Farewell to Warm Weather and Squid Sandwiches

In just a few days I'm out of here for the homeland. I'll see my lovely but aging and frail mother, my sons and daughter-in-law and my grandsons. Today I start packing. I may be gone for 6 months to 2 years depending on the business I have to take care of.

I leave my daughters sadly. My little grouchy Owl and the ever bright and perky Abez. I'll miss my youngest grandson, Abez's babyface who is just starting to change from a grub to a baby. He won't even remember me by the time I get back. I'll miss my Owlie. I'll miss friends both old and new and my wonderful church congregation.

I'll miss Ajman and the wonderfully warm ocean and uncrowded beach. I'm not looking forward to a Chicago winter. After having survived a Mid-East summer, I feel entitled to a Mid-East winter, but such is not my reward this year.

I'll miss baklava and sherwarma from Ikea. My sudden leaving has forced me to cut short my latest research: squid sandwiches. After laughing at the restaurant menus that all offer an array of weird and wacky sandwiches, I decided to put my money where my mouth is. I chose what sounded like the weirdest and wackiest (squid sandwiches) to see if 1. They are eatable and 2.Who has the best (0r worst). Sadly I only had one squid sandwich before I knew I was leaving so soon so my research will have to wait till I return. (It was nasty tasting, but this is scientific research and I WILL not quit till I have found the Best Squid Sandwich in Ajman!!!!!!!)

In leaving I entrust my beloved daughters in the hands of faithful and true family friends (KNICQ and Wifey, Crayon and Crew) to act as surrogate family. Sometimes they are more family than family, so I know they will help my daughters through any situation better than this hair-brained mother could.

We are keeping the apartment in Ajman and it is the only home I have so I'll be back eventually. I'm hooked on the warm winters and the year-round swimming. I'm even planning to continue studying Arabic while I'm gone. I hope that the American side of the family (my boys) will finish their educations and relocate over here so I can have my cake and eat it too. Warm weather, squid sandwiches, my complete family and wonderful friends.

Good-bye Ajman