It's 11:08 and we are supposed to leave for the airport in 2 1/2 hours. We are all packed except for our computers. All three of us are so excited we just can't hide it!
Luke went to bed as usual at 8...only to get up at 8:30 and announce, "I had a short sleep, Mommy! I'm ready to go to Texas!" I sent him back to bed, and Jason let him get out of the bed an hour later. Since then, he has been up running around like a wild man, telling all about the different places we're going in order to get to Texas, telling what the pilots and copilots do, that flight attendants can either be men or women, that our planes have jet engines and not propellors... His energy level has not wavered in two hours of running around, playing, singing, talking to himself. I just hope when he bottoms out he does it gracefully.
It took me until today to get excited. I was still in denial that the time to go home had actually come. Today I packed, cleaned stuff up, organized, did some shopping, made a bunch of presents, and NOW I feel like it's actually real that I'm getting on a plane in 4 1/2 hours! I am excited for Christmas, excited to go shopping at TARGET (Oh, Target, I miss you!), and most of all, excited to see my excited family!!
Thanks for reading and counting down with me. I don't know if I'll post in between now and the time we return. We will have a pretty packed 10 days. But I will post sometime shortly after the New Year to give an update on our job fair plans and results. In the meantime, please pray for safe travels for us and others traveling at this time. Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Vacation Week AKA Week of the Pyramids
Warning! This post is long and possibly too educational. ;)
We had this past week off from school because this week was Eid al Adha, a Muslim holiday during which Muslims remember Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael on Mt. Moriah, and God's provision when He provided the ram instead. The story is the same as the Genesis story, the son in the story is different.
The celebration involves sacrificing a sheep, camel, cow, or similar animal and then feasting afterward. One of the important parts of Islam is providing for the poor, so half of the meat is usually given away.
We know friends and neighbors who have been to watch the actual sacrifices, but we chose to hole up in the apartment, instead.
Sacrifice Day was Monday, and the feasting and celebrating was supposed to conclude on Wednesday. We figured it was safe to go out again on Tuesday - when I say safe, I just mean we probably would be spared the gore and blood - so we hired a driver to take us to the lesser-known pyramids near Cairo.
We went to the Great Pyramid last September, and I was appropriately amazed, but for some reason these lesser pyramids intrigue me more. (Maybe I sympathize with them because they must be insecure, right Mom?) Anyway, the first one we visited was the Step Pyramid at Sakkara.
This type of pyramid was the earliest type of pyramid, and this is the first one in Egypt. It's basically six tombs built one on top of the other. It was supposed to have been covered (like all the pyramids were) with white limestone, and the appearance would have been smooth. The limestone was later stripped and melted down for lime.
This pyramid complex is surrounded by tombs and the mortuary temple. You can go in the tombs, which are little rooms with hieroglyphs on the walls, like these, which show different offerings brought to the noble who was entombed there:
This is the hypostyle hall (big columned area) inside the mortuary temple. The columns were different than any I've seen so far in Egypt. They are very smooth, and they are supposed to resemble bundles of papyrus.
After the Step Pyramid, we left and drove to Dahshur, where there are several more pyramids. The first one we went to is called the Red Pyramid, though it's not very red....
This pyramid was built by the same pharoah who built the next one we saw (stay tuned), and that guy experimented a lot, trying to build a smooth sided pyramid with good construction. This was the first truly successful smooth pyramid. (Again, it would've appeared smoother when it had its limestone covering. Some of that covering is actually still intact on one corner of this pyramid.)
Anyway, this pyramid is cool because it's not crowded and you can get in and see everything without anyone hassling you for tips or trying to sell you souvenirs. Do you see that hole in the pyramid about halfway up? That's where you go in.
Once you get to the entrance, this guy takes your tickets and tells you when to go in.
You can see the size of the entrance there--that's how big the opening is the whole way down into the pyramid. It's a long, steeply slanted walkway with metal ribs that keep your feet from sliding down, down, down.
Jason went first, followed by Luke, and then me. As we descended, the smell of ammonia strengthened, and by the time we reached the bottom it smelled like a cat box that had not been cleaned out for a week or two. With multiple cats. And your face hovering inches above the litter. Pretty nasty. Apparently bats live in the pyramid.
Jason's editorial note: he doesn't think the smell is nearly as bad as I do. But this is my blog. ;)
Being inside the pyramid is a creepy experience to me. Never mind the bats. I get a little panicky in the closed passageway and do better once I reach the bottom and can stand up in the chambers down below. However, Jason kept saying to Luke, "Luke! Can you BELIEVE we're INSIDE a PYRAMID!?!" and then I began thinking about all the rock on top of us... I had to ask him to quit saying that. As long as I don't think about it, I don't freak out. But I could easily get over-anxious. Anyway, this pyramid was neater inside than the Great Pyramid, because there were several chambers we could visit. Here we are inside the first one, about to go through the passage to the second chamber.
And here is my honest reaction to being in a pyramid:
(It's hot, humid, no moving air, and again, a litter box, I tell you!) This picture was in the second chamber. Then we climbed those stairs to get to this third area, which I think was the actual tomb where human remains were found.
Thankfully, after that, it was time to get out of there. Jason took this picture as we were climbing back out of the pyramid. I normally don't allow pictures of me to be taken at this angle, but I had little choice.
When we got out of the red pyramid, we all cooled off and had some water before climbing down the stairs to the ground. When we got to our taxi, a guy and a girl from Russia were waiting for us. They asked if they could share our taxi back to Cairo. They explained that they are archaeologists at Giza and had walked from Sakkara to Dahshur (!!! a long walk in the desert!!!), where they wandered too near a military base and were escorted to the Red Pyramid by the military guys. We explained that we weren't going back to the city yet, and told them they could go with us to the next pyramid and then accompany us home. It was weird, but we had some interesting conversations with them.
The last pyramid we visited that day was the Bent Pyramid.
The same pharoah who built the red pyramid started this one at an angle that was too steep. The pyramid began to collapse, so they finished the pyramid at a gentler angle. This pyramid has a lot of its smooth covering intact, so you can imagine better what the pyramids looked like thousands of years ago.
Our first order of business here was to stop and have lunch. PB&J hits the spot every time.
It's what real explorers eat.
Then, Luke declared he had to go to the bathroom. Jason took him to find a place in the desert... when you gotta go, you gotta go... and I, thankful for the lack of crowds, was hoping they would be discreet. Not Luke. He finished and came running across the sand, shouting, "MOMMY!! I WET THE SAND!! I WET THE SAND!! COME LOOK!!"
Business done, Luke and Jason went to check out the pyramid. Here's George Bailey and son:
Apparently I gave birth to a mountain goat, because all Luke wanted to do was climb on things. Jason let him climb on the bent pyramid a little. You can see Luke's little red shirt, but not much of the rest of him.
