Things to do when he is not around...

Listen to the news while cooking dinner.

So, I know that an online blurb doesn't really mean much, but a lot of folks back home have been asking if I've heard about what happened in Boston.  And yes, the horrific event that occurred there is all over the international news.  I heard from Pablo and colleagues in PNG that news coverage of the marathon bombing was all that was on TV even in Papua.  So yes, we have heard, and yes it is atrocious and my heart goes out to all of the victims.  

While cooking myself dinner tonight, and listening to NPR, I heard a lot about what the White House has to say (or not to say) about the bombing and about what people in Boston have to say and I even learned about the history of the Boston Marathon, but I didn't hear any responses from any non-Americans.  After talking to friends here, the response on my side of the world seems to be "Please don't let that sick bastard be from my country.  Please don't let him be of my religion."  Because if he is, how much will everyone else have to pay for his misdeeds? 

final scenes from home of 2012

Tomorrow, I am headed back stateside for the holidays and I will not return to my home in Saudi Arabia until 2013.  For some reason this seems kind of significant, even if 2013 is just two weeks away.  But I look around my apartment, at the little things I have collected over this year- a giraffe trinket from Tanzania, a shell from the Red Sea, or was it from Mallorca or Santorini (?), floral oils from Paris, the robe from Mong Kok,  and that stuffed-animal Koala that I never got to see for real- and I realize that 2012 was as explosive as I had wished for.  It was a monumental year in my life and I am so excited to see what 2013 will bring.  

The video below is from the local school musical.  Children are magical.  My heart goes out to all of the families in Connecticut.  I recently heard the story about the little boy who reassured his teacher, "don't worry, we will be ok, I know karate."   Nothing so innocent should ever be hurt.

Day 2

On Day 2 of Kilimanjaro buns-of-steel Bootcamp, we awoke early at Machame camp and set out for Shira camp, 6 hours away and at a final elevation of 3,800 meters (12,467ft) above sea level.  It was a "pole, pole" day, ie it was slow goin' up the steep, rocky path.  We passed through the Mooreland, leaving the larger, low elevation trees behind, but still the landscape was dotted with shrubs and hearty flowers.  Right when we really felt that our legs couldn't possibly take us one more step up, the path turned down a bit and we caught a glimpse of Shira camp in the distance.  We practically ran the rest of the way to camp where we were welcomed with a hot lunch and a sun warmed tent.  As evening approached, the winds picked up and the cloud- tide rolled in.  Pablo about froze his fingers off waiting outside for the sunset, but his efforts paid off and he got some great shots of the beautiful night.

**Also, on a totally separate note, regarding the recent attacks on the US embassies in Egypt, Yemen, and Libya, my heart goes out to all of the ex-pats living in these countries and most importantly to the families of the injured diplomats.  So far, Saudi Arabia is safe.  I was just at the US consulate in Jeddah yesterday to pick up my new passport and everything seemed to be running smoothly.  The triple layers of barbed wire fences were standing, security was no less nor no more than usual, and I managed to get my passport in about five minutes.  As of now, at least, all is quiet on the Eastern Front.**