RT Idol

One of the best things about moving to a new comunity in a different part of the world is that you get a clean slate. Nobody knows you and you don't know anyone. You get to go out and do things you might not have been comfortable doing before. That brings me to this blog. Here in RT we have a band. Yes that's right one band. I teach with the keyboard player. Once a month the teachers have a happy hour. We call it TGIW as our weekend starts on Wednesday afternoon. My teacher friend who is in the band usually brings here guitar and after a couple glasses of grape juice I am usually ready to go. An example of this would be the blog entitled Days 6-12 when mom and dad came to visit. There is a picture there of me "pretending" to play guitar and singing my lungs out. Anywho, she talked me into competeing in Ras Tanura's version of American Idol complete with Randy, Paula and Simon. In a town of 3000 people there would be 7 of us going after the coveted RT Idol prize. Oh crap what have I gotten myself into this time.

Well after a month of rehersals with the band the time finally came for the show. This past Thurday night myself and six others competed in front of a packed house of 200+ people. Oh and remember that part about not knowing anyone and no one knowing me. That didn't work out so well. I realized too late that after living in a small town, coaching 4 different sports, teaching in the school, joining the golf club and generally being an out going person that of the 200+ people there I knew most of them. Damn. I was very nervous.

So here are couple of pictures. One of me belting it out. The other of all the contestants. The last is video of my singing the Georgia Satelite's song "Keep Your Hands To Yourself". I had to sing two songs total. My other song was Michael Buble's "Everything". In the end it was a lot of fun and a total rush. I did not win :( But I found out this morning I came in second place!!

The quality of the video is not great but you get the picture.

Dinner at Sandra & Joe's

Sandra was kind enough to invite us over to have dinner......mmmm......homemade meatballs and simmering sausage!!! I haven't had Italian sausage and pork meatballs for a year! Sandra always has a great spread and she definitely didn't disappoint - it was worth the 24 hr. trip over for this meal alone! :)

We had a great time catching up and it was great to see Jennifer, Kimmy & Tiffany, too. Sorry - I thought I had pix of all of us - but can't find it, so below is just Sandra, Jennifer & me.

It was fun seeing Anna & Mara together - they're 3 months apart and got along as if they see eachother all the time. We were there for 2 minutes before Mara started holding Anna's hand and they were inseparable the rest of the night:)

OBX 2008

While back on repat, we once again we went to the Outerbanks with our dear friends and absolutely loved it. For 7 straight days, we were forced to relax. All we do is go to the beach, eat, drink and sleep - it's fabulous! The kids were so happy to spend all this time together and so were the parents! :)

One of the highlights of our trip was that Steve rented a surfboard to teach himself to surf. He had spent all week trying to catch a wave. The second to last day we were there, one of the kids asked if they could try and wouldn't you know it - within an hour they had all learned to surf!

Okay, maybe not all of them - but she sure does have good form:)

Halloween

Here are some pics from our Halloween. It was quite the weekend here:

• Wednesday was the Halloween Parade and parties at school
• Thursday was the Halloween carnival at school
• Friday night was Halloween itself...full of tricks & treats:)

The kids had a blast. Anna was Minnie Mouse, Jack was Anikan Skywalker and Sarah was a candy corn girl.

For the past 2 years, all the teachers dress up alike. Last year they were M&M's. This year they were Starbuck's employees...they had aprons & mugs printed up with 'Saudibucks'. Steve of course had to add his own twist. Enjoy.

This is the elementary faculty. See if you can spot my "hunka-hunka-burnin'-love" of a hubby. Elvis IS alive! Who knew he has been living in the Middle East this whole time!

Anna and Steve at the parade: