Merry Christmas

Dearest friends and family - Warm wishes to you all

Another year has almost gone, we are still here but are dreaming of our return.

Jake will be back first, he is looking forward to starting school at St. Kentigern College in Auckland. Grant is going to get him settled into school so I wont get to see Jake again until Easter. He has been warned that he needs to return with marshmallow Easter eggs! I have a few things to organise here like medical, dental checkups and getting every single thing labeled with his name etc. Grant will be busy in NZ organising Jake's school laptop, uniform, books, bank account and so on.

Scott will be staying in Dubai to complete his 'A' levels. Auckland University did not accept his 'AS' levels and although he could have applied to another university he decided to wait it out for another year. We are really wild with them because it has been a huge and expensive hassle to get his results certified and when they were finally happy that they were correctly signed, stamped and authorised they said "great - they're fine, but we wont accept them because they are only AS levels" grrrrr... Anyway, after much thought Scott has decided to complete the school year here and then take a 'gap' year (well almost). He is looking at his options and they include doing some charity work (habitat for humanity?), working in Europe at a 'summer camp' or looking for work back in NZ. Due to the rules in the UAE he cannot be a resident here unless he is in school/university or has a job. I'm sure he will do something worthwhile with his time before starting university in 2011. Please let us know if you have any ideas. It now seems that we are doing the right thing with sending Jake back and he will not have these problems.

My job has been very difficult. The follow on from the school inspections have meant a big increase in workload. I already have a full schedule with students so anything extra ends up being done on the weekend. I don't mind that too much and do it anyway but this is on top of all that stuff, so it is getting ridiculous. Consequently, I have decided not to renew my contract after June. This will free me up to spend the NZ holidays with Jake and Scott. Grant is already pretty flexible and it is easier for him to get leave around the NZ holidays. I told my boss a few days ago and she already has my replacement lined up. So much for being indispensable! The lady was previously offered a job in another department but it was withdrawn due to the economic downturn. This has ended up brilliantly for us all, I don't feel too guilty, she gets a job and if I need to leave earlier for any reason then she will be ready. I may end up doing private tutoring or relieving work - or just come back to NZ :)

Grant is soldiering away. He would love a bit of a change. He will be putting his hand up if there is any opening at Auckland or elsewhere. The karting trip to the world finals was a bit of a disappointment. Again things did not go well for Scott. He still had an amazing time and has some great memories to take away. Grant and Scott will complete the racing season here but it is finally getting too expensive for us. Time to move in a different direction. Scott may end up doing some racing in NZ eventually but a break will be good for the bank balance just now.

We are having a very quiet Xmas, just lazing around home really. We will have a nice lunch tomorrow, hopefully chat to some of you! and drink some good NZ wine that I have put away. The shopping and wrapping is all done but I do have some more cooking to do. Yesterday I made some Xmas mince pies (my first time) they were supposed to be for the neighbours - lets just say...they will stay here. Today went up to the shop and purchased a packet for next door! Hopefully my pavlova will turn out better!

I've added some photos of Jake's leaving party. Our poor neighbours - so much noise. Anyway it was great fun for the kids. Scott did a great job as DJ, he had to put up with me turning it down all the time. We had a shawarma man cook food (a bit like a suvalaki) and they were Delicious. We had quite a bit left over but it all get polished off the next day! Jake's best friend Rory came over from Cyprus for the week which made it extra special.

OK time for me to get back to the kitchen, I'm feeling very relaxed as I've sneaked a beer whilst typing this - that does not look too good for the baking does it!

Have a great Christmas day - we will be thinking of you all.

Love from us all XXXX

It's a Sunny Day!

Well, every day is sunny at the moment...and hot! It is getting to that time of year when the temperature is nasty, we are permanently into the 40's during the day and mid 30's at night. You can imagine what it is like to get into the car after work - everything is scorching hot.

7 weeks of work to go (not that I'm counting ha-ha-ha). It is far too busy at work and we have also been having a flurry of medical appointments. Nothing to worry about, just check-ups etc. Scott has seen an orthodontist and will need 4 teeth removing and braces. Poor lad, it has been expected and I should have had it done last year really but it certainly needs to be done now.


