the rain from the night. The air was unexpectedly thick with ... mist? I don't know what it was, but it was thick and the skies were gray. I didn't go all the way out as I was still in jammies, so I couldn't see if the ground was wet, but I'm assuming it is still damp.
Not sure what the rest of the day will bring. I hope sleep is included somewhere.
Eid mubarak!
Because of Eid and the animal slaughtering, some people bring animals to their apartments and tie them up outside, and then have a butcher come to them instead of just buying an animal from the butcher. I don't know how common that is, but the last couple of days, we've been listening to a cow (or steer/buffalo/something!) across the street, and also a sheep or goat somewhere nearby.
Hearing this animal make noises on occasion (probably from some kid irritating it) was slightly disconcerting. Not a noise you expect to hear on your residential street. Out in the country, sure, but in the city??
In any case....as I was saying, the last few hours here have been strange.
I turned the light off at the somewhat decent hour of about 3:50 a.m. It wasn't long before I slept, maybe 10 or 15 minutes.
The morning call to prayer would have happened sometime around 4:50 or so, though I don't recall hearing it.
What I do recall hearing was rain. Lots and lots of rain. Heavy rain. The thing that made it so entirely loud, aside from being able to hear it on the tree leaves outside the window, was the rain coming down hard on the outside portion of the window a/c's that everyone has. Not quite like hearing rain on a tin roof I imagine, but maybe something similar.
I remember thanking God for so much rain, because I sat and listened to it come down for some minutes, but I also remember asking God to make it last so that when I got up in the morning I could see it. lol
I had wanted to know what time it was when the rain was coming, but I was also very tired and didn't want to open my eyes and focus enough to check the time and risk not being able to get back to sleep.
Sleep won me back shortly though it was broken intermittently by the cries of both of the animals that were down on the street.
At some point after that I was awoken by the sound of people going to the morning prayer for Eid, during which people speak (not exactly like chanting, but something like that) a particular phrase on their way to the mosque (only during Eid, not for regular prayers). I remember wondering if it was still wet out and if they were going to get rained on, and if so, what would happen. I don't think too many Egyptians have umbrellas. No idea what time it was when I heard them. I asked hubby later and he said around 6:30.
And then next thing I know hubby is out of bed and through my bleary eyes I can see that he's getting dressed to go out. I ask him where he's going and he says that he and his brother are going out to the butcher to get the sheep that the family has purchased.
I look at the clock. It's 7:39 a.m.
I wonder to myself why it can't be later and am resigned to the fact that I'm going to be up for a while now, and hopefully I'll be able to sleep later.
I ask if he heard the rain in the night and he said yes he had heard it. I hadn't wanted to ask him while it was raining, as he had gone to bed with a toothache and if he was sleeping, I didn't want to wake him.
I told him it lasted for some time, but that I wasn't sure what time it was when it rained. He said it was around the time of the morning prayer, as his brother had mentioned it to him.
Well, it was a strange night/morning. A little less than four hours of sleep, which was broken up by rain and prayers and bleating animals.
Hubby and his brother will take some time at the butcher, depending on how many other people are there. The butcher doesn't actually kill the animal til they are there, and they actually WATCH!!!!
Gross yeah?
I guess it should take about an hour or so for the whole process, but if they have to wait for anyone before them it could take longer.
They will come home after that, with the WHOLE sheep, and stick most of it in the freezer for the time being to store it. But, they will give a lot of it away as you are supposed to. Some to the poor, some to friends and family and some to keep as well.
After getting up I opened up the balcony door to see what it looked like outside and if I could see any traces of the rain from the night. The air was unexpectedly thick with ... mist? I don't know what it was, but it was thick and the skies were gray. I didn't go all the way out as I was still in jammies, so I couldn't see if the ground was wet, but I'm assuming it is still damp.
Not sure what the rest of the day will bring. I hope sleep is included somewhere.
Eid mubarak!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Coming up!
Well, there are two celebrations during the year for us Muslims, and the second one is coming up in just a couple of days.
In Egypt, this Eid celebration (called Eid al Adha) lasts for 4 days. During those days, many people are off work as businesses close to observe the celebration. That includes basically all government services.
According to wikipedia, which is better at summing it up than I am:
"Men, women, and children are expected to dress in their finest clothing to perform Eid prayer in a large congregation in an open area or mosque. Muslims who can afford to do so sacrifice their best domestic animals (usually sheep, but also camels, cows and goats) as a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice.
The regular charitable practices of the Muslim community are demonstrated during Eid al-Adha by the concerted effort to see that no impoverished person is left without sacrificial food during these days.
Distributing meat among people is considered an essential part of the festival during this period, as well as chanting Takbir out loud before the Eid prayer on the first day and after prayers throughout the four days of Eid. In some countries families that do not own livestock can make a contribution to a charity that will provide meat to those who are in need."
Don't know that we are doing anything special during those 4 days. Hubby will be off work but so will the rest of Cairo, so trying to go do things becomes a little more of a pain since it will be so crowded everywhere.
Maybe we can do some cleanup in our apartment or just take some nice walks in the area where we will be moving to so that I can get more familiar with it.
:::
Sometimes I have wondered, if I was given the chance to do things over, to erase something from my past or change things or just have another chance, would I take it?
There's definitely one thing that I wish I could change, however if I changed that, I don't know what effect it would have had on everything else.
I can say that I wouldn't be where I am right now if I changed something, but honestly, I fully believe (sorry to get all God on ya!) that God puts us where we are for a reason, and if we avoid path A and take path B, I believe that if God really wants to, he can make both paths end in the same place.
Does that make sense?
I think we're all where we're supposed to be, no matter what road we took to get to where we are.
There's a certain amount of satisfaction in that. In being okay with where you are and accepting it, instead of fighting it or being disappointed at times.
:::
I almost forgot, it's Thanksgiving tomorrow for those of you in the States. I hope you all enjoy it and find plenty of things to be thankful for, the least of which is having life!
I had wanted to try to do a Thanksgiving meal for my in-laws, but I was thinking about that when I thought we would be in our own apartment. I don't think I could ever manage it here at the in-laws place, not with the kitchen/stove here. So, insha'Allah next year I can show them what an American Thanksgiving is like.
And if you get a chance, watch the Thanksgiving day parade for me will ya?
In Egypt, this Eid celebration (called Eid al Adha) lasts for 4 days. During those days, many people are off work as businesses close to observe the celebration. That includes basically all government services.
According to wikipedia, which is better at summing it up than I am:
"Men, women, and children are expected to dress in their finest clothing to perform Eid prayer in a large congregation in an open area or mosque. Muslims who can afford to do so sacrifice their best domestic animals (usually sheep, but also camels, cows and goats) as a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice.
The regular charitable practices of the Muslim community are demonstrated during Eid al-Adha by the concerted effort to see that no impoverished person is left without sacrificial food during these days.
Distributing meat among people is considered an essential part of the festival during this period, as well as chanting Takbir out loud before the Eid prayer on the first day and after prayers throughout the four days of Eid. In some countries families that do not own livestock can make a contribution to a charity that will provide meat to those who are in need."
Don't know that we are doing anything special during those 4 days. Hubby will be off work but so will the rest of Cairo, so trying to go do things becomes a little more of a pain since it will be so crowded everywhere.
Maybe we can do some cleanup in our apartment or just take some nice walks in the area where we will be moving to so that I can get more familiar with it.
:::
Sometimes I have wondered, if I was given the chance to do things over, to erase something from my past or change things or just have another chance, would I take it?
There's definitely one thing that I wish I could change, however if I changed that, I don't know what effect it would have had on everything else.
I can say that I wouldn't be where I am right now if I changed something, but honestly, I fully believe (sorry to get all God on ya!) that God puts us where we are for a reason, and if we avoid path A and take path B, I believe that if God really wants to, he can make both paths end in the same place.
Does that make sense?
I think we're all where we're supposed to be, no matter what road we took to get to where we are.
There's a certain amount of satisfaction in that. In being okay with where you are and accepting it, instead of fighting it or being disappointed at times.
:::
I almost forgot, it's Thanksgiving tomorrow for those of you in the States. I hope you all enjoy it and find plenty of things to be thankful for, the least of which is having life!
I had wanted to try to do a Thanksgiving meal for my in-laws, but I was thinking about that when I thought we would be in our own apartment. I don't think I could ever manage it here at the in-laws place, not with the kitchen/stove here. So, insha'Allah next year I can show them what an American Thanksgiving is like.
And if you get a chance, watch the Thanksgiving day parade for me will ya?
