Swedish School Nicaragua - 20th Anniversary Cultural Show2

Run-hop-run version of Grease:

Eh-la-la (for lack of a better name) - must be Caribbean:

This one definitely is...Caribbean, that is:

...and for the effort...acknowledgment (with the Swedish Ambassador):

There you go folks, the wonderful Nordic-Nicaraguan community in Nicaragua hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!
Hmmm I've heard that before...Spartans tonight we shall dine in 'Heck' - child friendly version- whoo, whoo, whoo!
They are Vikings, after all!

Swedish School Nicaragua - 20th Anniversary Cultural Show

Have fun watching them...we did!

El Gueguense:

Tango:

As if it wasn't fun enough, some of the teachers just had to join the fray with their version of Swan Lake:

Asereje - so this is what it was all about:

The other videos will be for another post. This should be enough laugh for now.

The Swedish School Nicaragua

The Swedish School in Nicaragua celebrates its 20th year Anniversary today. In line with the celebration, the children of the school has prepared a show for the parents and guests. I always enjoy the shows they put up at the Swedish school as it's always done in the spirit of camaraderie and with fun in mind. No pressure, just fun.

I can dedicate a whole blog to the Swedish School here in Nicaragua for all the good things it has done for V and us. On posts, V always goes to the (or an) International School, but since there's no 'real' International School here in Managua - quite a few claims so but at best, they offer International Baccalaureate - we enrolled him with the American Nicaraguan School (ANS) which at best offers an AP program. Big mistake! Now, this one deserves 2 blogs on its own for all the misery we have experienced there! Every expat knows how schools for their kids play an important role in their lives. This I promise to write about separately as I desperately wished I have read first-hand experiences with ANS before we came. That would have saved us a lot of trouble, money and misery.

Anyway, on to happier things. T was adamant that we should try the Swedish school as it caters to children of Nordic heritage. I thought, ugh, another language to learn for V...*cough* bordering on *cough* child *cough* abuse *cough*- I underestimated my own son. After some incidents in ANS, I conceded. We moved him and that was the best decision so far we've made here in Nicaragua...life went on as it should be.

V is definitely happy there and so are we. Every imaginable country up North is represented. Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland - hmmm, did I forget anyone? The school has only done Vicente good and not only is he happy but we've developed great friendships with other parents as well. It's like one big happy family. I can still hear my friend F telling me (her kids are at ANS), just recently: 'you're lucky you're friends with the parents there, me, I've been sitting with this woman (we're both waiting for our kids to come out) for almost a year now and we still haven't said hello. In reality, it's the school that brought us together. We have many activities where parents do help out and out of town family day 2x a year. It is as well convenient for the parents to hold an adult party while the kids play together some place else with supervision.

V now speaks 5 languages in various degrees of fluency. I make sure he speaks Tagalog with me, Danish with his father, our family together in English (my Danish has by now been trampled mercilessly by my Spanish while T's Tagalog is non-existent), Swedish in School and Spanish with friends. I shouldn't have worried at all.

My Inkblot Test Result

Tickle's Original Inkblot Test

My Result: Love

Your instinct to love and be loved is rooted very deeply in your subconscious and affects most of the decisions you make in life — whether you are aware of it or not.

You inspire people to experience their true feelings of love and act kindly towards others. You also value your personal relationships more than most people.


Your unique capacity to love may be greater than those around you, which means you may have more to give in relationships than your friends or romantic partners do.


Your psyche is very rich; the more you learn about it, the more you will understand who you really are.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=inkblotogt&c=50652

Yup, am still at it.

Browsing Martha day

Although we entertained before expatriation, it was not as often as when living abroad. Entertaining opens doors to get to know like-minded people which makes for an easier more pleasant and fun posting experience. Half the time, it is work-related and therefore obligatory.

It is cheap to entertain in the Philippines. There you can have every occasion catered (in our case up to over 100 sometimes) even the simplest ones, or invite people for a private function in a public restaurant for a third of what it will cost you elsewhere. So there was really no need for advices, solicited or otherwise, except from your caterer, of course. The type of entertaining we did in the Philippines did not apply to Denmark, Kenya and even here in Nicaragua, it is just prohibitively expensive.

In asking my domestic diva friends, I found out that there's so many money-saving tips I can get from Martha's site without compromising the quality of entertaining. Prior to my moving abroad, I didn't know Martha Stewart except probably for her infamous incarceration or house arrest at the very least and her spat with Donald the tower guy. Now, I'm hooked.

Today, while visiting Martha Stewart's Site, I checked out 'The Martha Stewart Blog' and there stumbled into the 'Hostess (with the mostess)' blog site. Under 'get inspired' are some of the cutest things I have seen. I came across these adorable and unbelievably cute cup cakes, for instance.

