Do They Lose Their Freaking Minds?

Okay. So, I've discussed this with a friend. But, I'm gonna throw it out there. There are a lot of people here, who don't have the sense or courtesy that God gave to an ant. And, we all know ants have no courtesy. They get all up in your stuff.

I've grew up in fabulous Sunny San Diego, and before coming to Saudi, spent the last 10 years in equally fabulous Seattle. People are friendly and there is a certain level of common courtesy. You will find that certain level on common courtesy pretty much throughout the United States. However since I've moved here, I've run into some of the rudest MF's ever. A friend of mine who has been here for several years tells me that, most of those types fall into 2 groups. Group #1 - the trailer trash who now have a little "bit o money", so now they think they're better than others. Group #2 - the one's who have been here so long they have lost all social skills.

Let me state...that not everyone is like this. There are a lot of good decent people here. But, in every group...the assholes will always stand out. It's like the funda"mentals" Why is that? IDK

For example...there's this biotch...who from the 1st time I met her she was a biotch to me...and every time I see her...she has some shitty comment. I think she falls into Group #2. Then add a touch of control freak, then you got a biotch on wheels. Then there's the woman who when introduced to me as an American, she clarified by stating, "southern American", with extra southern twang. Like, WTF? I was so close to telling this cow...thanks for the warning because I didn't notice her Klan hat. But...I let it go.

So...when you come here...you have to wade through the BS and the BS people. Then, with patience, persistence in putting yourself out there, and not being afraid to just hang with yourself (I LOVE myself) until you meet people with whom you vibe; the day will come when you meet someone who actually has a personality, that doesn't revolve around talking about other people or trying to control them...they're just good, cool people to hang with. Then you will see it start to turn around. If you're lucky that will happen right away.

It took me about 4 months. It may not have taken so long if I hadn't went back to the states for 2 months during that period. Now...I have friends, we vibe, we hang, and it's all good. And, trust me...your friends are what help you make it through while living here.

I'm Famous

I was at another Masalama party last weekend. (If you don't know what this is, go here: http://blackchickinsaudi.blogspot.com/2010/01/masalama.html). While in the kitchen chatting someone up, I saw 3 young ladies leaving, and as I looked at them, one said, "You're Black Chick in Saudi". Tentatively, I was like, yeesssss. And, they were like;

"ohmigod! I love your blog. I've been reading it, and it really helped me when I was thinking of moving here".

This isn't verbatim, but as I remember it, since it's been about a week since this exchange. But, I was like; wow. These 3 young ladies had been reading me blog, they were 2 months in, and was thankful to me for putting it out there and being truthful about my feelings and experiences. One of them said, what they liked about my blog was that I was "real and truthful". It made me smile, since all I ever wanted to do it put out my experiences as they are. Versus white washing (which Americans love to do) my experience to appease others.

It always feels good for people to give you validation for what you're putting out there. And, if it helps people, that's even cooler.

I think the reason people who are considering moving here have found my blog helpful is because if you read from the beginning, you will see the transition to me settling in. Everyone goes through culture shock, and this culture is shocking, LOL, so it's even harder to transition through.

I got their names, but of course, I don't remember them now. Ladies, where ever you are, THANKS!!! You made my evening!!

Still Among the Living :-)

Today while reading my lecture on New Media and Photography for my Travel Writing course I realized that I had not posted to this blog in about 3 weeks. Well, actually, I realized it about a week ago...but nothing new is going on.

Still doing the following: (1) 5th week into my 11 week Travel Writing course; (2) I'm still working out my Photography course, I'm on Lesson 7 out of 12 Lessons; (3) Still trying to lose the weight gained during my last "ReFat" (I stole this from a chick I met in the gym, she calls the RePat, ReFat); (4) hanging out with friends in Dhahran weekly. This one activity helps tremendously with the level of boredom I feel living in Ras Tanura.

Anything new? Oh Yea...I'm going to start a new writing course in June on Memoir writing, and I'm picking up a course in Photoshop when I get back from a brief vacay in June.

I'm going to Stockholm in June. Im sooooooooo looking forward to this trip. I haven't been there since I moved back to the states from Stockholm in Feb 2000. The summers in Sweden are beautiful. This should be a really good trip.

I have a few fun filled activities coming up over the next few weeks, that should prove to be a blast, so I will share and post pictures.

What else? I don't think there is anything else I want to share.

Peace!!