We've had some very weird weather around here lately! A "khamsin" is what counts for a storm here in Egypt where we don't get rain. Basically there's really strong wind that picks up all the dust and blows it around everywhere, making the air kind of hazy and orange. I tried to take this picture out our window, but I'm not sure I really captured it.
There's a thin layer of dust over everything that was sitting near a window now - my dresser in the bedroom, some of the counters in the kitchen, etc. Our car (which is washed every morning) looked like it hadn't been washed for weeks by yesterday evening! Usually we get khamsins in the spring, so everyone was saying it's odd to get one now.
The storm also brought in cooler weather. Believe it or not, I'm sitting in the living room with the heat on wearing sweatshirt and sweatpants. I wore a scarf and fleece to work this morning. And....the high for today is 69 degrees. I realize that must sound really warm to most of you - it actually sounds warm to me too, but it doesn't feel warm! I came to visit last year in January and, coming from Chicago at the time, thought it was nice and warm here. Bit different when I've been here the whole time...
We've been decorating for Christmas - some of our handiwork is in the picture. A friend got us started making snowflakes and now that's our occupation of choice while watching a movie or listening to music, so our house has snowflakes everywhere! Our tree is up with the lights on and we've been having hot chocolate and listening to Christmas songs and just generally enjoying the holiday spirit. This past weekend was the MCC Christmas pageant - a much looked forward to performance including a new script and songs every year, and a special cast of camels, donkeys, and sheep. One of the camels was not too happy by the third showing - he growled at the wise men when they mounted and dismounted. =) I didn't know that camels could growl, but that's the best word for what it did!
Dylan and I have been counting down to our upcoming trip to the States - which is nearly here!). We leave very very early on Friday morning (seriously - 4am) and arrive in Chicago Friday afternoon. We're really looking forward to seeing my family and hopefully some snow! We'll be spending almost two weeks with Mom and Dad in Fort Wayne, IN.
Our schedules are staying pretty full until then. Dylan's helping to coach the cross-country team and has practices five days a week. He's still tutoring a number of students, many of whom have finals this week; and his softball team plays two more games this week to see if they will win the season tournament. I'm working on whatever comes up in D&O at church - and somehow something new does come up almost every day. I have three English classes this week instead of two so I can fit the students' final exam in before I leave, as well as two more Arabic classes.
So...all of that will finish about 9pm on Thursday night, and then we can pack. =) Yay for Christmas!
The storm also brought in cooler weather. Believe it or not, I'm sitting in the living room with the heat on wearing sweatshirt and sweatpants. I wore a scarf and fleece to work this morning. And....the high for today is 69 degrees. I realize that must sound really warm to most of you - it actually sounds warm to me too, but it doesn't feel warm! I came to visit last year in January and, coming from Chicago at the time, thought it was nice and warm here. Bit different when I've been here the whole time...
We've been decorating for Christmas - some of our handiwork is in the picture. A friend got us started making snowflakes and now that's our occupation of choice while watching a movie or listening to music, so our house has snowflakes everywhere! Our tree is up with the lights on and we've been having hot chocolate and listening to Christmas songs and just generally enjoying the holiday spirit. This past weekend was the MCC Christmas pageant - a much looked forward to performance including a new script and songs every year, and a special cast of camels, donkeys, and sheep. One of the camels was not too happy by the third showing - he growled at the wise men when they mounted and dismounted. =) I didn't know that camels could growl, but that's the best word for what it did!
Dylan and I have been counting down to our upcoming trip to the States - which is nearly here!). We leave very very early on Friday morning (seriously - 4am) and arrive in Chicago Friday afternoon. We're really looking forward to seeing my family and hopefully some snow! We'll be spending almost two weeks with Mom and Dad in Fort Wayne, IN.
Our schedules are staying pretty full until then. Dylan's helping to coach the cross-country team and has practices five days a week. He's still tutoring a number of students, many of whom have finals this week; and his softball team plays two more games this week to see if they will win the season tournament. I'm working on whatever comes up in D&O at church - and somehow something new does come up almost every day. I have three English classes this week instead of two so I can fit the students' final exam in before I leave, as well as two more Arabic classes.
So...all of that will finish about 9pm on Thursday night, and then we can pack. =) Yay for Christmas!