Currently

Currently reading- The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared.
I recently read this and loved it and this which was a light and enjoyable read.

Currently listening to-Bombay Bicycle Club and Tom Odell

Currently playing around with-Instagram. You can see all of my 6 photos (!) at robopurdie

Currently watching- Wimbledon. The TV is not on much during the holidays but I love watching the tennis with McEnroe's commentating. (Funny to think that this time last year I was still working in Nairobi, watching the games at my friend Nadia's house).

Currently experimenting with- new(for me) recipes. I love having the time to try things I've wanted to for ages; French onion soup (would not be the same made in Kuwait...wine free!), rhubarb muffin with rhubarb from the garden, quiche from scratch...and I want to make my first pie. I might have to start the fasting diet to balance things out a tad!

Currently enjoying-runs in fresh air and the colour green!

I'm home, but not yet fully in holiday mode. Enjoying pottering but taking some time to slow down. This mood though doesn't mean I am not appreciating every moment of being home; having a glass of wine at lunch, afternoon runs in the cool weather, reading during the day, catching up with family and walks round Loch Lomond. In a few days I'll stop feeling guilty for enjoying these pleasures...and I'll make time to write...or not!

We'll Always Have Paris

It's the time of year for goodbyes and farewells. The leaving parties and weekends away started over a month ago...making sure everyone has their moment, their closure.
I was going to say that even after being an expat for over half my life, that goodbyes don't get easier, but that is not true, they do.

When I left the Middle East four years ago, I kissed best friends farewell, then cried and cried as I said goodbye to the life I made for myself.

 The world seems a smaller place to me since then. I know that lots of my goodbyes are "see you soon", made easier with  set plans of races together, visits and promises of joint holidays sooner rather than later. This summer I'm spending time with a good friend I met in Uganda, my Kenyan running buddy and seeing new friends in Canada from this year in Kuwait. All this does actually make those goodbyes easier.

Kuwait itself is not a hard place to say goodbye to, especially at this time of year. Friends that leave the security of the strong Kuwaiti Dinar, comfort themselves in the knowledge that they are moving to a greener, cleaner country. Here, every day the dust is blown in and the blue sky is once again hidden. Photos don't even capture the sweeping sand.  So instead, I will share some photos of a much more beautiful city.

And then we said goodbye...

That's it. 

We said goodbye to our pupils today. 

This summer I plan on enjoying the quiet...and reading lots. Please pass on any recommendations.

Gratitude Lately

For coffee to-go. I'm not yet tired of this first world solution to my slow mornings.

For constantly working air conditioning. Every part of me, from my eyeballs to my little toe is thankful for keeping me cool.

For love and true friendships; from running with me and pounding the streets, to messages and comforting phone calls and to hugs and kisses. I feel blessed.

For  the knowledge that every experience makes us grow.

For Mac's Vegas Volt lipstick that brightens my mood.

For reminders that every day can be an adventure.