On the last day at the Castle I had to have a snooze by the pool - this was my view...
The Two Crazy Cats -Nick & Zack
3 years ago
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Mik & Debs Arrive for Summer Holidays
Mik & Deb arrived on 12th and were at the airport when I arrived home morning of the 13th...then we went on a whirlwind trip to Waterloo, Brugge, Amsterdam & Paris with a few at homes in between, before heading off to Rome and Tuscany for 10 days. Here are a few pics from the tour.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Mukhaizna Export Pumping Station
Here is a wee look at Mukhaizna for you - turn the sound off it's just wind.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Home in the desert
I get a lot of questions about what it is like where I work so here is a little story to give you an idea of where I am in the world, you can have a look at the map below. I am in Mukhaizna, Oman and as far as you can see in any direction, there are oil wells. It’s a huge field and the oil is very heavy and locked in the sand, so to get it out, they draw water from an aquifer, turn it into steam, re-inject it into the ground where the oil is stuck and then pump the oil to the surface. There are literally hundreds of steam injection wells, even more oil wells and quite a few waste water injection wells as well (a lot of water comes out with the oil and it is all removed and pumped back into the reservoir). Occidental Petroleum started developing the field in 2005 and it is targeted to produce 150 thousand barrels of oil a day by the end of 2012. For spending all the money and providing all the expertise, they have been granted a large cut of the profits (producing the oil only costs about $12/barrel) for 35 years. They also have to train the Omani people on how to operate the facility on their own, with a goal for them to be on their own by roughly 2020. That is the reason the company I work for (PetroSkills Competency Solutions) is providing people like me to develop all the policies and procedures for governance and knwledge assessmets as resources for a task based system for training. We now have a team of five; operators, engineers and a chemist/quality person (me). The team is led by my girlfriend Ronaye, who some of you will get to meet when we converge on Chianti Castle to celebrate my coming of age.
Everyone here is very friendly. Many of the expats work here and live somewhere else and most of them do not live in their country of origin. Many live in the Philippines,Spain and Thailand, mostly cause it is very cheap to live and also it gives them tax incentives to reside out of their own country. The Omani’s are very friendly and welcoming and if you take the effort to learn simple things like greeting them in their own language, it doesn’t take long to make friends.
So far, my closest contact with an Omani has been Yasser, who is working in our team developing standard operating procedures. The Omanis are very religious and obviously Islamic (Muslim). I have learned that there are basically three types of Muslims, Sunni, Shi’a and Sufi. The majority of the Omanis are Sufi and the majority of them try to live their life according to five basic rules:
1. "There is no God but Allah" (They don’t believe that Jesus was a god, or a devine being but a prophet. There were many prophets, starting with Adam and ending with Mohammed and all of them were nothing more than god’s messengers.)
2. They all pray five times per day (they must face toward Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed when doing so).
3. Everyone who has more than 100 rials (about 400 Australian or NZ Dollars) of disposable income at the end of a year must make a payment of alms (2.5% of a person's yearly savings) to someone poor.
4. They all must observe the practice of fasting (during the month of Ramadan [9th month of the lunar year] from dawn to sunset. All fit adult Moslems refrain from food, drinks and sexual activity, including water – even if they are in the middle of the desert. This goes on for the entire month and then they party -BIG TIME. (The greatest Moslem holiday is the Festival after the end of Ramadan and is called Eid).
5. At some point in their life, they all must make a pilgrimage to Mecca (this must be done during a special time of the year and is called the hajj).
There are over 200 million Arabic speakers in the world and the Islamic also known as Muslim religion is the largest and fastest growing one in the world. It seems to me that the philosophy of Islam is pretty much the same as Christianity, both are about one God that is supreme and being good to your fellow man and bettering the lot of human kind. Funny really when it seems so much war has been fought over religion - but this what you will hear people say and in my opinion they were/are never fought over the religion itself really it was only over territory mainly for resoures or the land itself and the religion simply defined a people that banded together.
Enough of the philosophical stuff, here you can see a map of where I am. We are right in the middle of the Omani desert and it is dry and hot and sandy as far as the eye can see.
We live in a camp here. Not in tents, but in cabins that are essentially portacoms, like the type you see on temporary construction sites. There is a mess where there is three meals a day all laid on, you just need to turn up and the food is pretty good. Laundry is also done every day I just put my bag out in the morning and it is in my room by the time I get back from work. We work 12 hours days here, so not much of the day left to do much else except read, watch a movie and go to sleep.
The most important thing I have learned here is that the toilet lid must be left down and bathroom door closed as the snakes and spiders like to come up through the sewers.
Ma’a salama (goodbye in Arabic)
.
