Oman and LW - Cutest Birthday Ever

I just celebrated my birthday and had a FANTASTIC time.  Hubby D and I took a nice long weekend in Muscat, Oman.  When we arrived back home, I had this video waiting for me in my email.

It is the cutest video ever.  I am sure little LW is saying, “Oma, come see me RIGHT NOW.”

He needs kisses from his Oma and Opa. If you are reading this in an email, you will need to go to my blog page to watch the video.  http://brendahyde.blogspot.com

Muscat, Oman was wonderful and my birthday weekend this year ranks up there as one of the best ever.

When we arrived (at midnight) they served us cold champagne and cool clothes to refresh us. 

In the room, the hotel had a beautiful floral welcome. The entire room was filled with all kinds of flowers.  The bathroom even had pink orchids.

Champagne and fruit.

Flowers on the bed. There were lots of orchids and rose petals.

It was perfect for me because I love flowers. Before we left Bahrain, some of my expat friends took me to lunch and also gave me flowers.  I see a theme this year.

The hotel, Al Husn at the Shangra-la Resort was wonderful and I highly recommend it to anyone going on holiday in Oman.  We had a gorgeous balcony overlooking the sea, a fantastic bathroom, a well stocked mini-bar and a large living area.

On my actual birthday we went diving at a site named “Shark." There were no sharks. In fact, Oman has very few sharks. But the site was named “Shark.”

Diving at the "Shark" dive site.

On the boat getting ready to dive.

At first, I didn't feel very confident in the water. It had been 16 months since our last dive. However D assured me I would be fine.  The second dive was much more fun.

The reef was filled with fish. They all looked familiar to us but slightly different than the fish in the Caribbean. There were large schools and lots and lots of parrot fish in bright colors. The fish were very wonderful.  The visibility was not as good as the Caribbean, but the fish made up for it.  On our second dive D spotted a large Green Turtle snuggled down for a meal inside the coral. It was a great dive experience.

When we finished cleaning up all our gear, I walked out to the dive operator's pool area and D surprised me with a birthday serenade. If you are reading this in an email, you will need to go to my blog page to watch the video.  http://brendahyde.blogspot.com

That evening we attended the hotel cocktail hour on the terrace to watch the sun set. You really could not see the sun as there was a mountain in the way, but it was fun to sit outside and enjoy the pleasant evening.

The light was getting dim so this is not a good photo.  We had just finished a birthday Skype with little LW and BHB so we were happy.

We had dinner in a fabulous restaurant.  The food was over the top and we had flaming orange crepes for dessert.  Sorry, I forgot my camera so I have no video.  It was magnificent and sorry I can’t share.

The next day we had a great brunch.  I am going to have to do some research on the fruits they served.  Along with passion fruit there were two I did not know.

Slightly sweet and really weird to look at.

We spent the remainder of the day at the hotel’s private, adult only beach. The scenery was unbelievable.

The attendants on the beach met us with a cooler filled with all kinds of treats including an Evian chilled water spray.

View from my beach lounge chair.

We took a kayak out and paddled through the opening in the rocks.  As we were returning, we saw a Green Turtle surfacing. We were only a few feet away from him.

Kayaking through the rock opening. Look closely.

It was a bit warm (37C) and D did not enjoy the beach, but he stayed for me.

The water was very cool but the sand was extremely hot. It was hard to walk anywhere on the sand that was exposed to the sun. D had words for the heat but he refused to repeat them on camera. If you are reading this in an email, you will need to go to my blog page to watch the video.  http://brendahyde.blogspot.com

Sadly, the time came for us to leave. As our driver took us back to Muscat to catch our plane, we traveled through a roundabout that I had missed in the dark when we arrived.  It was filled with coffee pots.  They really love their coffee in the Middle East.

Coffee roundabout.

All the way to the airport I tried to capture a picture of the Sultan that was everywhere all over the buildings.  But each time I clicked my phone, I missed it. After all our birthday fun, my reflexes were not fast enough.

