Monday, May 29, 2006
Friday, May 26, 2006
Tandem'ing...
There is always a lot of talk about conflict of interests and unfair favoring and other similar "charges" when couples work together. Yet, there is a very distinct other side of the coin that is much less explored, understood or appreciated. The good things of hiring couples. Certainly working together is not for everyone, and many people prefer to keep "work" and "home" separate, but let me tell you, I have loved every minute of it.
Chris and I have been working together now for the past four months. While we are in different sections, we all share one massive office building, neatly divided into cubicles. Thus, we see each other pretty much 24-7, or if not, at least can hear each other across the room. I sit near the entrance of the building and enjoy the frequent stops he makes at my desk shuttling to and fro from meetings. Similarly I love having lunch with him and our friends in the cafeteria, and best of all, we understand the stresses and demands that this place puts on each other.
In addition, we have found that we work very well together. Take the other night, for instance, he got a very late request for a presentation to include in to the Government of Iraq 100-day plan report, and I offered to help (kinda part of my job to assist with any and all information requests that comes in) - we sat down, and literally 30 minutes later we had finished what would take me hours with someone else. The reason? We know each other so well, we practically complete each other sentences, and we know how the other one thinks, where not to interfere and also how the other gets things done. It was great. Surely a benefit to an organization to have this level of productivity and hire people who actually like each other.
Chris and I have been working together now for the past four months. While we are in different sections, we all share one massive office building, neatly divided into cubicles. Thus, we see each other pretty much 24-7, or if not, at least can hear each other across the room. I sit near the entrance of the building and enjoy the frequent stops he makes at my desk shuttling to and fro from meetings. Similarly I love having lunch with him and our friends in the cafeteria, and best of all, we understand the stresses and demands that this place puts on each other.
In addition, we have found that we work very well together. Take the other night, for instance, he got a very late request for a presentation to include in to the Government of Iraq 100-day plan report, and I offered to help (kinda part of my job to assist with any and all information requests that comes in) - we sat down, and literally 30 minutes later we had finished what would take me hours with someone else. The reason? We know each other so well, we practically complete each other sentences, and we know how the other one thinks, where not to interfere and also how the other gets things done. It was great. Surely a benefit to an organization to have this level of productivity and hire people who actually like each other.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
midnight oil...
...where has the time gone since my last post. But hey, nothing like no dinner other than a handful of reese's peanut butter cups at 1:30am in a deserted office building to use as an excuse!
Crazy, crazy week. I promise to write more, and I know I still owe you the pictures of my garden, I now have many flowers! So exciting. Thanks for the care packages from mom and dad.
Okay...off to bed, 300 m to my hooch...willl,....she....maaakkke...iittt...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Crazy, crazy week. I promise to write more, and I know I still owe you the pictures of my garden, I now have many flowers! So exciting. Thanks for the care packages from mom and dad.
Okay...off to bed, 300 m to my hooch...willl,....she....maaakkke...iittt...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Friday, May 19, 2006
Travel Tips for Amman, Jordan
I have been meaning to do a little "Amman Tips" post ever since I returned from my hectic one-week business trip to the ancient city for the "Rebuild Iraq" conference. First of all, Jordan is great. Not only does it have fantastic sites to visit (Petra for one, which I have not had the pleasure of visiting), but the people are great, food is wonderful and hospitality is sky high.
Food:
Get out of the hotels. While there are some good restaurants in some of the five star hotels, chances are you will find comparable and much cheaper outside, every time.
**May I suggest Ren Chai (Third Circle, Tel. +962 4 625 777) for Chinese food (where I recently saw the late King Hussein's brother). Located in an architectural house in a neighborhood (hence the lack of directions, trust me, this city is a maze).
**For lamb-lovers, you simply have to venture out to the street corner opposite the Four Seasons Hotel (same side of the road as the Sheraton) to this indoor-outdoor dining facility, recognizable for its red awning. Here you will roll out for no more than a few US dollars per person. Note: low fat is not an option. Marvel in the kebabs, tawook and best lamb chops this side of the equator.
**For a steak though, I suggest the "Library" cigar lounge and steak house in the Marriott Hotel. They serve Australian Grade A beef, and may I say that my fillet mignon was "like buttah". Order the South Africa KWV Cabarnet to round off the experience.
**I had fabulous Lebanese food at the place opposite Caraffa, but cannot recall it's name, I can however pass on information about it's more famous brother: Deir El Qamar (Abdoun, Tel. +962 5 934 666).
