Clowning Around...

...Not me.  The girls.  They love to dress up.  Monet especially loves to dress up her younger sister and we all get a good giggle!  I think Lily loves the attention and loves to role play.  

The girls had me in tears when Lily came out dressed a few weeks ago in an el'cheapo Kaftan I had bought in Abu Dhabi (for dress ups), a lei and a prayer hat.  When she came out she immediately got down on her knees and began to pray - which is actually quite strange as we are not a praying family!

On the weekend, Monet dressed up Lily in some United Arab Emirate gear.  How could I resist?  And how could Lily not pose?  (Not sure what this face is all about!)

Monet too, is not one to miss out.  She would blend in rather wonderfully in the UAE - I think this girl has seen one too many labourers in the past few years.

Saturday

Saturday saw myself and the girls head 'up the range' to a little hamlet called 'Speewah'. Up through rainforest, a windy road and twenty-odd minutes later we were there. Monet had been invited to a birthday party at the 'Tavern'. I was a little weary about going to a birthday party at a Speewah to begin with, but to say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. Surrounded by trees, the Tavern had heaps of outside undercover seating and tables, a lush green lawn and a safe, two tiered swimming pool behind a child-proof gate.

Lily and I dropped off Monet and headed back to Kuranda, a five minute drive away.  They call Kuranda a village in the rainforest.  I call it a Hippy Town in the Rainforest.   We actually had a nice time together, looking at the little shops and market stalls.  Lily was rewarded with an ice-cream (BANANA!!) for her good behaviour.  I'm pretty sure she enjoyed every lick...

Kuranda is one of those towns that is actually very pretty and it is nice to visit.

I particularly love the big trees in the main street.  Made us realise we are a long way from Abu Dhabi.

With a bit of time still to kill before collecting Monet from the party, Lily and I drove down to the Barron Falls Lookout.  After living in the area previously, it was one place I had never been before, except by the Scenic railway back when we first moved to Cairns in 2006.

It was awesome.  I only wished we had seen the falls six weeks ago when they were in full flight!  It isn't so much of the wet season up here now...

It was very pretty, with a fabulous boardwalk through the forest treetops.  Lily and I did start the walk but as time was clicking we turned around to collect Monet.  I will make sure that we keep going along the boardwalk at a later date.

Monet had a terrific time at her party which was nice to see.  She's starting to fit in and find friends from school.

And it made me realise just how amazingly different the world is.  From rainforest, to desert and back to rainforest again.

Blog This and That.

I found a little display folder in the bookshelf that I had forgotten about.  It was my first blog that I had printed out - biglittlesister - which I began on one of my sister's typepad accounts.  It was my first time at 'blogging' and the date was July 5, 2004.  Two months before Monet was born.  Now here she is reading it coming up to eight years later...  Weird.  That original blog is now deleted as I started my own 'blogger' account in October 2006.  That's this blog you are currently reading.

I thought I would post a photo of the table runner MrL brought home from Abu Dhabi for me.  I requested a couple (I have a purple one too).  It is gorgeous - lots of detail and looks lovely on our dining table.

That's it for today. ;)

We've Moved.

So, as the girls and I wait patiently for our favourite Male to return to live with us from Abu Dhabi, we've been busy trying to find new digs and waiting patiently (ever so patiently) for our 20 Foot shipping container to arrive. After passing successfully through quarantine and customs (via Brisbane) I was most pleased to hear that it made it up to Cairns on the weekend.

Lucky I was successful finding a new home for us to live in, for at leas the next six months.  It is a difficult task trying to organise a place to live with two young girls in tow and a husband half a world away.  We (MrL) and I have similar tastes (I believe) so I am sure he will be happy with the house I was successful in applying (and subsequently getting) for.  I know our beautiful girls were.

With a lush green back yard, well, who could blame us feeling a little joyous at the occasion of moving in?

This house is something a little different from the ordinary.  We like that.  Built with colour bond and cladding and lots of timber shutters and window frames I know MrL will love it as much as I do.

I have had some teething problems here at the house (air cons/tv/gas - don't ask!) but it'll all be sorted out before I know it.  With MrL arriving here v. v. soon, I still have some unpacking and sorting to do.  But he won't care.  He just wants to be reunited back with his little family, as much as I want him to be too.

