MERRY CHRISTMAS

Today is Christmas eve and as good Americans we spent the morning shopping! Here in Algeria they do not celebrate Christmas because less than 1% of the population is Christian. But the store was crowded and the mall was decorated with lighted palms and presents so it was a reminder of season. I have talked about shopping in other posts so today we went far across town to the local mall. Yes it truly was a mall with clothing stores, home stores, and tv and appliances. There is also the Algerian big box store Uno. It has everything under one roof, including meat, fruits, veggies, baked goods, and other groceries. It has a good variety but none of the charm and for those who know me, big box stores are not my thing.
I also had a cooking lesson this week. I learned to make couscous. The local varieties are not prepared like American couscous. It is steamed, not once but twice and hand managed to keep it from clumping. It was yummy!
I have to say that we miss everyone, this is a time for friends and family and Skype is our connection. Thank goodness. I hope all have a very bleased holiday. Happy Noel.

AMERICA

I know that as an American I have taken many things for granted. Yes, I have given occasional thought to how wonderful my freedom and how great my country, but I have never thought about it in the ways I do now. Think of your last vacation. Wow what fun, but you were ready to return to the comforts of home. The small things you miss when you are away. When I think of America and home now it is odd items I miss. I can not buy saltines. You would think saltines are universal but they are not. In fact here there is no substitute. A sliced loaf of bread is not found just anywhere. And please do not want anything but white bread. The bakery has lots of bread, but not what we commonly use. If you get there early you have a pretty good selection of baguettes. Then there is snack food. French fries are everywhere, They are generally soggy and they put them on baguettes for sandwiches and they tell me they even eat them on pizza. I wouldn't know we only eat homemade pizza without pepperoni or sausage. (No pork here) They appear to have alot of packaged cookie type foods but few snack chips. You can find a few potato chips but give me Doritos any day. Now here is my week spot. Not much compares to a Doritos. So then the question...what price are you willing to pay for that comfort food of home? We have a small commissary here which imports some speciality items and chips are a big seller. Chips are my weekly purchase. (and I spend alot on one bag) but to me it is a small slice of home and Americana!

WHAT A WEEK!

It has been a hectic week. I had a visiting American doctor from Cairo, a visit from a German doctor, visits to various hospitals, an official dinner party, and a Christmas party. The visiting American doctor is my medical advisor and she wanted to see our local facilities. With that came the official visit from the German doctor. I also was the occasion for the dinner party. We met with several local physicians from multiple practices to facilitate care of Americans if it is needed. Their English was better than my French and the food was outstanding. Of course you eat salad as a last course here which will take some getting used to.
Algeria was celebrating a local lunar holiday so we had a day off on Monday. So it was decided we needed a celebration to begin the Christmas season. We even sang Christmas carols!
I would like to tell you this is the view from our apartment but it is from the party. Pretty nice.

The Mediterranean Sea, Algiers

Then there is shopping! We went to a large fruit/veggie/meat market. Well some fish too. The assortment available is incredible. We bought quite an assortment to get through the week. Learning to eat differently with local selections.



Spices are in large barrels or buckets, they scoop out and weigh home much you want. Of course I could not read any of the words, but bought some chili powder.

Yes this is the fowl and rabbit selection. They leave the head feathers and feet fur on the head and legs so you know what you are buying. Other things to buy are tripe, bull testicles, lungs or even the entire side of beef or lamb for you to pick the cut you want.

This is a huge and crowded market.

Algiers

Well we are here. What an adventure. We arrived in the evening and could not get a good feel for our surroundings, but since have ventured out some. Our temporary apartment is large and unusual but comfortable. We have settled in for our 2 week stay before our permanent home is ready.
Work is interesting, the patients are like anywhere else in the world with the same complaints and problems. Then there are the water and food issues that I must deal with that are different.
Yesterday we went to the French embassy for a Christmas bazaar and saw local artisans works. It was a cultural experience and I need to quickly adjust my language skills. Today was shopping which was even more interesting. There are no supermarket as we know it. You go to one store for dry goods, then to the fruit or veggie market and then on to the butcher. Labels are not in English so you buy food based on pictures, shapes or color. The butcher is even more interesting since meat is in large chunks (like the whole leg) and you pick what kind you want and how you want it sliced. In all I think we spent 7000 dinars for groceries and went to 5 different stores.
I will post pictures when I can and update at least weekly with some new adventure.
Au revoir

