My recent adventures

We just got back from an escape from Saudi. We went to Bahrain for the night (which is just a few hours away, over a causeway). Most people from Saudi go there to watch movies, shop, and, drink (if you happen to do that). It is nice to get away, even though it is a middle-eastern country it is a lot more free. Women can wear what they want, so no Abaya, and it just feels different there. Plus, they have MOVIES!!! We went to see "Terminator," not my choice, especially since I haven't seen even one of them. Big surprise, I slept through the entire movie. But, much to the delight of my companions, I talked in my sleep, several times. At one point I turned to Adam and asked him to, "Please turn the volume down." I was afraid we would wake up our downstairs neighbor. He said I asked him several times, he told me I was talking in my sleep and finally I woke up enough to realize that I was sleeping and went back to my dreams. Then, I turned to my neighbor, a friend, and asked him a question, luckily he didn't hear me. Last night at the hotel I kept trying to tell Adam that we had to go (a recurrent dream lately). He said he has to hold me down and tell me that we are home and that we don't have to leave after all, I don't listen to reason, such as I am dreaming, when I am asleep. Oh, what fun!!!

Well, school is out, so who knows what I am going to do for the rest of the summer. Here on the compound, or "The Fortress" as we like to call it, most of the families go home for the summer. In fact, even those without families leave, you see, it is extremely hot here and is just going to get hotter. Lately it has been about 115-120. I don't think it is that bad, but when I walk outside it feels like a nice sauna!

Our swimming pool has chillers, usually they work, but the other day, when they were working, the pool temp was 90 degrees! The next day the thermometer wasn't in the pool, and it was probably about 10 degrees warmer! Oh well, at least it was cooler than the air. Needless to say I have a nice tan, despite my many efforts to avoid it. I don't think they make sunblock strong enough to ward off the piercing rays. Someone at church told me I had a nice tan, I nicely told him that the "tan" on my face as just all of my freckles, they had multiplied until they became one big freckle!

I have been spending hours a day at the pool, you see, I am teaching swimming lessons to the children on the compound. Granted, there are days when I have to count to ten to stop from strangling them because they are incapable of closing their mouths and as soon as they learn something that is all they want to do, show me how well they can do it. They seem to forget that the reason we have "lessons" is so that they can learn NEW things, not play and show off the things that they have figured out how to do. Plus, every time I turn around, especially when I am trying to explain a new skill, they go under water! UGH!!!! Oh, and another favorite, jumping off the side of the pool or board. No matter how many times I tell them to jump on my hand that is stretched out in front of me or the floating arm band in front of the board, they insist on jumping right on me. On my head, my chest, shoulders, legs, wherever they can aim to do the most damage. Down I go, but, to my credit, they do not go under water. I might drown, but they at least will make it to the side of the pool. I have also decided that I have to split the classes up, I can't have two children in the same class that refuse to learn new things, they egg each other on. When I have a scared child with a fearless child, the scared child quickly realizes that what they are learning is not scary at all (like putting their face in the water). So, the next time I teach lessons, things will be a little different. Our swimming pool doesn't have a shallow end where the children can touch, so, to improvise, I bought swimming noodles and the kids have learned to "pretend" to walk on the bottom of the pool and swim around the pool using these noodles. They saved my life!!! OK, enough about swimming.

It looks like I will be working in the school next year, which should be fun. These past few weeks I was assigned to tutor in the math lab. Yes, me, in the math lab, and, to make it even more ironic, ALGEBRA!!! I had to take home the algebra book and the quizzes so that I could learn how to do it all over again. Thank heavens for Adam, and his patience. He had to teach me what to do. And, I felt just like I did in school, so frustrated that I wanted to throw the book across the room. My problem is that I can't see how this all has a practical application! How does some memorized theory help me to do day to day things! I have survived just fine up to now without it! Every time I couldn't figure something out I would come back to, "BUT WHY!!!"