Luke and his Daddy are good climbing buddies.
I'm including this picture because in the background you can see a French family with their Santa hats on taking their Christmas card picture! The kids are all sitting on the camel.
Later in the week we went with Noel and Rachella to check out a restaurant overlooking the "real" pyramids. We couldn't pass up a chance to run in and say hi to the Sphinx, though. It's my favorite Egypty thing, and Luke loves it too. I also love how Egyptians say it: Sphink-us.
Here's the view from the restaurant we will take you to when you come visit us in Egypt, Mom. :)
And one last great pyramids shot to wrap up with.
On a day like that, it's great to be in Egypt.
We had this past week off from school because this week was Eid al Adha, a Muslim holiday during which Muslims remember Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael on Mt. Moriah, and God's provision when He provided the ram instead. The story is the same as the Genesis story, the son in the story is different.
The celebration involves sacrificing a sheep, camel, cow, or similar animal and then feasting afterward. One of the important parts of Islam is providing for the poor, so half of the meat is usually given away.
We know friends and neighbors who have been to watch the actual sacrifices, but we chose to hole up in the apartment, instead.
Sacrifice Day was Monday, and the feasting and celebrating was supposed to conclude on Wednesday. We figured it was safe to go out again on Tuesday - when I say safe, I just mean we probably would be spared the gore and blood - so we hired a driver to take us to the lesser-known pyramids near Cairo.
We went to the Great Pyramid last September, and I was appropriately amazed, but for some reason these lesser pyramids intrigue me more. (Maybe I sympathize with them because they must be insecure, right Mom?) Anyway, the first one we visited was the Step Pyramid at Sakkara.
This type of pyramid was the earliest type of pyramid, and this is the first one in Egypt. It's basically six tombs built one on top of the other. It was supposed to have been covered (like all the pyramids were) with white limestone, and the appearance would have been smooth. The limestone was later stripped and melted down for lime.
This pyramid complex is surrounded by tombs and the mortuary temple. You can go in the tombs, which are little rooms with hieroglyphs on the walls, like these, which show different offerings brought to the noble who was entombed there:
This is the hypostyle hall (big columned area) inside the mortuary temple. The columns were different than any I've seen so far in Egypt. They are very smooth, and they are supposed to resemble bundles of papyrus.
After the Step Pyramid, we left and drove to Dahshur, where there are several more pyramids. The first one we went to is called the Red Pyramid, though it's not very red....
This pyramid was built by the same pharoah who built the next one we saw (stay tuned), and that guy experimented a lot, trying to build a smooth sided pyramid with good construction. This was the first truly successful smooth pyramid. (Again, it would've appeared smoother when it had its limestone covering. Some of that covering is actually still intact on one corner of this pyramid.)Anyway, this pyramid is cool because it's not crowded and you can get in and see everything without anyone hassling you for tips or trying to sell you souvenirs. Do you see that hole in the pyramid about halfway up? That's where you go in.
Once you get to the entrance, this guy takes your tickets and tells you when to go in.
You can see the size of the entrance there--that's how big the opening is the whole way down into the pyramid. It's a long, steeply slanted walkway with metal ribs that keep your feet from sliding down, down, down.
Jason went first, followed by Luke, and then me. As we descended, the smell of ammonia strengthened, and by the time we reached the bottom it smelled like a cat box that had not been cleaned out for a week or two. With multiple cats. And your face hovering inches above the litter. Pretty nasty. Apparently bats live in the pyramid.Jason's editorial note: he doesn't think the smell is nearly as bad as I do. But this is my blog. ;)
Being inside the pyramid is a creepy experience to me. Never mind the bats. I get a little panicky in the closed passageway and do better once I reach the bottom and can stand up in the chambers down below. However, Jason kept saying to Luke, "Luke! Can you BELIEVE we're INSIDE a PYRAMID!?!" and then I began thinking about all the rock on top of us... I had to ask him to quit saying that. As long as I don't think about it, I don't freak out. But I could easily get over-anxious. Anyway, this pyramid was neater inside than the Great Pyramid, because there were several chambers we could visit. Here we are inside the first one, about to go through the passage to the second chamber.
And here is my honest reaction to being in a pyramid:
(It's hot, humid, no moving air, and again, a litter box, I tell you!) This picture was in the second chamber. Then we climbed those stairs to get to this third area, which I think was the actual tomb where human remains were found.
Thankfully, after that, it was time to get out of there. Jason took this picture as we were climbing back out of the pyramid. I normally don't allow pictures of me to be taken at this angle, but I had little choice.
When we got out of the red pyramid, we all cooled off and had some water before climbing down the stairs to the ground. When we got to our taxi, a guy and a girl from Russia were waiting for us. They asked if they could share our taxi back to Cairo. They explained that they are archaeologists at Giza and had walked from Sakkara to Dahshur (!!! a long walk in the desert!!!), where they wandered too near a military base and were escorted to the Red Pyramid by the military guys. We explained that we weren't going back to the city yet, and told them they could go with us to the next pyramid and then accompany us home. It was weird, but we had some interesting conversations with them.
The last pyramid we visited that day was the Bent Pyramid.
The same pharoah who built the red pyramid started this one at an angle that was too steep. The pyramid began to collapse, so they finished the pyramid at a gentler angle. This pyramid has a lot of its smooth covering intact, so you can imagine better what the pyramids looked like thousands of years ago.Our first order of business here was to stop and have lunch. PB&J hits the spot every time.
It's what real explorers eat.Then, Luke declared he had to go to the bathroom. Jason took him to find a place in the desert... when you gotta go, you gotta go... and I, thankful for the lack of crowds, was hoping they would be discreet. Not Luke. He finished and came running across the sand, shouting, "MOMMY!! I WET THE SAND!! I WET THE SAND!! COME LOOK!!"
Business done, Luke and Jason went to check out the pyramid. Here's George Bailey and son:
Apparently I gave birth to a mountain goat, because all Luke wanted to do was climb on things. Jason let him climb on the bent pyramid a little. You can see Luke's little red shirt, but not much of the rest of him.
Luke and his Daddy are good climbing buddies.
I'm including this picture because in the background you can see a French family with their Santa hats on taking their Christmas card picture! The kids are all sitting on the camel.
Later in the week we went with Noel and Rachella to check out a restaurant overlooking the "real" pyramids. We couldn't pass up a chance to run in and say hi to the Sphinx, though. It's my favorite Egypty thing, and Luke loves it too. I also love how Egyptians say it: Sphink-us.
Here's the view from the restaurant we will take you to when you come visit us in Egypt, Mom. :)
And one last great pyramids shot to wrap up with.
On a day like that, it's great to be in Egypt.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Christmas Preparations
Here are the Thanksgiving pictures I kept meaning to post. First, our feast. 