**There is rumored to be good Sushi at the Howard Johnson Hotel, I will report back after my next trip.
Haircut:
As most every female who work in Iraq, I decided to get a haircut on my last day in Amman for fear of a "high and tight" at the barber in the palace. I enquired about my options from guest relations where I was told that the Hyatt's hairdresser relocated to the La Royale Hotel across the street. I called them up, JD30 for a haircut. Okay, so about $45, not cheap, but not ridiculous. Downstairs I thought I would just ask about "non-hotel" affiliated institutions, the girl pointed me to a salon around the corner where I was bound to pay about JD10-15. I thought "half price", worth checking out. The salon was on a busy shopping street, with two friendly non-English speaking attendants in the front. I enquired about the price and was surprised to find it was JD3 (including a great scalp-massaging wash)!! Heck, cut it twice! So for about $5 I got a decent haircut and splurged on a blow dry for another $5. Whoohoo, nothing like a bargain.
Taxis
Taxis in Amman are abundant. If you plan on only visiting the city the need for a car is small, particularly if you are not an accomplished bumper car driver, nor speak fluent "Arabic sign language". Use the cabs, they are all yellow, everywhere, and will know how to get your places you will never be able to find in this hilltop city.
Be aware: "If you have to ask, you're going to get ripped off". Do not, I repeat, do NOT ask the taxi driver "how much". Just reach over and hand him a couple Dinars. And if you pay him JD2, you've already double-paid. Most every ride in the city (with the exception of the airports and longer trips like to the US Embassy) will be JD1.
NOTE: The meter (if there even is one) is in cents or the Jordanian equivalent. So if you see 9.80, please, don't give the guy JD10 (about $16), rather just hand him a dinar and be on your way. For this very reason a friend told me to get JD50 in one JD bills. While you feel a bit like one of the Hoffa's with this wad of cash, it comes in very handy.
Security
Like adding time for traffic in NY and LA, add extra time for security in Amman. You will have to be searched before entering any of the five star hotels. I commented that it will be a shock to my system to go somewhere again without having to "spread 'em" and open my bag for the lady to search through my random purse accoutrements.
NOTE: Do not take pictures of the La Royale Hotel, the monstrously large hotel on the hill opposite the Hyatt. Rumored to be partially owned by the Husseins (yes, those Husseins) complete with 4th floor offices, the gentlemen in the old black Mercedes' vehicles frown upon tourists snapping shots of this prized "food for oil" institution. (Hint, go up to your room and snap the picture from the comfort of your own picture window).
Hotels
Four Seasons: Best service, rooms are over-rated perhaps but very spacious, great bar, good lounge for meeting purposes, wonderful breakfast, fabulous spa, BEST little conditioners ever.
Hyatt: Nice and new (*sic*), nice rooms, great gym and spa, indoor outdoor pools, great breakfast, downside: only a sports bar, so nowhere to have a quite one after work. Also, there is a lot of continued construction, so don't expect to sleep in or nap on your day off.
Sheraton: A bit gaudy at the entrance (lots of green and gold), haven't seen spa or gym, great art gallery but will close soon, the room I saw didn't impress me, particularly the bathroom - looked like a Holiday Inn bathroom, again, nice bar for after-work drink
Intercontinental: All about the business traveler and conference facility. Large lounge with free WiFi, so great for staying in touch with HQ, great established art gallery and a wonderful jewelry shop outside. Best business center I found.
Marriott: It's all about the steak. Haven't seen anything but the entrance.
There are others, but these are the ones I have been in. Oh well, just a few hints in case you ever have to go through Amman enroute somewhere. I look forward to visit some of the city and the country's treasures including the monuments, ruins, dead sea (I've only done it from the other side many years ago). I also met a great driver, Abdullah, who I plan to use again when I transit through there in a few weeks. He was so sweet and even text'd me to make sure I made it back to Baghdad safely.
Food:
Get out of the hotels. While there are some good restaurants in some of the five star hotels, chances are you will find comparable and much cheaper outside, every time.
**May I suggest Ren Chai (Third Circle, Tel. +962 4 625 777) for Chinese food (where I recently saw the late King Hussein's brother). Located in an architectural house in a neighborhood (hence the lack of directions, trust me, this city is a maze).
