The Adventure Begins

Jan 6 2015

We arrived in Saudi a week ago. (actually 2 weeks ago but just now getting to post:)  We have learned a few new things and have much more to learn.  Here are a few of our adventures so far—

The plane ride:

Super duper nice—business class.  Never experienced that before and of course the kids were LOVING it.  Had movies, games, food and a bed at their own fingertips and pleasure.  Addie told me the other plane was “boring”. (that would be the first plane from St. Louis to Chicago—although it was cool before she experienced plane #2 “business class”)   I explained to her that what she was experiencing was “not the normal” and glad that she liked it :) but that she would be riding in “boring” planes for the rest of her life as this was a privilege and an exception!!

The kids lugged around their carry ons and backpacks like troopers.  Two small speed bumps-we lost Jordan’s wallet on plane #2 and 9 out of our 21 baggage items were lost and not there when we got to Dammam.   In Doha, we met a family coming to Aramco for their first time from Orem Utah.  They had a 12 year old girl, 9 boy, and 7 year old twins.  They were super nice and we were excited.  After they got out of the employment office though we found out they are moving to Ras Tanura L so we won’t see them as much as we had thought though.  Although we hear that is the best beach we will be going to so maybe we will get lucky and our paths will cross again.

After waiting to find out about our luggage we had to go through customs—Huge blessing, couldn’t believe how smoothly it went.  Homeland security had gone through some of our boxes but as we went through here, the items went through the XRay machines and then we were moved through.  Nothing was opened on our way out.  So awesome! Answered prayer.

Driving:

So we were loaded up in two vehicles since our luggage was so much. I thought when I looked at the speedometer that the cars must have a different numbering system or something.  It was reading 120.  No joke. And yes, it is in kilometers instead so we weren’t really going 120 but sometimes when cars pass us, I think they might be going that crazy speed.  They drive super fast here.  We went shopping the next day and our friends were so kind to drive us (we have no car) and they explained how people will just all of the sudden do a right or left turn from like 4 lanes from the opposite side.  There are no merge lanes either---you’re either on or off the right road you are going on.  Notice picture above.

Shopping:

We went to a safeway grocery store.  It is similar in the set up and thank goodness has English as well as the Arabic.  The first thing you do is get your produce and take it to a man whose job it is to weigh and sticker your food for you.  You don’t wait to get up to the register to do that.  A carton of cottage cheese was $13.  Ouch.   Other things are not as expensive and some things are just not available.  It’s funny to talk about how excited it is to see foodsJ because before you just expect them to be there. We tried to go between prayer times here but didn’t have everything we needed so ended up taking longer than we’d thought but we’re grateful for the kind people who shopped with us and showed us the ins and outs and where to find things;) 

A couple days after our grocery shopping we did a family trip to IKEA to get basics.  You know, like trash cans etc.  I wish I could have taken a picture of that day but my hands were so full from carrying bags, broom etc. in my abaya (black dress).  We rode the bus—had to catch the 9 a.m. bus, started shopping at 10, had to be in the checkout by 11 so you could be done before prayer to be able to get some food and catch the bus back at 12.  So it’s like a 3 ½ hour trip to do one little shopping trip.  We had checked out but then they wouldn’t let us back at the restaurant.  I must have misunderstood my friends’ instructions so luckily there was a small snack bar on the main floor. The hot dogs were on buns that totally were falling apart.  When we got back to compound we stopped at the little commissary to shop for an ice cream we promised the kids and got some cleaners and more milk. Then all of us were walking from the bus stop to our house and the kids were trying to help but it got heavy quickJ 

That night some friends invited us to dinner out and we ended up going to the souks.  This is like a whole bunch of little stores in a row.  It’s where you go if you’re looking for things a little cheaper than the malls.  I need to get my abaya (I’m borrowing one for now) so when I go back I’ll take more pictures to show.

Jet lag

We are still trying to adjust to losing 9 hours.  We woke up to bright sunshine in the plane to then have it dark two hours later.  Our kids have been up at 3:30 am and 5 am the last two days.  If you look closely the microwave clock is like 5:15 a.m. You try to not take a nap but by the afternoon it’s like you can’t function and the kids are falling apart.  So I was up at 2 am again.  I’m sure it will get better soon.