We feasted and feasted till we could feast no more, and then we had leftovers for nearly a week. It was a beautiful thing! Our food was so delicious and we had a wonderful, relaxed day with the Simons.
Because we are coming home in 10 days (WOO HOO!!!) and will celebrate Christmas with our family, we don't decorate a real tree here in Cairo. However, I'm always looking for a project to do (which is why being an art teacher is great for me), so we created a Christmas tree out of our handprints to hang on the wall.
Even Jason participated (He was given no choice.) and so the tree is all three of our handprints. 
The next night, Luke and I painted ornaments, and the next night, we cut them out and stuck them to the tree. Here's our finished product.
We have a DVD with several Christmas specials on it, including the Grinch. We watched it for the first time just over a week ago. Luke was initially terrified of the Grinch. We were snuggled on the couch watching. He had his hands over his ears and was all balled up and trembling! I actually stopped the DVD and told him the rest of the story so he wouldn't be scared. Then I gave him the option to turn it off and not watch any more, but he wanted to watch. Ever since then he has begged to watch it over and over, and he LOVES pretending to be the Grinch. He taps his fingers in that Grinchy way, recites the lines of the story and the lines the Grinch says. He practices his Grinch faces in the mirror, too!
This is his Grinch face when the Grinch gets a "wonderful, awful idea":
So you can see, we are ready for Christmas! We've got 5 more days of school, and then it will be almost time to come home! Can't wait.
We feasted and feasted till we could feast no more, and then we had leftovers for nearly a week. It was a beautiful thing! Our food was so delicious and we had a wonderful, relaxed day with the Simons.
Because we are coming home in 10 days (WOO HOO!!!) and will celebrate Christmas with our family, we don't decorate a real tree here in Cairo. However, I'm always looking for a project to do (which is why being an art teacher is great for me), so we created a Christmas tree out of our handprints to hang on the wall.
Even Jason participated (He was given no choice.) and so the tree is all three of our handprints. 
The next night, Luke and I painted ornaments, and the next night, we cut them out and stuck them to the tree. Here's our finished product.
We have a DVD with several Christmas specials on it, including the Grinch. We watched it for the first time just over a week ago. Luke was initially terrified of the Grinch. We were snuggled on the couch watching. He had his hands over his ears and was all balled up and trembling! I actually stopped the DVD and told him the rest of the story so he wouldn't be scared. Then I gave him the option to turn it off and not watch any more, but he wanted to watch. Ever since then he has begged to watch it over and over, and he LOVES pretending to be the Grinch. He taps his fingers in that Grinchy way, recites the lines of the story and the lines the Grinch says. He practices his Grinch faces in the mirror, too!
This is his Grinch face when the Grinch gets a "wonderful, awful idea":
So you can see, we are ready for Christmas! We've got 5 more days of school, and then it will be almost time to come home! Can't wait.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Christmas Shopping for Little Billy's SIDS Support
Just a quick request for those of you who shop online for Christmas presents. (And if you don't shop online, maybe you could this year to help out a wonderful cause.) If you do your shopping through GiveBackAmerica.org, you can select a charity of your choice to receive a portion of what you spent. This benefit comes at no extra cost to you. Many of the biggest online retailers participate, like Wal-Mart, Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Expedia, and many more. Clothing stores like Gap, Old Navy, Motherhood Maternity, and Land's End are there too.
This Christmas, please consider shopping through GiveBackAmerica.org and choose Little Billy's SIDS Support as your charity. Each retailer gives a different percentage of your purchase to Little Billy's SIDS Support, and every little bit counts.
Cheryl sent an email just last week telling about a sweet family in D/FW who lost their daughter to SIDS the day after littlebilly.org was launched. Cheryl and Bill were able to visit with that family and offer hope and comfort to them as they grieve. They would like to be able to support these families financially, as well.
So if you are going to shop from these stores anyway, why not take ONE teensy extra step and go through GiveBackAmerica.org? To see the list of retailers or to shop, click here.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thanksgiving
Ok, I'm a day late on this post! Sorry - but we had to WORK on THANKSGIVING at the AMERICAN International School! We didn't even get to leave a little early, though it was a half-day for students and staff development for teachers, so that was pretty nice. Luke didn't have school on Thanksgiving, but Leni forgot and took him over there anyway! Oh well, at least they got out of the house for a while.
Luke came home Wednesday with his Indian feather hat, singing this cute little song his teacher taught him:
Last night we had our life group families over for a Thanksgiving pot-luck. We had just the right amount of delicious food! The kids played together so well, and the grown-ups had lots of time to talk and get to know one another. I think it was a great thing for our group.
I have to brag a little on Luke. In all my years of babysitting and watching kids, I have never seen a child so willingly share his toys the way Luke did last night. Keep in mind we don't have friends with little kids, so he pretty much gets his toys all to himself all the time. He rarely has to share anything with another child, so I was a little worried about how he would handle having six other children in the house playing with all his things. We talked briefly beforehand about sharing, but maybe for only a minute or so. Not ONCE did he complain or worry about the kids playing with his things. I was, frankly, surprised, and very proud!
Here's Gabe playing in the Mustang (which was a BIG hit with ALL the boys!)
Naomi, Paige, and Micah playing with the school house:
Luke and Janaea playing pirate ship on his bed:
And here's sweet Landon with his daddy:
I think Janaea is Luke's favorite friend. When I asked him what he was thankful for today, he said, "Janaea. She's my good friend." I am so thankful he has kids to play with!
Today we're having Thanksgiving with the Simons. We had a FABULOSO breakfast this morning that Noel and Rachella made. Biscuits, eggs, SAUSAGE gravy, BACON, all goodness. Pork is not readily available here, so that was the first bacon and sausage I've had since August. YUM.
This afternoon we're having real Thanksgiving dinner with all the right stuff...except I think we forgot cranberry sauce. :( That's one of my favorite things, but at least I can get some at Christmas.
I found a recipe for school cafeteria rolls on the internet and tried that this year. They are not as tall and pretty as cafeteria rolls, though, and I'm not sure where I went wrong (the pan, my oven, the recipe). They taste and look more like the cafeteria spoon bread at North Ridge.
Here they are before baking:
The best part about these rolls is that I used some of the dough and turned them into cinnamon rolls. DELICIOUS (Thanks, Anne Marie!). Jason nearly ate the whole pan of them before I had to get him to stop!
I'll take pictures later today and add pictures of our obscenely large feast for five people. :) Happy Thanksgiving!
Luke came home Wednesday with his Indian feather hat, singing this cute little song his teacher taught him:
Last night we had our life group families over for a Thanksgiving pot-luck. We had just the right amount of delicious food! The kids played together so well, and the grown-ups had lots of time to talk and get to know one another. I think it was a great thing for our group.
