Last night in Al Khuwair....

I'm currently slightly hungover and feeling tired. Last night was a bit of a stormer- meaning I drank too much, again.

I woke up with a sense of dread having left my car overnight in Al Khuwair near a construction site. I have done this before, drank too much and left it there, and it's always been fine but this morning I was terrified, so much so that I couldn't go back to sleep.

I tried waking Cush up to take me to get my car but he only responded, "Angry it's 7:30 I'm not going anywhere, go back to sleep" but I couldn't.

I couldn't stop worrying that a brick had fallen off the building and through my windshield.

When we did get to the car after a visit to the pork shop in Ruwi (which was out of most pork stock) my car was fine.

All that for nothing.

Back to last night, I had a blast. I talked to a man who I had seen around and been pleasant with but didn't know very well for about 4 hours. Now we're besties. I do blame him somewhat for how I feel this morning as he did order and purchase the deadly 5th glass of red wine, but that's life, eh?

I've been over drinking a lot since I came back from Canada last month, and I'm starting to notice that my shyness is going away. The drunk girl beat the shy girl into submission and I'm not sure it's a good thing but not entirely convinced it's a bad thing.

Snippets of strange, obnoxious, loud conversations, laughing my ass off and smacking peoples legs when doing said laughing, touching peoples arms and shoulders, and grinning like a moron and nodding while I pretend I can understand strange accents made stranger by lots of alcohol. Sometimes I just have not a clue what people are saying to me. Sometimes I tell them so.

This must stop. I don't want to be that wierd drunk girl that people start to avoid after awhile.

You know how it goes cuz I'm sure we've all felt like this before-

person 1- she's coming this way

person 2- you sure?

person 1- yep don't make eye contact!

person 2- psycho hose beast....

Yeah...don't want to be that girl.

Action plan- stick to the magic number.

3 is my magic number any more then that and it just gets messy.

At the same time, I do have fun when I'm all drunk and loud and saying inappropriate things to people I barely know, I guess I just don't want them to think badly of me. But then what's the harm really? I'm not an angry drunk, I don't insult people, if anything maybe I make people feel good because I'm the type of drunk who will tell you you're lovely, in fact I almost told a woman that last night but did have the restraint to stop myself but she really was looking gorgeous.

What's wrong with being really, really, REALLY friendly? Is that so bad?

And now I need pancakes and bacon...that will make everything feel better :D

I'm back!

Ok I've been back for a couple of weeks. I just had nothing really constructive or interesting to write.

I'm glad to be back in Muscat but man, it takes some getting used to again.

And of course my allergies kicked in the first week I was back, which ment that I was sort of sick and had to take my allergy meds at night, or suffer through it in the day because they make me super sleepy, and that makes for bad and dangerous driving.

I've been super busy since I got back.

I had a job interview that didn't go well, at all.

I went for coffee with friends a few times.

I hosted a super fun girls only dinner party which included some Dance Dance Revolution and Rock Band.

I took my dress to a new tailor for an upcoming ball.

I took my glasses in to the glasses shop to have the lenses fixed for a 4th time. Hoping this time they get it right.

I joined an event committee and am looking forward to seeing how it goes.

I went to the Park Inn rooftop bar and thought the service sucked ass but the atmosphere was really good.

I have my usual complaints, the driving, that not all grocery stores have the same stuff so I have to go to many different stores to get all the things I want, the dust, etc.

Other then that I've got nothing!

Canada was really good. I shopped until no one wanted to come shopping with me anymore, not even my mom because she found it exhausting.

I ended up at Sears and they had all their formal dresses on sale for 40% off so I got 4!

I bought all sorts of new exercise dvd's and have been doing them.

I bought tonnes of stuff from my 3 favorite shops, La Senza, Suzy Shier and Old Navy.

On my way back home though, a scary thing happened when I got to the airport. My mom booked me on the air bus because she doesn't like to drive to Toronto, and it was all fine but then at the ticket counter they asked to see the credit card that paid for the tickets.

It was at home here in Muscat in Cush's wallet, so obviously I didn't have it.

They would not let me fly without it. I spoke to everyone all the way up the chain but they all said I had to have the credit card, that, or buy a new flight for $2,000!

I asked if they were fucking kidding me, $2,000??? That's more then we paid for both our return flights in the first place.

That's when I started crying. It didn't work. I was so frustrated and upset. Flying is stressful enough without any added bullshit.

The solution was for me to call my mom from a pay phone, who then called Cush (at 3am Muscat time) woke him up, and had him scan his passport and both sides of his credit card.

At first they said he had to fax it over, and I said, oh ok because we have a fax machine in our house right?

I was getting a bit beligerant to be honest. I'd never been accused of credit card theft and fraud before.

Whatever, it all worked out in the end.