Monday, November 23, 2009
The unsaid
The fact of the matter is, there are many things that I don't talk about here.
The reason I don't talk about those things is out of respect for other people. Whether I feel they are respectful of and to me or not.
No, I'm not happy living with my in-laws. We've been here 6 months now and I lost my patience 5 months ago.
It's not easy. I don't like it. Every day, every single day, there is a struggle inside of me.
There are sometimes days when I'm not down and I'm not upset and the sun is shining and I can feel happy.
But more and more, those days get farther and farther apart.
I am only human. I am just a girl.
I wish I could say all the things I want to. I wish I could be unkind and hurtful and speak about all of the things that make me angry and drive me crazy. I wish I could.
I love my husband and I am not sorry I moved here. Life is there for us to live it. And I am living.
The reason I don't talk about those things is out of respect for other people. Whether I feel they are respectful of and to me or not.
No, I'm not happy living with my in-laws. We've been here 6 months now and I lost my patience 5 months ago.
It's not easy. I don't like it. Every day, every single day, there is a struggle inside of me.
There are sometimes days when I'm not down and I'm not upset and the sun is shining and I can feel happy.
But more and more, those days get farther and farther apart.
I am only human. I am just a girl.
I wish I could say all the things I want to. I wish I could be unkind and hurtful and speak about all of the things that make me angry and drive me crazy. I wish I could.
I love my husband and I am not sorry I moved here. Life is there for us to live it. And I am living.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Another trip
I always feel bad when I don't post for a few days, but most of the time there just isn't much going on. Or nothing exciting anyways. lol
:::
The brouhaha with Algeria over the whole football (soccer) thing has escalated beyond belief. Hubby has been following it very closely on the news the last few days.
After the last match which was held on Wednesday night in Sudan, there were quite a few happenings endangering the lives of Egyptians in both Sudan and Algeria. And it seems even in some other countries, Egyptian citizens are being harassed. I really don't get this whole thing.
Here's a couple links if anyone is interested in reading further, though the links aren't telling everything there is to tell.
link 1
link 2
:::
It appears that hubby will be making another trip to Kuwait sometime soon.
We've known about the trip for some time, just weren't sure when it was going to be. It was originally going to be in October I think, but now perhaps it will be sometime early in December.
And once again, I'm very unhappy about hubby going away and leaving me alone with his family for a week or however long he ends up staying. The trip length keeps increasing.
At first it was maybe 3 days. Then 4 or maybe 5. Now it's a week. Who knows how long it will actually take. Hubby seems to be an optimist when it comes to how long something will take, and while I appreciate his optimism, what I would prefer is some realism. Optimism isn't comforting when he's in another country and I'm alone.
I don't think we'll be moving at least until he is back from the trip. I'm guessing at least another month, though of course it's hard to say.
On top of that, he has brought back up the possibility again of moving to Kuwait if things go well when he's there.
I didn't understand how he could even bring it up when we are still in the process of trying to furnish and move into our apartment here!
It seems things remain uncertain in the housing area, at least in terms of living anywhere other than the in-laws.
:::
Hubby and I have many little discussions about words, usually English words and their meanings.
The other day I was mentioning to hubby something about a series Michael Palin had done called Sahara. It was about his travels through the Sahara desert. Hubby asked, which desert, and I said the Sahara. And he said, yes, but which one?
We were a bit confused with each other, but it seems that sahara is actually the Arabic word for desert, so he thought I was just saying the word desert, not the particular desert in Africa.
Never a dull moment in the language department at least!
:::
The brouhaha with Algeria over the whole football (soccer) thing has escalated beyond belief. Hubby has been following it very closely on the news the last few days.
After the last match which was held on Wednesday night in Sudan, there were quite a few happenings endangering the lives of Egyptians in both Sudan and Algeria. And it seems even in some other countries, Egyptian citizens are being harassed. I really don't get this whole thing.
Here's a couple links if anyone is interested in reading further, though the links aren't telling everything there is to tell.
link 1
link 2
:::
It appears that hubby will be making another trip to Kuwait sometime soon.
We've known about the trip for some time, just weren't sure when it was going to be. It was originally going to be in October I think, but now perhaps it will be sometime early in December.
And once again, I'm very unhappy about hubby going away and leaving me alone with his family for a week or however long he ends up staying. The trip length keeps increasing.
At first it was maybe 3 days. Then 4 or maybe 5. Now it's a week. Who knows how long it will actually take. Hubby seems to be an optimist when it comes to how long something will take, and while I appreciate his optimism, what I would prefer is some realism. Optimism isn't comforting when he's in another country and I'm alone.
I don't think we'll be moving at least until he is back from the trip. I'm guessing at least another month, though of course it's hard to say.
On top of that, he has brought back up the possibility again of moving to Kuwait if things go well when he's there.
I didn't understand how he could even bring it up when we are still in the process of trying to furnish and move into our apartment here!
It seems things remain uncertain in the housing area, at least in terms of living anywhere other than the in-laws.
:::
Hubby and I have many little discussions about words, usually English words and their meanings.
The other day I was mentioning to hubby something about a series Michael Palin had done called Sahara. It was about his travels through the Sahara desert. Hubby asked, which desert, and I said the Sahara. And he said, yes, but which one?
We were a bit confused with each other, but it seems that sahara is actually the Arabic word for desert, so he thought I was just saying the word desert, not the particular desert in Africa.
Never a dull moment in the language department at least!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sweater weather
Well we are definitely in the days where I need to wear long sleeves or a light sweater, because in short sleeves I am feeling a bit chilled all the time. Though even with a sweater, because all the windows and balcony doors stay open, my nose will probably always be cold to the touch and slightly runny.
:::
Well, interesting result for the soccer match last night. Technically Egypt won, however because the results are based on goals and some other kind of point system, it seems that Egypt is now evenly tied with Algeria, so they will have a final playoff game in Sudan.
After the game ended last night, it was as I expected with the celebrating. Think of a mixture of New Years Eve, Mardi Gras and Carnival all rolled into one. Quite crazy. The game ended a bit before 10 p.m. I believe, and while most of the loudest noisemaking was going on for the first 3 hours after the game finished, I could still hear them honking and shouting at 2 and 3 a.m. a few blocks away on the main street here. Crazy!!
I have a link to a short video of people after the game. They are on a street and all the cars are honking, there are people waving flags everywhere and it's just insane. lol
I wish the link was on youtube but it seems someone uploaded it directly onto facebook. I'm not sure if you'll be able to watch it if you don't have a facebook account, so sorry for that.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=337196655202&ref=nf
I can't imagine being out in that crowd. Although it seems like everyone is in good spirits, crowds have a way of turning ugly very fast, and there have been some very bad things that have happened to women here in large crowds, so I will stay away from that sort of thing.
Hubby made the comment that if only the country could get this excited and get behind things that were really important, maybe this country could make some positive change and move forward. I agree, but I also know that it isn't likely to happen. Why it won't happen, I don't understand.
One of the things I'm most upset about in this country is the air quality. Not just for myself and what it is doing to me, but for all the kids born who will grow up with asthma and other breathing problems, and for everyone else who suffers as well. This country really needs to step up its efforts at clean air.
It would also be great if they could up the efforts at educating people on the risks of smoking. It seems that people either don't understand, or... well, what other reason could there be not to quit? Once you really see and really understand that you are killing yourself and all those around you, how can you keep smoking?
I know that they lace cigarettes with all sorts of chemicals and I know that the nicotine is addictive, but it doesn't mean people can't quit. People quit all the time.
Honestly, so many people smoke in this country that if they all quit, I'm sure it would help make an improvement in the overall air quality.
Oh well. Little steps I guess.
:::
Well, interesting result for the soccer match last night. Technically Egypt won, however because the results are based on goals and some other kind of point system, it seems that Egypt is now evenly tied with Algeria, so they will have a final playoff game in Sudan.
After the game ended last night, it was as I expected with the celebrating. Think of a mixture of New Years Eve, Mardi Gras and Carnival all rolled into one. Quite crazy. The game ended a bit before 10 p.m. I believe, and while most of the loudest noisemaking was going on for the first 3 hours after the game finished, I could still hear them honking and shouting at 2 and 3 a.m. a few blocks away on the main street here. Crazy!!
I have a link to a short video of people after the game. They are on a street and all the cars are honking, there are people waving flags everywhere and it's just insane. lol
I wish the link was on youtube but it seems someone uploaded it directly onto facebook. I'm not sure if you'll be able to watch it if you don't have a facebook account, so sorry for that.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=337196655202&ref=nf
I can't imagine being out in that crowd. Although it seems like everyone is in good spirits, crowds have a way of turning ugly very fast, and there have been some very bad things that have happened to women here in large crowds, so I will stay away from that sort of thing.