My first interaction with Saudi women

The other day I was sitting in a little shop having a cookie and some juice. I was on the family side, which is where single women and families go (single men have their own side). A Saudi woman, covered in the traditional garb (Abaya and burka (hair scarf and face shield) came over and asked if she could sit with me. She spoke a litte English and we started to talk. Soon I realized that the other Saudi women, similarily dressed, across the aisle were with her. We all started talking. They wanted to know how I liked living here, why I was here and how long I had been here. They wanted to know what I knew about Islam and if I had a religion. I told them that I have been studying a little about Islam and that I am a Christian. They wondered if I was interested in converting, I politely told them no and then we started talking about how we both believe in God and in being virtous. We talked about the United States and life here in Saudi. They were very curious about me and about how I like it here. The told me that if I needed anything at all to contact them, we exchanged emails. They were so nice, one even took off her face scarf while we were talking.

This is the first time a Saudi women has said anything to me, it was very refreshing. They were so nice to me, I was afraid they were going to be upset because I didn't have my hair covered, but they just wanted to get to know me. They were just as fascinated with me as I was with them. I hope we can get to know each other a little better. It was perfect timing, just when I was complaining about how much some things here bother me (like the fact that the women have no rights) I am introduced to a bunch of wonderful women who seem very happy.

Maybe Saudi isn't so bad after all, granted, I still have to walk it I want to go anywhere because I can't drive, I can't go very far on my own, I can't work, and I am supposed to cover when I am in public (which I don't always do and haven't had any problems). I am getting used to it here, I don't think I could live my whole life here, but I will make our time here as happy as I can. :)

The slacker catching up

I have been volunteering at the local international school. Right now I am watching the high school classes so that I can learn some teaching/classroom management skills. I might start teaching spanish in the fall (a very daunting task if you ask me). I enjoy going to the school, makes Saudi seem more normal. The people there are very nice and I have made several good friends.



I made a really good friend here on the compound, Melanie. She has been here a number of years and works as an aide at the school. Or, I should say, lived here and worked. Unfortunately, she moved back to Scotland, gotta love our company!!!!!!##$$%$%#$# We became friends quickly, we had a lot in common and I think being here in such circumstances really helps to build friendships. So, she is back in Scotland now, yes, I shed a few tears, it was quite depressing. But, I am making other friends and things are good.



I am going to start swimming lessons in a week, I am excited and nervous. I haven't taught swimming lessons since I was in college, but I still remember what to do! I have been able to start swimming as well, my shoulder still bothers me and I don't know if I will be able to swim breast stroke as well or ever swim butterfly again, but I am trying to strenghten the muscles so that I can. One day at a time.



We have a little country-club type place that is about 20 minutes away, by foot. It has a private beach, where I can wear my bikini, at other beaches the women have to wear their Abayas. It is really nice, peaceful. They also have some places to eat and a nice gym. I think we are going to join, we only pay a small amount and the company pays the rest, it is much cheaper than a gym membership, that is for sure! Plus, it gives me something productive to do!!!!



I finally went on one of the long shopping trips to Dammam (the big city about an hour away) and I discovered paradise! They have a store called Tamimi, which is Safeway, and the sell American food! Yeah, I can buy shredded cheese, green chiles, tide free (liquid!) and many other things I can't get down here. So, I have decided that my major shopping will just have to happen once a month when the bus takes us up there. I was also able to find a cheap mixer (not a Kitchenaid, I am still trying to figure out how to get one), but this one will do. I have been making a lot of bread, rolls, etc, so I really need a good mixer. I am kicking myself for selling my KitchenAide. Now I have to see if I can buy a used one over there and bring it as a carry on when I come back from my visit in July. So, if you see a used one, grab it for me, I will pay you back!!! :)

Well, that is about it. I promise I will try and keep things more up to date so the entries aren't so long!!!

