An Invasion of a "STRANGER" Kind.... NEW THREAD IS UP!! Go Thee NOW!

[All7OfUs]

Another 10% is awesome!!! Good shopping Maroo!!!

Here's a birthday hug!! I see your green light is on. What are you up to? I'm watching the Glee episode that I had to DVR from last night.

OK, here's a confession...
Since I live in freaking nowhere, I had NO idea what everyone was talking about when they said Glee. I now know from reading between the lines and context clues that Glee is a TV show. For a long time I thought it was like singing clubs at schools that everyone's kids were joining, and that choir was again the hip thing to do. The last series I was addicted to was ER if that tells you anything about my TV watching habits. (Were you even BORN yet, TG?!)


So, I just up, am nursing my 1st cup of coffee (it's getting cold), Bek is in the shower, and I'm contemplating my VERY heavy workload over the next 4 days. Update coming up in a little while. Although you may be in bed. I haven't written it yet, and I want throw in my birthday bash menu, my next Minnie chapter, and some other random stuff.

 

[that's nice]

They have Value Resorts during our stay with 30% off! My PIN only had us at 20% off - so I called and got them to apply the discount! We just saved 10% on the POP room!

Awesome score!!!!
HOW EXCITING!!!!!!

So, I just up, am nursing my 1st cup of coffee (it's getting cold), Bek is in the shower, and I'm contemplating my VERY heavy workload over the next 4 days. Update coming up in a little while. Although you may be in bed. I haven't written it yet, and I want throw in my birthday bash menu, my next Minnie chapter, and some other random stuff.

HUMMMMMM sounds like you are going to be busy. I'm thinking about writing my next update but I might go to bed 'early' tonight.

 

[All7OfUs]

Awesome score!!!!
HOW EXCITING!!!!!!


HUMMMMMM sounds like you are going to be busy. I'm thinking about writing my next update but I might go to bed 'early' tonight.

11:30 is early?? You ARE a night owl!

I am going to be busy. Holding a 2 meals for 30 is not easy.

 

[tinkgurl]

Haha, yes I remember ER! I used to watch the new episodes with my Mom. George Clooney =

 

[All7OfUs]

Haha, yes I remember ER! I used to watch the new episodes with my Mom. George Clooney =

 

[that's nice]

11:30 is early?? You ARE a night owl!

I am going to be busy. Holding a 2 meals for 30 is not easy.

You know I'm usually up till 1-1:30. I'm tired though. I can't write or type when I'm tired.


2 meals? I thought it was just one big meal?


Breaking news on TV that there was a uhall van/truck parked on the Tri- borough bridge in NYC. Witnesses said it smelled like gas. The Times Square bombing suspect was living in CT. I guess this crap is ever gonna end.

 

[eandesmom]

And that my friend, is almost 2 CS Meals!!!!!! Yessiree- there's a reason we're not merely General Enlisted anymore!

I "mostly" better, but I have a bad feeling this is just going be one of those "thorns in my flesh".

Speaking of excuses, I'm pretty sure it was Glennbo (who hasn't posted on here like since, last week, (eh, hemmmm) who said I'd likely find about 50 excuses for not running. Just so you know, Glenn, you were awfully close. Nearing the 40 mark now. And I'm only on W2 still.

There's a lot packed onto those little pages. I'm thinking that I'll use the very unprofessional technique of going around the edges of each page with a color coordinated marker to give them some definition. I'm not about to re-print- esp. since my printer has none.

I think Cynthia DID do this one. I love them, all, but hers have a special flavor about them that is really HER.

Nope, not mine. It's cute though!

Awesome on the extra 10%!!!!!!!!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

You know I'm usually up till 1-1:30. I'm tired though. I can't write or type when I'm tired.


2 meals? I thought it was just one big meal?


Breaking news on TV that there was a uhall van/truck parked on the Tri- borough bridge in NYC. Witnesses said it smelled like gas. The Times Square bombing suspect was living in CT. I guess this crap is ever gonna end.

Nope, with the amount of guests I wanted to invite, and the size of my house, I am ending up having to do a lunch and a dinner. Different main dishes at each. We'll have to sit on the floor traditional style; I don't have a table big enough for 15.

Nope. It will never end. There are too many crazy people who are VERY deceived in their convictions. Violence is all they know.

 

[All7OfUs]

Nope, not mine. It's cute though!

Awesome on the extra 10%!!!!!!!!!!

I am positive you did the POP, POLY, and POR ones. But I thought you did a couple others too.