Everyone here is very friendly. Many of the expats work here and live somewhere else and most of them do not live in their country of origin. Many live in the Philippines,Spain and Thailand, mostly cause it is very cheap to live and also it gives them tax incentives to reside out of their own country. The Omani’s are very friendly and welcoming and if you take the effort to learn simple things like greeting them in their own language, it doesn’t take long to make friends.
So far, my closest contact with an Omani has been Yasser, who is working in our team developing standard operating procedures. The Omanis are very religious and obviously Islamic (Muslim). I have learned that there are basically three types of Muslims, Sunni, Shi’a and Sufi. The majority of the Omanis are Sufi and the majority of them try to live their life according to five basic rules:
1. "There is no God but Allah" (They don’t believe that Jesus was a god, or a devine being but a prophet. There were many prophets, starting with Adam and ending with Mohammed and all of them were nothing more than god’s messengers.)
2. They all pray five times per day (they must face toward Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed when doing so).
3. Everyone who has more than 100 rials (about 400 Australian or NZ Dollars) of disposable income at the end of a year must make a payment of alms (2.5% of a person's yearly savings) to someone poor.
4. They all must observe the practice of fasting (during the month of Ramadan [9th month of the lunar year] from dawn to sunset. All fit adult Moslems refrain from food, drinks and sexual activity, including water – even if they are in the middle of the desert. This goes on for the entire month and then they party -BIG TIME. (The greatest Moslem holiday is the Festival after the end of Ramadan and is called Eid).
5. At some point in their life, they all must make a pilgrimage to Mecca (this must be done during a special time of the year and is called the hajj).
There are over 200 million Arabic speakers in the world and the Islamic also known as Muslim religion is the largest and fastest growing one in the world. It seems to me that the philosophy of Islam is pretty much the same as Christianity, both are about one God that is supreme and being good to your fellow man and bettering the lot of human kind. Funny really when it seems so much war has been fought over religion - but this what you will hear people say and in my opinion they were/are never fought over the religion itself really it was only over territory mainly for resoures or the land itself and the religion simply defined a people that banded together.
Enough of the philosophical stuff, here you can see a map of where I am. We are right in the middle of the Omani desert and it is dry and hot and sandy as far as the eye can see.
We live in a camp here. Not in tents, but in cabins that are essentially portacoms, like the type you see on temporary construction sites. There is a mess where there is three meals a day all laid on, you just need to turn up and the food is pretty good. Laundry is also done every day I just put my bag out in the morning and it is in my room by the time I get back from work. We work 12 hours days here, so not much of the day left to do much else except read, watch a movie and go to sleep.
The most important thing I have learned here is that the toilet lid must be left down and bathroom door closed as the snakes and spiders like to come up through the sewers.
Ma’a salama (goodbye in Arabic)
.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Last Weekend at home
It seems like such a long time I blogged. Glenn-Gareth's visit was ages ago and at the beginning of my time at home. Had a great time at home this time and it was hard to leave. On the last weekend at home we had our first bbq of the year with some new friends, that we made through her seeing my info on www.oldfriends.co.nz which said I lived in Belgium and she sent me an email. They are a couple with four kids and she is a Kiwi who left Kiwiland over 20 years and never went back. He is a Belgian who was brought up in the US, so a real multicultural family and we had a wonderful and very easy and relaxing time with them. They have bought a Chateau in Wallonia and are renovating it. Cricky I thought we had a big house and a lot of work till we saw this place. Despite its size it has a really warm, homely, family gezelik feeling to it and we hope to spend more time with these lovely new friends. That weekend was spent starting the garden shed foundations and cleaning up the section. We were both very tired, but it is a very satisfying tired when you are physically working on your own home.
I have been back in the field now and am over half way – tonight is the first night since I got back that I have had enough brain power left to do anything other than read, speak to Mike and go to sleep. I picked up my guitar again today for the first time since I got here too and am really enjoying it. Finally mastered Manha de Canaval (the Black Orpheus) and it is nearly ready to be played in public. Mental note, time to have a house concert I think to spur Mik and I to do some practicing.
Stand by for a blog about where I am in the world today
I have been back in the field now and am over half way – tonight is the first night since I got back that I have had enough brain power left to do anything other than read, speak to Mike and go to sleep. I picked up my guitar again today for the first time since I got here too and am really enjoying it. Finally mastered Manha de Canaval (the Black Orpheus) and it is nearly ready to be played in public. Mental note, time to have a house concert I think to spur Mik and I to do some practicing.
Stand by for a blog about where I am in the world today
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Glenn-Gareth's visit to Belgium
Ronaye's boyfriend Glenn-Gareth is a pilot with Air NZ and had a long layover in London, so he visited with us when we got back from Oman. It's been quite a few busy days entertaining - but lots of fun. Unfortunately Mik had to work, but Glenn and I got to zoom around in the Mini and had a blast. We even drove with the top off and attracted way too much attention from the cops and ended up getting pulled over - just for a random controlle for papers etc - phew alles in order.
