Just thought people would be interested in the bizarre collection of things I love when I am in the US and miss when I'm at home in Egypt:
1) Flavored soft drinks. Like Diet Vanilla Coke, or Diet Cherry Dr.Pepper
2) TV TV TV-- I get to watch House and CSI whenever I want to. And I have more than just a single channel showing US drama shows, mostly reruns.
3) A fast Internet connection that lets me download TV shows (to watch in Egypt) and upload multiple pictures to my blog in just a couple minutes (as opposed to forever).
4) Mexican food and drinkable tap water (though we do sometimes drink tap water in Egypt)
5) Not getting stared at (too much) while out and about with Maya. And no whispers, comments or rude queries. Plus when I am out alone I am completely invisible (socially that is).
6) The Gap, Old Navy and Childrens Place. Plus the entire Crayola brand.
7) Ethiopian restaurants.
8) Online grocery shopping (OK I've never actually done this, but I would so love to). Or just the basic ability to buy something, anything online on amazon.
9) Public libraries (and free storytime) and public parks with playgrounds.
10) Traffic lights that people obey, and sane traffic.
On the other side of the spectrum, here are things I like about being abroad in Egypt.
1) Maya eating fresh, juicy, dribbly mango on the balcony with Mike, and it's not expensive.
2) Tibby, and the ability to afford a nanny for Maya.
3) The Ethiopian community generally (fits in with no. 2)
4) Subsidized gasoline
5) Fluffy Egyptian cotton towels
6) Labna (Arab bitter yoghurt - a major staple of our diet)
7) Free home delivery of everything from prescription drugs (no prescription needed) to groceries to restaurant meals.
8) The Veg Box
9) The weather (except in July and August)
10) Our friends and Maya's school (which I am liking again after recently suffering from school envy...)
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
In the Shop
Maya has also been helping her grandpa out in the shop. She's been pounding and painting. With real (kid size) hammers and real nails. She also made a nifty coat rack for her bedroom that we are going to cart back to Egypt with us...
This was also pre-Christmas. I'll post the Christmas Day photos once I upload them from the camera.
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Refugees again
Thanks to all who voted for Mike's idea to help refugees, many of them from the Horn of Africa. Mike is in third place in the humanitarian relief category and needs to keep getting more votes to make it into the final round of voting. If you haven't voted yet, please do it now. Thanks again.
Just follow these steps:
1) Join Change.org at https://www.change.org/admin/sign_up
2) Read Mike's proposal and vote on it by going to: http://www.change.org/ideas/view/usa_refugee_corps_-_export_hope_and_revitalize_our_national_moral_standing You should see your vote register and the number of votes go up! If you don't see that happen, try voting again. If you have already voted, then please - please - find some colleagues or friends, and tell them about this idea. Ask them to vote.
Just follow these steps:
1) Join Change.org at https://www.change.org/admin/sign_up
2) Read Mike's proposal and vote on it by going to: http://www.change.org/ideas/view/usa_refugee_corps_-_export_hope_and_revitalize_our_national_moral_standing You should see your vote register and the number of votes go up! If you don't see that happen, try voting again. If you have already voted, then please - please - find some colleagues or friends, and tell them about this idea. Ask them to vote.
Sledding
The snow has now melted, but Maya got in some good pre-Christmas sledding with her dad and grandpa. We made a sled out of the top of her water/sand table that grandma and grandpa got the last time we visited (in the summertime).You'd think from these pictures that Maya is used to a cold climate, as opposed to living in Cairo. But she doesn't seem to mind the cold that much at all. She loved the snow, and is so sad that it is (mostly) gone.
Monday, 22 December 2008
Decorating the tree
A couple days before Maya's salon visit, we went to a tree farm, picked out a tree, cut it down, and brought it home. Then we decorated it. It was a terrific experience for Maya, although she seemed a bit surprised that the trees at the farm did not already have decorations on it. She seemed to think that her Christmas tree should not just be a regular tree. She wanted it to come decorated.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Salon pics
Here are Maya's post-salon pictures. Aren't they great! I can't believe how long the braids are. Usually when I do these types of braids, the ponytails end up really short. But by blow-drying Maya's hair, it made the braids much longer. I'm not sure whether I really want to start blow-drying her hair at age 3, but it definitely gives her some long braids.
The other thing I realised is that I'm actually not too bad at doing her hair. The braids look great, but really are not so different from when I do them myself. I guess they are a little longer and a little smaller and tighter. But visiting the salon made me realise that I do her hair pretty well myself, too.
Help refugees....
OK. I normally don't post political stuff on this blog. But Mike, who has dedicated his whole career and life to helping refugees, has submitted an "Idea for Change" on www.change.org to persuade the new Obama administration to help refugees who want to reach the US. Many of these refugees are from the Horn of Africa, so we feel especially committed to him continuing his work.
Basically, the idea is that the U.S. should raise its quota of refugees who are allowed to come into the country. Currently, it is easier to get to the U.S. for work than it is to come to escape persecution. Mike wants the government to allow private individuals to sponsor bona fide refugees to enter the United States. Private sponsorships are already allowed in Canada and Australia and would help mainly African refugees stuck in places like Egypt from falling through the cracks. And his idea would also establish a refugee corp to help evaluate those people's claims to streamline the process. We have seen a lot of African refugees get stuck without any hope for the future, and while this wouldn't help all of them, it would allow some to live better lives.
Mike's idea is currently in third place and needs to keep getting more votes to make the next cut. So please vote if you can.
Here is a message from Mike:
Our proposal to revitalize US refugee policy started several weeks later than others in the Ideas for Change program, but it has been moving up. We're in third place now the ranks in the "humanitarian relief" category, and we are just 70 votes out of first place. But in just 10 days, we need to make the cut for the final round of voting.
Many of you have already voted, but some are still waiting. Now is the time. There is an opening to make a change for US foreign policy and for refugees around the world, but it won't last for long.
Just follow these steps:
1) Join Change.org at https://www.change.org/admin/sign_up
2) Vote by going to: http://www.change.org/ideas/view/usa_refugee_corps_-_export_hope_and_revitalize_our_national_moral_standing You should see your vote register and the number of votes go up! If you don't see that happen, try voting again.