I have to brag a little on Luke. In all my years of babysitting and watching kids, I have never seen a child so willingly share his toys the way Luke did last night. Keep in mind we don't have friends with little kids, so he pretty much gets his toys all to himself all the time. He rarely has to share anything with another child, so I was a little worried about how he would handle having six other children in the house playing with all his things. We talked briefly beforehand about sharing, but maybe for only a minute or so. Not ONCE did he complain or worry about the kids playing with his things. I was, frankly, surprised, and very proud!
Here's Gabe playing in the Mustang (which was a BIG hit with ALL the boys!)
Naomi, Paige, and Micah playing with the school house:
Luke and Janaea playing pirate ship on his bed:
And here's sweet Landon with his daddy:
I think Janaea is Luke's favorite friend. When I asked him what he was thankful for today, he said, "Janaea. She's my good friend." I am so thankful he has kids to play with!
Today we're having Thanksgiving with the Simons. We had a FABULOSO breakfast this morning that Noel and Rachella made. Biscuits, eggs, SAUSAGE gravy, BACON, all goodness. Pork is not readily available here, so that was the first bacon and sausage I've had since August. YUM.
This afternoon we're having real Thanksgiving dinner with all the right stuff...except I think we forgot cranberry sauce. :( That's one of my favorite things, but at least I can get some at Christmas.
I found a recipe for school cafeteria rolls on the internet and tried that this year. They are not as tall and pretty as cafeteria rolls, though, and I'm not sure where I went wrong (the pan, my oven, the recipe). They taste and look more like the cafeteria spoon bread at North Ridge.
Here they are before baking:
The best part about these rolls is that I used some of the dough and turned them into cinnamon rolls. DELICIOUS (Thanks, Anne Marie!). Jason nearly ate the whole pan of them before I had to get him to stop!
I'll take pictures later today and add pictures of our obscenely large feast for five people. :) Happy Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Plans
"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Here are our short- and long-term plans, for those who are curious:
Tonight: watch TV, go to bed early. :)
This week: survive till Thursday night, when our life group from church is coming over for a pot-luck at our house. (What was I thinking? I am the only working (outside the home) woman in the group and I volunteered my house?)
Thanksgiving: We are celebrating Thanksgiving on Friday with the Simons. It's an all-day program. Breakfast at their house, dinner at ours. We've divvied up the food and we're all excited to gorge ourselves! We have a TWENTY POUND turkey. Jason can't wait to cook it. I can't wait to use the pecans I got for my birthday (and have been hoarding in the freezer) to make delicious pecan pie!! We already have a lineup of movies to watch as we laze around on the couches after dinner. Yipee! I love turkey day! The only thing that would improve it would be FAMILY and FOOTBALL.
Week off in December: We have the week of the 7th-13th off in December. We had plans to travel, but have decided to stay in Cairo instead. Luke has asked to go to the pyramids again, so we will probably do that. We may do some other Cairo things we haven't done yet, too.
Christmas: We will only be home for ten days. We're going to try to make it to all our traditional Christmas activities, but then I plan to be really devoted to family time. I want to see everyone I can, but the reality is that those ten days are going to go way too fast, and I want my family to spend as much time with Luke as they want to during that time. I hope our friends will understand if we don't get to see everyone. You all mean so much to us, and we appreciate those of you who read and keep up with us through this blog, our facebook pages, and email. We hope you won't be disappointed if we miss you this trip.
January: There is a job fair for international teachers in Bangkok. We plan to go to that and see what jobs are out there. We are not sure yet that it is time for us to leave Egypt, nor are we sure we should stay another year. We are trying to do our part to follow God's leading. We're keeping our options open and having faith that we will know what the right choice will be when the time comes. We will keep you posted on what happens as it happens.
So, as you can see, the next few months hold lots of exciting and wonderful plans for us. Please pray with us that God will show us His plan, and that we will be ready to jump on board and be a part of it.
Here are our short- and long-term plans, for those who are curious:
Tonight: watch TV, go to bed early. :)
This week: survive till Thursday night, when our life group from church is coming over for a pot-luck at our house. (What was I thinking? I am the only working (outside the home) woman in the group and I volunteered my house?)
Thanksgiving: We are celebrating Thanksgiving on Friday with the Simons. It's an all-day program. Breakfast at their house, dinner at ours. We've divvied up the food and we're all excited to gorge ourselves! We have a TWENTY POUND turkey. Jason can't wait to cook it. I can't wait to use the pecans I got for my birthday (and have been hoarding in the freezer) to make delicious pecan pie!! We already have a lineup of movies to watch as we laze around on the couches after dinner. Yipee! I love turkey day! The only thing that would improve it would be FAMILY and FOOTBALL.
Week off in December: We have the week of the 7th-13th off in December. We had plans to travel, but have decided to stay in Cairo instead. Luke has asked to go to the pyramids again, so we will probably do that. We may do some other Cairo things we haven't done yet, too.
Christmas: We will only be home for ten days. We're going to try to make it to all our traditional Christmas activities, but then I plan to be really devoted to family time. I want to see everyone I can, but the reality is that those ten days are going to go way too fast, and I want my family to spend as much time with Luke as they want to during that time. I hope our friends will understand if we don't get to see everyone. You all mean so much to us, and we appreciate those of you who read and keep up with us through this blog, our facebook pages, and email. We hope you won't be disappointed if we miss you this trip.
January: There is a job fair for international teachers in Bangkok. We plan to go to that and see what jobs are out there. We are not sure yet that it is time for us to leave Egypt, nor are we sure we should stay another year. We are trying to do our part to follow God's leading. We're keeping our options open and having faith that we will know what the right choice will be when the time comes. We will keep you posted on what happens as it happens.
So, as you can see, the next few months hold lots of exciting and wonderful plans for us. Please pray with us that God will show us His plan, and that we will be ready to jump on board and be a part of it.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Reflection
Ten Not-so-nice Truths about me: (this started as FIVE but there are too many)
Ten Nicer Truths About Me: (These were harder to come up with than those above.)
I am so flawed. So not perfect, no matter how hard I try to appear to be. But I believe God. I believe He loves me, He sent Jesus to redeem me, He continues to forgive me, to teach me, discipline me, and draw me nearer to Him. I pray for a life that is right with God.
*one exception duly noted
- I bite my fingernails.
- I twist my hair even though my Daddy has been telling me to stop for years.
- I am very selfish and think of myself first before others.
- I judge others too harshly and myself not enough. I am very black and white and have little compassion.
- I forget to pray a lot. When I pray, I forget to listen and spend most of the time telling God what I want.
- I would rather be by myself with a book than with people most of the time.
- I have zero self-control where chocolate and cookie dough are concerned.