We visited mainly around Wallonia, starting with La Roche en Ardennes where there was a big fort on the top of a hill and a lot of WWII history as it was where the Battle of the Bulge was...
Day 2 we went to Dinant...
And Villers La Ville, where there was an abbey that had been built around 900-1100 CE – pretty amazing place, but unfortunately closed on Tuesdays – bad luck but we managed to get some pics from outside the wall...
We visited mainly around Wallonia, starting with La Roche en Ardennes where there was a big fort on the top of a hill and a lot of WWII history as it was where the Battle of the Bulge was...
Frodo and Forrest loved all the walks...
Day 2 we went to Dinant...
And Villers La Ville, where there was an abbey that had been built around 900-1100 CE – pretty amazing place, but unfortunately closed on Tuesdays – bad luck but we managed to get some pics from outside the wall...
And then we happened upon this castle being renovated in the countryside between Dinant and Villers La Ville.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Left Mukhaizna Today
I left the field today. This was the longest time I spent there - 16days! Gosh it seems pathetic really when most of the oeprations guys do 28 on and 28 off and the constuction guys do 35 on and 35 off. Good job i'm not an Operator or in construction phew!
Having said that, I turn up at the Raddison for dinner - simply because I could no be bothered cooking and .... they tend to have this awesome good deal on all the wine you can drink for one small price. Seeing as the field is dry it as my first drink for a long while and and in the end it it went like this....
'Any dessert Ms Vennik" (they know me by name you see - only becuase I used to live there mind!)
"No thank you " I say in my most polite tone to be summoned, "I have had enough to eat (pats tummy affectionately), and I have had enough to drink - I think I will stick with this (pats the second glass of wine most affectionaely) and if you could bring me the bill Amoud that would be most appreciated."
My reply produces a shocked look from Amoud - raises one eyebrow as if to say - are you sick tonight Ms Vennik? To which I reply....
"Driving tonight, I'll make up for it on Saturday". - sigh of relief from Amoud.
Ronaye and I frequent this restaraunt when we are in Muscat. They have great grilled prawns - shelled please - we do not even need to complete our order- creatures of habit...no potatoes extra vegtables - thanks awefully so much. Ronaye is coming back in from the field on Saturday - hence we'll make up for it on Saturday. Mik comes tomorrow and we spend a few days laxing out on the beach then we come back into Muscat Satuday to meet up with Ronaye to visit the Al Tajin Grill.
Having said that, I turn up at the Raddison for dinner - simply because I could no be bothered cooking and .... they tend to have this awesome good deal on all the wine you can drink for one small price. Seeing as the field is dry it as my first drink for a long while and and in the end it it went like this....
'Any dessert Ms Vennik" (they know me by name you see - only becuase I used to live there mind!)
"No thank you " I say in my most polite tone to be summoned, "I have had enough to eat (pats tummy affectionately), and I have had enough to drink - I think I will stick with this (pats the second glass of wine most affectionaely) and if you could bring me the bill Amoud that would be most appreciated."
My reply produces a shocked look from Amoud - raises one eyebrow as if to say - are you sick tonight Ms Vennik? To which I reply....
"Driving tonight, I'll make up for it on Saturday". - sigh of relief from Amoud.
Ronaye and I frequent this restaraunt when we are in Muscat. They have great grilled prawns - shelled please - we do not even need to complete our order- creatures of habit...no potatoes extra vegtables - thanks awefully so much. Ronaye is coming back in from the field on Saturday - hence we'll make up for it on Saturday. Mik comes tomorrow and we spend a few days laxing out on the beach then we come back into Muscat Satuday to meet up with Ronaye to visit the Al Tajin Grill.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The two headed camel
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
This Doctor, he my friend!
Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart only good for so many beats, and that it...don't waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiency. What does cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So steak is nothing more than efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef also good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And pork chop can give you 100% of recommended daily allowance of vegetable product.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Bottom up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have body and you have fat, your ratio one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio two to one, etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No pain...good!
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food are fried these day in vegetable oil. In fact, they permeated by it. How could getting more vegetable be bad for you?!?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only be doing sit-up if you want bigger stomach.
Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy?!? HEL-LO-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming good for your figure, explain whale to me..
Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
And remember:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO, what a ride!!"
AND.....
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
CONCLUSION:
Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
My new groovemobile.
Mik picked up the new car today now I can't wait to get home. I got a bit of a look on skype seeing as I am still stuck in the desert :( Here is a pic - not great quality as I took it with skype but it still looks very totally groovy.