 

[eandesmom]

I am positive you did the POP, POLY, and POR ones. But I thought you did a couple others too.

DHS, Dining and Shopping/Souvies methinks.

 

[KathyRN137]

Ooooh... just read about that 10% savings on Pop!

Mousesavers is great!


Kathy

 

[that's nice]

Nope, with the amount of guests I wanted to invite, and the size of my house, I am ending up having to do a lunch and a dinner. Different main dishes at each. We'll have to sit on the floor traditional style; I don't have a table big enough for 15.

I can't wait to hear the menus.

Nope. It will never end. There are too many crazy people who are VERY deceived in their convictions. Violence is all they know.

True. True. True. & True.

I wish it wasn't true though.

 

[All7OfUs]

DHS, Dining and Shopping/Souvies methinks.

Yes! That is right. Those are all coming up very soon- well, at least later this month- which is quicly slipping away from me!

Ooooh... just read about that 10% savings on Pop!

Mousesavers is great!


Kathy

I think maroo is just simply gifted in this whole finding a sweet deal thing!

I can't wait to hear the menus.


True. True. True. & True.

I wish it wasn't true though.

OK, househelper is out the door to the bazaar, but a potentially HUGE problem just arose- PLEASE PRAY FOR US RIGHT NOW! The migration police just called. All I got was, "aa;sgsdiur volunteers asd;laktoiufvn, need to come down here, aftiuvkr gdftuzdlur, are you Mike's wife, tapoizudluzmv, come right away!"


Freaking out.

 

[All7OfUs]

First order of business is to share my BIG Birthday Bash Plans with you all. To make the decision in the first place to even have a party was a big, hairy deal. I guess I rationalized it by telling myself that this would most likely be the last big party I would be hosting here. Parties are a way of life here, and after living here for over 9 years, we’ve come to really enjoy them- well, going to them, not the work of hosting them.


They are normally a HUGE affair featuring a table LADEN with colorful and beautiful foods including a variety of salads, breads, fruits, sweets, and of course main dishes. Some sort of entertainment is appreciated, especially singing or instrument playing, and the toasting goes on for hours and hours. The host’s responsibility is to keep the conversation flowing and interesting with fun stories thrown in. I have my work cut out for me the next 3 days.


Today, my house helper will do the first shop for non-perishables such as bottles of gas water, juices, sodas, potatoes, and such. Tomorrow she’ll go again for fruits, meats and stuff like that. It’s a long process!


The menu was tough to decide on! The first group coming for lunch is our office staff. Most of them are used to being around foreigners and have tried a few more foods than the standard 5 dishes they eat here. Some speak impeccable English too. So I decided to go with a big pot of spaghetti for them. The LOVE lasagna, but with this many people, I can’t afford that this time around.


For the dinner crowd, I had to go with something more Blankistani. Like I said, they are very, VERY boring eaters. Seriously, they cook with about 5 ingredients and NEVER stray from the same 5 or so dishes. It’s always greasy rice, noodles or potatoes with some meat mixed in. Always fried. The dinner crowd is all folks who don’t normally mix it up with the Expat crowd, so I chose to go with the safe dish called Kordak. If you can say the K’s in the back of your throat, you’ll be saying it just fine. Basically, it is fried potatoes and onions with meat and liver. Personally, I really like it, but I am in the minority of Americans who like liver. But a little goes a long way.

The salads will be the same for both sittings:
Russian Vinegrette (here’s a pic. of what I made the other day)

Salad Olivia (finely diced cooked potatoes, carrots, egg, peas, pickles, and kielbasa in mayo)
Xe (marinated fish and carrot salad)
Spicy Carrot and vinegar salad
Assorted sliced meats, including horse sausage- my absolute favorite!
Bowls of whole fruits
Fried breads (like doughnuts) randomly spread all over the table in the “blank” spaces
Plates of cookies, candies, dried fruits and nuts
Tea- of course!

Now, onto other things…. It’s time for the next chapter in Minnie. These are what I have for my AK Section. It’s short, but no less interesting! It’s a section that still has lots of room to grow. And that’s ok. Do you have any to add?? What am I missing that you’ve taken time to seek out and enjoy??

Cover Page:

Top 10 List:

Hidden Gems to Look For:

On a more somber note, if you missed it, the Migration Police called “inviting” DH down to the office. I have not heard from him in over an hour. Please pray that if there IS a problem that it could be solved quickly. If not, then rejoice with us!!