Thanks to the Sultan for a great weekend.  We enjoyed Oman and will certainly go back again.  Perhaps a trip to the hotel spa would be fun…

Cheers,
Brenda

Is This the Last Trip to the Printer?

Finished?  Nope. What was I thinking?

Three of us, DW, TP and myself drove over to the printer and reviewed the proof pages from the press and everything looked good. (Thanks to TP for taking our photos!)  I signed off with a sigh of relief that the job was just about over.

To gain access to the building, we had to tap on this window so EA would come open the door.

The do many different types of print jobs however, they are the only press on the Island that can do a hard cover.

I thought this "sign off" was my final action but I was wrong.

EA took us out to look at the press while it was running. For safety purposes, we probably should have worn closed toe shoes.

Watching the press.

Looking at the dots on the paper.  This is something I have done a great deal over the past 25 years...ah, memories!

Sometimes you have to really get into your work to make sure it is right.

DONE!

Nope, one more call from the printer came in yesterday afternoon so off to their offices I raced AGAIN.  They wanted me to look at a “dummy” copy of the front cover.

"Dummy" front cover.  It is going to look great!

It turned out to be a great opportunity as they were collating the pages.  Here are some good photos of the printer hard at work creating the 40th Anniversary Tribute Book for the American Women’s Association.

Pages printed and ready to collate. I haven't seen it done this way (by hand) in 15 or 20 years.

One last selfie while I am looking at more page proofs with EA.

This is a really funny video. Hand collating is not done in the States anymore. I guess labor is a whole lot cheaper here in Bahrain. If you are reading this in an email, you will need to go to my blog page to watch the video.  http://brendahyde.blogspot.com

I think we are on our way to being finished!  Wonder how they will handle delivery?

Cheers,

Brenda

Publishing Again - Yes Means No and No Means Yes

One special experience for me during the creation of the 40th Anniversary Book was when I met Dreena Rogers (center).  She is the longest standing member of AWA. Dreena was the driving force behind the Community Service Committee in the very beginning of AWA. This is an amazing woman.  You can read all about her in the book.  The books go on sale May 11 for 10BD at the AWA General Meeting.  Buy yours ASAP!  

I have always said that communication is the root of all evil.

The first thing I learned at the printing company was that the graphic artist I was working with, EA was going to be a communication challenge.

I will admit, foreign languages are not easy for me – never have been, ask my parents (High School French). And, understanding a different body language is even harder when it does not match my own body language.

This was my downfall.

I arrived with at the printer with my computer and an external 3 TB hard drive loaded down with AWA files.  What I did not realize was that the printing company did not make accommodations or have adaptors for US power cords.  Back I went to my flat to get the power cord adaptor.

Packing up to go to the printer. Why didn't I think to take my plug converter?

After returning and transferring the files to the EA’s computer, I asked, “Is there anything else you need from me right now?”

He answered with a negative head nod (US negative), “We have all your files.” He assured me he had all he needed. At least, I thought he was assuring me.

There were a couple of pages we were not turning over to EA that day (the front cover and inside title pages). They still needed to be approved by the committee.  I told him I would be back the next morning.

The next day I arrived a bit stressed after spending almost 2 hours in traffic.  Traffic like that can be found in DC but in Bahrain?  Who would have thought?  I would have to find a different route to the printer.

I smiled when I arrived and asked, “How are you doing?  When do you think we can see proofs?”

He asked, “Did you bring the packages?”

I answered,  “What packages?”

He said, “The files should be in packages.”

I answered, “I don’t know what that is.”

Her proceeded to show me on his computer how the newer versions of InDesign have a feature that pulls all the links and fonts into one file called a “package” so you can easily transfer from one computer to another.

None of our files were in packages.  In fact, I had instructed CS to take all her links and pull them into folders so we could create a folder for each set of pages. Back at Washington FAMILY Magazine we created folders for all our magazines.

I got on the phone with CS and went through how to create packages for each page.

