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