Doing Good & Feelin' Fine

Well...I survived Ramadan.  LOL.  Actually, it wasn't that bad.  I only had 2 instances in which I lost my head.  One of those occurred when I was trying to make common sense out of why I couldn't get an espresso, but I could go a few feet away and pick up a coke (BTW:  I don't drink sodas, I'm using this as an example)?  So...I got a little grumpy in my look at the poor clerk.  Oh well...  It's like sometimes things are going so well...it's almost like I lost my head and forgot where I was at. Hehehehehehe

But, mostly I'm doing good.  Today my house helper is here...so that typically gets me in the mood to do domestic stuff.  I'm not to the point where I trust him to leave him in the house alone for any extended period of time.  Therefore, I use that time to catch up on stuff; like writing in my blog.  I will leave him today for about an hour to meet up with a friend at her house in a little bit.  Hoping to give her some helpful information that will put her on the road to healthier eating and better health.  I have some excellent books and recipes I'm gonna share.   I know what it's like to have annoying and sometimes painful ailments.  And, medicine in these cases, almost always makes it worst,  since it is only treating the symptoms and not getting to the why of it.  I mean really; you can turn up the music in your car to stop you from hearing the knock in your engine, but the knock is still there, and in some cases it has made matters worse by not getting to the root of the problem.  I discovered his after doctors put me on medication in which I gained 40 effing pounds; 40 pounds!!!!  And, it was causing aches in my muscles.   What kinda sh*t is that?!!   But, as soon as I got off the medications, starting eating a strict diet of organic, and vegan; started eliminating stress (and NOT via prozac, zoloft, or any of that crap)...my symptoms slowing went away.  And, now I'm back to normal, my weight is good and I'm free from what was ailing me.  Whew...anyway...i've digressed.  LOL.

Anyway....

I'm working on a new travel article for my Black Chick On Tour blog.  It's on Amsterdam.  Have I ever mentioned that  "eyessssss luuuuuves me sum Amsterdam"?  LOL.  Then my day is complete, Roland will be home, and we'll commence with our evening together.

So...all n all. I'm doin' good and feelin' fine.  =)

Kind Words - Soooo Appreciated

I received this message on my FB Wall, from a new friend who has read some of my blog.  And, I'd like to share this.  I love people who motivate.  Very few people motivate people to that person's dreams, whatever they are...they judge and a lot of them just hate that you're trying to do something, anything.  So...Thanks Girl!!!  I will keep on...keeping on!!

 It takes courage to write honestly. -- true writers (honest ones) payed dearly..throughout history..I love your Black Chic In Saudi Blog..Its an Authentic True Voice.. It gives me Great Pride GREAT PRIDE! to support you and your writing!! I WANT to read what you write. and I Protect You. I know you'll never give up being true to yourself...and like the 'radio' song 'you liked me till you heard my shit on the radio' and 'you still curse the day I decided to Stay True to MY Self!" instead of just lovin.. :D We Own Ourselves We Are Power :D & WE USE IT! YAYAYAY!

My 100th Post!!

Even though I've had a not so great week.  And, I had a total relapse over the last few days (meaning I was hating the very sight and smell of this place).  I wanted to make my 100th post a positive one.  So, as I was going to update my FB status with how great it was to have help around the house, I decided to make a post on what I view as positive for me about living in SA.  I will NEVER think it's better than living in the US or Europe, but, hey..there are some positives, and they are as follows:

1)  Really cheap household help.  I'm on my 2nd house helper, and as the saying goes, "good help is hard to find", but they're so cheap, and they're a dime a dozen.  So, if you don't like the one you have, dump him, because you can have another one in no time at all.  

2)  Really cheap gardeners.  Now...I lucked out with my gardener.  He's awesome.  Not one word of complaint about this guy.

3)  Not getting up at 5:00AM to a blaring alarm clock. 

4)  Having time to do what ever in the hell I want (based on what's available to do, which is somewhat limited)

5)  Having the time off to travel, travel, and more travel.  Can't do that on the 3 weeks vacation a year that I got in the states.  

6)  I always lose weight when I get back into SA, after being gone.  And, that's just wonderful.

7)  Gas is cheap, cheap, cheap.  $5.00 to fill up!!

My Get Over Has Gone Kaput!

My MacBook Pro has gone Kaput.  Well not entirely.  It's been determined that either my hard drive or my OS is corrupted.  I won't know it until I get back to the states and can take it to the Apple store for diagnostics.  At least I'm still under warranty.  The good news is that I have a desktop Mac I can access the internet with and work on.  The bad news is every single file that I need to complete projects I am working on; are on the notebook.   These are projects that were going to sustain me until my next trip back to the states.  As I've stated before...I go in 10 week cycles.  LOL... I'm here 10 weeks, then I go somewhere for 2 - 4 weeks.  In between going somewhere...I work on projects, and this is what gets me through my time in SA.