Edited to Add: Looks like things are going to be ok. It ended up being an issue that may take some time to sort out. But basically it has to do with the TYPE of visa we have and the fact that we don't have a work permit. (After being told we don't need one for 9 years!) We'll see and I'll update as we know more.

Also, I wanted to pass along that once again I am a graduate!!! Week 2 is a DONE DEAL! All the advice I received on the C25K Forum says I should move up again if I've consistently finished the Week without skipping runs or what not. So after 2 weeks, which is actually faster than I thought it'd be, I am downloading the W3 podcast for running on Sunday. I really hope I don't biff it, because frankly, the thought of running for 3 minutes straight scares the poo out of me. Nevertheless, my sweet little daughter found some stickers in a cupboard I was cleaning out, and told me that since "I was doing such a great job, Mommy!", I should have these!!! She put them on me, and I get to wear them all day!



It doesn't take much to keep me motivated!!

One more thing that had me completely busting a gut today was this:



I sent my househelper out to find me some "relief" for my ailment, and to my utter shock and amazement, she found EXACTLY that!!! If you don't read Cyrillic it's there in smaller print underneath- SEE??

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Somehow my post was lost - just said that I'm praying and posted to Derek and Camille, who had their lights on - we are all standing together on your behalf!

Your party looks like a huge undertaking - good thing you have a helper!

 

[tinkgurl]

Oh gosh, I am hoping everything is alright Liesa!

On a happier note- your birthday bash sounds great! Good thing you have help with all that food!

Love the AK pic of Simba! Here's a tip for AK (which you'll see in my TR)- if you want to get an alcoholic beverage and enjoy the Jammin' Jungle parade at the same time...head to the Dawa Bar in Africa and grab a table right close to the parade route. Of course, there will probably be people standing in front of you, but we still had such a great view of the parade from where we were at.

 

[All7OfUs]

Somehow my post was lost - just said that I'm praying and posted to Derek and Camille, who had their lights on - we are all standing together on your behalf!

Your party looks like a huge undertaking - good thing you have a helper!

I lose posts all the time; hate that!

Thanks for passing the need along and for standing in the gap with us!

Still no word, although I did talk to the Director (a local gal) and she thinks there will be a problem, but nothing a little cash can't fix. Always about money. If supporters of work like ours knew how much of their donations went into stuff like this... well... it's very frustrating!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh gosh, I am hoping everything is alright Liesa!

On a happier note- your birthday bash sounds great! Good thing you have help with all that food!

Love the AK pic of Simba! Here's a tip for AK (which you'll see in my TR)- if you want to get an alcoholic beverage and enjoy the Jammin' Jungle parade at the same time...head to the Dawa Bar in Africa and grab a table right close to the parade route. Of course, there will probably be people standing in front of you, but we still had such a great view of the parade from where we were at.

See my response to Tammie just above...^^^^^^^

YES!!!! Dawa is definitely ON MY LIST!! I need to write that in. I'm not parade type person, but do want to sit in that little shaded area next to the Dawa updating my TJournal. Every park, I feel, needs a designated Journal Update spot. In WS it's the Tequila Bar, in AK the Dawa seating area, in MK, hmmmm... I haven't about that one, but I envision myself sitting down by the castle moat noshing on Casey's Nuggets. DHS? While waiting for F! or ???

 

[Millie12591]

On board and praying! Don't worry, it will all turn out fine I'm sure.

Like the party plans! To bad you couldn't liven things up a bit with your dinner guests, I mean it is your last time you'll have a big dinner with them. Maybe you should round can the traditional and really zap them with what you rather eat! After all you've eaten what they've had to offer all these years. Just sayin.

Let us know as soon as you can what's up.....what am I saying, of course you will. Love to you SinC.

 

[All7OfUs]

Mike just came home for lunch, and things are going to be fine, we think. Turns out this will be a bit of a process to get things sorted out with the TYPE of visa we have and get the question of whether or not we need work permits or not. Everything takes so long here, but it's not going to be a thing where we are serious trouble or anything.

On a side note, if you want to think about a persecuted people you can think about the group just south of us. They daily round up hundreds of migrant workers and deport them, much like what happens in the US. Altogether a difficult situation that's not easy to solve. Sometimes the rich people will hire them, only to get to the very end of a job that the workers have been doing and then call a friend in the migration dept. They round them up and deport them and they never get paid for their summer's worth of work. It really makes me so angry to see this type of injustice!