- I am lazy about keeping in touch with people, even people I care about deeply.
- I deal daily with depression, take medicine for it (most of the time), and cycle through periods when I think I can "do it myself" without the medicine, even though I know I can't.
- Every single month I hope we will miraculously get pregnant without needing infertility treatments, and every single month there is a part of me that is disappointed that we haven't.
Ten Nicer Truths About Me: (These were harder to come up with than those above.)
- I am a good mom. I love Luke and thank God for him every single day, and I try to take nothing for granted.
- I am still Jason's best friend, and he is still mine.
- I make really good desserts (homemade peach cobbler, apple crisp, cookies, chocolate butter roll...yum! I am getting hungry now!) and Very Delicious Pizza!
- I am still a good teacher. (Yes, I did fear I'd lost my touch.) Last week for parent/teacher conferences, I had one mom whose little girl gave her WRITTEN instructions on how to get to my room and informed her that she MUST go meet the art teacher because art is her favorite class!
- I love my friends with all my heart. I am not always good at corresponding, but I have a best friend from every season of my life and am thankful for each one.
- I am a good daughter. Even though my parents aren't happy about us living so far away from home, I still live each day with the thought that I want to make them proud. I remember who I am, Daddy.
- I am creative.
- I am not too old to be goofy and silly and dance crazy. Hopefully I will never grow out of it.
- I am a good judge of character.*
- When God looks at me, he doesn't see those ten not-so-nice things (and the hundreds more I did not share). He sees my belief in Him and credits it to me as righteousness. Not because of anything I have done, or because of who I am, or because of what I say or write. But because I believe in Jesus.
I am so flawed. So not perfect, no matter how hard I try to appear to be. But I believe God. I believe He loves me, He sent Jesus to redeem me, He continues to forgive me, to teach me, discipline me, and draw me nearer to Him. I pray for a life that is right with God.
*one exception duly noted
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Great Weekend
This weekend was good. The weather in Cairo has turned cooler. Not cold yet, but cool enough to wear jeans and not sweat. The days, when they are not polluted, are beautiful right now. Here's how we spent our weekend:
Our life group from church meets Thursday nights, so that's how we started off. Leni went with us. I was hoping that she might find a friend in the Filipina lady who keeps the kids at the Bible study, but I am not sure how that is working out... Anyway, she went and stayed with Luke and the other kids while we went and had our study. There are four couples, all very nice, all American, and we meet on the roof of their building. (For now - soon it will be too cold.) We're starting a four-week study called The Abundant Marriage.
Friday morning I got up with Luke. We had an extended movie-watching time together. (He watched, I dozed. He's waking up at 6:30 nowadays. Ugh!) Then we all got dressed and went to the 11:15 service at church. The youth pastor preached, and he is a very gifted teacher. After church, we decided to head to Kimo Market and have some sandwiches made. We took the sandwiches, some drinks, and a big bag of Doritos (a treat) to the ballpark and had a picnic while we watched the AIS girls' softball team play. Luke got to play on the playground, Jason and I got to catch up with some friends, and I enjoyed being outside, feeling comfortable, and enjoying the beautiful day. By the way, Meg - those Doritos were the best ones I've had since the bag we had on New Year's Eve 2000!!
We spent the evening together at home. Then today I had my ladies' Bible study, which I enjoy so much. I have only discovered as an adult how wonderful it is to have GIRL friends - I've always had more guy friends -- but now I think they're indispensible! This group of girls is so caring, fun, and genuine. I only wish we'd all gotten together and started this group LAST year. But God's timing is perfect, and I am thankful to have them now.
This afternoon the family just hung around the house. I got my first two scrapbook pages made that I've made in at least a month and a half--maybe longer. I think I like them... maybe I will get around to taking pictures of them and posting them sooner or later.
Luke and Jason had all kinds of fun together this weekend. They had their weekly father/son breakfast of eggs and toast. Then they built an "awesome track," which is what we call a track we make using all his train track pieces. It's the greatest one ever made in the Deutsch house to date. They also built a tent and played cars inside. They danced to music together. And before bed, Jason has started saying The Lord's Prayer with Luke. Jason is so wonderful with him.
Luke informed us however that I am his best friend, and Daddy is his "wrestling friend." I do have to admit that I coach him a little bit on the best friend thing... :)
I made a horrible dinner tonight of chicken foldovers - puff pastry with chicken, mushroom soup, peas and carrots inside. Except in Cairo I can't get mushroom soup for less than $4 a can (so I refuse to buy it) and I couldn't find puff pastry, so I made do with a Phyllo dough type product. The carton told me to put it on an UNGREASED baking pan. I will never follow that direction on any recipe again! I have layer upon layer of caked on dough in my pan. Oh well, Jason redeemed the night for us. After my frustration with the chicken, he asked, "What can I do to make you happy?" Initially I said "just eat your dinner." After further thought, I said, "Make me some snickerdoodles." He's never made them before, but he is quite a pro at peanut butter cookies. So I printed out a recipe and they were the BEST snickerdoodles EVER. I could've eaten 40 of them but very heroically stopped myself after 5 or 6!!
So that was it... later I will write more about LAST weekend, when I got to go away to the Red Sea with the ladies from my Bible study, but I am waiting for some super-cute pictures from one of my friends to go with that post.
TTFN!
Our life group from church meets Thursday nights, so that's how we started off. Leni went with us. I was hoping that she might find a friend in the Filipina lady who keeps the kids at the Bible study, but I am not sure how that is working out... Anyway, she went and stayed with Luke and the other kids while we went and had our study. There are four couples, all very nice, all American, and we meet on the roof of their building. (For now - soon it will be too cold.) We're starting a four-week study called The Abundant Marriage.
Friday morning I got up with Luke. We had an extended movie-watching time together. (He watched, I dozed. He's waking up at 6:30 nowadays. Ugh!) Then we all got dressed and went to the 11:15 service at church. The youth pastor preached, and he is a very gifted teacher. After church, we decided to head to Kimo Market and have some sandwiches made. We took the sandwiches, some drinks, and a big bag of Doritos (a treat) to the ballpark and had a picnic while we watched the AIS girls' softball team play. Luke got to play on the playground, Jason and I got to catch up with some friends, and I enjoyed being outside, feeling comfortable, and enjoying the beautiful day. By the way, Meg - those Doritos were the best ones I've had since the bag we had on New Year's Eve 2000!!
We spent the evening together at home. Then today I had my ladies' Bible study, which I enjoy so much. I have only discovered as an adult how wonderful it is to have GIRL friends - I've always had more guy friends -- but now I think they're indispensible! This group of girls is so caring, fun, and genuine. I only wish we'd all gotten together and started this group LAST year. But God's timing is perfect, and I am thankful to have them now.
