Life of The Duanes

The Year is Planned - 2010

2009-11-27T14:43:00.005+04:00

I have been busy planning our holidays ect for 2010 over the past couple of weeks.

As most of you know, Air Asia do cheap flights from Perth - Kula Lumpa, Kula Lumpa - Abu Dhabi (UAE). The flights are around $700 each and are a good option if anyone wants to come see us, but can't justify spending $1800 on a direct flight with Emirates.

Anyway, below are the dates and plans of our comings and goings so you know where we're at. Wink wink, Nudge Nudge. Lol

Alex's School Holidays/Easter/ Marec's Bday: Friday 2nd - Saturday 17th April

James will not have any holidays to use at this point in time, except maybe 1 or 2 days. So unfortunately the boys and I will be hanging around Dubai, waiting for the Easter bunny to get from Hamelin Bay to Dubai. Lets hope he doesn't get lost. If anyone is interested in coming to see us around this time, we would totally love it! Flights on Air Asia for this 2 week period are currently around $650.

France: Sunday 13th June - Saturday 19th June
I am heading to France for Alana and Anthony's wedding. I am going to spend two days in Paris, check out all the sites, take in a show at Moulin Rouge and then hop on the train south bound to Fountaine de Vaclause. I will then spend two days with Alana and the wedding crew before heading to Nice for my final two days. I am going to do a tour of the French Rivera and then fly back to little old Dubai. I know I will really miss the boys, but am sure that James and Vige will do a great job with them.

Perth: Friday 2nd July - Thursday 26th August
I will be bringing the boys home for 8 weeks to escape the heat of Dubai.
James won't be coming home at all unless he can plan a rig visit. We'll know more closer to the date.

Perth: Wednesday 16th December - Thursday 13th January
Alex, Marec and I will fly to Perth on Wednesday 16th Dec and James will follow on 23rd. We spending a week down in Augusta from 27th - 3rd. All four of us will fly home together on the 13th Jan. This will be our last trip home for a while.

It will be a jam pack few months for us, but some really exciting times. We need to make the most of our time living so central to Europe, Asia and Africa, so as of 2011 I will probably only be bringing the boys home once a year from now until we head home permanently in 2013-2014. I really do hope that some of you can make it over to spend some time with us and see where we live over these next few years.

From Baby to Boy

2009-11-27T14:08:00.004+04:00

Marec has definitely grown up heaps since we were home in August. He loves sitting on his potty with his jocks down around his ankles and is out the back under the sprinkler or watering the lawn (and Rigby) any chance he gets.

He has become very clear in his talking and now says O.K, car, thank you, mum, dad, brother, Alex, Rigby, Vigi, and a handful of other words and names.

He is a real little chatter box and is always yelling something out or babbling away to one of us. Even though we can't understand everything he says to us, he can understand every little thing we tell him. He follows instructions like a gem.

We got a new fridge a couple of weeks back and Marec can easily open the door. A couple of times a day he will come running to me with a yogurt in one hand and a giant soup spoon in the other. He bounces up and down in anticipation of his beloved petite miam.

At 2:00pm every weekday he hears me pick up the car keys and runs to get his shoes. He brings his shoes to me so I can help him put them on and says "Brother",then runs to the front door. He loves the trip to school to pick up big boy Alex.

He also loves to dance and will bop away any time music comes on, even if it's just an advert on tv. He loves Barney and sings the "I love You" song. I bought him a little guitar than plays 'Love Shack', Hot Hot Hot', 'All Star', and a few other songs. Well, it's actually from Father Christmas, so I can't wait until chrissy morning to see how much he loves it. One things for sure, we get plenty of fun and laughs out of him.

I've been slack!

2009-11-27T09:22:00.006+04:00

It's been a while since I have given a decent update so here goes.......................

Yesterday was James and mine 3rd Wedding Anniversary. I can't believe it's only been 3 years as it feels like a life time ago. So much has happened over the past few years and if back then you asked me what we would be doing today, I would probably said we would still be living in Secret Harbour and James would still be slugging it our on the 104. I feel good and I think we all do, about the decisions that we've made.

