Life as of Late

Jake is bored of blogging (or depressed by a lack of comments) so I (Emily) am going to take over for this entry.

I suppose there's not much to say....life is good. Yesterday I complained about the too-strong smell of the cleaner's supplies-- it was then I realized I am a spoiled brat. Scary that that didn't cross my mind last week, when the dryer stopped worked and someone brought me a completely new one within ten minutes.

We also found a new grocery store (I must say that we are entirely too food orientated), where we can find everything from Heinz beans to Waitrose almond biscuits to Aunt Bessie's roast teddies....needless to say I am completely content in the food department. What else is new.

As far as school goes, Jake is being made head of committees left and right and consistently being pat on the back by the principal. AND his kids are great...full of intellectual conversation and the like. Well, when they do their homework that is. But it's the same anywhere.


I'm just minding my own business here at the good ol' elementary, where our problems stem from inside the classroom rather than out. There are good days and bad, but as Jake said, when you're a teacher, everyday is another chance to do it over again. The good days are very good though-- last week, a little girl in my class handed out her birthday party invitations at the end of the day. Fine, I thought, maybe she's having a party at WahHoo waterpark and inviting the whole class.

False.

Someone let me read their invite. It said, “Come to a birthday party for Fatema! When: Thursday September 30. Place: School.” Riddle me that! Apparently I was to have this child's birthday party in my class. I asked her if she meant after school....nope. I come to find out that we are required to have a birthday party on the last Thursday of every month-- gosh, it's a rough life here, people going about and requiring parties. Anyway, her mom came in at the end of the day with the biggest most ornate cake I've ever seen....Wal-Mart bakery doesn't cut it for these people. She also had juice and personal pizzas for everyone AND games and prizes for the kids. Let me tell you, it was a rough day. And that cake was ridiculously tasty. (I know what you're going to say mum....there I go talking about food again!)

For lack of any more lengthy and interesting stories, I am going to provide for your reading pleasure a list of other reasons to love Bahrain (aka reasons why you should come and visit):
- It is still 90 degrees.
- Cars don't have seatbelts. Let me rephrase. Cars don't have seatbelts that are actually used, especially by children. The back
ledge is preferred by most parents and guardians. (Please see image)

- Children often bring you treats. They'll even bring in brownies if their maids/nannies know how to make them (thanks Allison)
- Our car, Trey, the ever-reliable Mazda 3. 'Nuff said.
- Not only is the first race of the F1 held here every year, but they practice for it right outside the apartment! They all meet at
about 1am regardless of the day, and race up and down the strip...loudly. Jake is still waiting with baited breath for the
inevitable crunch.
- The famous people here. We have the pleasure of teaching with a couple, the wife of which is a famousish author! And further,
they really really like us. Which is always good. Plus they are a source of constant entertainment....but they are British so we
can't be too shocked that they are awesome. (Chickens. Mules, and Two Old Fools -Check it out on Amazon!)
- Jake and our friend Colton have started an A Capella group. It consists of 2 people and 1 song. Any suggestions to build their
repertoire would be much appreciated. I guess that's not so much a reason to come to Bahrain as much as a general plea.

We miss you all and hope you are well!