LONDON FIRST

We have made it to Algiers. Wow what an adventure. We flew all night to London, then jet lagged weary we did a minimum of sightseeing. London is a large very busy city and we did not see but a few sights. Buckingham palace, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben. Lots of walking. I had work duties on Monday and then Tuesday we flew to Algiers. It appears to be nice here and we did see the Mediterranean today. I will keep you posted and as I get pictures I will include them.

Royal guards.

Brooke visits!!!

The long weekend was wonderful, Brooke was here!  We did many of the sites, shopped and just plain had fun.

Sites to see in DC

Weekends are made for fun. Last weekend was snow this weekend was fish.

The Learning Continues

Learning is always a life long process and here I am as living proof. Each day I go into the office after my crazy commute and meet with people to learn about my new job. Patient care is the easiest part of the process, in fact no one even discusses how to do patient care. Seems funny, that is the best part of what I do. But I am learning diplomacy, administration, some French and Wayne is working on Arabic. Five weeks ago I did not know one acronym that was not medical and now I throw around those letters like I know what I am talking about.
Our move day is quickly approaching and we are excited, apprehensive, and sad all at the same time. We are ready to get overseas and begin the experience, but we will miss our families greatly. We will have some travel opportunities and may be in the states next fall.
More pictures soon of our freak snow storm and some local sites!

Routine

My daily routine is finally becoming just that routine. I do have to ride the local sardine can to commute each day, and on good days (seldom) I actually get a seat. But I am in the med department although not seeing patients. I am learning my administrative duties. I have till Thanksgiving and then it will be off to Algiers, Algeria. Wayne and I have had a roller coaster of many emotions but the overall feeling is good.
Monday and Tuesday we learned how to stay safe in our new rolls. We learned about common causes of fires (electrical) and how to remain happy if we are kidnapped. We also learned about bombs, surveillance and weapons of mass destruction. After two days you began to wonder what you had signed on for.
We continue to tourist and find getting lost is a way of life. If it were not for GPS and an android phone we would be out there forever.

PANDA'S AT THE NATIONAL ZOO

Pictures

Wayne and I at the barbeque area outside our apartment complex.

Jay has adapted well to his new home. In fact he is down right spoiled as you can see.  He barely fits on the ottoman.

This is a picture on the day we recieved our country flags. It's call the grip and grin. They take lots of this type of photos. It was a fun day.

Next Step

Next week I enter what's called functional training. That means I will be in the med department learning about my real job. I graduated from department 101. Monday and Tuesday Wayne and I will be in class together to learn overseas security. It will be nice spending class days with him.
This weekend we have spent touristing around with family but true to my tech challenged self I am having trouble with pictures. I will continue to try.
We have adjusted to city life and the crowds but that would not be our choice. There are many wonderful restaurants and every ethnic foods, always something to do or see, but noisy and crowded are the norm.
I will continue to try to get some pictures us and will update you on functional training.

Working for a Living

I have survived the first week and into the second. I have leaned communications, cultures and protocols. Tomorrow is a team building exercise and then a trip to the CIA on Friday. The discouraging thing about all this is I do not treat patients. I might forget how to be a nurse practitioner by the time I reach Algiers. I promise I will try to post some pictures next week. I do miss my three 12 hr. shifts and my time off. This is the first 8-5 job I have had in 25+ years, actually maybe ever.

Government Employee

Well it's official, I work for the government. I know I left everyone hanging with us in transit. We made it to our apt in VA and have sort of settled in. Life has been hectic since. This working EVERYDAY is crazy. Gone is my cushy 3 days a week. I am still attempting to learn what I am allowed to blog. Seems that there are rules about information distribution. So if I seem evasive, sorry.
One thing I do know is that we are moving to Algiers. That's in north Africa for those who are geographically challenged. It is the capital of Algeria on the Mediterranean Sea. It will be interesting and exciting. It has not been determined when we may leave.
I miss all of you. Please feel free to email and text.

