Blog - at home in the UK November 2009

OK - where do I start.... it seems so long ago that I was at home now!! Well, I started off by leaving here on Tuesday 17th November - went to Bahrain to fly from there - spoilt myself and went in the lounge this time - it is a bit of a busy airport and there aren't many seats, so it was much more comfy in the lounge!! So, flight, etc, all ran smoothly. It was a bit bumpy when we got home though, due to the winds, so landing was delayed due to winds and it certainly was a bumpy landing!! Anyway, got back to LHR and picked up the car - decided to upgrade too to a Peugeot 308 which was nice! Got back home and went straight for a spray tan - so looked like an umpa lumpa for the rest of the day! Spent the day with sisters, George and Dad. George is getting so tall now - he is doing fine though. His favorite catch-phrases are "why" and "are we there yet"!!!! I also went to Asda - I know its sad, but its one shop I do miss and its generally the first place I visit!!

Some of the days now, I can't really remember what I did! I think Thursday and Friday I was running around sorting out stuff for my party on the Saturday maily and getting my nails done, etc. Caught up with a few old friends on the way too.

Saturday 21st November was the day of my 40th birthday party. We held it in Blidworth at the Welfare. Myself and my sisters had decorated it the night before, so Saturday I spent at the hairdressers and also had my make up done, then got changed and off to the party I went. It was a wonderful night - some of the school friends who came, I had not seen since I was 16!! It was great to catch up with so many friends and family. I was worse for wear by the end of the night - I blame everyone else for buying me drinks - reminds me of how I was on my 18th! Some things never change! Sunday was a bit of a write-off although I did see my cousins and manage to go out for a meal later on!!

The rest of the holiday was very busy too. I spent quite a bit of time visiting friends - went to see Skunk Anansie in Manchester too - they were excellent live - met up with Mark - the drummer - afterwards - I have known him since my Big Breakfast days and we hav kept in touch - it was good to catch up. Was sick in bed one day, but managed to get better for Centre Parcs on the Friday - went with my sisters and George. Had a great time - managed to go tree trecking too - 30 foot up in the trees - can't quite believe I did it really!

Another week at home and went shopping with a personal shopper so bought a whole new wardrobe and more which I needed! Visited more friends, had a day at the spa and spent some time at my old house sorting out the garden. All is fine there - Jakub is looking after the house well - I met up with a decorator too and he is doing the whole house in January so that should spruce it up a bit!

Went to London on the 10th to meet up with Darron and we had a few days there. Went to see Little Voice - a show - which was really good and also on the Eye, a ride on a boat along the Thames and to Madam Tussauds. Spent lots of time in the pubs too sampling the mulled wine! Met up with some ship friends too on the way back and then it was time to fly back to Saudi.

Anyway, that was my blog from home. I have one from Christmas and NY which will be winging its way to you later this week.

Take care,

Jill

xx

Jill's 40th birthday - Part 1

Photos from my birthday:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LYMC8Pe75mwWPtye-o8tCA?feat=directlink

Helllllooooo - one more day left before my escape from here - thank goodness. It has been a truely challenging week - my team have been driving me up the wall with travel orders or being unhelpful, but now I think most of them are on business trips so its nice and quiet finally....

My birthday weekend was great - had a blast. Went over to Bahrain with Ayon on Wednesday evening - only took an hour on the causeway - pretty amazing - problem is when you get to Bahrain then you get stuck in traffic as there are too many people living on a small island, and not enough roads! So it was another hour, via the bottle shop, before we got to the apartments...

Stayed at Desert Pearl apartments - they were fine - pretty cheap but clean and in a good area close to where we needed to be. Neil cooked Thai curry once he arrived and we finally finished off a few bottles of wine, once we had managed to find a bottle opener (!), so we just stayed at the apartment. Hetty arrived from Dubai later and my friend, Liss from Riyadh, was already with us. Bob M arrived later too from Dubai... Several bottles later and I was ready for bed - however, the others decided to go out clubbing and I think got in around 4.30am!!! I just don't have the staminer at my age and wanted to save myself for Thursday...

