Expenses

The cost of living is a lot higher than I anticipated, there are some things that are cheaper and some things that are out of this world!
Hair: wash and blow dry= $4
Manicure and pedicure=$7
Cleaning your house= $10
BUT! (keep in mind I'm getting paid $11/hour)
OPI handcream= $20
bathing suit= $40-80
Cocktail dress= $100-500
Going to the beach = $22/person
Cars= because of taxes, nearly double of what you pay in North America

Nearly one year

We moved to Syria October 3, 2009, and the one year anniversary will be here next week. We both said that after one year, we would look at our situation and re-evaluate. The economy isn't doing well, the housing market is lousy and there aren't a lot of good buisness opportunities that are without a lot of risk and that will generate income right away. This means we're leaning towards coming back to Montreal, both of us working and eventually starting a family.

The Silk Road Festival

I've just found out that this festival has already started this week! Silk from the far East (China) passed through Syria on its way West for centuries. This week are many historical and cultural activities for the public. I hope to participate in a few, including the birthplace of the alphabet (Ugarit) and Saladin castle. I'm so happy that these activities are taking place, making it more interesting and rich for locals and tourists.

It's all the same

Living in Montreal for the last 10 years, a city of so much variety in terms of cultures, food, activities and points of view compared to here is like going from an oasis to a desert. Although the culture, history and food is rich, there is just one... Most people do the same things, watch the same series, eat the same food; day in, day out. It's a big adjustment.

The serenity prayer

Although this is used for AA meetings, I think it suits my state at this time

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.

Leap of Faith

I recently finished the biography of an American born woman who became Queen Noor of Jordon.She was in her mid twenties when she met the King of Jordon whom she later married. She moved to Amman, started a family, charitable organizations and became involved in the political upheavals of the country. She wrote "... the path to victory sometimes requires us to submit and trust so to transcend"

September

It's the middle of September, and the cooler weather is helping me with the transition into fall. I realize now that fall is probably my favorite season. It's full of newness, new courses when I was a student, new job at a school, new school year... A time of harvest and different foods and dishes leading up to Thanksgiving.