Scott is in the middle of his AS exams. He has done two psychology papers so far and the rest are over the next couple of weeks. So keep your fingers crossed for him. He has been working so very hard (when not out partying). I can't moan though because he needs some relaxation time and I never need to ask him to study, he just gets on with it.


Jake on the other hand would love to play his guitar all day. He has an electric guitar now (a very early birthday present). Yesterday he had a jam session with some friends and loved it. Funny how he seems to be surrounded by girls whenever I take a photo! That said, he is working hard at school and had an extremely good report just before Easter. He has his end of year exams coming up too so is busy revising.


Karting has ended for the season. Scott won both titles again. He should have a ticket to the Rotax World Finals again (Egypt this year) but he is waiting on confirmation of the team. They may not send the series winner so as to give someone else a chance. He is thinking of doing a couple of races in Egypt first if he is on the team. This will give him a chance to learn the track and to test out a mechanic from Europe that had been recommended.


It is Grants birthday tomorrow. We are going to visit a new area near the Burj Al Arab and have dinner at one of the restaurants. I'm looking forward to it!


Scott had his birthday a few weeks ago. What a seriously scary time that was. He wanted a party here which I agreed to. As the time got closer I was beginning to regret that decision. While Dubai is a very tolerant place they still have strict rules on alcohol. As Scott was planning on a big bash with all manner of 'special mixes' I was worried that something would go wrong. We also have the potential trouble with gate crashers that happens in NZ. Added to that we didn't want to upset any neighbours, specially the Muslim ones next door. It was the hugest relief when it all went well, actually it was a lot of fun! It was a fancy dress party and the kids looked great. We had no trouble with any of them (just a huge mess to clean up). Scott and his mates pretty much organised it all. Grant put lights up and Scott had strobe lights inside. The music was organised by Scott including a 'Retro Hour' of 80/90's dance music. Big sigh from me when it was all over, by 5am I had the place reasonably clean. Nothing was broken and the neighbours said it wasn't loud enough (they were just being polite - I'm quite sure about that!).


Jake is sitting next to me practicing his card tricks. It is something that he is really good at. Maybe he will end up cruising around the world as an entertainer? He teaches himself using the Internet and has me amazed at what he can do.

Today I will post some photos from the last few weeks. I need to start doing posts without pictures. It takes me longer to do a post with pictures, pathetic I know, but it does and often instead of a quick post I delay thinking I want to have nice photos and then the weeks go by. So if you find words with no pictures then that is why.


Dorene...Hi....I phoned mum last week and she said you my have been, just about, almost, getting grumpy with me. Sorry!! I will bring a big chocolate cake to your place and then you can tell me off over a cup of tea :)

I really don't know where time goes, I have recently figured out that I have just enough energy for daylight hours and that is it. When the sun goes down so do my eyelids! Joanne, I now understand how easy it is to fall asleep on the sofa when you sit down after a hard day!

Needless to say we are slogging our way to the end of the school year here and can't wait to get to NZ and relax and catch up with everyone.


Time for me to get on with the weekend. Yesterday I had to get to Scott to school for his exam. (we follow the UK with the exams so Scott had one even though it was our weekend), Jake to his friends and back for his 'jam'. I also went in to work for a while and did a weeks worth of laundry. Today I need to do all the ironing, supermarket shopping, get Grant a present, finish important stuff for work and do this blog (#1 on the list of it would be another week gone).


Love and BIG hugs to you all XXX

PS - I don't know why the photos are coming through too big. I've sent more time than I've got today trying to sort it out. Probably simple grrrr and ...... an ant bit me and it hurts, so I'm now as crabby as hell! So just click on each photo to see it properly (I hope).

Handsome Young Man

Hi Again - Lovely to see visitors!!! I don't deserve you after taking soo long to update.

Dorene I can't wait for our visit. It will be wonderful to see you. I'm glad Nic is doing well. Can't believe our wee babies will turn 18 soon - makes me feel old just thinking about it.

Dad, sorry I missed chatting to you. The phone ran out of power....it was a very long call! (Scott wished you a Happy Birthday Mum - he missed out too).

Happy Birthday Mum XXX I hope you had a nice day, I would have loved to be there. Jake could not stop laughing about your comment about the Slumdog Millionaire movie (which I can't repeat) It really struck a cord with him - I think he will be giggling all week!

