Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

This is the day that the Lord has made. We shall rejoice and be glad in it.

Today, I awoke early to neighbors ringing my doorbell with a Merry Christmas greeting and “Come eat some breakfast.” Once we finished breakfast, off to work we went like any other day. When I returned this afternoon from work, I went straight into preparation mode. A few of the ladies in the building decided that we would come together to host a Christmas dinner jointly. I was responsible for a side dish and choose to put together a few decorations on my own just to brighten up the room. Thus, my cooking and decoration preparations began.

I cooked cabbage with purple onions. Now, that I had my cooking out of the way it was time for me to go do a quick change and freshen up before dinner was served. Overall, the evening turned out well. It was filled with food, l

Christmas Eve

Today, is Christmas Eve. If I were home in the States I would more than likely be home in Fort Worth, Texas with my family preparing for our annual family gathering. The preparations would include things like: cooking, cleaning, a few last minute shopping gifts, and getting dressed up. However, this year was different. I am in the Kingdom and there is no such thing as Christmas Eve nor Christmas as a matter of fact!

So, I awoke at 5:15am like any other Wednesday and prepared myself for work. When I arrived to work, the day was simply as any other. Students were in class – well supposed to be in class, teachers were trying to teach, and I was in my office analyzing data. It was simply any other day of the week.

Yet, I did find it interesting that the Muslims wanted to have a “Holiday Dinner” and do s gift exchange. So, I purchased my gift for my person.

Work...

My first day of work was Sunday, December 14, 2014. My day was uneventful and very interesting, all in one. I was ready to meet the other management, get briefed on what needed to be done and where to start, but there was none of that. I was “horded” along with the other teachers and sent to orientation. Unknown to me, the president of our college was looking for me and no one said anything so, I had a week of hanging with the

teachers which was fine with me because I got to know some of them a lot better. But, where do they do that at!?! Sandi Arabia! 

Anyways, it also gave me a chance to witness incognito the way testing was being done. Needless to say I was horrified but, it got done. And after about a week, I finally met my boss in person. I had a chat with her, was shown my office, and completed the paperwork for my work phone. Then, off I went - left to my own demise. I had a meeting with the quality and curriculum manager at the company’s headquarters affectionately called “The Boys Club” because only men work in that building. At the end of the day, it was just me to sort out all of the assessment demands.

Since then, I have pretty much done my own thing when it comes to my department. By, the way, I am a department of one. Lol. Lately, it has been a lot of research, reading, analyzing data and writing reports. I can handle that. Thus, so far, so good. To be continued.

Restaurant Dinning

Some of you have heard me talking about the “Family Section” in places of business, especially restaurants. On today, I decided to take a picture to show what I mean. First, the Family Section is just what it is. It is its own area, separate and away from the men’s area. Parties of all women as well as couples with and without children are housed in this area. Then, within this zone there are partition areas for privacy but, mostly for women who may want to remove their hijab (head scarf) and burka (what covers everything except their eyes). 

Gang Paraphernalia

I will say this much about the Arabs, they love them some American television! Everywhere in the Middle East I have traveled to broadcasts American movies. Of course, our movies are full of sarcasm, culture – both good and bad, and simply a lot of inappropriate behaviors that are the norm. So, when I walk down the streets of Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia and see this, I just shake my head, start laughing out loud, and say, “Those American Movies!”

Abaya Shopping

abaya (noun) – a long black long sleeved robe worn by Muslim women in Arabic-speaking countries, often with a headscarf or veil (Dictionary.com, 2015)

Today was abaya shopping day! I only kept one abaya from the UAE so, I need to replenish my abaya wardrobe. Abaya shopping is always a challenge. There are lots of choices and the prices vary depending on the material and decorations.

My friend and I headed to the souq (shop) in town where there is a whole row of abaya stores. It reminds me of a strip mall constructed of numerous store fronts with a sea of black material. Yet, amongst that black material there are bits of sparkle and touches of color. And, after about two hours of shopping my friend and I both had a garment we were pleased with.

Lynéa’s Accommodations (VIDEO)

Lynéa’s Accommodations

Building

What the inside and outside of my building looks like.

Apartment

My personal apartment.

