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. =)
13 comments:
Hey I am going to call mine House Helper now too. I agree now that you have pointed it out. It does sound terrible. That is the first thing you should do to start making your house feel like home. Then get Bec to come up and help you design your space tee hee!
Great Idea!!! I forgot she is an interior designer... Thanks!!
What? An interior designer? We want one...
Good move, Black Chick. You will feel a lot better when your house looks like home.
I get to read Black Chick in Saudi now! Yippie! lol
anthrogeek10
Hello Anthro...what amazed me from almost the beginning was that anyone other than my friends and family were reading this mess at all. LOL
People such as myself love to get Western perceptions of the Gulf region. All in the name of research my dear. ;)
anthrogeek10
I agree with Anthrogeek - I like getting Western perspectives because I can relate more. Congrats on getting house help, I would agree it'll definitely help make the place feel more like home..:)
Cool...well..you're all welcome to stop by anytime. Please note: "my perspective" on living in SA is heavily self censured. I don't write about 80% of what it's really like living here.
I would really love the real perspective through email if you can....or feel comfortable.
anthrogeek10
Yea....Nooo. As long as I live here...I will continue to censor myself. Down here...you can have a job one minute and on a plane the next. Which as you know would have a negative affect our livelihood. Sorry. Maybe once I leave (and we're kinda thinking about 2 more years) if you like...you can interview me about my experience.
Works for me chica. :) Yes...I totally understand. :)
I can understand the censorship - I have been following Susie of Arabia's blog, which was blocked for a short while because of a post or two that tripped up the KSA censors. Thank you so much for sharing some of your experiences, Terri!
Hi beautiful black chick,
I'm happy to see other people coming from different culture and ethnic to experience living in my country so you are so welcome.
I'm agree with you that some of Saudies treat
House Helper badly but some families consider House Helpers as one respectful member.
wish you all the best there
Ayman
Australia
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