So, woke up Thursday - a bit worse for wear, but managed to drag myself off to the henna salon and get my hand's henna'd - looks better now as it was quite orange when it was done, but has gone a dark brown color now - looks good. Went back to the apartments - had some hangover food, coffee and got ready to go out...

Got to Jim's just after 1 - quite a few folk there - a few more of my friends arrived later. Had a few drinks then sat down to a buffet lunch - shepherd's pie, pasta, salad, mash, pork - very yum! My friends then presented me with a cake and also present - cash - around 400 quid - they knew I wanted a dive computer so I have now ordered this for when I go diving!

Went on to The Exchange later in the Ramada - killer pool games began and also arm wrestling - I am not sure where Breige has been training recently, but she beat us all!!!

Then later on the JJ's - caught up with a few more friends in there - some of the others went to another pub - I just stayed their til the bitter end - well 11pm - I had had enough by then!!!

Friday - most folk were up reasonably early - 8am - the girls and Neil went out for bacon and cobs so we had bacon rolls - they were yummy!

Myself and Ayon hung around with Liss as she wasn't due at the airport for her flight to Riyadh til 3. Went to the mall breifly and then lunch at Trader Vic's....

And the causeway was only an hour on the way back again!

The rest of last week was fun - my car broke down so I had to get it towed to the garage to be told it needed a new alternator, then the following day it wasn't the alternator, just a loose connection! So thats back but its not liking these colder mornings! I popped to the Mall with Tracy on Tuesday too..

Also managed my 30 minute run with the running club - been building up to that for the past few months so that free's me up tonight to pack!!! 30 mins is about 12 laps of the track! Around 3 miles...

Anyway, I leave tomorrow on a jet plane - back into the UK around 7am Weds morning.

Cannot wait - am so ready for a break - and looking forward to seeing everyone too and to my party on Saturday!!!

Take care and see you in a few days/weeks...

Jill

xxx

Smyla Myla's charity weekend and PAWS Louise's leaving do

Hi guys - welcome to another week of Jill's life in Saudi - hope you are doing ok. Another busy week for me - especially at work - really busy for some strange reason and in between sorting out PAWS stuff... not long til Louise (PAWS) goes now - I hope she manages to sort out her visa and come back to Saudi - it won't be the same without her!!

I think I last updated you last Wednesday - after work then I taught circuits and then went for a meal with Gay and Linda and also some old friends from my DMC days (1995!!) who now work at Aramco - Robin, Sue and Heather - so - it was good to catch up but as always it was - 10 degrees in the restaurant - note to self - must take a big coat next time I eat there!!

Later I popped into Tina's with Ayon for a quick drink at her happy hour and I have agreed to house sit for her over Christmas - will be nice to have space for a change as she has a huge house here on camp!

Thursday I ran around quite a lot - attempted to catch a cat or two with Chrissy but they were AWOL - so that didnt happen! Then went to this craft fair thing on camp and bought some more Christmas gifts, then had lunch with Ayon and Kaye and then got ready to go to Myla's charity event. Breige and Tracy had done a wonderful job in organising the event and 3 bands gave their time, along with DJ Andy to provide the entertainment all day. Here is a picture of Myla. She is so cute. We managed to raise around 12k pounds altogether for further treatment for a very aggressive tumor she has close to her brain. All the best Myla...xxx

It was a wonderful day and night - here is me and Spook also - I have known Spook since 1998 - he is still here and runs one of the watering holes on Azziz compound!! Also pictured, me and my friend Carmen....

It was rather a late night (or early morning should I say), but I got myself together on Friday and went off to say my farewells to Louise who is leaving for Australia in a week or so. She is having visa problems so cannot stay here so has to go home to sort it out - Louise has been wonderful in all the work she has done with PAWS and all the animals in Kingdom and will be very largely missed - especially by me as I have taken on some of her PAWS work - but I will continue with the plight to help animals out here and hopefully, eventually, be recognised by Saudi for what we are actually doing!!!

