Saturday, August 12, 2006
Weekend coming to an end... It was a good one though. We kicked off the weekend by trying a new restaurant, La Pampa, with Sam & Rich on Thursday night. I have been dying to try this place because it describes itself as having Latin ambiance, Argentinean flavor, and South American appeal. Unfortunately, I found none of those and apologized to our friends for making a poor venue choice. I promised to stick to what I know and vowed to return to my faithful and favorite Pachanga when in the mood for juicy beef and robust wine.
We always have a great time with Sam & Rich. They're so laid back, funny, and just easy to be around. We left the crappy restaurant as quickly as we could sign the bill and went over to Bar 44 for some dirty martinis and the boys enjoyed some cigars.
We waited [patiently] for 20 minutes while the valet found our car. He said the car was broken. We followed him to the underground valet parking where Jim proceeded to fire up the engine and spewed a few choice obscenities at the idiot valet.
This episode warranted a few more cocktails back at the house. We stretched it into the small hours and felt it the next day.
Friday was a write off.
Today, got a few house chores done. Hung a my Moroccan light in the dining room. It looks pretty great. Now I need to learn to cook a tagine or some exotic ethnic dish...
Jim left for Saudi, again, this afternoon. So my night will be spent with the girls, the Showbox, and an early night under the sheets.
Hope all is well back home.
posted by KKT at 8:25 PM
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Wow! People are still checking this site out...
I must admit - I would've given up hope by now. God Bless the persistent! Today was the perfect Sunday (read: Monday) - our GM called in sick with a "terrible fever," our FC is on maternity leave, and the RMM is on leave (read: all watch dogs are off the porch) which meant Sam and I had a fabulous f-off day doing absolutely n-o-t-h-i-n-g. Loved it. We decided around 10:00 that a 2-hour lunch was in order. We spoiled ourselves with McDonald's then went over to her villa. There I rearranged her furniture and talked about other decorating ideas. She had a couple of ciggies and nodded and agreed and decided we should do this every Sunday in August. We brought the USB cord to her camera back to the office so I could show her the wonders of downloading pictures.
Sam is very clever, but obviously digitally challenged. She has had this new camera for well over 8 months and has yet to download any photos - she simply buys more memory cards! So I set her up with a www.multiply.com site and I think she's joned the 20th century now. Bless.
That project took us to around 4:00 when we decided to forgo the Starbucks run and push through until at least 5:30 when we'd sneak out early.
I actually stayed until after 6:00 and then came home to clean the BBQ. This chore sounds odd, yes? Yes. But I have started selling off furniture and other items that either don't fit in the new villa or that have been replaced with something else (read: nicer stuff). I sold the thrice used treadmill this weekend and may have made some new friends in the process. This couple is renting a villa in Jumeirah Islands, so they're the first "neighbors" we've met. Now a guy is interested in buying the old BBQ, hence the quickie clean-up.
Jim left for Saudi yesterday afternoon, otherwise, you can be sure that would've been his job.
posted by KKT at 7:19 PM
Monday, July 24, 2006
It's been so long...
I couldn't even remember my blogger.com password. Got it on the second try, though. I surely won't remember my free ftp site so I can post pictures, but I still have fotki, so click on the link above.
Lots has happened since November. A lot of waiting, a lot of thinking, a lot of longing, and a lot of drinking. We finally moved into the new house, so my weekends and every free minute is spent on some sort of "home project." Its good to keep my mind off other things - off missing home, missing people, and keeps me out of this God forsaken heat. It's so damn hot.
My brother and his wife had their first child, a baby boy. My best friend is getting married in November. A dear old friend suffered an unspeakable loss. My mother turned a year older, so did everyone.
So life moves on. . . and I can hardly bear to notice it passing.
posted by KKT at 4:23 PM
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Man, am I a blogging LOSER or what?!!
Sorry folks for being so lazy to find time to update on mi vida loca! But, that is exactly what it has been - crazy!
When I got back from Houston, I discovered that Husband was back on the house-buying trail and so we began throwing ourselves into this chaos again. This 11th hour effort was our last push before signing another year lease and turning over mucho cash to the local landlord. We had all our money here ready for the downpayment, we just had to find the right house, for the right money.
Searching for a house is interesting work. And I think it's especially interesting in Dubai. We narrowed our search down to two different communities - Arabian Ranches (moon house city) or Jumeirah Islands (not moon houses and much better location, of course, potentially more money).
I don't know how many houses I looked at, how many hot afternoons I walked around that damned construction site, through the blistering sand... but I finally found the "perfect" one for us (ie, within our budget and not a POS).
Then came all the twists and turns of mortgaging a property in Dubai. Again, interesting and frustrating enough to sprout gray hairs from ones head.
Long story short, we closed on Villa No. 81, Cluster 10, Jumeirah Islands on Wednesday, November 9. I thought I would feel more excited... I just feel in debt!!
Now the bummer is that our landlord refused to extend our lease for a couple of months until the new villa was ready to move in, so...
We're living in what I affectionately call the "International Half-Way House." Jim's company has paid for a year lease on a big villa that they are using for trainees and visitors. So we're storing all our belongings and furniture in the garage and maid's room and shacking up in the master bedroom. The bonus is that there are other house mates amoung us:
- Hassan - the 'sensitive' Iraninan vegetarian;
- Henk - the 50'ish Dutch mechanic who cannot grasp the concept of closing food containers when he is finished with them;
- Amy - Henk's 19 year old Asian girlfriend, who does not appear to work and displays a teddybear on the headboard of their love pit; and
- Some strange guy that appeared yesterday - I think he's Dutch too.
So, this, in a nutshell, has been my life for the past 2-3 months. You can see why I haven't been blogging, huh?! Here is some good news...
- I am working 4 days a week and now have Thur-Fri-Sat weekends!
- Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner;
- It rained this morning - hard!
