Red and White All Over Again

Friday, October 24, 2014
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Well it is that time of year again.....time to buy a red dress, get my hair done and head to the Canadian Embassy for the Annual Red and White Ball. Last year was a lot of fun so I was very much looking forward to the event this year. I decided I would go with a long dress this time around. The Embassy is undergoing some very delayed renovations so the usual spot around the pool and on the tennis court was unavailable. However, the CCOR (Canadian Club of Riyadh) were able to decorate the front lobby and entry of the Embassy up very nicely ( I helped) and it looked great. Of course only a few pictures (so no pictures of those decorations) but certainly a view of the dress.

Pretty simple dress.....but went with red again.

I really liked the back.....and the little train.

One of the groups of us heading to the ball. A lot of Canadians in this group but a few imports as well.

Lola was my date again. This was actually her last ball as she was heading back to the UK (for good) in a couple weeks. Thanks for the photobomb Omar.

With the hockey boys. They do clean up pretty good. So left to right is Bashir, Chris, Jason, Derek, Bruce, Darren, Chris, Happy, Bruce and Darryl. And that's me and Omar in the front.

As always, it was a fantastic night at the Canadian Embassy. Sometimes I wish we had a ball 2 times a year.

Julie

So I Crashed a Saudi Wedding

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Wednesday, August 20, 2014

So I had a very interesting experience last night that I just have to share. As the title implies..... I crashed a Saudi Wedding.

The beautiful wedding invitation I received.....of course I couldn't read it. That probably would have been helpful.

It is a very exciting prospect when you get invited to a local wedding. As you can guess they are very different from what we are accustomed to and is an experience like no other. One of my colleagues, Yousef recently got engaged and I was very excited to receive an invite to his wedding. Of note Yousef is not Saudi although he was born and raised here. He carries a Eritrean passport and considers himself Eritrean so he told me it would be a bit different but also kind of similar.

All weddings here are gender segregated, so even though I was invited by my male colleague, I would not get to celebrate his wedding with him. But there would be plenty of friends and family to fill the void. Our entire office was invited so it would be an opportunity to spend some time with the Saudi girls I work with outside the hospital. Weddings here tend to be very lavish events. For women it is a huge opportunity to get dressed up and have some fun. Trust me the hair, make-up, shoes, and the dresses......you would not believe the dresses.

Three of us (all non-Arabic speakers) decided we would travel to the wedding together. I got maps and GPS locations and directions galore so we would know where we were going and somehow we still ended up at the wrong wedding. Yes that's right the wrong wedding. However, we did not know it was the wrong wedding until about 0100 (1am) after we had left and were already at home. Let's just say the night turned into a bunch of "should haves" but I'll tell you how something like that happens.

Kathleen, Cherry and Myself at the wedding.

None of us had been to an event like this before so really did not know what to expect. The first surprise was when we arrived they took our phones from us....because of the cameras, as there are no pictures allowed in the wedding as the women are all uncovered. This threw us off a bit as we were still waiting for our Saudi colleagues to arrive . We tried to call them before we entered but thought it would be fine they would arrive soon after us. We found a table close to the door so we would see everyone come in and sat down and watched the dancing and listened to the music. A couple hours past and our Saudi colleagues had not arrived but it is not uncommon for people here to say they are coming to something and then not show up so we actually were not too surprised. At this point we should have gotten up to check our phones but we just continued to wonder why they hadn't arrived and enjoyed the experience. Funny thing was they were thinking the same thing at Yousef's actual wedding. Eventually midnight hit and the meal was served. And then our driver came at 0030 (after midnight) at this point I had my phone back and was seeing messages from the girls about being on their way and a couple missed calls. First sign that something was amiss. So I sent some messages wondering what had happened to them. At 0130 they responded wondering what had happened to us because they couldn't find us at the wedding. I said the same. At this point it became pretty apparent we had both attended weddings but not the same one. When I got to work on Thursday we totally confirmed it.

The directions to the wedding venue were very clear however they neglected to tell us that there were 2 wedding venues very close together, separated by a mosque. Also they neglected to tell us that the second venue was the one we were looking for and due to construction was a little hard to see. They did tell me however we would come off the U-turn (very common on Saudi roads) and it would be right there. So we came off the U-turn and stopped at the first wedding venue we saw. Little did we know we should have kept going.

The one place we could take pictures......where no one else is around.

So as you can imagine I was a little disappointed that I hadn't been to Yousef's wedding. Being at an event like that when you don't know anyone kind of leaves you in an observatory role versus a participatory role and I would have done a lot of dancing and that kind of stuff. I also regret not being able to meet Yousef's wife and family as I am told they are lovely people but hopefully another opportunity will arise.

Kathleen and I. We have both attended a number of Embassy balls but this was something totally different.

Looking back on it today, I can see that from the moment we walked in we should have known things weren't right. No one asked who we were or anything. They just took our phones and we headed in. We probably should have asked to make sure we were in the right place. I should have done a little looking myself before giving the driver the directions to make sure I knew where we were going. Should, should, should. But no way to change it now. Kathleen and I have been laughing all day about it.