Hubby made the comment that if only the country could get this excited and get behind things that were really important, maybe this country could make some positive change and move forward. I agree, but I also know that it isn't likely to happen. Why it won't happen, I don't understand.
One of the things I'm most upset about in this country is the air quality. Not just for myself and what it is doing to me, but for all the kids born who will grow up with asthma and other breathing problems, and for everyone else who suffers as well. This country really needs to step up its efforts at clean air.
It would also be great if they could up the efforts at educating people on the risks of smoking. It seems that people either don't understand, or... well, what other reason could there be not to quit? Once you really see and really understand that you are killing yourself and all those around you, how can you keep smoking?
I know that they lace cigarettes with all sorts of chemicals and I know that the nicotine is addictive, but it doesn't mean people can't quit. People quit all the time.
Honestly, so many people smoke in this country that if they all quit, I'm sure it would help make an improvement in the overall air quality.
Oh well. Little steps I guess.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Scoooooooore!
Well, tonight is the night! The night that decides it.
Whether Egypt will go to the world cup for soccer (football as it's called here).
The game only started 5 minutes ago but there has been excitement going on all day in this country. People driving around honking their horns in a particular pattern, guys walking down the streets banging on drums, and people getting together in the streets to talk and shout with much animation. Even fireworks going off.
Just now, Egypt made the first goal of the game and the WHOLE neighborhood erupted in cheers.
I expect the next few hours will be similar, with cheers happening every time we are even close to making a goal.
It's somehow exciting, even if I'm not watching the game. I guess there is a feeling in the air.
They are playing against Algeria. Which wouldn't seem like a big deal except I guess the Algerian players are shall we say, slightly um, crazy.
There is a building in Algeria where some Egyptians live and they are being held hostage there. No kidding. And this is because of soccer. I don't know the whole story but it's quite insane.
The Algerians demanded some kind of special protection on the bus here in Egypt because they said they were afraid of what they Egyptian team might do to them (???) but last time Algeria was here, they were the ones who started all sorts of trouble, throwing things at reporters from the bus and what not.
If you ask me, all this craziness over soccer is... well, I don't know what it is. I do know that I don't understand it.
I'd like to say it's like this only in countries that aren't first world countries, but I know the UK and some other places go crazy for soccer as well.
Maybe because they don't have as many sports as the US does? I mean... soccer is the major sport in many countries, while in the US I would consider baseball and football the major sports. Along with basketball I suppose, though I'm not certain about that.
Also, that's not to say that people in the US don't ever get crazy about their sports games. We've all seen the pictures of the fans who paint themselves up in team colors and put their teams flags all over their cars, etc.
It just doesn't seem to reach the fevered pitch that it does for many countries when it comes to soccer.
For all it's worth, I hope Egypt wins tonight.
Whether Egypt will go to the world cup for soccer (football as it's called here).
The game only started 5 minutes ago but there has been excitement going on all day in this country. People driving around honking their horns in a particular pattern, guys walking down the streets banging on drums, and people getting together in the streets to talk and shout with much animation. Even fireworks going off.
Just now, Egypt made the first goal of the game and the WHOLE neighborhood erupted in cheers.
I expect the next few hours will be similar, with cheers happening every time we are even close to making a goal.
It's somehow exciting, even if I'm not watching the game. I guess there is a feeling in the air.
They are playing against Algeria. Which wouldn't seem like a big deal except I guess the Algerian players are shall we say, slightly um, crazy.
There is a building in Algeria where some Egyptians live and they are being held hostage there. No kidding. And this is because of soccer. I don't know the whole story but it's quite insane.
The Algerians demanded some kind of special protection on the bus here in Egypt because they said they were afraid of what they Egyptian team might do to them (???) but last time Algeria was here, they were the ones who started all sorts of trouble, throwing things at reporters from the bus and what not.
If you ask me, all this craziness over soccer is... well, I don't know what it is. I do know that I don't understand it.
I'd like to say it's like this only in countries that aren't first world countries, but I know the UK and some other places go crazy for soccer as well.
Maybe because they don't have as many sports as the US does? I mean... soccer is the major sport in many countries, while in the US I would consider baseball and football the major sports. Along with basketball I suppose, though I'm not certain about that.
Also, that's not to say that people in the US don't ever get crazy about their sports games. We've all seen the pictures of the fans who paint themselves up in team colors and put their teams flags all over their cars, etc.
It just doesn't seem to reach the fevered pitch that it does for many countries when it comes to soccer.
For all it's worth, I hope Egypt wins tonight.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Tentativity
Well, I'm not sure that's a word but it sounds good to me. lol
We have tentative plans to get up early (early for us that is) and go downtown and walk around.
Hubby is printing out some maps at the office so that I can get my bearings and note things down. Like if there's a restaurant we see that we want to try later or a store I want to come back to.
I'm excited and it should be fun.
It should also be less noisy and crowded if we truly get there before 10 a.m.
:::
Turns out that my sister in law has bronchitis. She's basically been in her room for the last couple (2 or 3?) days and while I do hear coughing on occasion it doesn't sound too bad. I guess she got some antibiotic in shot form. Which sounds much better to me than shoving pills down throats.
Insha'Allah she'll be well soon.
:::
My mother in law really cracks me up. When I first came, she really only knew a couple of words of English, but it seems she practices with a cousin on the phone or something. But sometimes she pops out with something that just totally makes me laugh.
Her English has advanced much more than my Arabic, though she did know English before. She just didn't have much reason to use it in the last years I guess. Not sure how long actually.
We both know a little bit of French, so that gets used at times. Though I think she knows more French than I do.
And from what I am told, I think she knows Nubian and possibly Ethiopian??? I don't think she knows either one well enough to speak it fluently but.. neat.
:::
The weather has continued to be mostly cooler with just a few days of higher temps. It's nice to be able to use covers while sleeping. And feel that little nip in the air.
:::
I stayed up til 6 a.m. reading this morning. I haven't done that in longer than I can remember. As a teenager I know I used to stay up all hours reading Stephen King books and scaring myself silly and then having to sleep with the light on. lol
Well, after turning the light off this morning and laying in bed, I was listening to the birds outside. It is one of the things I like best about being awake when dawn comes. I counted at least 4 different bird calls, possibly 5.
There's just something so wonderful about being up to see the new day come. It's so fresh, so tender, and so full of potential. It is not sullied yet by the sounds of traffic and a big city and it doesn't have the hurried pace of people running off to work or other commitments. It's peaceful. It's hopeful. It's full of life.
We have tentative plans to get up early (early for us that is) and go downtown and walk around.
Hubby is printing out some maps at the office so that I can get my bearings and note things down. Like if there's a restaurant we see that we want to try later or a store I want to come back to.
I'm excited and it should be fun.
It should also be less noisy and crowded if we truly get there before 10 a.m.
:::
Turns out that my sister in law has bronchitis. She's basically been in her room for the last couple (2 or 3?) days and while I do hear coughing on occasion it doesn't sound too bad. I guess she got some antibiotic in shot form. Which sounds much better to me than shoving pills down throats.
Insha'Allah she'll be well soon.
:::
My mother in law really cracks me up. When I first came, she really only knew a couple of words of English, but it seems she practices with a cousin on the phone or something. But sometimes she pops out with something that just totally makes me laugh.
Her English has advanced much more than my Arabic, though she did know English before. She just didn't have much reason to use it in the last years I guess. Not sure how long actually.
We both know a little bit of French, so that gets used at times. Though I think she knows more French than I do.
And from what I am told, I think she knows Nubian and possibly Ethiopian??? I don't think she knows either one well enough to speak it fluently but.. neat.
:::
The weather has continued to be mostly cooler with just a few days of higher temps. It's nice to be able to use covers while sleeping. And feel that little nip in the air.
:::
I stayed up til 6 a.m. reading this morning. I haven't done that in longer than I can remember. As a teenager I know I used to stay up all hours reading Stephen King books and scaring myself silly and then having to sleep with the light on. lol
Well, after turning the light off this morning and laying in bed, I was listening to the birds outside. It is one of the things I like best about being awake when dawn comes. I counted at least 4 different bird calls, possibly 5.
There's just something so wonderful about being up to see the new day come. It's so fresh, so tender, and so full of potential. It is not sullied yet by the sounds of traffic and a big city and it doesn't have the hurried pace of people running off to work or other commitments. It's peaceful. It's hopeful. It's full of life.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Hungry hungry hippo
Well, it seems as though my sister in law may have got swine flu. I'm not sure as I've been kind of behind doors all day, trying to avoid getting sick myself. But I can hear her coughing occasionally through the wall.
