My World is Going to Hell in a Hand Basket

Ok...Yea, I am being a bit dramatic. But, let me explain. When I watch the news and I see all of the horrible things that are happening around the world, I try not to get caught up in it. In fact, I limit how much news I watch. I watch just enough to "keep up." Well, you know that has all gone out the window with what is going on in Bahrain. That situation is (1) too damn close to home, and (2) I have friends and acquaintances who live in Bahrain. So, I'm keeping up with what's going there. Then they have the nerve to have a major natural disaster in Japan (trying to make light), and that whole situation is just heart breaking. I was happy and excited for my son when I learned he was headed to Japan to help with humanitarian efforts. Those are the most rewarding life experiences. Well, that all changed when I read on Reuters that US military men who have been in Japan are testing positive for low levels of radiation. WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really? ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So...I woke up to this news this morning. I'm sure you can imagine that I'm glued to the news via my twitter feed and FB updates. Well.....I just had one of my FB friends post as her status update how great her day was going (this is not a direct quote). And, for a brief moment, I felt like, "I get it," her day is going great. I'm happy for her. And, there is NOTHING wrong with that. What struck me was how distant her life was from what was going on over in Bahrain and Japan. Then I thought about how I always distance myself from this sort of thing. Don't get me wrong, I believe in charitable giving, etc. but to be watching the sh*t all day, bringing yourself down, I'm not for that because the reality is, if you can't go there and help out; send some money, and try to work it out, because feeling like crap about it isn't going to change anything.

I think I'm feeling just a little bit different now. IDK. I can't do anything about it, but I can't stop semi-worrying. It's the bug that has been hanging over my head all day long. I was sure the situation in Bahrain would blow over, now I'm reading that "Shia are prepared to die," I'm like, this could get really, really bad; and it's already bad, meaning it could get worst because this is the type of commitment required to bring about real change on this level. On the same turn, the government has declared a state of emergency, martial law, and curfews are in affect, meaning, they're just as committed. I'm reading reports of Choppers shooting at protesters from the air. Uh...Yea...that's serious.

All of this brings me to wonder what it means. The thing is, even if I agreed with the position of the protesters (I'm not getting involved nor will I discuss it in any comments on this post), I don't want my world upset by it. I mean, that is the real right? Which of course, I might get beat up about for even putting such a thing out there. But really, I'm willing to bet there isn't one expat over in the region who wants their world upset; who wants to sacrifice their livelihood for "their" cause. This realization is also messing with my head, along with the worry I have for my family and friends. So, of course I will spend too much time analyzing this trait in humans and it's affect on society as a whole. IDK. I don't know!! The whole situation is sad. Maybe that's what I'm feeling. Life is full of lessons.

Twitter

I've broken done and got a twitter account. I'm such a boycott or new trending "things," which is a sure sign I'm getting old. Gawd!!! LOL. But, I can be convinced. So, I decided to open an account after quite a few friends said, "You need to get a twitter account." So...please, please, follow me:
Black Chick on Twitter

It's Official: We've Been Warned

Hey Y'all!! I know it's been more than a minute since I've written a post. What can I say...I've been preoccupied, and I'm not in the Kingdom, so...

Anyway...I'm sure some of you have heard about the planned protest in Saudi Arabia in what they are calling the March 11th "Day of Rage." There is supposedly a FB page that has been attracted a lot of attention.

Following is a message I thought I would share. The U.S. Citizen Community received this warning possible about protests, what to look out for, etc.:

WARDEN MESSAGE

March 7, 2011

The Embassy requests that wardens pass the following message in its entirety to members of the U.S. citizen community:

Participants on a few social media networks have called for a “Day of Rage” to take place across the Kingdom on March 11. The U.S. Embassy cannot verify these calls, nor do we have information about exact times and locations of possible demonstrations. However, we take this opportunity to remind U.S. citizens to be alert to their surroundings, to avoid any large gatherings, and to be mindful that spontaneous demonstrations can occur anywhere. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can become confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. If caught unexpectedly near a demonstration, U.S. citizens should obey instructions from the police and leave the area as quickly as possible. Please report all concerns and any demonstrations you may experience to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulates General in Dhahran and Jeddah.

All travelers are encouraged to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in order to receive the latest travel updates and information: https://travelregistration.state.gov.

The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens to always carry cell phones, and make sure they have emergency numbers pre-programmed into their phones such as the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh (01-488-3800), U.S. Consulate General in Dhahran (03-330-3200), and U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah (02-667-0080).

U.S. Embassy Riyadh<http://riyadh.usembassy.gov/index.html>

International mailing address: P.O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693.

Mail may also be sent via the U.S. Postal Service to: U.S. Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307.

Telephone: (966) (1) 488-3800

Fax: (966) (1) 483-0773.

U.S. Consulate General Dhahran<http://dhahran.usconsulate.gov/>

International mailing address: P.O. Box 38955, Doha-Dhahran 31942.

Mail may also be sent via the U.S. Postal Service to: Unit 66803, APO AE 09858-6803.

Telephone: (966) (3) 330-3200

Fax: (966) (3) 330-0464.

U.S. Consulate General Jeddah<http://jeddah.usconsulate.gov/>

International mailing address: P.O. Box 149, Jeddah.

Mail may also be sent via the U.S. Postal Service to: Unit 62112, APO AE 09811-2112.

Telephone: (966) (2) 667-0080

Fax

The emergency number for the Saudi Police, Fire, and Rescue is 999.

U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs website<http://travel.state.gov/>, where the current Worldwide Caution<http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4787.html>, Travel Warnings<http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html>, Travel Alerts<http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1766.html>, and Country Specific Information<http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html> can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad<http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html>,” which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

No. 04/2011

U.S. citizens are reminded to keep their registration up-to-date. See https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ for registration information. You can also review earlier Warden Messages at http://riyadh.usembassy.gov/service/advisories-for-americans-in-ksa/warden-messages.html.

General Inquiries: DhahranACS@state.gov

Registration Inquiries: RegistrationDHR@state.gov

ACS Website: http://dhahran.usconsulate.gov/service.html