Party 2009!!!

Went to a party last night at the US Embassy.  Had a blast!!!  Met a lot of people and right now my body is recovering.  Who knew I'd party so hard in the KSA!!

Wishing You & Yours a Prosperous and Happy New Year!!!!

Abaya

Today was a rough day.  I was not in a good mood (I video recorded a complete rant, but I won't bore you with it); I wallowed in bed for a minute (the means 3 hours) then I got up and we went into Al-Khobar.  I felt completely uncomfortable walking around in my skinny jeans, long shirt (yes, it covered my butt) and it was long sleeved...but I still felt uncomfortable.  I felt like everyone was looking at me...now I'm a total fashion clothes horse...so I'm used to people checking out my outfit, but in a good way. Maybe they weren't thinking negative thoughts, but I felt so uncomfortable enough to where I had to get an abaya NOW.  So...we're walking around the Mall of Dharhan and I'm asking western women (because these were the only ones I felt I could approach) where in the mall I could get an abaya (these women were useless), so...I saw 2 Saudi women who seemed approachable (they weren't in full hijab/nijab, but had their hair covered) so I asked them where I could get one in the mall...they said they're expensive in the mall, I told her, "I don't care how much it is...I need an abaya now), she smiled and directed me in the right direction (thanks ladies!!)

So...we're in the store and I tell the guy that I need an abaya, he asks, what is my size, I tell him medium, he says, "oh no...you're a large, size 58"!!!!  I look at Roland and say, "can you believe this guy said I'm a large"  (LOL!!!)  I wear a size 6!!!  Maybe it's because I'm tall (5ft8).  Then the prayer bell calls, and he says I have about 5 minutes...so...I purchased the one I was trying on; it has nice embroidery on the sleeves and on the bottom; it's cute.  But...I'm having it altered as soon as I get around to it. Taking it in about an inch on each side should work for me.  I have no idea (maybe you can tell from the picture) how to wrap the scarf around my head. 

I Hate To Be Bigoted But....

I hate to be bigoted, and my blog is not about social change, politics, etc.  But...I have to say...I am so effing PISSED OFF at what is happening in the Gaza Strip!!  So...I have to say bigoted since the jews are just a group of people (versus being a race of people) who believe they're better than everyone else (god's so-called "chosen people"), which is why they feel they can kill indiscriminately.  I'm tired of the Palestinians being described as "terrorists".  The word terrorists is mostly associated with Muslims and Islam.  However, a lot of Palestinians are Christians.  Not that it should matter, but this is just another example of how words are used to dehumanize people.  The facts are this...the jews took land (based on an effed up UN resolution) that belonged to the Palestinians (remember the country used to be called Palestine) with the forming of Isreal in 1948, and have been trying ever since to get all "non-jews" (i.e. Arabs) out of the country.  Palestine was a country...now it no longer exists.  When this resolution was made up the Palestinians were suppose to have their own country within 7 years!!  That should have happened by 1955.  It's now 2008!!!

I look at the conflict like this:  during the time of World  War II, Black Americans were being killed, strung up (with no justice) to get basic rights in the USA (while also fighting their wars). And...we know the United States' wealth was built on the back of slaves.  So...what if they took half of those old slave holding states and gave it to the Black people and told the whites, you gotta get out, or get in line and report to these people?  White folks would still be fighting today for that land; land that belonged to their grandparents.  So...I ask; shouldn't the Palestinians fight for what was theirs, and was stolen.  

It's complete BS.  If the jews had no where to go after the war...they should have given them part of Germany.  That would have been a fair and just resolution.

OK.  I've Said It.  I feel some release for my anger...but it's not helping those who are losing their lives.

May We Have Peace!!

I Have Arrived!

OK.  I've made it and I'm alive (apparently) and well.  I'm so so tired though.  I could not sleep in; therefore, I got up and slammed back a double espresso to get through the morning.  I had to have blood drawn (they're testing me for communicable diseases; for the 2nd time) for my Iqama.

So...what are my first impressions?  Well...I'm not quite sure yet.  It's just all so new, it's almost kinda overwhelming, but not really, but really.  I'm having to behave outside of my normal behavior.  For example, I noticed that people don't look at each other when passing, even the westerners.  And, that is very different for me since I tend to look at people and smile (I'm from California; we're friendly people, as are the people in Seattle).  Today as I was walking around the camp I felt like  a total "B" because I was doing the "looking through people";  because I don't want to look crazy (by appearing too friendly).  LOL.  But...I don't know.  I haven't even been here 24 hours...I'm sure this may change some as I relax myself.