I went out of the room at 8 tonight to try to see about something to eat, as I had lunch at 3:30 and I was feeling a bit hungry.
I got to the dining room where I saw my sister in law, my brother in law and my mother in law, all sitting at the dining room table.
It turns out that her doctor appointment which was supposed to be at that time has been put off a bit as the doctor is not yet at the clinic.
And since I didn't want to sit at the table with someone who has contracted unknown medical condition, I head back to the bedroom.
Forty five minutes later, I decide to open the door to see if I can hear anyone about.
But what happens when I open the door, is that I am hit by the overpowering stench of what seems like about 1,524,865 roses.
My grandmother in law has a perfume that is made from rose oil or something and although it smells nice for about 2 seconds, I can't tolerate it for longer than that.
Now, grandma's room is at the other end of the house. And yet when I opened the door, honestly it smelled like someone dumped the whole bottle of perfume out.
So, I did not venture out into stink land, as the dining room is also adjoined to grandma's room (hence foiled again in my mission of stuffing mouth and belly).
Therefore, with door closed right back up, I am waiting (at 11 p.m.) for hubby to get home from a work meeting and find some way to rescue me from this situation.
I know this all sounds kind of whiny but you know what? I've been living with my in laws since the middle of May and I'm just tired of being patient about it. Really.
I went out of the room at 8 tonight to try to see about something to eat, as I had lunch at 3:30 and I was feeling a bit hungry.
I got to the dining room where I saw my sister in law, my brother in law and my mother in law, all sitting at the dining room table.
It turns out that her doctor appointment which was supposed to be at that time has been put off a bit as the doctor is not yet at the clinic.
And since I didn't want to sit at the table with someone who has contracted unknown medical condition, I head back to the bedroom.
Forty five minutes later, I decide to open the door to see if I can hear anyone about.
But what happens when I open the door, is that I am hit by the overpowering stench of what seems like about 1,524,865 roses.
My grandmother in law has a perfume that is made from rose oil or something and although it smells nice for about 2 seconds, I can't tolerate it for longer than that.
Now, grandma's room is at the other end of the house. And yet when I opened the door, honestly it smelled like someone dumped the whole bottle of perfume out.
So, I did not venture out into stink land, as the dining room is also adjoined to grandma's room (hence foiled again in my mission of stuffing mouth and belly).
Therefore, with door closed right back up, I am waiting (at 11 p.m.) for hubby to get home from a work meeting and find some way to rescue me from this situation.
I know this all sounds kind of whiny but you know what? I've been living with my in laws since the middle of May and I'm just tired of being patient about it. Really.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
I miss
driving down to the post office to put a piece of mail in the bin
listening to the leaves blow on a windy autumn day
the plants which lived on the patio
a fridge with food that i like eating
the feeling of coming home every day after being out
a shower with decent and steady water pressure
wandering down shopping isles full of familiar and enjoyed products
my car and driving
the sounds of squirrels playing in the tree out front
mail delivery
doing my own laundry in a machine that doesn't eat my clothes
whole foods grocery store
the feeling that the holidays are coming
central a/c - heat
my sewing machine
tv in general (with English speaking shows) - TBS and the Food Network specifically
my allergy doctor
having my own bathroom that i don't have to share with 4 - 5 other people
stoplights
thanksgiving day parade
my almost new cell phone (which doesn't work here)
emtpy streets at night
even, clean and paved sidewalks for walking on
seeing houses lit up with Christmas lights
so much rain you think it will never stop
corn tortilla chips
wall to wall carpet
blue skies
a heaven full of stars at night
steamy windows
the library
(this list is not all inclusive, and family and friends are of course a given)
listening to the leaves blow on a windy autumn day
the plants which lived on the patio
a fridge with food that i like eating
the feeling of coming home every day after being out
a shower with decent and steady water pressure
wandering down shopping isles full of familiar and enjoyed products
my car and driving
the sounds of squirrels playing in the tree out front
mail delivery
doing my own laundry in a machine that doesn't eat my clothes
whole foods grocery store
the feeling that the holidays are coming
central a/c - heat
my sewing machine
tv in general (with English speaking shows) - TBS and the Food Network specifically
my allergy doctor
having my own bathroom that i don't have to share with 4 - 5 other people
stoplights
thanksgiving day parade
my almost new cell phone (which doesn't work here)
emtpy streets at night
even, clean and paved sidewalks for walking on
seeing houses lit up with Christmas lights
so much rain you think it will never stop
corn tortilla chips
wall to wall carpet
blue skies
a heaven full of stars at night
steamy windows
the library
(this list is not all inclusive, and family and friends are of course a given)
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Who knew?!
I frequently learn words while sitting around the dining room table, either during or after lunch.
Usually what happens is that I'll hear a word and ask what it means.
Sometimes though, someone will ask me what a particular word is in English.
Today, my sister in law was talking about amber, and how women here like to wear it in jewelry. But she was calling it by its Arabic name, which escapes me at the moment. When she asked me what it was called in English and I told her it was called amber, she laughed.
Amber, in Arabic, means big butt. lol
Not just kinda big but I guess REALLY big. :D
So, that's the exciting new word for the day!
:::
The noise level outside seems to have risen quite a bit in the last week or two and we figured out that it wasn't actually the noise level that has risen, it is the fact that the fans aren't on 24/7 anymore, so we can just hear everything better.
As annoying as the fans are to listen to day after day, I think I prefer it as a noise muffler for all of the outside noise. The fan is kind of like white noise, but it does get irritating when it's on ALL the time.
So now instead of slight noise and fan, we hear lots of noise. All the talking, shouting, traffic, horns, dogs barking, vendors walking down the street shouting out the name of what they're selling, kids scampering, etc., it all seems so amplified. And particularly at 3 or 4 a.m., when the rest of the city is quiet and sleeping.
Our neighbors have been quite loud lately as well. Our upstairs neighbors. They fight quite frequently, and I mean knock down drag out fights. Very loud yelling and pounding on furniture and I'm sure there is hitting going on as well. Even when they aren't obviously fighting, they are VERY loud upstairs. They seem to always be banging furniture around. It's quite a mystery as to what actually goes on upstairs, but it goes on at ALL hours and it's really irritating. And not just to me, to hubby as well. The whole family can hear it I suppose, though it seems to be centered above our bedroom. Lucky us.
:::
Couple of pictures.
This first one is hmmm... can't remember where I took it at. Near downtown I think. But what I like about it is the no honking sign. Because really... just... LOL. I've never heard so much honking in all my life as I've heard here. The sign is clearly someones idea of a joke.
And this picture shows the street below us. They were doing a whole bunch of work on the street a couple of months back. At this point, they were doing something with the manhole covers. I think they were making new ones or something, who knows. In any case, what you can see here is the total lack of any protective equipment. No gloves, no safety glasses, no hard hats. And also, no blocking the street off in any way. People and cars went right on by like they weren't even there! Crazy!
Hoping to update soon with apartment news. Nothing for now.
Usually what happens is that I'll hear a word and ask what it means.
Sometimes though, someone will ask me what a particular word is in English.
Today, my sister in law was talking about amber, and how women here like to wear it in jewelry. But she was calling it by its Arabic name, which escapes me at the moment. When she asked me what it was called in English and I told her it was called amber, she laughed.
Amber, in Arabic, means big butt. lol
Not just kinda big but I guess REALLY big. :D
So, that's the exciting new word for the day!
:::
The noise level outside seems to have risen quite a bit in the last week or two and we figured out that it wasn't actually the noise level that has risen, it is the fact that the fans aren't on 24/7 anymore, so we can just hear everything better.
As annoying as the fans are to listen to day after day, I think I prefer it as a noise muffler for all of the outside noise. The fan is kind of like white noise, but it does get irritating when it's on ALL the time.
So now instead of slight noise and fan, we hear lots of noise. All the talking, shouting, traffic, horns, dogs barking, vendors walking down the street shouting out the name of what they're selling, kids scampering, etc., it all seems so amplified. And particularly at 3 or 4 a.m., when the rest of the city is quiet and sleeping.
Our neighbors have been quite loud lately as well. Our upstairs neighbors. They fight quite frequently, and I mean knock down drag out fights. Very loud yelling and pounding on furniture and I'm sure there is hitting going on as well. Even when they aren't obviously fighting, they are VERY loud upstairs. They seem to always be banging furniture around. It's quite a mystery as to what actually goes on upstairs, but it goes on at ALL hours and it's really irritating. And not just to me, to hubby as well. The whole family can hear it I suppose, though it seems to be centered above our bedroom. Lucky us.