**For lamb-lovers, you simply have to venture out to the street corner opposite the Four Seasons Hotel (same side of the road as the Sheraton) to this indoor-outdoor dining facility, recognizable for its red awning. Here you will roll out for no more than a few US dollars per person. Note: low fat is not an option. Marvel in the kebabs, tawook and best lamb chops this side of the equator.
**For a steak though, I suggest the "Library" cigar lounge and steak house in the Marriott Hotel. They serve Australian Grade A beef, and may I say that my fillet mignon was "like buttah". Order the South Africa KWV Cabarnet to round off the experience.
**I had fabulous Lebanese food at the place opposite Caraffa, but cannot recall it's name, I can however pass on information about it's more famous brother: Deir El Qamar (Abdoun, Tel. +962 5 934 666).
**There is rumored to be good Sushi at the Howard Johnson Hotel, I will report back after my next trip.
Haircut:
As most every female who work in Iraq, I decided to get a haircut on my last day in Amman for fear of a "high and tight" at the barber in the palace. I enquired about my options from guest relations where I was told that the Hyatt's hairdresser relocated to the La Royale Hotel across the street. I called them up, JD30 for a haircut. Okay, so about $45, not cheap, but not ridiculous. Downstairs I thought I would just ask about "non-hotel" affiliated institutions, the girl pointed me to a salon around the corner where I was bound to pay about JD10-15. I thought "half price", worth checking out. The salon was on a busy shopping street, with two friendly non-English speaking attendants in the front. I enquired about the price and was surprised to find it was JD3 (including a great scalp-massaging wash)!! Heck, cut it twice! So for about $5 I got a decent haircut and splurged on a blow dry for another $5. Whoohoo, nothing like a bargain.
Taxis
Taxis in Amman are abundant. If you plan on only visiting the city the need for a car is small, particularly if you are not an accomplished bumper car driver, nor speak fluent "Arabic sign language". Use the cabs, they are all yellow, everywhere, and will know how to get your places you will never be able to find in this hilltop city.
Be aware: "If you have to ask, you're going to get ripped off". Do not, I repeat, do NOT ask the taxi driver "how much". Just reach over and hand him a couple Dinars. And if you pay him JD2, you've already double-paid. Most every ride in the city (with the exception of the airports and longer trips like to the US Embassy) will be JD1.
NOTE: The meter (if there even is one) is in cents or the Jordanian equivalent. So if you see 9.80, please, don't give the guy JD10 (about $16), rather just hand him a dinar and be on your way. For this very reason a friend told me to get JD50 in one JD bills. While you feel a bit like one of the Hoffa's with this wad of cash, it comes in very handy.
Security
Like adding time for traffic in NY and LA, add extra time for security in Amman. You will have to be searched before entering any of the five star hotels. I commented that it will be a shock to my system to go somewhere again without having to "spread 'em" and open my bag for the lady to search through my random purse accoutrements.
NOTE: Do not take pictures of the La Royale Hotel, the monstrously large hotel on the hill opposite the Hyatt. Rumored to be partially owned by the Husseins (yes, those Husseins) complete with 4th floor offices, the gentlemen in the old black Mercedes' vehicles frown upon tourists snapping shots of this prized "food for oil" institution. (Hint, go up to your room and snap the picture from the comfort of your own picture window).
Hotels
Four Seasons: Best service, rooms are over-rated perhaps but very spacious, great bar, good lounge for meeting purposes, wonderful breakfast, fabulous spa, BEST little conditioners ever.
Hyatt: Nice and new (*sic*), nice rooms, great gym and spa, indoor outdoor pools, great breakfast, downside: only a sports bar, so nowhere to have a quite one after work. Also, there is a lot of continued construction, so don't expect to sleep in or nap on your day off.
Sheraton: A bit gaudy at the entrance (lots of green and gold), haven't seen spa or gym, great art gallery but will close soon, the room I saw didn't impress me, particularly the bathroom - looked like a Holiday Inn bathroom, again, nice bar for after-work drink
Intercontinental: All about the business traveler and conference facility. Large lounge with free WiFi, so great for staying in touch with HQ, great established art gallery and a wonderful jewelry shop outside. Best business center I found.
Marriott: It's all about the steak. Haven't seen anything but the entrance.
There are others, but these are the ones I have been in. Oh well, just a few hints in case you ever have to go through Amman enroute somewhere. I look forward to visit some of the city and the country's treasures including the monuments, ruins, dead sea (I've only done it from the other side many years ago). I also met a great driver, Abdullah, who I plan to use again when I transit through there in a few weeks. He was so sweet and even text'd me to make sure I made it back to Baghdad safely.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
We want YOU!