New Beginnings

Things are seriously falling into place here for us.

After searching high and low for a suitable place for my little family to live in Cairns, a perfect one turned up.  And I subsequently got.  I think it helped that that I befriended the agent and within three hours of putting in the application she rang me back to say it was mine.  I think it helped that I viewed the property twice, just to make sure I was doing the right thing.  It is tough to try and find a perfect place without your partner in crime who is still residing in the Middle East.  But we have similar tastes in most things so I am positive he will approve of my choice.

I was contacted too yesterday by our removal company that our shipping container had been given the all clear from Australian Customs and Quarantine.  It is heading up this way on the weekend.  All ready for me to take on the same day I take over the lease of our new abode.

Slowly falling into place.  New beginnings.

Reasons why I am happy to be back in FNQ and one reason I am not...

It is lovely being back where you feel like you belong, even though there is one element missing. And that's MrL. He is back in the sand pit of Abu Dhabi but it won't be too much longer until we are reunited for good in the tropics of Far North Queensland.

I wonder if you can see some of the reasons why it is so lovely to be back...

Monet is now back at school full time.  I still haven't co-ordinated my driving time to her school.  We've been quite early every day at both drop off and pick up times.  She's coping well, Monet, arriving at a new school with only a few weeks of first term left.  I still feel bad taking her out of school in Abu Dhabi where she had 'found her place' and had a nice group of friends, to now being known as the 'new girl'.  She will find some new friends all in due time (this is her fifth day), this I know.

I had my Mother-In-Law stay for a week.  She saw MrL for a couple of days before he returned to the sand pit and helped a lot with Lily.  Now since she has returned back to Victoria, it means I now have to start cooking meals! (instead of going out every night! lol)

I still need to find a place to live (our apartment has tenants in it still) for us to live in and wait patiently for our shipping container to arrive.  I'm missing our stuff!  Fingers crossed something comes up soon.

But it is good to be back in the humidity, the sunshine, the lush tropical surrounds.  This, makes me happy.

Taking the Bad (Back) with the Utter Happiness....

I neglected to tell you in my previous post that I 'did' my back in last Tuesday. There couldn't be worse timing, let me tell you. It was the final week I was spending in country Victoria, a week I had been looking forward to with the anticipation of moving on towards our new chapter. But I buggered up all that excitement by bending down to pick up a piece of laundry off the floor when "shit!"

Long story short - was very much out of action for a good four days with me completely resting, sitting for an hour, hobbling around for a bit then sitting back down. I was in agony sitting down and then standing up. Agony lying in bed. I visited a physio a couple of times which helped and I will have to find one now in Cairns for visiting permanently, as it was noted that it might be a reoccurring thing, seeing it has happened twice before over the past two years. However last week's incident was the worst yet.

One thing I am thankful for is that MrL's parents had Monet stay over for three nights whilst my parents looked after Lily (and myself).   Lily was brilliant.  Being very much a 'mummy's girl', she quickly became a 'Grandma's girl'.  There were a few firsts last week, but the big one was Lily getting to sleep by putting herself to bed (in a big bed at that!) and falling asleep rather quickly without having her Mum near by.

So here, I will publicly thank my in-laws for looking after Monet for three nights and four days and to my parents, especially to my mum, for letting me do bugger all and looking after Lily.   It was shit timing doing my back, but in a way, good timing that it happened in a place where my girls were able to be looked after by others.

Sunday saw my parents drop Monet, Lily and I off at the airport, where we checked into the Park Royal Airport for the night (takes the stress out of getting to the airport in the morning, when you have to travel two hours to get there).   The girls thought it was great fun - so did I as I didn't have to share a bed with a certain 2 year old, after sharing a bed practically each night for the past six weeks!!

I can't describe to you how it felt to be flying back into Cairns after a three and a half years absence. I'm pretty sure I was close to tears (of happiness and relief!)

I'm pretty sure it was the same feeling I got roughly three hours later when MrL rocked up in a taxi after his flight from Abu Dhabi. Six weeks without your best friend and father of your children was (at times) tough going.