Elder Holland's visit

I don't know why I have had such a problem posting this about Elder Holland's visit, I am not going to go into too much detail because it was just such a spiritual experience that I can't really explain it all. Maybe one day you can read my journal :)

Elder Holland came to visit our Stake here in Saudi. Because our Stake covers pretty much the entire Persian Gult he made several stops and held small Stake Conferences in each area. Therefore, we were blessed to have him speak to us at the town about one hour away, there were about 120 of us in attendance. I can't really convey in words the sanctity of this experience, and don't really want to, it was very moving. He did give our area an Apostolic blessing, which was one of the most spiritual moments of my life. He told us to remember, that even here in the middle of the Middle East, we are not alone. That the Church leadership is aware of us, our trials, our successes and most importantly our needs. It had been about 25 years since an Apostle had been in Saudi Arabia so it was a unique blessing to be here for the historic occasion and to meet him and his wife personally.

Accomplishments in the kithen in Saudi

Ok, cooking in Saudi, as in any new country, is a challenge, but I am gradually finding my way. I made some chocolate chip cookies (with a substitute for vanilla extract because it as alcohol in it and they don't sell anything with alcohol in it here). I learned how to make an Arabic Bread called Zahtar Bread, it it a sweet dough with some spices with sesame seed and olive oil spread on top. Today I made flour tortillas, from scratch, they are really really easy! Next I am going to see how well a cake turns out, banana nut bread, peanut-butter cookies and creme caramel. It is hard to find the same spices here, so I have had to make a lot of substitutions. The flour here is a little more coarse, so I am still looking for some cake flour and super fine sugar. I know that they make baked items rise and taste better. I am also going to make a Lebanese sweet called Baklaui (or something like that). It is like Baklava, but with Orange Blossom Water, I have made it before but it is easier to get the ingredients here. Heck, have to find something to do with my time. Oh, and, I am going to make Cinnamon rolls for Adam (not me, can't stand Cinnamon!). If anyone has some fun cookie suggestions let me know!

Doctor Doctor

Medical care in Saudi Arabia is interesting. You have to understand the culture to understand that it reaches everywhere, including the hospitals, even the pharmacies. Men and women do not intermingle, period. Men obviously accompany their wife, but they do not sit among a group of women. I have mentioned briefly this segregation. In the airport I was moved out of the line full of men and placed in a line for women and families. In restaraunts their are sections for men that are alone, so they can't be with the women and families. I am not sure yet why this is the case, but that is the way it is, period. And, this extends to the hospital.

In the hospital there is a seperate waiting room for the women, it is curtained off. All the nurses are women. When I walked into the waiting room I was surrounded by women, I assume they were all are Saudi, they were shrouded in black, head to toe, most of them had their eyes covered as well, and most of them had on gloves. I waited in the room until a nurse took me to the Doctor's office, where he met with me, but the rules say that a female attendant had to be present for even a consultation. This isn't a big deal, I have had doctors do this before. Then, I went to fill my prescription, I walked into a very small, curtained off room, women only, and the room was literally packed with black robed women. It is almost intimidating. I am so used to being able to read people by seeing their eyes, and I can't see their eyes, it throws me off. I wonder how they get to know each other? I am not mocking anything, just curious.

I really would like to learn more about the basis for this protectionism. Women really are protected here, separated from the men so that nothing bad could happen. I wonder if it works, on a criminal basis. I wonder if their are fewer sexual attacks and crimes because of the cultural protections that have been in place for so long. It would be interesting to see if there are any studies on this issue. Google, I'm going to have to find out!

Church

We went to church again, my second sabbath now. Once again, the spirit was so strong. I am amazed at how much the people here sacrifice to follow their beliefs and at the strength of their convictions. It is very humbling, and almost ashamed. If they knew how easy it is at home, at least in some places, to worship, to go to the temple, to do the things we take for granted at home. Here, we are so far away, yet, we feel so close. I can't really put it into words, which is a rare feeling for me.