Yesterday was also Alex's 1st day of his one week break from school, so I took him to the movies to see 'Where the Wild Things Are'. Enjoyable, but a little slow. Alex had a nice time and thought it was pretty good. We spent an hour tinkering about in the toy store after the movie and then headed home for some lunch. The afternoon was spent with Alex and I writing letters and filling in christmas cards.

James and I went to dinner at Apres Bar in the Mall of Emirates. It was a funky little bar with good music and great cocktails. The back wall was a massive sheet of glass that looked out over Ski Dubai. We had a delicious pumpkin and coriander soup for starters followed by mains; James had rib eye steak with shallots and I had a very nice English style fish and chips with mushy peas. We then enjoyed a liquor coffee and a chili chocolate martini, yummy!

After dinner we walked over to the movies (again) and went to the gold class viewing of 'New Moon'. The gold class was so comfy. There was around 20 massive leather recliners and a private cinema. We ordered a chocolate brownie for to share for our desert to come half way through the movie. The waitress came around and offered everyone little blankets to cuddle up to, so that was me done; I took off my boots, unbuttoned my top button and reclined back to enjoy the movie. So over indulgent, but we don't do it everyday.

What else has been happening.......

On Wednesday James played his regular monthly DOGS golf comp ( Dubai Oil and Gas Society). Later that evening we went to a big dinner at one of the players houses in a little suburb called Greens Garden Views. There was a great buffet and bar, but I was driving so was on my best behaviour. Jame's golf team didn't win anything :(

Alex has been a very busy boy. I spent all of last weekend running around after him. On Thursday afternoon he went to his little besties, Christopher, house for a play at their beach and a swim, then he was off to play ball. On Friday he had his "Girlfriends" birthday party, which was lovey. I stayed the duration and had a couple of glasses of vino with the other mum's and got to know them all a little better. Saturday we went to another little friend, Simone, going away picnic. It was pretty late in the day and I was buggered towards the end from running around after Marec. James stayed at home and had some quality alone time while we partied the weekend away, Lol.

So that's been our last week or so!
As I said earlier, James and Alex are on holidays for a week. We have been to lunch down on the boardwalk in the Marina today. We had a couple of very thin and crispy pizza's which actually were pretty good.

We are heading to Muscat, Oman, on Monday for a couple of days. The drive takes around five hours so I have plenty of toys and books packed up ready to keep us sane in the car. There really is only so much camel spotto you can play. We are staying at a hotel called Shangri La ( http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/muscat/barraljissahresort ). We will hopefully get a chance to go on a whale/dolphin watching cruise one of the mornings. Oman has 21 different varieties of whales and dolphins at this time of year, some which include the killer, sperm, minke, blue and humpback whale and bottle nose, spotted and spinners dolphins. The other day will no doubt be spent chilling at the beach and by the pool. I can't wait, should be bliss! James could really do with a break away from the hustle and bustle of it all too.

Growing up in Australia......The 80's & 90's

2009-11-05T21:46:00.002+04:00

I'm talking about hide and seek/spotlight. Hopscotch, four square, go carts, playing with the yacht sail that dad bought home to get clean and inviting everyone in the cul-de-sac to join in, skipping (double Dutch), handstands, elastics, footy on the best lawn in the street, slip'n'slides, the trampoline with water on it, or a sprinkler under it, jumping in puddles with gumboots on, mud pies, the smell of the sun, melted tar and fresh cut grass.

Hubba Bubba bubble gum, Mr Whippy cones on a warm summer night after you've chased him round the block. Pretending to smoke fags, the lollies was really cool!.. A dollars worth of chips from the corner take-away fed two people AND the sauce was free!

Being upset when you stuffed up a temporary tattoo from the bubblegum packet, but still wearing it proudly. Watching Saturday morning cartoons: 'The Smurfs', 'AstroBoy', 'He-man', 'Captain Caveman', 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles', 'Jem', and 'Heeeey heeeeey heeeeeeey it's faaaaaaat Albert'.