Again I asked, “Do you think this will work? (positive head nod) Is there anything else you think we need to check? (negative head nod) Is there anything else you are going to need?” (negative head nod)

Since getting the files to him would be faster if I did not have to drive back and forth, we decided we would upload our “packages” to DropBox and let EA download them from there. This would also give me the time I needed create packages for all my files.

The 210 pages were divided up into sections.  CS had some and I had the majority. Each section was a set of pages that added up to 210.

I drove back to my flat and started making packages.  CS started working on her files as well.

Very late that night we had a long list on DropBox of packages.

Next morning – after trying a different route, it still look me an hour to get to the printer. There was a wreck in Saar right on the route of the short cut.

I asked EA how it was going.  He responded by asking me to look at a file he was trying to open. He selected one of CS’s files.  “Not compatible.”

Her software version of InDesign was ahead of the version at the printer. She would have to convert all her files to HDML files.

And, DropBox was full.

That night CS converted all her files and the next morning she drove her files over to the printer on a flash drive. I spoke with EA and he said he would print pages for me to proof right away.

At 11, I stopped by to pick up printed copies of the pages to proof but they were not ready.  I asked, “Will it take longer than 5 minutes for them to finish printing.” (negative head nod)

Forty-five minutes later I left and returned 3 hours later to pick up the printed page proofs.

The printed pages looked promising.  I was very excited to get them home and review them. I made one review before bed, got up at 3 and made another run through of all the pages.

Unfortunately, when EA imported our links the photos did not come through seamlessly and we had many corrections to be made. The next morning (Thursday - the DROP DEAD DEADLINE day) CS and I spent another 3+ hours going over the pages making sure we found everything that needed to be corrected.

Armed with my marked up pages, off I went again to see EA.  I arrived at 1PM and he was headed out to lunch.  I begged him to let me work on his computer and make changes while he was gone to lunch so I would not need to sit and wait on him. He finally agreed. (negative head nod)

The marked up proof copy and an extra candy bar they gave me.  Chocolate for breakfast and dinner, yum!

EA walked out the door with his lunch box, I turned and sat down at his computer.  Piece of cake, right?

He had an Arabic keyboard.

I wish now I had taken a picture of it. I was so shocked, I almost fell out of my chair. Finally I shook it off and decided MAC made things easy and I bet the keyboard is the same, just type blind. It worked.

He went to lunch and I started working.

While he was gone, I tried to work as fast as I could (typing blind) and I was able to make it through about 1/3 of the corrections.  When EA returned, we started working together and finished the changes at 5PM.

EA and I working on the corrections.

I asked if there was a water fountain anywhere and the other graphic artist in the production room offered to order some coffee for me. I was so grateful. I had nothing to eat or drink all day. It was becoming a long day. Much to my surprise along with my paper cup of coffee they brought three chocolate bars. It was great.

Once again, EA started printing the pages. As one section would come off the printer, I would start reviewing/proofing again as he made PDFs and started printing the next series of pages.  It took about an hour to complete this final printing and review process.

Finally we were done.  I signed off on the new set of printed proof pages and headed home at 6:18PM just as the sun was setting over the camel farm.

Sunset over the camel farm as I left the building.

EA told me that we would have the opportunity to look at the printed pages when they start coming off the press.

I did this several times with my magazine. There probably won’t be much warning as to the time, and it might be in the middle of the night.  However, it is a great experience especially if you have never seen the process and had the thrill of seeing your work printed.

I have invited the Tribute Book Committee to join me and several of them have agreed to come along to watch the presses. I plan on having someone there to take pictures for us so we can document the creation of the 40th Anniversary Book.

Maybe 40 years from now the AWA won’t have to struggle to find a picture of us like we struggled to find a good picture of the founding members …. LOL

My job until then is to burn DVDS of all the artwork and files so AWA will have an archive of all the history that was compiled for the 40th Anniversary Tribute Book.

There will be 11 DVDS at 4.7GB each!  WOW!!!!  That is a lot of history.

I just started burning my 4 copies of all 11 DVDS.

LW, the President of AWA during the 40th Anniversary Year was truly the driving force behind the Tribute Book. She is the one who made it happen. Without her soft prodding in the beginning and strong leadership at the end, I am not sure it would have come to be.