If you have already voted, then please - please - find some colleagues or friends, and tell them about this idea. Ask them to vote. 70 votes is not very many. We can win this election, and give ourselves a major boost in the lobbying we will need to do in Washington.
And, finally, make this proposal your own. Add your input on the change.org website (http://www.change.org/ideas/view/usa_refugee_corps_-_export_hope_and_revitalize_our_national_moral_standing). There has already been a good discussion, and a lot of good ideas, and as this proposal is developed over time we will be incorporating them. And the more people discuss and debate it, the stronger this campaign.
Thank you. Mike
Basically, the idea is that the U.S. should raise its quota of refugees who are allowed to come into the country. Currently, it is easier to get to the U.S. for work than it is to come to escape persecution. Mike wants the government to allow private individuals to sponsor bona fide refugees to enter the United States. Private sponsorships are already allowed in Canada and Australia and would help mainly African refugees stuck in places like Egypt from falling through the cracks. And his idea would also establish a refugee corp to help evaluate those people's claims to streamline the process. We have seen a lot of African refugees get stuck without any hope for the future, and while this wouldn't help all of them, it would allow some to live better lives.
Mike's idea is currently in third place and needs to keep getting more votes to make the next cut. So please vote if you can.
Here is a message from Mike:
Our proposal to revitalize US refugee policy started several weeks later than others in the Ideas for Change program, but it has been moving up. We're in third place now the ranks in the "humanitarian relief" category, and we are just 70 votes out of first place. But in just 10 days, we need to make the cut for the final round of voting.
Many of you have already voted, but some are still waiting. Now is the time. There is an opening to make a change for US foreign policy and for refugees around the world, but it won't last for long.
Just follow these steps:
1) Join Change.org at https://www.change.org/admin/sign_up
2) Vote by going to: http://www.change.org/ideas/view/usa_refugee_corps_-_export_hope_and_revitalize_our_national_moral_standing You should see your vote register and the number of votes go up! If you don't see that happen, try voting again.
If you have already voted, then please - please - find some colleagues or friends, and tell them about this idea. Ask them to vote. 70 votes is not very many. We can win this election, and give ourselves a major boost in the lobbying we will need to do in Washington.
And, finally, make this proposal your own. Add your input on the change.org website (http://www.change.org/ideas/view/usa_refugee_corps_-_export_hope_and_revitalize_our_national_moral_standing). There has already been a good discussion, and a lot of good ideas, and as this proposal is developed over time we will be incorporating them. And the more people discuss and debate it, the stronger this campaign.
Thank you. Mike
Saturday, 20 December 2008
First salon visit
Earlier this week, on the third anniversary of the day we met Maya, Mike and I took her to Seattle for Ethiopian food. (We're on home leave visiting my parents for the holidays.) We had planned to take her to an Ethiopian hair salon to get her hair braided. But we had no luck at all finding an Ethiopian salon. The first one had no free slots open at a convenient time, the second said they didn't do braids, and the third was closed and didn't ever answer their phone. Very frustrating.
So today we tried again. This time we made an appointment with an African American salon in Seattle. We had to brave icy roads and put chains on the car to get there. But we had to go downtown anyway for Maya's annual well child checkup. She's doing great, by the way! She got two shots and didn't even cry!! When she saw the second needle she just looked up at the nurse and said: "Not so many, please".
Anyway, after her doctor visit we headed on down to her hair appointment. It was fantastic. They put Maya in a big chair with a booster seat and washed her hair in the sink. They combed it out, then wrapped her hair with a towel. Then they put her in another big chair with another booster seat in front of a full height mirror. Then they lotioned and blowdried her hair. And then they braided.
She chose to have braids, as she describes it, like "K"'s. K is a friend of hers from preschool who always has beautiful cornrows. So I asked for cornrows ending in two side ponytails. It looks super cute. She fell asleep on the way home from the salon, so I don't have any pictures to share just yet. But I was amazed how blowdrying her hair affects the braids. They are SO much longer that way. When I braid her hair, I do it when it is wet, and the braids end out much shorter.
The whole process took about 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Maya took four breaks. A potty break, a bagel break, and two more faux potty breaks. It was hard sitting still toward the end, but for the most part she was loving the pampering and attention, and flirting with everyone in the salon. And everyone in the salon was very welcoming to us and patient with Maya. After the braids were done, she pranced up to the front of the salon, held her hands in the air, and shouted: "I'm finished! Woohoo!!"
So today we tried again. This time we made an appointment with an African American salon in Seattle. We had to brave icy roads and put chains on the car to get there. But we had to go downtown anyway for Maya's annual well child checkup. She's doing great, by the way! She got two shots and didn't even cry!! When she saw the second needle she just looked up at the nurse and said: "Not so many, please".
Anyway, after her doctor visit we headed on down to her hair appointment. It was fantastic. They put Maya in a big chair with a booster seat and washed her hair in the sink. They combed it out, then wrapped her hair with a towel. Then they put her in another big chair with another booster seat in front of a full height mirror. Then they lotioned and blowdried her hair. And then they braided.
She chose to have braids, as she describes it, like "K"'s. K is a friend of hers from preschool who always has beautiful cornrows. So I asked for cornrows ending in two side ponytails. It looks super cute. She fell asleep on the way home from the salon, so I don't have any pictures to share just yet. But I was amazed how blowdrying her hair affects the braids. They are SO much longer that way. When I braid her hair, I do it when it is wet, and the braids end out much shorter.
The whole process took about 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Maya took four breaks. A potty break, a bagel break, and two more faux potty breaks. It was hard sitting still toward the end, but for the most part she was loving the pampering and attention, and flirting with everyone in the salon. And everyone in the salon was very welcoming to us and patient with Maya. After the braids were done, she pranced up to the front of the salon, held her hands in the air, and shouted: "I'm finished! Woohoo!!"
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
More preschool
Maya is now officially going to preschool three days a week. Now, you might wonder how this is happening since I vowed to only have her go twice a week until she was 4.
Maya, however, had other ideas. She took matters into her own hands and discussed it with her preschool teacher, telling her that she wanted to come to preschool more. Her teacher wisely told her to take it up with mom and dad, which she did.
