Winter is approaching in Missouri, and the two things I have become especially grateful for are a garage and heated seats in my car, This past week a couple of days when I left for work, the temperature was under 20 degrees (minus 8 Cen,). I am not sure quite why, but riding to work on an extremely cold morning with the heat not turned on, but the heated seat turned on is quite cozy. This is definitely my favorite season, but the dreaded snow of winter is just around the corner.
Speaking of snow, I guess it's appropriate to give you a Rodz update. She has never seen snow (Mall of the Emirates indoor ski slope excluded) and still seems excited to be coming here this winter. The challenge is the Embassy wait. Her Immigration VISA is approved, but the next and final step is her interview at the American Embassy. Once her interview is completed, if cleared she could literally be here in a week,,,but so far we are waiting for the phone call scheduling her interview. That should happen in December, so an optimist would say the ETA for Rodz in Springfield is January 2014. Please keep your fingers crossed. I have gotten a lot of inquiries about Rodz family in the Philippines, they are living north of Manila, The typhoon devastated central Philippines, which is south of Manila, so thankfully her friends and family are fine.
I know that you will find this hard to believe, but I think that my thinning hair is regaining a foothold on my scalp. Even my good friend and boss Todd commented on the improvement the other day, I think a good American climate, water and less stress in my life is having a positive impact on my health. The bad side of this is that I am also fattening up for my winter hibernation...sigh. Rodz tells me on Skype that I "have gotten fat", at first I thought she meant phat, but upon further disgust in her voice, she definitely meant fat, which isn't phat at all. I felt it was time to take action, so $650 later, I am the owner of a brand new hybrid bike. Now I just have to be inspired to begin to ride it around my neighborhood. Hopefully, I will begin to regain a semblance of health, so that climbing a flight of stairs doesn't feel like I just completed a marathon.
I am planning on traveling to Austin, Texas for Thanksgiving this year. It will be my first visit to the Texas home of the Rumgay Clan. It is over an 8 hour drive from here, but I am really looking forward to seeing everybody. I am spending Christmas with the other half of the Rumgay clan in Ohio. My mothers older brother Bob and family in Ohio, and her baby brother Dave and family in Texas. I was really looking forward to bringing Rodz to Ohio to meet all of the family, but sadly as I mentioned above, it isn't looking promising in 2013.
Speaking of friends and family, Fred landed a great job in Palm Beach, Florida. He starts working as a big time Associate office Manager (not the right title...sorry Fred) in December. So the house is sold, and the move from Knoxville is happening over Thanksgiving. So now Fred and Nick will be neighbors, I can feel a trip coming...I spoke with Nick this week, and he shared that Bob and Sandy visited Nick and Mimi last week in Florida. It's a very small world.
Sadly, in this small world, my friends in the UAE are drifting away....I actually have Skyped a bit with Vinny. Joseph sends me an occasional one line face book message. Kumail has not contacted me (get Skype my friend) and Kelly is really busy traveling (In Egypt right now) and loving Sami. I haven't heard from Hayley since I left Dubai....and Juan and Muzzy are too busy with work. I get a quick note from Fathuma....but that about covers it. This time last year I was enjoying work at Barakat, spending my days with Suresh, Kumail, Morali, Vinny, Joseph and Mahesh. I wish I could have them over for dinner. I miss my Dubai family....
Well the current administration's mess in the Middle East and Iran is being over shadowed by the mess that is happening in America. I just hope that the damage occurring both Domestically and abroad can be reversed by the next Administration that takes office in 3 long years. I guess that discussion will await the next blog. I will see you back here in a couple of weeks, on the first of December. I trust you remember all of the things you have to be thankful for during the approaching Thanksgiving holiday, I know that I am thankful and grateful for you...God Bless!
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