Artist of the moment

Thanks to a neighbour/Facebook friend/fellow art lover, we got into a 'past the art on' thang on Facebook. (I'm ready to sign out of fb tbh...if it wasn't for this blog and the fact I live abroad).

 

So, she posted an artist and a piece of work...whomever liked it would then be sent another artist...they would then find and post a piece of work and so on. It appears I have 2, maybe 3 art appreciators on fb. So its bouncing between a few of us at the moment!

 

I found Peter Doig for my neighbour, thinking of the Scottish connection.

 

And he's now my favourite artist of the moment. Dreamlike landscapes and magical scenes.

Milky Way. 1989/90. Oil on canvas.

 

The Architect's Home in the Ravine. 1991. Oil on canvas.

Orange Sunshine. 1995. Oil on canvas.

The Hitch-Hiker. 1989/90. Oil on sack cloth.

I tell you what, it has really got me fired up to take my Art History Diploma when football season is over in April!

The Infamous Staff Bubbly Brunch...

It's my first staff bubbly brunch this weekend at the Radisson. I've been ill all week so this is just what I need.

However, I have just found out that some of the families from school will also be there as they were winners of a radio competion and they won their Mums and Dads a bubbly brunch too!

So I'm on my best behaviour.

Wish me luck.

Post edit: well, that didn't go quite to plan.....I just have to keep telling myself we are one big happy family, in this here li'l expat bubble...

I've been on me summer hols. So the artist for August has been delayed, maybe cancelled, or call it deferred, to September anyway. As well as much other communication. I've got some great artists lined up. I saw an exhibition in Glasgow's Museum of Modern Art of another artist who's name I had heard in passing but I might save them until September ;-) It's another fascinating character whose influences and inspirations are particularly intriguing and haunting. A few others lined up maybe before this one maybe!

So, no soundtrack this year. Instead, the road trip in bullet form: 

* Borrowed campervan due to the tragic loss of Betty. (I haven’t posted about this. Those of you who know me will know the story and the ongoing saga and we’ve just put it behind us). However, plans are afoot for the new mobile home!

* Heading to Wellington Country Park, driving 70mph in the borrowed van. Blimey. Never thought it was possible.

* Pops drawing a fire scene in his notebook; Me: “do you want to be a fireman?” –

Pops: “Don’t know, but I have back-up plans.” 

* Collected new van. Fingers crossed.

Next few weeks will be testing it out and planning its refurb.

* Drinking tea in the back garden with my auntie P and cousin S.

I’ve not seen my cousin since I was a teenager :-)

 

* Pops gets his iPod back after leaving it in the UK at Christmas. Father Christmas delivered it back to Grampa who returned it to us. A rather stunned but happy little boy.

* In the Beehive, Shifnal, watching the Lions’ final and deciding test against Australia. Lovely landlady who opened up early especially for us, bought us our first drink and gave the kids sweets!

* Daniel Craig, the British Lions and champagne all in one changing room…

* Camper Jam.

* Thecurrystall.co.uk. Proper Indian cooking.

We were talking about Oman and the Middle East.

He told us of a restaurant called Ibrahim's in Abu Dhabi, recommended by his Uncle. 

* Negotiating long grass in Havaianas is much like walking in sand. :-/

* I have a pink fringe!

* Andy Murray wins Wimbledon. Facts nicked from my friend DH: It is 77 years since a British male won the singles title at Wimbledon. The last British singles winner - Virginia Wade - won in '77 and Andy Murray played the final on 7/7.

* Alton Towers. Constantly thinking about possible art lessons…Alton Towers itself is a beautiful Victorian Gothic building designed by Augustus Pugin. He will be the subject of one of the Victorian architecture lessons in Year 5 :-)

* Bear goes on Sonic Spinball twice in a row, as soon as it opens at 10am without having to queue. She’s a daredevil that one. Next year she’s got her sights on all the rides.

* Scotland. Loch Drunkie. I want to camp next to this loch and get tipsy.

* Brig O’Turk tea rooms. My first cream tea. Whipped cream though. Tut, Scots, huh…

* Our Anniversary – a civilised meal in a beautiful restaurant, very nice. Then we walked back at 10.30pm and it is still light. We try to find a decent pub to have a night cap but most of them have three old men propping up the bar. So we end up at Hubby’s old local. No window to look through to suss the situation so we go for it. Instead there are three younger men propping up the bar and a tipsy barmaid whose lifestory we get by the end of the night…followed by a jagermeister.

* Braco graveyard with Pops to satisfy his curiosity. It turns out it is not a morbid fascination but he is looking for Alexander the Great’s and Charles Darwin’s grave. A ball of 7 year-old cuteness...

* Grampa’s 70th Birthday garden party.

* We start the van refurbishment ball rolling and meet up with the guy who did our last van interior as well as drop the van off as the interior specialists. A nice bunch of guys.