But to make a positive out of a negative I really enjoyed the night. It was a glimpse into a world not many get to see and I am thankful for that. I had to ask a lot of questions today because I just did not know what was happening last night (things have been cleared up).  Not to worry, there are 2 more single guys in the office (and 2 single girls) so hopefully there will be more wedding opportunities.

Julie

My Summer Guest

Wednesday, July 16th, 2014 to Sunday, August 3rd, 2014
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

After I got home from Canada I had a friend come stay with me for a couple weeks. Well more exactly I had a friend's kitten come stay with me for a few weeks. One of the guys that plays hockey with the group, needed a kitten sitter for a couple weeks while he went home and well I was more than happy to volunteer. Technically, I'm not allowed to have pets in my apartment but I knew other people on the floor (and in my building) had cats so I was not too worried about it. I just snuck the little guy in and took it from there.

I haven't had a cat in a long time.....and certainly not a kitten, so while it was a lot of fun, it was trying at times.

This is Naji. At this point we are not totally sure how old he is. My friend actually rescued him off the side of the road but we figure he's 4-6 months old....but possibly older.

This is Naji checking out my fridge..... 

and my bathtub......

and my bed......

and my pot cupboard........

my laundry hamper......

eating my plants........

and watching The Daily Show with me.

Sometimes he slept.

And Blue Jays games relaxed him.

Adorably he liked to play fetch.

Not sure why this is where he felt he would go to sleep on this night.

Waiting for me to print something....he really liked that.

Hmmmm.....helping me do my homework.......as in not being very helpful at all.

And also not very helpful with my laundry.

Eventually he had to go back home. It was fun having him for a couple weeks but I think any desire I had to have a kitten of my own.....is completely gone.

Julie

Sadly Another Goodbye

Friday, June 13th, 2014

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Well I think I have said it before but the only thing in Riyadh that is guaranteed is that your friends will leave. And this week is no different....except we were saying good-bye to 2 friends. Alex and Pete were active members of the Riyadh hockey community so we managed to "borrow" the Maple Leaf Club at the Canadian Embassy for the night for the good-bye party. Here are a few pictures from the evening.

This is Tim, Me, Eric, Omar, Lynn and Poja. 

Most of the group who made the party: Matt, George, Chris, Poja, Lynn, Me, Omar, Pete, Joel, Eric, Darryl, Tim and Steve.

Poja, Me ,Pete, Rachel, George, Lynn and Alex. Always a special thanks to George (and Darryl and Joel) for hosting us for the night. We can't have a Maple Leaf Club Party without the support (and active participation) of the Embassy staff.

 The boys enjoying a few drinks.

Alex and Pete with some mementos to go home with......or in this case, they will both end up in Australia (totally a coincidence......they are not going together....they just both happen to be married to Australians.) Two great guys who will be missed.

It was a great night. Just always too bad it had to come at the expense of losing theses 2 guys. Good luck in Australia boys.

Julie

Catastrophe Averted!!!!

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Well, there was a near catastrophe today but I am happy to say it has been averted. I have a couple of slow weeks at work. Due to the Hajj/Eid break and renovations at my office I have been working from home since the 29th of September (it may get extended for an unknown period of time but we will have to wait and see) and things slow down since pretty much everyone else is on leave right now. This has given me a bit of extra and time and thought I would break up work and homework with blogging. This morning after looking at some pictures I went looking for my trip journal and could not find it. I had a major panic attack and literally ripped my apartment apart and still could not find it. I have memories of seeing it sitting on my desk so developed a very sick feeling that I had accidentally thrown it out. 

Some of you will remember that on my trip to Europe back in 2008, I lost my journal. However this was only a week into my trip so as upset as I was, it was not a major issue. This time around however, my entire trip is in that book. There is no way to recover some of the little details I keep track of in those pages. Obviously I was a little upset but grasping at straws I sent a message to Mom thinking maybe, just maybe I left it there when I was home over the summer (I'll get to those blog posts eventually). Turns out I was right. Dad found it!!!!!!

How I felt when I found out my journal was at Mom and Dad's house. This is my relieved and super happy face.....but this little guy is super cute.

So Mom and I are discussing ways to get a few of those pages to me ASAP (thank goodness for scanners and email) so I hope to get some more posts up in the very near future.

Julie

A Desert Golfing Paradise

Dirhab Golf Course, Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Saturday, January 30th, 2014

This year I decided to try something a little different and sign up for the CCOR Annual Golf Tournament. In case I haven't explained in a previous post (or maybe you have just forgotten) the CCOR stands for the Canadian Community of Riyadh. It is one of many expatriate organizations in the city/country that host events and gatherings, giving us all just a little taste of home/normality while here. Not restricted to Canadians (however they try to give us preference) events are always a great place to meet people.

I hadn't played golf in a good long time but thought this would be a good relaxed way to give it a go. I probably also thought a beer cart would be chasing after me all day but guess not. A friend took me out to the driving range in an attempt to even pretend I know how to swing a club still. Let's just say it was more about a beautiful day on a golf course than about my golf game but I did see some improvement over the day.