I was working on a Raw Food cookbook (Working Title: Cooking In The Raw) for the past 2 months (I even worked on this project while I was on vacation in August!!); cooking and experimenting with recipes  All of this may be lost.  ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!  I was having this professionally printed, with hard cover, and they were going to be Christmas gifts.  The timing would have been perfect with my trip back to the states in November; I planned on bringing them back with me.  The video projects I'm working on are for my new travel blog (Black Chick on Tour ); the video footage, the text for the narrative, the whole nine is on this computer.  Video from my May 09 vacation; 9 European destinations.  Gawd!!  I hope it's recoverable.  The deal is this...if it's the OS then they will be able to access my files, put them on a disc, before they reload the OS.  If it's the hard drive...I'm pretty much screwed, unless I want to shove out close to $1000 to have the data/files forensically removed.  

These projects were going to get me over until my next trip back to the states in early November.  Now...I'm bored, and there is nothing I want to work on.  It could be that I'm just wallowing in self pity, because all of this just went down this past week, and I still haven't gotten over it yet.  

In other news.  We finally got a bed.  Gawd!!  Who knew it would be so hard?!!  The 1st place we purchased a bed...they tried to screw us out of an extra 1000 Riyal.  Even when they called back and stated that they would honor the price they gave us...we said no!  But, guess what...they charged our card anyway.  It took almost 4 weeks to get that money back!!!   We went to another store, and our new bed was delivered tonight.  WhooHoo!! No more sofa sleeper.

Ramadan is still in full effect.  I'm not feeling impacted too much...with the exception that I can't go and get my espresso in the AM.  But, other than that...nothing.  Even more shops than usual are closed in the daytime, and no restaurants are open.  But, I don't eat out in SA, so...I'm not really impacted there.  I do want to go to Bahrain next week...and I will feel it then, as I can not have lunch at my fav Italian restaurant; I have to wait until dinner.  But, hell...I can make that work...so...yea...not a big deal, for me.  Cause I'm eating as I always have.  LOL

Anyway...until next time.

Peace!

And, put out a good vibe that my baby (notebook) will be okay.  

1st Day of Ramadan

Today is the 1st day of Ramadan. It will be interesting to see how it celebrated/practiced inside of SA. I do know of Ramadan, and what it's about. However, my experience is limited to picking up my GF back in the day at sunset to hang out and get something to eat. I'm suspecting things will be a little different than that. LOL. For example, today, I have learned that most of these stores will not open until 5:00PM. Also, they request the "non-muslims" not to eat or drink anything in public during the day, during Ramadan.

This is also my 1st day back in SA following 3 weeks in the states, I'm still jet lagged, and therefore have not gone out and about. But, I hear you will not see any Saudi's on the streets during the day...but that the evenings are crazy with activity late into the night. As soon as I get back on the SA time track, I'll get out and let you all know what I see/find

This is day one...I will report back on day 30, and give full Ramadan details.

Unless something interesting happens in the meantime...

Later...

Periodic Updates R Good!!

As most of you can see (or may have noticed)...I don't write in my blog nearly as much as I did in the beginning. That is really because, there isn't much to write about. I could write about my daily existence in SA...but I think that would bore you to tears. But, I think periodic updates are good.

My 45th birthday was 2 weeks ago. 5 friends got together, and we all went to Bahrain for Spa Treatments, Shopping...then they took me to wonderful dinner at Primavera's in the Ritz-Carlton. 6 months ago I knew no one and now these lades have come together to help me celebrate my birthday. Not to be all sentimenty (LOL) but I was really touched and we had a BLAST!! It feels really good to have hooked up with a great group of ladies, who are like minded. I'm still not getting along at RT the way I would have liked, but I'm okay with that. I just have to remind myself to look at the demographics. And, to be thankful for what I have...

I'm still going to Bahrain on an average of twice a month. Hubby and I went out to dinner and a movie a few weeks back. Saw Angels and Demons...it was pretty good. It was filmed in Rome and we had just gone to Rome in May...so we recognized a lot of the locations...we were all excited about that. Did I mention we loved Rome? And, that Bahrain is like a Savior?

Since I've been here...a lot of my posts have been kinda down and depressing (understandably, and anyone who says otherwise is a liar. It definitely takes some "getting used to" to live here). So...I thought I would share an email I sent my family and closer friends back in the states. I have chosen not to upload all the pics I sent to family, but kept the reference as to not interfere with the context of the letter.

Hey Yall,

I thought I would share some pictures of where I'm living. Please note...my place is still a work in progress. I need curtains, which I'm buying when I come back to the states this time around. And, I think I'm going to paint an accent wall behind the couch...I'm thinking a sage green. I'm hanging pictures, which is making it feel more homey. In my long entrance hall way...I'm going to frame and put up some artsy photos I took when we were in Italy. It's coming together slowly but surely. That cord running from the entrance hall to the living room is my internet connection. LOL!! I like to sit on the couch (as you can further see) and have internet access, and we're hardwired, so I have a 50 foot cable stretch through the house. Sometimes when I'm cooking, I bring my computer in there....yea, yea, I know.

