Few days with Ingrid

Our good friend Ingrid stayed with us for the last few days (in transit from her holiday in France to her home in Miri, Malaysia) – We really had a wonderful time with her, although I was recovering from sinus/flu on her first day, and Luke had pink-eye/conjunctivitis for the last couple days. She’s a wonderful Christian friend and Angela in particular enjoyed the company. We thank the Lord for our time with her, and pray blessings on her as she re-united with her husband, Gail.

What REALLY kills …

Here’s the final word on nutrition and health. What REALLY kills…

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

3. The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

4. The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

(received this via e-mail this morning, just loved it!)

Zoe’s Birthday

On Thursday Nathan went to Zoe’s 4th birthday Party – He enjoyed it very much (as you can see)

Desert Drive to Camelhump

Had a two-day weekend for a change, and utterly enjoyed it with our good friends Gael and Ingrid. Armed with Gael’s GPS we headed out past Al Awir towards Nazwa. Onto desert driving and dune-bashing past that with Fossil Rock in the distance.

We stopped for a quick picnic (and some kite-flying) at a viewpoint overlooking Fossil Rock, and then headed on to watch the sun set just behind the small rock formation called Camel Hump.

Gael’s GPS tracke tells the tale best … Click on the map for more photo’s.

Dinner with Ian and Rie

This is us having dinner with some new friends, Ian and Rie. Rie also works for Hyatt as an assistant IS Manager in Osaka where she used to work with our dear family friend Branislav.

Ian does something really interesting, he’s an Information Architect – While listening to him explain over dinner how web design can be information architecture in a functional manner reminded me SO much of Oupappa. When Ian said “It has to be practical” he sounded SO much like my darling Grandpa explaining “back-to-back” toilets it was earie.

It was also fun talking with Rie and comparing notes on “difficult” users, tight hotel IS-budgets, and (this was Angela’s favourite topic) chocolate munchies and cravings during pregnancy. Ian an Rie have a terribly cute daugher (not that we’ve met her … yet) Michelle.

Nathan was VERY well behaved all through-out dinner and Angela and I were very proud parents :-)

We hope we’ll see a lot more of Rie and Ian, or if nothing else, keep in touch with this loverly couple

Yours

Roy, Ang and Nathan

Joke of the Day

(Heard this at Alpha course this evening and hope you enjoy it with me …)

Adam said Eve preasured him into it …
Eve said it was the snake …
… and the snake didn’t have a leg to stand on!

Thirty Books of the Bible

There are thirty books of the Bible in this paragraph. Can you find them?

This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much, he passed it on to some friends.

One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john boat. Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column.

Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. Thats a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized.

Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph.

During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record. The local newspaper, The Chronicles surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen.

As Daniel Humana humbly puts it, “the books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight.” Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown.

One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers.

Also, keep in mind, that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus.

There really are 30 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found.

Bianca’s Birthday

Bianca turned 4 on 9th Feb – This is a picture of Nathan at her party at Ms Kay’s along with a thank-you card we received from her today …

(Our Nathan is centre, referred to as “Nathan V” – To his right is “other” Nathan)

How To Get Rich

A young man asked an old rich man how he made his money.

The old guy fingered his worsted wool vest and said,

“Well, son, it was 1932; the depth of the Great Depression.

I was down to my last nickel.

I invested that nickel in an apple. I spent the entire day
polishing the apple and, at the end of the day, I sold the apple
for ten cents.

The next morning, I invested those ten cents in two apples.
I spent the entire day polishing them and sold them at 5 pm for
20 cents. I continued this system for a month, by the end of
which I’d accumulated a fortune of $1.37.

Then my wife’s father died and left us two million dollars.”

RSL?

Are you a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime? Pay attention to what you
read. After you read this, you will know the reason it was sent to
you!

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When
you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each
person.

REASON:
When someone is in your life for a REASON. . . It is usually to meet a
need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a
difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you
physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend,
and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then,
without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this
person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire
fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been
answered. And now it is time to move on.

SEASON:
When people come into your life for a SEASON it is because your turn
has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of
peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never
done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it!
It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME:
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must
build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is
to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned
to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said
that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being
a part of my life.
Stop here and just SMILE.
Work like you don’t need the money.
Love like you’ve never been hurt.
And dance like no one is watching.

~Author Unknown~

Sheikh Zayed dies

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, president and founder of the United Arab Emirates, died last night after many years of poor health – He was about 90.

Sheikh Zayed’s son, Crown Prince Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, will automatically take over as ruler of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.

Under the UAE constitution, Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, will act as president until the federal council, which represents rulers of the seven emirates, meets within 30 days to elect a new president.

The Supreme Courts have declared 40 days of morning – Government departments will be closed for 8 days and private companies for 3.