January is a pretty nice time to be outside. They do a pretty good job with the irrigation to get all this green. You almost forget it's the middle of the desert. 

My partner for the day, Louise. Turns out she's also a nurse (working at National Guard Hospital) and comes from Osoyoos, BC.....just down the road from Penticton. She was a great partner (as were the other 2 people on our team). Very patient with my lack of golfing skills.

We were off the golf course by about 1300 and then it was time for a nap. The tournament was followed up by a dinner and dance at the Canadian Embassy. Perfect way to finish off a nice day.

Julie

I'M BACK!!!!

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Well I'm getting back. Handed in my final paper for my first class last night and am officially on a 2 month break......from school. Of course I'm still working my usual sporadic hours and preparing for a couple more trips, including a weekend in Egypt to do some diving and then 3 weeks back in Canada.

But I am working on the blog, so you should see some holiday posts shortly.

Julie

Apologies for the Disruption of Service

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Hello all. My story telling is behind again......way behind. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to tell the stories; they're just going to have to wait a bit longer to be told.

I've taken 2 major trips in the last 3 months and I am very excited to share some stories and pictures and of course a few videos with you all. However, I have just started a new....endeavour, which will have me a little occupied over the next 8 weeks.

I decided it was finally time to go back to school so I started my Masters of Healthcare Administration and Management online through Colorado State University on the 7th of April. Two weeks in it is not leaving me with a lot of spare time outside my regular work hours so blogging has been put on the back burner. I have a break for June and July so will use that time to get all up to date.

Of course I will need to do something while I'm procrastinating so I promise that I will get everything up and posted as soon as possible. I appreciate your patience. Please bear with me during this slight delay.

Julie

Saying Goodbye from Far Away

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

I've been working on this post for a while but it has been a bit difficult. As many of you will know on 16th November 2013 the world lost a wonderful soul when my Gramma (Bodden) past away at the age of 92. Losing a loved one is always hard and made harder by living a few thousand kilometres away and made even harder by living that few thousand kilometres away alone.

I wasn't able to return to Canada for the funeral but the funeral home in Yarmouth actually live-streams it. The connection wasn't always great but I was able to see most of it and "being there" offered some comfort.

It wasn't an easy time but instead of focusing on the negative I'm focusing on the wonderful life and person. Here are a few pictures from over the years.

Gramma and Grampa's Wedding in 1948.

Gramma and Dad in 1953......maybe.

Dad, Aunt Winnie, Gramma and Grampa in 1968.

Grampa, Gramma and Dad in 1976.

Gramma, Dad and Aunt Winnie heading to Bruce's wedding in 1977.

1982 while living in Regina. That's Debi and I with Gramma in case you weren't sure.

1988 Christmas in Athabasca.

1989.....another visit in Athabasca.

The look on Debi's face is priceless!!!! We weren't so sure about lobster back then. This was during our 1990 visit to Yarmouth.

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Gramma and Dad in 1995, RCMP Operation Show and Tell.

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ns/prog_services/community-policing-police-communautaire/adps-spai/history-histoire1-eng.htm

This is another lobster dinner in 2005. Bruce, Uncle Ernie, Aunt Winnie, Gramma and Dad in the common room at Gramma's place.

Also in 2005.

Yarmouth Seafest Parade July 2005. That's Aunt Winnie, Gramma, Stephen, Dad and Bruce (Dad's cousin....I've just been assuming you know that up to this point).

Dad and Gramma in 2012.

Gramma's 90th Birthday. Always a beautiful smile.

Gone but always in our hearts and memories.

Julie

Christmas Time in the Kingdom

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
December 2013

It's not that easy to do but it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Riyadh. I really like Christmas so was pretty excited. My decoration collection is still a little small but I did what I could. I had 2 strings of lights that I put in my window (and somehow didn't get a picture of them) and then a few other things for around the house.

I took most of the Christmas week off. I left work Christmas Eve at around and then wouldn't be back to work until 5th January 2014. It was very nice to just be able to sit and relax and enjoy the holiday season.....even here in Riyadh.

My little Charlie Brown Christmas tree complete with a few ornaments from home and all my presents from Mom and Dad. Before you comment, yes that is an official Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.

My little snowman candy jar on my desk at work.

My little table with my new pointsetta and in the back my gift to myself (a food dehydrator...bought on Amazon).

Christmas dinner. So good. 

Very proud of myself for my apple pie. Pretty sure this is the first apple pie I've made since I was a girl guide trying to earn a baking badge. Also the first one I made without Mom talking me through it step by step. I did have a fight with the pastry (seriously, you don't realise how much you miss lard until you make pastry with vegetable shortening) but it turned out very good.

My Christmas ball puzzle from Mom and Dad. Occupied my time a bit while dinner was cooking.

Did anyone else celebrate Boxing Day like this? It was a beautiful afternoon in Riyadh. Perfect for relaxing.

As you can tell by the last photo, I am in full holiday mode. After a relaxing day by the pool on Boxing Day I head to Jordan on the 27th. So excited. 

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.

Julie