Maya has always known intrinsically what is best for her. She decided when to move to her big bed. She decided when to do potty training. She decided when she wanted to swim on her own and let go of her mommy. So if she is dying for more preschool, then she can go more. She absolutely loves it.
And I have to say that while there are a couple things I don't love about her preschool, I do LOVE that it is a mixed-age school. She is seeing what the big kids do, and she wants to do it too. It is a great environment for learning, at least for a kid like Maya. She is learning to trace her letters now, because she insisted to do it like the big kids. And she can cut with scissors on her own because the big kids do it. She is learning a lot at school. And she loves it.
Maya, however, had other ideas. She took matters into her own hands and discussed it with her preschool teacher, telling her that she wanted to come to preschool more. Her teacher wisely told her to take it up with mom and dad, which she did.
Maya has always known intrinsically what is best for her. She decided when to move to her big bed. She decided when to do potty training. She decided when she wanted to swim on her own and let go of her mommy. So if she is dying for more preschool, then she can go more. She absolutely loves it.
And I have to say that while there are a couple things I don't love about her preschool, I do LOVE that it is a mixed-age school. She is seeing what the big kids do, and she wants to do it too. It is a great environment for learning, at least for a kid like Maya. She is learning to trace her letters now, because she insisted to do it like the big kids. And she can cut with scissors on her own because the big kids do it. She is learning a lot at school. And she loves it.
Monday, 24 November 2008
Inevitable milestone
I think every kid does this at least once in their lifetime. Maya locked herself in the bathroom at Lucille's restaurant while we were out for breakfast yesterday, and she couldn't get out.
Unlike in the United States, however, there was no easy way to get her out. Mike tried to get her to open the door, but it was one of those locks where you have to hold it to the side and push, and I think it was a bit beyond her level. (Locking herself in was easy, though).
When we went to the management, they tried to get her out but had lost the key to the bathroom door. We couldn't take the hinges off because they were on the inside of the door, not the outside. And when they finally brought a screwdriver and we took off the door handle, there was no way to get the lock undone because it seemed to have been installed from the other side. I did wonder what was the point of putting a totally burglarproof door on an inside bathroom...
Then, they tried to pry the door open, and to kick it in. No luck. Fortunately, there was a wooden grating on the bottom of the door with wood slats. So we persuaded them to break one of the slats and remove it. Then one of the guys reached through and unlocked the door.
Maya was incredibly brave throughout the whole ordeal. She was kind of quiet, and while she cried a little bit she was mostly calm, and just waiting for us to open the door. We told that they were going to open the door like Bob the Builder, with tools. Afterward, she told us she was mad and frustrated but not scared. But she did have a really hard time sleeping last night, so I guess she was scared a little. I don't think we can show our faces at Lucille's for a while though...
Unlike in the United States, however, there was no easy way to get her out. Mike tried to get her to open the door, but it was one of those locks where you have to hold it to the side and push, and I think it was a bit beyond her level. (Locking herself in was easy, though).
When we went to the management, they tried to get her out but had lost the key to the bathroom door. We couldn't take the hinges off because they were on the inside of the door, not the outside. And when they finally brought a screwdriver and we took off the door handle, there was no way to get the lock undone because it seemed to have been installed from the other side. I did wonder what was the point of putting a totally burglarproof door on an inside bathroom...
Then, they tried to pry the door open, and to kick it in. No luck. Fortunately, there was a wooden grating on the bottom of the door with wood slats. So we persuaded them to break one of the slats and remove it. Then one of the guys reached through and unlocked the door.
Maya was incredibly brave throughout the whole ordeal. She was kind of quiet, and while she cried a little bit she was mostly calm, and just waiting for us to open the door. We told that they were going to open the door like Bob the Builder, with tools. Afterward, she told us she was mad and frustrated but not scared. But she did have a really hard time sleeping last night, so I guess she was scared a little. I don't think we can show our faces at Lucille's for a while though...
Friday, 21 November 2008
Yes or No?
Maya, in keeping with her personality, has found a new way to try to get what she wants. Here is an example:
Maya: Mommy, can I watch a Sesame Street video?
Me: (I open my mouth to start to tell her that she can watch a short word-on-the street clip if she cooperates with putting her jammies on and brushing her teeth, but don't actually say anything because I get interrupted)
Maya: Yes or no? Yes or no, mommy?
Or how about this one:
Maya: Can I have a dessert mommy? Yes or no?
or:
Maya: Can we got to Fagnoon today mommy? Yes or no?
Clearly, she has learned that mommy (and daddy) will impose conditions on her getting what she wants. She usually does get mostly what she wants if she cooperates. And now she is trying to cut out the conditions...
Maya: Mommy, can I watch a Sesame Street video?
Me: (I open my mouth to start to tell her that she can watch a short word-on-the street clip if she cooperates with putting her jammies on and brushing her teeth, but don't actually say anything because I get interrupted)
Maya: Yes or no? Yes or no, mommy?
Or how about this one:
Maya: Can I have a dessert mommy? Yes or no?
or:
Maya: Can we got to Fagnoon today mommy? Yes or no?
Clearly, she has learned that mommy (and daddy) will impose conditions on her getting what she wants. She usually does get mostly what she wants if she cooperates. And now she is trying to cut out the conditions...
Monday, 17 November 2008
Beautiful girl
When I was out of the house, Maya and her daddy played dress up. Here are the photos he took.
Sunday, 16 November 2008
3T
Maya is suddenly looking more like a big kid. And she is finally starting to fit into the 3T clothes that we got on our last trip to the USA. She picks out her own clothes every morning, plus accessories, like the ponytail holders she is wearing as "bracelets" in the balcony picture. And she is into matching colors. She's actually pretty good at it.
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Organic veggies
One of the big benefits of living in Egypt is the fantastic seasonal fruits and veggies available all year long. Because Egypt has such a mild (read coolish to scorching) climate there are multiple growing seasons. So some sort of tropical fruit or veggie is always in season. I can't really say it is all organic, but it is pretty good.
Since we moved to our Little America neighbourhood though, our local grocery store has been fleecing us on fruits and veggies, many of which are actually imported (Washington apples and Dole bananas, for example). And the local store doesn't always keep the cheaper, local stuff in stock, like the small Egyptian mini-bananas that are really tasty. And did I mention their prices are outrageous??