I hope everyone is doing well and has a very Happy Thanksgiving!
posted by KKT at 9:35 AM
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
I'm back in Houston. Can't sort out the damn rental car or my internal clock. I had potato chips and dip for breakfast yesterday and cravings for a beer by 11:00 am.
Oy.
I'm feeling out-of-place.
posted by KKT at 4:03 PM
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Moon House
Jim and I rose early this morning to go to our first "property launch" at Al Saheel in Arabian Ranches. This project was unique because they are actually selling homes that are already built (I know, it seems like common sense to me, but this is not the norm for Dubai). So we are pretty excited, but skeptical too. I, for one, am not thrilled with the idea of buying a "moon house" and possibly having to face living in it for the next 5 years!
Moon House: Large, concrete structure, resembling a Lego with windows, with a sand garden, and in one of five shades of Blah, all lined in rows, approximatley 10 feet from one another.
Right. So coming out of the gate I wasn't thrilled, but we thought we'd look at it as an investment because buying property without a premium is rare here. By this point, it's hard to put your girly, nesting instincts aside and look at buying a home more like buying cattle - like meat to resell or eat at a later date.
We go into this white tent with chandeliers and catered coffee, juice, and scones and take a seat amongst the 200 chairs and wait for the lady in the front to call our number (81). We get called and about 90 minutes after arriving, we are seated in front of an Arabic woman, with floorplans and site map and are selecting our plot. We choose the biggest plot with the biggest floorplan, thinking surely some Arab with his 10-person family would love to have this. The numbers look good, so we call the money guy in Holland to be sure our transfer would be in our Dubai bank account in time for this fat down payment check to clear. He thinks it will miss it by a day and the developer isn't willing to hold it for a day...
So we pick up our fat check, our floor plans, and calmly walk out.
After about 30 seconds of disappointment, I felt quite relieved to not be a proud new owner of a Moon House in the Desert.
posted by KKT at 5:58 PM
Thursday, July 21, 2005
I am a very bad blogger lately!! Lately meaning the past year or so, huh? Anyway, enough with apologies - here's the update:
Half my brain is still in Thailand, the other is day dreaming of Texas. That doesn't leave much brain power focusing on life and work in Dubai now, does it?
This weekend is the first Ranch Weekend (f.k.a Kimifest) I've missed in four years. I am especially sad - even Husband noticed that I am a wee bit depressed and brought me flowers home to me this week. They were beautiful, but didn't help my homesickness much. It has been over a year since I've been home to Texas, and my heart is breaking. I miss my mom. I miss my friends. I miss BBQ and Tex-Mex and REAL margaritas. I miss driving down a country road with a cold beer between my knees, cruising by rolling green pastures fully of lazy cows and old Oak trees.
Work is going along, as work usually does. I find myself wanting something more creative in my work, something outside the box, something that gives me freedom to express myself and share ideas. I think I should start looking at the galleries and art shops - feel them out for some potential opening.
Lots to do this weekend - running errands to the bank, getting the radio and Nokia Bluetooth fixed in the BM, looking at villas in Arabian Ranches, etc.
Last weekend was glorious!! I planned a little get-away for Husband and me to Fujariah. We took the long route there (driving for four hours instead of two), but once we arrived at the Le Meridien Al Aqah Resort, we felt totally relaxed and all the "we're lost and we don't know where we are" tension fell away. This feeling was boosted when the resort bumped us up to Royal Club level where we could enjoy a great balcony view of the sea and free happy hour cocktails! So very sweet. We had planned on going snorkeling our first afternoon, but the sea was too choppy so we went the following afternoon. It was the greatest weekend together - I'm ready to go back!! And, we took the right road home, so we were back home in under 2 hours on Saturday night.
I've put on six pounds. Maybe that is what has me so down in the mouth?! Geez. Must have been all the beer and prawns in Thailand? Or just my utter laziness and lack of exercise and disregard for everything I eat?! Yeah, that's probably it. Must. Get. Under. Control. Argghhh...
posted by KKT at 9:57 AM
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
It has been soooo long since I last posted!! So much has happened since my sweet Lara went back to Texas – leaving me here in Dubai to miss her so. Her visit was awesome, even though it was too short. Next time – longer holiday and bring Brad!!
B&W BIRTHDAY BASH.
The B&W Birthday Party was awesome – huge hit with the bean bags and tons of cocktails and snacks. We stayed up until about 4:00 am looking at the scrolling random pictures on the big screen. Great time.
BAD HAIR DAY.
The next week, I was back to work as usual. Oh, I got a crappy hair cut. The guy cut one side about 1 inch shorter than the other, so I had to go back and get it fixed. Except the second time, the long side ended up shorter than the short side! Grrr… this is the place I have a year membership at. I threw a fit and made him agree to permitting a membership transfer since he wouldn’t refund my money. I found a lady on www.expatwoman.com to buy the membership and wiped my hands clean of the Crooked Cut Salon.
GNO @ JAMBASE.
Anita and I had a totally great GNO on a Wednesday night. All the guys wanted to take her Jim out for some boyz time, so we treated ourselves to a nice dinner and lots of drinks at Jambase. It was awesome!!! We bumped into my co-worker/friend Sam and her boyfriend there and had a great time laughing and sipping libations.
DUBAI BLACK-OUT.
The next day, I arrived at work to find out that half the office was as hungover as I was. About an hour into the day, all the electricity went out. We couldn’t use computers, no A/C, not even the mobile phones were working! Eventually, we discover that all of Dubai has NO POWER. Around 11:30, our GM gives the hung-over masses the OK to go home because it will take hours for things to get turned back on. I drove home the back-way knowing that the highways would be crazy. I was carefully driving home and avoiding as many major intersections as possible when I was about two blocks from home. I had to cross an intersection that, of course, had no operating signal. As you may have gathered from my previous posts, the driving tactics here aren’t exactly up to Westernized standards… I was just about through the intersection when a crazed Egyptian with his head up his arse comes flying though the intersection at 80 km/hour and slams into the front passenger side of the car. Just. My. Luck. And I was in Jim’s car because he was nice enough to take mine to the shop for repairs the day before. I get quite hysterical and angry that this person has no regard for caution or basic traffic rules or safety conduct. He casually leans up against a pole and shrugs off the fact that his P.O.S. is completely totaled knowing all along he has no insurance and that the police will surely not find fault with him under the circumstances. The story gets worse and worse, and is far too much to detail in writing. Basically, the car is being repaired. In fact, I need to call today to see if it can be picked up.