I felt like the lesson in Relief Societ was meant for me, there were only four of us, and all of us are going through the same situation, so I am sure it was meant for all of us, but it is exactly what I needed to hear. We talked about a Conference talk, about living the simple life. I can now see what Thoreau meant when he went to the woods to live life more simply. Life here in Saudi is like that, simple. I know that I am here to learn something, not quite sure what yet, but I know I am supposed to learn at least one thing, how to be strong by living life simply, focusing on the things that really matter in life. Looking back I can see my path, how my life has become less and less simple, and I appreciate Adam more and more for the sacrifice he is making for our family, I just wish I could do more.

But, back to church, I really look forward to Friday's here (that is when we have church). I get to spend the whole day with Adam, and I get to go to church. It really does help prepare me for the week, even though my weeks now are so different than they used to be I am sure I will adjust. So, my new mantra, "Simplify your life." Try it.

Saudi, how do you see it

When you close your eyes and imagine Saudi Arabia, what do you see? A derest, sand dunes like in the movies, with an oasis here and there, maybe a palm tree or two? Throw in some camels, people in different clothing and you have what I thought I was coming to.

Now, let me tell you what I see outside my window. No sand dunes with sand rippling across the top like the waves on the ocean. The sun isn't blaring hot, at least not yet, and there are more than "a few" trees around the area, and most of them aren't palm trees. I see fields, not filled with green grass but with white sand. Trees, not tall oaks but not scrub oak either, are scattered throughout the landscape. They don't provide shade for the streets, but they do provide shelter and green. The green isn't the bright green of the South or the deep green of the Pacific North-West in the States, it is a more dulled green, alsmost tinged with a touch of tan. Some look like the Russian Olive tree in my parents back yard, but I am not positive.

The houses in the normal streets, not the suburbs where the rich people live, but where normal every day people live, look like the buildings in every third world country I have ever been in. White cement buildings surrounded by tall cement walls of a similar color. The only glimpse inside is through the metal gate, if you are lucky, if not there is a metal door. These houses look exactly like the houses in the Capital of Guatemala, but only rich people lived in houses like that in Guatemala. I look on the news and the houses and buildings here look just like the houses and buildings shown from around the region, and just like those in Guatemala. It must be the cement, box-like, structure.

Those fields I described earlier, are often scattered with young men, playing a version of cricket. Or, maybe sitting on a make-shift bench, all lined up, in their robes, chatting, passing the slow day. There are trails that criss-cross the landscape, men are seen walking together, meandering towards their un-seen destination, a strange contrast to the face-paced highway, they seem complete oblivious to it, to that "lifestyle." I don't see women walking on any of the paths or in any of the fields. I see them in the stores, covered in their black abayas and burkas. I see their children, in similar clothing and always with the most beautiful eyes, deep black, ringed with long, beautiful lashes. A million words can be conveyed with those eyes, all children are the same, and they laugh when I cross my eyes or make a funny face. To them, I am the stranger, the one that doesn't fit in. I can only wonder what they must be thinking, I try to remember what I thought when I was their age, how I reacted to people from another culture. I see no fear, I hope I was the same.

In this world, life moves differently, I can't quite explain it. Everywhere I look I see a different nationality, Saudi's, Pakistani's, Indian's, Filipino's, etc. The area is a draw to people from all over the world, most are men, here alone, working to send money to their families at home. They all work so hard, day in and day out, all trying to escape this economic fiasco that has descended upon our world. The downturn is felt here, and rumors of it are heard and fears of lay-offs are just as real here as they are at home. The few men that Adam and I have met slave away, and I wonder how their lives would change if they were sent home, hat in hand, to a country even more impoverished, no money, no work. So, even here, the failing economy reaches out and clenches us in it's grasp.

Women work here, but usually only in hospitals and schools. Every woman that I have seen working here is from a different country, I don't think I have seen one woman from Saudi working. I don't know if they have to, I'm honestly not sure. That is one thing that I wish I could change, but I don't think will, I would like to meet more Saudi women. I have met women from all over the world, most of them Muslim, but none of them from Saudi. I would like to talk to them about the culture, about life here where we live. If not, it is all just a point of view, like mine, an outsiders point of view.