So after much contemplation, and after our friend G tried it out, we have signed up for a weekly fruit and veggie service called the Veg Box. For just under $25, they will deliver a large crate of high quality fruits and veggies to your house once a week, and for an extra fee you can also get fresh boneless chicken and ground beef. We can tell them what we want and don't want, but the box will be different each week. We tried it out this week and it is awesome.
We got cabbage, cauliflower, romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, potatoes, cucumbers, onions, spinach, carrots and garlic for our vegetables. Plus fresh cilantro. And we also got apples, bananas, little oranges called tarabantina here (not sure what they are in english, but similar to mandarins), big naval oranges and tomatoes. It was a lot of food, and it was really hig quality. Plus none of the produce was bruised or damaged, and it was all pretty clean. The only thing is the fruit is not lasting us all week, as we have a voracious banana consumer (maya) and another voracious orange eater (mike). So next week we might ask them to go heavier on the fruits and lighter on the lettuce...
The cool thing is it is saving us time. We arranged the delivery to come on Sunday afternoon when we are at work but our housekeeper is at our house. So we no longer have to run to the store all the time to get produce, and we don't have to pay insane expat grocery prices. And we (or Mike) is cooking more interesting things.
So yesterday Mike made chili with the excellent ground beef we got. And today we had a fresh spinach and feta chicken stir fry over rice. Yum!
Since we moved to our Little America neighbourhood though, our local grocery store has been fleecing us on fruits and veggies, many of which are actually imported (Washington apples and Dole bananas, for example). And the local store doesn't always keep the cheaper, local stuff in stock, like the small Egyptian mini-bananas that are really tasty. And did I mention their prices are outrageous??
So after much contemplation, and after our friend G tried it out, we have signed up for a weekly fruit and veggie service called the Veg Box. For just under $25, they will deliver a large crate of high quality fruits and veggies to your house once a week, and for an extra fee you can also get fresh boneless chicken and ground beef. We can tell them what we want and don't want, but the box will be different each week. We tried it out this week and it is awesome.
We got cabbage, cauliflower, romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, potatoes, cucumbers, onions, spinach, carrots and garlic for our vegetables. Plus fresh cilantro. And we also got apples, bananas, little oranges called tarabantina here (not sure what they are in english, but similar to mandarins), big naval oranges and tomatoes. It was a lot of food, and it was really hig quality. Plus none of the produce was bruised or damaged, and it was all pretty clean. The only thing is the fruit is not lasting us all week, as we have a voracious banana consumer (maya) and another voracious orange eater (mike). So next week we might ask them to go heavier on the fruits and lighter on the lettuce...
The cool thing is it is saving us time. We arranged the delivery to come on Sunday afternoon when we are at work but our housekeeper is at our house. So we no longer have to run to the store all the time to get produce, and we don't have to pay insane expat grocery prices. And we (or Mike) is cooking more interesting things.
So yesterday Mike made chili with the excellent ground beef we got. And today we had a fresh spinach and feta chicken stir fry over rice. Yum!
Something in common
Maya would like to point out that Obama and Bob the Builder have something in common. Since Obama won the election, she has been running around the house, gleefully singing: "Bob the Builder, Yes We Can!"
Probably helped her make the connection that one of her best friends had a Bob the Builder birthday party a couple days after the election...
Probably helped her make the connection that one of her best friends had a Bob the Builder birthday party a couple days after the election...
Saturday, 8 November 2008
Halloween fun
I know I'm a bit late to post with Halloween stuff, but I guess some people might want to see pictures. Anyway, Maya and her friend K painted pumpkins that we bought at our local grocery store/fruit and veggie market. I thought carving would have been a bit ambitious.
Maya also went to three separate Halloween parties, and K's mom arranged for all her neigbours to have candy so the kids could trick or treat in her building. So Maya actually did get to go door-to-door trick or treating. And let me tell you, she caught on to the idea FAST! She also doesn't like it wen her parents eat a single piece of candy after she's gone to bed-- even if we eat the chocolate stuff that she refuses to eat anyway...
Maya was Winnie the Pooh for party number 1 (at preschool). Then she was a ballerina for party number 2 (at the club). Then she wore a purple cape for trick or treating and told everyone she was Batman!!
Friday, 7 November 2008
Amharic school!
I was inspired by several of my friends to try to get together some sort of Amharic playschool for Maya so she can see that Tibby is not the only person in the universe who speaks Amharic. My friend G set up a Saturday playgroup for Lithuanian kids in Cairo. And she really inspired me and gave me lots of ideas.
So now I have set up an "Amharic play" group in Cairo. So far we are three families with five kids total. It is Maya with her nanny Tibby, two other adopted kids with their Ethiopian nanny B, and two kids from an Ethiopian expat family in Cairo with their mom. We had our first "play" yesterday at our house. I think it went relatively well, considering it is the first time and there is a wide age range (2-6) and that all the kids have differing levels of Amharic.
We did a butterfly (birabiro) theme. They talked about birabiros, listened to a birabiro song, did a birabiro craft that I prepared for them, drew birabiros, and danced around to Ethiopian music. They focused on learning the words for the colors birabiros could be and obviously learning the word for butterfly in Amharic.
Since I can't do the Amharic stuff, I decided to become responsible for organising the themes of the day and preparing the crafts. And the native Amharic speakers will do the actual language stuff. So the division of labour is working well.
The only thing I was upset about is that we are doing it during weekdays (since that is when Tibby can be there), so I am working during that time. I arranged to leave work early yesterday so I could be there for the first session, but had an urgent thing come up at work so I ended up missing all but the last few minutes of the play session. Drat! But it seemed that everyone had a pretty good time and all the kids participated to some degree.
It was really good for Maya. When I got home of course she immediately switched to English. But then she got mad because one of the other kids had her book and she asked for it back (in English). I told her to ask him in Amharic and she said: Feleku. Ehia Yeneno (I want that. It's mine) Wow!!! (OK please forgive my bad transliteration). But it is pretty major for me to see Maya speaking to another kid in Amharic.
