Thursday, December 23, 2010

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow

A very fun song we sang as we sat on our porch in shorts with an iced tea and planning our R&R trip to London for Christmas.  As the day approached, packing our winter clothes to leave the sand storms in Kuwait,  we were looking forward to tromping in the snow, experiencing Christmas, British style.  

I suppose this is the case of be careful what you wish for…….really and truly!!!  London has snow!   So much of it, that the airport has been closed for days…..we weren’t told when we checked in on the 19th of December in Kuwait.  We got as far as Doha….an hour flight from

Kuwait. Keeping us in the Middle East, we were told til 8 that evening….

Ok an 11 hour delay….we walked, we shopped, ate and slept, we read, I knit….we scowl  and then did that over and over….the thing about having your computer along is you can research anything…and what the airlines had not been telling us is that the airport wasn’t going to open so there was no flight leaving at 8…..they had their policies to keep us in the dark….and I suppose it kept mayhem down a bit….but we were not happy.  thankfully we were put up in a hotel, 5 star at that with meals included, but they did not provided the snow we were so anticipating, nor the Christmas carols we longed to hear.  We weren’t provided with much hope on Monday either.  We were told there were no flights available and were to remain at the hotel for another day and night…..that certain didn’t go over big in our camp.  after many calls….we did it ….arranged a flight to Paris……ok….its not where our hotel has been booked (with no refund) and we were missing the theatre….that we arranged months ahead….but Paris….ok  it could be so much worse…..arrival was to be 5:30 pm…we finally arrived at our hotel for the night by 9:30….so much for thinking we might dine somewhere on French cuisine…..by 10 pm we sat at the Marriot hotel restaurant….and there were lovely things on the menu,….but by that time dining wasn’t in our thoughts so much as lets get something to eat and get to bed…..hamburg for john and a salad for me…..and we both ordered French onion soup….to make us feel better.

Up at 5 am….on tuesday…..excited now that by 9 am we will finally be in London……arriving at  6 at the airport we found our hopes dashed….again….the flights to London cancelled….nothing til tomorrow night!……We conceded…ok at least we are not in the Middle East….stuck in Paris….well thats a good bright side….AND they have snow!     But what about all that we spent on reservations of museums, theatre, hotel and transportation….all paid for in London….?   Is there another way for us to get there???

Which brings me to now….This is the Paris train station….we are looking for the train we need to board….heading north to Calais….to then catch….a ferry… of all things….then another train and our hopes for today is that we eventually get to London, the nice hotel we picked out for our R&R…..it means rest and relaxation dosn’t it??

 

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Hoopoe

That is the name and the spelling of the bird we saw in our backyard.

We had no idea what this was….but quietly tried following him to get these pictures.

 

bird

bird in yard

After describing him to a friend she identified him as the Hoopoe bird….so then I went on line and found these great pictureshoopoe-168 hoopoe-xxximg_8141mw

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I so want to see him with the feathers opened up on his head.  Pretty cute don’t you think????

Monday, November 22, 2010

Riding down the highway….

 Camels in truck

For this reason, I don’t leave the house without my camera! 

 

in the street

goats in the street

We had just left the mall parking garage, and had to stop for sheep and goats herded across the street.

 

Keeps us smiling and shaking our heads!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Scuba,our latest adventure

My silent mantra as I went through the textbook and took the tests.Scuba Class 1

Scuba Class 1

Diving is FUN

 

Scuba Pool 2

All geared up for the pool dive, finally after all that studying.

 

Scuba Pool

Ramey and Moustafa the instructors.

The dive was exhilarating..even if only in the pool.  I was excited..

 Scuba Boat Trip 1 BDiving is FUN 

Scuba Boat Trip 1D

Day one of Open Water Instruction…..we had to sit on the edge of the boat and fall in backwards……that was the easy part, climbing up the ladder with all the gear AND tank wasn’t so easy.  My legs felt like Jell-O and I kept saying to myself I can’t believe I just did this….Not only did we learn to take our mask off and put back on, clear it of water, simulate the tank is out of air and buddy breathe, but we saw fish….really cool fish…

Scuba Boat Trip 2A

Remember  Diving is FUN

 

Day Two of Open Water Instruction I wasn’t looking too excited.  The water was pretty choppy so the boat was a rocking….and so was my stomach. None the less, I managed to get my new dive suit on….and at this point just wanting to get this over with.  Once in the water, sea sickness sensation stopped and we learned to use the compass underwater and pull someone to safety…and got to see many new fish as well as a sunken ship.  Once back on board, my stomach continued to rock with the boat so I found a comfy place till we were back on shore.

Scuba Boat Trip 2C

John and I really did this together, although there is a lack of a pictures of him…..Taking care of myself on that boat and in the water seemed to be a tremendous responsibility, let alone think of a camera. 