Footrot Flats, The Never Ending Story, Cry Baby, The Goonies, Ghostbusters, ET (phone home), The Princess Bride, Labyrinth, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The little Mermaid Stand by Me, The Delinquents…….Being scared to death and not being able to sleep cause I sat in the hall way and watched Nightmare on Elm Street, Children of the Corn or Poltergeist

When around the corner seemed a long way, and going into town seemed like going somewhere. Where running away meant you did laps of the block. A million mozzie bites, wasp and bee stings, and prickles in the summer!

Sticky fingers, playing teacher, Barbie dolls, riding bikes and roller-skating till the streetlights came on and catching taddies down the creek and watching the grow into little frogs.

Summers spent swimming in the pool for what felt like all day everyday and bobbing up and down pretending not to hear your mum yelling at you to get out, drawing all over the road and driveway with chalk. Climbing trees and building cubby houses and being swooped by the magpies down the park.
When you could swim with the dolphins at Monkey Mia and Coobana Bay and feeding them a herring as a reward would land you a huge fine.

When writing 'I love....? on your pencil case, it really was true love : )......... "He loves me? He loves me not?" and daisy chains on the front lawn or on the school oval.

Running till you were out of breath. Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt.

Camping down in Hamelin bay, egg hunt on Easter Sunday, big Hamo Bay chips and roasted marshmellows on the fire.

Jumping on the bed. Singing into your hair brush in front of the mirror, making mix tapes...
The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team.

Water balloons were the ultimate weapon. Weetbix cards pegged on the spokes transformed any bike into a motorcycle. Collecting Garbage Pail kid’s cards. Oh Yeah!

Twin Poles, Jokers, or a Paddle Pop?

You knew everyone in your street - and so did your parents! It wasn't odd to have two or three "best friends" and you would ask them by sending a note….. “Will you be my best friend?” When nearly everyone's mum was there when the kids got home from school

You didn't sleep a wink on Christmas Eve and tried (but failed) to wait up for the tooth fairy.

And last but not least………… When it was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at the local Chinese restaurant with your family.

Great Memories…………Thanks to everyone who had part in making them Xx

AFL Middle East

2009-10-25T09:21:00.004+04:00

FRIDAY 9th October 2009

Today was the 1st session of Auskick. We traveled to the Emitrates Stadium which is on the Dubai – Al Ain road about 30 minutes from home. There were so many Australians there, I think most of the Aussies that live in Dubai were out for an afternoon of footy.

The kids, who ranged from 5yrs – 15 yrs old, were divided into age groups. Alex was put in the under 8’s. I set up my folder chair on the side lines with all the other mums while the boys went out to train. Alex was having a great time with his Dad and a few of the kids. They spent about 15 mins playing around with the ball then jogged half a lap of the oval before doing some stretches. All was going well until one of the coaches pulled Alex aside for a little one on one hand ball exercise. Needless to say that was the end of Alex’s training session. He freaked out and didn’t want to play anymore, “Come On Mum, I want to go home and I’m not coming back next week!”.

We ended up staying until the end and then watched a quarter of the adults game. I think it was the dragons vs. the heat. James sat and watched with a grin on his face, aspiring to become one the teams members. I told him to go ask one of the guys if they need anymore players, but like Alex, he was too nervous.

Next weeks session will be at Safa Park, which is Alex’s favourite park 15 mins down the road. The kids will be split up into teams and given a uniform each. I’m not sure when his 1st game will be, but I’m sure once he gets the hang of it all he will love it. The poor kid will have to love it………I can see James and I really getting into the whole scene. It looks like a really good crew that get together, they have regular barbies and social events through out the year and we will hopefully make a few new friends. God knows we could do with a couple of Australian mates.

