This week

Today is Monday, yet it is my third working day this week.

Confusing.

The schools are closed Friday an Saturday, that is the weekend here for most people. This past weekend though we had parent consultations on Saturday. One day weekends are no fun...I quickly found that out in Kenya...I would not enjoy a job where that is the norm. I don't know how my Dad has done it for all these years.

Thankfully though we are off from Thursday for Eid.

Meeting the parents is always quite enjoying. Such funny and bizarre stories I have stored away. And such lovely gifts (I forgot about that perk!), flowers (quite a treat in Kuwait), perfume, body cream...one parent even brought me a coffee and a bucketful of Krispy Kreme doughnuts (ahhh, so great...yet so not helpful!). I may not be in Africa, but bribery is still rife. Love it!

I have been clear though, I will not accept any bribes for an A...anything less than an i-phone that is. Joking. (Of course..!) Flowers will do!

My local flower stall in Nairobi

Gas issues

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 17: Oil and obnoxious gas leaked from well #136 in Al-Rawdhatain oilfield in North Kuwait Wednesday noon, which is considered ‘the biggest and the most dangerous spill in the history of Kuwait Oil Company (KOC)’, reports Al-Seyassah daily. (Arab Times)

I am no Scientist, but I am pretty sure gas can't be obnoxious. That gas, floating around all day, it thinks it knows everything!
Got to love it!

It nearly ruined my night dancing in the garden of the embassy with a few beers in (each) hand, it didn't. I even thought twice about going for my 16km run this morning. But thought, what the hell, I'll show that gas, it is not going to get my attention.

Oh- but look-it did. I wrote this. Obnoxious gas.

First World Problems

I live in a country where it costs less to fill your car tank with fuel than it does to buy 12 litres of drinking water.

Where gifts of I-pods and expensive perfume are the norm from parents at school.

But where men are bused in and out to long shifts working in the desert and the spend the evening collecting cardboard from the skips to sell for a little bit of money.

Where international schools are described as inner-city schools for the rich.

It is a country full of contrasts, like any city...to be expected in a country built on sand by expats.

This is, in many ways, a developing nation with first world aspects. Therefore it has first world problems.

Like when the barista asks so many questions (not sure what you call this-over selling?) and you just want your coffee.

Or when the Internet is slow on the weekend.

Or when there is no more parking at the beach club that you are a member of.

Or when you can only find Diet Pepsi and not Diet Coke in the supermarket.

It can be frustrating...for a moment....

What I've been reading lately

I am in between 4 books at the moment. I read for the average of 3 minutes in bed and then fall asleep. One book, titled, 'Running is Easy', is by my bed, inspiring, yes, makes getting out of bed at 4.35am that bit easier, but I have gotten into the (bad) habit of reading Joy the Baker in bed. (You can read this book, it is not just a flicking recipe book).

Anyhow, I found my new hands-down favourite banana loaf recipe: Chocolate Bourbon Banana Bread (even minus the Bourbon it was great!).

Seriously need to stop reading this book and read more about running.

Book description from Amazon -

In her first cookbook, popular caterer and blogger Joy the Baker brings together a celebration of sugar and butter as she approaches baking with inspiration and heart. Joy the Baker's website is extremely popular as is her Los Angeles based catering company. Now in JOY THE BAKER COOKBOOK, she shares her incredibly delicious recipes for all kinds of sweet dishes: pancakes, cupcakes, brownies, cookies and much more. All this is achieved with her usual warm, humorous and irreverent style.

Show More

Show Less

---

My thoughts -

Love it-my new favourite recipe book.
Totally indulgent recipes that always turn out well. I read Joy's blog, but I still can't wait for her to publish another book! I love this one that much. My favourite recipes are the banana and bourbon loaf and the browned butter cookies. Joy writes little stories among some of her recipes which I love  - I also think the photos are great...I always love photos in recipe books. Another thing - all recipes measurements are in American cups. I LOVE this...so much easier than faffing around with scales...and from now on am going to purchase American versions of recipe books. (Lazy...maybe. I haven't even owned a set of scales for 3 years!). Get it. I like this book. My neighbours are also happy with it!