More photos of Hello Naomi's adorable cupcakes can be found here.

On the same blog, check out the review of 'Colin Cowie Chic: The Guide to Life As It Should Be'. Looks good to buy to me but I'm a sucker for good advice and good deals (about $20) and if my table can look this good, why not.

You'd think that between Martha, Emily, the hostess herself and maybe in future, with Colin's help too, I'd be able to host a chic party? Given the number of years I've been doing this...I've a loooong way to go. But then I pick up good things a long the way. Poco a poco.

Presenting the Swedish School boys

Ugghh, don't ask me why, I'm just glad they're having fun and are comfortable with what they're doing...all in the name of fun!!!

Managua shopping tip

We all have our own pick-me-ups . For some it's pastries, for some ice cream and yet for some just shopping in general, for me it's shoes. I don't think there's anything wrong with owning up to our fetishes unless of course they are k*nky (wink) but then there's no need to discuss it either. Everyone has at least one including the men. Just watch them accumulate gadgets and tools that they plan to use in future...a future that may not even come.

Although shoes are my fetish, I don't let it get the better of me. More than the shoes, it's the rush I get from buying a pair I like at a price I like even better. This was never a problem for me in Denmark as there's always somewhere I can get good quality shoes at 70% or if I get really lucky even at 90% off - almost a give away.

As I have mentioned in a previous post, it is harder to indulge oneself here in Nicaragua but, but, but...sometimes, you can get lucky. This week I was. Nine West in Las Galerias is having a sale and not only are they reduced from anywhere between 25 - 50% off regular price, they are also buy-one-take-one or as we say here 'dos por uno', further reducing a pair to almost 25% its original price! There are newer models on sale at 50% off including some bags and accessories. I like the double slash better.

They've had this before but stopped it...well, that's what they told me when I asked early this year...as in 'never'. After that, I swore never to stop by the store again hmmmph. So, imagine my surprise when (okay, okay) I peeked in last week to see the sale - it's way at the back of the store - that they're having it again. In panic that I may never see the inside of the store again I bought uhmm some...just in case.

Not bad huh for a pair costing between $25-30. They must be soooo last, last year but who cares.

So, go, go, go while they have it or while they still have your size. Dog knows when they're gonna have it again! Really, I only passed by because I was desperate to get Tango shoes and I think I found it (the last pair - anything that will not fly off my feet when I have to make the sooo vicious kick that's so distinctly Tango).

Sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

On Native Soil

It's 1 am and I've just finished watching On Native Soil. I thought I'd sleep early today - early means before midnight - as I have Spanish early in the morning tomorrow but haven't done any of my homework yet.

Before retiring, I usually scan the TV channels just to check if there's anything good on. On HBO, a documentary just started and I was ready to turn the TV off when I heard Kevin Costner's voice narrating. Hmmm, so I watched a bit more.

On Native Soil is an honest and truthful assessment of 9/11. I have seen other 9/11 documentaries including Michael Moore's and I must say that not only is this the most moving by far but it showed a clear picture surrounding the events before and after 9/11, the various agencies involved, their competencies and incompetencies and response or lack of it. The most appalling was that of the FAA's.

With the concerted effort of the families of the victims, through a fact-finding commission, anomalies and weaknesses in the system were exposed.

Highly recommended.

Champagne and quiche weekend

This weekend has been quite hectic (meaning we were mostly out of the house) compared to how we normally spend weekends in Managua. That's why we make it a point to go to a nearby beach when we can.

As T's birthday fell on a Sunday this year, unlike last year when I threw a surprise birthday party for T in our house, we've decided to just hold intimate celebrations here in there. My weekend looked like this:

Friday (afternoon) - after work, I went to T's office and brought snacks (Lasagne and Ham, Mushroom and Asparagus crustless quiche) and some champagne so T can celebrate with his co-workers.

Friday (evening) - for the Arabian Night we brought lamb curry.

Saturday (afternoon) - Birthday party of K & C's 4 year old. On the way, passing by S' (my favorite 'dama') Women's (Cañasta) project - made of newspaper - as support (yup we bought something...s).

At K & C, they made an impromptu celebration for T by sharing poor 4 yr old Lucas' cake (sweet).

Sunday (morning) - birthday breakfast for T. It was so hot that we decided to jump in the pool clothes and all - pretty much all the exercise we got that day - the jumping, I mean. Oh and to check if T's dive watch -which he got for his birthday - works. For now we know it is indeed waterproof...that's a start.

Sunday (afternoon) - Salsa workshop where we also brought Champagne and Quiche to share.