So, what I see here, yes, I do see a few camels and people in different clothing. But, I don't see the deseret that I saw in Aladdin and in all those movies and TV shows. There is a lot of sand, but it isn't so different than the grass at home, just a different color. It isn't hot, but I have been told that the heat is coming, and when it does it won't be like anything I have ever experienced. Yes, it is different, but still, you would be surprised how much the same.

An Homage to Dates

I love dates
Not the thing you find on calendars
For here in Saudi I find that they are irrelevant
At least for me
No, I am talking about the fruit
They are fabulous
Soaked in honey
With a nut nestled in the middle
A cashew
Almond
Yummy, heaven on earth
Protein
Fruit
Natural sugar
Healthy
My tongue delights in the new found delicacy
Chewy and crunhcy
Not to sweet
Yet perfectly satisfying
All natural
No preservatives
Just nature at it's best

Oh to share this delicacy with all the world
To convert all to this natural wonder
The new export would not be oil with all it's polluting death
But this life giving wonder
The date
The nut
The nectar

Just as God intended

Me, the runway model!

Just another picture of me and my wondefully fashionable abaya!

Pictures of our new home

These are just some photos of our building and our compound, and yes, our front door :)

Abaya Fashion

My new wardrobe!
Isn't it lovely! And so figure flattering! I have a few other photos that I need to get posted, I need to figure out how to do a slide show on blogger, I took a bunch of photos of the compound and a picture of me standing normally in my abaya. We are about to go to church, my first "Friday" in Saudi, Friday is their Sabbath. So, this is a short one.

Shopping, not just a hobby in Saudi

So, today I decided to meet some of the women on the compound by going on one of their "shopping tours." Here they have buses that take the women to various shopping areas. Being that women can't drive the compound provides transportation so that the women can obtain the various household necessities. For example, our sink backed up last night (I will tell the tale later) and we needed a plunger and drano. Thus, I boarded the little bus with all the black garbed women and off we went. They were all excited to meet the new member. They are very nice women of a myriad of cultures. I was the only american there but all of them spoke rather fluent english. Most of them had darker hair and skin, one lady was from India and had beautiful black eyes and hair, but her son had the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen. He was about 2 years old. Most of the women had children, but they were in school. They were all so kind to me and were curious about how I was adjusting and eager to help me in any way they could. In fact, our first stop was kind of a mix of a hardware store and a general store, the bus driver said we would be there 30 minutes so I set my alarm to be 10 minutes early. I walked outside and the bus was gone, but two of the ladies who were sitting next to me on the bus realized that I wasn't on the bus and waited for me to walk with me to the mall which was next door, otherwise I would have been completely lost and would have had to call Adam for help. That is how nice they are, they really look out for each other.

We chatted on the bus, about our pasts, our husbands, life here in Saudi. Like me, they all seem to enjoy it. The thing I like the most is that life here is very peaceful, there is no noise, I can hear myself think. I feel calm, I can hear the breeze in the trees. When I walk around the compound I can think about the things in life that are important, things that I haven't had time to think about with all the hustle and bustle of life in the states, like how much I love my husband and how lucky I am to have him. How much I love my family and how blessed I am to have had 36 years with them before I got married, That is so unusual, I am so surrounded, even here, so far away, by so many people who love me. It doesn't matter that they are on the other side of the world, love knows no boundaries. But all in all, like I said, I love the peace.

