What do you mean, it's February

I can't believe it.  It's February.  It seems like just last week I got back to Damascus and settled into life in Syria again.  What the heck.  So much has happened in recent weeks, it's not surprising time is flying by.  So without further adieu...

I spent the last weekend in January in Kuwait.  I took a personal day and truly enjoyed the time away from Syria.  It was refreshing and a welcome break.  I know, imagine, Kuwait being a welcome break from anything.  The time there was, as it always is, too short - I mean, the time with friends.  I was able to have a visit with a number of people while I was there, though.  I popped into the school for 1/2 day and enjoyed that little trip down memory lane. While I don't miss many aspects of life in Kuwait, I certainly do miss the people that make it a special place.

Kuwait visits couldn't be without a trip to Johnny Rockets, a run to Sultan Centre and of course, a mani and a pedi at N'Style.  This trip also saw a re-visit to the ball gown shop that I bought my first gown at.  The first gown I tried on this time around was the one that I bought.  It was just beautiful. It's brown (I know, I should venture out, but it is just stunning) and long and flowy.  Very different from the last ball gown that I bought, but equally beautiful.  I suppose there needs to be a ball in Saskatchewan this summer so I would have a reason to wear such things at home too :)

My flight back to Damascus was a little bit crazy - the flight was rescheduled, so instead of arriving back on Sunday night at 9:00, I got back to the city Monday morning at 2:00.  I arrived at my apartment by 2:30 and was sound asleep by 3.  However, I must say that only 3 hours of sleep before a full day at work made for a long day Sunday.  I did make it through - even managed to stay up until 8:00 that night.  The rest of last week just flew by.  Perhaps because it was only a three day work week for me (Sunday was a personal day, Thursday was a day off).

On Wednesday night, I invited friends for dinner.  I made fish, chicken and nokedly.  All were warmly received.  I also whipped up a small batch of brownies for dessert.  I really do enjoy my time with friends.  Being more social has been a good thing for me in Damascus.  On Thursday night, the gang gathered again, this time at Lindsey and Chad's for another fun evening. I was so glad for the extra day in the weekend.  All that socializing had me feeling ready for a few days in a hermitage (is that a word?)

Friday and Saturday were spent at home.  It was a rainy weekend (started raining on Thursday and lasted until Saturday).  What better way to spend a rainy day than to snuggle up with kitties and watch episodes of Corner Gas and Glee.  I also did some more cooking on the weekend.  I should now have enough food to last through the next couple of weeks. I like having things prepared and ready to take from the freezer.  Was wondering if Salmon Rolls and Egg Sauce will freeze?  I mean, if I froze it separately?  Please advise.  If they will, that will be a meal that I prepare this weekend.

This week will be a busy one.  The Snowball is on Friday night.  That means I will have to go get a mani and pedi on Thursday, a hair appointment on Friday and then, of course, get all gussied up.  I am really looking forward to it.  Should be a good time.  In the meantime, things at school will keep me busy.  Today I am off with my students to the Opera house to listen to the orchestra rehearse.  It will be quite a long outing - 3 hours, which might be too much for these guys, but I am  hoping that things will go well.  Field trips are always a lot of work - more so when you're not the one who is organizing it, but when the organizer has neglected details such as when children are going to eat.  Why can't everyone just think ahead???  Grrr.

And on that note, I shall sign off.  Just back from the lab to get some blood work done. Here's hoping all goes well.  Will have the results tomorrow.  Having had a banana (and soon a pear) I am feeling almost human again.  Surely there is a way that one can get blood work done without having to fast for 14 hours :(  Poor me.

Here's hoping I have some fun and frivolity to report to you for the next blog posting.  Until then...

Tylene