This beautiful book will be cherished and shared for many, many years to come.

I gained so much respect for AWA during this project.  I sincerely hope I did a good job for them. I fear that something is left out … or the wrong caption is on the wrong photo….or something is misspelled….ughhhh!  The same fears I had for 25 years.

Congratulations to the committee on a job well done.  It is going to be beautiful and I can’t wait to proudly display it on my living room coffee table and show to all my guests, friends and family.

I am very proud to be a member of such a great group of women with such a wonderful history in Bahrain.

Now we wait to hear when we can come and watch the presses.

Cheers,

Brenda

This food delivery was being made to someone in our building when I arrived home.  I was inspired! Dinner was delivery for sure.

Publishing Again – But Not for Long

The day in February when I arrived back on the island in Bahrain after baby LW’s birth, the President of the American Women’s Association, LW contacted me.  She was very sweet, but I knew she wanted me to be involved with a committee that was meeting the NEXT day.

Jet lagged, tired, not unpacked – I headed out to a location unknown to help a committee of the AWA with a book project.

I should have known I was doomed as I got lost twice trying to find the villa where the meeting would take place.  I should blog about how they organize (or do not organize) streets and signage in Bahrain. It is appalling.

No street signs, no numbers on buildings, you have to learn landmarks!

When I finally arrived I was surprised there were 8 other ladies there.  This was looking good.  We talked for a while and I (of course) shared my baby pictures.  Everyone who meets me for the first time has to endure my pictures of baby LW.

I love this one most.  Our good friend SW says D and baby LW have the same barber. This comment always gets a chuckle from anyone I show the photo.

I just love this picture. Baby LW is less than 3 weeks old. Aren't they so cute?

The AWA committee was creating a book to document the history of AWA in Bahrain. AWA was celebrating their 40 Anniversary. They wanted to put all the history of the past 40 yeas along with some personal tributes from current members and past members into a book that could sit on your coffee table and be a testament to the history of AWA.

I had someone snap this picture of me with the American Ambassador at the AWA luncheon to celebrate the 40th anniversary.

American Ambassador, Thomas C. Krajeski speaking at the AWA meeting.

The idea for this AWA historical document came from President LW.  She had the vision of a beautiful book that would showcase the impact of AWA in the Bahraini community as well as share the positive impact AWA has had on current and past members of AWA. This was sort of an AWA Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Great goal, fantastic idea, BIG PROJECT.

When the magazine was 20 years old, we created this great cover showing some of my favorite covers over the years. I thought 20 years was a long time - AWA is looking at 40 years!

The committee had already uploaded thousands of photos to an Internet site easily accessible for creation of the book pages.  They had also scanned HUNDREDS of historical photos and press clippings that were stored in old AWA scrapbooks.

I agreed to share my expertise and help out a bit if I could.

On the day I left my office at the magazine after the close of the sale, I thought my publishing days were over.  WRONG. . . .

I strongly warned the committee that my graphic skills were extremely limited. When I published Washington FAMILY Magazine, I had several skilled graphic artists on staff I supervised, but doing the work was not in my portfolio.

I know every reader out there is smiling because they know what happens -- I was sucked in. I was doomed from the beginning.  They needed my skills.

We used to have a great archive online of copies of the magazine. I kept a link to it after I sold the magazine. Unfortunately, the new owners opted to change the service for online archives and all of my old magazines online were deleted.

At first it was a struggle to create pages. I had to learn InDesign all over again. I was never very good at it – PageMaker I could do in my sleep – but InDesign was too much like Photoshop and Illustrator.  Those were programs I left to the graphics people.  If I ever needed anything complex I would call EL or KS, my long time graphics designers. Either one of them could do anything in ALL of those programs!

As the project developed, it became more of a graphic design job for just two of us.  CS and I worked on the pages for over 8 weeks. She had never worked in InDesign as well and so we learned together. Although she does know Photoshop so she had a leg up on me. Together, we probably logged several hundreds of hours of work. (SEVERAL is an understatement.)