This afternoon the family just hung around the house. I got my first two scrapbook pages made that I've made in at least a month and a half--maybe longer. I think I like them... maybe I will get around to taking pictures of them and posting them sooner or later.
Luke and Jason had all kinds of fun together this weekend. They had their weekly father/son breakfast of eggs and toast. Then they built an "awesome track," which is what we call a track we make using all his train track pieces. It's the greatest one ever made in the Deutsch house to date. They also built a tent and played cars inside. They danced to music together. And before bed, Jason has started saying The Lord's Prayer with Luke. Jason is so wonderful with him.
Luke informed us however that I am his best friend, and Daddy is his "wrestling friend." I do have to admit that I coach him a little bit on the best friend thing... :)
I made a horrible dinner tonight of chicken foldovers - puff pastry with chicken, mushroom soup, peas and carrots inside. Except in Cairo I can't get mushroom soup for less than $4 a can (so I refuse to buy it) and I couldn't find puff pastry, so I made do with a Phyllo dough type product. The carton told me to put it on an UNGREASED baking pan. I will never follow that direction on any recipe again! I have layer upon layer of caked on dough in my pan. Oh well, Jason redeemed the night for us. After my frustration with the chicken, he asked, "What can I do to make you happy?" Initially I said "just eat your dinner." After further thought, I said, "Make me some snickerdoodles." He's never made them before, but he is quite a pro at peanut butter cookies. So I printed out a recipe and they were the BEST snickerdoodles EVER. I could've eaten 40 of them but very heroically stopped myself after 5 or 6!!
So that was it... later I will write more about LAST weekend, when I got to go away to the Red Sea with the ladies from my Bible study, but I am waiting for some super-cute pictures from one of my friends to go with that post.
TTFN!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
What a Wonderful World
An early birthday present for Mimi - some of Luke's best singing.
Yes, that was "bright blessed day, and dark separate night."
And this one is, "Someone's spraying, Lord, in my eye."
That's what you get when you leave a 3-year old to learn "Kumbaya" by listening to it on a CD!
Yes, that was "bright blessed day, and dark separate night."
And this one is, "Someone's spraying, Lord, in my eye."
That's what you get when you leave a 3-year old to learn "Kumbaya" by listening to it on a CD!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Little Billy's SIDS Support
One year ago today, William Thomas Darnell, Jr. was born to two of my best friends, Bill and Cheryl Darnell. He was a healthy, beautiful, joyful little boy, loved so much by his parents and big sister Avery. On March 29, Little Billy died of SIDS. This loss has been devastating to Bill and Cheryl and all who know and love them. However, God is good. In the process of healing, God has led the Darnells to begin a nonprofit organization, Little Billy's SIDS Support, to help other families who experience the tragic loss of a child due to SIDS. Their website is up and running today, and they're beginning a 149 day campaign to raise $1.49 million. Will you take a few minutes to go to littlebilly.org and read their stories? Please consider giving, too, as we approach the holiday season and you choose charities to support. And, please continue to pray for the Darnells today on Billy's birthday and in the days ahead.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween!!
Halloween in Cairo is really not a big deal, except the kids dress up at school. I think the American school in Maadi has a trick-or-treat time, but we don't get to go to that since it's not our school. Luke's school has a Halloween party, though, and the kids get to bring costumes and dress up at school. The teachers change the kids into their costumes, so I always try to keep it simple for them. This summer Mimi made Luke a pirate hat, so he was a pirate this year for Halloween. We made him a hook out of the top of a plastic coat hanger and a sword out of cardboard. I had some fabric scraps, so he got a sash and a kerchief, too. This little outfit with the stripy top worked as his pirate clothes. I taught him a pirate joke to tell, "What's a pirate's favorite letter?"
"AARRRRRR!"
He loves saying "Aaar!" and "Ahoy, matey!" and pretending to be Captain Hook. I made a sword for myself and we like to have Peter Pan vs. Captain Hook fights, using his bed as the pirate ship. It's lots of fun!
At our school, the kids get to dress up all day, which makes for a fun day for teachers... I (very intelligently) scheduled my OBSERVATION for Thursday - smart. The kids were wonderful, though, not too distracted by each other's costumes, and everything went well. We did a super-cool lesson using 3-D glasses to learn about warm and cool colors. It was great.
That's about it for our Halloween here--not too exciting. Now we have to figure out Thanksgiving and where we are going to get a turkey at a reasonable price. I brought pecans back from home so we can have pecan pie, and I am insisting that we have rice this year with our turkey - last year it was mashed potatoes, and so this year it's my turn to have my traditional food! We will do our "traditional" dinner with our friends here (Can 2 years be a tradition? I guess in the transient world of international teacher it can be...) at our house. I am already looking forward to cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, yummmmm...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
I don't seem to have as much to say this year... Why is that? Oh, yes. I am working!! I could go on forever each day about the daily joys and frustrations of teaching, but those are the just about the same no matter which continent you are on, so I don't want to bore you with that. I don't spend as much time musing and writing as I did last year. Instead I plan lessons and clean watercolor and chalk pastel dust out from underneath my fingernails. Still loving the job - the kids are mostly sweet - but there are several challenging classes that bring me back to reality and make me remember that I am actually teaching and not just playing! I am having a great time creating sample pieces of art to show the kids and just trying to stay one lesson ahead as far as that goes. Even though I have a lot of prep time, I definitely use it all each day.
Now, on to some other things I want to share.
We have been going to church here at Maadi Community Church ever since we moved here. The church has been in a transition period since before we got here - the pastor died unexpectedly and tragically about a year before we came, and one of the associate pastors served as interim all last year, until the new pastor was hired and came in June. Many of the other staff members have gone on to other places. However, the church has still been a place of peace and joy for us during our time here.
I have always served on a worship team or in a choir in every church I've been a member of. I love being a part of leading worship and feel called to do so. I auditioned last year for the worship team here and strangely never heard anything one way or the other. I also never called to ask the results...probably too afraid to hear something that would make me cry... but when kick off week rolled around this year I decided to sign up again and audition again. Long story short, I auditioned two weeks ago and am singing on the worship team this weekend. I am so happy and excited about it. Here is a short video clip of our church's worship time. I love the man who plays bongos. I met him for the first time the night I auditioned and told him what joy I felt when watching him play and worship. He said something like, "When I am up there, I just try to make God smile." What a great attitude to have about all parts of our lives. Watch him here, and see if YOU don't smile!
