5 Good Days In A Row

Wow!!  I can hardly believe it...I have had at least 5 good days in a row.   I went to a birthday party a few days back...that was good.  Oh Yea...then last week we purchased a dining room table...and it was actually delivered on the day and time they said if would be.  That was definitely an "OHMIGOD I can't believe it" moment.  And, BTW, I LOVE IT!!   We found someone to frame our artwork...who has a shop in Khobar...but also works out of a house in Dhahran.  We got 6 pieces framed, 2 with custom frame work, and we actually got that done in 3 days!!  For 1000 Riyals!!  And, he drove up to Ras Tanura.  So...you can see (from what you're reading LOL) that my house is coming together.  Sometimes it feels like time passes soooooo slow here...but I know it's passing because my backyard is landscaped, and the plants are growing.  Just 3 months ago...it was sand with seashells.  

Even though I'm starting to live more...I'm still counting down to vacations and OOK time.  OOK is the acronym used down here for "Out Of Kingdom".   My mom has shipped me a care package... Yea!!!!!!!!!  So I'm counting down to that...should have it in 1 week.  Can't wait to get it, I have stuff from Crate and Barrel, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom's, and Raw Vegan Source.  Then on August 1st...we're outtie.  Going to Seattle for 12 days, then driving down to San Diego for 10 days.   I'm making a few friends...but they're mostly all in Dhahran.  I so wish I could move back.  I like to use the 80/20 rule (which can be used for many things) when it comes to people.  When I meet them...I will not have anything in common with 80% of them.   Why is that?  I found that most people are "status quo" and I like people who are "different", non-judgemental, and who thrive on being "out of the box".  And, Gawd, I HATE people who always want to tell other people what they need to do, should do, or what they shouldn't do.  So...that means...I'm only going to like 2 out of every 10 people I meet.   Please know...I do recognize it goes both ways...so that means that 8 out of 10 people will not like me.  With those odds...I think I may have a hard time finding someone who I completely vibe with on this small camp.  But...time will tell.  Hell...I didn't know I could/would actually have 5 good days in a row.

Peace... and Later...

Michael Jackson - Rest In Peace

Today we have lost an icon.  My condolences go out to his children, his family, his fans.  He will be greatly missed.  There isn't one person on earth who doesn't know at least Michael Jackson song.  May He Now Rest In Peace.

2 Dang Hot

It's over 100 degrees Fahrenheit every single day.  And, it's just getting started.  So... Let me just say:  IT IS TOO DANG HOT to be wearing an abaya.

Enough Said!!

Taking One Box At a Time!!

Finally...I've started to unpack my boxes.  And, the more I unpack...the more I want to unpack.  I started in my kitchen, because (1) we're real foodies (healthy food) and (2) I like to have all my gadgets, various mixing bowls, special knives, etc.   It is always cool to find for example my perfect 2 cup glass measuring cup, that has ways to measure ingredients using 6 different methods.  In the states...it also doubles as a Martini shaker...gotta love that. =)

Well...last night I unpacked a random box...and it had nik naks, framed family photos, and vacation art that I need to have framed (this is perfect timing since I just found someplace on camp to get my pictures framed).  These personal items are what really start to turn a stone cold, gotta have the air conditioning on building, into a home.  It's inspiring me to look at ways of decorating the place.  Because the deal is...the layout of our house is nice, the rooms are big and roomy, especially for just the 2 of us.

Now...I've just received an email where a group of people are donating clothes to women and children in Africa.  OK...so for those who don't know me...I'm a clothes horse. I know I have some stuff I can give away and not miss.  So what does that do?  If gives me motivation to unpack the 6+ boxes of clothes and related apparel items.

What I surmise from all of this is that the energy wants me to unpack (does that mean it wants me to start considering this place home?).  So, I'm taking it...one box at a time.

House Help....Finally

Today we hired what the Saudi's call a "houseboy"...I prefer to call him my house helper.  Houseboy is so degrading.  Reminds of back in the old south how whites would degrade black men by calling them "boy".  The man could be 70 years old...worthy of respect...but they would still call him "boy".  

So...Anyway...he started working today.  I'm going to have him come by once a week, for a few hours.  So...for all my friends in the States...  I do not have a maid.  I will be cleaning my own house, most of the time.  He will only doing the major stuff; washing windows, floors, etc.

I'm a little uncomfortable with him cleaning while I'm online (he's vacuuming as I type)...but I need some motivation to finally move into this house and not treat it as a crash pad (but I think I'm gonna get used to it real quick).  I've been told that I haven't started to consider SA home (I doubt I ever will) and that's the reason I haven't unpacked 80% of my boxes.  I haven't been giving "a rat's azz" about anything here...but that can be depressing, and it's probably contributing to my doldrums.  So...with him helping me get my kitchen prepped (lining cabinets, etc.) I will finally finish unpacking those boxes...then I can have him help me put that stuff up (or clean it, before I put it up)...and it starts there.  Already my living room is looking better, the sand (this gets in/on everything) is off my windows and window sills, and I'm feeling good about this move to hire this guy...I was actually going to call him and tell him not to come by today.  Thank Goodness I didn't.  =)

Decided 2 Unblock

So...I've decided to unlock my blog.  Why?  Because I just don't care anymore.  If people don't like what I write...they can NOT come by.  I will ignore the trolls, and just do "my thang".  

I haven't written in a while because I haven't been in Saudi Arabia.  As some of you know... I left SA for 2 months from Mid Fed - Mid April.  Well I was back for 3 weeks then left left on a family vacation for most of the past 3 weeks.  Hubby, my mom, her friend, and myself.  18 days (i'm counting travel days), 5 countries!!  Spent 4 days in London; went on an 11 night Mediterranean Cruise; then 2 days in Barcelona.  Had a blast...you can check out my review of the cruise here:  

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=55261  

I've visited so my cities on this trip, and with all my travels...I have decided that it's almost a must that I start a Travel Blog.  During this trip...I took over 1000 pictures and 400 video clips.  And, I'd like to share these; but not on this blog.  So...a new blog it is.  I don't know what I'm going to call it yet.  I like the moniker "Black Chick"...but I haven't come up with anything clever to follow this.  I've temporarily selected, Black Chick on Tour.  But, I would be stealing this idea from a friends blog...so I'm kinda not feeling it...but it does sound cute.  So...if anyone has any real suggestions, holla' at me.

Wow...it kinda feels good to be back writing again.  I think I've had/have a case of the doldrums.  I'm working it out...