Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

"Trade in frankincense resin once made the southern region of Oman one of the wealthiest in the world. According to the Bible, the three kings presented gifts of frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus and at the time these were considered more valuable than gold." -Oman Explorer.  Frankincense resin looks like small rocks. This photo is from a local souk (market). The vendor has a clay incense burner, a small piece of charcoal to provide the heat and the frankincense resin is placed on the burning charcoal. This creates a fragrant cloud with an aroma that cannot be captured over the internet!

Growing season

Our school had a plant sale last week on campus. The sale displays were colorful and many school kids had money to spend. I cringed to see the little ones walking around with cactus plants and long stemmed roses (thorns intact). As for myself, I bought two plants. My eye caught a table with several African violets. My grandma had a green thumb for African violets, so I bought one with purple flowers. I am trying to remember those care tips that made her violets bloom and flourish. I also found a pretty potted mum that reminded me of Michigan fall. That's on my coffee table!

Now that the hot, hot summer is over in Oman, the growing season has begun. Petunias are growing along the public areas and other flower beds are springing up. There is no rain, so all plants and trees need to be watered. Any ground that is not watered regularly is brown, dusty and rocky. There are many beautiful flowering trees and shrubs that add color, but these are carefully tended by gardeners.

I just noticed my title is "Growing Season". We are all growing in different ways in our new location on the globe. J is growing tall. I think he'll be taller than his dad (who is also my husband). A is growing in independence. She loves the freedom of living on campus and riding her bike around to friends' homes. Dear husband is growing up students who need lots of assistance and nurturing. I am growing to enjoy simplicity and taking each day as it comes. I am so thankful that each day is a new day with no mistakes in it. (quote from Anne of Green Gables?).

Adjustments: some easy; others, not so much

Two months and counting. This week I got my residence card. The process included getting fingerprinted, photographed, both thumbs scanned, photographed again and lots of waiting. I was with another school spouse and we waited in the "Ladies only" room. Our lines were much shorter than the men's. After a final thumb scan, I got my card. It looks like a drivers license. We were taken to the government building by a school driver who helped us through the process.

Adjustments that were a breeze: having my laundry done. Eating dinner at the school canteen--no cooking 5 days a week. Supermarkets are well stocked with almost everything at mostly reasonable prices.

More difficult adjustments: days of the week, weekends. School week is Saturday through Wednesday. Thursday is our day off and Friday is church-day. I used a white board the first 6 weeks so I knew what day it was. School for the kids starts waaaaaay early, at least their bus ride starts early. We are up every weekday at 5:45 to get them out the door at 6:10.

It's Now or Never

I've sent our families a few emails, posted photos on FB, but am finally going to get this blog started!

Our settling in has been gradual The last element is getting into our home. We expect it to be finished within this month. Then we can be moved into our new space and make it home sweet home. We have enrolled the kids in school, gotten a wireless internet connection, and Doug started his teaching. I've found my way around the supermarkets--there are three that will give us just about everything we could need or want. We have a car and Doug is doing a masterful job avoiding the crazy drivers, pedestrians and other road hazards. Me? I'm not driving here-no way-not gonna do it-don't try to make me.

The heat is, well, hard to describe. It's not a dry heat, but the humidy levels vary. Everyday is sunny and hot. Shade provides a tolerable place to walk or stand. The sun is intense and uncomfortable. October should be the month when we notice the temps beginning to drop. Until then, it is in the high 90's with heat indexes around 104. After the sun goes down it gets more comfortable to be outside. There is no denying we live in the desert.