I keep Painting the Planet: July 2006

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Already August!!

July has flown by without my noticing.... so many things going on and many others in need of catching up with.... one of the biggest priorities on my to do list is to finish off reading my module and start working on my assignment before heading off for summer vacation..... well the module is ready... I read most of what I thought was relevant... between work and gym and parties and beach..... but I somehow cannot get myself to start working on the assignment....... Beginning of August is my target to at least get some reasearch done and have my plan.... before I fill september with travels to Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt again!!

The highlights of the month of july.....

1. A 2 day trip to Tunisia... to run a training for the managers there.... although it was work and not pleasure... I still managed to snatch a couple of hours relaxing by the Mediterranean......

2. Home

Yeap... the expiry of my visa is a good excuse to head home for a couple of days and enjoy some, shopping, food and good company.....

upon landing in Malta... my parents treated me to a good pizza and wine whilst enjoying the beautiful view of Marsaxlokk....

Yesterday evening, my uncle came to visit us!! I hadn't seen my uncle in years.... he also has itchy feet and is currently living in Pakistan doing Missionary work... he is now in Malta for a couple of weeks for a break.....

My mother showing off her Pakistani Shawl

My Uncle showing us how the Pakistani's wear that shawl

Enjoying a traditional Maltese 'Fenkata' (Rabbit) with my uncle, parents, brother and Rezza, and Indonisian friend I met in Libya, and who is also here renewing his visa for Malta

I also had the time to shop... meet up with Michelle (a maltese I met in Libya) for wine by the beach in the afternoon sun, renew my ID Card and eat pastizzi......

Another one and a half days left of Malta then back to Libya...

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Watching the World Cup

First time in 26 years that I got the watch the world cup away from Malta.... I love the atmosphere at home during the world cup seasons, the big screen in Spinola, the beers with friends, the cheering, the carcading...... last time I just about made it, as I left for Belgium right after the final, however this year was different..... no opportunity to go home.... and I felt it much more once Italy was in the final, having been an avid Italy fan for years, I'd have loved to celebrate with people who feel the same!!!

However, life is what you make of it, and although quite different from the Malta style, I still got to have my World Cup fun. I was invited to watch the World Cup Final with my French friends at a friend's house. At first I did not feel comfortable to accept the offer..... 20 avid French supporters with 1 avid Italian supporter not much of a good combination when the world cup final is between Italy and France.... However the evening turned out to be a blast, and the French did not take Italy's victory so badly..... even though I was the only one jumping up and down when Italy scored the last penalty :)

A glimpse of the evening....