Our New Villa

2009-10-13T21:29:00.010+04:00

We are very happy in our new villa. Less than a Km away from our old one, we are still in The Lakes. We do have a lot more room to move and I loving being able to watch the boys run around inside and have fun while us adults don't feel like we may very well rip our hair out anymore. We've gone from a living space of 2900 sqf to 3300 sqf. We are a one minute walk to the park and communal pool, two minutes to the oval and a three minute walk to the club and shop.

We almost have all of our pictures and shelves on the wall, all the boxes are unpacked and I acutally had the opurtunity to spend the afternoon gardening yesterday. It's all coming together nicely.

A little Party in a Big City

2009-10-13T19:50:00.009+04:00

I'm proud to say that I overcame my fears and managed to throw Alex a successful party for his 5th birthday. It was anything big just a small group of kids getting together for a play and a few games.

We invited 9 kids and 6 of them showed up.

Our Guest list included:
Christopher - Lebanese
Xabier - Spanish
Simone - South African
Yoonah - Korean
Elise - Australian
Rio - Malaysian

It was a funny feeling waiting for the 1st guest to arrive, the house was quiet and things were calm. Compared to all the parties we have ever had in Australia it was a breeze. Simple and small, short and sweet.

We served fruit kebabs, fairy bread, homemade party pies and honey joys (which were the big hit). We played pass the parcel, did a treasure hunt and had an egg and spoon race.

The birthday cake was a bit of a bodge up. I got a little carried away with the ice magic and ended up with a river of chocolate around the chocolate cake. I shoved a few dinosaurs around the plate and iced a number 5 onto the cake and it turned out pretty good considering.

All the kids had a great time as did Alex and all the Mums congratulated us on throwing such and controlled and lovey party. Apparently I am the 1st mother to make the birthday cake rather than having one made, so two of the mothers informed.

It was a great way to break the ice and meet some of the school mum’s. I can now stand outside Alex’s classroom at pick up time and have a conversation with a few different woman. Now all we need to do is have one of the kids over for a one on one play date and we’ll be rockin!

The Achievement Assembly

2009-06-18T13:11:00.014+04:00

Today was Alex's end of year Achievement Assembly and Parents Information meeting. It started at 10:30am, with a one hour presentation from the head master, Mrs Radi, to the parents. We went through the curriculum for the next school year, how to prepare the children ect and we met Alex's new teacher for Reception. I have forgotten her name already though, whoops.

All the foundation students came in at 11.30am and the achievement ceremony began. Alex's class was the 1st up on stage. All the kids were presented with different awards ranging from great achievement in maths, science, phonics, role play & physical education, to name a few. Alex was awarded for achievement in Personal Social Education & effort in Knowledge and Understanding of the World. What a mouth full.

After all the classes had received their award all 88 foundation students got up on stage and performed my 2nd favorite Barney song " Oh Mr Sun". By this stage I was a bit teary as the whole thing was pretty emotional for me............Our beautiful little Alex is growing up so fast, it feels like yesterday that I found out I was pregnant with him. Oh how time flies. We are so very proud of you Alex!!

This is Alex with his
Teacher Ms Jones & Assistant Mrs Aneda

Counting Down the Days

2009-06-16T15:22:00.007+04:00

Well the big count down is on!! Only two and a half weeks untill our long trip back to Perth, Yay!!

On the weekend just gone we took a trip to Sharjah, the next Emirate to the north. We didn't leave untill 3pm on Friday as it's just too damm hot to do anything earlier in the day. The drive was a pleasent one, which I don't say very often. It only took us about half an hour and the traffic was flowing :-)

Our 1st stop was the Sharjah Aquarium. It wasn't the biggest and extoridinary aqaurium that we have been to, but I liked it. We had room to move around, the aircon was cooling and the kids enjoyed themselves.............To me that is a perfect day!

After the aquarium we walked over to the Maritime Museum. It was busier in the musem, but we still got to see everything. It didn't take us long as it wasn't very big, so we walked along the cornice back to the car the we were off for a game of 10 pin bowling and a bite to eat. James and Alex kicked my butt, which seems to happening a lot lately. Have I lost my bowling touch? Maybe.

