It has been just over one year since I arrived here in Jeddah. To be honest, it has been enlightening, entertaining, frustrating, terrifying... the whole spectrum of emotions...
But I miss home. I miss my daughter and son-in-law, church family, my friends and my rural lifestyle. I even miss winter. That said, I would not trade this experience for anything and I have no regrets. This job along with all the experience has forced me to live out of my comfort zone, provide me with some perspective and is affording me the chance to actually be a property owner, not just share it with a bank. That was the real goal and for that I am still grateful.
This is a confusing and contradictory place. I have met people who can be so genuinely thoughtful and caring, and then there's that dark and ever present flip side... I have seen and done many things that not many people get the chance to experience. I have learned many things about myself and about others. I still have much to learn.
Work has eased itself into a manageable routine. I am never comfortable, but there is some semblance of routine. That said, I am really looking forward to vacation in July. We leave here around the 23rd and do not have to be back until mid August. I have already advised my employer I will most likely not be renewing come next February, so my job hunt has already begun. I will ramp it up in July and be in full on job hunt mode come October. It takes a year to find a decent job these days, if you are lucky.
We are planning a trip up North in March to Mada'in Saleh.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mada%27in_Saleh).
Mada'in Saleh has ancient ruins along the lines of Petra in Jordan. We hope to get up there before it starts getting too hot. Going with a group from the school where Les works and a couple of friends from here on the compound. Should be fun.
We are still playing hockey, though more street hockey than ice. We play street every Monday and ice about once a month. I am rehabbing a compressed vertebrae with a bulging disc. No more running outdoors. Too much pounding on the lower back. Hockey, well, I doubt I ever quit that. I have taken a liking to the new arc trainer in the gym. 30 minutes on that and I get a much better workout without the pounding and no back pain. Sucks getting old.
Still enjoying the myriad of little eateries and local dives. My stomach is holding out for the most part. The bakeries here are amazing. I have never had so many varieties of bread. We recently found a place that flame roasts chickens on an open flame, then cuts them in half, flattens them out and browns them a little more. You can get half a chicken, a huge bag of basmati rice and I mean HUGE and a Pepsi for about 14 Saudi Riyal (about 5 bucks U.S. I am amazed I have not put on any weight.
We did have a nice Valentine's Day dinner at the Movenpick. It sits right on the Red Sea. Nice place. Had some kind of sampler platter and while I am pretty sure there was lamb involved, I could not really tell you what else was there. The bread as usual was amazing.
We are going to try out the new beach our company has opened for us. Heading up there Thursday morning with Lou and Kay. Supposed to have 200 meters of beach. Big for here.
Leslie as always is her resilient self. She is still working at the school, learning a lot and helping us reach our goal of true home ownership. Our adopted cat, Jeddah kitty (JK) is adopting to her life in our home. After around 8 months, she is finally warming up to both of us, but mostly to Leslie. We intend to bring her home to Minnesota with us. We shall see how that works out.
Not much else to report right now. Like I said, life has more or less settled into a nice routine. Of course, you have to always remember where you are here... but by and large, routine rules the day. Time is flying. Looking forward to home, but trying to enjoy my remaining time here...
Laila sa'eda wa ahlaam ladida (Good night and sweet dreams.)
Ma’a salama (Goodbye.)
But I miss home. I miss my daughter and son-in-law, church family, my friends and my rural lifestyle. I even miss winter. That said, I would not trade this experience for anything and I have no regrets. This job along with all the experience has forced me to live out of my comfort zone, provide me with some perspective and is affording me the chance to actually be a property owner, not just share it with a bank. That was the real goal and for that I am still grateful.
This is a confusing and contradictory place. I have met people who can be so genuinely thoughtful and caring, and then there's that dark and ever present flip side... I have seen and done many things that not many people get the chance to experience. I have learned many things about myself and about others. I still have much to learn.
 |
| Sunset on the Red Sea |
Work has eased itself into a manageable routine. I am never comfortable, but there is some semblance of routine. That said, I am really looking forward to vacation in July. We leave here around the 23rd and do not have to be back until mid August. I have already advised my employer I will most likely not be renewing come next February, so my job hunt has already begun. I will ramp it up in July and be in full on job hunt mode come October. It takes a year to find a decent job these days, if you are lucky.
We are planning a trip up North in March to Mada'in Saleh.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mada%27in_Saleh).
Mada'in Saleh has ancient ruins along the lines of Petra in Jordan. We hope to get up there before it starts getting too hot. Going with a group from the school where Les works and a couple of friends from here on the compound. Should be fun.
 |
| Courtesy Wikipedia (hope to have some pics of my own soon) |
We are still playing hockey, though more street hockey than ice. We play street every Monday and ice about once a month. I am rehabbing a compressed vertebrae with a bulging disc. No more running outdoors. Too much pounding on the lower back. Hockey, well, I doubt I ever quit that. I have taken a liking to the new arc trainer in the gym. 30 minutes on that and I get a much better workout without the pounding and no back pain. Sucks getting old.
 | |
| Hanging out with my crew at Movenpick |
We did have a nice Valentine's Day dinner at the Movenpick. It sits right on the Red Sea. Nice place. Had some kind of sampler platter and while I am pretty sure there was lamb involved, I could not really tell you what else was there. The bread as usual was amazing.
 |
| Leslie and I hanging out on Valentine's Day at Movenpick |
Leslie as always is her resilient self. She is still working at the school, learning a lot and helping us reach our goal of true home ownership. Our adopted cat, Jeddah kitty (JK) is adopting to her life in our home. After around 8 months, she is finally warming up to both of us, but mostly to Leslie. We intend to bring her home to Minnesota with us. We shall see how that works out.
 | |
| Leslie and Jeddah Kitty |
Laila sa'eda wa ahlaam ladida (Good night and sweet dreams.)
Ma’a salama (Goodbye.)
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