Anyway, we are going to do next week's session in Zamalek at W's house. She suggested we review colors next week and try to do a session on shapes. So this non-Amharic speaker needs to get some ideas for a craft and project on how to do shapes in a fun way.
So now I have set up an "Amharic play" group in Cairo. So far we are three families with five kids total. It is Maya with her nanny Tibby, two other adopted kids with their Ethiopian nanny B, and two kids from an Ethiopian expat family in Cairo with their mom. We had our first "play" yesterday at our house. I think it went relatively well, considering it is the first time and there is a wide age range (2-6) and that all the kids have differing levels of Amharic.
We did a butterfly (birabiro) theme. They talked about birabiros, listened to a birabiro song, did a birabiro craft that I prepared for them, drew birabiros, and danced around to Ethiopian music. They focused on learning the words for the colors birabiros could be and obviously learning the word for butterfly in Amharic.
Since I can't do the Amharic stuff, I decided to become responsible for organising the themes of the day and preparing the crafts. And the native Amharic speakers will do the actual language stuff. So the division of labour is working well.
The only thing I was upset about is that we are doing it during weekdays (since that is when Tibby can be there), so I am working during that time. I arranged to leave work early yesterday so I could be there for the first session, but had an urgent thing come up at work so I ended up missing all but the last few minutes of the play session. Drat! But it seemed that everyone had a pretty good time and all the kids participated to some degree.
It was really good for Maya. When I got home of course she immediately switched to English. But then she got mad because one of the other kids had her book and she asked for it back (in English). I told her to ask him in Amharic and she said: Feleku. Ehia Yeneno (I want that. It's mine) Wow!!! (OK please forgive my bad transliteration). But it is pretty major for me to see Maya speaking to another kid in Amharic.
Anyway, we are going to do next week's session in Zamalek at W's house. She suggested we review colors next week and try to do a session on shapes. So this non-Amharic speaker needs to get some ideas for a craft and project on how to do shapes in a fun way.
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Blog makeover
Maya is three now, and I decided that with a new year she should get a new look. Hope you like it.
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Vote!!!!!!
For anyone reading my blog in the U.S. who has not already voted. Please vote now!!! Please help our country make history. Please help make America a better place for my daughter, and for everyone!!
Friday, 31 October 2008
Bad attitude
I've been in a bad mood about Egypt recently. I have had little tolerance for the annoying little things that happen that are a part of living in another culture. I know this is a form of culture shock that ebbs and flows. But right now I am in the middle of it.
First, we had an annoying experience on our otherwise fantastic beach trip to Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea coast with our friends. The hotel staff on three separate occasions made annoying little "behind our back but right in front of us" comments about the composition of our family. First it was the ubiquitous and exaggerated "Izzay??" (meaning How?!?!) by the front desk staff while gawking and pointing at Maya. Then later a gardener shouted: "Where'd they get that black girl from?" And at dinner a member of the waitstaff said: "It's not natural" while pointing at Maya.
We are used to the comments by Egyptians. We get them all the time. And I am used to being in that bizarre world where people think they can talk in Arabic in front of me because I look western and I won't understand, but then I do understand. But to have it come from staff at a very nice 4-star hotel when I was trying to take a vacation. Well, it was too much.
When we checked out of the hotel, we asked to speak to the manager to make a complaint. But they refused to get the manager, claiming the manager was on vacation. When we complained to the assistant deputy front desk manager, he just didn't seem to see the problem. Didn't apologise. Nothing. Well, some of the other front desk clerks were smirking under their breath, and the guy did offer to let us write a formal complaint which he assured us he would give to the manager. Yeah right! We didn't bother.
It makes me sad because, other than the generally rude and intolerant staff at the hotel, we had such a nice time at the beach, which is only a 90ish minute drive from Cairo. Clearly we will not be staying at this particular hotel again. There is another hotel in the same compound, although I think the two are somehow connected. Maybe we will try the other hotel next time, and hope it is better. Although I may warn them in advance that I expect their staff to keep the comments about our family to themselves.
OK, but this is not the only annoyance we have had recently. Another is that Maya got an easel for her birthday. It is a nice wood easel that is made in Egypt. The same day we gave it to her, Maya tipped it over and one of the two top hinges fell off. When I looked at it I saw that the side of the hinge that fell off had been glued on, but not secured by screw like the other hinge. It seemed that during assembly, the workers had run out of screws, so just decided to glue the other hinge. Why?!?!?! That is just so frustrating.
And when we ordered the bouncy castle for Maya's birthday, we carefully selected it out of a catalogue. We wanted a bouncy with a slide and a tunnel, and the one we picked looked really bright and cheery. What came was a totally different, and pretty grungy, bouncy castle. Not the end of the world. But just, well, annoying. And then there was this crazy party the other night that I called the police on.
The thing is, these things happen in Egypt. And normally I just go with the flow and don't get bothered by it. But recently this kind of stuff has been really getting to me, and little things have been bothering me (like the stupid bouncy castle thing which is really just silly to complain about). I guess I know I could be affected by culture shock just like anyone else. But we've been in the region for 8 consecutive years, plus more years as students before that. I had thought that I should really be over this kind of stuff. But somehow, it is bothering me now. I think it is time for a vacation!!
First, we had an annoying experience on our otherwise fantastic beach trip to Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea coast with our friends. The hotel staff on three separate occasions made annoying little "behind our back but right in front of us" comments about the composition of our family. First it was the ubiquitous and exaggerated "Izzay??" (meaning How?!?!) by the front desk staff while gawking and pointing at Maya. Then later a gardener shouted: "Where'd they get that black girl from?" And at dinner a member of the waitstaff said: "It's not natural" while pointing at Maya.
We are used to the comments by Egyptians. We get them all the time. And I am used to being in that bizarre world where people think they can talk in Arabic in front of me because I look western and I won't understand, but then I do understand. But to have it come from staff at a very nice 4-star hotel when I was trying to take a vacation. Well, it was too much.
When we checked out of the hotel, we asked to speak to the manager to make a complaint. But they refused to get the manager, claiming the manager was on vacation. When we complained to the assistant deputy front desk manager, he just didn't seem to see the problem. Didn't apologise. Nothing. Well, some of the other front desk clerks were smirking under their breath, and the guy did offer to let us write a formal complaint which he assured us he would give to the manager. Yeah right! We didn't bother.