MrL's mother arrives tomorrow for a week - she's up here to see MrL, who she hasn't seen for over a year, and the short term apartment we are in is a three bedder, so I said if she wanted to visit she was more than welcome to. I didn't have to convince her. MrL leaves for Abu Dhabi again on Monday for another four weeks. Not before seeing Monet off at her new (lovely) school on Monday morning!

So our new chapter has begun. And what a chapter it is starting to be. Awesome.

Christmas in the UAE...

For a Muslim country, the UAE sure know how to decorate a Christmas tree.  Santa even comes and visits but shhh, we won't tell Lily - she is not a fan of the man in red.  Trust me, we've caught a couple of glimpses this week of him and she is definitely not a fan!

But that hasn't stopped her requesting that he comes and visits in a few nights time...

40th Celebrations.

If you've been reading my blog, you would remember that the UAE turned 40 a couple of weeks back. For the three years we have been here, we have always seen the cars the locals 'dress up' to mark the nation's birthday but I have never taken any photographs of them. I didn't think I would get around to snapping any pics this year either, until....

On Friday December 2nd, my dad, MrL and I decided we'd go over to Yas Island for a pint or two and lunch whilst Grandma agreed to stay at home and look after the girls for us. We saw spotted around the island, near the Yas Marina track, signs about the 'parade of the Union of the Nation' and thought, nahh, won't get to see anything. We were wrong. After a couple of hours at a couple of bars and a couple *ahem* pints in us, the parade had started.

I have never seen anything quite like it before and was grateful I had chosen to take my camera with me in my bag. So *joyous* and so funny! The local Emirates, certainly know how to amuse this Australian gal.  Yep, the old 'let's hang out the car window and the sunroof!', the lack of seat belts, the constant car tooting, the noise, the 'lets spray each other with foam', the car decorations all in one place.  And we were at the right place at the right time.

Below is a quick selection of photos from the afternoon.

Now That's A Flag

And this flag is actually rather small as compared to others we have seen around these parts.

This year I have seen the biggest and grandest flags I have ever seen.   Forget the 37th, 38th and 39th National Day flags I have seen previously - 40 rocked!  I swear every second house here is draped in gigantic flags of the United Arab Emirates and most main roads have flags waving along the side of the road.  Apparently the flags are going to stay up for 40 days, taken from December 2nd.  Not sure how long some of the house flags will actually last with some of the howling windy days we've had lately but one thing is for sure - these Emiraties are proud of their country and so excepting of other nationalities and religions.  Many other countries could take a leaf out of their book.

Celebrating UAE National Day at School

Last Friday, December 2nd, the United Arab Emirates celebrated their 40th Birthday.  In 1971 all the head honchos from seven emirates sat down, chatted and ultimately decided to form the United Arab Emirates, where the previous seven emirates united as one. Well, something like that. The Head guy who formed all this was Sheihk Zayed. Around these parts he is a legend. Zayed's son, Sheikh Khalifa, is the Current ruler of the UAE and his grandson is the President. I think. It gets confusing. But everywhere you go in the UAE, you do see those three portraits standing side by side. Every school, every shopping center, IKEA even. Even on the road between Abu Dhabi and Dubai there is a gigantic portrait of Sheikh Zayed. I'm glad we weren't here when he died in early November of 2004. I'm pretty sure there was weeks of mourning. But anyway...

SO... the UAE love to make an excuse to let their hair down (literally) on December 2nd every year. This year, with the country turning 40, most people pulled out all stops.  Schools do celebrating of some kind and I was pleased that Monet's school did a presentation again, with parents invited.   I too was pleased that my mum and dad were still about to witness the celebrations, especially at school.

Last Wednesday students were encouraged to wear the colours of the Emirates, being white, red, green and black to school. Well, how could I not make the 7 year old her own camel skirt to mark the occasion?

It was great to see the kids line up on the ground and the local children put on a demonstration of their culture.

Personally, I was waiting for the 'hair swishing' dance, which didn't disappoint.  (It is a dance performed by pre-pubescent females where they move their brushed long locks from side to side in time to the funky music.)

During the day the school set up a few activities for the children to participate in.  Again, parents were invited to go along at your child's pre-set time to take photographs and join in.  It was good fun, especially watching some of the male teachers trying to participate in the male Emirate dancing.  Pretty sure some of those teachers were born with two left feet.   Some of the local men found it rather hilarious.