Hopefully our shipment will clear customs in a few weeks, I would like to read the Bible for the first time since high school (which didn't really count because I only did it as a competition to beat somebody in seminary, oh, gotta love my competitive streak). I think it will mean even more now that I live in the land where it occurred. I am going to find some books and study Islam and the other religions and the history of the region. I want to learn why this area has become the way it is. I don't understand the hate, I am such a pacifist that it bewilders me how one can hate so much. So, I am going to do some studying

Hopefully some legal contracts will start coming in, I am still pounding the pavement looking for work. One good thing about jet lag is that I wake up around 1 or 3 am and can't sleep because I am still on Utah time. But that is perfect, because Utah is up and I can call them! HA HA! I got some things that our bank screwed up fixed this morning and when Adam woke up he was quite surprised, pleasantly so. He heard me leave the bed but thought I had come back, I did, but not until 5am, the first prayer call. Then we had breakfast together.

One thing I really like is that he works close enough that we can have lunch together. He buys lunch at the cafeteria, enough for both of us, and it is great food and very cheap. He buys enough so we can heat it up for dinner. We don't like eating a heavy dinner. It is nice to be able to see him at lunch. Hopefully my shoulder will heal soon so that we can try some racquetball or tennis. I need to do some research and see when I can play tennis. I don't think racquetball will be feasible anytime soon because I like to roll into the wall when the ball is close to the wall on the right side, plus, I am right handed and you have to swing pretty hard. I don't want to take the chance of doing permanent injury. The pool heater is working yet so I have to wait to start physical therapy in the pool. I have started regular physical therapy to get my motion back, once I got over the pain from picking up heavy objects while traveling I was able to move my arm again. Now it feels much better, thank heavens.

OK, back to Saudi, I hope I haven't lost you. I am not trying to make fun of the women here, maybe they are in great financial situations, but we are trying to save for a down payment for a house in Australia. It seems that all the do is shop. I actually asked on of the ladies on the bus what they do to pass the time, and she flat out said, we go shopping. I laughed. On the ladies calendar it states that they play mahjong every week, I asked if I needed my own set, they said no, that they hope they have enough women and they haven't played in a while. I hope we play tomorrow. Their book club sounds interesting. And, they all had on beautiful Abaya's. I need 2, and Adam said we can get me another, I want one that has some decorations on it, that is permitted. I think it is funny, I get excited about seeing a beautiful Abaya! LOL, oh, how things change.

But, I am happy. It is nice to take a break from work, although I expect to start doing some contract legal research and writing soon, but that isn't the same. I just feel like there has been a weight lifted, and it feels good.

Adam and I are doing wonderfully. We are both very happy together and I think our stay here will be good and he will be much happier now that I am here. That is my goal, to make him happy. I know his job is hard and frustrating, but I am going to try and make it as pleasant here at home so that he can relax and enjoy life here and see that life in Saudi is nice.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you my funny Gunda story. We don't have garbage disposals here, which I didn't find out until the second day. Well, needless to say the sink backed up last night. I got several, "bloody hell Gunda's" and thus, I went to find the remedy, I hope it works. Lol, only me.

I know, this is a long one, but I am trying to stay awake, I want to break the time change cycle. It will take a week or so according to Adam. Church here is on Friday, hopefully by then I will be better so I don't fall asleep in the meetings!

Accomplishments of today

OK, I know this is going to get mundane, but life here is pretty simple and there isn't much else to report on, I imagine the little things are going to become more important! LOL

I am still not feeling hot and woke up at three am and read a book. This morning I planned on walking down to that little mall to browse through that book store, instead I accidentally fell asleep, even slept through my alarm, until it broke through my dreams and that annoying song that kept playing woke me up. By then it was too late for me to go, the morning prayer would start soon and Adam comes home for lunch at noon, so I just went back to sleep (besides, I was still really tired).

After lunch I walked down to the store and to my dismay the bookstore is closed until after four due to the afternoon prayers. If any of you are interested, the following is a link to the January prayer schedule http://www.guidedways.com/prayertimes/prayertimings-country-saudi_arabia-city-Dammam-state-Ash+Sharqiyah-latitude-26.44-longitude-50.1.htm. I have it book marked and as soon as our printer gets here I plan on putting it on the wall. I need to buy a calendar so I can keep track of what day of the week it is. I am losing track of time. I actually have to look at the clock to figure out the date and day of the week, and I have only been here a few days! So, back to the trip to the mall, I went to the grocery store to get some things for dinner, found a few more things that I need around the house.

