Spiffy Green Sneakers

I am officially the coolest kid on the block.  I shopped last night (a little retail therapy, the reason to follow).  The apartment across from me has been under contruction all year.  Since I've had to listen to the drilling and hammering and cement smashing all year, I was delighted that all that noise was for a shoe store...a converse shoe store :)  So I did what any girl would do, I bough spiffy, green sneakers.  I don't mean a nice, tonned down green, I mean GREEN with a capital everything.  I know I keep saying I'll post pictures and as I have no where to travel this coming week (shall explain momentarily) I will upload pictures and show all sorts of Damascus fun.

As you may remember, I was supposed to head to Bangkok on Thursday morning at the crack of dawn. However, I took my passport to the Canadian Embassy at the BEGINNING of March, and inspite of numerous assurances that I would have my passport back with plenty of time for my trip, I am, as I write, still without a passport.  You see, the embassy here is inadequately staffed to meet the needs coming into the office and rather than telling me that a month ago so I would postpone the renewing of my passport (it is valid until July, but needed to be renewed before I leave for the summer so my residency can get extended) I am without a passport and unable to go to Bangkok for my conference.

I have had a few very stressful days as I was doing the run around with the embassy here.  The vice consul took it rather well after the 5th apology that, what I didn't want to hear was another apology, but rather a solution to my problem -which he couldn't provide.  At any rate, that is the way it goes.  So when Tylene can't travel, she buys spiffy green sneakers - and red ones too - and will get the purple ones next week (three pairs of shoes on one day is a little excess...not that I haven't done it before, but you know what I mean)

So rather than travel I will stay in Damascus and shop and take pictures (i've been a naughty tourist and keep thinking I've lived here all my life) and buy purple shoes (and maybe grey ones and and and) and update my blog photos and make my yearbook pages and rest and watch television (because my Canadian neighbors love me and let me invade their home and watch tele at their house)  I will make the best of the week.  My passport might arrive on Sunday which would be good timing.  It could then have all the visa stuff for Syria completed and I will be ready for a trip to Kuwait in April for a baby shower, some farewells to friends who are moving away and some time at the gym.

Other than that, not much more to report here.  All is well.  The weather is getting really nice.  We're around 23 today.  Thursday will go up to 28, reportedly.  I am quite excited for summer...then I can come home too :)

Well, I shall sign off.  My spiffy green sneakers have enjoyed updating you on life in Damascus.  My kidlets will be back momentarily.  As most teachers are spending every waking moment working on report cards, my grades are finished and submitted to the office.  The best thing about report card time - all the marking is finished for a few days (only a few, I have more assignments coming in on Thursday...I never give myself a break, but wanted my kids to have a clear and restful holiday)

Love and peace to one and all.  See you soon.

Ty