A thrill for me, was seeing a few of my 'Abu Dhabi' skirts around the playground, being worn by teachers (three in total) and a couple of yummy mummies. *wink wink*  Yeah, that's me on the left.

Monet got to ride a camel too, along with her Year 7 'reading buddy'.   Not sure who was more thrilled in witnessing this - myself or her grandparents.

Another successful National Day celebration tucked under the belt.  Pretty sure it was the best yet.  After all, it's not every year you turn 40.

Yas Hotel

Last week I took my parents over to Yas Hotel, located in the center of the Yas Marina Formula One circuit. It is (another) one of those buildings that you have to see to believe. It is a beautiful hotel and takes less than 10 minutes from where we live to there. I see the building practically every day and *still* love it.

Up close it is an amazing hotel/building to look at.  Clean, rounded lines and lots of white.

The couches are even white...well until a certain 2 year old put her Smartie-laced fingers on a pillow or two.  ;P

My mother announced she could have stayed sitting on the lounges all day and said that it would be one of her favourite places in Abu Dhabi.  I know what she means.

Doesn't sound like a bad idea actually, lounging on a couch and being waited on, in this beautiful mild weather we are having.

MrL, the VIP

A few weeks back now, MrL was given a VIP ticket from his work, to attend the Official Formula One 'Black and White Chequered Flag Ball', which was held at the new hotel he had/still is, working at.

The next morning, after I woke, downstairs MrL had left his 'goodie bag' each seat had been given for me to help myself to.  (He ended up swiping 3! lol)  I swear, it felt like Christmas to see what goodies he was given.

He told me he got to walk the red carpet (there is a photo out there on the net, but I won't point you in the direction) and the Moet flowed freely all night. =)

Camel

I'm not sure why, but lately I've gone a little 'camel' mad. I have soft toys, tea towels, key rings, Christmas decorations and of course my ever popular Camel skirt which people seem to love.

Whilst out shopping in the city with my VIPs during the week I could not pass this up, a Camel wall hanging. I'll have to get MrL to actually make it into a wall hanging for me, but I can't wait to see it up on one of our walls...

Morning Beach Stroll

With the weather now very pleasant, especially comparing it to a month ago, even a fortnight ago, I thought it would be most appropriate to take the VIPs down to the Corniche for a stroll, even a short one, along the beach and boardwalk.  

At 10am it was lovely.  The whole place seemed rather inviting and the water was perfect temperature. 

Hey! Nice skirt lady!  (*smirk*)

The above shot shows to the far left the 'Etihad Towers' - a series of five towers, representing the Sheikhs.  Where you can just see cranes, is the Emirates Palace, the most expensive hotel in the world.  Where you can a series of white 'Sails' and a little tower, is Marina Mall and further along is the 'World's largest Flag pole' where the UAE flag flies proudly at full mast each day.

We had a cool milk shake at one of the cafes on the boardwalk which over looks the beach.  A cool refreshment was needed as I'm pretty sure it was a little warmer than the predicted 33 degrees.

With this week being Eid Mubarak and mid-term break for school, I think I might just take the girls back down there for a splash in the water, whilst the VIPs head UK bound.

Yas Links

Saturday saw MrL take a (very) rare afternoon off, so to make the most of him not being at his second home, we decided to go out for lunch. After last week's 'tantie' disaster, I decided Lily should take an earlier nap, which she did (*phew*) so there was no tantrum insight.

We found ourselves over at Yas Island, at the Links Golf Course, which sits directly opposite the Marina F1 Circuit and Ferrari World.  The F1 is on in two weeks time and the Club is getting ready for some action, with the labourers building some kind of platform...

Our lunch was actually quite nice, thought MrL wasn't too keen on his fish.  Kinda glad I didn't order it. (Sorry MrL.)

After a feed, we walked outside and thought perhaps we should have sat outside to eat.  It was really nice out there, with a view over to the Raha Beach development.

Can you spot the plane in the photo below?

Around the side of the club house lays a very inviting looking pool, with a view over towards Ferrari World.

The Yas Links golf house has a distinct Spanish feel to it.  Very nice indeed and not a thing out of place.

Pretty sure we'll be back again soon. Though next time, we'll stay clear of the fish. ;P