The Saturday was spent with James and Alex playing the bloody playstation. I think I almost regret buying it, all though it does keep the boys amused for hours on end. I don't know what they were playing, but by the end Alex was complaining of sore fingers. I left them to it and went to the gym then came home and cleaned the house.............How exciting!!!

Alex has his end of year assembly this week and then only 1 week of school left. I'm hopping that James will be able to get a couple of hours off work to come to the assembly with me. Alex will be given a certificate, so I think it's important that his Dad is there to watch. Today his class went on a trip to 'The Childrens City' at the creek park. It's kinda like Scietech, but smaller. He seemed to enjoy himself. As for me, well I've gone into over drive trying to make sure things are in order before I leave for 6 weeks. My days have been busy cooking & freezing up meals for James and arranging other bits and pieces. It's not long now!!

Back to the 50's

2009-06-16T14:50:00.005+04:00

On Friday 5th June, James and I attended a 50's birthday party. The birthday boy, who was also turning 50 yrs old, was Derrek, the Ensco money man!!

The night was fun, had lots of food and plenty of free flowing champers, vodka, whisky, beer.........well all sorts really. We danced and drank the night away by the juke box and before we knew it the time was 4am and everyone was leaving. It took over an hour for our Taxi to arrive. While we waited out the front I made friends with the catering crew that were packing up. The boss had a bright orange beard that I was fascinated with. Check out the photo.

Anyway, both James and I had a killer hang over the next day and spent the day on the couch in the dark. Thankfully we have two very well behaved boys who don't mind a day inside with Mummy and Daddy :-)

I Need to Learn Arabic

2009-06-04T09:32:00.004+04:00

As most of you know I had a small accident in the

car park at Alex's school last week. My car was actually parked and I was hit by a fellow parent as he was pulling into the empty spot next to me. He over turned or just didn't judge the distance correctly and hit the back of our Chevy. It left minor damage, just a scratch on his car and a broken tail light on mine. Unfortunately for me though the man was an Arab or Emiratie and they are always right! The police have to be notified of every single accident that involves an insurance claim, they then come out to the scene of the accident. The driver who is at fault is given a pink slip and a fine and the other driver is given a blue slip, these slips are to passed onto the insurance company. The lovey police officer decided to give my the pink slip and fine (pictured in the top corner) even though my car was stationary, but as I said, the locals are always right, especially the males. The police officer also confiscated my drivers licence and forced me to sign the fine that I couldn't read. I did refuse to begin with and told him I would sign it when I have "My People" read over it, he then threatened to arrest me, so I just signed. I now have my license back, after a whole load of stuffing around. I think I may be best to go have some Arabic lessons!!

Alex our Little SuperStar!

2009-06-03T15:04:00.012+04:00

With the school year almost over and with summer definitely here, I can safely say that Alex has settled in like the little star that he is. We even have an award to prove it : )

He attended his 1st birthday party on Monday night. It was at a ridiculous time, Monday evening, 5pm - 7pm, Only in Dubai would someone have a kids party at this time on a week night. Anyway, the party was at a fun centre in the Times Square Centre. We didn't have to travel far, just 10 minutes. The whole class, plus some attended and it was mayhem. All the kids had a blast though and I survived my 1st encounter with all the parents from school. I was very uncomfortable and actually phoned James at one point and asked him to come down at sit with me. His response was "You're funny sometimes, just sit down and start talking, you'll be fine", thanks James, hehehehe!! Honestly though, the parents seemed very clicky and it was hard enough trying to make eye contact let alone strike up a conversation, plus I was the only person there without my maid. Strange hey!

Miss Jones, Alex's teacher, obviously has a soft spot for him. In his 1st term at his new school, Regent International, Alex has been awarded three certificates. Two from Miss Jones and one from the head of reception. Reception being the same as our kindy. Miss Jones is a lovely lady from the UK who is not much older than James and I. There is also a teachers aid, I can't remember her name, but she is also very nice and is Filipino.