* Meet up with the Duchess who is England with the kids. So good to see the family and to see the children playing.

* Head to Dorset to camp for 10 days with some dear friends. Super as last year.

Despite one afternoon sacrificed to the Goddess of Pimms.

* Drop the van off after a lovely lunch at the local pub. Pimms, just in case it’s my last one, and a crab salad. Bear has a quarter of a steak and ale pie and finished most of it.

* We stayed in the Queen's Hotel in Southsea.

Hubby and I stayed in here one night after one of out first dates in our first year.

* HMS Victory

* Afternoon tea at Mum and Dad’s. They have the children for the weekend as we head to Brighton to surprise a friend for her 40th.

* It’s Gay Pride weekend and it’s fabulous! We see some great sights, too many hen parties though. A lovely hotel and I see the one I nearly booked at! Lots of rainbow flags and leather on the front patio! 

* Surprise for my lovely Banou in Hotel du Vin. She thought we weren't going to be in the country. We had left messages on each other’s phones and never actually managed to speak to each other. Apparently she was quite upset that I wasn’t going to be around. She is a calm and collected character and she showed no emotion when she saw us, she was genuinely stunned and surprised. A great evening at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant and then to Lucky Voice (karaoke) when I realised I don’t mind it, if there are no strangers.

* Lunch in Kemptown. I miss Brighton.

* Off to my sister’s in London. She’s asked me and Bear to be bridesmaids… :’-)

* Star Wars shop in Northolt, the Science Museum, Westminster Abbey (Darwin, Newton and Shakespeare’s graves and memorials and the grave of the Unknown Warrior were the highlight for the kids…I loved the whole place), Cafe Chutney at Covent Garden with opera singers, cupcakes and lollipops, Lego shop, the Fire of London monument.

 

* Harrod’s for Banou’s birthday. What a giggle :-) We made a pact that we would try and do tea at Harrods every year.

* Hummingbird bakery for more cupcakes.

* Final couple of hours with sis at the park. 

* This year – a wonderful, packed, fun holiday filled with lots of smiles, laughter and love. It’s made it harder again to come  back to Oman. I miss Britain and all those family and friends in it even more this year.

 

This Month's Artist - April

Another artist that Mad Murphy has brought to my attention is Dick Frizzell, another pop artist.

He's from Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. He brings in to his work icons from Kiwi kitsch. He's described as not just a pop artist but an artist in expressionist pop. This is something I'll be reading up on as I thought the two movements were very different to each other...how has he been described as the two together...? Mass consumerism of expression and emotion?

I always seem to be drawn to pop art yet not sure if I would ever have any on display in my home (maybe the Mickey to Tiki in the middle!) Yet when I paint or draw it’s never in any realist or impressionistic style, it’s always colour, full of pattern, abstract maybe (just read a definition of abstract art: free-hand jazz!). I think Rothko, Klimt and Kadinsky are my inspirations as far as abstract is concerned. I turn to Kahlo for colour. Richard Todd is another artist I like the look of. Maybe he'll feature soon in the monthly artist section.

A day off, expat wife style.

I always get two days off in the week at the moment. These tend to be filled with planning, cleaning, and mundane stuff really (although I always make time for my weekly Yoga with Randi). But I always have things to do. I can't remember the last time that I actually had nothing to do.

   So yesterday was Pops' sports day. I did the morning school run for the neighbours and had 20 minutes to spare in the car (Pinterest check? Don't mind if I do). So then an hour watching the cutest kids with the huge egg and spoons, the water relay, sack and running races and general 'I love being a mother' moments.

Long story short, I got talking to a couple of Mums, one I had met once before and the other it turns out lives opposite me and has not long moved in. Anyway, children as a common factor always makes meeting new friends easier and the conversation just flowed.

And it continued to flow over a coffee! I can't remember the last time I had a spontaneous coffee date! We talked about everything I used to talk about with the new friends in our first year or so here and it was brought back some very fond memories of carefree mornings with the Domestic Goddess and The Other Mrs. Mitchell.

I even had time to go window shopping! I had some things in mind but as is always the way, I can never see what I'd like. But it was very nice nonetheless...and has actually resulted in a bit of artistic modification to get what I wanted! (details in another post maybe).

I wasn't on the afternoon pick-up duty either and so I was at home looking ahead to the next few weeks art plans, blogging and personal admin.  And tonight, as hubby's away I can go to my Gaelic Football training session!

But ultimately what I realised more today is how calm and uplifted I was with my own children when they came home. Bear told me she thinks I'm too busy and am always rushing around. If I'm not having time for them then some things just aren't worth it. Chores can wait!

So, to new friends and old here in Oman, thank you for crossing my path and making days like these so enjoyable.

A weekend of being Super Mum…

Well, actually that's not entirely true. I could revel in the fact that Bear had a lovely sleepover here with her two besties thanks to my planning and creativity. 