Our New Home

We love our new home.  From 1 to 4 1/2 bathrooms!  Speaking of, I have to mention that our kids did find the new bidet interesting.. In fact, the littlest ones were like “oh a mini little sink!”  We definitely had to explain it was NOT a sink and we should never drink from itL or play in it. We learned from our new friends that they don’t use toilet paper here—so to carry some in your purse when you go shopping and that usually the toilets get clogged because they don’t use toilet paper they use smaller pipes.  She said her son usually does it once a week---yep, by first day we had clogged 2.

We have a two level villa and the bedrooms are upstairs.  It is all really nice.  We were provided with a few essentials the first day we got here.  We still have a few things to purchase but doing really well.  They say all Americans will be out of Rakkah by Dec. 31 2015 due to tax laws so this will be temporary but we have really enjoyed it so far.

If you look out on our balcony you can see the Persian Gulf.

Activities

The people here are so incredibly nice.  We were invited to a New Years party dinner and got to meet several families living here.  The compound has a main building that has a lot to offer.  A little library, a 12 and older room (like pool, foosball, etc) racquetball courts and squash ball courts, an exercise/weight room with classes, pool, 2 parks, bowling alley, snack bar, restaurant.  The first day Megan Addie and Ryan went swimming.  It’s only in the 70’s but they heat the pool.  Haley’s swim was in one of the lost bagsL so she played racquetball with a new friend.  Dave and Jordan played racquetball.  We had the oven repaired (Dave was cooking eggs and kept getting shocked—ouch), the washer also needed some help (broken water valve), and beds switched out.  They had given us the standard furniture everyone gets but a queen bed wasn’t working for 3 girls so we had a kiddo sleeping on the couch for the first few days but now have 3 twins and the girls were excited for their own new bed.

The Adventure Continues:  Week 2  Jan 11 2015

This past week has been a work in process getting all the kids finished registering for their schools (except Jordan) so they could start school today.  We started with getting blood work for everyone.  Left our camp at the 8 a.m. bus. Ryan is definitely the champ of that experience.  We all had to do it and he kept saying he wanted the next turn behind the curtain and I was sure it was because he didn’t realize what was happening.  However, when it was his turn he just put his arm out and watched her and I kept waiting for a scream or tears when realization hit but no—just stood there looked at it and then it was done.  No tears.  All the kids were amazed and was like “wow Ryan—you really are batman—no Ry-man”. 

This picture was on the way to getting our blood drawn but I took it so you could see some Arabic numbers.  The backwards 300, in the above picture, (at least to us) is really 554 in Arabic.

After that we headed to the elementary school to 

fill out final paperwork and see a quick tour as we realized to make our appt. at the middle school for Haley we would have to leave at the 11 a.m. bus to make our 12:30 appt as there wasn’t a noon bus.  The school was great and the people there are just so incredibly nice and welcoming.   They showed the girls all the teachers on the wall they might get.  Addison decided she wanted this one particular teacher and I just told her we wouldn’t know who it was but that I’m sure whomever she got,  they would be a good teacher.  When we had first entered the building a kind lady had obviously seen our “new” look and told us where to goJ.   That was Mrs. Brekke and when Addie saw her on the wall of 1^st grade teachers, that is who she decided she wanted as her teacher. The school has a nice library and computer lab, gym, outside covered basketball courts, and they get to use the swimming pool.   I’m not sure how all that works but we’ll find out soon.  Kids have an hour lunch and most go home on the main camp and eat with their families. For the kids from the outer camps they have lunch clubs for them to participate in like cup stacking, knitting, lego building, sports, etc.  We are still learning how that works but the girls are looking forward to the gymnastics one.  This is just a picture you see out from one of the hallways.  There was a little turtle in the pond.

As we waited for Haley’s appt. we took lunch at the snack bar and Dave gave us all a culture difference lesson on how there is no “super size” here.  These cups---one of the left is Large and one on the right is Small.  

We were told that if we brought Haley’s M.A.P scores she wouldn’t have to be evaluated again but after we got to the middle school we found that was not the case. Confusion based on same acronyms but different tests. We were introduced when we got there to one of the principals who is in charge of the swim team and he was giving me a lot of good information as Dave talked to the other people registering Haley.  When I caught up with Dave outside we were being walked to the swings—Haley truly DID have to be assessed and it was going to be 2 ½ hours!  So, we had some serious “practice patience” time and Dave went to work.

At Haley’s middle school the students are divided into 4 houses: 

She was put into Indomitus.  They do fun competitions between the four during the school year.

