More Slice of Life Pictures

I don't have anything new written, so it must be time for more everyday pictures from the Green Family Circus...don't forget to roll your mouse over the photo for the caption!




The theme for the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet Cake Bake contest this year was, "My Favorite Things." Everything on the cake had to be edible. Can you guess their favorite things? Roll the mouse over the photo for the answer...

Soap Box Derby

This was the first time we have lived in an area where Cub Scouts still have a Soap Box Derby. After participating in the months long planning process, knowing the cost of the cars, and then helping out for hours on race day, I can see why many Cub Scout packs no longer do this.

Michael's first race was scheduled at 8:06, and Jake's last race was to start around 12:45ish. Steve had to set up before 7am...we thought we'd be done by 1:30, help tear down, and be back home for much needed naps shortly after. Unfortunately there were issues with the timing system, and the first Webelos races didn't begin until 9:30. By the end of the day, we ran three hours behind.

The cars were pretty primitive...but fairly safe. They rolled down a straight stretch of road that had a bit of a downhill angle. All you really had to do was keep the car straight.

Michael's rank (Webelos I) was able to race four times each, gunning for the fastest average time. Even though he knew that he was racing against the clock, he was still very delighted when he "won" three of his four races. Unfortunately, he didn't have one of the top five fastest times in his rank.

The Tigers (Jacob's rank) started racing around 3:30pm, and immediately it was clear that they didn't get enough practice keeping their cars straight. Let's just say that at best there was a lot of swerving going on, and at worst some rather spectacular "crashes." After one and a half rounds, the pack officials decided that in order to preserve some cars for next year (and to shorten what was already a very long day for the kids), the Tigers would only race twice each. Surprisingly, none of the little guys complained.


Despite all the determination he could muster, Jake had trouble steering his car and crashed it twice. The second crash was pretty cool (for a derby car): as he was braking, he connected with the car next to him and totally spun it around. We applaud him for even getting back into it the second time - it took a lot of guts and it wasn't easy. After all that, he still asked us later how old you have to be to drive (they nag us all the time about that - there is no minimum age requirement here - you just have to be the right sex!).

Here is some video that one of the parents uploaded from the race (it's around three minutes long). Jacob's first race is featured at 1:30 minutes into the video. He is in the blue car from the picture above.




I just have to leave you with a hilarious picture of Michael. If you look closely, you will notice that he is actually facing away from the camera: his helmet and shirt are on backward (his thumbs are a clue)! Never a dull moment with this kid...

Passport Renewal

Steve left just a couple minutes ago for the U.S. Consulate, located a couple miles outside the compound, to renew our passports. Our Saudi residence visas are about to expire and they will not issue new ones if you have less than six months remaining on your passport. The boys' passports were just issued in Dec. '07, but ours were issued in Beijing nine and half years ago.

No big deal - getting a passport renewed is easy...fill out the form, get two passport size pictures, give them money, and leave your current passport at the consulate. A few weeks later you can pick the new one up.

Wait...leave your current passport at the consulate ?!? For a few weeks?!?

That is very unsettling to me. What if we want to go to Bahrain over the weekend? What if it doesn't come back in time for Spring Break (we have flight/hotel/car reservations for the UAE)? What if something horrible happens and we have to evacuate the country immediately? What if....
I'm upsetting myself now so I'll stop with the "what-if's."

I'm sure it will be fine, but it really makes me uncomfortable. Years ago, they didn't allow expats to hold their own passports while living/working here. I can't even imagine that. I need to know that if something horrible happens, we will be able to get out immediately. I need to know that I still have some freedoms, such as going to Bahrain for the day. I need to know that my passport is being kept safe, not being used under a desk leg as a leveler in an office somewhere.

In a sense, it's a tangible symbol of the rights and freedoms I own as a U.S. citizen. Not having it in my possession, even if for just a few weeks for a very valid reason, unhinges me a bit.