TEN DAYS IN THAILAND!
So the next weekend, we were off to Thailand. 10 glorious days in Thailand. Bangkok – amazing shopping at the weekend market, shockingly good fun at the sex shows (flying bananas and all!), amazing food on every corner. Chiang Mai – beautiful country side, breathtaking temples, monks galore, still great shopping. Koh Samui – what a true island experience! We rented an amazing villa on the beach, just 200 meters from the most delicious grilled king prawns and ice-cold Singha beer. The Chaweng Beach strip was interesting – tons of bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, and Thai Boxing!! We certainly didn’t want to leave our final destination after four days of holiday bliss. The snorkeling was a definite highlight. I must do that more often – apparently there are great spots here in the UAE and Oman.
FAREWELL FRIENDS.
Our friends, Jim and Anita, leave Dubai for good tomorrow. They are moving back to Toronto after only two short years in Dubai. We will miss them sooooooooooo much!! At least we have all our memories of Dubai and Thailand to look back on – “OK, Michael. Let’s go baby…”
posted by KKT at 5:52 PM
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Lara's here! Lara's here!! Party is tomorrow!
So much to do, so little time. Post more later.
Ta, Kiss, Kiss.
posted by KKT at 9:12 AM
Friday, May 27, 2005
31 years, 1 day, 14 hours, 26 seconds....
But who's counting?
So it's another year older, another year wiser, right? I woke up Friday morning fully rested and ready for Lara to arrive at 8:20 PM. I prepared my bowl of Fitness cereal and sat down to check email.
Two emails with Subject: Lara's Arrival. Hmmm... Ok.
Lara is delayed in NYC because the flights from JFK to DXB are FULL. Full!!! Somehow this does not surprise me... we have had poor luck with arrivals these past few months. I call Lara's mobile and she's pretty upset, but out having some much needed cocktails with her baby sister at Mr. Big's bar in Manhattan. Nice... but hmph. I want here here!!!
My birthday gift to myself was delievered today - totally sexy chaise loungers for the pool from The One. Loving them - they're so ... so... spa & retreat!
Husband and I went over to J&A's to pick up some plants. They will be moving back to Canada in exactly one month. I got a little teary when I walked into their apartment which is gradually becoming more and more bare. They came over later for some lunch and swimming. There won't be get-togethers like that for much longer. *sniff*sniff*
Husband and I tried to see a movie but just missed the 7:00 shows and didn't feel like waiting for the round of 10:00 shows... we rented Closer. LOVED IT!!
Clive Owen is hot. H.O.T.
posted by KKT at 5:40 PM
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Actual Birthday Day... Bummer.
So it's finally "my day." Right. I was actually in a great mood all day until around 7:00 pm on my way home... but let's back up a bit.
I woke up a wee hungover from the previous evening's celebrating. Which is fine. If you don't wake up feeling a little fuzzy on your birthday, well, that means you're not even TRYING to have a successful birthday.
So off I go to work. Although I'm not feeling 100%, I'm looking pretty good. Everyone from my new job came out to have a nice lunch with me. We're talking like 20 people!! It was awesome! We all met at The Seaman's Club in Jebel Ali for a greasy lunch amist roughneck, off-shore type fellas. We definitly stood out!
By the end of the day, I was feeling pretty tired but was excited about the thought of a long weekend as I was taking Sunday off since Lara was flying in on Friday night. On the drive home, I get a call from Marhaba Service saying the didn't have all the forms from me and would not be able to escort Lara through passport control unless I re-faxed the forms within the next hour. I proceed to b*tch the woman out becuase she is telling me this at 7:00 pm, on my drive home from work, and when I have absolutely NO TIME to fax forms AGAIN. Of course, the thought of Lara not being greeted and assisted through DXB made me sad, so I tracked down a fax machine and sent the documents through.
Just as I got home, the new slipcovers and couches were arriving. This should have perked me up, but no... of course, they weren't right. So now I have to go back down to plant street one night and sort it out. Grrr...
So off to SOMEONE ELSE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY. Husband and I had commited to a friend's 50th Birthday Party, so I knew I had to chin up and go even thought I was tired and grumpy. The party was ok - I was very tired and just wanted to go home instead of smiling and making polite small talk.
So.. that was it. 31st Birthday for me. Wheeee. Oh, I did have darling pink and white carnations waiting in the kitchen for me when I got home. Dean and Gisele dropped them off while I was at work - how sweet!!
posted by KKT at 5:28 PM
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Pre-Birthday Celebrating...
 So far this 31 thing has been going pretty smoothly. On Wednesday, May 25, my girlfriend Kelly sent me a T asking if I'd be interested in after-work martinis at the cigar bar in the Fairmont. Duh. Didn't take much arm-twisting to make that happen! I went straight from work to the Fairmont where Kelly was waiting along with a dirty vodka martini - just for me!! Later, her sister Ashley joined us and we had some nice girl talk over cocktails. Then out came the most decadent chocolate cake with a candle... and a gift too!! This georgous sparkling necklace that I had my on months ago!! What thoughtful bitches... I love them! After the Fairmont, I met Husband and Ludavig who were having beers at the Alamo and then we all headed over to this Cuban joint, Malecon, at Dubai Marine. We had cigars, mojitos, more cake and then they brought out the bottle of champagne. Nooooooooooo!! Not the champagne. I have a love-hate relationship with the bubbly beverage. Love it going down, but it literally puts me down for the night in 1.7 seconds.