I mentioned a couple months ago this great guy, an Army Major, I met out at BIAP at a Public Affairs Conference. Turns out he lives steps from where I used to live in Venice, CA. Anyway, here is a funny post on AmericaBlog about his job in LA as the "Hollywood Liason". Apparently they use this as a strong recruiting tool to get kids to sign up for the military, failing of course, to tell them there are only two of these positions for the Army, and a mere six in the Navy. Good luck drawing that lotto ticket!
US military recruiters promising jobs as "Hollywood Liaisons"
by John in DC - 5/16/2006 11:22:00 AM
Oh, this is precious. There's a military recruiting Web site (that I'm told is being promoted on United Airlines flights, not clear why) that is promising kids, right there on its home page, that if they join the US military they can become "journalists, musicians, [and] Hollywood liaisons." (The video on the United flights apparently makes the same "Hollywood Liaision" promise.)Yes, Hollywood liaisons.
The site mentions "Hollywood liaisons" as a possible military career thirteen times.Iraq, on the other hand, is only mentioned four times.
Osama, death and dismemberment don't merit a mention at all.
Comment myCount('114779323425666115');
s (116) Permanent Link
US military recruiters promising jobs as "Hollywood Liaisons"
by John in DC - 5/16/2006 11:22:00 AM
Oh, this is precious. There's a military recruiting Web site (that I'm told is being promoted on United Airlines flights, not clear why) that is promising kids, right there on its home page, that if they join the US military they can become "journalists, musicians, [and] Hollywood liaisons." (The video on the United flights apparently makes the same "Hollywood Liaision" promise.)Yes, Hollywood liaisons.
The site mentions "Hollywood liaisons" as a possible military career thirteen times.Iraq, on the other hand, is only mentioned four times.
Osama, death and dismemberment don't merit a mention at all.
Comment myCount('114779323425666115');
s (116) Permanent Link
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Santa Monica Rugby through to final four!
Santa Monica Rugby Club has done it again. In a few weeks they will take to the familiar San Diego pitch to battle it out against Las Vegas in a bid to reach the finals for the national championship title, yet again. Final score Santa Monica 20 Olympic 12. CONGRATULATIONS everyone!
Mil Air and me
[View of the C-130 from behind]Wow, if you've never been inside a C-130, it's a trip. On my recent flight over to Amman for the "Rebuild Iraq" conference I got to go onto the flight deck. Not something a Cessna pilot takes lightly. I guess what surprised me most was how "old"
the plane was. The controls were all familiar to me (almost identical to the controls in the 1970s Cessna's I scootered around in CA), albeit a gazillion more of them! The crew was awesome, what a treat![And my favorite, the view from the FRONT]
Saturday, May 13, 2006
USA Rugby Sweet 16 round one
In the first round of the USA sweet 16 rugby play-offs in South Carolina, Chris' former team The Santa Monica Dolphins met up with his most recent team, New Haven Old Blacks. The score probably has a lot to do with Santa Monica's notoriously big front row, as they finished the day with 50-8.
Congratulations to both teams, and THANKS Tommy for the 1am phone call to share your woes with us...
Congratulations to both teams, and THANKS Tommy for the 1am phone call to share your woes with us...
Back in Baghdad
Flew back from Amman yesterday. Abdullah (my now somewhat permanent driver in Amman) picked me up at the hotel and we had a pleasant drive and discussion about the peaceful mixed Christian/Muslim community he lives in outside Amman.
Flight was fine, same South African crew as always. When they took my backpack on the tarmac for being too large for the overhead, I noticed the guy's name was Afrikaans so whispered to him to be careful "ek het vier bottels wyn in die sak". He nodded, later on wanted to know what kind of wine, since he may not give me the bag back :)
As always a trip to come in on that corkscrew landing. This time was particularly severe and I remember noting to the rather large British PSD sitting next to me that whoever was flying this plane had an incredible handle on the aircraft. Let's just say a small jet is not supposed to be able to do what a Cessna does - turns out it's a female pilot.
At BIAP I breezed through the visa line (gotto love the Dip passport) only to be harassed by a cleaning boy in the ladies room who decided he had the right to stroke my arm when I didn't have money to give him for using the disgusting toilet. Almost had ourselves a little diplomatic incident, so I just left.
