Old School Cool

Sit back.

Turn your speakers up,

And

Enjoy this trip on the . . .

Soul Train.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/12-mind-blowing-soul-train-performances-20140205

Another Reminder

This article was published a week or so ago, but I saved it because I knew I wanted to write about it.  It's about a man who was found dead in an emergency room after being there for eight hours waiting to be seen.

http://www.salon.com/2014/01/26/man_found_dead_after_8_hour_er_wait/?source=newsletter

I was reminded of Ben's accident.

He had been discharged from the trauma center where he spent the first month after the accident.  He was then sent to a rehab hospital, and after a month there, he had used up all of the allotted time that his insurance would cover, so he was headed to a nursing home.  The problem was, he couldn't hold food down, and this had been going on for a couple of weeks.  We were told that whatever it was, it would pass.

It didn't.

Side note - I know I said this many times before, but you never want to see your child in a nursing home.  Under the best of conditions, it's a way station for people in the final days of their lives.

By this time, Frankie and I were taking turns staying with Ben.  I had to return to California to work, so Frankie moved nearby.  The kindness of an amazing man and his family, who paid for a residence hotel for us, made this possible.   Frankie had to return home for a funeral, so he was boarding a flight  back to California as I was headed to Texas.  I spoke to him as he was leaving, and he warned me about Ben's condition and how emaciated he was, but it was still shocking to see how much his health had declined since I'd seen him two weeks before.

Now I knew enough about the hospital system to know that the quality of his care would probably have diminished considerably once he left this rehab hospital, so any medical issues needed to be addressed while he was there.

The hospital's plans were different from mine.  They were going to discharge him to the nursing home, in his current state of not being able to hold down food for weeks, but I absolutely refused to accept that.  I got on the phone and spoke with "everybody and his brother" to get Ben the help he needed.

Thankfully, it was agreed that he would go to the emergency room of the trauma center where he was initially.  He was transported there via ambulance.  Once he got there, we waited for twenty-four hours before he was seen.

Twenty-four hours!

During that time Ben was hungry and literally begged for food, but he couldn't have any because they suspected he might have to have surgery.

He did, but later.

It was a tough time of waiting, and hoping for some help.

This article reminded me how grateful I am, that through this incredibly painful journey, Ben was not alone.  Frankie or I were there for him, and some many others were there for us.

I shutter to think of the outcome if he had been alone.

Where Have You Been Faye?

It's been a while since I've posted, but if I wrote every time I thought about it, there would have been a truckload of posts.

I've been really busy at work, and because I'm enjoying what I'm doing, I've been continuing to work when I get home.  My current role has me teaching more.  I'm teaching the teachers.  Because we come from so many different places (the UK, Ireland, and the US - Atlanta, Chicago, Pennsylvania, San Diego, and Miami), each with it's own pedagogy, it's important that we're all working from the same playbook, and are on the same page, in the way we do things.

The other reason I've lallygagged in writing is that things move really slowly here, so there isn't that much to talk about.

I suppose I could mention I'm really sharpening my skills when it comes to speaking to native Arabic speakers and getting them to understand what I need or want. (There are fewer folks here who speak English).  Mostly it involves persistent questioning because nine times out of ten they have what I need, I just have to get them to understand what I what I'm asking for.  In doing this, I'm picking up some Arabic words.

I could also mention that the men who wear the long gown-like garments (the kandura), that is almost always white, are now wearing dark colors - browns, grays, even black.  These are made from heavier material for the cooler weather.

I could mention, that for the ladies, they are really layering doing these cool days. They are always fully dressed under their abayas (in the UAE these long robe-like dresses are always black, no matter the season), but they sometimes add leggings under everything else and add coats and sweaters on top of that.

I could also mention that I live in one of two apartment complexes that houses the teaching staff of the various schools in the area.  I am the only Western staff member living in these buildings.  Everyone else is from Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Iraq, and other Middle Eastern countries.  The other Western staff live about 60 miles away. They commute by bus (provided by the school system) three hours a day.  The town that they live in is called Ruwais, and it is bigger, with more people, a beautiful hotel, and has more creature comforts.  A new mall just opened there that is the talk of the town.  When given a choice though between commuting three hours a day or staying in this town, there was absolutely no contest.  I choose Al Selaa (or Al Sila, Al Sela'a, or Al Sila'a) and I'm glad I did.  Housing is scarce in all of the Western Region, so the teachers share housing (three to an apartment).  They would have to share whether they lived here or in Ruwais.  The hiccup with my getting here was that approval had to be made for me to live alone.  It would have not been kosher to live with someone that I evaluate.

So, that's it.  It's not much but . . .

It is what it is.

All in all, life is good.

Here's hoping all is well in your world.