It makes me sad because, other than the generally rude and intolerant staff at the hotel, we had such a nice time at the beach, which is only a 90ish minute drive from Cairo. Clearly we will not be staying at this particular hotel again. There is another hotel in the same compound, although I think the two are somehow connected. Maybe we will try the other hotel next time, and hope it is better. Although I may warn them in advance that I expect their staff to keep the comments about our family to themselves.
OK, but this is not the only annoyance we have had recently. Another is that Maya got an easel for her birthday. It is a nice wood easel that is made in Egypt. The same day we gave it to her, Maya tipped it over and one of the two top hinges fell off. When I looked at it I saw that the side of the hinge that fell off had been glued on, but not secured by screw like the other hinge. It seemed that during assembly, the workers had run out of screws, so just decided to glue the other hinge. Why?!?!?! That is just so frustrating.
And when we ordered the bouncy castle for Maya's birthday, we carefully selected it out of a catalogue. We wanted a bouncy with a slide and a tunnel, and the one we picked looked really bright and cheery. What came was a totally different, and pretty grungy, bouncy castle. Not the end of the world. But just, well, annoying. And then there was this crazy party the other night that I called the police on.
The thing is, these things happen in Egypt. And normally I just go with the flow and don't get bothered by it. But recently this kind of stuff has been really getting to me, and little things have been bothering me (like the stupid bouncy castle thing which is really just silly to complain about). I guess I know I could be affected by culture shock just like anyone else. But we've been in the region for 8 consecutive years, plus more years as students before that. I had thought that I should really be over this kind of stuff. But somehow, it is bothering me now. I think it is time for a vacation!!
At last, Birthday party pictures
Maya had a terrific birthday party that I'm a bit late in posting about. She had a fabulous Dora the Explorer cake. And a bouncy castle. And she got her face painted as batman. After the party, while we were cuddling in bed, I asked her how she liked the party. She said: It was giant! I tink that means she liked it. Honestly, I think we overdid it. But she had a great time.
And she also loves her new easel and trike!! Here is one easel picture as well.
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Unbelievable...
So this evening, our (bad) neighbors decided to blare music at about 50 million decibals for a huge dance party they were having. The source of the music is about four blocks away and across the railroad tracks. And it is so loud it is shaking our windows and I can't hear the TV in my living room, and I am worried it will wake up Maya (actually amazed she has not woken up yet).
So like any normal American, I called the police. They seemed kind of surprised and didn't seem to understand why I was complaining. They called me back three times to get me to explain the problem. I told them I wanted them to get the neighbors to turn down the music because it is obviously above the legal noise limit and was a public nuisance. Fine.
Twenty minutes later I get a knock at the door, and it is a detective come to investigate my complaint. Of course he immediately realises what the problem is. His solution? To say that the police will intervene if they are still at it by 11:30 p.m. What?? This is not a negotiation. I repeated that I was sure they were over the legal noise limit, and that I was sure other neigbors were also annoyed. He reluctantly said he would go to talk to them. Then, he asked ME for MY ID, for his report. Then he left.
Now it is 45 minutes later. And, I swear, the music is actually louder!! AAAAhhhhhhh!
Edit: OK, the police just called me on the phone to find out if I was satisfied. I told them the music was louder now. They said they had gone there, and the people had turned down the volume, but that they must have resumed the noise after they left. Wow! I was surprised that they followed through. They said they will go back. But it doesn't seem like the partygoers are inclined to listen to them...
So like any normal American, I called the police. They seemed kind of surprised and didn't seem to understand why I was complaining. They called me back three times to get me to explain the problem. I told them I wanted them to get the neighbors to turn down the music because it is obviously above the legal noise limit and was a public nuisance. Fine.
Twenty minutes later I get a knock at the door, and it is a detective come to investigate my complaint. Of course he immediately realises what the problem is. His solution? To say that the police will intervene if they are still at it by 11:30 p.m. What?? This is not a negotiation. I repeated that I was sure they were over the legal noise limit, and that I was sure other neigbors were also annoyed. He reluctantly said he would go to talk to them. Then, he asked ME for MY ID, for his report. Then he left.
Now it is 45 minutes later. And, I swear, the music is actually louder!! AAAAhhhhhhh!
Edit: OK, the police just called me on the phone to find out if I was satisfied. I told them the music was louder now. They said they had gone there, and the people had turned down the volume, but that they must have resumed the noise after they left. Wow! I was surprised that they followed through. They said they will go back. But it doesn't seem like the partygoers are inclined to listen to them...
Obama can come to my house
Here is a conversation after watching some Obama videos on daddy's laptop:
Maya: I like Obama.
Mommy: Me too.
Maya: I don't like McCain. Obama can come to my house. McCain can't come to my house.
Mommy: Yes. It would be nice it Obama came to visit us.
Maya: Obama can come to my house but he can't take my vitamin.
Mommy: Umm hmmm.
Maya: Well, maybe he can have one vitamin. Or he can have a peach. Or yoghurt.
Maya: I like Obama.
Mommy: Me too.
Maya: I don't like McCain. Obama can come to my house. McCain can't come to my house.
Mommy: Yes. It would be nice it Obama came to visit us.
Maya: Obama can come to my house but he can't take my vitamin.
Mommy: Umm hmmm.
Maya: Well, maybe he can have one vitamin. Or he can have a peach. Or yoghurt.
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Swiper, no swiping!
My Obama water bottle got swiped, probably at work. I'm so sad. It is the BPA-free Obama bottle I ordered online and then lugged back to Egypt from the U.S. this summer. I was really proud of that bottle, and a little attached to it. I am kinda mad someone would snatch it. Grrr. As Maya would say: Swiper, no swiping!
Friday, 24 October 2008
At the beach
We went with some friends a week ago for a weekend at the beach at Ain Sokhna, and had a great time (apart from some issues I'll hopefully blog about later).
Maya played with her friends. She buried Mike in sand and got buried in sand herself. She swam in the Red Sea, made some sand castles, destroyed some sand castles, played in the pool, ran around on the grass and generally had a terrific time.