Somehow I managed to get on a Helo (again), with three paintings and all. Incredibly enough so far, every time when I come back from somewhere with too much luggage I inadvertently run into someone I know, this time was no different, the nice Colonel who is my spinning instructor on Tues and Thursday mornings was very kind to help me haul the paintings on and off the helo. (hey! If I'm going to be living in the place where all civilization started, I am going to have something to show for it!)
Today is hot, hot, hot - I'm trying to catch up and read through the 250 emails I have piled up, but first, I think we'll head to the pool for a few hours. I have lots to tell and talk about, stay tuned (photos too).
Flight was fine, same South African crew as always. When they took my backpack on the tarmac for being too large for the overhead, I noticed the guy's name was Afrikaans so whispered to him to be careful "ek het vier bottels wyn in die sak". He nodded, later on wanted to know what kind of wine, since he may not give me the bag back :)
As always a trip to come in on that corkscrew landing. This time was particularly severe and I remember noting to the rather large British PSD sitting next to me that whoever was flying this plane had an incredible handle on the aircraft. Let's just say a small jet is not supposed to be able to do what a Cessna does - turns out it's a female pilot.
At BIAP I breezed through the visa line (gotto love the Dip passport) only to be harassed by a cleaning boy in the ladies room who decided he had the right to stroke my arm when I didn't have money to give him for using the disgusting toilet. Almost had ourselves a little diplomatic incident, so I just left.
Somehow I managed to get on a Helo (again), with three paintings and all. Incredibly enough so far, every time when I come back from somewhere with too much luggage I inadvertently run into someone I know, this time was no different, the nice Colonel who is my spinning instructor on Tues and Thursday mornings was very kind to help me haul the paintings on and off the helo. (hey! If I'm going to be living in the place where all civilization started, I am going to have something to show for it!)
Today is hot, hot, hot - I'm trying to catch up and read through the 250 emails I have piled up, but first, I think we'll head to the pool for a few hours. I have lots to tell and talk about, stay tuned (photos too).
Monday, May 08, 2006
Celebrity sighting over dinner...
A typical "celebrity sighting" in Jordan last night I suppose, the brother of late King Hussein, Prince Mohammed, brushed by our table at Ren Chai around 22:00 accompanied by a slew of family and caretakers. That clarified the security and military entourage flanking the building.
Turns out royalty likes to dine out too.
Turns out royalty likes to dine out too.
The Amman Art Scene
Amman, Jordan to me, used to be a city with bad airline connections (flights inadvertently arrive and depart between 01:30 and 04:00) where I get to spend a night on the government's dime in a five star hotel with a bathtub and a fabulous breakfast. Yesterday however, I got to see another side of this city, which is truly a place worth visiting on its own merits.
After our conference today (more to follow later), my boss decided to "initiate" me into the art scene of Amman. We started at "The Gallery" in the Inter Continental Hotel where we had our conference to promote Information and Communications Technology alliances between international and Iraqi firms. Here I was introduced to the art of Mohanna Durra, pretty much the Michelangelo of Jordan from what I could gather. Of course, I fell in love with a 1975 charcoal portrait he did...[let's see, how to convince Chris it's an "investment" and "our kids will go to college someday because of this..."] hehe.
We then went to the best craft/textile/rug/antique/pottery - just BEST store ever, and I've seen my share of Souks, markets, bazaars, flea markets, shops and stands... this was good, and I mean good. Ahmed, the incredibly friendly and helpful owner knows each and every piece. He also knows my boss well enough to know exactly what she would like. He has a two story gallery of textiles, rugs, pottery, jewelry, silver, bronze, wood work, furniture, chests, pillowcases, bead work, Bedouin art, clothing - you name it, he has it. All original, all known to him. It was, to say the least, heaven to be in there. I bought an 80-year old Bedouin "storage sack" which Bedouins stuffed and then slung over the camels during their treks, as well as a 60-70 year old rug and a coffee grinder (as in big and manual) of around the same time period.
At the next gallery, 4-walls, located inside the Sheraton, I fell in love with two more Mohanna Durra and I realize that I have to buy one of his pieces. Born in 1938 Mr. Durra is not healthy and he is not producing much lately. What is more, he does not do portraits anymore at all, therefore I am thinking that I might have to burden myself with a portrait of the great Jordanian master.
Stay tuned to see if I end up with a painting...
