Update January 2012

I am enjoying photography more an more lately so I thought it would be fun to use a little collage to provide an update on January.

The year started with our travels to Singapore and Malaysia. We spent New Year's Eve having dinner on the Singapore Flyer, the highest observation wheel in the world, we then followed to the Singapore Flyer Lounge to watch the fireworks from the terrace. A very civilised way to end 2011 and start the New Year. 

In Malaysia we visited the towns of Melaka and Cherating eating lots of yummy food and taking surfing lessons. I also enjoyed the irony of foreign languages (the Italians who take a look at the photo on the left will understand what I am talking about.. and there are more like that). 

Back in Muscat we have taken up a new activity: we are learning to Kitesurf. The lessons are at the beach just a short stroll from the house so it was impossible to resist. It will be a good way to ride the hot summer as the southern beaches promise good wind for practice and fun right during the hottest months when there isn't much else to do. We just have to ensure that we don't get whisked away by the ankle.

Though we were away for half of the month we have managed to fit in a first camping trip to the desert. I managed to pop the Tyre out of the rim for the first time, which is a bit of a bummer to put back in place. Yet, all part of the fun (they say). 

Lucky the dog is officially part of the family. Yes, yes I know we have had him for donkeys months now but up until recently signs were still up trying to find suitable adopters. Nobody came forward...and after all these months we have grown rather attached that it's quite hard to imagine giving him away. So we have officially removed the signs. It is a big commitment that we had not planned to take but me thinks that it is not as demanding as other type of commitments.

I have received the results of my university final year project. It's all over, phew. Now I am waiting to see what class degree I am going to get. I have an idea but I like to keep ideas to myself. 

I will be in Portsmouth in July wearing the funny hat. 

That's it for January 2012... and we are almost at the end of February!

If you are wondering about my resolutions for the year: none. I think they are a waste of time.

Pearls of wisdom

Today, on the phone to the SPA receptionist.

Me: hello I was there earlier and I forgot my (me thinks: let's not say Kindle) digital book reader in the changing room.
Receptionist: your what?
Me: OK, it is a device on which you can read digital books. It looks like a small book. It should be in the changing cubicle at the end.
receptionist: OK Ma'm, let me have a look and I will call you back.
End of conversation.
I jump onto the car and drive all the way back to the SPA.
Receptionist when she sees me enter the SPA: we could not find it
Me thinks: I must have missed that call.
I walk out of the SPA with my Kindle.

Lessons for the day:

• Place your kindle into the bag instead of the bench while changing
• Take some phosphorus tablets to improve memory and focus
• Never ask someone to look for something they have no clue what it is