The strangest and funniest thing happened yesterday afternoon whilst Ari and I were leaving our property manager’s office.

We were sitting in the car waiting for the guard man to open the gate when a little Asian boy about 2 years old came running and crying towards my door. He was so little I could only see the top of his tiny head with my window shut, so I started putting the window down only to hear his nanny yelling “not mummy, not mummy!” amongst his crying and screams of “mummy!”.

His nanny lifted him up to my window and as soon as he saw my face he stopped crying. Oh, the poor dear had mistaken me for his mother! By this stage, the commotion had gotten the attention of the guard man, gardeners and the other children along with Ari and me – everyone was in complete hysterics.

My conclusion, this little child is quite possibly the youngest baby faced racist I’ve ever encountered, my case in point is that all Asians look the same! So many giggles… :) I asked Ari if we could keep him, such a cute little boy! He said no.

A tribute to James and Tara, whom have set off on their seven month round the world adventure. Good luck guys, we're looking forward to seeing you both!

A long long time ago, one of our friends (who shall remain nameless) incurred a horrendous gash on said friend's chin. When we quized them about it, they said that it happened because they unknowingly walked into a pole. And we quized them about how that happened, they said it was because they got distracted by some milk crate art! lol

And from that day forth, we would forward our above mentioned friend random pictures of milk crates, wherever we found them, to warn them of the great dangers that lurked around us in the form of milk crates. And to this day, I still get (quite shamefully) overly excited when I spot one. The first time we saw one in Bahrain, I almost made Ari get into an accident because I stupidly grabbed his steering arm while yelling and pointing in the direction of the crates.
Also, if you're ever driving down Smithfield Rd, Flemington area, (between Shell petrol station and the Maribyrnong river bridge) be on the look out for this chilled out fellow. He always made me smile on the way to and from work but be careful not to stack it! :)

Last week Ari and I went to our first dinner party in Bahrain. We were introduced to lovely Scottish couple (Ari's boss' neighbours actually) and they have been above and beyond welcoming and helpful to us both. Assisting us with the dreaded car search, advising who to set up satellite TV and bank accounts with, even rekindling our (somehow lost) love for G and Ts. And so we ventured into our very first "Burns night" experience and boy did we learn a thing or two!

Burns night is generally held on the birthday anniversary (Jan 25) of Scottish poet Robert Burns (more affectionate known as Robbo or  Burnsie - not fact, I just made that up). They serve haggis with "tatties and neeps", whisky and listen to scottish music and poems. Which is exactly what we had, minus the poems...

Being the non-Scotts we were, Google informed us that "tatties and neeps" were potatoes and turnips, though we had to further consult Google for what turnips actually looked like. Yes! It was a food fail on Ari and my behalf. Haggis we were told, is an acquired taste so I was most apprehensive but had to try it anyway, it came over especially from the UK for tonight. Out here I guess it's considered quite the delicacy, as I would consider Pho or BBH delicacies - because you just can't get it!

It actually wasn't that bad, tasted like offal mixed with other ingredients. I later found that the other ingredients included sheep's heart, liver and lungs, oatmeal, pearl barley, spices etc encased in stomach. Charming! We even had "Cock-a-leekie" soup, which is soup made with chicken and leeks.

Who'd have known we'd come out more cultured and educated from Burns night dinner :) Oh and last fun fact, Robbo pen the traditional new years folk song "Auld Lang Syne", you should all know it perhaps not by title like me. Thank heavens for Google.

Look what arrived in the post for us today! A pretty invite from Australia for a wedding we'll regrettably be unable to attend. Best wishes though to Susan and Jester, we are delighted for you both and send buckets loads of love :)

Now this finally solves the mystery as to whether or not we actually receive mail in Bahrain. Ari and I weren't sure because unlike in Australia there aren't red postal boxes on the curb in every suburb, the aren't posties wearing high vis on scooters zooming around, we don't even have a letter box! They just don't exist in Bahrain. Our conclusion is the island is so small that you could really drive across it in 30 minutes to personally deliver anything, so why bother having a postal system.
Now for the bigger test though, to see whether we can send letters off this island. Be on the look out for our RSVP! Plus, if anyone wants to be my penpal, I'd be more than happy to oblige. I have a love for postcards, just ask Cathleen who I went to New Zealand with, she'll vouch for me. I sent Ari a postcard a day for a fortnight detailing my trip. Good times.

A few Fridays ago we were invited to join my boss (and technically Ari's boss' boss) and his family for a lovely "Sunday" brunch. Apparently, brunch is a Bahraini institution but not the way we know it. Basically it is a massive buffet lunch including unlimited alcohol held from 12 til 4 at most of the international hotels. We went to the up market Sofitel down by the ocean, everything was so pretty and perfect.

Probably the best spread I've had at a buffet ever (and yes I have been to Conservatory at Crown), the variety of food is extraordinary. With 50% of Bahrain's population comprised of expatriates the food availability is surprising multicultural. I ate way too much that day, so much so I don't think I ate a proper meal until a day and half later.


And true to my last blog post, look what I got from Ari yesterday! A non-Valentine related but thoughtful and romantic gift nonetheless, coupled with chocolates he got from a supermarket called "Hyper Panda".

It has an essence of Australia with its "big" shopping trolley out the front. Oh, how I miss the love that Australians have for everything that is ridiculously big :)

One of my most favourite Beatles songs and surely they can't be wrong. Call me what you will but it's Valentine's day and I want celebrate the joys of love and being loved.

I wouldn't say Ari and I are the romantic type, we are overly affectionate perhaps with the kissing and cuddling and the waltzing down the aisles of supermarkets. I would suggest if you don't express your feelings on a regular basis to your beloved, today would be the day to do it.

Because... "What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of..."

Fun fact, in recent years Saudi Arabia's religious police actually banned the sale of Valentine's related items including roses, heart shaped gifts even red wrapping paper as it is considered a Christian holiday. Apparently it only created the black market sale of roses and the like. Strange but true.