21 today …

It was on a Wednesday, three weeks ago that Rachel was last admitted into Hospital and she hasn’t been home since. This is the longest single stretch she’s been in hospital, a day longer than when she was in Pretoria East Hospital in May with the RS virus, and week longer than when she was born in early April.

I spent the afternoon with Rachel today, giving Angela a chance to spend some time with Ma as the two of them hardly ever see each other as they work opposing shifts at the hospital.

I enjoyed the time with my little darling – She is so cute and very eager to have a bit of fun – We played “Peek-a-boo” and “Where’s the baby” and she enjoyed that a lot. She’s developed the cutest facial expressions when she’s looking at something and concentrating on it and her eyes seem to “say” a lot more these days.

Rachel is however getting weaker and more subdued daily. During the five hours I spent with her yesterday she slept for about four of them – Her blood-pressure is gradually dropping, indicating a weakening heart, which is very understandable given the amount of strain it’s under due to the portal hypertension. She seems very drowsy at times – We praise and thank the Lord though as her comfort level seems to have increased, i.e. either the pain she was experiencing in the last couple days of last week has gone away, or she’s dealing with it a lot better with the help of the pain medication.

We continue to ask our Lord for strength and vitality during this time – The routine of the daily swap-over between Ma and Angela, and the hospital visits with Rachel, is not only an emotional drain on all of us (Nathan included) but is physically draining at times as well – As I locked up our home a few minutes ago Angela, Nathan and Dad were all fast asleep, clearly exhausted from everything that has been happening these last three weeks.

We entrust ourselves in the Hands and Will of our Lord and know He is keeping us in His grace

Yours in Him

Roy, Angela, Nathan, Rachel, Dad and Ma

Sharjah Beach

After Church this morning we stopped by the hospital and dropped off Ma who lovingly offered to look after Rachel while Angela, Dad, Nathan and I followed the Matchetts (Richard and Elaine) home to their house in Sharjah.

While James and I washed dishes Elaine and Angela prepared some delectable chicken and grilled veg which was keenly enjoyed by all.

After Lunch we played a few hands of UNO and then went for a walk.

We had a lovely afternoon of friendship and fellowship with Richard, Elaine and James in their home which is virtually on the Sharjah Beach and got some beautiful sunset pictures.

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Happy Six Month Birthday, Rachel

Today was Rachel’s 6-month Birthday. Just before five we all gathered at Dubai Hospital, room 434, to celebrate this joyous event. The birthday party theme was obvious – “Princesses”. We had pictures of Princess Jasmin (from Aladdin), Princess Aerial (i.e. “The Little Mermaid”), Princess Snow White, Princess Cinderella and Belle (from Beauty and the Beast) all over the place.

Elaine had baked a beautiful pink marble cake, and together with her, Richard, James, Dad, Ma, Angela, Nathan and I all thanked The Lord together for the past six months we’ve enjoyed with our “Little Princess”

Rachel looked lovely in her Birthday dress and even sat up straight all on her own (which she started doing this week) for the occasion.

We didn’t have too many games, but the one that kept us all busy was the balloon blowing competition. It ended up a tie between Richard and everyone else, as no-one was able to blow up a single “Balloon Sculpturing” balloon, and with no hand pump we were left with no other option.

Later in the evening Pastor Daniel (Splett) joined Angela and I and we enjoyed another cake and prayed together and Thanked God for His wonderful ways and for the gift of Rachel who we’ve been privilege to love and enjoy since her birth, 30th March 2004.

Click on the picture for all the photos …

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Trip to Wadi Farfar

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Today was a public holiday in Dubai so we took the opportunity to take Dad and Ma into the “mountains”.

At around 2 this afternoon Richard, Elaine and their house-guest James arrived at Sahari village – We’d all decided to “sleep-in” and spend a relaxed morning before our adventurous afternoon. At 14:20 our car (“Phoebe”) was ready and packed; We drove out behind Richard and Elaine’s car “Stanly” just before two thirty on our way to the UAE East coast.

The 90 minute drive to where our trail would start took us on the E88 highway past the Sharjah Arab Cultural Capital Monument, the little town of Al Dhaid and the Friday Market just before the village of Masafi. At Masafi we took the lower road heading for Fujairah on the East Coast. However, just before 4pm we’d take a little turnoff, 9km’s out from Fujairah and regroup.

The weather looked a bit ominous, and we were weary knowing flash floods could easily upset our day – A call to my friend Ahmad set us at ease though as it’s not rain season and the Eastcoast had apparently not seen the sun for a the last 10 days (without rain) so all ok.

We then pulled onto the trail and drove into Wadi Farfar. We passed some lovely terraced fields and number of wells and water pumps. Our route then changed a tad and started carving a precarious road out of the mountainside and started to climb steeply to an impressive ridge.