Monday, 20 October 2008
Maya turns 3
Today is Maya's third birthday. She is growing up so fast. I have to say that my main emotion today was one of sadness, for Maya's birth mother. I wonder what she is thinking today, if she remembers that today is Maya's birthday. If she is thinking about her. I know in my heart that she must be. And I am sad that we have not been allowed by our adoption agency to maintain contact with her because of what I believe is a horribly misguided policy. I wonder if Maya's birth mother has been able to see any of the pictures or the letter that we sent long ago before contact was stopped. I am sad for Maya that it has been so long without contact. It is a tragedy for us, really, but mainly a tragedy for Maya.
We didn't do anything to mark Maya's birthday today because she is having a big party at the club on Friday with a bouncy castle and face painting and a Dora the Explorer cake. I am not sure how exactly we wound up giving her such a big party, as I always vowed to follow the one-child-per-age-of-birthday-girl routine. But, alas, Maya is a social being and there was just no way we could limit her to three friends...
Maya is also much more conscious this year of her birthday and has very clear ideas of what she wants. As in: "I want a bouncy castle and face painting and party hats and goody bags and a happy birthday cake and my dance teacher to teach dancing." Well, she is not getting her dance teacher but the rest are all there... She was very specific.
She also has ideas on what she wants for her birthday. She hasn't gotten any significant new toys since last December, so we will be stocking up a bit as she has outgrown a lot of her old toys. She is getting (actually already has gotten) a trike. And she will get an easel. We were also planning to get her a couple puzzles because the ones she has are too young for her. But she has other ideas. She says she wants a computer. "A yellow one!" Yikes!! How did she go from being a little toddler to knowing exactly what she wants.
We didn't do anything to mark Maya's birthday today because she is having a big party at the club on Friday with a bouncy castle and face painting and a Dora the Explorer cake. I am not sure how exactly we wound up giving her such a big party, as I always vowed to follow the one-child-per-age-of-birthday-girl routine. But, alas, Maya is a social being and there was just no way we could limit her to three friends...
Maya is also much more conscious this year of her birthday and has very clear ideas of what she wants. As in: "I want a bouncy castle and face painting and party hats and goody bags and a happy birthday cake and my dance teacher to teach dancing." Well, she is not getting her dance teacher but the rest are all there... She was very specific.
She also has ideas on what she wants for her birthday. She hasn't gotten any significant new toys since last December, so we will be stocking up a bit as she has outgrown a lot of her old toys. She is getting (actually already has gotten) a trike. And she will get an easel. We were also planning to get her a couple puzzles because the ones she has are too young for her. But she has other ideas. She says she wants a computer. "A yellow one!" Yikes!! How did she go from being a little toddler to knowing exactly what she wants.
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Happy Birthday Mommy!
Mike took Maya to the party store in our neighbourhood and let her pick out some stuff for my birthday. I got birthday candles with little horses on them, pink princess plates for the cake, a coke can with wet wipes inside and kitchy candle in the shape of a purse. Fun!
Then we went to City Stars Mall (the nice expensive glitzy mall) and ate at Ruby Tuesdays for dinner. Ruby Tuesdays just opened in Cairo, and I was craving good American food!
Sunday, 12 October 2008
After Fagnoon...
We changed out of our painting clothes and went to Andrea's for lunch. Andrea's is a really cool garden restaurant with nice outdoor tables and a playground for kids. They serve grilled chicken, which is cooked over an open-air rotisserie grill that you pass as you enter. And they cook their own pocket bread. And there was a dog with puppies in the garden.
Saturday, 11 October 2008
Going to the Soukermarket!
It is so funny to watch Maya develop language. In both Arabic and Amharic, a market is a souk. Therefore, Maya thinks that a supermarket is actually a "soukermarket", and that's what she calls it. Too funny.
She also has a new phrase she likes to use, when looking for approval: "Mommy, I'm a good jobber!"It's so cute. She also tells me that I am a good jobber when I do things that she thinks merit praise.
Maya is also a birthday party crasher. Yesterday, she went to three birthday parties, and the first one she was not exactly invited to. (The other two she was invited). The non-invited party was at our club, and had a huge bouncy castle and ball pit, which she played in. I actually don't usually try to prevent her from doing this because, well, it's a small club and in order to keep her out of the bouncy, we'd have to leave the club. And since there are parties every weekend, that's not really workable for us. Plus, people are generally not that possessive of bouncy castles at our club.
But I generally try to prevent Maya from asking for birthday cake or doing the organised games at these parties. Yesterday, however, when Mike tried to remove her from the party as the kids were sitting down for cake, he was reprimanded by a set of about 3-4 moms who told him it would be cruel to make her leave. I don't know how she always manages to get people to be so nice to her. Nobody (other than her parents) ever says no to this little girl. She had a great time at all three parties, though.
She also has a new phrase she likes to use, when looking for approval: "Mommy, I'm a good jobber!"It's so cute. She also tells me that I am a good jobber when I do things that she thinks merit praise.
Maya is also a birthday party crasher. Yesterday, she went to three birthday parties, and the first one she was not exactly invited to. (The other two she was invited). The non-invited party was at our club, and had a huge bouncy castle and ball pit, which she played in. I actually don't usually try to prevent her from doing this because, well, it's a small club and in order to keep her out of the bouncy, we'd have to leave the club. And since there are parties every weekend, that's not really workable for us. Plus, people are generally not that possessive of bouncy castles at our club.
But I generally try to prevent Maya from asking for birthday cake or doing the organised games at these parties. Yesterday, however, when Mike tried to remove her from the party as the kids were sitting down for cake, he was reprimanded by a set of about 3-4 moms who told him it would be cruel to make her leave. I don't know how she always manages to get people to be so nice to her. Nobody (other than her parents) ever says no to this little girl. She had a great time at all three parties, though.
Riding the Donkey
Oh yeah, and we also saw a camel and some goats. The kids were offered a camel ride ... but they declined.New Maya pics
It is finally cool enough to go back to Fagnoon. We went last week with Maya's friends Sam and Kestas (and their families), and I think we are going to be spending a lot of time at Fagnoon this winter!!
The kids played on the grass, did some pottery on old fashioned wheels, and painted. Kestas's mom brought a neat rocket-shooter toy, so the kids shot off some rockets in the grass. And we brought snacks and ate them at picnic tables. And they were making bread in a traditional oven, so we bought some. And the kids rode on a donkey.