The rest of this week hasn't been too busy - in fact Saturday, after a massage (I have a really sore shoulder at the moment) I had a rare night in when I got back! However, my car didnt start, so I had to leave it in the car park at work and walk home.... went to try and get it going last night, and after setting fire to a set of jump leads and my car almost, we got a new set of leads and nothing happened - so Im thinking alternator, battery or starter motor - but the alternator and battery are fairly new... so a tow truck later I was back at the garage and only just made my pilates class last night! Still waiting to hear what the problem is...

Gearing up for the weekend. Going over to Bahrain with some friends for the night and staying and then doing a few things Thursday morning and then off to my birthday party # 1 at Jim's restuarant... should be a good weekend - around 35-40 folk are coming over....

And then only 4 days to go after the weekend and I am back to the real world!! Can't wait...

Off to another Christmas Fair tonight - there have been loads this year - all the "ladies who lunch" spend their year making stuff for the fair's - they are really good - I got some great presents... then we are going running round the golf course in preparation for my 30 minute run with the running club next week! Tomorrow off to Ikea to get a few bits... then its the weekend!

Right, over and out.

Write soon or Ill probably see you before you do!!!

Jill

xxxx

Personal Training experience in Dubai

Hellllooorrr - its been a long time since I wrote my blog - I really have been so busy this week at work - yes, I have officially had to work for a living - it has got in the way of me writing my blog!! Not good at all!!

Anyway's - Dubai was good - although certainly mentally challenging for sure and my brain is still aching and tired this week from all the information I tried to consume!!

First, Sheryl's birthday - here is the group of us - we went to Bushido in Bahrain - I am sure you will remember that I have been there several times before. Had a few hours in Bahrain - getting nails done - walking around the shops, then went for lunch - very nice too - then we went to Trader Vic's for cocktails and then I met Darron and went out for a meal with him - he was back from Milan (where he is currently based) and we went for a catch up...

Flew to Dubai on the Saturday evening - seemed to attract stupid taxi drivers who had no idea where anything was so it took some getting to the hotel - did eventually - the hotel was fine, although Ibis don't provide room service, so I ordered the food and had to fetch it myself - whats all that about!!!!???? Was a late night and I was tired, but fortunately didnt have to get up til 7.30 - in fact these days, that is a lie in for me!!

First day was fine - there were 7 other folk on the course - all similar ages in fact - and Anna who I knew from my gym instructor course, so nice to see a familiar face.... Mark Chambers was our instructor - he was very good throughout the course. Most days were very full on - there is too much to tell you really - but its intense stuff - ie muscles - but not the main ones, all the small ones I need to learn - I am worried about the exam I must say.... so, I didnt do any exams whilst I was there last week - I have to revise, absorb the information and then go back to Dubai possibly and also with the practical - I am using one of the girls - Sarah - from Bahrain as my "body" - have to fix her up with a 12 week personal training program and then for the exam show the assessor I can teach her - that is probably the easiest part. For the sports conditioning I have to find a sports person (ie my friend Sheryl who plays golf) - take a photo of her doing a swing for example - cut it into 5 parts - analyse 2 of the photos saying which muscles are used, what movement it is, etc, etc, then draw her up a program for a year!!!! This is going to take time obviously.

The rest of the week was good - apart from on-going problems with taxi drivers - I did get to see the Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta Mall (see photo - that was the roof of the Iranian part - its made up of areas from all over the world!!) and I met my friend Hetty a couple of times (who bought a new car - see pic - Dodge Charger!!) too and we went out for a meal - was hoping to see my friend Jo who was on the Tatoosh private yacht in Abu Dhabi for the F1, but it never happened as she couldnt get off the boat - Feargus, another friend is in Abu Dhabi too and I had hoped to see him - maybe next time....