:::
Couple of pictures.
This first one is hmmm... can't remember where I took it at. Near downtown I think. But what I like about it is the no honking sign. Because really... just... LOL. I've never heard so much honking in all my life as I've heard here. The sign is clearly someones idea of a joke.
And this picture shows the street below us. They were doing a whole bunch of work on the street a couple of months back. At this point, they were doing something with the manhole covers. I think they were making new ones or something, who knows. In any case, what you can see here is the total lack of any protective equipment. No gloves, no safety glasses, no hard hats. And also, no blocking the street off in any way. People and cars went right on by like they weren't even there! Crazy!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
In with a gust
It seems Fall is here at last, though I see a temp of 89 forecast for later in the week.
It's been down into the 50's at night, which is pretty chilly and requires the use of a cover while sleeping.
And after a very long summer of 100+ degrees or so every day, let me tell you, anything in the 50's feels VERY cold. lol
It's also strange to feel the onset of Fall but without the usual visual cues.
There are no shopping ads or displays, no Christmas music playing, no one talking about Thanksgiving or other holiday plans.
I think the thing I will miss the most is the lights that people put up on their houses. Even though Muslims don't celebrate Christmas, that doesn't mean we can't appreciate the beauty in something, and many people create quite a beautiful display of lights during the holidays.
In Islam we have the two Eid celebrations, which happen a couple of months apart from each other, but they are not always celebrated on the same date, since the calendar we use is based on moon sighting. So, the holidays move forwards by about two weeks every year. Right now the second Eid is around the holidays in the States, but in a number of years they will be closer to summer. Which makes Winter seem long with nothing to break up the dark dreary days.
However, I will say, I've never seen so much sunshine in my life as I have since I moved here, and while I've enjoyed the recent few days of partly cloudy skies here, that's really enough for me. I always got so blue in the winter and spring in the States, because even though it wasn't always raining, we had gray skies for sometimes weeks at a time.
So... maybe it won't feel so much like the Winter needs breaking up if it isn't so gray and dreary all the time?
We will see.
:::
Nothing to report on the apartment.
:::
We've been watching some older movies lately. The original King Kong (which we then followed by the newer version), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, South Pacific (which we're in the middle of) and I think I mentioned we had recently watched African Queen.
It's nice seeing the older films. The acting was different, the clothing styles quite different, and the feel overall is just very different than the films of today.
We still have some oldies to watch, not sure what's next.
It's been down into the 50's at night, which is pretty chilly and requires the use of a cover while sleeping.
And after a very long summer of 100+ degrees or so every day, let me tell you, anything in the 50's feels VERY cold. lol
It's also strange to feel the onset of Fall but without the usual visual cues.
There are no shopping ads or displays, no Christmas music playing, no one talking about Thanksgiving or other holiday plans.
I think the thing I will miss the most is the lights that people put up on their houses. Even though Muslims don't celebrate Christmas, that doesn't mean we can't appreciate the beauty in something, and many people create quite a beautiful display of lights during the holidays.
In Islam we have the two Eid celebrations, which happen a couple of months apart from each other, but they are not always celebrated on the same date, since the calendar we use is based on moon sighting. So, the holidays move forwards by about two weeks every year. Right now the second Eid is around the holidays in the States, but in a number of years they will be closer to summer. Which makes Winter seem long with nothing to break up the dark dreary days.
However, I will say, I've never seen so much sunshine in my life as I have since I moved here, and while I've enjoyed the recent few days of partly cloudy skies here, that's really enough for me. I always got so blue in the winter and spring in the States, because even though it wasn't always raining, we had gray skies for sometimes weeks at a time.
So... maybe it won't feel so much like the Winter needs breaking up if it isn't so gray and dreary all the time?
We will see.
:::
Nothing to report on the apartment.
:::
We've been watching some older movies lately. The original King Kong (which we then followed by the newer version), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, South Pacific (which we're in the middle of) and I think I mentioned we had recently watched African Queen.
It's nice seeing the older films. The acting was different, the clothing styles quite different, and the feel overall is just very different than the films of today.
We still have some oldies to watch, not sure what's next.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Walky talky
We had a nice walk tonight down at the Nile. The weather has been much cooler and there always seems to be a breeze down at the river anyways, so it wasn't too warm, even with the generally too fast walking speed of hubby.
I love to hear stories from his childhood or teenage years when we pass something that will bring a memory to him. So many little bits of information gleaned this way. And always surprising and making me smile or laugh.
:::
I picked a light to medium color wood stain for the kitchen sink cupboard. It's hmmm... not sure how to describe the material. It's possibly made of wood but more likely I think it's plastic. Not positive. But the outside looks fine, it doesn't look cheap and plasticy, it just looks like a nice wood grain finish.
Still not sure when it will be done though. I imagine sometime this week.
:::
My cinnamon roll obsession has yet to abate.
And that is all!
I love to hear stories from his childhood or teenage years when we pass something that will bring a memory to him. So many little bits of information gleaned this way. And always surprising and making me smile or laugh.
:::
I picked a light to medium color wood stain for the kitchen sink cupboard. It's hmmm... not sure how to describe the material. It's possibly made of wood but more likely I think it's plastic. Not positive. But the outside looks fine, it doesn't look cheap and plasticy, it just looks like a nice wood grain finish.
Still not sure when it will be done though. I imagine sometime this week.
:::
My cinnamon roll obsession has yet to abate.
And that is all!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sunny days, chasing the clouds away
Well, I went out onto the balcony this morning and looked up at the sky and it was magnificently blue!
Believe me, this is quite a change from anything we've seen lately, and quite welcome.
There is still smog if you look some distance off in the skyline (not in this picture, just looking from the balcony), but this is definitely a step in the right direction!
There's also been quite a bit less burning at night, though there was some last night after a period of none for some days.
:::
I guess maybe I'm becoming just like the Egyptians. Because it seems that we all, everyone living here, both love and hate Egypt.
There is so much to love, and so much to hate...
The complaints are the same for any big city I would imagine - traffic, pollution, crowding, noise, litter.
So what are the things that we love?
There is still smog if you look some distance off in the skyline (not in this picture, just looking from the balcony), but this is definitely a step in the right direction!
There's also been quite a bit less burning at night, though there was some last night after a period of none for some days.
:::
I guess maybe I'm becoming just like the Egyptians. Because it seems that we all, everyone living here, both love and hate Egypt.
There is so much to love, and so much to hate...
The complaints are the same for any big city I would imagine - traffic, pollution, crowding, noise, litter.
So what are the things that we love?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Rain dance
It's funny this thing about the cinnamon rolls.
I used to eat them sometime between lunch and dinner as a kind of a snack. But then I switched to eating them for breakfast since I didn't have anything else I wanted to eat in the house for breakfast, and it's too long until lunch to go without eating anything.
This is fine except that by the time I go to bed, I'm eagerly awaiting the next morning, just like a kid on Christmas eve, so that I can get to my cinnamon roll! Quite silly.
Well, while eating my cinnamon roll this morning, which while usually eaten in the dining room, was being ingested on my bed today, hubby wanted to know what the noise was outside, and I said it was the wind, as it's been a bit overcast with some slight wind, but then all of a sudden the sound became very clearly NOT wind and I said, "It's rain, WOOHOO!!" and I rushed up and we both went out onto the balcony to have a look.
It wasn't much to speak of, maybe less than a minute of rain, but oh boy was I excited! It's the first rain since I've been here and I've been a bit jealous of the rain that I keep hearing about in the States.
Well, just a short while later, we heard the sound again and so again we went to the balcony, but it lasted for a good 2 minutes or maybe 3 this time. lol
Hubby insisted it wasn't rain, more like some spit. LOL
Well, yeah, it wasn't a heavy rain and it didn't do much for the air but it sure left me excited.
:::
In other non cinnamon roll or weather related news, I seem to have come down with some kind of cold again. Not sure what from and I'd rather not be sick less than a month from when I got better from the last cold, but thems the breaks I guess. In better news, my son seems to be over the flu, so happy for that!
:::
Still having some issues with my camera and the color. I took some pictures in black and white the other day just to see how they would look. It really gives a whole different feel to things, and I might try taking some more photos in black and white. I think it conveys a little more, in some respects, the feeling of this city.
:::
Hoping for news today about the kitchen sink cabinet!
I used to eat them sometime between lunch and dinner as a kind of a snack. But then I switched to eating them for breakfast since I didn't have anything else I wanted to eat in the house for breakfast, and it's too long until lunch to go without eating anything.
