Omani National Day

This past November the 18th was the 44th Omani National Day.  It is essentially the 4th of July in Oman. 

Just like in the US, the city decorates with the country colors.  Mainly they use lights and flags in red, white, and green.  This year, people went crazy putting decals on their cars, commemorating their beloved Sultan Qaboos and Oman itself.  For their parties, people wear their best abayas and traditional wear. And just like the US, there is usually a fireworks show somewhere.  Omanis truly love being Omanis.  The national pride here is extremely strong.

 

 

 

Here at school, the Omani staff, with help of others, put together outdoor tents for elementary students to learn about Omani traditions, while an indoor set up is done for staff and parents to come relax, have Omani treats, get some henna, and try on traditional clothes.  

Here are some photos from our fun day!

 

Aberly's class being served in the traditional Omani style with juice (instead of traditional coffee) and Omani treats

 

Having an Omani date

 

Dressed up in Omani clothes with Lara

 

Getting henna done

 

Seeing how kummas (men's head piece) are hardmade.

 

Seeing traditional bread being made.

 

Emalyn came down for the fun too.  The Omani musical group ladies loved her!

 

Em with her buddy, Cooper, who is sporting men's traditional wear.

 

Check out Omani Kelsey!  

 

Posing with my dear friend, Beata.

 

My pretty henna.  Always a treat!

We never cease to be blessed by the opportunities we have while here.  The cultural experiences that we and our children can have are life changing.  Experiencing other cultures and their traditions, whether here in Oman or through our travels, allows us to truly understand other people, other nationalities, and why they are who they are.  Our world view is something we do not, and will not, ever take for granted!

 

First storm of this (school) year

We always welcome rain and this past weekend delivered.  It was especially fun since it was right before noon so I could get some great photos during daylight. 

We heard rain was coming but didn't realize it would be such a storm.  Colin was off getting his haircut, Isla and Izzy were over to play, and I poked around the house enjoying some down time while Emalyn napped.

The storm started with some serious, howling, and screeching wind.  The girls and I enjoyed it for a bit outside.

My down time ended quickly once the rain started coming down hard.

 

The rain immediately started seeping in under the doors since the is no weather stripping.

  

The wind was still so strong that it whipped the rain around and our parking area quickly filled with water.

 

No drainage system means water collects and runs.  The muddy water raced down the street next to our place.

 

The real trouble started when our ventilation chute filled with water.  The water from the upper patios drains into this, and the drain at the bottom can't keep up so it fills with water above the windows.  This time, the water was too strong and pushed through the rubber stripping around the windows. 

 

I was really lucky that I had a few extra tubs around to collect the water before it filled the bathroom floor and spilled over into the living room.

 

Rain aftermath.  Always a lot of mud and rocks on the roads.  And standing water in the low lying areas of town, which you can't see here.

Despite the trouble it causes, the rain also brings a lot of joy to young kiddos.  The girls cheerfully watched the rain from Aberly's room while I took care of the water, and they finally got their real fun.

Worth it!

Halloween Hoopla!

Once again, we've had a very enjoyable, and memorable, Halloween here in Oman.  We even had some passing clouds and wind last night, so if it had only been about 30 degrees cooler, it would've felt just like home!

We had two Halloween events here.  The first one was the annual school Fall Festival, which includes lots of decor, a haunted house, trick or treating (from classroom to classroom), and games.  Aberly loved playing the games to earn coins for buying prizes, and of course, the trick or treating.  Emalyn was a bit overwhelmed by it all, but once she realized she would get "treats" going to the adults, she was very interested.  And I think she loved running through the hall with the other excited kids.

 

Emalyn and her friend, Cooper

 

What's this?  For me? 

 

Concentrating during a festival game

 

Aberly and Isla (Aberly was Word Girl, by the way)

 

Aberly and Lara    

 Fabulous Halloween moms (Laura, Hannah, and Me) 

The next day was the real Halloween, and we carved Aberly's lovely little pumpkin I sold my kidney for.  Well, it cost me almost $8.  But Aberly loved it and it was worth every last penny to see her light up over her "cute" pumpkin.  That evening, we headed to the campus housing for the yearly staff party and trick or treat on the street.  As always, the kids and adults had fun with trick-or-treating, Charlie Brown's Halloween, a potluck dinner,and lots of play time.

 

The $8 pumpkin that started to mold two days later.

 

 Ready for more goodies, now as a fairy princess.

 

Annual TAISM staff kiddo photo.  Aberly is in the front row, Emalyn is being held in the back row.

 

Dan and Colin get in the spirit too   

Happy Halloween!