Anyway, a pretty gruelling week all in all and lots to take away with me to think about - I think it will take me a few months before I am ready to go back and do the exam and practical... I have stopped doing so many classes, but at the same time have now made space to get back to the gym so I can practise what I am going to preach!!! Amongst all the other stuff I do. The PAWS event at Halloween went well last weekend I understand and I have just collected a donation today off a lady of around 800 quid which is wonderful! Louise leaves soon so I am becoming busier with PAWS stuff I must say... I need to organise an event for the new year too and here is me saying I need time to revise - I have already signed up for 2 dive trips - one in March and one in April!!!!

Work, as I said, has been busy this week. My boss is away in London next week, so hopefully it will be a little easier. I will be busy I guess sorting out my parties for my birthday although I think both of those are pretty much sorted now... I only managed one run this week - I wasn't too well whilst I was in Dubai - had a tummy bug, but seem to be ok now. Ran Saturday, taught pilates Sunday and taught last night and tonight too! Had a challenging class last night - the lights kept going out!!! Also, the ladies who lunch are holding Christmas craft fairs so I went to a couple of those last night and again today at lunch....

Anyway, here is the weekend - at least I get one this week - teaching tonight, meal, then drinks at Tina's, tomorrow cat catching, then the charity do all afternoon and evening and Louise PAWS leaving do Friday! Full on really!

Right, over and out.

See you all in a couple of weeks - please write too - I dont seem to get many emails these days!!!!

Jill

xxxxx

PAWS is taking over my life!!

Hi guys - what a week its been - I don't think I have ever been so busy for ages - mainly I have been sorting out the party for the PAWS Halloween do on the 29th October - its a fancy dress ball and tables are being sold in 8's so its been pretty challenging to juggle folk and get them all on the tables they want. There were 250 tickets up for grabs and we have 12 left. I think I sold around 170 of them and loads of raffle tickets. Its taken over my life this week and people have been coming and going to collect tickets and meet me!!!

I have managed to have 2 arguments today also - one with the company who provide food for us (ie when visitor's come to see us) over unpaid bills - but due to the computer system having had a glitch in it forever we cannot provide the details they want so they threatened me with not delivering food in future. Then the laundromat have lost my 800SAR Egyptian cotton sheets for the second time - they gave them someone else before and 4 weeks later they eventually turned up but now they have offered me 400SAR for the sheets which I am currently not accepting. I think its time for a break from here - its getting to me a bit! Thank goodness for Dubai next week although it will involve a lot of work!

Last week was busy - I went running Saturday and Monday - managed 4 minutes x 6 with one minute walking in between. Missed last Saturday so its 8 mins tonight x 3 - thats going to hurt. Previously I have gone to spin before - tonight I think I will give it a miss! Classes were busy too last week .

I attended the wellness symposium on Weds too last week - taught a pilates masterclass too. It was a good day. However, I was apparently up to win a wellness champion award it seems. They read out this guy's name for his award and this loony bin woman who works with me just got up and took the award even though it was for someone else and didn't call her name out - everyone just sort of looked at each other gone out, but let her have it as it was rather embaressing... anyway, Sam, who is our wellness guru, said to me at the end that they had an award to present for me for all the fitness stuff I do, but because this nutter Fay collected an extra award, they were one short and knew I would understand what had happened!!!!!????

I ended up going to see some of the new girls on Weds night for a few drinks then in Bahrain on Thursday. Hassle with the taxi not turning up but one arrived eventually and we got over the causeway in an hour! Went to drop the bags off at the hotel, then went to get my hair done and then had a wander around the mall..

We went out later to the Meat Company for food - it was awesome - Ive never had a bad steak there. I also popped to Jim's restaurant, where I am having my birthday party, and met him and sorted a few things out, so all that is set up now...

After we had been to the Meat Co we went to JJ's Irish bar - it was pretty manic in there - met up with a few folk I knew too - stayed til around 1.30 then stumbled home!! Some of the others stayed out til 6am! I am too old for that time of the morning!!!

Came home relatively early the next day and then I just chilled all day.