Unfortunately, as she finished the testing there was an accidental fire alarm!  So everyone was coming out of the schools and we missed the 3 o’clock bus---and the next one didn’t come till 5.  So we needed to walk to the commissary to catch that next bus and it was a trek.  I’m so proud of my troopers.  Seriously, no snacks, long unexpected day...  After we walked and walked and walked Jhaha…we bought a few groceries we could carry and waited for our bus.  We got home after 6 p.m.  A 10 hour adventure---

The next day we took a much needed play day and swam for 2 ½ hours.  It isn’t super warm here right now.  This is actually their “cold” time (in the 70’s) but they do heat the pools.  We are definitely the "newbies" enjoying the pool thinking it is awesome while everyone else is thinking it is too cold:) haha!

So the one of the biggest things to learn is just timing.  Not just the bus system but also prayer times and when stores are open (some close in the middle of the day after second prayer before third prayer) etc.  Things that would be so quick and easy are not so much.

Thursday was a tour for Haley’s school and finish turning in more paperwork.  It started at 1 p.m. but had to take the 11 a.m. bus as there is no noon bus.  So we are getting really good at waiting.  Once the tour started it was only about 45 minutes long.  We got to see the different buildings for Haley to walk around.  They have a lot of opportunity here with different clubs and electives.  They do 4 classes a day—longer than in the States and then 4 more class subjects the next day so they have the core classes but it allows them to have more electives.  Haley wants to do choir which is all year so that took one of her choices.  Then they are required to have a language.  Out of French, Spanish, and Arabic- can you guess what Haley chose?  Then each trimester she gets to pick an elective and the kids are not allowed to pick the same elective 2 times in a row, which allows everyone a chance to try a class and also challenges the kids to try new things.  Some of her elective choices are:  digital photography, sewing, math, robotics, world sports, Global arts with Helping Hands,   etc. etc.

     

 wall climbing (definitely her first choice but full so she’ll have to wait till March to do that one!)

We missed the bus again by about 10 minutesL so waited around for another hour.  We were experiencing our first shamal (aka dust storm) so instead of being outside we were in the foyer of the building, again waiting…Our 45 minute school tour was a 5 hour trip. Again, however we are just touched by the small tender mercies of the kindness and understanding of those around us.  They are so patient and go out of their way to help us.  They tried to call the bus to see if we hadn’t missed it. They offered to squeeze us all in their car and take us somewhere, etc.  While we waited Ryan was having a rough go and the lady asked if she could give him some sugarJ  While I didn’t want to reward him (judge me—it’s okayJ) I totally said yes..  I mean, we have been waiting a LOT and very tired, new country, etc. etc.. but what was so sweet to me was that before she handed him the candy bag to choose from, she tenderly gave him a tissue and was like “here..why don’t you wipe your face first (from the crying) and made him feel better.  Everyone in the office kept saying “it’s going to get better. Hang in there.” Instead of looks of judgment and annoyance we were blessed to have smiles and glances of empathy and understanding.  It was a big tender mercy for me.

As we waited outside at the bus stop in the shamal (not the best idea by the way) a random person stopped to offer us a ride!  I can not say enough about the kindness and sincerity of the people we have come in contact with.  It has been so fun to meet people from New Zealand, London, Venezuela, Australia, Colorado, Scotland, Boston, Utah, Kansas, Texas, South Carolina, Philippians, Canada and Bahrain.  I have thought a lot about the Tower of Babel as I have listened to all of these different languages around me and wondered “I’m sure this must have been what it was like when He changed all the languages and no one could understand each other!!”  Although, I do have to say that it is really funny that no matter what language you may be using or hearing---there are some things you just understand!!  We have smiled a few times realizing that while we may not know the exact words the parent or person was using—it was very clear what they were saying:)!

Driving & Shopping Part 2

So on Saturday we were able to rent us a car.  This was so nice to be able to get some much needed groceries.  My arms carry only so much J I’ve been hitting the commissary every few days trying to make due but we were needing like a big Sams club trip—ha but no.  Nothing like that here.  We needed to get the girls school supplies also.  Things that you would think would be together—not so much.  This is true for groceries as well.  Someone told us they were looking for worcestershire sauce once.  They found a small bottle then a few rows down the store in a completely different section there was another area of a few more choices for worcestershire sauce.  So you pretty much go up and down the aisles finding things OR hoping to find things J.   OR you might find something and think it is the right thing—milk for example only to buy 4 because you’ve been buying 2 but its not lasting long with 7 people  (they are only 2 L) so you stock up only to find out it is NOT milk—even though it says that—weird.  Lots of learning we areJ --yoda

both of these say 100% cow milk--but no--not the same.  One is fresh milk, one is fresh Laban--who knows?The "Saudi Lane"