I did a Kimi-Split and went home to pass out in my clothes, shoes on, side-ways on a guest bed!! I woke up fully clothed and wondering where I was! It's certainly been a long time since I had that feeling!!
posted by KKT at 5:08 PM
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Life is good, life is good.
Survived Work Week #2 - actually think I really like the job, the people, the position, the perks... now if I could get them to let me off early on Thursday afternoon...
We are busy, busy here... Lara will be here this time next week!!! HUGE HOORAH FOR MY BIA FROM DALLAS!!! I cannot wait to see her - it's been a whole year (almost) and I'm dying for a huge hug, lots of laughs, and some good, quality girl time.
Of course, as everyone should KNOW, the week of Kimifest is upon us... yes, it's birthday time again for moi. 31 years I've been blessed to be on this planet. It's been quite a ride so far and it doesn't look to slow down anytime soon. I see this starting to turn sappy with recounting memories of beloved friends, so I'll stop know. Y'all know who you are and you know I love you. Period.
So... birthday is Thursday night. No big deal... I can handle thirty-ONE. Right. I can. We're supposed to go to some guy's 50th birthay party that night, so that may be good for my ego. I can sit back smugly behind my cocktail and smirk, "at least I'm not FIFTY!" Hahahaha... evil Kimi.
NEXT THURSDAY, June 2 - that's the shia, bia! We're having a joint birthday bash because: Anita's actual birthday is June 2, she's moving away, and Lara will be here so she has to be in on the birthday. Black & White Bash. That's all I'll say for now - more details after the party - and pictures of course. Anita is coming over this afternoon so we can square away some details. It's gonna be so sweet.
Hmmm... what else? This weekend was busy. I got off work early on Thursday because it was Sales Cycle Meetings all day and bascially I didn't need to be clued in on the placement of boxes of moisturizer. Thursday night was the Dubai Mighty Camels Hockey Banquet, Friday night was a going-away party for Jim and Anita (one of many it looks like), and today is planning day and catch-up on laundry day - with a little shopping too.
News: I bought myself two new outdoor chiase lounges that are super sexy. Can't wait to receive them!! We're having slipcovers made for the dog-chewed couches. Stoked. So very stoked. A whole new look for around $600 USD. Not bad. Not bad at all.
posted by KKT at 9:52 AM
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Feeling somewhat human again. After a week of agony, I broke down and sought professional help. The doctor prescribed some strong anti-biotics along with some anti-cough meds, a decongestant, and an allergy pill. I think they're working!!
Yesterday we opened our house to about 20 girls for Kirsten's baby shower. Thankfully, I wasn't expected to do anything and the Eide sisters took care of everything - even left me some party snacks in the fridge!
Jim's off sailing today and I am taking it easy. Doctor's orders. May go to the spa for a long, hot steam this afternoon.
Gearing up for Work Week #2. I'm sure it will seem better with this flu monkey off my back.
posted by KKT at 11:13 AM
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
I know, I'm a blogging loser.
I was doing pretty good and then all hell broke lose. First, the two nieces came for a visit. Which was awesome. They really put a steam of energy through the house. Hello - 18/19 year olds on Spring Break in Dubai. Good times. Check out the photos. I was sad to see them go...
The job is going great so far... other than I'm SICK AS A DOG. I started feeling a sore throat on Friday. I thought "no biggie." Then on Sunday, around 10:00, at work I start feeling really low, man. Like I'm holding my head in my hands and crying out for mommy to take the pain away. Yeah, it's the flu or something. My head was fuzzy, my clothes hurt just being on my body, I was hot, I was cold - nothing was making that hurt go away. I toughed it out for as long as I could and at 5:00 I had to split. Home, shivering in bed, with three blankets piled high above me.
It's now Wednesday night - and I'm on my "cup of thera-flu and in bed before 10:00 PM" routine. What a loser.
You know a girl is sick when she can't shop. They have a whole ROOM OF PRODUCTS at work on sale at discount right now... couldn't do it.
posted by KKT at 9:40 PM
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Jim's two nieces are visting us for a week while they are on summer break from university. Erin and Kathleen arrived on Tuesday night on time and in the correct airport. We stayed up the first night doing our usual "welcome wagon" routine of shisha, wine, and conversation until about 4 am. Jim has been at work, so I've been busy taking the girls shopping and doing a little sightseeing around town. We really loaded up on knockoff handbags!! Last night we went on a Desert Safari which included dune bashing in a 4X4, camel rides, arabic dinner, henna painting, and a belly dancer! Jim and I have lived here for 18 months and had never done a safari!! It was time! The girls and Jim are doing Wild Wadi today and I'm taking a day to collect myself before starting work tomorrow!!
posted by KKT at 12:48 PM
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
I START SUNDAY!
posted by KKT at 4:33 PM
 As of yesterday, I think I've got a 90% chance of being titled the new Human Resource Manager for the Middle East for this pretty awesome fashion house. I'm pretty stoked. The only Con's are: driving to Jebel Ali Free Zone which will take me about 45 minutes each way, getting home around 7:30 every night, and what to do with the dogs?
Maybe I can find someone to come in for about an hour each afternoon to let them out for a wee and a play?
posted by KKT at 8:24 AM
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Pass the Apple Bong.
 I think this has to be about one of the most endearing photos of Charlize Theron I've ever seen.
Apparently, this is an old school method that is gaining it's second wind of popularity, especially with the Oscar winning beautiful people.
Go girl.
posted by KKT at 7:47 AM
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Going back to bed now, 2:03 AM
Since i was a wee bit hungover yesterday, Husband and I hit the sack around 8:30 last night. Of course, at 1:00 in the morning, I'm wide awake. So I get up, let the girls out, and get on the net to check flights to Bangkok. These travel agents are driving me and Anita nuts. I guess because we are not flying out in the next 24 hours, we aren't a priority? We'll be booking ourselves tickets online in the next 8 hours. Hmph. That'll teach 'em!!
posted by KKT at 2:03 AM
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Mean Drunk Girl.