Another great thing that has finally worked out church-wise is that we are part of a "life group" now. We asked last year to be placed in one with other people with small kids so that we could make some friends here with families. (Most people who teach at our school are either single or married with no kids or grown kids.) We were placed in a group with people whose kids were our age. We decided to wait until there was a group where we fit better. Apparently lots of people started asking for the same thing (we started a trend!) and, at last, the first-ever "family" life group has been formed! We bring the kids, who stay with some sweet ladies downstairs while the parents go upstairs for Bible study. We've met three times, and already I feel like God has answered our prayers through this group. One couple there adopted three children while they lived in Hong Kong and taught at the school where Jason was offered a position two years ago - it's amazing to think that we would have met them either way, whether we accepted that job or this one. We are so blessed to know these neat people, and Luke is enjoying his new group of friends, too.
The third wonderful thing is that some ladies at my school are getting together on Saturday mornings for a Bible study/prayer time. There are seven of us altogether, and it has been SO wonderful to share that time with them. We're studying Romans together.
I had asked God for these three things last year - a chance to serve on the worship team, a home group study for our family, and a ladies' study for me - and all these prayers have been answered this year. I wonder why I had to wait a year - but am grateful and thrilled to have these opportunities to serve God and love others. I've wondered why we were sent to Egypt, and I'm still not sure. When we were in Hong Kong we did the Experiencing God study, and it says, "'What is God's will for my life?'" is not the right question. I think the proper question is, What is God's will? Once I know God's will, then I can adjust my life to Him. In other words, what is it God is purposing to accomplish where I am? Once I know what God is doing, then I know what I need to do. The focus needs to be on God, not on my life." God is working here in Egypt. During the remainder of the time He's given us here, I want to be right where He wants me. Please remember us in your prayers - thanking God that He has given us a church home here and avenues to be involved, and asking for Him to help us see what He would have us do here.
Isaiah 19:1, 19-25
1 An oracle concerning Egypt:
See, the LORD rides on a swift cloud
and is coming to Egypt.
The idols of Egypt tremble before him,
and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them.
19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border. 20 It will be a sign and witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. 21 So the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and keep them. 22 The LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them.
Now, on to some other things I want to share.
We have been going to church here at Maadi Community Church ever since we moved here. The church has been in a transition period since before we got here - the pastor died unexpectedly and tragically about a year before we came, and one of the associate pastors served as interim all last year, until the new pastor was hired and came in June. Many of the other staff members have gone on to other places. However, the church has still been a place of peace and joy for us during our time here.
I have always served on a worship team or in a choir in every church I've been a member of. I love being a part of leading worship and feel called to do so. I auditioned last year for the worship team here and strangely never heard anything one way or the other. I also never called to ask the results...probably too afraid to hear something that would make me cry... but when kick off week rolled around this year I decided to sign up again and audition again. Long story short, I auditioned two weeks ago and am singing on the worship team this weekend. I am so happy and excited about it. Here is a short video clip of our church's worship time. I love the man who plays bongos. I met him for the first time the night I auditioned and told him what joy I felt when watching him play and worship. He said something like, "When I am up there, I just try to make God smile." What a great attitude to have about all parts of our lives. Watch him here, and see if YOU don't smile!
Another great thing that has finally worked out church-wise is that we are part of a "life group" now. We asked last year to be placed in one with other people with small kids so that we could make some friends here with families. (Most people who teach at our school are either single or married with no kids or grown kids.) We were placed in a group with people whose kids were our age. We decided to wait until there was a group where we fit better. Apparently lots of people started asking for the same thing (we started a trend!) and, at last, the first-ever "family" life group has been formed! We bring the kids, who stay with some sweet ladies downstairs while the parents go upstairs for Bible study. We've met three times, and already I feel like God has answered our prayers through this group. One couple there adopted three children while they lived in Hong Kong and taught at the school where Jason was offered a position two years ago - it's amazing to think that we would have met them either way, whether we accepted that job or this one. We are so blessed to know these neat people, and Luke is enjoying his new group of friends, too.
The third wonderful thing is that some ladies at my school are getting together on Saturday mornings for a Bible study/prayer time. There are seven of us altogether, and it has been SO wonderful to share that time with them. We're studying Romans together.
I had asked God for these three things last year - a chance to serve on the worship team, a home group study for our family, and a ladies' study for me - and all these prayers have been answered this year. I wonder why I had to wait a year - but am grateful and thrilled to have these opportunities to serve God and love others. I've wondered why we were sent to Egypt, and I'm still not sure. When we were in Hong Kong we did the Experiencing God study, and it says, "'What is God's will for my life?'" is not the right question. I think the proper question is, What is God's will? Once I know God's will, then I can adjust my life to Him. In other words, what is it God is purposing to accomplish where I am? Once I know what God is doing, then I know what I need to do. The focus needs to be on God, not on my life." God is working here in Egypt. During the remainder of the time He's given us here, I want to be right where He wants me. Please remember us in your prayers - thanking God that He has given us a church home here and avenues to be involved, and asking for Him to help us see what He would have us do here.
Isaiah 19:1, 19-25
1 An oracle concerning Egypt:
See, the LORD rides on a swift cloud
and is coming to Egypt.
The idols of Egypt tremble before him,
and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them.
19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border. 20 It will be a sign and witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. 21 So the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and keep them. 22 The LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them.
23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. 24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. 25 The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."
Sunday, October 12, 2008
My Husband's an All Star!
So first of all, I have to brag! Jason has played softball with the AIS men's softball team the last 2 school years. This season he has hit several home runs, played short stop, and made some awesome plays (some of which I've gotten to see myself). Last weekend he was asked to be the team's representative to the league's all star game! I'm so proud of him!
That made me start to think of some other ways Jason is an All Star. Here are just a few (in no particular order):
I love you, Jason!
That made me start to think of some other ways Jason is an All Star. Here are just a few (in no particular order):
- He is one of the most giving, unselfish people I know. He thinks of Luke and me before himself, and does it so well and without thinking that I take it for granted sometimes.
- We've dealt with a lot of difficult situations in our marriage that a lot of people don't get dealt over the course of a lifetime--and Jason has handled himself with such grace and integrity. He has been my rock and my best friend.
- He seeks God's will for our lives and is very firm in his belief that the Lord will lead, guide, and protect us.
- He's an amazing Daddy. He is so playful with Luke. They have such a great time wrestling, goofing around, and playing their special games. I love to watch them together. Jason has put together a playlist of fun music that Luke loves (it includes those songs he was dancing to in the videos and a few more) and it's a hoot to watch them boogie together.
- He balances me out and handles me very well--sometimes I am a real mess, and Jason is sensitive and compassionate when I am depressed, helps me get back on my feet when I've hit rock bottom, makes me laugh daily, and remains my best friend in all the world.
- He fully embraced me staying home with Luke the last three years, and has been so excited since I've returned to work, not just because of the two incomes, but because he gets to share AIS with me. I love going to work with him every day. Riding next to him on the school bus is second best only to the big hug I get from Luke when we get home in the afternoon. (Third would be Luke sending us out the door every morning with a "Have a great day, guys! See you this afternoon!")
