Apart from another rotten cold, 2008 is shaping up to be a goodie so far - as Chinese numerology might predict - and it's hard not to be happy because tis the season of public holidays. I've no idea what we are celebrating tomorrow but I am all in favour of it all the same. There are 3 more public hols coming up in the 1st half of Feb and I am very excited about Gemma coming to visit - we are off white-water rafting and then to Phuket - here's hoping there won't be too many Aussie cringe factor!
Despite my love affair with public holidays, work is going fine. The guys I work are delightful and most of the time I can translate the thick Scottish accents into English. One of them is dating a Chinese girl and he told me about the Chinese custom/tradition after women give birth - for a month they are to stay in a sort of isolation and have their tummies massaged by a visiting masseuse every single day. Traditionally, the new Mums weren't even supposed to shower for the whole month (ugh!), after which they proudly present the new bub and their flat tummies to the world. It seems we Westerners know nothing about Yummy Mummies!
It has been an interesting week. Out for dinner last night with a former colleague - a Russian guy who I worked on the rig with in Gabon - a happy reunion all thanks to Facebook! Out for lunch today with 3 new friends from the Mexican embassy. One of them is Vegetarian so we went to a Buddhist Temple where there was an enormous buffet which cost 5 Ringgit including a (vile) drink (A$1.75). All they ask if that you don't take more food that you can eat - and that you don't wear anyone else's shoes home....
I know a blog needs photos which is why I've irrelevantly uploaded some piccies of my new paintings which arrived just before Xmas. I love love love love them and though it sounds super daggy, they remind me every day to be grateful...which is a great antidote to the "poor me"s that can creep into my head when I'm missing folk from home. I'm not missing obvious things like the beach, though - and I've got over the lack of mid-strength beer with considerable dignity and grace...
happy new year readers!
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