Friday, February 26, 2010
For Di...
2007 – I HAD A FRIEND WHO NEVER KEPT HOUSE
I had a friend who never kept house
In fact she never really was my friend
She was the mate of my friend
But he never kept house either
So … I had a friend that never kept house
My friend he played guitar also
And with another friend, we played
A trio you could say
And we said it often
And so did others
And it was … El Cachimbo
On the radio-waves …
We played one day
But back to my friend that never kept house
His mate, she said it was a waste of time
They both said it was a waste of time
Because a waste of time, it was
It just got dirty again
But our trio, a waste of time was not
We made music and friends, we never forgot
And we stuck to wine
It was more hygienic
We got back to town again and again
And we played it and made it
Time and again
El Cachimbo played on
Until one day I had to leave them behind
Which is why I said I HAD a friend
Actually she probably never really was my friend
But her friend was my friend
And my friend was my friend
And still my friends today
Just further away and a little more relaxed
Than me, a few thousand kilometers away
But you learn that you never loose friends
Just more fun
When you see them again
I have some friends that don’t keep house
And I don’t blame them
I had a friend who never kept house
In fact she never really was my friend
She was the mate of my friend
But he never kept house either
So … I had a friend that never kept house
My friend he played guitar also
And with another friend, we played
A trio you could say
And we said it often
And so did others
And it was … El Cachimbo
On the radio-waves …
We played one day
But back to my friend that never kept house
His mate, she said it was a waste of time
They both said it was a waste of time
Because a waste of time, it was
It just got dirty again
But our trio, a waste of time was not
We made music and friends, we never forgot
And we stuck to wine
It was more hygienic
We got back to town again and again
And we played it and made it
Time and again
El Cachimbo played on
Until one day I had to leave them behind
Which is why I said I HAD a friend
Actually she probably never really was my friend
But her friend was my friend
And my friend was my friend
And still my friends today
Just further away and a little more relaxed
Than me, a few thousand kilometers away
But you learn that you never loose friends
Just more fun
When you see them again
I have some friends that don’t keep house
And I don’t blame them
Thursday, February 25, 2010
A rude awakening to the fire alarm at 0500 in the desert
The winter morn is torn apart
By the peircing shrill of the safety's art
Milling and spilling into the park places
Come the Mukhazina camp guests with their sleepy morn faces
By the peircing shrill of the safety's art
Milling and spilling into the park places
Come the Mukhazina camp guests with their sleepy morn faces
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Speaking of spoilt little sausages...
IN LOVING MEMORY OF PUPPY MONSTER - LOVED BY ALL - SADLY MISSED
It's been hard for me to blog this one, but it's been a few weeks now since our sweet Beauzy went missing. So I guess that's it - he had a long and very priviliged life since we adopted him in 1998 at 6 months old and then Mik's parents adopted him in 2005 when we moved to Belgium. I spent a lot of time grieving the loss in 2005 and 2006 and 2007 and as the years went on it ebbed. Now he has gone for good and he will be sadly missed by more than just me. Love you my little puppy monster - bon voyage.
A good day in the desert
Well after lunch I was not having such a great day, as there was quite a lot of people changing out today and I sobbed why is this not me! I am one week in and in the space where I just want to get the hell out of the desert. Not that it is not good, it is - the weather is awesome in the winter, the work is fun and challenging and rewarding - it's just every day is groundhog day. Every day is the same and after about 5 days the routine gets a bit on my nerves.
It's about 20 degrees in the morning and only getting up to late 20's during the day so quite perfect for Mik and my holiday on the beach at the Shangri - La Oman in 13 days time. I am very much looking forward to that. AND the new mini is ready to be picked up! Awesome - pity I have to wait so long before I can get to drive it. Oh well I put the first km on the beema so I suppose Mik can get to put the first km on the mini.
When I got back to my rooom tonight the fruit fairy had left me a back of fruit - a very prized commodity around here! Banana's and all, normally one has to be in with the banana mafia to get them. And I see there are some trees and peat arived and stored behind my room so it looks like they are going to do some more planting around the camp. That will break the brown sandy and stoney look of the place for a while.
Hope you enjoyed the dogblog. Check out http://www.dogblogtv.com/ -it's quite clever really, just one minute excerpts from the day in the life of two spoilt little sausages.
It's about 20 degrees in the morning and only getting up to late 20's during the day so quite perfect for Mik and my holiday on the beach at the Shangri - La Oman in 13 days time. I am very much looking forward to that. AND the new mini is ready to be picked up! Awesome - pity I have to wait so long before I can get to drive it. Oh well I put the first km on the beema so I suppose Mik can get to put the first km on the mini.