I have a picture of Jake, all ready to go to his first ball. He looked fabulous and was a real gentleman.

Scott has had a busy weekend. He has been at the Rugby Sevens World cup with his friends (NZ out of the action). His social life has become quite hectic - better than mine that's for sure.
Jake and I were going to the movies last night as Grant was also away. We could not agree on anything so we got a DVD (X files) and watched it at home.

Today Jake is at rehearsals for the school musical. Next week is full on before the big event the following week. I just end up working late because it is not worth driving home then coming straight back. I can't wait to see the production but will be glad when it is all over and I can get home a little earlier.

Thanks so much for checking in.

A selection of Photos

Grant and Scott at the Toyo Tyres 24 hr race Dubai

The beach at our hotel on the Seychelle Islands was just perfect. The boys loved playing chess in the garden. There was plenty to do so we never felt the need to venture beyond the hotel.

Xmas 2008 in Dubai

Grant, Scott and mechanic Richie in Italy

We watched an amazing medieval show in the medieval town at Carcassonne, France

Don't fall over....it's an update!!!!

I'm not doing very well with this blogging. It seemed like a very good idea when I was not working but the last couple of years have been have seen my free time disappear in a cloud of dust!

It is not all bad...I help struggling children, work with lovely people and get a nice little pay packet. However, I am always getting home late, bring work home and have sleepless nights because of the pressure. And this poor wee blog suffers as it's just about at the bottom of the list.

So...this weekend I have two extra days off. Time for that long awaited update.

Italy- Rotax Grant Finals. I think we passed on all the details but not a great trip for Grant and Scott. Mechanical problems and torrential rain caused huge problems. I think the end result was 44th/75.

Christmas. That seems like such a long time ago. We had a very quiet family day at home. We all helped cook a traditional turkey lunch, we had smoked salmon form NZ for a starter and pavlova for desert. We walked over to visit some neighbours in a afternoon and drink bubbly then strolled home for desert. A lovely day.

On Boxing day we flew to the Seychelles for a few days. It was fab. We didn't go anywhere, just spent the whole time at our hotel. It was on a perfect beach and had everything we wanted. Some other time we will do the sightseeing and shopping thing but we were far too relaxed to complicate this short trip with any running around.

Turkey - Jake has just returned from Space Camp Turkey. It was cold and wet but he had a fantastic time. Moon walk simulation, space mission planning and sightseeing kept the group busy. I hope to get photos from one of the teachers soon.

Karting - Scott and Grant have had a mixed season. Scott has not had it all his way this year and has had to fight hard for his podiums. The senior class is becoming popular and there are many new drivers. Scott is leading the series with two races to go. He has some buffer with points but still needs to finish well. It continues to be expensive, with another engine blown this year.

World Financial Crisis - Wow - where did that come from? Dubai is certainly feeling it. Property prices have fallen sharply, job losses... doom and gloom abound. The flights have less passengers but work continues to be busy for Grant. NZ and the rest of the world are all pretty much the same. The big question is what will happen next, a continuing recession or rebound? I have no idea. We will just wait and see. The idea of heading back to NZ early seems to be flattened, at least for a while. We continue to keep a close eye on NZ property and would love to move back.

Work - my job is super busy. I have new students starting all the time. There are not enough hours in the day. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes. After school activities, meetings and inspections. Working with the children is lovely but the bureaucracy and paperwork are not. I am already looking forward to my summer holiday sooo much! This year the plan is to buy a car so that Scott can get driving experience and get his license. It will be very strange to be driven by him, not sure how my nerves will cope!

Home - The garden is looking really good. Some bigger plants have really taken off and we are getting more privacy now. The house hasn't fallen down but we did have to spend quite a bit to repair one of the AC units. The weather has been fantastic. We have had a little rain twice but no big floods like last year. Daisy is fine, she still gets picked on by other cats but has learnt to stand up for herself.

Jake - He is doing really well with his guitar lessons and is coping with school better this year. Year 7 was a bit of a shock but it has settled down for a less pressured Year 8. He has a ball this week. It is at the new Atlantis Hotel on the Palm. I'm not happy that he has to wear a suit, who organises these things!!!! It would be so much better if it was a disco dance.

This is part one of the update, I will add a few photos in the next post. Best wishes from us all here.