Decisive Reflection

I said farewell to friends, Derenthia and Tara, who had graciously helped me finish my last minute packing and double checking before my ride arrived. Then, I went to break bread with my motorcycle club, Street Angels, before departing for my trip abroad. It did my heart well to walk in and see the Angles sitting awaiting my arrival to give me a proper farewell.  That was a sign to me that I had a support system amongst my friends and club; though they were truly all saddened by the news that I would no longer be local; yet, understood the great opportunity that awaited me.

Then, I arrived to the airport to check in only to be informed that I wouldn't be able to as my bags did not meet the weight criteria. I had three checked back bags and two of them were over 80 pounds. Opps! So, I had to call Felicia back to the airport so that I could repack again. There’s nothing like packing a bag at the airport. It took me about 45 minutes to do it. (Side Note: That’s why you should always show up to the airport early.) Finally, I was able to check in, go through security, and get to my gate. Simply, I was able to breathe! There was a calm after the storm that came over me. It felt as though I was at peace. Indeed, I was headed to a country where women are oppressed and the Islamic law rules; yet, I was doing what I wanted to do.

Derenthia & Tara
KNOCKED OUT.
Yep, I gotcha.

The journey to Bahrain and finally into Saudi Arabia were quite lengthy. Yet, I have arrived safely to my destination and settled in. During the last few days I have had the time to truly reflect. I do not think it honestly hit me until I arrived to London Heathrow Airport and definitely by the time I arrived in Bahrain that I had once again packed up my life, but this time the packing was permanent, and moved across the world for a job. Well, I must admit not solely for the job, as the other perks are traveling and exploring other parts of the world. And yet I know that some individuals ask, “Why?” I ask, “Why not?”

I have spent the last three days in Bahrain awaiting my visa so that I may enter Saudi. While in Bahrain, I begun getting acclimated to the Middle East once again. Bahrain is more of a free Middle Eastern country. There is a military naval base here so, there are quite a few expats living in the country as well. I must admit that I am a bit taken back at the fact that I see Christmas trees, decorations, and symbolisms of the holiday throughout the mall. I guess they are truly open minded here as Bahrain does have an Arab Jewish woman as its ambassador. As a matter of fact she is the first Jewish ambassador of any Middle Eastern Arab country and the first female Bahraini ambassador to the United States of America. Her name is Houda Nonoo. I guess it is true, things never stay the same and the Middle East is evolving with the times. There will be more to come on Bahrain in the near future.

Nevertheless, my visa has been issued and it’s time for me to travel to Saudi.

On to New and Better Things

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”      ~ Mae West

Well, here I am again! I am on another adventure in the Middle East. Yet, this time it is quite different. The adventure to the United Arab Emirates – I was elated to go for myself, for my family, my friends, and even acquaintances so that I may share the experience with those unable to experience it firsthand. This time, I am taking this adventure for myself, period. Will I share my experiences with others, of course I will, but it no longer matters. It no longer matters to me what others think of the choice I made as long as I am doing what’s best for me.

On New Year’s Day 2014, a few members from my motorcycle club and I gathered at my home to share in our hopes, dreams, and desires for the year. We each created a vision board. My vision board focused on finances, health, paying it forward, and relationships. For the section on relationships I chose to focus heavily on my friendships. I understand why wise people say you don’t need many friends. I too understand why the unknown author of A Reason, A Season, or a Lifetime wrote what s/he did. As human beings we will inevitably cross paths in some way or another yet, it’s important to place one another into their proper category. I have spent too many years worried about others and their well-being and happiness that I know mine has suffered a bit. I say a bit, because at one point being concerned and seeing after others and watching their happiness bloom gave me great pleasure and brought happiness to me as well. Well, that season has shifted for me nd I have moved on.

So, if you are one of the individuals who doesn’t agree with my choice to explore the world, increase my career opportunities and finances, and simply be happy – then get to stepping and kick rocks; all simultaneously! Yep, our season has definitely come to an end. Life is too short to be worried about you being mad at me, you not liking the decision I made, you thinking that I made the wrong decision – who cares. That is your burden to bare, not mine. I don’t desire to take a look down life’s memory lane and say, “I wish I coulda, shoulda, woulda”. Instead, I am choosing to say, “I tried it, and enjoyed it” or “I tried it and didn’t like it.” Mae West said it best and I plan to follow her philosophical view on life!