Anyone that has ever drank to excess with me knows that I can go from happy and silly to b*tch in 1.2 seconds. It happened last night and Husband was on the receiving end. Feel like crap today. He still loves me though. He's a good man.
Jim and Anita are back from Egypt. She says they had a great time and took tons of pictures.
The car is ready to be picked up!! 350 AED only, madam. I wonder, is it really fixed? For Sale signs are going out this weekend.
Getting hair colored tomorrow - yeah!! I am tempted to go brunette, but I know from past experience I'm best left blonde.
posted by KKT at 12:56 PM
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Stuff going on with moi:
1. My car is in the shop AGAIN. I'm really freakin' tired of this "lemon" always breaking down, leaking, or some computer chip fritzing out. It's going up on the sale block as soon as we get it back. Hmph. What about a nice, simple Nissan Murano instead? My friend Ashley just got one and I think it's tiiiight.
2. I picked up some framing I had done of some pictures of DWC, and it's totally f'd. The frame is warped, so it doesn't hang flat against the wall AND the guy didn't put the matting I chose in the picture. He just chose one at random and when I questioned him, he had the audacity to tell me it was the same one I picked. Bastard.
3. I am suffering from Fallen Arches. I think. My left foot has been aching for three weeks and now I am in so much pain that I cannot walk barefoot on the floors. I went to buy some old lady arch supports from the pharmacy yesterday. Guess I'll be sporting the ol' running shoes around town for a while. Damn flip flops!!!
4. I'm pissed about the car. Who's gonna buy a broke down ol' X5? Huh? Who?!
5. STILL haven't heard anything about the job with the certain airline. I heard it will take 4-6 weeks for a response, but the waiting is killing me. Hello, it's been 24 days so far. At least I haven't received the automatic email saying, "We think you suck, better luck next time."
6. I am totally unmotivated to work-out. I should be geared up to lose some kilos considering I'm going on a cruise in July and will want to be laying out on the big boat, but it's not happening. Not to mention that I'd like to be a few less lbs before I go home - just because. Plus it's more fun to shop when your arse doesn't arrive three minutes after you enter the store.
7. I am totally stoked about going to Thailand with Jim and Anita. If the stupid travel agent would bother to return my calls and emails, I could get crackin' on booking the hotels. Still, I'm not going to let that get me down. Stoked for Thailand!
posted by KKT at 2:39 PM
Thursday, April 14, 2005
A wee hungover today. After such a crazy week of school and finalizing the townhouse lease and move, I felt the need to unwind. I popped over to the neighbors for a glass of wine, which turned into two bottles of wine and a few beers to boot! Oi.
I got up at 7:00 starving. By 7:30, I'd whipped up some delicious French Toast and bacon with a tall glass of orange juice. Yum. Hit the spot, but why was my head still hurting? I called J.C. to check on things back in Houston and we talked on the phone while I Googled Nicky Hilton's absent eyelids. Hahaha. Oi. Ouch. Back to bed.
Phone rings. Ailsa says, "Ready to go?" "Awwwwwwww, man!! What did I say I would do today?" Lucky's in Sharjah. Oi again. So by 10:45, me, Ailsa and a grumpy baby are driving to Sharjah to look at bookcases for Ailsa's kitchen. Then we went to Dragon Mart. I've been dying to hit this Chinese Mex Mart for weeks. I swear it's about 20 football fields long, but I think we need to try again in a month or so because only about five percent of the stores are open. Bust.
Ailsa bought me a much needed high-carbohydrate lunch and then I headed back home for a 2 hour nap. Nice.
Still waiting patiently for Husband to return. Missing him so.
posted by KKT at 6:56 PM
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
So freakin' much going on...
The major thing is that the townhouse in Houston has FINALLY rented!! Thank you Rent Clicks!! I posted the house on this site about a month ago. All of a sudden, I start getting emails like wild fire. The one I chose to respond to was a woman looking for a home for her family that his moving back home to Houston after being in London for a year. I guess my heart went out to her because she's been living as an expat, around all those stupid Brits. I called her in London and it was so refreshing to hear a Texan accent. I think we were both sold by the time we hung up. They wanted a quick move-in, so all my spare time this past week has been spent firing emails back and forth to our new Tenant, drafting the Lease, contacting movers, and begging wonderful, priceless friends to help move the process along. This transaction could not have happened without the help of my sweet, longtime friend J.C. and the offices of GFLAW. Kisses to Jen and Katie. I owe ya big!! By Friday, it will all be over and life can go back to normal, sans the weight on my shoulders about having an empty house sucking up a mortgage every month. Whew.
Of course, work doesn't stop just because you have other things to do, now does it? I've been swamped at school and to top it off, have been in a flip-flop flux about the Procurement Officer position they offered me. Now it's between that and the Registrar positon. Ho-hum... deep down, I think I'm better with supply teaching. Taking a full-time position, full-time responsibility, and full-time headache is not worth the little bit of extra dough.
hmmm... what else? what else? nada. JT is still in freakin' Holland and then Africa. I'm so freakin' ready to jet to Spain to see Kate or roll to Thailand with Lord and Lady B. Can I get an "Amen?!"
posted by KKT at 7:46 PM
Monday, April 11, 2005
 Text messaging has become an acceptable form of casual communication that lies somewhere between a phone call and an email, but certainly less formal than both. Just before I moved to Dubai in September of 2003, my roommate and I had just discovered the beauty of the text message. No one else in Houston seemed to be doing it. Even though it was costs us 10 cents a T, we caught text-fever.
Then I moved to Dubai and people everywhere were intently focused on their mobile phones, staring at the screens while their thumbs were moving in a blur across the keypad. Why talk when you can text?
Texting also allows me to communicate with my friends in Houston and Spain - so handy!! cheaper than an international phone call and more convenient than sitting down to load up hotmail. I am now even hip to the auto-text which prevents me from pressing the same key over and over to acquire the correct letter or symbol! Quick and easy.