My mom has called the fraud squad to complain because no one should ever ask for the back of your credit card, and now we'll see what happens.

The part that really pisses me off is that Cush and I flew out on the same dates, our tickets were bought at the same time months ago on the credit card in question, we sat next to each other on the flight out and we have the same last name.

I wonder what the probability of fraud is when you take all those factors into account. I would bet it's pretty slim.

Oh well it all worked out.

Tonight I'm atteneding my first Christmas party of the season, just one month to go!

Also Cush and I are considering some plans for Eid. I think camping is on the menu.

Just as an ending bit, thought I'd share my new favorite song. I have to say I've bought every Franz Ferdinand cd over the years and I really like them! Those guys never let me down.

My favorite part of going home is listening to 102.1 The Edge, my favorite and best radio station EVER, because I get to hear music that I otherwise would probably never know existed.

One of my fondest memories of Toronto was sitting in my old apartment listening to Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To and breaking in my brand new bong. That song went on forever! It was great!

Anyway, my favorite song of the moment- Ulysses by Franz Ferdinand. I'm not fond of the video but whatever.




Turn it up loud and enjoy!

Pictures of me and some other stuff

Ok so I have to admit first and foremost that I'm pissed. Drunk. Not falling down drunk or anything but I'm fairly drunk at the moment.

I've had 4 glasses of red at my parents local.

Did I mention they live in the middle of Ontario's wine country?

They do.

Since they've lived in the same town ever since I was born do you know what that means? It means I'm a small town girl, but I still feel that since I lived in Toronto for over 5 years and never really fit in here anyway, I'm a city girl.

Moving on, I love the local wines. I had 4 glasses. That's 2 more glasses then I usually allow myself. And believe me, correcting the spelling is becoming a hassle. If I've missed any, I'm sorry.

After dinner, my parents and I walked down to one of the local bars and met up with some of their friends who have by proxy become my friends as well. I've known most of them since I was little. It was good times.

My mom and I were on our way to the loos when she said , "all the boys are looking at you" right in front of the boys who were looking at me! WTF?! I was so embaressed. Why do moms do that?

Other then that I've been shopping and walking around.

Walking has been good. I've got used to the chilly air and it's got a bit warmer outside.

As for the walking though...

I've been going on "special walks" to have "sanity cigarettes" and every time I go which is most nights I end up freaked out and terrified.

It's all dark and breezy, the leaves are dropping from trees and sometimes if it's been raining, the drops fall from the tops of the trees and it all adds up and I get so paranoid that it's a wonder I haven't had a heart attack.

The sound that the leaves make as they fall is surprisingly loud. I get convinced that someone is following me, someone who will rape and murder me and not necessarlily in that order.

I end up running home in a cold sweat, afraid of my own shadow. It really doesn't help that people have gone into full blown Halloween mode and have decorated their yards with ghosts and skeletons and gravestones.

I just went for a cigartette and I swear a possum just walked past me. A fucking possum!

Really you know you're in the country when...

Having said that we had raccoons that routinely shat on our deck when we lived downtown Toronto so go figure...

Anyway, I've decided tp upload pictures of myself. I'm feeling pretty bold and drunk and whatever. It seems like a good idea now.

So, here I am (bear in mind the carmera adds 10 pounds and so does the coat!)-

Me walking in the woods.
Me looking down at the town that I was born and raised in. You can see the shoreline of Lake Ontario.

Me in the woods again.



So there you go, that's me in the woods.

Actually, if I'm going to be honest, which I am, I asked Cush to take these so I could put them up here. Just for fun.

So I was hoping this post would turn into something thought provoking but it hasn't. I'm too drunk to think deeply.

Actually, I just want to go to bed and sleep it off. Actually I want a cigarette before I go to bed but I'm terrified if the possum comes back.

You don't understand it walked right. past. me.

Oh and hey, what's all this nonesense about who I am, and who I'm married to?

If you're out of the loop read this post from Jet Driver and the comments. I was merely pointing out the obvious that JD is in love (obsessed!) with UD. I can tell these things... And also, I had just had a "sanity cigarette" and I found my own comment amusing.

Am I Ms. Dragon? I suspect she has a million years more patience then I do.

Is Cush Mr. Dragon? Not that I know of, since UD started blogging before Cush and I moved here, so it doesn't really make sense.

Am I Undercover Dragon? Do I seem clever enough? No, no I don't.

Could I be dumbing myself down? I could be but I don't think I have the patience to lead a double life of smart girl/average-to-dippy girl.

Maybe we are all BFF's, but perhaps we aren't and never will be.

Does it really matter?

Does it? I'm just a girl, my husband is just a guy and that's how we roll. I could be you but I write my shit down, you know?

I don't think I'm interesting enough to theorize about, but I'm flattered really.

So I guess thanks.