I love you, Jason!
Monday, October 6, 2008
A Trip to Dahab
Our last day of school last week was Monday. Having Tuesday off was a welcome surprise--has to do with the moon and when the end of Ramadan is--so we enjoyed a relaxing day before we flew out to Dahab. We left Tuesday night and flew from Cairo to Sharm-el-Sheikh (a popular tourist destination--very developed compared to Dahab), and then rode in a hotel van from Sharm to Dahab. Dahab is a town on the eastern coast of the Sinai Peninsula. Still part of Egypt, but not far at all from Saudi Arabia. Jason went there last spring with teachers from school, and a bunch of teachers went there this week for our end of Ramadan vacation.
It was 1 AM when we arrived, so we checked in to our room and went to the hotel restaurant, where we ordered some pizzas to go. We gobbled them up, and then headed off to bed.
The next morning we could really see everything. The outside of our hotel was so cool. There's a restaurant between the hotel and the sea, where they serve breakfast (part of the deal) and all other meals, too. There are no chairs, just cushions and rugs and low tables. Very relaxed, mostly comfortable, and good food. Tough to get Luke to sit still during a meal, though...but that's even tough at a table and chairs.
The hotels in Dahab are all in a strip several miles long. We were pretty much at one end, and most of the AIS teachers were at the other, so we really didn't interact too much with other teachers, except for our Cairo "family," the Simons. We had breakfast with them in the mornings, did our own things during the days, and met back up at night.
Our goal during this trip was to teach Luke to snorkel. Since Jason is a much better teacher at this type of thing than I am, I left him to it. I took the pictures and read a (bad) book on the beach while Jason and Luke swam and learned to use the mask and snorkel. Luke did okay, and was super excited when he saw a few fish. Later in the vacation, the three of us went together to a place called the Blue Hole, which is a deep hole (couldn't see the bottom) in the sea, surprisingly near the shore, surrounded by reef. It looks a lot like the dropoff in Nemo, and the whole thing is maybe about half the size of a football field. All three of us snorkeled together there. One of the sweetest moments ever was when Jason told Luke to make sure to point out the fish he saw to me. I loved watching his excited little finger pointing to all different kinds of fish and hearing him try to talk through his snorkel! Overall, the snorkeling effort was mildly successful. Luke could go for about 10 minutes before he got frustrated with the mask and was ready to get out. After a short rest, he was ready to go again. I wouldn't trade those 10-15 minutes for anything, though. He was so precious!
(The reflection on his goggles makes him look possessed...I assure you, he's not.)
Another thing we wanted to do was climb Mt. Sinai. After investigating the logistics, we discovered that it was a 12-hour trip: leave at 11 PM, drive 2 1/2 hours, climb for 3 hours, wait an hour for the sun to rise, climb down for two more hours, then drive back, arriving back to the hotel at 11 AM. Jason was pretty sure we could do this with Luke...I was more skeptical. My skepticism won out, and Luke and I stayed behind while Jason went on the trip. I didn't mind--climbing Mt. Sinai was more important to Jason than to me, anyway. Plus I took the opportunity to allow Luke to veg out in the morning and watch Sesame Street podcasts on my computer (Don't know about those? They're free from iTunes! Download 'em! They're 5 minutes each. LOVE them.) while I slept in till 9! Yay!
Jason was glad he did the trek up Mt. Sinai. He said he walked up "Camel Dung Trail" to the top, and that it was pretty cold at the top waiting for sunrise. After sunrise, however, the desert sun got the back of his neck. Here are some of his pictures:
All in all, it was a very relaxed five days in Dahab. We basically ate, slept, swam, ate, and slept. I didn't get many pictures most of the week because there are only so many pictures of people sitting around eating one can take! However, once the camera is in Jason's hands, magic happens! Here are some of the great shots he got the last day. I don't know which one I like better, this one:
or this one:
Both are pure Luke.
Then there's this one, which is NOT so magical.
(I include this one ONLY because of the sheer number of FRECKLES on my face. I knew there were a lot, but WOW.)
And last, a good family shot Noel took for us. Thanks, Noel!
It was 1 AM when we arrived, so we checked in to our room and went to the hotel restaurant, where we ordered some pizzas to go. We gobbled them up, and then headed off to bed.
The next morning we could really see everything. The outside of our hotel was so cool. There's a restaurant between the hotel and the sea, where they serve breakfast (part of the deal) and all other meals, too. There are no chairs, just cushions and rugs and low tables. Very relaxed, mostly comfortable, and good food. Tough to get Luke to sit still during a meal, though...but that's even tough at a table and chairs.
Playing possum at the restaurant:
The hotels in Dahab are all in a strip several miles long. We were pretty much at one end, and most of the AIS teachers were at the other, so we really didn't interact too much with other teachers, except for our Cairo "family," the Simons. We had breakfast with them in the mornings, did our own things during the days, and met back up at night.
Our goal during this trip was to teach Luke to snorkel. Since Jason is a much better teacher at this type of thing than I am, I left him to it. I took the pictures and read a (bad) book on the beach while Jason and Luke swam and learned to use the mask and snorkel. Luke did okay, and was super excited when he saw a few fish. Later in the vacation, the three of us went together to a place called the Blue Hole, which is a deep hole (couldn't see the bottom) in the sea, surprisingly near the shore, surrounded by reef. It looks a lot like the dropoff in Nemo, and the whole thing is maybe about half the size of a football field. All three of us snorkeled together there. One of the sweetest moments ever was when Jason told Luke to make sure to point out the fish he saw to me. I loved watching his excited little finger pointing to all different kinds of fish and hearing him try to talk through his snorkel! Overall, the snorkeling effort was mildly successful. Luke could go for about 10 minutes before he got frustrated with the mask and was ready to get out. After a short rest, he was ready to go again. I wouldn't trade those 10-15 minutes for anything, though. He was so precious!
(The reflection on his goggles makes him look possessed...I assure you, he's not.)
Jason was glad he did the trek up Mt. Sinai. He said he walked up "Camel Dung Trail" to the top, and that it was pretty cold at the top waiting for sunrise. After sunrise, however, the desert sun got the back of his neck. Here are some of his pictures:
All in all, it was a very relaxed five days in Dahab. We basically ate, slept, swam, ate, and slept. I didn't get many pictures most of the week because there are only so many pictures of people sitting around eating one can take! However, once the camera is in Jason's hands, magic happens! Here are some of the great shots he got the last day. I don't know which one I like better, this one:
or this one:
Both are pure Luke.Then there's this one, which is NOT so magical.
(I include this one ONLY because of the sheer number of FRECKLES on my face. I knew there were a lot, but WOW.)And last, a good family shot Noel took for us. Thanks, Noel!
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