The coolest thing is that apparently on most days, they will actually let the kids work with the dough and "make" their own traditional pocket bread. We couldn't do it the day we went because it was a national holiday so they weren't doing that activity. But they said most other days of the year they will. So I can't wait to go back!
I'm back!
Sorry for the blog absence. I've been working a lot at work recently due to recent news events, and Maya has been preventing me from sleeping at night, so I've been going to bed at 9 p.m. or so to catch up on sleep (and therefore not blogging). Plus we've had a busy social life on top of that as all our friends who were out of town this summer are now back in full force. Pictures coming soon.
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Curses...
To the people who work in a 25-story building with only two working elevators and thousands of employees and who insist on pushing both the up and down elevator call buttons, so that I end up stopping at every floor on my way to the top of the building. This is driving me crazy. It seems to be a cultural thing. As an American, I only push the call button for the direction I am going, because who wants to get on an elevator going up when you really want to go down?!?!?!?! But it seems many Egyptians think you should push both ways and just get on the first elevator that comes. It's a total cultural clash!
Sometimes, it can take half an hour one way to ride the elevator. Because you have to wait for about 3 elevators to crush yourself in, and then you stop on every floor. It's driving me crazy!!
Sometimes, it can take half an hour one way to ride the elevator. Because you have to wait for about 3 elevators to crush yourself in, and then you stop on every floor. It's driving me crazy!!
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Linguistic feet!
Maya has been having some very interesting conversations recently. Today we were barefoot in the living room playing soccer before I left for work, and here is how the conversation went.
Maya: Mommy, I have Amarinya (Amharic) feet and you have English feet.
Me: Oh, really? You mean your feet are brown and mine are tan?
Maya: No. My feet Amarinya and you feet English.
Me: I see. Your feet speak Amarinya and my feet speak English?
Maya: (Smiles, stares into space)
Me: Well you speak Amarinya and English, so maybe you have one Amarinya foot and one English foot. And I speak English and Arabic. So maybe I have one English foot and one Arabic foot.
Maya: That's silly mommy.
Maya: Mommy, I have Amarinya (Amharic) feet and you have English feet.
Me: Oh, really? You mean your feet are brown and mine are tan?
Maya: No. My feet Amarinya and you feet English.
Me: I see. Your feet speak Amarinya and my feet speak English?
Maya: (Smiles, stares into space)
Me: Well you speak Amarinya and English, so maybe you have one Amarinya foot and one English foot. And I speak English and Arabic. So maybe I have one English foot and one Arabic foot.
Maya: That's silly mommy.
Monday, 15 September 2008
Octopus
Here is a story Maya told me today in the car:
Maya: The kids fly up the balloons to the airplane to get a toy, and they get a drink. And they get lost from their mommy. The babies get lost from their mommy. And they cry, cry. And June fly up to the moon.
Me: Who is June?
Maya: A kid from school. (I actually think this is a made-up personality, but I could be wrong)
Maya: And they fly up to the moon and they fall down. And June fall down and the babies fall down. And they bump the cars. And they have to go to the hospital. They get a vitamin to get better, and they get medicine to get better. And the doctor is an octopus.
Maya: The kids fly up the balloons to the airplane to get a toy, and they get a drink. And they get lost from their mommy. The babies get lost from their mommy. And they cry, cry. And June fly up to the moon.
Me: Who is June?
Maya: A kid from school. (I actually think this is a made-up personality, but I could be wrong)
Maya: And they fly up to the moon and they fall down. And June fall down and the babies fall down. And they bump the cars. And they have to go to the hospital. They get a vitamin to get better, and they get medicine to get better. And the doctor is an octopus.
Sunday, 14 September 2008
Good news, sad news (for mommy)
So, a week or so ago I was talking with Tibby about Maya's Amharic. We were both lamenting that while Maya understood a LOT in Amharic, she was choosing to respond to Tibby in English most of the time. We weren't sure what her speaking skills really were, or whether her understanding was sort of passive. We decided that it was time to put little pressure on her to actually speak in Amharic.
So we had a little talk with Maya that she needed to actually speak in Amharic to Tibby, and not use English. And that it was OK if she makes mistakes, but that starting the next week, Tibby would no longer respond to her if she spoke in English.
Tibby also agreed to start working with Maya on how to ask how to say words in Amharic that she already knows in English but might not know in Amharic. (As in: How do you say 'XX' in amarinya?)
Maya was a little whiney and not too happy about this talk. But the very next day she actually started speaking with Tibby (almost) exclusively in Amharic. And she has continued all this week. And she is actually speaking much better than we had thought. I am so proud of her.
The sad news is that today when I was listening to Maya and Tibby speak, I realised I can't actually follow the conversation anymore. Previously, I could basically follow it with my own rudimentary knowledge and by listening to Maya's side of the conversation. But now, I can't follow what my daughter is saying anymore. Aaah! I better start working on improving MY Amharic!!
So we had a little talk with Maya that she needed to actually speak in Amharic to Tibby, and not use English. And that it was OK if she makes mistakes, but that starting the next week, Tibby would no longer respond to her if she spoke in English.
Tibby also agreed to start working with Maya on how to ask how to say words in Amharic that she already knows in English but might not know in Amharic. (As in: How do you say 'XX' in amarinya?)
Maya was a little whiney and not too happy about this talk. But the very next day she actually started speaking with Tibby (almost) exclusively in Amharic. And she has continued all this week. And she is actually speaking much better than we had thought. I am so proud of her.
The sad news is that today when I was listening to Maya and Tibby speak, I realised I can't actually follow the conversation anymore. Previously, I could basically follow it with my own rudimentary knowledge and by listening to Maya's side of the conversation. But now, I can't follow what my daughter is saying anymore. Aaah! I better start working on improving MY Amharic!!
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
Enkutatash!
We spent the evening with the Egypt4 family for Ethiopian New Year, which is actually tomorrow. Maya had a blast jumping around and dancing with the Four kids. We got in some nice adult time with our friends. We ate some terrific Ethiopian food!! And Maya fell asleep really fast when we got home.
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