When I was home last summer, I was sending my friends there T's like crazy. They were received with confusion. Either people didn't know what it was, how to retreive it, or didn't have the capability to respond. Is it there now? Do you have T?
posted by KKT at 11:35 AM
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Today has been fairly uneventful - compared to the last three days of interviewing!
Slept late,
Sent out some email,
Printed pictures,
Ran errands (and got about 50% of them accomplished!),
Lunch with Ailsa,
Bought new pants (in hopes that I will be needing them for Round Two of interviews),
Did not buy shoes.
Going to a BBQ tonight in Mirdiff... should be fun. Ho-hum. One more day of weekend and then back to school on Saturday.
posted by KKT at 5:15 PM
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
BIG FAT PAINTING
 Did I mention the painting that I have been coveting for a month now? Anita and I spotted this beauty while shopping in Satwa. I drug my poor husband down to have a look and he wasn't impressed. I have been dropping mention of the painting ever since, but receiving no enthusiasm from Husband.
A few weeks after the initial spotting, I went down to make sure it was still there. The gallery guy offered me a discount and then I pushed it further for an "even number." Elated, I called Husband. He was grumpy. Then he called back and said, "Just go get it." Well, that's not the response I was looking for. I wanted him to be as excited and in love with it as I was. So I said, "No, we won't get it unless you reallllly want it too." 
So, when the family was here, I took my sister-in-law to have a look. She's an art fanatic. She's bought art in pratically every country and had it shipped to her house in Calgary. She loved it and said it was "practically free" at that price. My thoughts exactly.
On the last night that all the family was here, Husband announces that we're all going to the gallery to pick up the painting! How fabulous is he?! I still don't think he's nuts about it, but I think he likes seeing me oogle over how fab it is.
posted by KKT at 10:15 AM
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
The school interview was interesting... I walked in and was greeted warmly by the Superintendent. Just as I suspected, they were giving me a courtesy interview because I have worked so much at the school. The positon that I expressed an interest in, School Registrar, was not even mentioned. He went straight into, "Well, Kimberly, you have an amazing background and broad range of experience. I have several positions that may interest you..."
I read: "We won't give you the position you applied for because we're promoting someone internally, but here a a few crappy jobs that you may be desperate enough to take."
Actually, to be fair, I expected this. One of the jobs did interest me, Procurement Officer. Which at first sounds like Professional Shopper for the School. Nice, huh? Then I go speak with the ladies that are now handling the ordering and find out it's a little more involved. I don't care to go into depth, but let's just say I left saying I'd think about it.
Still hoping for the legal job with the airline. My MOST FAVORITE EX-BOSS, D.V., was so kind and sent me a glowing letter of recommendation. And so prompt!! The other Favorite Boss, J.E., was asked, but I probably won't hear from him for a few weeks. Here's a shout out to D.V.!!! Kiss, kiss!! I sent an email to the airline people, thanking them for their time and expressing my highest interest in the position, and, of course, attached the many compliments from D.V. Cross your fingers for me, wouldya?
posted by KKT at 10:08 AM
Monday, April 04, 2005
 The Canadians have left the country. Whew. The last of Jim's family left at 6:00 AM this morning, just before I was off to my psychometric testing and interview with a certain awesome UAE airline... So pumped and feeling like it's quite a long shot, but hey!, how many people can boast about psychometric testing?
I'm home on a break after the testing and before the interview at 2:00. Just enough time to scarf some lunch and refresh the makeup.
Looking forward to a nice quiet evening. Another interview tomrrow with the school... that would probably be a much sweeter deal as they only work 182 days a year. Thank. you. very. much.
more later gotta run.
posted by KKT at 12:57 PM
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
The camera seems to be taking some pretty sweet shots... the night photos aren't great but I think I need to tweek some settings. Just haven't had time to play and read the manual thouroughly.
DWC 2005 rocked. Didn't see any horses racing - just the bottom of a few champagne bottles and a lot of laughs. Great, great night!!!
We currently have five guests under our roof with the last one on her way tonight. We did desert dune buggies this morning and tonight we're having dinner at the Burj al Arab. Sweet. Check out photos above.
We'll be needing our Amsterdam holiday once everyone has departed. Whew!! But what a great time...
posted by KKT at 3:45 PM
Monday, March 21, 2005
A bit bummed. I was texting my friends in Hong Kong asking them to get an xD memory card for the Fuji Finepix Z1 and they replied with this "We couldn't find the Z1, we got the F10, hope that's OK."
Meah. I did tell them to get either one, thinking they wouldn't be able to find the Z1, which they couldn't. I just got really goosed thinking they'd found the super sexy one.
The F10 just isn't as sexy, but it does have more pixels - 6.3 million. Should be sweet. Maybe I'll be happier with that one in the end?
posted by KKT at 11:01 AM
Friday, March 18, 2005
Note new links above. Changed "PHOTOS" to "NEW PHOTOS" and "SHOP FEET" now links to www.shoes.com. I found the shoe site while searching for some cute wedge heels to wear to Dubai World Cup. Last year, I wore these sexy, strappy numbers that, by the end of the night, were cutting into my feet. That won't be happening this year as I found some cute yet sensible shoes. My shoe angel and hero, Lara, shipped them to me yesterday - thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
posted by KKT at 12:11 PM
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Check this hottie out!
Henry's Photo - Video - Digital
I am SOOoooooo coveting this product. Yummmm... Dean and Gisele left for Hong Kong yesterday and I asked them to hunt, if time permits, for this gem.
Mmmmmm Z1, I want you.
posted by KKT at 11:51 PM
Seems no one is impressed with either my posting or my ability to post photographs. What's the point?
posted by KKT at 11:35 PM
I've managed to mess up the ftp thing again. I had it figured out, I was posting pictures, and now... now it's gone. Grrrrmph. Suggestions?
Yeah!! It's the weekend!! Jim is coming home tonight from his 3-day Iranian Tour and tomorrow we're celebrating Yara's birthday at the One & Only Royal Mirage which is one of the most beautiful hotels in Dubai. Stoked. AND I have THE most charming, adorable skirt to wear. Love having a party to go to and a new party frock to wear!! 