Anyway back to driving.  I just don’t even know if I can explain it.  Round abouts here are like 3 lanes wide and there are no rules.  A guy told of us of a story of a guy who was in Bahrain at the police station because of an accident. While there they were talking to a German couple who were in an accident.  They were in the round about in the middle lane.  A guy on the inside of the round about turned right to get out of the round about and hit them and it was THEIR fault the accident happened because they were told they were supposed to exit the round about even though that wasn’t their road…uh?  So it’s a bit scary when watching how these people drive and knowing you will be blamed.  Dave was with someone who came to some congestion and just moved over to the shoulder and said  “oh sorry we have to do that or it would just be chaotic here.” Um…so Dave was grateful for the insightJ as why we have what we call “Saudi Lane” aka shoulder here.  There is also something called the Saudi Left turn.  I have seen this right before me…we are driving straight.  There are 3 or 4 lanes on the road.  A guy from the far right hand side at the green light goes in front of all of the lanes to turn left –from the far right….when I was riding the bus I saw a car perpendicular to the 3 lanes of traffic at the 4 way traffic light.  I’m sure he was attempting his left turn but it looked so wild I just couldn’t get a picture fast enough.  This also does not happen at the first turn of the light…anytime just all of the sudden they are turning.  Very fast driving. No child seats.  On our way to Ikea we saw this little girl  (like under 2) just standing up by the window smiling at us—cute, yes but safe? No.  Someone also told us that we will see like 12 year olds driving because you know, mom can’t drive but the little boy can.   Jordan said if he learned to drive here, he would then be an expert in the States.  Um no..over my dead body. 

First Day of School

So if you believe it—it comes true, right?  Well, maybe not always but for Addie, this week, it did.  Remember that teacher she was determined would be hers?  Yep, that was her assigned teacherJ Mrs. Brekke. And she is so wonderful!!  She has been teaching overseas for 17 years in Taiwan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia & one other place I forgotL.  They ran a special bus for the “new” families—they had over 70 new kiddos ;)!  We were told there was a bus between 19^th and 20^th street to take us at 6:15 to meet our teachers before school started at 7:45 a.m.  So we got onto a bus.  It was going—but to the middle school and not till 6:40 so we ran across the street, got on another bus –yes going to Dhahran Hills Elementary.  We sit back.  He asks for our names and then he looks at me puzzled.  “Isn’t this leaving at 6:15?” I ask.  No. 6:40.  “What?” At this time it is 6:11 a.m.  Jump off the bus with Megan, Addison, & Ryan.  Run to the next bus down….”this going to Elementary?”  Yes, no—the special bus?  Oh no –it’s at the FRONT of camp.  OH what a run we had….seriously…we should have earned a medal.  I know Megan was extremely worried and so then my heart was going out to her.  As a mom you want to make everything feel all perfect and I definitely wanted her first day to be a good one and this was not in the plan!  As we turned one corner, it looked as if it was pulling away so we waved and yelled out and thankfully it waited a few more minutes and we (and some others) made it, but we were huffing and puffing like 3 big bad wolves!!!!

They had us all meet in the library and then they would call our names and match up the new student with the teacher.  Addison was ready to go!  So I first went with Meg to her new class. Her teacher, Mrs. Magnin has a 1^st grader and then 3 year old twins.  Super lady right there.   She walked us across to the 3^rd grade building and showed Megan her new room and all that she would need to know. She reassured her that there have been many new kids so classmates are extremely kind and aware of what it is like to be the new kid and that they had 2 class peers that would be helping her throughout the whole day showing her what she would need to know and do.  It was at this time, for me unexpectantly that this very sweet and overwhelming loving feeling came over me.  I had not been silently praying or anything just standing listening but I knew at that moment that Heavenly Father was very aware of where we were and that these teachers were exactly who Megan and Addison needed and that He loves us.  I am not sure why it was at that moment but I was so touched my eyes started to sweat and I had to catch myself so I didn’t look like I was crying because my kids were going off to schoolJ haha!  Although I have totally done that in the past by-the-way and feel no shame admitting that!!  By the time I got to Addison’s class she was able to rehearse all that she had been told by her teacher on how her classroom worksJ.  She was enjoying the time with her new teacher and picked staying inside as to going out and meeting new friends on the playground.