This week has been manic. I have been busy all week selling PAWS tickets for the Halloween event on the 29th Oct at the US consulate - which I will be missing as I'm in Dubai... Anyway, I think personally I have sold around 180 of the 250 tickets and I've sold loads of raffle tickets too! So, job well done - we can get more cats sterilized!

I didnt do much on Saturday really - had a night off as I knew I would be out every other night this week! Sunday I was off for all the day as they were sorting out my a/c unit which has caused mold to grow on my clothes - it was filthy - and a huge job - my apartment certainly smells cleaner now tho and fresher! I taught Sunday, ran Monday - managed 3 sets of 8 min runs, so getting better and gearing up for the 30 min run before I am back in the UK! Tonight teaching circuits, selling more tickets, tomorrow teaching too and taking car to garage, then a massage! And weekend Bahrain!!!!

I won't have time to do a blog next week as I will be busy in Dubai. I am hoping to meet my friend Jo, who works on the yacht, the Tatoosh which is in Abu Dhabi for the F1 and I am also meeting some other friends I know over there...

Anyway, thats about all from me! Mrs Busy.

See some of you in 4 weeks and counting!

Jill

xxx

Visit to the Empty Quarter weekend - Shaybah

Hello

Here is my latest update. A pretty interesting weekend in that I did something "cultural" for a change and it didnt involve propping up a bar somewhere - well apart from each night either side!

My week was pretty quiet really last week (work wise)- apart from the running club, spin - I did spin and then went to the running club - yes I am mad! Pilates went ok too - I had my nails done, went to a friend's for tea. Weds was mad - I left work, taught body conditioning, went to the US consulate (saw lots of men in uniform!) to check out the cat situation and meet some of the folk that live up there then rushed back and myself and Sharon dared J9 and Spooks on Azziz - BAe compound - hadn't been up there in some time - we had a good night really and an added bonuses was they were selling the real stuff (ie gin!!) in J9. Met up with a few folk I'd not seen for a while but sensibly left at 11.30 for my early start to Shaybah.

OK, so Shaybah - this is our camp in the empty quarter - ie in the middle of 250,000 sq km of desert in Saudi. They run GOSP operations out there - basically gas plants - they literally are in the middle of nowhere surrounded by tons of sand and sand dunes. You cannot really get the feel of the place from the photos - but its like another world really! They had to shift a whole dune to make room for the camp and the runway which is right next to the camp - its like being on a bus being on the plane, you get off it and you are right at the door of the camp!

So, we got our free Aramco flight to the camp (we do get some good perks here!) and then had a look around - 700 men live there and work out in the field - I imagine its a good place to save money! It was so hot though and in the summer gets up to 65 degrees!!! Had lunch then a bus trip around the GOSPs and then back to the dunes for dune walking and sledging. The sand does literally get everywhere and is constantly shifting... then we watched a presentation about the place and then watched the sunset and then dinner.

A long day - myself, Tracy and Cheryl asked for some rocks and stuff just before the plane left so they had to hold the plane up for us as we legged it back from the office!!

Got back to camp around 9pm. For some strange reason, although I was completely knackered, I decided to go to a party at the Marine house. That was fine I guess - the drinks were so strong too - real stuff again - I did well last weekend with finding real stuff! So stayed there til 1am!

Friday didnt do much really... waste of a day!

This week has been equally as mad - I have been busy with PAWS stuff - sorting out invites and tickets for the Halloween party on the 29th Oct. I did running again and am spinning and running tonight too and I am teaching Weds. I have been asked to cover Matt's kick boxing class too so will be running 3 classes a week now for the next few weeks... and I have actually been busy with work - my boss is retiring so I am sorting that out and there are some lunches to fix up...