Canadians start arriving in one week.
I think I'm off to a school happy hour now. Just in time for my after-school snack to digest and let the girls out for a wee.
Happy hump day to all you Yanks!
posted by KKT at 4:17 PM
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Doing a bit of spring cleaning... trying to make space in the closets in the guest rooms. The closets here leave much to be desired. Apparently, the phenomenon of the walk-in closet has yet to reach the Middle East. Instead, built in wardrobes are in every room which offer minimal hanging space. Getting the picture? If anyone knows me at all you can see the problem this poses. Where do I put all my stuff? My clothes? My shoes? Purses, belts, scarves, hats, caps, and jewlery. I had no choice but to invade the other rooms, giving Jim all the closet space in our bedroom.
It's consolidation time.
posted by KKT at 11:32 AM
Monday, March 14, 2005
Jim left for Iran this morning, so I've been up since he left around 6:00 A.M.
Have I mentioned how spoiled Americans are simply because of their access to places like Home Depot, Lowe's, and Wal-Mart? One of these "outlets of everything under the sun" should be enough for anyone, but nooooo... American's have like... fifty varieties to choose from. UAE residents - none.
Oh, wait. Unless you think the lame excuse for an ACE Hardware counts, which it does not.
Today was my second outing in an attempt to find nice looking hanging baskets. Last week, I returned to Dubai Garden Center to purchase four hanging baskets just like the ones I bought there about 6-8 months ago. Nice wire baskets with coconut lining. I walk up to the isle only to find these half-cone shaped baskets to afix to wall, no hanging baskets. When I ask, the man says, "No, madame, those are finished (sold-out). We have these." Right. So I hit the little Beach Road plant guys and all they have are the terracotta orange plastic pots with silver chains. Rather than make any harsh decisions, I continue my search. I hit Plant Street in Satwa. Same results.
Today, I decide to head over to Falcon Gallery. Apparently, they are shifting (moving) in 10 days time and have almost zero stock. However, the man is happy to inform me that a couple of weeks ago, the DID have hanging baskets. "Don't tell me this!" I scream to myself.
I am forced to drive across town, again, with my tail between my legs and purchase the cheesy, terracotta orange plastic pots. Just to make the situation more pleasant, they're not even the hanging variety so this afternoon I drilleld holes in them and threaded garden wire through them so they can hang.
Now, if I could just find the brackets to hang them with. . .
posted by KKT at 6:38 PM
Friday, March 11, 2005
I know it's not smart to drink and blog, but here I am. Home from Fillies & Fashion. Great night. Good drinks, good dinner, great fashion. I couldn't help but crank up my TAPE of Allen Jackson on the way home. Singing my heart out and wishing like hell I was back home two-steppin' ... just one more time. Missing Texas more than anything ever.
Miss home.
July is just a stone throw's away, right?
posted by KKT at 12:11 AM
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Finally, the weekend. I’ve been surrounded by seventh graders all week and am in desperate need of some adult cocktail hour. I believe I’ll try to meet a couple of the “cool teachers” out for drinkies ‘round 5:00.
I have tremendous cramps today. OK, maybe that’s TMI for some people, but that’s what is happening with me today. Oy, where are the horse tranquilizers when I need them most? Whyyyyyyyyyy, God? Whyyyyyyyyyyy?
At least I don’t have to think about following some lame golfers for endless hours this weekend. Instead, it should be fairly relaxing. Tomorrow night is race night and I’d like to go out for the Fillies & Fashion for a sneak peak at race day fashion. Not to mention seeing a race or two and having some yummy three course meal. Friday night, we’re having our Jordanian friend, Bashar, and his wife over for dinner. Bashar sold us our cars and has been an irreplaceable friend to us since we arrived. He pulled our car out of the sand dunes and never even asked questions. What a guy.
Saturday, it’s back to school and Jim’s off to Iran for a couple of days.
BIG NEWS FOR THE DAY: Lara has received confirmation for her Emirates flight to Dubai at the end of May. Just in time for my Birthday Toga Party!!! I’m so happy I could cry!
Also, Kate left me comments on Fotki, under "Kate and Jon's Visit." I live for comments.
posted by KKT at 11:32 AM
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
The Smoking Gun: Arresting Images
Check this out! Some of the best ones are ICONS, HISTORICAL, and TSG Faves. Watch out, it's addictive!
posted by KKT at 6:33 PM
Knowing that I missed another birthday of a dear friend makes my heart ache. I love love love birthdays. I hate hate hate not celebrating them! To you, dear sweet friend - HAPPY BIRTHDAY. You were in my thoughts.
To that end, I hope to make an appearance in Houston the first week of July, so we'll toast another year of wrinkles, wrecks, and warts!
It's about 7:00 AM. My first class isn't until 9:25, but the girls wouldn't let me sleep in late. So here I am in my P.J.'s, having a bowl of cereal and checking email.
We are on the fast track countdown to having the visitors from Calgary. About three weeks left until they begin to arrive. Jim will be doing a ton of traveling starting next week so he can take time off during their visit and I will be off because of Easter Holiday. It will be so nice to have them here - a house FULL of Canadians!!!
I sewed more Saree curtains for the guest room yesterday afternoon. I must say - not too shabby!
posted by KKT at 7:04 AM
Friday, March 04, 2005
comments feed site
What do you know? Post. Comment. Another post! Can we see a pattern forming?
Things have been great here - busy with school. I actually feel like my weekends are now full of social events, laundry, and errands. Like a normal life again - hoorah!
Yesterday was insane. I had this bright idea to be a volunteer marshall at the Dubai Desert Classic this year. Then Jim and our friends Jim and Anita got on the band wagon. We thought it would be a fun thing to do together and a cool way to be "involved."