When I got back to my rooom tonight the fruit fairy had left me a back of fruit - a very prized commodity around here! Banana's and all, normally one has to be in with the banana mafia to get them. And I see there are some trees and peat arived and stored behind my room so it looks like they are going to do some more planting around the camp. That will break the brown sandy and stoney look of the place for a while.
Hope you enjoyed the dogblog. Check out http://www.dogblogtv.com/ -it's quite clever really, just one minute excerpts from the day in the life of two spoilt little sausages.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Weekend in Paris for Saint Valentine
We had a fantastic weekend in Paris. It's hard to find the words to describe it so here are some photos.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Back up a little
Backing up a little from Raclette for Sunday lunch with friends - we had the beloved French friends for dinner on Friday night. They tasted good - nah just kidding! I cooked up a Middle Eastern Feast - and a nice and healthy one too. The Chicken with dates and almonds went down a treat, mixed with Couscous, Minted Cucumber with Youghrt and Roasted Vegetables with Basil Dressing chased by Chocolade Surprise de Celine.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
We are off to have raclette for lunch wih friends....
The name "raclette" (pronounced ruck-lett in English or rah-klett in its native French) refers to a meal and to a type of cheese with the same name. The traditional dish can be described as melted cheese eaten with boiled (or roasted) potatoes with small gherkins and pickled onions. Modern electrical appliances that are used to make the dish are called Raclette grills. While the method of melting the cheese has changed over time, the raclette meal is quite easy to prepare using the simplest of ingredients and has been a long favourite for festive and fun interactive evenings.
"What is Raclette?
Cheese and plenty of it...
The name "raclette" (pronounced ruck-lett in English or rah-klett in its native French) refers to a meal and to a type of cheese with the same name. The traditional dish can be described as melted cheese eaten with boiled (or roasted) potatoes with small gherkins and pickled onions. Modern electrical appliances that are used to make the dish are called Raclette grills. While the method of melting the cheese has changed over time, the raclette meal is quite easy to prepare using the simplest of ingredients and has been a long favourite for festive and fun interactive evenings. With the tradition originating in Switzerland, Raclette, the meal, is one of Switzerland's best loved national dishes and is very popular in other parts of Europe such as France and Germany. The most famous and best Raclette cheese is made in the alpine villages in the Swiss Alps which has a very distinct flavour and excellent melting qualities as well as being the main ingredient that makes the dish. Just like the well known Classic Cheese Fondue Raclette is another way of enjoying simple and delicious cooking incorporating lots of interactivity and of course lots of cheese.
Origin...
Somewhere hidden in the valleys of the Swiss Alps...
Raclette cheese originated in the French speaking areas in the Alpine regions of the Valais canton in Switzerland. While the process of melting cheese has been around since ancient times, according to legends - local farmers or herdsmen in the valleys of the Swiss Alps set up camp for the night and the cheese that was laying around on stones at meal time, melted near the open fire and some farmer scraped it off the rock (not wanting to waste any of it of course), he then tasted it and thought it tasted divine. The idea quickly caught on amongst the group and this novel idea quickly spread throughout the valley and so the cheese became well known as the most ideal to melt. Other ingredients would accompany the meal like gherkins (pickled cucumber) and small onions and to drink; kirsch (cherry liqueur), herbal tea or Fendant (local white wine).
It was a filling meal and enjoyed for its great simplicity and heartiness. The concept was simple and the melting of the raclette cheese was to become a popular way to eat it. It was comfort food at its best and the tradition eventually spread to other countries beyond the Alps from visitors travelling from afar to enjoy the famous ski resorts in the Valais region."
Credit http://www.raclette.com.au/
Friday, February 5, 2010
Sisters
And like all pairs of sisters, of mine
We understand the secrets together
We know the moments we have left behind
Keep us allied beyond forever
Because, we know, like all pairs of sisters
It does not matter if we share the same blood
Nor the same gender, as some would insist
It’s the unity we know that creates our own love
We understand the secrets together
We know the moments we have left behind
Keep us allied beyond forever
Because, we know, like all pairs of sisters
It does not matter if we share the same blood
Nor the same gender, as some would insist
It’s the unity we know that creates our own love
My sister's gone back downunder ...
I've been sad . . . hence I have not been writing much. Here I have been all hero like and saying "Well we did not spend that much time together in the last year" - which is true, since I started my new job working a rotation the lifestyle has changed massively. Besides all the bravado, I loved having my sister here and I will miss her terribly. To have part of your family so close; someone that has always known you; someone who understands you to the core; somone who may get mad at you every now and then - which never changes anything; that is a very safe and secure feeling.
I guess I just realised what drives us southern folks back downunder. "Besides the weather?" says Greg...There comes a time when famliy becomes increasingly important...