And there is my mould issue - I have mould growing on my clothes in my closet. I complained (just for a change) to housing last year about this - had environmental round etc who said the a/c units were working ok even though they are flippin 30 years old, bla bla - I noticed that when I go home and away from Aramco I can smell this musty smell on my clothes and I can smell it in my apartment. Anyway, been earaching housing again and they are cleaning out my a/c duct next week and doing air quality tests - its going to take most of Sunday for them to take the a/c unit apart apparently! I just wish they would move me and be done with it - they know it would shut me up then! No news on the housing job either - I have someone I know there doing some investigating for me - I think it is down to the Manager being rushed off his feet by the sounds of things....

And the laundry have lost my Egyptian Cotton bed sheets - they gave them to someone else last time and they eventually turned up but they cannot locate them this time - this place drives me mad sometimes!!

So I am doing a wellness symposium this Weds - helping out with the quit smoking team in the morning then doing a pilates presentation in the afternoon! So the next few weeks, what with my personal training course in Dubai, are going to be fraught to say the least.

All in place for my parties now - around 40 odd folk will be at the Bahrain party and around 50 or so at the UK one so I am looking forward to those!!

Anyway, over and out from me.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Jillbarrows69/Shaybah2009?feat=directlink (photos of Shaybah trip)

Please keep in touch as always with your news....

Jill

xxxx

Party weekend in Dhahran

Hello folks - hope you are all doing ok. I am pretty on top of my blog this week - most of my team have gone to London so its quiet at work...

Last week was pretty manic - first week back and all that - I was playing catch up for most of it! I think I took you up to about Tuesday in last week's blog. That was the night I had to go cat catching. I had been promising Rose for months I would help her out. She has 3 females basically, living around her, all with litters. She has had one sterilized, I'd caught another one, so there is still one left. I tried to catch her but she just kept running off. However, after some time we managed to catch 3 kittens - one just walked into the trap and the other 2 got caught together - they went a bit mental in the trap and bashed their eyes up a bit but the vet reckoned they would be ok. Lorraine had caught Bill - our resident ballpark cat - who ended up biting me when I was trying to move him into a different carrier - that resulted in another visit to the hospital for yet more antibiotics. At least I have a stash of them now as I am sure it will happen again!

So, managed to get all 4 cats into a taxi and down to the vets - it was a funny journey - all these cats miowing and me and Rose stuck in the middle of them!

I eventually got back at 7pm - I dont think folk appreciate how long these things take to do!

Wednesday was full on - spin class, then a meal at the Blue Strawberry for Chrissy's birthday and then to a happy hour. I said I would only stay for a short while and rolled in around 1am! Saw a few folk Id not seen for a while tho!

Thursday I was late up and rushing around to get to a PAWS meeting regarding Halloween - it should be a good bash and we should raise quite a bit of cash hopefully - I will miss it tho as I am in Dubai then... then I went to spin to try and sweat out some of the alcohol from last night and then off out again later to a leaving do!

Friday I did nothing - I was leant series one of Mistresses - I am addicted to it and am now on series 2. Just watched TV all day - you know that it is very unusual for me to sit down and not do much all day - maybe its a sign of me getting towards 40!!!

This week has been equally as busy. I started running on Sat night with the running group - found it pretty easy really - back there tonight and going to spin first, then run! also had a PAWS meeting on Sat night. It looks like they might be doing a cull soon on camp of the cats as they really out of control now - the guy who did the meeting is going to arrange another meeting tho with pest control and the kennel club so we can all try and work together. He has suggested there might be the possibility of having a holding facility on camp for us to have a vet carry out sterilizations and also for somewher for us to keep animals - this would be great if it happened too...

Anyway, thats about all - brings me up to date. Been busy organising my trip home in 7 weeks - my birthday party here and also the one at home and trying to find out who can make it! Booked a cruise for me, my sisters and George next May too going to the Med! On the Ocean Village - can't wait for that!!!

WRITE SOON anyway,

Jilly

xxxx

Our week in Paphos

Hi folks - here is my latest blog - I was away in Paphos with the girls, hence it being a week or so late...