And then, get this, my mom will love this, I MOPPED THE FLOORS, not with a swiffer or a fancy system, but with the type of mop I haven't used since I worked at McDonald's in High School! LOL! And the dust bunnies when I swept, unbelievable! I hope it is just because Adam forgot to sweep under the furniture. I can't wait for the shipment to get here so I can decorate a little and then figure out what I can do to make this place feel like home. Our address is:

Adam Mattys
Construction Department
SABCO
PO Box 10011
Jubail
31961
Saudi Arabia

So yes, today, I cleaned house, took a little walk about, and feel myself rail a little at being a little too domestic! I WANT MY OLD JOB where I made the money and someone else cleaned for me, lol! Is this what being a mom is like? What would I do with kids thrown in the mix? Then I would have to clean up after others as well and take care of them? How do you fit all that in, especially when you are sick? I feel yucky just walking around? Yes, I am a whiner, but in my defense, that sinus infection that I didn't get treated in the states because I thought it went away, well, it didn't, so tomorrow morning I am walking to the clinic and getting those antibiotics. 4 weeks is took long for green snot, there, how is that for a gross ending! And you thought I was boring, not quite macabre, but still gross! Catch ya on the other side of the world, literally. Hope you are all sleeping well.

Oh, by the bye, this is where we live, you can kind of see it on google map, http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=27.1013,49.5722&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Yesterday, all my troubles were so far away, now I know that they are here to stay, oh I believe, in yesterday

Just kidding, I have always wanted to use that line though, one of my favorite songs.

Yesterday we made a trip to the clinic for my first doctor visit. You see, even though they ran fifty billion tests before I left, they had to run some of the same tests over. So, I was retested for malaria and a few other things. Just when I don't feel well they poke me with a big needle. I have the flu, or maybe just jet lag. Whatever it is I don't feel well, everything hurts. The doc gave me some flu medicine for the body aches and sore throat, vitamin C, all free. She is a real Dr, I think she is from India and she is really nice. I go back next week for my test results and that is when I take her my huge medical file and also start the process of getting all my meds refilled, can't wait tell they see those! LOL!

I also walked to the rec center here on the compound yesterday, I met a man named Ross who is in charge of security here on the compound, his wife volunteers at the school and he said she might have some info on some openings, volunteer or pay, whichever. While we were there some the the compound's "women's club" came by. I have been warned that they might be a little overwhelming, but I am going to give them a chance. They have a book club, coffee club (LOL) and play mahjong (ha, can't wait to beat them, lol).

There are also buses that take groups of women to the different malls, to different grocercy stores, IKEA (yes, they have that here), and shopping districts. Seem like the women do a lot of shopping here. Not really my thing, especially since we are trying to save money. Things I could use, real spices, narcotic pain killers for my shoulder, yes, it is acting up real bad and I don't think they have that kind of medicine here and tylenol doesn't cut it and that is all I can take with my stomach, um, someone to paint my walls, Adam doesn't think we should spend the money on the paint, I think we should, I think I will check on the cost of paint, white is too boring! And, the curtains are straight from the 70's, those kind that have cords on the side and pleats at the top, off white. do you dry clean those??? I think a good cleaning would help. I want to spruce up the place a little. I want to wait for the shipment to get here to see what we need. Too bad we had to take out our curtains, but they wouldn't fit on these rods.

And, jet lag, gotta love waking up at 3 am and falling asleep at 3pm! I can't help it! LOL! I have to sleep because I don't feel well and my body is telling me to get some rest, but I can't just lay in bed and do nothing at 3am either! If Katherine is reading this, yes, "New Moon" is driving me crazy, the next book better be better!