I guess I just realised what drives us southern folks back downunder. "Besides the weather?" says Greg...There comes a time when famliy becomes increasingly important...
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Crazy Neighbours
Of course eventually I realised I could not keep them under wraps for too long and would be required to blog a photo of the "crazy neighbours" - these are the guys that have been an inspiraton to us. Mik says I love people who like to enjoy life - those who have a positve outlook over all - - - and enjoy a good wine or two or three or four - on Sunday morning I said - be careful what you wish for - after these guys took us to the coast to see Will Tura. Correction required - I said we were going to the Casino is Oostende, in fact we went to the Casino in Middelkerk - we stayed in hotel in Oostende.
In two weeks we are off to he Moulin Rouge together- woohoo!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Off to the coast for the night.
We are off ot the Casino in Oostende tonight to see Will Tura - it shall be fun! It will be an interesting trip on the highway with all this snow, since e got 5cm of snow overnight. Cest la vie...
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Last Day on Planet Belgium
Off to the land of sand tomorrow. Gotta say I've been a bit low today - loosley translated as grumpy - not wanting to pak too soon and not relaxing until I've packed. I've never really figured that one out yet. Made an awesome Osso Buco though, to take my mind off leaving. I've had a nice long break this time so it's not easy to leave.
Las night we went out to dinner to a seafood restaraunt. It was terribly cold and was snowing before we got home, but the company was great, the food was excellent an the wine superb. Woke up this moring to minus 6 and a couple of inches of snow again.
Hope I can fly out tommorrow - NOT!
Las night we went out to dinner to a seafood restaraunt. It was terribly cold and was snowing before we got home, but the company was great, the food was excellent an the wine superb. Woke up this moring to minus 6 and a couple of inches of snow again.
Hope I can fly out tommorrow - NOT!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
annoyingly cheerful
Today I've decided to be annoyingly cheerful. Spending some time looking back on the old year and looking forward to the new is somewhat therapeutic, and it seems we have done quite a lot of the things that are important to us. One of my friends put it quite succinctly in an answer to our New Years Message - friends, family, travel, experiencing the Arabic side of the world, good wine, good food and buying new toys - it seems there is only one New Years resolution, to bring more music back into our lives. It seems it is time to google some good concert events...hmmm Rodrigo y Gabriella comes to mind - CLICK ON THIS. I will post a video next.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL - - - MUAH
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The laptop re-build
So it is time for a new ramble. I spent the last few days re-installing stuff on my laptop as I finally bit the bullet and asked my beloved to do a re-build. The last straw was crappy skype quality and then my ipod simply would not sync and there I was left stranded with no mobile music - arrggghhhhh! This was a desperate situation - much like running out of wine - and thereore time for some desperate measures. So I have been chained to the littl beast for the last two days and fairly sic of it. Mike says I should try and so it all day every day.
Less than a week and I have to fly back to Oman, not looking forward to that. But the bright side is, once I get on my way I'm cool - I just hate leaving home everytime. Cest la vie - somehow we have to pay for the new toys.
Less than a week and I have to fly back to Oman, not looking forward to that. But the bright side is, once I get on my way I'm cool - I just hate leaving home everytime. Cest la vie - somehow we have to pay for the new toys.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Mini-milism
This is totally going to me soon!Well maybe not the sunset over the sea, and definitely not the white stripes and totally more chrome...but tonight we signed the contract to get the new wheels - giggles wickedly - sorry Helen! - nah not really...
Lovely Christmas present for Sue, except it wont arrive for another couple of months. Nothing quite like the aniticpation. In fact the anticipation is sometimes way more fun than the actual event - me thinks!
I must say ever since many moons ago when treated to a ride to Waitara with Ms Belcher, I had secretly coveted a little slice of Britain - but believe it or not BMW bought them out and they are now made in Germany - WILD! Actually who knows where they are made - but cute and sexy all the same.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Australian Citizenship Test
The Australian citizenship test has been designed to assist people who want to become
Australian citizens gain an understanding of Australia’s values, traditions, history and national symbols.
The test is an important part of ensuring that migrants have the capacity to fully participate in the Australian community as citizens and maximise the opportunities available to them in Australia. It will promote social cohesion and successful integration into the community.
Test Rules
There are some basic rules which you must follow during the test:
- Test is timed - You will be allowed 45 minutes to complete the test (or 90 minutes in
the case of an assisted test). No additional time will be made available.
- This is a closed book test - You must not bring any test resource material into the testing
centre (this includes note paper, the Becoming an Australian Citizen resource book,
study notes, etc).
- Personal belongings may be taken into the test site however these must be stored under
the desk for the duration of the test. Mobile phones and all other electronic communication/gaming equipment should be switched off while you are within the test
centre.
