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...

Art Lesson of the Week

This week's lesson was a good one for a few reasons.

Year 3: City of Fratsia, sketching, oil pastel and wash.

One: they learnt something new. Always good. Today was perspective and 3D work.
Two: they practised other sketching skills.
Three: they needed to delve into their imaginations to start with.
Four: it also required a bit of 'drawing what you see' whilst in that imagination. Always a tricky one, especially with the younger ones who have this ability to transpose any object regardless of what angle they view it from, to front on and draw it thus.

It was the lovely and mystical city of Fratsia that was the class topic and we just followed it in art but creating our own cities (imagination) of Fratsia. We read the book, 'Sanji and The Baker' (by Robin Tzannes and Korky Paul) and studied the city drawings and perspective (new word). We loved how the buildings towered off to the side and rose up the hill. We also loved the colour and medium that Paul had used. We thought about what we would see if we looked straight at a house? What would we see if we were sitting down on a seat in the street looking to the house to our right? (Observational drawing)

 



We worked with our basic sketching skills to plan our city and think about how the buildings we have created from our imagination would look like from an angle. This was a challenge for most of them. But once they saw what they were looking at and applied it to theirs, it flowed and clicked :-) We then worked with oil pastels and built up this beautiful city like Korky Paul did. Some chalk pastels slipped into the oil pastel box inadvertently so that became a lesson in itself as they were finding out the difference between chalks and oils, in feel, effect, the residue it makes. This was great fun, coming up with adjectives to tell the difference.

I encouraged them to use the oil pastels as we were finishing up with a wash of the colour of their choice (out of red, orange or blue). So they learned they can end with a wash, not just begin with one. I wanted them to see what happens when watery paint touches wax or oil. Those that used chalk in places had a lesson too. they predicted and observed what happened when they ran their final wash over. It did create an awesome sandstormy effect for some! Lovely! I download some of their pics soonish.

In hindsight, I would probably work on laying down more prep work for perspective and focus on observational drawing for a little while...outside of the classroom, drawing the school buildings from different angles. This could be brought in as a follow-up in perspective in year 4.

 

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.

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.)

Sailing at Mussanah

Sailing Camp at Mussanah for Bear...CHECK!

A lovely couple of days away at the Millenium Resort in Mussanah. It was really quiet, there were only a couple of families (us being one) and a few individuals, plus a week-long training course contingent. A few military bods were at the pool but that was it. There was never more than five people at the pool when I was there.

There were two infinity pools plus a long one. The pools and sunloungers looked out on to the Gulf of Oman and I thought it was the BEST! I love being near the sea, it puts me in such a good space. I read and relaxed and thought and listened to music.

 Anyway, the MAIN reason we were there was obviously not to still my state of mind or remind myself what relaxing is about! Bear had a two day sailing course to reach her Level 1 dinghy sailing certificate. She had a great time and loved it, she really took to it.

The details on Omansail's website about the sailing facilities is geared very much to Omanis. But this really was to to establish a well-trained, fit and able national team. Just reading from their school history page on their site, it was a pretty rigourous selection and training prodecure but they have had some great competitions. From their site;

Our sailing programmes introduce young Omanis to the sport, sometimes for the first time. Sailing - even at a very basic level - combines physical exercise, mental stimulation and teamwork to provide increased self-confidence.

But it goes on to offer a great point and justification why the programme was originally for Omanis, and I think this is the best reason;

Then by creating a renaissance in Oman's maritime heritage, and giving the youth real practical experience of it, we are reconnecting the young to their own history in a much more direct way than a history lesson ever could.

I love this attitude. I've always said that what appeals greatly to me about Oman, is that the country has been allowed to maintain its identity, which fundamentally is still deep-rooted in its history. It's great they are doing all they can to maintain it.

Anyway, I digress. Bear was taking part in the summer sailing camp that was happening over June and July. 35/OR for a 2-day course. And we got a great deal on the hotel too with no need to use the Entertainer vouchers!

Bear was with three other kids, with one instructor, Caroline. On the second day I took some photos and videos. Her first run out after lunch was not great at all! She is uncannily (some may say scarily/worryingly) like me. She was making a run out around the safety boat but it just was not working. Caroline would throw words of encouragement and instruction out to her and Bear would frantically cry back "I'M TRYING!!" and "IT'S NOT WORKING!!" She came back in crying tears of anger. I gave her the 'you're only learning' talk, not realising what the issue had been. All it took was for Caroline to call her over and tell her gently that the rudder wasn't down fully... So that's why it was so hard to tiller the dinghy! Poor thing!

So she's loving learning to sail and Pops went out with BH for 40 minutes and enjoyed it more that he thought so more sailing holidays on the cards, it seems!

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New things to the summer list though:

• Alter campervan curtains.
• Redo camper wheelcover.

School holiday to-do list UPDATE

• Update the children's photo diary. Oops...Pops was 6 months in his last photo :-/
• Write my Mum a letter...handwritten, stamped and EVERYTHING!
• Mussanah - sailing camp for Bear
• Out on the boat
• Adventure Zone
• Rainforest Cafe
• Qurm Natural Park
• 'My Book and Me' (see next post)
• Ice Skating
• A mountain camp
• Dubai to see Mad Murphy and family

New book centre in Al Khuwair

Just back from Shatti...brunch at D'arcy's (haven't done that in over a year!), a shop in Nick and Friends sale and an ice cream at Gelato for the kids - a lovely Friday. BH is still up Jebel Shams somewhere.

I am definitely in holiday-mode now, it doesn't feel like a Friday as I don't have that heavy feeling that I have to plan for the week ahead. Happy Days! Also planning a get-together for tomorrow before friends head off.

Anyway, the main reason for this post is an article I found in the latest copy of 'Y' magazine.

The article that grabbed my attention was about 'My Book and Me'. Initially I thought that it was a new book shop (much needed here in Muscat) but in actual fact it's a library of sorts catering to adults and children. It's located in Al Khuwair, not far from the ice rink apparently.

What appealed to us - the fact it is a much needed source of books for the kids aside - was that it is described as an educational centre that offeres a range of activities and programmes, not just reading, to all ages. One-day and week-courses are on offer too plus plans to set up a book club too. Like it. I really hope it works. It's based on day-passes or membership packages...I hope this is accessible to everyone.

Mrs. S. and I are going to check it out tomorrow hopefully.

School holiday to-do list

In no particular order:

• Out on the boat
• Adventure Zone
• Rainforest Cafe
• Qurm Natural Park
• 'My Book and Me' (see next post)
• Ice Skating
• A mountain camp
• Dubai to see Mad Murphy and family

That's all I've got so far...any school holiday tips greatly welcomed!

English Girl in Oman has had a look at offers in hotels around the region...maybe I'll be treated to a night away!