 

Scuba Cert Both

Well here we are….PADI Scuba Diving Certified!  We did it!!

and yes

  Diving IS Fun

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Mourning is…..

a necessary part of the human experience.

 

A death in the family leaves a void that cannot be filled. No one can ever take the place of this individual in the world.

             Dad Pfeiffer passed away in his sleep last night in his own bed!

That’s the way he wanted it!  He celebrated his 90th birthday this year and was able to attend a family wedding with the entire family present.

He loved living!  He loved his family of three children, their spouses, his eight grandchildren and their spouses and his 13 great grandchildren and he still loved me.   

            I am flooded with memories of you tonight;  bringing smiles, and even laughter with my tears. It is true…..no one can ever take your place in this world.  You will be sorely missed by all who knew you!  I love you, so much dad!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

An Invitation…..

Korean Invitation_NEW

 On the occasion of the National Foundation Day

and the Armed Forces Day

The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea and Mrs... MOON Young Han

Request the pleasure of your company

at a Reception on Wednesday, October 13, 2010

19:00-21:00 hrs.

Crowne Plaza Hotel                                                       Regrets Only

Al -Andalous Ballroom

 Please present this invitation card at the entrance

 Invitation

 

 

 

GE’s partner for this project is the Korean Company, Hyundai.  Throughout this year, I have had the distinct pleasure to with my husband and his Korean colleagues.  Thus, the connection of our receiving the above invitation.   I will confess….I got  a wee bit nervous to be attending an Embassy function.  Thee most important….what does one wear to such a function…….When I would ask around….the answer always seemed the same……anything….from gowns to suits to dress pants….well those that know me, know clothes shopping isn’t one of my favorite things to do…….quite a dilemma, because I do like wearing new clothes and like dressing up….

The ballroom at the Crowne was beautiful,, lots of scrumptious Korean food to nibble on and then mingle, mingle, mingle….a fun night!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

“Let there be many windows to your soul, that all the glory of the world may beautify it.”

                                                          - Ella Wheeler Wilcox

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                     VENICE

Venice

Venice, a romantic city, something Cath and I both knew we wanted to see!!!  But really didn’t know why til after spending a couple days there!  It is  located in northern Italy.  It is built on over 100 islands!!!!

Numerous foot bridges connect the city and only three cross the main canal.   It is thee most unique city I’ve ever seen.

 

Water is the main form of transportation  to and around Venice.  As we road in the gondola is when the realization of what that means.  Every thing in and out of the city by boat.  There were garbage boats, water taxis, ambulance boats, police boats,  cargo boats…and they and the canals are narrow, so  none of these boats is big. The only way you can directly reach Venice Hotels  is by water taxi. I don’t think any of us understood that !!!!   We had programmed in the GPS the hotel address…..and it only took us as far as the lagoon…we circled around and tried again and then it dawned on us….so we parked the car and then hoofed it across bridges, in and around crowded streets til we found the little alley way to the hotel!

Venice, a quaint, old, eccentric, alive, beautiful place to visit!!!

 

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                                             Ambulance and Water Taxi

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                                        Sisters enjoying a walk ……..

The last evening we had dinner along the canal…..John and I took in a concert and a late night water taxi back to the hotel.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Castello del Trebbio in the heart of Tuscany

was built in 1184  by the Pazzi family.  It  is surrounded by olive groves and vineyards and is one of the longest inhabited castles.IMG_1301

                                      It is here when I knew I was in love with

       ITALY

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We learned that “Chianti” is the name of the region, not the wine.

At the Castello del Trebbio, they use 100% Sangiovese grapes.

We were treated to a couple different wines as well as a taste of their  Virgin olive oil pressed right there. 

 

This area is all that I had dreamed and hoped it would be….

Sunday, October 24, 2010

A night to remember

il Latini  it means tradition: a means of discovering Tuscany and its people.

Il latini restaurant 2 

This was our favorite restaurant in  Florence, serving its customers family style with dishes typical of the Tuscan tradition.

 

 

 

 

Il latini restaurant 1

 

It was a wonderful dining      experience.

 

 

As we walked the cobbled streets, heading to the hotel, nothing could have prepared us for the entertainment we were about to partake in…..rather, one of us participated as the other three were sure to capture “the moment” on film, laughing ourselves silly with the rest of the crowd that gathered.

Currently I am having difficulty uploading the “video” . I am sure Rich was hoping I lost it……stay tuned….I’m working on it…..

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Leaning Tower of Pisa

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Something we just had to see…..John had the energy to climb to the top..we three waited below….see us waving to him?

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We took the road less traveled back to Florence…GIGI (the gps) had a fit of course, but by doing so we went through a mountain village and saw a beautiful sunset!