On Our Way

Well this has been a week. The packers were there for two days just packing boxes, then Wednesday they loaded the truck, all 16,000 pounds. We thought we had done so well till we watched how much we still owned being loaded into the truck. Then we stayed with the children for two days and left in the rain this morning from Nashville. I have cried my share of tears leaving Brooke, then the other children and our grand babies. I understand peanut made his first appearance on Facebook yesterday. He has a new home with Hurley a 14 week old pug.
Anyway we are in Roanoke VA tonight with reality setting in.

The Saga Continues

Several funny thing have happened in the last week. The best one is my going away cake at the urgent care. When we opened 6 or so weeks ago a brochure was distributed with a glaring misspelled word. We begged them not to pass them out but they did. Well people I'm sure noticed. So....when they went to pick up my cake, low and behold there was a misspelling. It was perfect! The comic relief. We laughed, we cried and Linda shared a small corner of my desk, just like we how we started.

Now it's packing time. If you have never had movers you might not understand but they pack whatever is lying there. If you do not hide your stuff, well it's packed including dust and trash. They are there to pack. So a few things are packed that should not be, I also can not send candles, lotions, oils etc. Anything that is an open liquid. Hum......

The interesting news is we will get a list of possible places on the 27th. We will not know where we are going till Oct. 11th. Well we at least can look at the possibilities.

Joy and Sorrow together

At this point life is a mixed emotion. I can only take one day at a time and deal with what that brings because the list of things to accomplish is endless. The movers will be here in a week to start packing and we are still sorting. I'm sure we will never be finished.

I spent time with some good friends Saturdayl afternoon. Brittany's wedding was a beautiful joyous event mixed with the emotions of saying good-bye to some wonderful friends. These women I have worked with and shared with and grown with over the years. It is sad to think I will not see them for several years. I will miss them but they are in my heart and just one electronic message away.
Sunday evening we said good-bye to our church family. This was again a joy and a sorrow.

Good bye to a friend

As I said, saying good bye is difficult and the last weekend we said good-bye to Jeremiah. Most of you know Wayne's dog, our 128 pound Alaskan malamute. He has been with us since '03 and has been a good companion. He is also stubborn, head strong and determined. He is now living up north with some good friends who are familiar with malamutes headstrong ways. He is being spoiled more than we did even though he has moved to the city. He has even been out for some retail therapy at the pet store to help him transition.
Our other dogs will be going with Brooke and will continue to have a good life.  It will be the first time in many many years since I have been without a pet. The DOS allows us to travel with animals but quarantine laws can be difficult so we elected to give them good homes and move on.
As the packing and disguarding of STUFF continues a new sense of freedom is occuring. Less responsibiltiy to things, and  more responsibility to ourselves and each other.

                                                   Here is Jeramiah with his new family.

In the beginning

I have been asked repeatedly to join Facebook and I really do not think it is my style. I do want to share our adventures however so I have decided to blog. To bring everyone up to current...I have accepted a new position with the Department of State (DOS) and Wayne and I will be moving. This has been a journey just to get to this point. Last May we made a trip to Washington DC for my interview. I passed and began the preliminary medical and security clearance for the job. The medical work up was detailed and they checked us out top to bottom and inside too. A federal investigator visited and called my friends. I would get texts in a panic about speaking to this badge wielding person. After 2 months I received notice that I had made the 18 month roster for possible employment. Now I must mention that the government, cautions against selling your home or quitting your job. The information states it may take months! Well it did not. While Wayne was finishing his medical clearance, the job offer came. Wayne and I decided to accept and I am to start my job September 26, 2011.

Sorting, consolidating and selling

Our madness began. Sorting, consolidating and getting rid of STUFF. We are allow to store 18,000 pounds and we owned more. One big garage sale, lots of Craigslist and Lsn, giving things to our children and friends began to great purge. The pre move survey determined we had 15,000 pounds. All is going into storage in DC. When I get my assignment in October we have the option of taking 7,000 lbs. Pack up day is Sept. 19, pack out day is Sept. 20.
The saddest part is leaving our family and friends behind. Next is leaving behind our pets.