Sunday (evening) - light dinner and a movie

The above doesn't sound so much but given that we'd rather lounge around the house on weekends when we're not out of town, is already a lot.

Obviously, I did a lot of cooking this weekend but I thought it was smart to make the same food for both the office and Salsa 'brindis' (toast) because they're 2 totally different groups. In both places some have asked me for the recipe of the quiche, so here it is:

Ham, mushroom and Asparagus crustless quiche

8 Eggs
1 cup chopped (white) Onion
1 cup chopped Button mushroom
1 cup chopped Deli ham
1 cup chopped Green & Red bell pepper mix
1 cup chopped Asparagus
1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Cream cheese
1/2 cup Mascarpone cream cheese
1/2 cup
1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) ground Nutmeg
Salt & pepper to taste (about a teaspoon each)
1/2 cup butter

In a sauce (or any deep) pan, saute the following in butter (leave enough butter to coat bottom of the baking dish) in this order: onion, mushrooms, bell peppers, asparagus (add last if using canned asparagus), ham. Set aside and let cool when done.

Beat eggs together with salt, pepper and nutmeg. In a separate bowl mix cream cheese and mascarpone and whisk until soft. Gradually mix in the egg. Add the cheddar while mixing continuously and finally the swiss cheese.

Coat baking dish (16 inch) with butter and spread the saute mix evenly. Pour cheese and egg mixture. Using a fork mix a bit to even out saute mix and cheese mixture on the baking dish.

Bake at 180C for 30 -40 minutes and 200C for 15 minutes (or less) or until top is golden.

Serves 12

Salsa Class

We finally caught ourselves on video! It was primarily because this time we brought V with us for 2 reasons: the Salsa schedule happened to be on T's birthday (we thought we should all be together and go out for a family dinner afterwards) and V wants to see how our lessons are going because he himself will be dancing Salsa during their year-end program in school.

So V filmed us and took some pictures. We normally average between 7 to 10 couples or roughly 20 people but yesterday, quite a few were out of the country or are busy with other things, so we had plenty of space.

Seeing a video of us made me realize how true M's (our instructor) words are: exaggerate, exaggerate, exaggerate! We (I believe I can speak for everyone) thought (felt) we were moving hard and really swinging but as the video proves....NOT.

Arabian Night

T & I attended a party last night with an Arabian theme. Everyone brought Middle Eastern cuisine - as authentic as we can make them given the ingredients we can get our hands on. Our hosts S & B provided an authentic atmosphere that really made the night Arabian.

Since we received the invitation, I have wracked my brains on what T & I are going to wear. There are places here where you can rent or buy costumes, while renting runs between $20 - 30, buying them costs of course a lot more depending on how intricate it is and we know how intricate women's Arabian costumes can get. An example would be S' top which she found at a shop in Metrocentro that cost $40. It's supposed to be a set but they sell the bottom separately for another $40. Since I need a new costume anyway (I have a leopard costume that I have been using year after year, for the last 7 years - it's about time.), I thought I should buy one or try to have one made. I found out that between the 'tela', the 'shing-a-lings' (you know - the shiny dangling stuff - for lack of a better name) and the labor, I'd end up shelling out more than $50 or so. Well, not bad compared to $80.

I vaguely remembered having seen something in Mercado Oriental when I was there last with A but wasn't sure if they still had it or if it's feasible, so off I went with S to check it out - Mercado Oriental is always worth checking out! Voila....for $ 20 problem solved. For T, I bought 4 yards (width: 60) of gauze like cotton material for a total of $6, cut a whole in the middle and tied it with a belt. The turban was borrowed from B and is authentic from India (about 10 meters...just for that whew).

M brought belly dancing music to complete the atmosphere. Everyone (and I mean every single one) came in well thought of costumes that made it all the more festive. It was a great evening.

Have you ever been to a costume party where you bothered to come in costume but ended up looking ridiculous because quite a few did not bother to dress up....I have....many times.

We've really met some great people here.

How was the Aventura concert?

Don't ask me, we never managed to see it!

3:00 pm Friday, I was already on the phone with T reminding him to come home early so we can go out and grab an early dinner before watching the concert. 2 days before that I went to Music and More in Metro Centro to buy the tickets for the concert. I bought the VIP tickets ($C 450.00) thinking that it would be very crowded in general admission ($C 250) and since we don't plan to drink alcohol that night (except for a couple of beers maybe) really didn't need to have Platinum ($40.00) either.

The concert was supposed to start at 8:00 pm but we were advised to be there at least an hour before because of parking. It was held in an empty parking lot (dirt floor) with chicken wire (a bit thicker) to separate the 3 groups with Platinum being in front - chicken wire fence - VIP - chicken wire fence - general admission.