This is fine except that by the time I go to bed, I'm eagerly awaiting the next morning, just like a kid on Christmas eve, so that I can get to my cinnamon roll! Quite silly.
Well, while eating my cinnamon roll this morning, which while usually eaten in the dining room, was being ingested on my bed today, hubby wanted to know what the noise was outside, and I said it was the wind, as it's been a bit overcast with some slight wind, but then all of a sudden the sound became very clearly NOT wind and I said, "It's rain, WOOHOO!!" and I rushed up and we both went out onto the balcony to have a look.
It wasn't much to speak of, maybe less than a minute of rain, but oh boy was I excited! It's the first rain since I've been here and I've been a bit jealous of the rain that I keep hearing about in the States.
Well, just a short while later, we heard the sound again and so again we went to the balcony, but it lasted for a good 2 minutes or maybe 3 this time. lol
Hubby insisted it wasn't rain, more like some spit. LOL
Well, yeah, it wasn't a heavy rain and it didn't do much for the air but it sure left me excited.
:::
In other non cinnamon roll or weather related news, I seem to have come down with some kind of cold again. Not sure what from and I'd rather not be sick less than a month from when I got better from the last cold, but thems the breaks I guess. In better news, my son seems to be over the flu, so happy for that!
:::
Still having some issues with my camera and the color. I took some pictures in black and white the other day just to see how they would look. It really gives a whole different feel to things, and I might try taking some more photos in black and white. I think it conveys a little more, in some respects, the feeling of this city.
:::
Hoping for news today about the kitchen sink cabinet!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Huh?
Well, it's been a couple of days since I posted so I thought I should post, though there really isn't all that much to post about.
Hubby went and had a look at the possible choices for the kitchen sink counter top.
We have a choice for the cupboard of having either a plain white finish or some kind of wood grain finish with several stain options.
I'm not sure about what I want. The kitchen is almost all white, with very faint accents of pink and blue in the tiles. And the stove/oven is white. And the fridge is a very light gray. So it would make sense that maybe we should go with a plain white.
But, the other kitchen cupboards that I posted a picture of are a pretty dark color, and despite being told we wouldn't have them for long, I'm not sure how long that means. I don't want to get a color of wood that doesn't match what we already have since we might have it for quite some time, but I also don't like that dark of a color in the kitchen since everything else is so light colored.
Hmmm....
Also not sure about the choices for the sink top. The granite choices are mostly a dark color - green, gray (?) and a light kind of pink. But really there is enough pink/salmon in the rest of the apartment that I don't really want a ton more of it in the kitchen. I think there was another choice except it wasn't granite, it was something else, and if I'm not mistaken the color was beigey. I guess I'll have to see them to be able to decide.
Here is a picture of monkey from when we spent the night at the new apartment. He was getting in some Facebook time while I straightened out some luggage.
We may go for a walk around the neighborhood tonight so I can get out of the house. I get pretty stir crazy at times, particularly after I've been out and then don't go out for a bit.
Also, what makes cinnamon rolls so good? It can't be just the cinnamon. Or the icing. Or the flaky tender crust. Is it the combination? Is it some special cinnamon roll magic that I'm unaware of?
All I know is I simply can't get enough of them!
Hubby went and had a look at the possible choices for the kitchen sink counter top.
We have a choice for the cupboard of having either a plain white finish or some kind of wood grain finish with several stain options.
I'm not sure about what I want. The kitchen is almost all white, with very faint accents of pink and blue in the tiles. And the stove/oven is white. And the fridge is a very light gray. So it would make sense that maybe we should go with a plain white.
But, the other kitchen cupboards that I posted a picture of are a pretty dark color, and despite being told we wouldn't have them for long, I'm not sure how long that means. I don't want to get a color of wood that doesn't match what we already have since we might have it for quite some time, but I also don't like that dark of a color in the kitchen since everything else is so light colored.
Hmmm....
Also not sure about the choices for the sink top. The granite choices are mostly a dark color - green, gray (?) and a light kind of pink. But really there is enough pink/salmon in the rest of the apartment that I don't really want a ton more of it in the kitchen. I think there was another choice except it wasn't granite, it was something else, and if I'm not mistaken the color was beigey. I guess I'll have to see them to be able to decide.
Here is a picture of monkey from when we spent the night at the new apartment. He was getting in some Facebook time while I straightened out some luggage.
Also, what makes cinnamon rolls so good? It can't be just the cinnamon. Or the icing. Or the flaky tender crust. Is it the combination? Is it some special cinnamon roll magic that I'm unaware of?
All I know is I simply can't get enough of them!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Oh the mopping!
Well, we spent our first night at our apartment on Tuesday night.
Really not much in the apartment except the bed and a table we brought with us.
We kept the a/c going in the bedroom all night, set at 25 celcius (which is about 77 degrees) and it cycled off and on about every 5 minutes once it got up to temp. The noise doesn't seem to bother me which is a good thing. Not exactly white noise but not bad.
We actually got to sleep pretty late, after staying up to watch the movie African Queen. And we didn't even finish it at that. By 4:15 a.m., hubby was ready to call it quits for the night, so we turned things off and got to bed.
Only I knew that the morning call to prayer would be coming fairly soon, so I didn't want to fall asleep only to be awoken 10 or 20 minutes later by a blaring loudspeaker from across the street.
So, I played a handheld game and waited for the call to prayer.
When I heard it sound, I thought to myself, "wow, that's not so bad, not half as loud as I thought it would be. This will be no problem at all."
Of course... the call to prayer I heard was not the one that's across the street, it was at another mosque further away. lol
I realized that after the call started up across the street, as blaringly loud as I had suspected it would be at 4:35 a.m. with no daytime noise to mask the sound at all.
The thing is, the mosque is just one door down, across the street, and the loudspeaker is on the top of the building, which is a couple stories, and we're on the fourth floor, and our bedroom is on the same street that the mosque is on.
So... loud. For sure! lol
However, hubby managed to sleep right through it, and I imagine that if I'm sleeping it won't be a problem. I'm not positive but we'll see.
Not that we should be sleeping through it anyways.
So, next morning, after a seemingly restful sleep, hubby got up and went off to work, and wanted to have me mop the floors because the dust builds up amazingly fast in this place, worse than at my in-laws, which is saying something.
Hubby thinks the dust build up is from the roof across the street, which is right at the level of our apartment, and which is covered with large piles of loose stone and dirt type of stuff. So the wind just blows it all right into our place.
Of course, if we had regular sliding windows instead of shutters, this might not be an issue.
Anyways, the mop that we have at the apartment is a rag mop, and I do NOT like rag mops. They're impossible to keep clean and I just don't like the way they work at all. I'd much rather have a sponge mop.
But, I could only work with what I had, so I went to it.
Two complete moppings of the apartment later, and you could still see a layer of dust on the floor. I had to change the water a lot while mopping, which, yes, is a pain in the butt.
It might have helped if I could have swept first, but the two handheld brooms that were there weren't doing anything towards getting the dust up.
I'm hoping that a vacuum will help, in which case I can vacuum a couple times a week and only mop maybe once a week.
So, a lot of mopping going on. And sore arms this morning. lol
Also tried to run a couple of towels in the washing machine. I thought I had all the knobs figured out right, so I turned it on and it made an appropriate humming/on noise, which I thought meant that the heater was warming up to get the water hot.
I let it go while I started mopping, but kept noticing it as I changed the mop water, and grew increasingly suspicious that something wasn't right when it didn't get past making that humming noise.
I actually started to worry, and after about an hour I called hubby who said to just turn it off and we would work on it later.
Turns out, at least I think anyways, that I just needed to turn the water on from the wall so that it could get into the machine.
Well... honestly, that stuff is just on in the States as far as I know. You don't turn the water hose off, because.... well... why? lol
So, when we go back I will see if that was it.
The cupboard for the sink didn't turn out the way hubby wanted and so he's going to get one a little bigger and with a bigger stainless steel sink and marble top. Insha'Allah. Not sure when it will be done. Hubby is going to pick out the sink on Saturday, which to me means that the whole thing won't be done til maybe... Tuesday or Wednesday.
Not sure when we'll be spending the night there again. I thought it was supposed to be tonight but that's not happening. Not sure about tomorrow night. Perhaps.
I know I have a LOT more work to do there in terms of cleaning, and I'm eager for the challenge and the chance to be occupied and feeling useful.
All in all, steps in the right direction.
Also, after a few days of 100 degree weather, today was only about 82. Wow, what a nice change. Supposed to be the same tomorrow I think before getting a bit hot again. We'll get to Autumn eventually.