The courtyard is where I sit outside and talk on the phone or read a book. Sometimes, I just need heat on my skin because as you can imagine the air conditioning is running all the time. It's slowly coming together as well. Our gardener is awesome, he just keeps showing up with more and more plants. This morning I went outside, and there was a new ficus tree. And, that sandy portion will slowly start to fill in with the ground cover he's planted. When we moved here, both the front and back were sand pits, with sea shells in it. Who knew that you could eventually turn a sand pit into a lawn.

The color of the house is the same with all the houses. Ugh!!!!!!!! It looks like a big box from the outside, but inside the layout is pretty decent and the rooms are well sized. So, I can't complain about my accommodations at all. High ceilings, huge master bedroom, 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, storage galore. Oh Yea...did I mention they deduct $*** a month from his paycheck for these accommodations, and that includes, utilities and phone? So...whenever, I get too complainy, these are the things I keep in mind. And, actually, I've been doing really good lately. No complaining...I haven't been angry...I'm feeling pretty good. I've been getting up and walking on the beach 3 - 4 times a week; which I live across the street from. I've been getting out of the house (going to Dhahran) and meeting up with friends, so...

Oh Yea...and the other pictures are of Roland going to work. I walk him to the car when he goes to work, like a good lil housewifee. LOL. Doesn't he look handsome in his uniform?

Miss U All and See Yall Soon!!

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...

Censorship - Gotta Love It...NOT!!!

So...I'm doing research for my upcoming vacation.  On several occasions I've been blocked from going to a site based on something that is on the site.  OK...so let's say you understand if they block p*rn sites.  But, I'm being blocked as I'm researching body piercing shops in London.  I got my nose pierced about 6 weeks ago, and I want the ring changed...since it's not fully healed...I'm looking to a professional to change it.  I've been blocked from 2 sites, and from certain pages within one site.  I wanted information on a specific (Villa Vignamaggio) viney*rd in Italy, so we can do a w*ne tasting at this fabulous villa in Tuscany, I am blocked from that site.

Wanna know what censorship looks like?  This is what I see when I'm being told "NO!!!  U CAN'T GO THERE!!".

So Over Saudi Arabia

I haven't posted since I've been back...because there is nothing to post.  I'm living my life in a fishbowl filled with dust.  I'm so over Saudi Arabia, I find it boring.  You can read previous posts...and just change the dates...nothing has changed in regards to what it's like living here.  So, I'm unmotivated to write about much right now.  Maybe that will change

I'm still meeting new people, but I'm laying low.  I went to this women's coffee meeting I was invited to and I met a few  women...then one walks in and says to me, "you're the lady with that blog.  I recognize you from the picture".   And, my first thoughts are "oh shit.  like I need this BS".  Just the words "that blog"; let's me know there has been talk, or at least that is the assumption I made.  Then I notice one lone "other" black chick there...and I can't help but wonder if this is the B*tch that was writing crap about me on the expat forum.  So, I don't want to have anything to do with her, regardless, because you just never know people; but people know me.  When I say "people know me", I say that because anyone who has had any interaction with me knows that (1) I'm genuine, no BS here, (2) I speak my mind or keep quiet, but never will feed you crap, (3) you will always know where you stand, I don't fake and front, and (4) I won't talk about you behind your back while smiling in your face.  And, these basic, "straight shooter" attributes are really hard to find in people; especially women.

So, I've been spending my time and putting my focus on my husband, our lives, and getting our home in order.  I am going to a beach party next week in Bahrain; that should be fun.  I'm actually looking forward to it.   You can check out the location here:  www.aldarislands.com.   Bahrain...actually is like a savior, for me anyway.  I was there a few days back...I got to shop, went to a movie, eat and drink, and drive; and walk around with some semblance of normalcy (don't have to wear the abaya).  

The good news is that I'm going on vacation in exactly 2 weeks.  =)  yea!!  18 days traveling throughout Europe with hubby, my mom and her friend.  So...that should be fun.  And, of course I will take plenty of pics and video footage.  

I'm actually thinking of creating a travel blog; that would be a good project to get started...I already have tones of footage from previous travels.  Maybe that would be a better outlet than this blog.  I gotta give that some thought.

Later...

Password Protection

Well...I'm back in the KSA.  Nothing new...Same ol, same ol...with the exception that this time...there are going to be a few changes.  One of these changes is that I'm going to Password Protect my blog.

When I created this blog...I DID NOT create it to give advise, get advise, or make friends; and I certainly didn't expect to have a few crazy biotches chasing me down (one of them was trying to force me to have lunch with her!!  How many times do you need to tell a "B" you don't want to have lunch with her and you don't have the slightest interest in getting to know her?  The other was just a "hater" girl spreading lies about me online.).  Granted I have some people who read my blog regularly and appear to enjoy it, and have given me some good advice, however, I don't have the patience for the BS.  I created this blog for my friends and family back home; and to have a written record regarding my  experiences, as I'm making a documentary about my stay here.  Somewhere along the way I got lost and caught up in how many "hits I was getting"; versus my original intentions.  I've made this decision after much consideration.  This will be the last post that isn't password protected.

Friends and Family:  I will be sending you the password soon via email and Facebook.

Everyone Else:  If you're a regular reader; contact me if you're still interested in reading my blog, and if I recognize you, I will email you the password.

Peace!!