After our conference today (more to follow later), my boss decided to "initiate" me into the art scene of Amman. We started at "The Gallery" in the Inter Continental Hotel where we had our conference to promote Information and Communications Technology alliances between international and Iraqi firms. Here I was introduced to the art of Mohanna Durra, pretty much the Michelangelo of Jordan from what I could gather. Of course, I fell in love with a 1975 charcoal portrait he did...[let's see, how to convince Chris it's an "investment" and "our kids will go to college someday because of this..."] hehe.
We then went to the best craft/textile/rug/antique/pottery - just BEST store ever, and I've seen my share of Souks, markets, bazaars, flea markets, shops and stands... this was good, and I mean good. Ahmed, the incredibly friendly and helpful owner knows each and every piece. He also knows my boss well enough to know exactly what she would like. He has a two story gallery of textiles, rugs, pottery, jewelry, silver, bronze, wood work, furniture, chests, pillowcases, bead work, Bedouin art, clothing - you name it, he has it. All original, all known to him. It was, to say the least, heaven to be in there. I bought an 80-year old Bedouin "storage sack" which Bedouins stuffed and then slung over the camels during their treks, as well as a 60-70 year old rug and a coffee grinder (as in big and manual) of around the same time period.
At the next gallery, 4-walls, located inside the Sheraton, I fell in love with two more Mohanna Durra and I realize that I have to buy one of his pieces. Born in 1938 Mr. Durra is not healthy and he is not producing much lately. What is more, he does not do portraits anymore at all, therefore I am thinking that I might have to burden myself with a portrait of the great Jordanian master.
Stay tuned to see if I end up with a painting...
Sunday, May 07, 2006
The "other" Iraq
A reminder that not everyone over here is as lucky as I am to live within the obliviousness of the IZ:
"Dude, so we had to sit there all night and watch that tank burn with that dude in it..."
[Conversation overheard between a group of army enlisted men at the staging area of Baghdad International Airport]
"Dude, so we had to sit there all night and watch that tank burn with that dude in it..."
[Conversation overheard between a group of army enlisted men at the staging area of Baghdad International Airport]
Friday, May 05, 2006
Scavenger hunt for our New Haven friends...
Okay, I got the bright idea that I want to make pizza dough and grill pizzas on the fire (ever seen the guy at the Wooster Square fire up those beauties with the home grown tomato and mooootz?). So, the challenge to our friends who hail from the "home of the pizza" is to find me a fabulous recipe...we will dedicate it to you.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Update and Care Package ideas
I cannot believe that I haven't written in something like four days. I'm sure that does just wonders for my scant readership :) It's been really hectic here, I'm preparing for a big conference, my colleague in the public affairs office is out of town so I'm doing double time, and on top of that I'm throwing a party for a friend who has been in Iraq for over 1,000 days. The party is on Friday and will happen in conjunction with Cinco de Mayo, I even got the Baghdaddies to play (the IZ cover band).
Lately I have been getting a lot of email requests for care package ideas again. I emailed some of you back, but someone mentioned that she hadn't seen anything on the blog recently, so I suppose I'll mention some things here:
- Coffee beans (we have a grinder, we cannot get any good coffee here)
- Nuts and other healthy snacks
- pasta or other non-perishable food we can prepare for dinner parties
- oatmeal packets for breakfast (when we don't feel like cafeteria food)
- Ah, here's something - we're planning a Memorial Day bbq for our military friends, so if you plan on sending stuff this weekend, some decorations for MD would be great (plates, napkins, hats, banner - whatever can be used)
- As always, candy we can share with friends. Just note, it was 111 the other day, so if it's chocolate, wrap in plastic.
I that's all for now, I will write more soon.
Lately I have been getting a lot of email requests for care package ideas again. I emailed some of you back, but someone mentioned that she hadn't seen anything on the blog recently, so I suppose I'll mention some things here:
- Coffee beans (we have a grinder, we cannot get any good coffee here)
- Nuts and other healthy snacks
- pasta or other non-perishable food we can prepare for dinner parties
- oatmeal packets for breakfast (when we don't feel like cafeteria food)
- Ah, here's something - we're planning a Memorial Day bbq for our military friends, so if you plan on sending stuff this weekend, some decorations for MD would be great (plates, napkins, hats, banner - whatever can be used)
- As always, candy we can share with friends. Just note, it was 111 the other day, so if it's chocolate, wrap in plastic.
I that's all for now, I will write more soon.
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