I have to tell you about CS.  She is a watercolor artist, and a very good one.  I love her work.  I have commissioned her to do a painting for me of the traditional dhow ships in Bahrain but unfortunately, she has been tied up with this big project (THIS BOOK!) for over two months so I don’t have my painting yet.  Hint, hint to CS!  LOL

Here we are working on our pages.

CS and I snapped this at one of the AWA morning coffees.

My computer and my large monitor really came in handy when we were reviewing the page progress.  The first meeting at my flat to review pages took over 5 hours. However, it was fantastic to get feedback from the committee that we were moving in the right direction.

Here we are at the second and final review of the book pages. This review also took over 5 hours. However, it was a good use of our time. Everyone had extremely valuable input.

Just like every month at the magazine, as we neared the deadline, the work became more hectic and stressful.  I told my hubby D that I felt like I was back at the magazine in the old days when I did a lot of the work myself.  I could feel my back tensing up and I could not sleep at night worrying about a page or a specific problem with the layout.

I started waking up at 2AM and 3AM to get up and work.

Finally the big day arrived.  CS and I finished our page design – all 210 pages.  Yes, you heard me right.  210 pages.  HUGE!!!

Our files totaled over 27 Gigabytes.

Off to the printer I went with hard drive in hand thinking my job was just about finished.  But, no!  I was wrong.

This blog is like those movies where at the end you can tell there is a sequel coming.  I am gong to save the story of what happened when I went to the printer for another blog posting.

Hint - I will also be posting a picture of the front cover of the book in that blog post.  :-)

The big reason for this is that I am going to stop writing. I am going to go relax in our lovely living room, read the newspaper and cook a lovely brunch with my wonderful husband who has put up with my “volunteer” job getting in the way of a relaxed and wonderful life at home with his loving wife.

I am going to go sip strong coffee while I enjoy the view of the Arabian Sea from our living room.

Hubby D just came back to my office and reminded me he is waiting for me...

See you soon! Gotta run. . . . . just had my second reminder from D to come join him.  LOL

Cheers,
Brenda

Sand or Formal Wear - which would you choose?

Everyone tells me that this year is unusual in Bahrain because they have had so many sand storms.  Just my luck.

When you drive down the road, sand blows across the pavement like snow in the winter in Virginia or Oklahoma. And, it becomes slippery just like snow so you have to be aware of your speed and braking.  It is not nearly as bad as ice, but you need to be aware.

As the sand was blowing outside, we prepared for an elegant evening at the Italian Ball.

The Italian Ball is an annual event here on the island and is quite the affair. Even before I arrived in Bahrain, I was told about the Italian Ball by some other expats. So when the invitations came out, I knew we had to attend.

The theme this year was based on the movie Il Gattopardo and the turn of the century in Italy. DW and I thought about renting Italian ball gowns, but opted for regular attire at the last minute.  However, after being at the ball, we probably should have gone all out in full Italian gowns. It might have been fun.

The lobby of the Sofitel, where the ball was held has wonderful lanterns.

"Let's take it home." D and DW inspecting the Ferrari on display.

Of course, my selfie.

All dressed up for a party, our group was impressive.

The Italian Ambassador, Ambassador Alberto Vecchi was very gracious when we asked to have our photo taken with him.

The Ambassador and his wife made a striking couple.

This is DE with the Mrs. Vecchi along with our friend, LW from AWA.

At the beginning of the evening, there were several Viennese Waltzes. They were lovely.

If you are reading this in an email, you will need to go to my blog page to watch the video.  http://brendahyde.blogspot.com

I have to tell you that the food was not good. I was very disappointed.  But the people were gorgeous and the company of our group very interesting. It was a lovely evening.

Lost in translation - they were serving Limoncello at the other tables and D ordered some. This is what arrived at our table.

We all had roses at our places along with Ferrari cologne. Ferrari is starting to be my favorite brand of cars and other things.

The evening was elegant and a great break from the sand and wind.

Salute (Cheers in Italian),
Brenda