We got there a little before 7:00 pm and after parking the car a block away we were surprised to find out that despite having bought the tickets in advance, we still have to queue to get in. I know, I know...of course we have to queue but not in a 300 meter line. There were 3 of these lines for VIP alone, 1 for general admission and 1 for platinum. We immediately realized that we would have been better off buying the general admission tickets as not only were there less people (apparently the most ticket printed was VIP - it at least looked that way), the parking lot being not that big and with the stage elevated, not only would we not have felt the difference but we would actually be closer to the exit / entrance gates in case there's a stampede.

The lot was definitely packing more people than it can accommodate. We can see that already from outside, still we forged on excited and determined to enjoy the night. We were prepared for this. We were in jeans, t-shirt and rubber shoes and no bags, no camera, only some cash, cell phones and the tickets...all in the front pockets of our jeans.

After queuing for more than an hour and about 3 meters from the gate, we experienced a surge of people trying to cut in line. As cutting in line is fairly common here (check-out counters, ATMs, etc), we have many times politely told those who try to cut-in in front of us to please go back to the end of the line. I can't tell you how many have tried during the course of the hour but the worst was when we were finally near the gate. V was sandwiched between T and myself with T leading our line and had the tickets in his hands. When the surge started, he put them in his back pocket, but still with his hand over them, afraid that someone might just snatch them. All of a sudden some guys became aggressive and started pushing T and for the split-second he took his hand away from his pocket to parry the bodies ramming him, our tickets were pick-pocketed.

T almost got into a fight because he thought he knew who exactly among those aggressively pushing took the tickets. I pulled him away from the crazy crowd before it got worse. T, normally a patient man, was reacting to the situation. Dejectedly, we walked back to the car while V cried. T being so frustrated, offered to buy us tickets from a scalper for 3 times its price. I firmly said no. I understand that we really wanted to see this concert but with the type of crowd and our mood, I didn't think it was safe anymore.

Tonight, I told my gf A about it and funny enough they too have a story to share. One of their friends actually managed to get in to see the concert with his girlfriend but lost his wallet (credit cards, driver's license, etc) and his cellphone in the process. He even made sure they were in his front pockets.

His problems started when at some point in the concert people started to scale and or tear down the makeshift fence in between the areas and started to throw things at the guards when they tried stop them. It became apparently chaotic. He was more vigilant about a stampede and was paying more attention to the tiny exit gate and logistics rather his own stuff. When the surge reached them...he was a sitting duck.

This reminds me of Manna's concert here in Managua last year that we were not able to attend, where we also bought tickets - you guessed it...VIP. We got confused with our social calendar and said yes to a sit down dinner on concert night. We thought we can still catch it later in the evening, but as dinners go...it was hard to leave, so we missed it. From those who attended, we also heard of people losing their wallets and cellphones and like the Aventura concert, was not well organized.

I have decided to not attend concerts here anymore- at least the outdoor ones - I don't think they're worth the aggravation. As far as logistics and security is concerned....they are stampedes waiting to happen.

Sailing Bruce with the Kjaerbys

Okey bear with me in this one as the primary characters (husband and wife) have the same initials. C (hubby) works with a Danish NGO while C (spouse) is a very talented singer with a thriving singing career (known and popular in her country as far as I understand) back in Peru. Theirs is a really interesting love story...one that can make you go ooohhh and aaahhh (sigh). She left fame behind to be with her husband and support him in his work. A beautiful person and a wonderful cook (I seem to be the only spouse lacking in this department). Both are as I have gleaned, wonderful parents as evidenced by their sweet, well-mannered and well-grounded children.

As for C (hubby), aside from his family and his job, his other great passion is his sail boat called 'Bruce'. Bruce also has a story behind it.

K cleaning Bruce

It probably happened about 15 years ago, when C was in his early 20s, after university or a bit after (like any viking) itched to see the world (T did the same). So, this young Dane backpacked with his good buddy. While in the Caribbean, they traveled in Kayaks when they can. At that very moment, a certain American named Bruce was at the same time sailing from one Caribbean island to another and kept hearing about these 2 crazy Danes kayaking their way through the Caribbean and almost always comes to port even before him and his boat.

With his curiosity piqued, Bruce decided to seek them out. Found them, he did and the rest is history. It was Bruce that introduced sailing to C or C to sailing, whatever, but that's when C realized his passion for sailing. Bruce taught him everything about sailing and for that C is forever grateful to Bruce. Bruce's dream is to cross the Atlantic but many things prevented him from fulfilling his dream. Age and health are just some of them. In honor of his mentor, C named his boat Bruce and crossed the Atlantic with it. At the end, 'Bruce' did manage to cross the Atlantic. Bruce at the moment is terminally ill but have tremendously enjoyed C's story of crossing the Atlantic. I was almost in tears when T told me the story.