On my flight into Dammam, a Saudi guy was seated next to me...and typically I would at least acknowledge the person's presence; but I didn't dare (like he might think I'm a whore or something, I don't know...but that's what I've been told...don't be too friendly).  Well, towards the end of the flight, he asked me a question about why I wasn't eating the airplane food (the food on KLM is total crap, and I was in 1st class!!), and from then on...he was very conversational, he told me about his experience in the states, how things are in Saudi Arabia, his family, etc.  I was so surprised that he would even talk to me (which is a break from the stereotype), and I told him that when he first sat down...I didn't know if it was appropriate to speak or not, or if they would even seat a Saudi man next to a lone (unrelated) woman.  He understood my questions/concerns.  I think he was my first experience with a Saudi person, and...it wasn't too bad.  

More to come...I gotta go lay down.  

Oh Yea...please be nice...I look so freakin' tired in this video...and it's probably because I've only been traveling for 22 hours!!

Peace Out!!

Saudi Arabia Here I Come!!

Finally...the day has arrived.

Christmas 2008

Hello Family and Friends,

I've compiled the video clips I was taking during Christmas Day.  Hope you enjoy...and please forgive my mouth (you can hear me a lot)...but I guess it's been long established, that I'm loud, with a big mouth.  Love U All!!  T

The Worst Snow Storm in 20 Years

Seattle has been hit with the worst snow storm in 20 years.  I have 12 inches on my patio.  It has completely wrecked havoc with my holiday plans.  Right now, I should be in San Diego, purchasing gifts (BTW:  I haven't purchased any gifts, I was suppose to do this in San Diego) for my family and friends, and enjoying the sun.  Instead...I'm in Seattle, in an almost empty house (the shippers packed up everything last week).  Thank goodness for the internet and my 52" television.  Oh Yea...and I've got food. That is the order of my priorities/needs; telephone, internet, television, food.  LOL.  I don't know that this is on Maslow's hierarchy of needs.  I'm scheduled on another flight on Wednesday to San Diego; I hope I get out, I want to spend Christmas with mi familia.  But, as I type...they're (the news) is stating that more snow is on the way.  ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last Day @ Work!!

Today was my last day at work.  I'm feeling somewhat disappointed.  I thought I would be celebrating and walking around with a huge smile.  However, that was not to be.  Of course I'm happy.  But...first off, I couldn't go into the office because I can not get out of my garage due to the snow.  So...the manager I was working for suggested he would drive out to my place and I could meet him somewhere nearby.  Which is cool...so I met him at the Starbucks around the corner.  It was all kinda weird for a last day at work.  I gave him the company equipment (laptop, cell phone, company credit card, and badge), we hugged, we wished each other the best, he left, and I continued to wait for  my double espresso, and 2 minutes later I was walking back home.  

Now...the scenario that I had in mind was; we would meet in his office, I'd give him the equipment, we'd say our well wishes, he'd escort me to the lobby, take my badge, and I'd leave the building.  Upon getting in my car...I would be so happy that I call my mom and yell, "I'm Free", and then I'd drive to meet my GF for a late lunch and celebratory drinks.  As it stands now...I'm stuck in the house.  I'm trying to get chains for my car and so far I've been unsuccessful.  I have the chains, but I don't have the rubber adjusters (which were probably packed, and are now on their way to Saudi).  I've called every auto parts and tire dealership within a 1 mile radius (so I could walk) and not of them had any.  I have some friends out shopping now, and they're keeping an eye out for me.  I hope they find some.  I feel like precious daylight free time is being wasted with me sitting up in this house.   It's not often I have free time in the afternoon on a Friday.  Gawd!!  Well...I guess that all is about to change. I'm going to have a lot of free time.  Maybe I will slow down my pace a bit...I'm so used to running, running, running, and being on the go.  I'm curious how I will feel about that.  'm addicted to the running around and the stress of it all.   

9 Days To Go!!

Moving Day!!

As each day passes, and new milestones are achieved, I am getting closer and closer to the point of no return (well, ok, that is a little dramatic, I always have options). The movers are still here, but my house is dang near empty. It's exciting, yet I'm "tripping" off of it, almost as if, I still can't believe it.

The poor movers, it is snowing today like it hasn't in a long time in Seattle, and they're having to work in this mess. I hope they arrive home safely after all of this.  Seattle isn't as equipped as some cities to handle this amount of snow (I have 6 inches outside).  The snow is absolutely beautiful, but you don't want to be out in it.  I wonder if I'll miss it.  For myself, I've always preferred the heat to the cold.  I wonder if I'll feel the same way come this upcoming July and August.