Really not much in the apartment except the bed and a table we brought with us.
We kept the a/c going in the bedroom all night, set at 25 celcius (which is about 77 degrees) and it cycled off and on about every 5 minutes once it got up to temp. The noise doesn't seem to bother me which is a good thing. Not exactly white noise but not bad.
We actually got to sleep pretty late, after staying up to watch the movie African Queen. And we didn't even finish it at that. By 4:15 a.m., hubby was ready to call it quits for the night, so we turned things off and got to bed.
Only I knew that the morning call to prayer would be coming fairly soon, so I didn't want to fall asleep only to be awoken 10 or 20 minutes later by a blaring loudspeaker from across the street.
So, I played a handheld game and waited for the call to prayer.
When I heard it sound, I thought to myself, "wow, that's not so bad, not half as loud as I thought it would be. This will be no problem at all."
Of course... the call to prayer I heard was not the one that's across the street, it was at another mosque further away. lol
I realized that after the call started up across the street, as blaringly loud as I had suspected it would be at 4:35 a.m. with no daytime noise to mask the sound at all.
The thing is, the mosque is just one door down, across the street, and the loudspeaker is on the top of the building, which is a couple stories, and we're on the fourth floor, and our bedroom is on the same street that the mosque is on.
So... loud. For sure! lol
However, hubby managed to sleep right through it, and I imagine that if I'm sleeping it won't be a problem. I'm not positive but we'll see.
Not that we should be sleeping through it anyways.
So, next morning, after a seemingly restful sleep, hubby got up and went off to work, and wanted to have me mop the floors because the dust builds up amazingly fast in this place, worse than at my in-laws, which is saying something.
Hubby thinks the dust build up is from the roof across the street, which is right at the level of our apartment, and which is covered with large piles of loose stone and dirt type of stuff. So the wind just blows it all right into our place.
Of course, if we had regular sliding windows instead of shutters, this might not be an issue.
Anyways, the mop that we have at the apartment is a rag mop, and I do NOT like rag mops. They're impossible to keep clean and I just don't like the way they work at all. I'd much rather have a sponge mop.
But, I could only work with what I had, so I went to it.
Two complete moppings of the apartment later, and you could still see a layer of dust on the floor. I had to change the water a lot while mopping, which, yes, is a pain in the butt.
It might have helped if I could have swept first, but the two handheld brooms that were there weren't doing anything towards getting the dust up.
I'm hoping that a vacuum will help, in which case I can vacuum a couple times a week and only mop maybe once a week.
So, a lot of mopping going on. And sore arms this morning. lol
Also tried to run a couple of towels in the washing machine. I thought I had all the knobs figured out right, so I turned it on and it made an appropriate humming/on noise, which I thought meant that the heater was warming up to get the water hot.
I let it go while I started mopping, but kept noticing it as I changed the mop water, and grew increasingly suspicious that something wasn't right when it didn't get past making that humming noise.
I actually started to worry, and after about an hour I called hubby who said to just turn it off and we would work on it later.
Turns out, at least I think anyways, that I just needed to turn the water on from the wall so that it could get into the machine.
Well... honestly, that stuff is just on in the States as far as I know. You don't turn the water hose off, because.... well... why? lol
So, when we go back I will see if that was it.
The cupboard for the sink didn't turn out the way hubby wanted and so he's going to get one a little bigger and with a bigger stainless steel sink and marble top. Insha'Allah. Not sure when it will be done. Hubby is going to pick out the sink on Saturday, which to me means that the whole thing won't be done til maybe... Tuesday or Wednesday.
Not sure when we'll be spending the night there again. I thought it was supposed to be tonight but that's not happening. Not sure about tomorrow night. Perhaps.
I know I have a LOT more work to do there in terms of cleaning, and I'm eager for the challenge and the chance to be occupied and feeling useful.
All in all, steps in the right direction.
Also, after a few days of 100 degree weather, today was only about 82. Wow, what a nice change. Supposed to be the same tomorrow I think before getting a bit hot again. We'll get to Autumn eventually.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Bits and pieces
Well, hard to imagine, but we are making a significant move of items over to the new place tonight!
I don't have that much to bring over since most of it is there already, but hubby has quite a few things.
There are some items there that need addressing - the main one in my head at the moment is that the hot water is not working in the bathroom (and not hooked up yet in the kitchen) since the hose broke a couple of weeks ago. Hubby says he will get it fixed tomorrow.
The other item is that our stove is on the bottom floor somewhere, I think in the building owner's store, where he sells different sorts of appliances and things. And of course, we are on the 4th floor and the elevator is broken.
Which brings up another interesting point, being that the building owners here don't assume the responsibility for the cost of fixing things in the building. Which I find strange to say the least. If they own the building, they need to assume the cost for running it!
But, like so many other things, that is not the case here. At least from what I have heard in several places. I would really be surprised if it was otherwise.
So, the building owner is trying to collect money from the tenants to get the elevator fixed, but of course no one wants to pay.
I suggested to hubby that he should put a lock on it and that people who wanted to use it could pay for it's upkeep. He said that he had mentioned that to the building owner the other day, but I don't know what the owner thought about that.
In any case, the elevator is a stinky dirty thing, and I don't feel entirely safe in it anyways. And seeing as how I'm not out of the apartment that much to begin with, it doesn't affect me tremendously. It's only annoying if you have a bunch of stuff to carry up to the apartment.
Also, I found out that the entire first floor - two apartments - is rented out to a kind of daycare/preschool type of place. Which gave me the idea that if I was bored during the day maybe I could go down and play with the kids. lol
In other news, my son's step-mother is currently in the hospital being induced to have her baby boy. I guess she's close to 10 days or so overdue now and I know she is very eager and a bit anxious to have this done with! Prayers to her and the baby!
And, in another piece of family related news, my son has the flu! Oh woe is me!
His father took him to the doctor yesterday. They did a swab test of his nose and told him it was Influenza A, but apparently that covers both H1N1 and seasonal flu, and I don't think they were going to do any further testing.
He is out of school for the week (according to the doctor?) and has a note from the doctor for school. Hope the little guy (wait, he isn't so little anymore!!) is feeling better soon.
Hopefully things will really start moving now apartment wise.
Of course, updates to come as things progress!
I don't have that much to bring over since most of it is there already, but hubby has quite a few things.
There are some items there that need addressing - the main one in my head at the moment is that the hot water is not working in the bathroom (and not hooked up yet in the kitchen) since the hose broke a couple of weeks ago. Hubby says he will get it fixed tomorrow.
The other item is that our stove is on the bottom floor somewhere, I think in the building owner's store, where he sells different sorts of appliances and things. And of course, we are on the 4th floor and the elevator is broken.
Which brings up another interesting point, being that the building owners here don't assume the responsibility for the cost of fixing things in the building. Which I find strange to say the least. If they own the building, they need to assume the cost for running it!
But, like so many other things, that is not the case here. At least from what I have heard in several places. I would really be surprised if it was otherwise.
So, the building owner is trying to collect money from the tenants to get the elevator fixed, but of course no one wants to pay.
I suggested to hubby that he should put a lock on it and that people who wanted to use it could pay for it's upkeep. He said that he had mentioned that to the building owner the other day, but I don't know what the owner thought about that.
In any case, the elevator is a stinky dirty thing, and I don't feel entirely safe in it anyways. And seeing as how I'm not out of the apartment that much to begin with, it doesn't affect me tremendously. It's only annoying if you have a bunch of stuff to carry up to the apartment.
Also, I found out that the entire first floor - two apartments - is rented out to a kind of daycare/preschool type of place. Which gave me the idea that if I was bored during the day maybe I could go down and play with the kids. lol
In other news, my son's step-mother is currently in the hospital being induced to have her baby boy. I guess she's close to 10 days or so overdue now and I know she is very eager and a bit anxious to have this done with! Prayers to her and the baby!
And, in another piece of family related news, my son has the flu! Oh woe is me!
His father took him to the doctor yesterday. They did a swab test of his nose and told him it was Influenza A, but apparently that covers both H1N1 and seasonal flu, and I don't think they were going to do any further testing.
He is out of school for the week (according to the doctor?) and has a note from the doctor for school. Hope the little guy (wait, he isn't so little anymore!!) is feeling better soon.
Hopefully things will really start moving now apartment wise.
Of course, updates to come as things progress!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Down with the brown!
Well, the chocolate chip cookies did get made.
Though it was a process (isn't everything here? lol) and I don't like the way they turned out at all.