On this trip, I was already thrilled to be on the boat and never expected C to let me help sail it, let alone navigate it. C is a good captain if you ask me as he knew exactly how to make us work and gave explicit instructions that even I was able to follow.

T & C preparing Bruce

We went towards the mangroves which was a relief to me as I cannot imagine sailing on the open sea...yet. We always get good wind here in Nicaragua but coming back was, although a struggle, exciting as the wind blew against us. We had to zigzag and just before crashing on the mangroves at 3 - 6 feet depth, needed to change the direction of the sail fast. We must have done it at least 20 times before we could dock. We ran aground once, causing me to fly across the boat (well almost across the length of the boat - okay, a bit of exaggeration for dramatic effect) that made it all the more exciting. Now, not only can I walk around proudly with blistered hands but I also have a chafed thigh and bruised knee to show for it. That's should make it more believable (did I say it was my first time to sail?) - right, like anyone who knows me would really believe it.

I admire C (spouse) most as she was making lunch at that very moment, boiling sauce and all. Experts, that's what they are.

Cand V working the sails on our way out and me taking over from V after awhile.

After that, C & I worked the sail until we docked...the men thought it was funny and although smiling (photo op, after all), we thought it was hard and painful. I can't say I loved it but I had fun and don't mind doing it again.

I really surprised T with the way I worked the sail. In Denmark, when I have to do hard manual labor I always whine about what it's gonna do to my palms. Palms that are like a baby's a*s, I like to say...inviting a fast retort from T about them being more like a gorilla baby's a*s maybe (chuckle), or the first animal that comes to mind. So, it doesn't work.

This morning, I of course woke up with sore biceps. I was ready for that...I knew that's how rarely used muscles feel once they've been put to work.

This may not sound much to some but this goes in my bucket list anyway because I don't know if I'm gonna do it again but if I do, I'd be sure to have gloves with me.

Hmmm, notice how I have been cheating by working on my bucket list backwards?

Marina Puesta del Sol

This weekend we were invited by a Danish-Peruvian couple, K & C to sail - well they sent out an email asking their circle of friends if there's any who wants to go sailing with them or just escape Managua for the weekend. We didn't plan to go because we received the email late afternoon Friday and thought we'd be too exhausted from the Aventura concert to drive 2 1/2 hours to where the boat is. But as our concert plans went awry (that story would follow soon after) the last minute, we decided to go. We're glad we did.

I have heard good things about Marina Puesta del Sol where 'Bruce' is docked but have never been there.

Marina Puesta del Sol is a resort with a full service Marina. For boats, they have a monthly / weekly rate per square foot for full service boat slip rentals that include comprehensive maintenance and security. I don't know anything about boats let alone sailing, so I may not get the terms right but I think the enthusiasts would know what I mean (wink).

The resort itself is beautiful and very 'tranquilo'. Our room had the view of the Marina on the lake that could either take you to the mangroves or the open sea depending which direction you go - all 20 rooms, I found out later, actually have this view. The room we got was the junior suite A or B (no difference really, just not sure which one it was). It was the cheapest at $168 plus sales tax (15%) per night and was just perfect for the 3 of us. It had a big double bed, a sofa bed, fully air conditioned with a big bathroom, big balcony, coffee maker and fridge. The room rates also include breakfast (a la carte). It is best to go if you know someone who has a boat docked at the marina as you will get an additional 20% discount on room price as courtesy to boat owners' guests.

Not bad for its price. Although there are many beautiful places to visit here in Nicaragua, the resorts are generally expensive (I think) for the amenities and services you get out of it. I'll cite some places we've been to in a later post for comparison. I therefore find this place reasonable. On the other side of the resort, about a minute's ride (a service the hotel offers for free) - just crossing the property, really - is a private beach with a clubhouse that serve drinks. One of the more beautiful beaches on the Pacific side of the country we've been to with smooth sand and moderate waves.

It really is a beautiful place. I'm sure the drive could have been shorter if not for the big trucks that uses the same highway which I suspect are either on their way to Corinto, the town where Nicaragua has its biggest harbor port or are going over the border to Honduras. Except for the 10 km or so of dirt road before entering the resort, the highway looked fairly new and very smooth. It was all in all a very pleasant, cozy and fun trip.

Edit: I just realized that I'm not really sure if the room price is before or after tax. Best you visit the link, if interested.