Maybe UD is interesting enough to theorize about and I just got caught in the middle. That works.

Anyway, I'm off to sleep off my drunkenness.

Good night.

Shopoholic moments

Man, I've been busy!

I've been shopping, walking around, went to the Toronto Zoo, got a proper massage, did more shopping, had a family dinner, went to see Couples Retreat (new Vince Vaughn movie), shopped online, saw old friends, and managed to only workout properly once since I got here.

That one workout has me in pain. I think it's worth it to just keep working out because if you don't the next time will be extra painful. I've pulled the backs of my knees, I don't think I've ever done that before.

So, I noticed something funny, and maybe this is only funny to those who are *in the know* but every shop I go into I gravitate towards coats, jackets, corduroy, toques, mittens and scarves. They all seem to call out my name and beg me to buy them. I will admit that I bought a scarf, but it's light enough to wear in Muscat in the winter, plus it's pretty.

The jackets this season are so nice and I desperately want one.

I have even come up with excuses like-

-I'll wear it eventually
-I haven't bought a coat in years
-My currant winter coat isn't fashiony
-I need to be warm
-My mom and I might be able to time share it
-I'm Canadian, it's in my blood to want jackets!

I haven't bought one though and so far I've had enough sense to know that my excuses are feeble.

I live in a hot country. This is a fact. I will not need a winter coat there.

Also, the new trend is plaid, and phrases like "hunter chic" keep coming up to describe the new look.

I can't be hunter chic in Muscat, it just doesn't work. People would nudge each other and say *I bet that girl's from Canada eh?* and then some smart ass would ask me about hunting moose and whatever. Can't do it.

This is a bit of a blessing because I've found some summer stuff on sale and even though I badly want a new sweater also, I won't let myself do it.

At this point I feel so far removed from Muscat that I can't even imagine being hot, I can't imagine the sun, or the beaches, or my standard uniform of capri's, t-shirt and flip flops anymore.

The tree leaves here are all yellow, red and orange a sure sign of winter to come, and even though it's beautiful, I don't like being cold!

If I can ever find my data cable for my camera, I'll post some pics.

So far, so freezing!

Well alright, I over reacted.

Things are going well. Cush and I went over to the BFF's house and it was like old times.

I have to say she's matured and grown since I saw her last year, which is great.

I met her new boyfriend and he seems great and I think I like him better then her ex-fiance, which is fantastic. She seems happier and lighter and I was a little happy to see that she's put on a few pounds, a sure sign of happiness and self confidence. She was so skinny before when she was with her ex, it was a bit too much. I didn't bother to ask her about the no emails for 2 months thing, it didn't seem worth it.

So far I've been doing lots of shopping and seeing my extended family, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Cush and I even managed to run into an old friend of mine from grade school while we were out shopping. I've known this girl since I was 6 and hadn't seen her in years.

I was in full on Muscat mode and gave her a hug and had to stop myself from kissing her cheeks.

We just don't really do that in Canada unless we're being posers. Seriously.

Other then that I've been so cold I can hardly stand it. My bedroom is now downstairs in the basement since my dad turned my old bedroom into an office for himself.

It's freezing down there but at least Cush and I have lots of privacy! It's unfortunately too cold to make use of that privacy, oh well.

The termometer on my parents deck said it was 0 C at about 8 am this morning, which is really cold for October here. I keep saying to myself that I'm Canadian, I can do cold! but honestly I'm finding it really hard. All that training half naked in front of the AC was for nothing it seems.

Today we're going to the Thanksgiving Craft Show in the countryside. It's an outside event so I'm planning to wear 2 pairs of socks, leggings, jeans, long sleeve shirt (which feels so wierd after not wearing one for a year), a sweater, my old winter coat, a hat, scarf, mittens and probably my old winter boots.

Since I'm not really big on crafty things I probably won't buy anything except a hot cup of apple cider and maybe a Christmas ornament or 2 but you never know, I may be overcome with nostalgia for Canadian crafts and buy lots of stuff.

Other then that I'm a bit overwhelmed about the amount of people who want to see me. Add all those people with plans my mom has made with me, plus the things that Cush and I want to do together...I don't know how I'm going to fit it all in.

Oh well, I'll either find a way or I won't!

Oh, Canada...

So this is my last post from Muscat for awhile.

My suitcase is half packed.

McFluffin (the cat's new name, SuperFluff was getting a little old) is already at his sitter.

Cush and I have bought gifts for everyone back home.

We've arranged to have our plants watered.

I've got our passports and a few hundred Canadian dollars ready to go by the door.

Everything is pretty much ready to go except me.

I feel really apprehensive about this trip.

What on earth was I thinking going for a month?

When did that ever seem like a good idea to me?

I'm so worried that things will just fall to pieces like they did last time, that I will fall to pieces like I did the last time.