Anyway, lets cast my mind back to 2 weeks ago - OK we went bowling to Zamil on Weds 16th Sept - Zamil is like the Mayfair of Dammam. Its a gorgeous compound - the pool resembles something out a 5 star hotel - Aramco have a lot to learn from these newer compounds. Its like a 70's throw back here now! Anyway, had a buffet dinner, snook some sid into our diet cokes, and Lewis bought his homemade wine - he makes it with marmalade and jam - it was very nice - he kept saying "try this one Jill, now try this one" - no wonder I felt worse for wear soon and my bowling wasn't all it is usually cracked up to be - I kept wobbling and sending the ball down the side bit!!!

Thursday we had a PAWS meeting - Louise - our leader - is leaving - she is an Aussie, married to an Aussie but doesn't have citizinship (originally from UK) and cos she has lived in Saudi for 4 years now they are being difficult about making her an Aussie - so her visa for being here runs out and she has to return to Aus. This is not good news for PAWS as she does so much. So, hence the fact I have now taken on several extra roles. I am cat person still, secretary, social organiser (along with 5 others which isnt too bad), Friskies rep and international rep. So, this brings along a story about a bear. Bears are classed as exotic animals in Saudi and are banned. However, a Saudi guy is currently looking after a bear in a dog cage (in his house) which was smuggled in basically it doesnt exist as they are banned. So now, we have to try and get it out the country and getting papers for something that doesnt exist ain't easy as you can imagine!

Didnt do much Thursday night - Tracy cooked tea and we drank wine then had an early night ready for Cyprus.

Next day was fine - flights and connections all good, although I did forget my UK driving licence but still drove in Cyprus - it was fine really - Helen's apartment is lovely. Great view and huge balcony - we changed and then met Andy and Karen in Flambe - both Karen and Andy have houses in Paphos. Flambe was great - they cook the food fresh in front of you and add flames too for a bit of excitement! We met a group in there on a non wedding day - she had been stood up poor thing then hit the gay bar and after that Flaires - I felt very old in there so just drank lots! We had a good laugh though.

Next day me and Breige explored in the car - Tracy was a little worse for wear so stayed in! We went out for meze in the evening but all of us were half asleep! The food was lovely though. Had an early night then!!!

Sunday, Tracy said "lets walk to Coral Bay Beach - its not far". Two hours later we got there - we had walked around 6 miles it seems. Stopped off in a bar for a drink as we were parched - met some nice English folk who worked in Cyprus, then shopped, found the beach, had a look round, found a good bar and sat and watched the Manu match which was quite good really, being as I don't really do football! And of course drank!

Didnt go out Sunday night after an afternoon drinking - so just stayed in and watched a film! It was a good job really as there was a mad storm and it rained very hard! We would have been soaked!

Monday we decided to go to the Baths of Adonis! Sounded like a good idea but the road we (I) drove on was mental - very thin and steep and just rock! The car didnt want to go up one hill at one point so I had to roll back to the bottom and then floor it to get up it! There was a waterfall and pond thing at the end - was it worth the freeky drive - not really!!! Went into town and did a bit of shopping and had a coffee and look round. Discovered the harbour area and decided to eat there that night. Booked a table in Poseidonas which overlooked the harbour - very nice - and had a few drinks at the harbour afterwards... the waiters were very nice in the restaurant - it was my turn to have a birthday - all of us had one - not real ones - but pretend ones so we got free drinks/cake!!!

Tuesday I didnt feel so good - the girls went shopping again and I just chilled at the apartment for the morning and met for lunch later. We met up with Karen again and by now her hubby Frosty had joined her so we saw them and then went on a boat trip to see a wreck - although visibility isn't good in the Med - I guess I have been spoilt with the Red Sea!! Later we decided to have a wild night out with Karen and Frosty - it was very silly and funny - spent all night in the Robin Hood - can't even get away from Nottingham in Cyprus! You will see the photos when I can download them - I am having trouble with Picasa at the moment so you will have to wait to see them all til tomorrow! I managed to last til 12.30 then I went home. The others managed to stay the course til 4am!!! I am just a light weight!