Plus, they leave this weird gacky thing in my throat where it feels like I have to swallow all the time. Yuck. No more for me. The in-laws, who seem to like them, can have them all.
Now... about how they turned out.
Flat, just like the snickerdoodles, only flatter if possible. And tasting way too much like salt and brown sugar.
About the flatness - I am going to test the baking soda tonight and see if that is the cause or not. Otherwise, I'm not sure, but maybe the oven temperature caused them to be flat? The oven is old as heck and I'm not used to baking with gas and my MIL doesn't seem to want me to use the oven thermometer that I have so I just have to bake at whatever temperature she thinks is right. Even though she's never made anything that I've been baking.
Also, she gave me a different sugar than normal. I'm used to using the regular kind for baking, the kind you put in coffee, etc., but this time she gave me what is more of a coarse crystal. I'm sure the taste of it is fine, and you can actually see the sugar in the baked cookie, which is kind of cute, but it also means that the sugar isn't as spread out in the cookie as it should be if it's in bigger lumps (I presume anyways).
And, I don't know, I just used the Toll House recipe like I always use, but these tasted like they had *way* too much salt in them. It calls for a teaspoon but I would only put in maybe 1/2 next time. Or maybe even a 1/4.
Aaaaaand, the brown sugar? Gross. The cookies totally flattened out and browned on the bottom, which I'm sure was due to the brown sugar. And I don't like the taste of it at all. I wonder how they would be with all white sugar instead of half white and half brown.
All in all, the production of making them, with my MIL "helping" and the way they baked in the oven - not fun and overall disappointing.
I don't think I'm going to bake anything else while we're here at the in-laws. I'm really frustrated to not have a kitchen, but it's even more frustrating to actually get to make something only to have everything always go kind of wrong.
The brownies I made here also didn't turn out well.
I don't know. The oven, the fact that the butter is not measured because you can't measure on the packages like we do in the States and there's no scale at the house. The pans used to bake in, which are very large oval cake pans as there are no rectangular or flat pans. Who knows.
Very much looking forward to moving and using an oven and kitchen that are mine.
Oh yeah, apparently there is no spatula here, so I had to pry the dried up browned bottom of the cookies up with a fork. Nice. There were many cookie Frankensteins.
On to more pleasant subjects, since I'm sure that's more than enough whining for now. lol
We took the mosquito net down that was over the bed so that we could wash it. I had known for some time that it needed to be washed because I accidentally brushed by it once wearing a white shirt and it left a big dust smudge on me. Eew.
So, we got the net down, took it into the shower and hosed it off. It was a bit of work but not really hard and except for one instance, where it fell off the wall hook and tried to break my head open, it went pretty well. Dried relatively quickly and was back over the bed within a matter of hours. All clean. It's amazing how quick the dust builds up here.
Also, I've read the operating manual for our new fridge. Woohoo! There's a piece of stimulating reading for you.
Actually, I did learn a few things about the fridge, like not to plug it back in right away if you move it, and some other things that I had no idea about.
The manual was in both Arabic and English, though whoever did the translation for the English missed out a bit in some places. There was only one place that was particularly bad and made absolutely no sense at all. Though there was a graphic there and I kind of knew what they were talking about anyways.
Here's what the nonsensical part said, "A barrier of door shelf of freezer to up direction."
:D
The fridge still needs a final wipe with some vinegar or something. Not sure when I'll be back at the apartment again. And I'd prefer to wait until we're done with having workmen in there and we're actually going to live there.
In other apartment news...
We are in the process of having a carpenter make a cabinet for underneath the kitchen sink.
He has taken the measurements and I guess he will start working on it, but I have no idea when it will be done. I am guessing it will be very simple so it shouldn't take too long.
I hope it looks okay. Hubby ordered it and I have no clue as to what it will actually look like.
On the one hand, it shouldn't matter, it's just a cupboard. On the other hand, I really would have liked to have been able to have a say in what it looked like. I'm going to be the one in the kitchen having to look at the darn thing and use it all the time.
Getting into an apartment really shouldn't be this difficult. Really. I'm sure there are marriages that break up over less than this. lol
And, as of today, we have been living with the in-laws for 5 months. FIVE months.
Sure it's nice to not be in an empty apartment all day or at night if hubby has meetings, and yet... well, you know...
Insha'Allah we will move before the end of the year.
Though it was a process (isn't everything here? lol) and I don't like the way they turned out at all.
Plus, they leave this weird gacky thing in my throat where it feels like I have to swallow all the time. Yuck. No more for me. The in-laws, who seem to like them, can have them all.
Now... about how they turned out.
Flat, just like the snickerdoodles, only flatter if possible. And tasting way too much like salt and brown sugar.
About the flatness - I am going to test the baking soda tonight and see if that is the cause or not. Otherwise, I'm not sure, but maybe the oven temperature caused them to be flat? The oven is old as heck and I'm not used to baking with gas and my MIL doesn't seem to want me to use the oven thermometer that I have so I just have to bake at whatever temperature she thinks is right. Even though she's never made anything that I've been baking.
Also, she gave me a different sugar than normal. I'm used to using the regular kind for baking, the kind you put in coffee, etc., but this time she gave me what is more of a coarse crystal. I'm sure the taste of it is fine, and you can actually see the sugar in the baked cookie, which is kind of cute, but it also means that the sugar isn't as spread out in the cookie as it should be if it's in bigger lumps (I presume anyways).
And, I don't know, I just used the Toll House recipe like I always use, but these tasted like they had *way* too much salt in them. It calls for a teaspoon but I would only put in maybe 1/2 next time. Or maybe even a 1/4.
Aaaaaand, the brown sugar? Gross. The cookies totally flattened out and browned on the bottom, which I'm sure was due to the brown sugar. And I don't like the taste of it at all. I wonder how they would be with all white sugar instead of half white and half brown.
All in all, the production of making them, with my MIL "helping" and the way they baked in the oven - not fun and overall disappointing.
I don't think I'm going to bake anything else while we're here at the in-laws. I'm really frustrated to not have a kitchen, but it's even more frustrating to actually get to make something only to have everything always go kind of wrong.
The brownies I made here also didn't turn out well.
I don't know. The oven, the fact that the butter is not measured because you can't measure on the packages like we do in the States and there's no scale at the house. The pans used to bake in, which are very large oval cake pans as there are no rectangular or flat pans. Who knows.
Very much looking forward to moving and using an oven and kitchen that are mine.
Oh yeah, apparently there is no spatula here, so I had to pry the dried up browned bottom of the cookies up with a fork. Nice. There were many cookie Frankensteins.
On to more pleasant subjects, since I'm sure that's more than enough whining for now. lol
We took the mosquito net down that was over the bed so that we could wash it. I had known for some time that it needed to be washed because I accidentally brushed by it once wearing a white shirt and it left a big dust smudge on me. Eew.
So, we got the net down, took it into the shower and hosed it off. It was a bit of work but not really hard and except for one instance, where it fell off the wall hook and tried to break my head open, it went pretty well. Dried relatively quickly and was back over the bed within a matter of hours. All clean. It's amazing how quick the dust builds up here.
Also, I've read the operating manual for our new fridge. Woohoo! There's a piece of stimulating reading for you.
Actually, I did learn a few things about the fridge, like not to plug it back in right away if you move it, and some other things that I had no idea about.
The manual was in both Arabic and English, though whoever did the translation for the English missed out a bit in some places. There was only one place that was particularly bad and made absolutely no sense at all. Though there was a graphic there and I kind of knew what they were talking about anyways.
Here's what the nonsensical part said, "A barrier of door shelf of freezer to up direction."
:D
The fridge still needs a final wipe with some vinegar or something. Not sure when I'll be back at the apartment again. And I'd prefer to wait until we're done with having workmen in there and we're actually going to live there.
In other apartment news...
We are in the process of having a carpenter make a cabinet for underneath the kitchen sink.
He has taken the measurements and I guess he will start working on it, but I have no idea when it will be done. I am guessing it will be very simple so it shouldn't take too long.
I hope it looks okay. Hubby ordered it and I have no clue as to what it will actually look like.
On the one hand, it shouldn't matter, it's just a cupboard. On the other hand, I really would have liked to have been able to have a say in what it looked like. I'm going to be the one in the kitchen having to look at the darn thing and use it all the time.
Getting into an apartment really shouldn't be this difficult. Really. I'm sure there are marriages that break up over less than this. lol
And, as of today, we have been living with the in-laws for 5 months. FIVE months.
Sure it's nice to not be in an empty apartment all day or at night if hubby has meetings, and yet... well, you know...
Insha'Allah we will move before the end of the year.
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