Map of Dubai

2009-05-31T15:05:00.003+04:00

Here is a map of Dubai, check it out. We live in between Emirates Hills second and Emirates Hills Third. If you find The Palm Jumeria and go inland a bit then you will see it.

If you follow the main Road/Hwy south down to Jebal Ali, you will see a shopping complex called Ibn Butta. This is where we do most of our shopping. It a lot quieter than all the other shops and isn't caught up in the world of designer clothes and hand bags.

If you head back up the Hwy to the North, this is where you will find James at work, just behind Satwa Park.

http://www.dubai.com/map/

Sunday Bloody Sunday

2009-05-31T14:27:00.017+04:00

It's the 1st day back at school at work today. We used too love Sundays back in Australia, but not any more.

Alex went off to school in his usual happy state, he has swimming lessons as his 1st class, so that makes his pretty happy. At lunch time I had to meet James at the KTM workshop in Al Quoz, his bike is due for it's 1st service. I had to take him back to work, it was nice to see him during the work day.

We had a pretty nice weekend. On Friday we went on a tour with Arabian Nights. We were meant to go up to the Musandam Fjords in the Hommus Straight at the northern most tip of Oman, instead we were taken to Dibba on the north east coat of Oman.

The driver picked us up around 8:30am. We were the 1st in the mini bus, so we sat patiently while we drove around Dubai and picked up another 5 passengers. After half and hour or so we were on our way so we settled in for the 2 hour trip to the boarder.

After an hour or so we stopped off just outside a little town called Massafi. Massafi is well know for the production of spring water, though looking from the outside it's hard to believe that such an arid looking place could produce any water at all.

The street leading into town (if you can call it a town) if lined with markets that sold carpet rugs, fruit & veg, hundreds of blow up toys and all sorts of bits and bobs. We spent 20 minutes wandering, James tried is hand at doing some bargaining and managed to beat a man down to 100 dirums for a beautiful wall hanging, only to look in the wallet to realise we had no cash on us. We left empty handed, which is probably a good thing, the poor market men weren't very happy though.

Crossing the boarder was simple. A heap of guards stood around with some heavy looking guns. They waved us to the side and opened up the van to check our passports. We passed the test an through we went. I had my head out the window taking photo's and was told off by the driver. I had my head phones on and didn't hear him tell us that we're not to take any pictures of the guards. Oopps!

We arrived at the Port of Dibba and bordered our Dhow. It was decked out with rugs, pillows, sun beds, fruit platters a tea and coffee station and a BBQ to cook us lunch. We were set, all we needed to to now was to wait for the other passengers to board. Little did we know we were about to be surrounded by Russians and Kasacks. As soon as they were on board they ripped off their clothes and were more than happy to spend the day in their budgie smugglers...........Not a pretty sight!

We cruised up the coast for an hour, then pulled into a bay for a swim and snorkel. Alex was pretty apprehensive to get into the water, but he got there eventually. We gave him a life jacket to hold onto so he could just sit on the surface with his mask on. James and I took it in turns staying on top while the other had a good look around. It wasn't the best snorkeling that we've done, but it was still nice to get in the water and explore. The water was very warm and uncomfortable in some some parks. There was a nice current that came through every couple of minutes that was nice a cool, which made for a nice change.

When we got back on the dhow we lunch enjoyed a delicious lunch of Arabian salad, curry, bbq'd fish & chicken and rice. With our belly's full and bodies tired we started to make our way back down the coast to Dibba. Most of the Europeans lied down and took a nap, while we made the most of the peace and quiet ourselves and took some snapshots. I then got out my book and did a caught read a few chapters of New Moon, yes I'm still going with that book : )

It took us a couple of hours to get home, which wasn't until 7:30pm. We were absolutely stuffed so we ordered some Thai take away and ended the day in front of the TV. Even though we were sent on the wrong tour, we still had a lovey day. I'm now waiting to hear back from the manager of the Arabian Nights tour company to see if they are going to send us on the right tour for no extra cost. I think we'll be lucky to have that happen!!