We were lucky that our first day marshalling had a tee time of 11:45. That's do-able. We get to Emirates Golf Course on time to collect our bibs, marshall badges, and "Silent/Stand" boards before sitting down in the Marshalls Tent for a lovely buffet lunch. Seems like no problem. It's a beautiful day, sunny and windy.
We split up from our friends who have a different group of golfers to marshall than we do. We begin to walk. And walk. And walk. For five hours we follow the three most boring players in history, two of which had mediocre talent, and the 5-6 people that were interested in watching them (most of which were family, I think). Can you see the picture I am painting? Maybe it would have been more fun if a beer cart was rolling by every-other hole? I kept thinking of Happy Gilmore and wondering where his entourage was... just tap it in, tap it in, tappity tap tap.
Needless to say, I did not pick up my badge and parking pass for this morning's 6:30 AM tee time. Only so much a girl can take, ya know?
posted by KKT at 8:01 AM
Monday, February 28, 2005
Kate & Jon Return
You know you had a good night when you wake up with the taste of a New York City gutter in your mouth, no minutes left on your mobile phone because you drunk dialed your friend back in Texas to keep you company during the cab ride home, and no money in your wallet.
Hoorah, hoorah, Kate and Jon are visiting from Spain!! I booked us a mani/pedi appointments for noon, but Miss Kate was a wee tired from her 24 hour trek, so she's going today instead.
(By the way, I'm eating leftover cheesy scalloped potatoes for breakfast. Breakfast of hungover champions.)
When Kate and Jon were ready to face the world at around 3:00, I met up with them for some Mexican food and margaritas. Then back to our villa for a few more beers before heading out to the Mina Al Salam for mojitos at some great bar that had a terrace that overlooked the Burj. Gorgeous. After about 3-4 of those yummies, we made our 10:30 reservation at The Meat Co. at the Madinat Jumeirah. I must say, that is the single best steak I've had in a Dubai restaurant. D-lic-ious.
So right now, I need to whip my arse into shape for another day of fun. Actually, I'm supposed to meet Gisele at the spa for facials at 10:00. I better get there early and use the sauna to sweat some of last night's fun out of my body.
Man, these pototoes are fabulous!
posted by KKT at 8:16 AM
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
I'm off to DAA for a day of Choir with High School. hoorah for a Day 2, because I don't have to be there until 9:25 which means I'll miss all the deadly traffic on SZR.
Yesterday I had an interview with a hotel & resort investment company. They needed some help in their legal department. Someone to review and redline contracts for 9 hours a day. Hmmm... Kim thinks they need to add a little frosting to the cake to make her order up a piece. Did not realize that a 45 hour work week was the norm here. Can anyone say "Slave Labor?"
On a lighter note... I've been busy making the guest rooms more livable wich has involved the purchases of a few creature comforts. Will try to post more details and photos later - let's just say... BIG improvement! We are expecting six guests in about a month that will be with us for about 2 weeks. I don't think they would have appreciated sleeping on an air mattress!
Man... have I been out of blogging or what?! Guess I've just been busy. Seems life is going a million miles an hour and somedays just stand perfectly still.
posted by KKT at 8:05 AM
Sunday, October 31, 2004
 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! I hate being away from home during "American" holidays like Halloween. Nobody understands what the fuss is all about and I don't have the energy to try to explain the spooky magic of jack-o-lanterns, candy corn, trick-or-treat, and haunted house soundtracks.
Last week I was in a panic that there would be no pumpkins to carve. When I found a jack-0-lantern made of clay in the garden center, I bought it thinking it would be the closest thing to a real pumpkin I would be able to find. Lo and behold, a couple of days later, Jim spots a display of "proper pumpkins" in Spinney's and bought me two. They were about the size of two man's fists and cost 40 Dhs each (that's over $10!!).
Unfortunately, the carving party I planned to have tonight fell through (stupid foreigners don't understand the importance of the festivities) so I guess I'll save my pumpkins until the end of the month and use them as Thanksgiving centerpieces.
I just had the nicest surprise!! Jim and Anita stopped by with a bottle of wine. Just to say Happy Halloween (and to have some of my Spookicious Cookies). So sweet!
posted by KKT at 7:56 PM
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
I guess I don't have much to put on here lately. Things are getting back to normal and the weather is finally cooling... but not much. Enough that I can wear jeans at night and not feel totally uncomfortable.
I've been busy in the yard almost every day for quite a while now. My goal is to eliminate the gardener all together. I dated a landscaper for over three years, so I know a little bit about designing a flower bed. I decided to make "normal" "North American" style beds - with flowers, edging, and mulch. This is a new concept here where they simply dig a whole in the dirt or grass, if you're lucky to have it, and put a plant in the ground.
Last weekend, we went to the Dubai Garden Center and puchased 100 meters of drip hose and gadgets. Once installed, all we have to do is simply turn on the tap and walk away for a few hours while the water slowly drips into the beds. Simple. Easy. Affordable.
The gardener gets the axe this week.
Teaching ART again tomorrow!! Hoorah! I cannot believe I was accused of coloring outside the lines. Hmph. Never.
posted by KKT at 4:59 PM
Here's another shot. Can you tell I'm proud? 
posted by KKT at 4:57 PM
Garden After. Recently my garden has been an ongoing project. I've put in new flower beds, installed a drip hose system, and thrown wood mulch over everything. I think it looks great!!
posted by KKT at 4:55 PM
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BALDERAS!
I want to wish my great friend, Jennifer, the best birthday yet. I couldn't have dreamed that we'd become such close friends. Thanks for everything.
posted by KKT at 9:51 AM
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
He's coming home tonight! He's coming home tonight! I must admit, I missed the Hell outta him. I've always been an "independent, can stand on her own two feet, I don't need no stinkin' man" kinda girl... but after about a week of me, me, me... I'm dying for some we, we, we.
Welcome home, dude!
I'm teaching ART tomorrow!! Cannot wait... that's my favorite class to teach. I always come home with a little art of my own to hang on the fridge.
posted by KKT at 9:42 PM
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