"They're creepy and they're kooky
Mysterious and spooky
They're all together ooky" - Theme Song
One of the things that has taken some getting used to while living over here in the United Arab Emirates is the different holidays. It is nice to get some time off of work for holidays that you have never heard of or do not understand. But, on the flip side, it can disappointing to have to go to work on American holidays that we are used to having free. Last year I worked on Thanksgiving. We lucked out because Christmas was on a Saturday, but I had to work on the 26th (my birthday). I will be working this year on Thanksgiving day also.
It means some adjustments. Some of those can be fun and interesting as we learn about and celebrate different holidays. At the same time, we try and do what we can to celebrate the American holidays too.
Halloween is not a holiday here, but fortunately, there is a large expat community. Right up the road from where I work is the American University of Sharjah. They have a large campus that includes housing for their faculty. We have several friends that work there and were kind enough to invite us to join them for trick-or-treating on their campus. Not all the faculty are Americans, but many are. So, they have devised a system where those who welcome trick-or-treaters place decorations on their door so that all the little ghouls know where to go.
We had a lot of fun. Our kids have been excited about Halloween for weeks and decided long ago that they wanted to be a family of witches. I had to chuckle a little bit that the girls biggest desire was to dress up basically like most of the local women here do everyday (see here). I guess, when in Rome.... errr.... celebrate your own holiday dressed like the Romans :).
I should mention that our girls would want to clarify that they are not "mean" or "bad" wicked witches, but that they are "nice wicked witches"... again, I have to chuckle that they do not say "good witches". Funny kids
"If you don't like my fire, then don't come around
cause I'm gonna burn one down" - Ben Harper
The day has come. Talon is officially "terrible." To be honest, he has been practicing for a while now and pretty much only needed the birthday for us to use it as an excuse ;)
His sisters are older and more experienced. They were anticipating and getting excited for his birthday more than he was. They know that a birthday means presents and cake and the limelight. He really didn't, but you've never seen a kid that knows how to manipulate his sisters more. He is the one pushing the buttons and in charge.
Anyway, the birthday celebration was simple and small, but the kids had a blast. The cake was a classic because the girls "helped" to make it and they all loved it. The only problem was getting the candles blown out without getting burned... so they could start eating (see video).
Without further ado, here are the photos and video that most of you came to see:
Note: I know what the song above is about.... the nice thing about music is that you can create your own meanings and it can symbolize whatever you want. Talon's candle blowing/burning abilities are interestingly related to how he lives his life. A sweet melody and a pretty smile with a slow burn - dangerously close to the eyes... and you better watch out or the whole house might erupt in chaos. Plus, try thinking of a song with burn/fire in it that doesn't.... have a symbolic meaning.
"Darkness falls across the land
The midnight hour is close at hand
Creatures crawl in search of blood
To terrorize y'alls neighborhood" - Michael Jackson
As we get closer to Halloween, we've had some very festive weather. As the temperatures change here in the UAE from Super Hot to just Hot... on the way to warm, we get some crazy fog in the mornings. The last 3 mornings it has been so foggy outside that it has been hard to see the road on the way to work. We were aware that this happens from our experiences last year at this time, but it is still a surprise.
This isn't just a little fog... it is so thick get drops of moisture beading on the windows. When you walk outside, you can feel it like a blanket, and a large inhale of breath almost results in coughing like a drink of water went down the wrong pipe. It is HUMID and sticky. In fact, at one point two mornings ago, the humidity was at one hundred percent. 100%! I don't know really know how that is possible without it raining, or being in a swimming pool, but apparently it is.... and no, it hasn't rained here for months.
I guess it is just a sign of the times that Halloween is coming
"White light, strange city, mad music all around,
Midnight street magic, crazy people, crazy sound" - Def Leppard
Our neighbors down the street and around the corner have added a few lights to their house. It now looks like this:
I'll remind our readers that this is a Muslim country so these are NOT Christmas lights. Most likely these are simple decorations because there is a wedding in the family. They will probably be there for a week or so. We periodically see this type of lighting randomly at different houses around different neighborhoods. Lets just say they don't go half-way for their weddings.
"Reluctantly crouched at the starting line, Engines pumping and thumping in time.
The green light flashes, the flags goes up,
Churning and burning, they yern for the cup." - Cake
When you live in a place where the average local citizen is a millionaire and summers are so HOT that you can't really go outside, shopping is practically a national pastime. Because of this, there are all kinds of ways that stores try and encourage you to shop more often or for longer than you normally would.
One of the local grocery stores has these cool carts for the kids. They like it so much it almost makes shopping with kids enjoyable.... notice I said almost.