Today I plan on venturing out to the mall down the street again and taking a closer look at the grocery store for spices and substitutes. And, I am going to the book store. I have been told they have a good selection of english books there.

I need to take a good picture of me in my garb and post it on this blog, hopefully someone is following it!

Day two

Oh, the woes of travelling to a new country. Either it is the jet lag, the lack of sleep before the move from nerves, the lack of sleep now, or the new environment, but I now of the flu, or what feels like a nasty case of it. Yuck-o. But, I did unpack my bags today, feels much better, did the laundry and organized things a little. Our shipment should come in few days and I want to be prepared so we can actually move in. Anyone who knows me knows that I never really moved into my last place because I knew I was moving out in 6 months, and that just made things unbearable and disorganized. But, that is neither here nor there.

Today I ventured outside the compound, yes, I know some might be upset, but I went out on my own. Dressed in my black abaya. I walked down the street, not even half a mile, to the mini-mall that has some shops, a book store and a grocery store. I can see it from our balcony, but I made sure to write every street name and landmark on the way there just to make sure I knew how to get back. I can't drive here so I took off on foot. Sure cuts down on the amount of groceries I buy! I mainly needed cold medicine and orange juice. It was a very safe, uneventful trip. The grocery store was much more enjoyable because it was empty, shopping in the daytime is the way to go. When the shipment comes I am going to use my work rolling briefcase to carry groceries!

One funny thing, I was walking on the sidewalk and on several occasions men honked at me. At first I thought it was a taxi cab, then I realized, no, not a taxi, just some pakistani or indian honking at the westerner with "blond" hair.

Tonight Adam still had the rental car so we went into Jubail and got my Abaya fitted and picked up two head scarfs. I will feel more comfortable having a scarf. I won't cover my face, but when I am walking outside I would rather cover my hair so I don't call attention to myself.

I was hoping to see some women on the compound but didn't see any. I only saw the men that work on the compound. It seems like a ghost town. I didn't go over to the rec center or the gym, I will go there tomorrow, maybe I will find some sign of life.

Gunda

First full day in Saudi

It's here and I am finally here! So far, not in the book of Bin Ladens! But, today at the mall I slapped him on the butt without thinking about it and immediately looked around to see if we had been caught. Then, just as we were about to kiss in line at the grocery store I realized where we were and pulled back, saying, "oh yeah, 'I' could get arrested for that here!" It is so interesting to see all the women covered in black, most with only their eyes showing, some with even those covered. Adam said that everyone was staring at me in the grocery store because of my "blond" hair. I didn't even notice, I don't ever notice when people are looking at me, they usually don't so I don't pay attention.
The airport was interesting. I was standing in the customs line with a ton of single men (there were only men there) and a customs man came over and told me to go over to the much shorter family line :). Over here they don't let single men associate with married, or even single, women. Then, while I was over there they opened another line, total chaos ensued, everyone started yelling and rushing, for maybe the first time in my life I actually felt instinctual fear. It was a feeling I have never felt before, an anxious feeling in my gut, I actually was in fear of my safety. I stood behind an Australian man with his wife that I had met before I boarded the plane. Thankfully I was able to move to the front of another line and was out of the room quickly. I don't think I have ever been with that many disorganized, chaotic men in such a small confined space in my life before. I am sure I was safe, it just felt strange.
Things here are very different. In the restaraunts the families sit and order in a different section than the single men, in fact, their are two different sides of the building all together.The men, unless they want to, wear whatever they want, but the women wear the black abaya. Western women don't have to cover their hair or faces. You can't see the stars here because of all the pollution. The sky is lit with a strange orange glow from the oil fields. It must be 5 am now, the first call to prayer just started. "Call to prayer" is through a loud speaker on the compound, in the buildings and I assume outside. When we were in the mall today they closed all the stores and stopped selling things during prayer. It seemed like they last about a half an hour. Men pronounce the prayers, in arabic, I wish I could understand, I am not sure how many times yet.