If you do not follow these rules, you may be asked to leave the test centre and may have to sit
the test again.
Test Questions
You may begin writing only once you are advised to do so by the test supervisor.
(1) Do you understand the meaning, but are unable to explain the origin, of the term
“died in the arse”? Explain the meaning:
(2) What is a “bloody little beauty”?
(3) Are these terms related: chuck a sickie; chuck a spaz; chuck a U-ey?
Yes / No
(4) Explain the following passage:
In the arvo last Chrissy the relos rocked up for a Barbie, some bevvies and a few
snags. After a bit of a Bex and a lie down we opened the pressies, scoffed all the
chockies, bickies and lollies. Then we drained a few tinnies and Mum did her block
after Dad and Steve had a Barney and a bit of biffo.
(5) Macca, Chooka and Wanger are driving to Surfers in their Torana. If they are
travelling at 100 km/h while listening to Barnsey, Farnsey and Acca Dacca, how
many slabs will each person on average consume between flashing a brown eye
and taking a slash?
(6) Complete the following sentences:
(a) If the van's rockin' don't bother ________________________________
(b) You're going home in the back of a _____________________________
(c) Fair crack of the ________________________________________
(7) I've had a gutful and I can't be farked. Discuss:
(8) Have you ever been on the giving or receiving end of a wedgie?
Yes / No
(9) Do you have a friend or relative who has a car in their front yard "up on blocks"?
Is his name Bruce and does he have a wife called Cheryl?
Yes / No
(10) Do you or your family regularly eat a dish involving mincemeat, cabbage, curry
powder and a packet of chicken noodle soup called either chow mein, chop suey
or Kai see Ming?
Yes / No
(11) What are the ingredients in a rissole?
(12) Describe the correct procedure for eating a Tim Tam.
(13) Do you have an Aunty Irene who smokes 30 cigarettes a day and sounds like a
bloke?
Yes / No
(14) In any two-hour period have you ever eaten three-bean salad, a chop and two
serves of pav washed down with someone else's beer that has been flogged from a
bath full of ice?
Yes / No
(15) When you go to a bring-your-own-meat Barbie can you eat other people's meat or
are you only allowed to eat your own?
(16) What purple root vegetable beginning with the letter "b" is required by law to be
included in a hamburger with the lot?
(17) Do you own or have you ever owned a lawn mower, a pair of thongs, an Esky or
Ugg boots?
Yes / No
(18) Is it possible to prang a car while doing circle work?
Yes / No
(19) Who would you like to crack on to?
(20) Who is the most Australian (pick one answer):
(a) Kevin "Bloody" Wilson
(b) John "True Blue" Williamson
(c) Kylie Minogue
(d) Warnie
(21) Is there someone you are only mates with because they own a trailer or have a
pool?
Yes / No
(22) What do the phrases “sinkin piss at a mates joint” and “gettin paraletic” mean?
Please submit this paper back to the test supervisor when you have had a fair crack.
Australian citizens gain an understanding of Australia’s values, traditions, history and national symbols.
The test is an important part of ensuring that migrants have the capacity to fully participate in the Australian community as citizens and maximise the opportunities available to them in Australia. It will promote social cohesion and successful integration into the community.
Test Rules
There are some basic rules which you must follow during the test:
- Test is timed - You will be allowed 45 minutes to complete the test (or 90 minutes in
the case of an assisted test). No additional time will be made available.
- This is a closed book test - You must not bring any test resource material into the testing
centre (this includes note paper, the Becoming an Australian Citizen resource book,
study notes, etc).
- Personal belongings may be taken into the test site however these must be stored under
the desk for the duration of the test. Mobile phones and all other electronic communication/gaming equipment should be switched off while you are within the test
centre.
If you do not follow these rules, you may be asked to leave the test centre and may have to sit
the test again.
Test Questions
You may begin writing only once you are advised to do so by the test supervisor.
(1) Do you understand the meaning, but are unable to explain the origin, of the term
“died in the arse”? Explain the meaning:
(2) What is a “bloody little beauty”?
(3) Are these terms related: chuck a sickie; chuck a spaz; chuck a U-ey?
Yes / No
(4) Explain the following passage:
In the arvo last Chrissy the relos rocked up for a Barbie, some bevvies and a few
snags. After a bit of a Bex and a lie down we opened the pressies, scoffed all the
chockies, bickies and lollies. Then we drained a few tinnies and Mum did her block
after Dad and Steve had a Barney and a bit of biffo.
(5) Macca, Chooka and Wanger are driving to Surfers in their Torana. If they are
travelling at 100 km/h while listening to Barnsey, Farnsey and Acca Dacca, how
many slabs will each person on average consume between flashing a brown eye
and taking a slash?