Ryan and I rode the bus back and eventually Jordan came back from camp too (right now he attends a fun early class with about 15 kids and then he goes to swim before he catches the bus back home before he starts school at the end of this month) and we made cookies for the girls to have when they returned home from the bus.  I received an email in the morning updating me on how Megan was doing “all smiles” and we met the girls at the bus stop when it came back a little after 4 p.m.  Longest school day for them ever.  They are really doing incredible. I’ve been so grateful for them and their positive attitudes and efforts in/about trying new things that have been different (some foods, schedules, bus riding, selection of items--for example that lunch box--one choice at IKEA:)--haha not that it is the end of the world--just different,)  THEY are incredible. 

As we got them settled for bed Jordan and Haley were able to meet up with some friends to play softball together.  There are about 13 girls the same age as Haley that like to meet together and do fun thingsJ.  She is excited to get to spend time and get to know them better.  Jordan has also met some boys his age that hang out together.  They’ve been very welcoming and kind.  Some are just about as new as us (one day before us or a few weeks before us) so everyone seems to go out of their way to help us.  I keep feeling like the mooch but they just keep saying “we’ve all been there and pretty soon you’ll be on the other side and you will just pay it forward.”  They just have such incredible attitudes and give lots of service and love and I'm grateful not only for their acts of kindness but great examples to follow.

How are you doing?

I know some of you are wondering how are we REALLY doing.  Answering for myself mostly but I think I can say for all of us--we are doing well.  I feel overly blessed to be completely honest.   When people look at me and ask me here, I feel as if they sometimes are worried or feeling sorry that I may not be doing okay because it is so different but I keep waiting for something to “drop” because for us, it has gone rather smoothly.  Someone told me it must be because I came having very low expectationsJ ha!  I have gained new insights about perspective and how it affects us. After listening to others,  I have have only been more convinced that we’ve had it great---when we got our blood drawn we got a really nice lady (she and Haley were giggling behind the curtain as she was drawing her blood) as to opposed to some other people who said “it was like the worst stick of my life”.   We have a beautiful home with lots of windows and light as opposed to those in 2 other camps who call it “outer darkness” because there are no windowsL. One new mom I met said her only window was to a shaft that had construction supplies in itL.   Some kids haven’t been able to start school because the country they did their immunizations in forgot to record that they did it!  Ah!! So they have the receipt that they got it done but they didn’t get it signed off so they were going to the clinic again and the child can’t go to school until it all gets finished…and that might be a few more days still…really paperwork here is something I can’t even describe.  Maybe I’ll try another time…

Now has everything been perfect?  No it hasn’t.  Lost luggage, lost wallet, patient building experiences, trusting in things you can’t control, missing family and friends (we have already started our “summer wish listJ”, driving in Saudia Arabia (enough said.), not understanding what directions they are giving you to do, being misunderstood, etc. but I truly feel blessed and prayed for and can honestly say we are doing well and feeling those prayers, love and support.  Today as we were getting our 2^nd temporary cards—yes, 2^nd…because our first temporary cards expire tomorrow and our I.D. cards for in-country won’t be done for a few more days we had to go to get another temporary I.D. card to once again go in a few days to get our real I.D……anyway…I was reading an ebook I had downloaded and came across these few paragraphs and just really loved the gentle reminder message:

“No room in the inn? Although an angel had declared Mary highly favored of the Lord, even she was not exempted from the difficulties of life: the uncertainty of whether Joseph would marry her, the burdensome journey from Galilee to Bethlehem, and now, no room in the inn on the night she would give birth to the Son of God.

“No room in the inn” was not a cruel coincidence but divine design—a destined part of the miracle of His birth. Instead of a comfortable inn, God chose the stable, the manger, and the swaddling clothes as important symbols of the birth of His Son, cherished through the centuries by millions and millions of believers.

Remembering Mary reminds us that many of the sorrows, difficulties, uncertainties, and challenges that confront us should not be seen as heaven’s disfavor but rather as defining moments in our lives—opportunities to go forward in faith, realizing that the full purposes of the Lord will be understood, if not at the very moment, then later."  By Neil L. Anderson

 So—challenge for the week for all of us:  use the defining moments and Go Forward in Faith!