What Women Can't Do in Saudi Arabia

Following is a link to a post from a popular blog (American Bedu) on what women can and can't do in Saudi Arabia:


What Saudi Women Can and Can Not Do

Happy Reading!! And, Thank the lucky "powers that be" that you're in America.

Please Note: I will hardly be affected by this. The only real restriction I will have is that I can't drive in Saudi Arabia; however, I can drive on the compound.

U Know U've Been in Saudi Too Long...

As I was cleaning out my personal stuff from my work email (I got 7 more work days left - WhooHoo) I came across this...it's funny.

You Know You've Lived In Saudi Arabia Too Long When:

You think SR500 is a good price
You enjoy channel 2
Your idea of housework is leaving a list for the housekeeper
You think black is appropriate daytime wear
You wear a jacket inside and take it off when you go out
You know which end of a swarma to unwrap
You think that the further you inch into an intersection the faster the light will turn green
You give directions by landmarks
You have more carpets than floor space
You expect gold for every birthday
You send your friends a map instead of your address
You expect to pay more for water than for petrol
You get confused because US money isn't color-coded.
You remember not eating in public in the daytime during the holy month of Ramadan.
You know someone is referring to Pepsi when they say "BEBSI".
You have ever had to wait for prayer call to be over to finish shopping.
You have friends from 50 different countries.
Rain is still one of the most wonderful sounds in the world.
You have sat in a "men's" or "women's" section in an airport, hospital, or restaurant.
You think anyone with a cane is out to get you.
You think a desert storm is a war.
You think a red light means "step on it."
You don't think it is ostentatious to own more than one Rolex.
Your school closes early because of sandstorms
You are not surprised to see an 8 year old driving the car next to you
You can't buy anything without asking for a discount
You think cars only come in white

Holiday Spirit and Spirits!!

Thank You!!!

...for coming out and kicking of the holiday season right on Friday night. I’m so going to miss every one of you and our get togethers. Keep a chair warm for me…I’ll be back in March, and I’m sure I’ll really be ready. =)

Segregation of the Sexes

In the KSA it is actually against the law for an unrelated men and unrelated women to be together in each other’s company. There is to be no intermingling. Can you imagine? And, the gays think they have it ad with Prop 8. LOL

Hell, are we going to have to plaster on our foreheads our marriage license, since we don’t “match up”? LOL Let me make it clear...on the compound I'm going to be living on...it's all good, but once we step outside the gate, the law applies.

On one blog in which this subject was being discussed…I had a woman trying to convince me that “segregation of the sexes helps promote fidelity”. Can you believe this?!! This person thinks that if her husband screws around, it’s because he got to socialize with other women he’s not related to. ATTENTION ALL WOMEN (IN EVERY COUNTRY): If your husband screws around…it is NOT the other woman’s fault. It’s the fault and lack of character in your husband. Period.

So…in the KSA you will not see a mixed (male and female) group of unrelated friends hanging out. What I would be curious to know is if the Saudi's stick with this practice when they leave the KSA.

Bridge Burner (Let It Burn)

I’m a total bridge burner. Some people would say that’s not a good thing. My thoughts are some bridges need to be burned. I kinda break it down to the basest of levels and I think, “if this person were dead, they wouldn’t be there anyway, so I’d get over it”, or “this isn’t the only company in the big city and I have great references, so eff em”. I’m kinda feeling like that right now about my job…it’s amazing what people think they can say to you or about you once you’ve given notice. The BS really starts to come out of the woodwork. I view it as sign that I’m suppose to be going on this journey, because my job is sucking big time, and this is after getting the job I had been applying for, for over a year. The sign, it’s telling me…Terri, thank goodness you got the job, and you’ve done the work, and now you know, it’s not you, and you’ve learned you’re not leaving anything. And, as mentioned in a prior post…it’s time for me to work on the projects I’ve long wanted to do but didn’t have the energy, because I was giving it “up to the man” 10 hours a day. “The Man” was giving me a decent paycheck…so I can’t complain about that…like I’ve said…the only thing I will miss is the check…but then again…with what my husband is making…we won’t miss that money at all. My life has definitely taken a turn down a road I would have never expected, and you know what…sometimes bridge burning is a way of going forward and not looking back. And, that’s exactly what I’m doing.

14 Work Days and Counting!

Housing

I've had several people ask about housing. Check out the video on this link and it will show you the idea of the neighborhoods. Saudi Aramco Housing