(6) Complete the following sentences:
(a) If the van's rockin' don't bother ________________________________
(b) You're going home in the back of a _____________________________
(c) Fair crack of the ________________________________________
(7) I've had a gutful and I can't be farked. Discuss:
(8) Have you ever been on the giving or receiving end of a wedgie?
Yes / No
(9) Do you have a friend or relative who has a car in their front yard "up on blocks"?
Is his name Bruce and does he have a wife called Cheryl?
Yes / No
(10) Do you or your family regularly eat a dish involving mincemeat, cabbage, curry
powder and a packet of chicken noodle soup called either chow mein, chop suey
or Kai see Ming?
Yes / No
(11) What are the ingredients in a rissole?
(12) Describe the correct procedure for eating a Tim Tam.
(13) Do you have an Aunty Irene who smokes 30 cigarettes a day and sounds like a
bloke?
Yes / No
(14) In any two-hour period have you ever eaten three-bean salad, a chop and two
serves of pav washed down with someone else's beer that has been flogged from a
bath full of ice?
Yes / No
(15) When you go to a bring-your-own-meat Barbie can you eat other people's meat or
are you only allowed to eat your own?
(16) What purple root vegetable beginning with the letter "b" is required by law to be
included in a hamburger with the lot?
(17) Do you own or have you ever owned a lawn mower, a pair of thongs, an Esky or
Ugg boots?
Yes / No
(18) Is it possible to prang a car while doing circle work?
Yes / No
(19) Who would you like to crack on to?
(20) Who is the most Australian (pick one answer):
(a) Kevin "Bloody" Wilson
(b) John "True Blue" Williamson
(c) Kylie Minogue
(d) Warnie
(21) Is there someone you are only mates with because they own a trailer or have a
pool?
Yes / No
(22) What do the phrases “sinkin piss at a mates joint” and “gettin paraletic” mean?
Please submit this paper back to the test supervisor when you have had a fair crack.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Winter Early Morn
Just took some pics of the sun coming up this morning. I thought it looked quite spectacular - it is -6.5.
Monday, December 14, 2009
O Christmas Tree
This weekend saw us shopping for a Christmas tree and some lights for the house. Even though we put up a few twinklers in New Plymouth once, this is the first time we have seriously lit our house up for Christmas and I think it looks groove. Complete with Reindeer pulling a sleigh and some Kerst Mannetjes (literally little Christmas men) - loaned from the neighbours! We spent a 2 degree Sunday with a minus 4 degree wind outside putting up the lights. Even though I took some photos it was not really dark enough, so will have to get some and blog them tonight.
Kris and Greg came over also and wanted to see Frodo and Forrest open their Christmas presents from them. Now they can go frolicking in the snow without getting wet and cold, check this out - tres cute!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
The Cutting of the Trees
So for months now we have been telling of the tree cutting. As you can see we had huge conifer hedging around the whole section and we have pretty much cut all of them down. They were too woody to save and as a consequence we now have wood for several winters to come. Here are some photos to give you an idea of the expedition...and the frois gras and wine on the lawn...
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Leaving Mukhaizna
Oh my goodness there is so much to say about the last 6 months - but let me start a-fresh with today...
I left the field today after only an 11 day stint this time. This is actually the longest time I have done in the field because for the last year I have been working with office types at the head office and now I am "at the coal face", which I must say I enjoy more.
One of the things I most enjoy about being in the field is the many different cultures that are there. Sure in the office there are Indians, Pakistanis, Omanis, Brits, South Americans & the odd splash of Americans and Canadians, but there is so much more in the field. Believe it or not this time I was there, there were 3 people who were brought up in New Plymouth, New Zealand. OMG I hear you say - yes one of them lives there now and the other went to Hawera High School - too wild! Umm the other one was me. I am in the Middle East and in the middle of the Omani desert and I hear an accent I just can not ignore - so I say "You must be from New Zealand, I can not mistake that accent", and it turns out he has lives by the New Plymouth racecourse. The other one has just bought a house in Christchurch - too many coincidences!
It's almost like going home somtimes, I am also working with a 'fulla' from Western Australia, whom when I see I relax as I can speak my own language - at luast a liddle....I said to him the other day - "How's this I have been practicing my Orrrstraaleein" ...so I say, "Airs Gun Cobba? Geez faire suk of the sav mate!". To which his reply was, "umm I don't know anyone that speaks like that mate". Here is a photo of my Aussie mate, Rod, guess which one....
and the other is Yasser, he is Omani but was born in Rwanda. I have learned such a lot about Africa these last couple of weeks. I think that is what I do so enjoy about working here is it is OK to be different and we all learn from each other.
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