Whoa, I haven't updated in a bit. Sorry about that. I was trying to upload photos and get them on my next post but didn't get too far. Anyway, I'll post more on Penang later with photos.
I arrived in Bangkok yesterday afternoon and met Jeremy at the airport last night. Unfortunately, I didn't write down his flight information and guessed he was on Emirates and the flight I thought he was on was delayed three hours. Turns out he was on a different flight with Gulf Air. Luckily he found me, hiding in a corner playing solitaire and listening to my iPod. Apparently he paged me twice and had been looking for an hour. Oops! But it was a sweet reunion. Tears, hugs and kisses. Gosh, I missed him so much.
Finding a place on Khao San Road was a bit challenging. Everything was full and we ended up in hotel right on the road next to a karaoke bar. They sang pretty long and pretty off-key well into the early morning. What a way to start the trip! But we had a good time talking all night. He has some great stories and amazing photos from Iran, but I'll let him write about it. Maybe I can convince him to be a guess writer on my blog one of these days... OR to actually update his own one day! ;) lol. If you want to look at it, check the blogosphere on the right side of the page. His is called Cosmonaut Extrodinaire. It's pretty bare bones but there are links there to his Flickr page where you'll find photos from our trip and maybe (someday soon) some from Iran.
Hope all is well out there in blog land!
Showing posts with label Iran. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iran. Show all posts
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
In Limbo
I'm stuck in Singapore. Yes, stuck.
I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for this Australian visa thing to pan out and it's been non-stop chaos. First it was x-rays in Cairo (no small feat), then getting them released to me (a bigger bureaucratic debacle), then sending them to Australia (stuck in Haj/Christmas traffic), and now waiting for their medical examiner to approve them. I seriously started this thing nearly a month ago and am yet to be approved. Now they say it may be several weeks.
Jeremy went to Tehran yesterday while I flew on to Singapore in hope that approval would be fast and that I'd only be here a bit before purchasing my cheap flight to Brisbane. But of course, nothing is so simple, is it? Along with the disappearing sand in my egg-timer, my bank account empties in a similar fashion.
Who knows how long I'll be here. Cash on hand is limited to $2,000 (actually, I think it's less). If I go home, I can't afford to fly back to Australia (not to mention it's winter and I won't find any work there). If I go to Australia as a tourist, I won't be approved for my visa because you must be outside the country at the time of approval. If I stay in Singapore for too long, I won't have money to send myself in either direction... I better start thinking of swimming. I could be one of the boat people!! (An Australian joke about immigrants--not too far from our own story with Cuba.) But hey, there are still a few things to smile about; Singapore has the cleanest public toilets I've ever seen. Anywhere.
Prayers are much appreciated.
With all this time on my hands, I'll be posting the left overs of Egypt and Azerbaijan soon plus New Years and the beginning of my life in Singapore. Don't forget to check out my 365 Degrees blog because tomorrow I'll post the first project photo.
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for this Australian visa thing to pan out and it's been non-stop chaos. First it was x-rays in Cairo (no small feat), then getting them released to me (a bigger bureaucratic debacle), then sending them to Australia (stuck in Haj/Christmas traffic), and now waiting for their medical examiner to approve them. I seriously started this thing nearly a month ago and am yet to be approved. Now they say it may be several weeks.
Jeremy went to Tehran yesterday while I flew on to Singapore in hope that approval would be fast and that I'd only be here a bit before purchasing my cheap flight to Brisbane. But of course, nothing is so simple, is it? Along with the disappearing sand in my egg-timer, my bank account empties in a similar fashion.
Who knows how long I'll be here. Cash on hand is limited to $2,000 (actually, I think it's less). If I go home, I can't afford to fly back to Australia (not to mention it's winter and I won't find any work there). If I go to Australia as a tourist, I won't be approved for my visa because you must be outside the country at the time of approval. If I stay in Singapore for too long, I won't have money to send myself in either direction... I better start thinking of swimming. I could be one of the boat people!! (An Australian joke about immigrants--not too far from our own story with Cuba.) But hey, there are still a few things to smile about; Singapore has the cleanest public toilets I've ever seen. Anywhere.
Prayers are much appreciated.
With all this time on my hands, I'll be posting the left overs of Egypt and Azerbaijan soon plus New Years and the beginning of my life in Singapore. Don't forget to check out my 365 Degrees blog because tomorrow I'll post the first project photo.
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Books on the go!