Plan = Painting their own pillowcases, swapping friendship bracelets, decorating her room with streamers and balloons, using window crayons to decorate...well, her window and make their own pizzas. 

Reality = I go to Yoga all day (more on that later), they arrive when I'm still out, they play Barbies, Dad takes them to the pool, they make their own pizzas (one off the list at least!), I explode a huge party popper in her room (glad I'm not OCD), they watch DVDs all evening, more DVDs this morning, then I make them sit down and paint. (I didn't really, honestly, I just wanted to see these fabric paints I bought!). 

    


Now I'm making flapjacks for Bear to take into school tomorrow for her actual Birthday! A great recipe from BBC Good Food...the lemon zest is a great addition.

I think I'll know all about being Super Mum when football season kicks off. I've completed Pops' application to joining MCFL so that'll be every Thursday morning and one evening in the week where I'm taxi driver. (It's not guaranteed he'll be in but watch this space). Both kids have also started at Muscat Pirates, the children's rugby club. No after school clubs for these two!

I’ve always been aware and sympathetic towards those who work abroad away from their families for months, sometimes years at a time. I do feel sorry for them but remind myself that they are probably in a much better position here in Oman for instance than they might be on their own country; they are able to work and provide more for their families back home. I mean, why else would many come to a country for a (relatively) minimal wage, to work out all day in the blazing heat and sun, to share accommodation with many other workers? This may be a naive and emotional overview of working abroad and I’m sure many other bloggers have touched on the subject.

When we stayed at the Millennium Hotel for Bear’s sailing, we were treated so well. Good customer service goes without saying and I’d expect nothing less. However, one chef just went out of his way that little bit further to pay attention to our children. Pops could not decide what to have so the chef asked if he would like chicken nuggets and fries. OB-viously he did! I guess they ask all the kids this, pretty standard culinary question for a Little Person. Fresh, piping hot, proper chicken breast nuggets arrived…yum.

Later on, the chef came over with two halves of a green apple cut into beautiful swans! I wish I had taken a picture of them… We spoke with him for a while. He is from Myanmar and had been here for over a year. He told us of his children back home who were about the same age as my children. It struck me then that he of course must be missing his children and family and so wanted to pay attention to ours and be around them for a little while.

As I said I’m always aware of this situation for many. But I suppose it’s since my trip to Nepal that I have become a little more mindful, considerate and discerning and people’s such situations strike me deeper now.

A few weeks later we were at the Club catching up with friends and colleagues. One of the lovely waiters who has a face of a baby and a smile and laugh to match came up to us to serve us. So cheery, so happy, so funny! Then he showed us a video on his phone of his son. His 20 month old whom he has only seen once since he was born. He goes home extremely rarely. The next time he gets home, his son will have changed so, so much. Incidentally, his wife rings him three times of an evening as her way of saying ‘good night’. One of many things that in life that the rest of us take for granted.

Then I think of my friends here. It’s on a different level but the emotions are still the same. My friends’ children are in the UK with grandparents whilst the parents work here. It’s breaking their hearts but they know that the girls are having a whale of a time and are much better off in many ways where they are, rather than sat in the house with the maid and the odd playdate. Everyone is counting down to seeing their kids.

Today's offering...

http://prep-prep-preppy.tumblr.com/post/24857880518

I've got so many ideas and thoughts for blog entries, but have been procrastinating far too much. Damn you, Pinterest and awesome art ideas, DAMN you! A new facebook friend (an friend from school) told me it was Procrastination-Central and I was naive enough to dismiss her comments!

But Art prep is going well as a result! I commented to BH today that I hope the teaching next term is as fun as the preparation has been!

Still, many ideas + many distractions = Me, and there is no one Me-er than Me so I'm happy with that and accepting that it ain't happening right now!

Happy Weekend! (if you're in Oman!). Pool party tonight...Mojitos and board games tomorrow. (Not asking for trouble. At all.)

'Sisters'

I received this email from my Mum today, sent to my sister and me. I researched a bit to see if it came from anyone in particular. It appears that this piece of wisdom has also been called 'Mothers'.
'A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter,

'Don't forget your sisters,' she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.'

'Remember that 'sisters' means ALL the women. your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women always do.'

What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'

But she listened to her mother. She kept contact with her sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her mother really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, sisters are the mainstays of her life. After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:

THIS SAYS IT ALL:

Time passes.

Life happens.

Distance separates.

Children grow up.

Jobs come and go.

Love waxes and wanes.

Men don't do what they're supposed to do.

Hearts break.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget favours.

Careers end.

BUT.........

Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you....Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunts, nieces, cousins, and extended family: all bless our life! The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still.'

Last summer's soundtrack

Way back in the summer you may remember me writing about our super summer road trip with our campervan, Betty. I often look back at my facebook photos from that month and reminisce....

