Winter is approaching

Hi all.
Sorry have been very slack with posts on this blog. Have been very busy with work, which is not necessarily a bad thing as it has kept me out of trouble. I have not been doing as much socialising this past month, just working and saving with the odd movie and dinner out thrown in. The party at the Hilton Hotel last month was really good and I met my first NZer here. He was from Wanaka and had taught in Dunedin, and also at Oamaru Intermediate. Haven’t caught up with him again though. Met my second NZer through my taxi driver. She was in the taxi when he picked my friend and I up and had many links with me. She went to the same Primary and Intermediate school and also the same gymnastic club as me. She was only 21 and I did not know of her back home. Unfortunately she has moved to Abu Dhabi for another gym/aerobics job so I most likely won’t get to catch up with her. Don’t know how she coped living here for two years and being that age.
People often say that the cost of living here is very high and this makes it difficult to save however I don’t believe this is the case. As you know I like to shop around to get the best deal and find that I can buy most things at a similar place back home. Things like movie theatres are 3KD - $15NZ or half that on Mondays, food (except some western products) are similarly priced, taxis are much the same, actually probably cheaper, cost $20 NZ for a 35km drive, and clothes (if you buy from chain stores) are much the same too. Although the shopping malls mostly have the expensive brand stores – Hugo Boss, Principles, Diesel, etc. Cigarettes are cheap for those who smoke - $2.50NZ a packet and of course petrol. Things that cost a lot are ice cream – American and about $12NZ for 1 litre. Mocca coffee from Starbucks for $7.50NZ, and alcohol (if you can get it) for $250NZ a bottle! If you’re interested in cars go to q8car.com, but remember to times the price by 5. Jaguar XK8’s seem like the best deal here but obviously the cost of repairs and parts are high. I probably won’t drive here as it’s a bit crazy and costs quite a bit to get a license, not to mention a car.
The weather has changed dramatically over the past week from the mid 30’s to the low to mid 20’s. Even got down to 16 during the day and 14 overnight just two nights ago + rain! Happened about three times in the last month but very light and only for a few minutes each time. Lucky I knew about this and brought some warm clothes over + a light jacket.
Have planned my first trip and it happens to be this week! Jordan awaits me. I’m going for four days and aiming to go to Petra and the Dead Sea on group tours. Going by myself as people I know are staying home, going to Bahrain and one is going to India. Looking forward to a change of scene and a wee drink will be nice too. Will obviously have many photos soon. I have also booked a flight to Abu Dhabi to attend a golf tournament in January. There are a couple of other holidays I plan to go on as well. Have to take advantage of being close to these places and having a very strong currency.

School Corner

As I mentioned earlier school has been very busy. We have just finished our 1st quarter reports, mostly data filled, and had parent interviews. I have also been doing after school tutoring every day for an hour with small groups. It’s great for the students who really need it and for me. I get around $60 depending on the number of students so very handy for the trips I plan to go on. Tomorrow (Tuesday) we are going on a trip to Imax cinema and the following day there is Hajj celebrations (this is the pilgrimage to Mecca) which I believe the students reenact somehow and do various activities to mark the celebration, such as giving each other small gifts or money or lollies. Sounds like it might be rather hectic. Well must get to bed. I am looking after a cat temporarily but it meows at all hours of the night for no apparent reason. Cannot wait to pass him on to the animal society as his owner does not want him anymore and neither do I. This, despite me being fond of cats. This one seems possessed and needs a big household with a lot of people. Bye for now.