Everyday life as an expat

I've come to realize that social media and the internet are the best inventions ever.  Especially when you become an expat.  Skyping with the in-laws or watching video messages from Nanny really helps pass the time.   I think we would be seriously depressed if we couldn't talk and see their faces once a week. We can send and receive mail too.  I'm embarrassed to admit the amount of Zulily and Walmart packages my husband has brought home!  You can take a girl out of Texas, but you can't take her online shopping away.  haha  It's pretty convenient how we can have things shipped to the Chevron office in the Woodlands, and they will pick up the tab to send them here.  Can't beat that!  We also have a "vonage box" that allows family and friends back home to call us on a local number, as well as a "slingbox" that lets us control our Direct TV box in the states, all from the computer.  I couldn't function without some "Bates Motel" or "Big Bang Theory"!  Technology has helped me in more ways than one :)

I miss HEB and Walmart.  Who'd of thunk it!?  LOL You become a hoarder living here, that's for sure.  My freezer is full of bags of Sargentos shredded and block cheese and the pantry has at least 5 bags of Doritos at any given time.  When you see some of your favorites, you have to stock up because you never know when you will see it again.  Pampers, Tide, Lays potato chips and Coke products are always around.  Biscuits, Blue Bell and Goldfish are a hot commodity.  When you see those, you feel like you've hit the lottery!  Our local, most common, place for grocery shopping is called Tamimis.  It sits next to a Dairy Queen too.  Yeah.........Dairy Queen ;)  Imported food from the US gets a bit pricey, so you try the local stuff from time to time.  YUCK!  Well, it's not all bad, but Brett and I are just way too Texan to eat some things.  haha

On that subject, we were determined to step out of our comfort zone and vowed to try the local cuisine.  Basically, we've had a little Indian food and that's it!  Our friends give us a hard time, because our nights out involve dinner at Chili's, Fuddruckers or Outback.  Don't judge.  We like American food ;)  The restaurants are different though.  Some women here have an extremely strong faith, and choose to cover their faces too.  With that being said, there are two entrances for every eating establishment.  "Families" and "Singles".  Basically, a man can't eat in the presence of a woman unless he is accompanied by a woman.  Brett never even saw the family side until Lainey and I arrived.  On top of the separate area, each booth will have a curtain or removable, folding partition.   Some of the Saudis will use them, some won't.  I have to admit, I was surprised when I saw a woman remove her niqab (face veil), for the first time.  I guess I felt honored.  ha

Things definitely move at a slower pace around here.  Maybe it's because we can't drive, or maybe it's that we don't know our way around the city.  Whatever it is, it allows you to really get to know your new friends and connect on a different level with your spouse.  Brett has always ultimately been my best friend, but now I have him to talk to about EVERYTHING.  He probably doesn't enjoy it as much as I do!  LOL  The work week is Sunday through Thursday here, with Friday being their holy day.  I can assure you I haven't gotten use to that yet!!  When you start missing home, staying busy is key. We play cards with other couples, Brett gets athletic with some friendly basketball and I hit the pool at night, on our weekly "Swim Sunday" with a few of the other wives.

Summer time is even slower!  Everyone seems to plan trips home or vacations during this time.  We are so close to many of the world's beautiful travel spots, so people definitely take advantage of that.   Another reason for leaving during the summer is to miss Ramadan.  Muslims worldwide observe it as a month of fasting. It is highly celebrated here, so many public places are closed during the day.  It is a time of reflection of their faith and they are not allowed to eat, drink, smoke or have sex from sun up until sun down.  We are also urged not to do any of these things in front of someone who practices Islam.  Basically, we watch a lot of movies and enjoy the pool during this month. 

Bahrain: Vacay from the vacay

After about a month, things started to sink in.  This was my new home.  Although I was missing my friends and family back home, I was having fun.  Lainey was adjusting just fine as well.  We were all experiencing so many new things and loving it! So, it was now time to venture out more.  Bahrain is the neighboring country.  Just a 2 hr drive, right over the King Fahd causeway.  It's freedom!  LOL  Supposedly even Michael Jackson owned a house here.  Although it's still a Muslim country, the abayas aren't required. You can also enjoy alcohol, pork and all things illegal in Saudi Arabia :)  The shopping is pretty grand too.  You just don't realize the things you take for granted until suddenly you're enjoying a plate full of bacon, while wearing a tank top.  haha  Bahrain is the only middle eastern country that doesn't rely on oil to fund their economy, rather they are more concerned with tourism.  After visiting twice, I can understand why.  You see all walks of life there.  The hotels are phenomenal and really cater to families, but it's not somewhere you want to go to every weekend.  It will definitely start to hurt your pocket book!  Getting a little "party time" once a month is totally worth it though.  We found that planning a trip with a few couples is awesome!  The hotels have a reputable nanny service, so "adult time" is actually possible.  Since Lainey has all her friends with her, she has fun too.  You never think of the amenities you have back home, until you can't up and call Nanny and Pawpaw or Aunt RayRay to watch the kiddo so mom and dad can have a cocktail.  It's pretty cool!

Our new home: Jubail, Saudi Arabia

The first month literally felt like a vacation.  Don't get me wrong, things were completely different now that we were 8000 miles from Texas!  But, it wasn't such a bad thing.  We were ready for this adventure and we were going to embrace this change to the fullest.  I had been very fortunate to had met other wives online, and many of them were already here.  It helped me prepare in ways I couldn't have ever imagined.  Brett had come home to "get us", because it was important that we come into the country with him.  After all, HE was the one working in this foreign land.  He made sure to bring me an abaya so I wouldn't feel so out of place at the airport.  Abayas are a big part of the Islamic culture.  They are black dresses that cover the whole body, except the face, hands and feet.  They are required for women in Saudi Arabia. 

