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.