As much as I get frustrated with living in Muscat, I'm finally in a happy place here, except obviously in the car.

I like my new friends, and generally I like the little life we have here.

I'm terrified honestly that I will have yet again *changed* and I don't know how to be my old self because I'm just me and that wasn't ok the last time.

I'm scared of gaining the weight back, my mom keeps talking about turkey and ham and the neighbour (who also made our fantastic wedding cake) is making a cake...and I don't need it or want it.

This isn't how it's supposed to feel.

I'm stressed right out, my head feels like it weighs a thousand pounds and that my neck can barely hold it up.

I find that I'm not looking forward to doing stuff but that I'm sad about what I'll miss while I'm away.

What a spoiled brat I am. My parents pay for me and Cush to come and visit and I don't want to go now? That's messed up.

I feel like a little kid on the first day of school pleading with my mom not to make me go because I'm afraid the kids will be mean to me.

Ok I'm just being over dramatic right? Things will be fine, my old friends will be fine and if they aren't I'll tell em to get fucked.

I will not be pushed around like the last time.

This cannot go the way it did the last time, it just can't.

Obviously, I'm going to go. Obviously I will eat turkey and ham and cake and probably drink too much. Obviously things will be awkward, afterall I assume I will see the friend who is not really a friend because afterall, I haven't heard from her in 2 months other then a happy birthday on my facebook wall and a *like* on my status that I'm coming home. What's that about? She can't take 5 freakin minutes to to reply to my email? Ugh...

Ok must move on...

Seriously. All will be fine. Right?

Besides if I didn't go, all that time I spent training for the cold by sitting in my undies in front of the AC turned down to 17 will be wasted! I can't have that.

Sy Azzura - the boat trip to take

This weekend we did something super fun and enjoyable, the kind of thing that makes you happy to be alive and living in Muscat.

Cush and I took a sunset trip aboard the Sy Azzura which is a super fabulous catamaran yacht.

Since I'm not really a boat person and am using words that may confuse other non boat people, it's a big boat.

Click here for the Sy Azzura website.

We set off from the Barr Al Jissa marina and headed towards a little inlet just past Yiti and before Bandar Kiran, it was so beautiful.

Not to get all mushy but the way the breeze ruffled my hair and blouse, the smell of the air (didn't smell like fish!) and a nice glass of wine made me feel so happy and peaceful, not to mention absolutely spoiled rotton.

It might have been the wine or all that fresh air, but really one of the best times I've had in a long time.

Here's some pictures:

So in addition to the priviledge of just spending time on this beauty of a boat, they also have kayaks, jet ski's and other water toys to play with. When they stopped the boat in the inlet some people went swimming, while others stood or sat just enjoying themselves.

I'm more of a stand arounder then a swimmer but I had a wicked time watching Cush jump off the boat into the water, taking pictures and talking to the other guests, as well as the owner of the boat, Clara, who is the perfect hostess.

I have to admit that when the idea of going on the Azzura came up I was immediatly struck with the panicy thought of, what if I have to pee?

The boat has loos in the pontoons!

Then I thought, what if I fall in?

The boat is huge and has rails on the sides so there was no chance of that happening unless I got crazy.

Then I wondered about seasickness, but the water was so calm, and I felt fine.

Then I wondered about the people who drive the boat...afterall this is Oman, but the crew were very capable, friendly and I liked that they wore matching white uniforms. It was very professional, and extremely well done.

So without trying to sound too much like an infomercial, it was perfect and everyone was super friendly. I had the best time ever and I can't wait to go again.

After that we headed over to the Oman Dive Center for the beach party.

I had fun but there was a lot of craziness that happened that night.

Here it is in a nutshell-

-the guy selling tickets said that they had run out of 10 OR tickets but VIP tickets were available for 20 OR. 15 minutes later there miraculously more 10 OR tickets for sale, how does that work?

-the bar was way short staffed, it took 45 minutes to get drinks.

-the dress code was wear white but then the guy who stamps hands stamped the inside of my arm and the blue ink ran on me and Cush's shirts, thanks guys.

-some asshole threw a cup of coke into the air and it came down on my back and landed at my feet, someone then kicked the cup over spilling the remaining liquid on my feet, thanks for that.

-some greesey guy grabbed my friends arm and tried to take to his car after telling her husband how "beautiful his wife is", it's not like he didn't know she was married.

-there was a fight and I saw some guy grab 2 empty beer bottles off a table and run towards the fight with them, how scary is that?

All in all the music was alright, dancing on the sand was fun but the crowd sucked, other then my group friends of course.

Maybe I'm getting too old for this stuff but I don't have the patience to be dealing with dodgy men, ink stains on white shirts, and fist fights.

Even though I was excited to go to the beach party, after being on the boat and feeling great, the beach party was the low point of an otherwise perfect day.