Birds Eye View

Fascinating perspective of cities and places around the world.

Hat tip to Forrest.

http://pixtale.net/2013/12/how-our-world-would-look-if-you-were-a-bird/

On the Road Again

I was on the road again, traveling back to Al Ain, where I go once a month to I get my hair colored (vanity thy name is Faye), pick up packages, etc.

It reminds me of living in the country, and every now and then getting the chance to go into town.  It was a big deal then, and it's still a big deal now.

The amazing thing to me, is the traffic, both automobile and people, that seemed so much faster and so much more than I remember.  Maybe it's just my life here has slowed down so much.

Someone asked me what I do here in Al Sila (alternately spelled Al Sela'a, Al Sila'a, Al Selaa; there's no consistency in the spelling, even on official documents) for fun.  I responded that I do the same thing here, that I did in Al Ain, and in Sacramento . . . I surf the net reading current events.  If you're not mindful, you can easily loose track of what is happening outside your immediate world.  I read books and magazines, and every now and then, watch television, usually something from Hulu or Netflix.

Side note - it's been a minute since I last posted.  Work has been crazy busy, in a good way.  I'm discovering talents I didn't know I have.

Speaking of work, I headed out in a bit, so in closing . . .

Good night to you.

Good morning to me.

Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back

Notice the "chair" this lady is sitting on.  Somebody, somewhere thought this was a good idea.

We've come a long way, but we still have so much more to do.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/20/dasha-zhukova-black-woman-chair-buro-247-editorial_n_4633544.html

A Beautiful Black Ballerina

Her name is Misty Copeland, and she is a soloist in the American Ballet Theater Company in New York City.  At 25 years old, she is paving the way for others to follow in her elegant footsteps.  She is featured on this clip from the Today show.

Enjoy!

http://theroottv.theroot.com/video/MISTY-COPELAND-31-DANCING-QUEEN

What You Missed in Sex Ed

The most straight forward sex talk . . . ever.

Where was this guy when I was growing up or raising kids?

http://www.upworthy.com/a-20-something-guy-goes-on-and-on-about-sex-for-6-minutes-nails-it?c=upw1

Gems

From the Daily Skimm.

I especially like the next to the last one.

http://theskimm.com/2014/01/15/skimm-for-january-16th-2/?utm_source=Daily+Skimm&utm_campaign=7c1f71d946-daily_skimm&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_74efee6205-7c1f71d946-24014177

Not Welcome

This article in the New York Times today caught my eye.

It's about a group of senior citizens who go to McDonald's each day for coffee and company, but they're no longer welcome because they tend to stay all day.

There were a couple of rotating characters who used to park at my local Starbucks in Sacramento, and they stayed for hours, no problem.

This McDonald's has put up signs stating patrons have 20 minutes to eat and go.

They call the police regularly to escort the senior citizens out.  They shuffle out with their walkers and canes.

Where is the dignity?

There has to be a better way to handle this.

What would you do?

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/15/nyregion/fighting-a-mcdonalds-for-the-right-to-sit-and-sit-and-sit.html?_r=0

I'm Impressed

You?

http://www.snowaddiction.org/2013/11/you-will-not-believe-how-these-russians-get-this-car-out-of-a-frozen-lake.html

Yum Yum!

Cajun / Creole Restaurant opens in Dubai.

http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/food/cravin-cajun-american-southern-cajun-and-creole-soul-food-comes-east-to-the-uae?utm_source=Communicator&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=&utm_campaign=%5b%5bADMC_THENATIONAL_LT.ADMC_THENATIONAL_LT.LATEST_NEWS_SUBJECT%3a%3a%7b1%7d%3f%3fThe+National+Newsletter%5d%5d

Cool Bookshelves

If given a choice, I would choose a "real" book over a Kindle book any day, but every pound (or kilogram) of weight (when moving), is a pound of cash.  So, I'm grateful to be able to enjoy electronic books without worrying about dealing with them later.

But with real books, you can do this:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/13/incredible-bookcases-photos_n_4588105.html

Amazingly creative, right?

An Ex-Pat's View . . .

From an Athletic Perspective.

Love his attitude.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/13/sports/basketball/the-basketball-players-guide-to-the-european-galaxy.html

Another Powerful Message

Please watch this and pass it on.

It's three minutes.

The issue of domestic violence is more prevalent than we realize.  These folks are suffering in silence, hoping that things will get better.  They rarely do.

http://www.upworthy.com/her-husbands-abuse-once-kept-her-behind-closed-doors-now-shes-speaking-out-loud-and-clear-10?c=fea 

It's All Relative

Frankie reminded me that the way we see things depends on the lens we're viewing it from.