Jet lag kept us down for a few days, but it didn't stop me from looking out the window of our new house, every 5 minutes.  We were living in paradise, called Murjan Village!  A private beach with crystal blue water.  A recreational center filled with a bowling alley, restaurant, gym and a quiet library. It's a huge place consisting of apartment buildings, private villas, 3 pools, a supermarket and even a preschool. I felt like we were at a resort.  Inside the compound, it's almost like your own tiny America.  We can dress and do as we would back home.  There are absolutely NO Saudis inside.  They do, however, work the front security area and are always just the friendliest people to deal with. 

My social calendar started to fill up fast!  I was making some awesome friends, attending brunch, taking French cooking classes and calming my inner Chakra with yoga 3 times a week.  It was amazing!!!  I was even getting comfortable going in to town.  Yeah, the abaya is hot and aggravating, but at least you NEVER have to worry about what you're going to wear to dinner.  haha 

Saudi Arabia is not how I thought it would be.  Everyone has their own interpretation, but it's not a horrible place.  I feel safe here.  Even more than I did sometimes back home.  This country still believes if you kill, you will be killed.  If you steal, you lose the hand you stole with.  With that in mind, it results in a pretty low crime rate.  Women are not treated with disrespect or degraded either.   Lainey and I actually get treated very kindly.  We also get a lot of attention!  I mean, we already scream American, but the blonde hair is something that the locals are just in awe with.  I'm pretty sure my daughter has been all over the internet, due to the amount of photos people have asked to take of her! LOL  It doesn't bother me like I thought it would.  They put children's safety at a much higher standard than back home.  They bless them, hug them, kiss them, etc.  People here really do respect us, as long as we respect them.  But I feel the same way when I'm back home.  Living with a Marine I get to learn a lot, and history shows that Saudis love Americans.  Mostly due to our help during the Gulf War, but we've been told personally of the gratitude they have towards George H. Bush.  That's one point in our favor ;)

There are a definitely a few things here I could do without though.  1) Prayer!  It happens 5 times a day.  Although I'm not opposed to people praising their god, it's just no fun when the stores shut down, the doors get locked, or you can't check out.  Many of the American restaurants or stores, like Ikea, will just close the blinds and you can continue to do your thing.  But..... just make sure you get there before it starts.  It's no fun, standing in 105 degree weather, waiting outside for the doors to open. They have mosques on every corner and even inside the refineries and large stores.  2)Driving!  Everything about it!  First off, it is illegal for all women to drive.  Even a Saudi.  We have fantastic drivers from India, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines, that will take us wherever we want to go.  They put our groceries in the car, carry our stuff in the house, and even serve as body guards if we feel uncomfortable out shopping.  I know you're thinking, "Why is this a bad thing?!"  haha  Well, I miss that independence.  Getting in a car and running to the store for a quick trip.  Blasting the radio and singing like you're Beyonce.  Just driving in general.  But let me really explain.  Our drivers are the exception.  They work for S-Chem, they are trained and they are safe.  We still follow all the laws from back home, including car seats and seat belts.  However, the local drivers are HORRIBLE!  It's a scary thing sometimes just being in a car.  The inside shoulder is often referred to as the "Saudi lane".  People literally fly by, squeezing themselves between you and the barrier, and it's terrifying.  It's not surprising to see a 2 yr old sitting in the drivers lap or red lights ran like they're not even there.  Unfortunately, there have been several auto accidents because of this.  One that recently included a fellow Murjan resident's husband.  Saudis are known to believe that EVERYTHING will happen "Inshallah", meaning, God willing.  So, if they decide to blow through that stop sign, whether they live or die is all Inshallah.  Thoughts of repercussions are more of an American thing.  haha  3)Heat!!  There is a big misconception back home that although it's hot here, there is no humidity.  That couldn't be farther from the truth!!  Sometimes the humidity is at 100% and on top of 110 or 115 degree temps, you feel like you might burst into flames!  haha  Luckily, the pools have chillers in them, because the ocean water (The Persian Gulf) feels a little like a warm bath tub.  I never thought I'd say this, but I miss cloudy days.  I miss rain!!!  LOL

Moving to Saudi Arabia

Well, when Brett came home with the news, I was in shock.  We had talked about how much our lives could change if we took this offer, but I think part of me didn't think it would actually ever happen.  Of course I was proud of him!  He had been selected out of quite a few candidates for this position, and I was going to support him 100%.  We were now going to sell our home, many of our possessions, and break the news to the family.  Luckily, everyone was on board.  Well, dad had his reservations :)  Having the only grandbaby (plus Brett and I) so far away, wasn't too exciting to him.  Once we reassured him of our safety living abroad and reminded him how after these 2 years we would be his neighbor, he was good.

Brett was scheduled to arrive in the Kingdom less than a week after we celebrated the new year of 2014.  Lainey and I wouldn't see him for 3 months!  Normally most of the wives and families join the employee within 6 to 8 weeks, however, Rachel had already set the date for her wedding.  As big sister and Matron of Honor, I had some responsibilities and important events to attend to before I could leave. Our house in Dayton was on the market for about 2 weeks and we had an offer.  We scheduled everything we needed to be shipped over to our new home and the rest of our belongings were put in a Chevron storage facility.  Once Brett was settled and obtained his Iqama (work permit), he applied for our Visas.  We counted down the days, slowly, and on April 16th we were on our way.