LATE Merry Christmas

Can't hardly believe that I totally forgot to leave a post on my blog yesterday about Christmas. Seems like blogging is the last thing on my mind as of late.... so for all of you out there, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!!

The hubby worked yesterday, so he opened his presents late in the day... me, well, I opened my presents days ago, so I had nothing to open yesterday! But, even still, it was nice to watch him open everything.

I cooked yesterday and made some of my favorite dishes including the turkey, macaroni & cheese casserole, baked beans, candied sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes and some delicious turkey gravy. It was yummy. I think Christmas dinner is one of my favorites. Growing up, my mom always fixed ham and turkey on Christmas (I love ham). I haven't had ham in I don't know how long... I think I've even forgotten how it tastes! I don't know if they sell it here, but I bet they do... I wonder how many ppl actually buy hams here in Bahrain.

We went to a wonderful dinner party the other evening. I met some really nice ppl and even met a blog friend that I've long talked to but never knew personally. I didn't know it was him until we were about to leave, so I didn't get the chance to chat, but it was really nice putting a face to the name. So... hey there Moclippa! It was nice meeting you!! I didn't have a chance to ask, but are you back here for a holiday break? Glad to hear that you like studying in the States... especially all the concerts! There are a lot of concerts in the States, huh?! I sometimes long to see some of my favorite artists... or at least know that the opportunity is there - if I wanted to see them - but living here, it's sorta tough. Good to know you're enjoying it though!

hmmm... oh yeah, there are a lot of friends that have changed their blogs to the new format, and since I didn't do it when I had the chance, I can't leave comments on your blogs now. I've tried over and over, but it won't allow me to post a comment and blogger won't allow me to upgrade at the moment. So... maybe once blogger allows those of us who were lazy and didn't change or upgrade immediately to Beta to post comments and such, then I'll be able to comment on your blogs... who knows. Until then, I'll keep reading.

You know, this holiday season I've met some of the nicest ppl. I've met several British women that are married to Bahrainis, some British couples, one German lady that's married to a Greek guy - she was so interesting and funny (I love the German accent) and he seemed very introspective, some Indian couples, a very charming and charismactic Bahraini woman who told the best stories and was so charming and charismactic, and even some really nice Bahraini guys... just some of the nicest people. It's been such a good time. I think since living in Bahrain, which has almost been 4 years now, this has been the first year that I've met so many nice and friendly ppl.

What I've noticed most, when meeting ppl from different backgrounds (or these particular ppl), is how honest and personable they are, and I must say, I really like the British. The women seem so honest and so willing to be open and friendly. I hadn't thought that before because we once wen't to the British Club and ppl weren't friendly, but I've had a total change of heart! American women can be the same (friendly and all), but sometimes you get a lot of fakeness w/them - even the men. Not all of them - it purely depends on the setting and who they are, their backgrounds and such, but so far... I really see a difference between the British and the American women - a good difference. Maybe it's just that us expats that are married to Bahrainis are of a different caliber! ;) Maybe we have some type of umphhhh that others don't have (kidding here), but really, so far I've met some of the nicest women that are so similar to me. They are so willing to be friends and it's not fake... I like that. When I moved to Bahrain, I lost a lot of my friends because they disagreed w/ my decision to move here. They also disagreed w/ my marrying my husband..... so it's really nice to meet other women who have done the same and to find their company so enjoyable. You know??

I will say though, I do think there's something to meeting an expat that's married to a Bahraini. They can identify w/ you and what you're feeling, things you've gone through... there's just some type of comfort level that's almost an immediate tie that binds you.... which may sound weird, but it's true. Or at least I feel it. Maybe I'm the only one. Altho, as soon as I say that, there was this Bahraini woman that I met the other night, and I loved listening to her. She was different than most I've met here... she had a freedom, an openness about her that was terribly attractive and you immediately wanted to be friends w/ her. She talked so fast in English and I felt myself engaging immediately. She told me about how she's been to Bloomington, Indiana, which isn't far from where I grew up, and about how much she loved it there. I think everyone around us thought we were crazy to talk about such a small town w/ such love and admiration.

With respect to my pregnany, my dr. put me on 3 weeks of medical leave yesterday. I'm allowed to walk about a little and do some things, but not too much. She thinks my body is trying to go into early labor and wants to avoid it at all costs. I do too. I don't want to have the baby early and would prefer to be safe rather than sorry. I'm feeling pretty good altho I have days where I'm either terribly grouchy and no one wants to be around me, or I have pain in my stomach and can't do anything.... or I'm the most lovable pregnant lady you've seen. Too bad I can't tap into those lovely days and put it into my veins intravenously... my husband would love that!! Because they seem to be few and far between!

So... I will either be writing a lot on my blog or not. Lately I've been bored of blogging or just focusing on other things, so I haven't blogged at all. My sister asked what happened and what's the matter, but it's not that... I think my mind is totally committed to other things right now and blogging hasn't been a priority. I'm not sure. I've thought about blogging... cuz I've seen a couple of pretty good movies including The Holiday w/ Cameran Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black and Kate Winslet. It was really nice. A chick flick, but a good click flick. I even teared up towards the end. I recommend it to anyone who wants a nice feel good movie. We also saw Little Miss Sunshine. I liked this movie. It was filled w/ all sorts of what I'd call "real" moments. Real in that it showed how some families interact w/ each other, the stress of family life, the stress of not getting what you want in life, but how not getting what you want doesn't make you a bad person. It was a sweet movie that filled me w/ laugher at times and made me think about life.

Oh yeah, we also watched that movie Borat. I laughed outloud a couple of times, but what got me more than anything was how the movie showed the racist behavior of Americans and how stupid some ppl are in some states in the U.S. I've known this and have had lots of ppl tell me how wrong I am about this when I've talked about it (racism in the States), but I've worked w/ some the most racist ppl over the years, so it was no surprise to me. The movie shows it clearly. Made me wonder what these ppl are thinking now... but some of them are probably so stupid that they didn't even realize they were in the movie... even tho he's being sued by many for making them look bad. But you know, how can you make someone look bad?? That quality is in your nature or it's not... plain and simple. I don't recommend paying full price at the theatre to see the movie, but it's a good rental.

Anyway... happy day everyone.