We stopped at the highest point, (about 512m above sealevel) to enjoy the views at around 16:15 and then continued driving along the rest of the approx. 20km route and found a picnic spot in the low lying Wadi Mamduh.

The men started making the fire while the women relaxed on the picnic blankets a little closer to the cars – there was a refreshing mountain breeze which Rachel didn’t much appreciate, but helped the fire along nicely. The food was ready just after a magnificent sunset (around 6pm) and what a feast it was. The ladies had also prepared some salads which were greatly enjoyed.

Some tinned fruit served as desert along with a welcome cup of coffee/tea, which Richard made using his very cool benzine stove/kettle, but which time it was pretty much night-time (i.e. dark beyond belief)

About seven fifteen we’d packed up, made sure the fire was totally put out, and were ready for the 90 minute drive home. Our paths parted at an Emirates Garage just outside Sharjah and as Richard, Elaine and James headed onto their home in Sharjah we spun off towards Ras Al Khor and were home just before the 20:30 news :-)

It was a lovely outing and all of us enjoyed the “closer” look at Gods wonderful handi-work, and the extremity of the mountains that are part of this desert country we call home. The family and friends also made for excellent fellowship … We truly are blessed in what the Lord gives us and allows us to enjoy!

Rachel’s lil’ habit

Rachel can’t sleep without here lil’ bunny-blanky (was a gift from our friends Julio and Slovanka)

Good-bye Meal for Ma

We had a goodbye dinner for Ma with our best friends Julio, Slovanka and Sebastian at our favourite Mexican place, Maria Bonita.

It was a loverly evening (although a bit warm as the A/C seemed to need some attention) – As always the Mexican food was great, but not as great as the Mexican company :-)

We’re going to certainly miss you when you’re gone, Ma!

Dinner with Arnold Mol

For the last two days I’ve been attending a seminar by Dr Arnold Mol, and after excitingly phoning Angela during my first tea break yesterday she agreed we should invite him over for dinner – He graceously accepted and it was set for dinner with us this evening.

There was an initial “mix-up” and I only managed to call him in his room at 8:45 this evening (45 minutes past the time we agreed, and although no-one but a faulty telephone interface was at fault, it’s the responsibity of the IS manager that these interfaces are working correctly :-( )

None the less Christian fellowship is such a loverly thing, and it was a great way (at least for me) to end two days of an enriching motivational seminar. Arnold is an amazing man and it’s really extremely encouraging to see the Lord use such a willing servant. Although Arnold’s seminar was adressing the top management of Grand Hyatt Dubai and Hyatt Regency Dubai, he was not ashamed to show he is a Christian (and more than just a few times during the course).

What was even more encouraging for me though was how Arnold brought in subjects like “Characteristics of a successful person” or “How to have success in your marraige” which really didn’t fit in too soundly with a management seminar, but none the less had everyone interested and learing from it … And more importantly how Christian values and biblical teaching can easily be spotted as the foundation for these.

The best part though was the wonderful meal Angela (with a little bit of Ma’s help) was able to prepare even though she had such a busy day with Rachel at the hospital, shopping inbetween, and all that other unseen stuff she just “makes happen” and, then seeing how Arnold enjoyed it.

I pray the Lord will continue to bless Arnold and his work. I also praise God and thank Him for showing me during these past two days what a gifted and blessed man I am, in particular with the wonderful partner He’s provided for me.

God Bless.

Roy

Interesting bit of useless info

Somebody thought to explore why the US railway has a standard rail gauge of 4 feet 8.5 inches. Why not 5 feet or 4 feet? Well the investigation revealed that the constructionists of the initial railways was done by English expats and that was the width that things were in England. Railway lines in England were that width because the same popel who built the pre-railroad tramways. Now that originated because the people who built those tramways used the same jigs and tools that they used for building wagons which used the same wheel spacing.

The question now was how come that specific wheel spacing? Any other spacing would not suffice on English roads and would break the wagon wheels because that was the common spacing of the ruts found on the roads. Clearly that answer to origin was now heading somewhere. Imperial Rome was the first who built the first long distance roads in Europe and England for their legions. So it was the Roman chariots and wagons that first formed the initial ruts which everyone else had to match for fear of destroying their wagon wheels. This took the search to Rome for all war chariots were built and designed in Rome.

All the vehicles in Rome boasted the identical wheel spacing just wide enough to accomodate the back ends of two war horses. Is it not amazing that two thousand years later the most modern of trains still run on a wheelbase that found its origin in width in ancient Rome?

(article adapted from The Citizen Motoring, Wednesday, 17 December 2003, p. 16).

A morning at Home

We’ve spent this morning relaxing at home and taking Ingrid (i.e. Dr Pistorius) and Rachel to visit a local Peaditrician – This afternoon though promises a lot more …