Here are a few of my reads from the last few months:
Atonement
I found this over all to be a rather boring read with some good parts. The narrative throughout the war is particuarly good but in the end, I think most readers will walk away disappointed. I chose to read this because I heard such good things about the movie but was unable to get my hands on a copy. I really hope the movie was better...
Out of Iran
A really interesting autobiography about an elite and rich family in Iran and their escape during and after the revolution. I would highly recommend this book. Jermey and I read the whole thing out loud to each other over numerous dinners and he loved it as well.
Reading Lolita in Tehran
After you read the one above, make sure you read this one. This is a memoir/literary criticism about a middle class family and their experiences during the Shah's reign and after Kohmeini and his revolution. The writer talks about her secret literature classes where she taught banned novels to a select group of girls who once a week came to her hous and took off their veils. Evaluating numerous novels such as Pride and Prejudice and The Great Gatsby, the author shows how each girl from a different class and different perspective interprets these great books and sees themselves throught he character's eyes. Highly recommended.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
This is a fascinatnig biography/anthropological/medical study about a family of Hmong refuges from Laos struggle with doctors, CPS workers, community members, religion, and western culture to treat their daughter who was born with epilepsy. It will significantly change your mind and hyou heart when you read of not only their struggles but those of the doctors and it'll probably inspire you to be a little kinder with the next immigrant you meet who can't speak English. Highly Recommened.
Natural Causes
An airport novel about a doctor who is framed because she practices alternative medicine. It's a quick paced book that won't challenge you at all. But hey, if you'd like to check out and read a book as if you're watching a movie, go ahead. But don't be surprised by the numerous cheesy one-liners. Not recommended.
The Secret Life of Bees
Oh my! This is a beautiful comming of age story about Southern life, racism, the powerful bond between mothers and daughters, and the power within every woman to defend herself. I can't say anything more than to go---go read it! I don't want to give anything away! This book is perfect for mothers, daughters, sisters, nannies--pretty much every woman! LOVED IT. READ IT. (Aunt Judy, I expect to hear from you about this book!)
The Road
Well, I just started so I can't say too much except that it's obviously a master piece and sooo worthy of it's Pulitzer Prize. It's a post-apocolyptic novel about a father and son crossing American in search of the ocean and a better life. The book is relatively easy to read (with small chunks of stream of consciousness thrown in) but thoughtful. READ IT.
Atonement
I found this over all to be a rather boring read with some good parts. The narrative throughout the war is particuarly good but in the end, I think most readers will walk away disappointed. I chose to read this because I heard such good things about the movie but was unable to get my hands on a copy. I really hope the movie was better...
Out of Iran
A really interesting autobiography about an elite and rich family in Iran and their escape during and after the revolution. I would highly recommend this book. Jermey and I read the whole thing out loud to each other over numerous dinners and he loved it as well.
Reading Lolita in Tehran
After you read the one above, make sure you read this one. This is a memoir/literary criticism about a middle class family and their experiences during the Shah's reign and after Kohmeini and his revolution. The writer talks about her secret literature classes where she taught banned novels to a select group of girls who once a week came to her hous and took off their veils. Evaluating numerous novels such as Pride and Prejudice and The Great Gatsby, the author shows how each girl from a different class and different perspective interprets these great books and sees themselves throught he character's eyes. Highly recommended.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
This is a fascinatnig biography/anthropological/medical study about a family of Hmong refuges from Laos struggle with doctors, CPS workers, community members, religion, and western culture to treat their daughter who was born with epilepsy. It will significantly change your mind and hyou heart when you read of not only their struggles but those of the doctors and it'll probably inspire you to be a little kinder with the next immigrant you meet who can't speak English. Highly Recommened.
Natural Causes
An airport novel about a doctor who is framed because she practices alternative medicine. It's a quick paced book that won't challenge you at all. But hey, if you'd like to check out and read a book as if you're watching a movie, go ahead. But don't be surprised by the numerous cheesy one-liners. Not recommended.
The Secret Life of Bees
Oh my! This is a beautiful comming of age story about Southern life, racism, the powerful bond between mothers and daughters, and the power within every woman to defend herself. I can't say anything more than to go---go read it! I don't want to give anything away! This book is perfect for mothers, daughters, sisters, nannies--pretty much every woman! LOVED IT. READ IT. (Aunt Judy, I expect to hear from you about this book!)
The Road
Well, I just started so I can't say too much except that it's obviously a master piece and sooo worthy of it's Pulitzer Prize. It's a post-apocolyptic novel about a father and son crossing American in search of the ocean and a better life. The book is relatively easy to read (with small chunks of stream of consciousness thrown in) but thoughtful. READ IT.
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