It was a high of four (yes, 4!) degrees in New York City yesterday, with ice, and strong, blowing winds which made it feel a whole lot colder.

Suddenly, the sand storm that I wrote about didn't seem so bad.

It's all relative.

Thanks for the reminder Frankie.

A Blustery Day

I sleep like a rock, but the sound of strong, forceful winds woke me up at 2:30 this morning.  I thought it was raining, too, but when I left for work later this morning, I realized it was just the wind.

It was a mighty, strong, cold, unrelenting wind.

I was reminded of Winnie the Pooh and his blustery day.

The blowing sand feels like table salt blowing through an industrial size fan.  It stings.  And if you're in it long enough, it hurts.  It feels like you're being buffed with a loofah sponge at the very least, and with sandpaper when it's really bad.

No matter how well made structures are, (homes, offices, etc.), the fine, powdery sand finds its way into every building and onto every surface.  And on a day like this, there will be "puddles" of sand all over the place, inside buildings.

In my office, I have a kettle for boiling water, along with some cups for making coffee, that sit under a well-sealed window.  Everything is always covered in sand, but today it was especially so.  Try as I might, I couldn’t get it all out without a vacuum, so my coffee was gritty, like when coffee grinds seep through or like Turkish coffee, which is the closest thing to gritty motor oil that you’ll ever drink.

The sidewalks are made out of marble and are very slippery with the layers of sand.  I’ve given up on trying to look cute with fancy high-heeled shoes. My footwear is, first and foremost, practical.

It’s funny how things work out.

I’ve never liked sand.  I have sweaty feet and the sand would always stick to them.  It took like three showers to be sand-free after a walk on the beach.

Now look at me.

On any given day, I’m knee-deep in sand.

I have a practical understanding of the term “quicksand.”   It’s no joke when you step and solid ground is elusive.  You just keep going down and down, deeper and deeper.

I feel bad for the folks who wear contacts.  They must really suffer in these blustery conditions.

This is when you can see where the head scarves that both the men and women wear, really are multifunctional.  They are big enough to cover their heads and to wrap across their faces, or, in wind like today, to completely cover their faces, to protect themselves from these harsh conditions.

I keep a shayla – the name for the scarf that the women wear – in my car.  The winds can turn on a dime.  One minute you’re experiencing a nice sunny day with calm winds, and the next moment, you’re in a sand storm.  They’re really unpredictable. Of maybe they’re just unpredictable to ex-pats.  I’m guessing the old timers who grew up in the desert, can see the storms coming.  They know what to look for.

Anyway.

I'm home now, and the wind is still howling and blowing like crazy.

This is a slice of my world today.

More soon.

When in Rome . . .

Maxwell, Will Smith, and Tyrese were recently in Dubai looking pretty authentic.

http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/will-smith-tyrese-and-maxwell-celebrate-in-dubai?utm_source=Communicator&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=&utm_campaign=%5b%5bADMC_THENATIONAL_LT.ADMC_THENATIONAL_LT.LATEST_NEWS_SUBJECT%3a%3a%7b1%7d%3f%3fThe+National+Newsletter%5d%5d

What a Great Idea!

Check out this video below of a woman who took a picture a day of things she was grateful for.

http://www.upworthy.com/you-take-zillions-of-photos-with-your-cellphone-why-not-try-something-new-with-them?c=upw1

What a great idea that makes us conscience of finding the good thing in our world everyday.

What do you think?

I say . . .

Let's do it!

Faye's New Year Playlist

I spent a lot of time in my car today, listening to music.  I've shared some of my favorite tunes.

"A Beautiful Day" by India. Arie.  Helps you to appreciate what the new day/year brings.

"The Only Thing Missing is You" by Aretha Franklin.  She is in a class all her own.

"When I First Saw You" by Jamie Foxx/Beyonce (Dreamgirls Soundtrack).  This guy is one talented dude.

"Another Day" by Jamie Lidell.  This was my go to song as I was riding through the neighbor on my tricycle.

"Jesus is Lord" by Lionel Richie.  He takes you to church with this one.

"C'est Si Bon" by Eartha Kitt (Something's Gotta Give Soundtrack).  Homage to my recent travels.

"Twistin' the Night Away" by Sam Cooke.  You gotta move when this is playing.

"You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened" by Gladys Knight.  Like Aretha, Gladys is one of a kind.

"You've Got a Friend" by Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack.  I think this song was written by James Taylor.  Donny and Roberta do an amazing job on it.

"Home" by Marc Broussard.  I love this kid.  Check out the video for this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuWPseegaKw

"Some Bridges Need Burning"  by Keisa Brown.  Forrest introduced me to this lady. This song definitely rings true.

OK.  Those are mine.

What are yours?