One of the best things I did after that trip was ask my friends and family their favourite song so that i could make a soundtrack! What fun that was. Admittedly, I only finished it in December! But it has been played to death ever since!

So if you are interested then this is the result.

'Dance or Die' - Janelle Monae. We saw her for the first time on the Glastonbury highlights at my parent's house. What sheer energy she has. And so cute!

1. 'Faster' - Janelle Monae
2. 'Tightrope' - Janelle Monae
3. Locked Inside - Janelle Monae. She played these last 4 songs consecutively with such energy.
4. 'I Need a Dollar' - Aloe Blacc. Also played at Glastonbury.
5. 'Down with the Trumpets' - Rizzlekicks. I was in the UK for a week with the kids and this was played constantly on Radio 1. They are also from Brighton so happy to support the local talent!
6. 'Pumped up Kicks' - Foster the People. Again, another one that was played so much but I never got fed up with it. Still love it!
7. 'Magic Bus' - The Who. Of course dedicated to Betty the Bay!
8. 'The A Team' - Ed Sheeran. Favourite song at the time of Bear's Special Friend from her old school.
9. 'Louder' - DJ Fresh and Sian Evans. My sister's choice. It reminded us of when we saw Kosheen at V-Festival 2002. They were just spectacular and highlight of the last great summer pre-kids!
10. 'The Lazy Song' - Bruno Mars. Mr. C's choice!
11. 'Give Me Everything' - Pitbull ft. Nero and Afro Jack. Choice of my old school best friend and her hubby. Apparently he would sing it around the house! Lucky girl!
12. 'When the Saints go Marching in' - Louis Armstrong. From The Other Mr. Mitchell. His Rugby team is Northampton, otherwise known as the Saints. When we made it to their home in Germany last summer it was a sheer relief that we made it to the furthest destination on our trip. It was just lovely, a special weekend. Anyway, many songs were played on the iPod that weekend and this was one of them! Another one was...
13. 'Inkanyezi Nezazi' - Ladysmith Black Mambazo from The Other Mrs. Mitchell. We both adored this song and it will always remind me of her.
14. 'The Fixer' - Pearl Jam. Just one of the best songs! All about men and women and how we solve things differently...how women want to talk about the problem and how men want to just fix the problem! Don't know what Eddie Vedder is talking about. ;-) Pearl Jam were played an awful lot in Betty this trip so they feature a few times!
15. 'Just Breathe' - Pearl Jam. Beautiful.
16. 'Amongst the Waves' - Pearl Jam. Uplifting.
17. 'Supersonic' - Pearl Jam. A great running song. Although I didn't go running. But if I went running this song would have been playing.
18. 'The End' - Pearl Jam. Tears every time.
19. 'Rollerblades' - Eliza Doolittle. Just cute and summery.
20. 'Skinny Genes' - Eliza Doolittle.
21. 'Pack Up' - Eliza Doolittle
22. 'Enter Sandman' - Metallica. This album was a big part of my Sixth Form life and for some reason this song was being played on the radio so often this summer!
23. 'Set Fire to The Rain' - Adele. Another radio favourite.
24. 'Red Red Rose' - Hope and Social. The first band we saw at the Deershed Festival. A great one to sing along to! And we did!
25. 'Marching on Through' - Hope and Social
26. 'You Can Call me Al' - Paul Simon. Although this features a) because the drummer of Hope and Social sang this and b) it's got Betty's name in it! ;-D
27. 'Monkey Man' - Any Winehouse
28. 'Valerie' - Amy Winehouse
29. 'Tears Dry on their Own' - Amy Winehouse. It was at the Deershed Festival that we found  out that Amy had died. Whilst I wasn't mourning her drug-induced death in the slightest, I was sad that such a great voice had gone for good. These were my three favourite songs if hers.
30. 'Last Friday Night' - Katy Perry. Admittedly this was a favourite before the summer but I heard it lots and it reminded me of being at The Duchess' house (new name for Champagne Charlie)
31. 'Delivered' - Admiral Fallow
32. 'Taste the Coast' - Admiral Fallow
33. 'Dead against Smokimg' - Admiral Fallow
34. 'Squealing Pigs' - Admiral Fallow. C-pops' favourite song to sing along to!
35. 'These Barren Years' - Admiral Fallow
36. 'Collision of Worlds' - Brad Paisley and Robbie Williams. Theme tune to Cars2. Just a brilliant afternoon in London.
37. 'Sigh no More' - Mumford & Sons
38. 'Harvest Moon - Neil Young. My Mum's lovely choice, her song of the summer.
39. This is a space for my Dad's selection....
40. 'Rolling in the Deep' - Adele
41. 'Real Gone Kid' - Deacon Blue. Played in the taxi on the way from the camper restorers to the airport. A very quiet taxi journey. :-(