Wednesday was our last day - very sad really - we went to Viklaris - a restaurant built on an old castle - you get BBQ pork and chicken - it was

gorgeous and lovely views of the sea too.

Anyway, back to reality - work has been pretty busy since I returned - my team have been driving me mad - they seem to think I am a mind reader - but then again aren't all secretaries!? No news on moving jobs yet - Im chasing.. I had a lovely massage Sunday night and almost fell asleep!! I might have talked myself into running a marathon next year too with the lady who did the massage - how did that happen!!!?? Probably something to do with me saying I am joining the running club this week - Sats and Mons for 8 weeks - beginners! Starting pilates again next week but not for long as I am off to Dubai 24th Oct for my personal training course and then 2 weeks after that will be in the UK!

Busy preparing for the big 4-0 - invites are out now - I am having a lunch over in Bahrain on the 12th Nov this end then a party at the Welfare in Blidworth for the UK end! So, busy busy!

This weekend is mad. I have 2 PAWS meetings, 2 parties and some wine brewing to do and brunch somewhere along the way!

See you soon,

Jill

x

A very productive week!

Stone fish - can you see him!?

Hi folks - here is my new set of wheels - ok its nothing flash, but I only drive 2 mins to work and the other side of the camp is only 10 mins - its in good nick for 18 years old don't you think!!?

Anyway, its been a pretty eventful week really I must say. I was teaching again most nights, covering for Jason - who, in fact is now leaving to go and work in India so I am not sure if there will be more classes available really - just waiting to hear if they want me to help out - thats if I can fit it in! I start the running club 2 nights a week in October!!

I have been giving my opinion quite a lot to recreation - they want to buy Stott pilates reformers - these are machines which I know people like Madonna use for pilates (they are like a contraption with pullys and stuff on!) and cost between 2500 - 6000 USD each! I told the guy in recreation that they are mad wanting to spend that sort of money on equipment when there is equipment down where I teach that is old and needs replacing - anyway, following that comment, they are now looking at replacing all the old weights, etc which I use!!!

Went diving on Weds. Managed to get on the Aramco flight to Yanbu - Red Sea - (complimentary flight of course - we do get some perks working here - our own airline!!) and got to Yanbu around 3pm - it was REALLY windy though and a choppy ride out to the first reef. Managed one dive though and I was fine - usual problems with my ears though - they do get so blocked! Had dinner and chatted with the other folk on board - there were 17 of us and a crew of around 8 - Philipino guys - so nice and really looked after us again! I didnt sleep well as it was so rocky, but it had calmed down again the next day, so managed 3 dives during the day. Saw loads of fish too - see photos. My diving has improved loads too - I am much more confident now and even managed to roll back off the zodiac boat!! So, getting there slowly. Still not happy about doing night dives yet - will do one next time!

Had dinner again and watched a movie - not so rocky Thursday night so slept better! Up early but the boat took us out to a reef called the Twin Towers - funny that it was September 11th! The current and waves were really high tho and I just didnt fancy it, so missed out the first 2 dives and then did a snorkel later and then a dive.

This is me with a school of barracuda in the background!

Ive left the other photos at the top of the blog cos it is too much hassle to move them - I havent got the hang of it yet! Sheryl took all the photos - she has a really good camera I am sure you will agree...

Saturday was our last dive - it was like a millpond - I was in the water at 7am! It was lovely down there - saw loads of sea cucumbers and Scorpion fish too!!

Flew back around 3pm - care of Aramco again and got back around 8pm Saturday night so not too bad. Managed to get all my washing done as stuff does get really smelly when you are diving in it!!!

Back at work on Sunday and received an email from the Manager in housing asking to see me! I have still been ranting off to them about the lack of housing for us and the fact that I am still stuck in a one bed apartment after 2 years. Anyway, there is a new Manager - Mohammed - very nice and approachable. To cut a long story short, he reckons I will have a house by the year end - I laughed at this - he also said that my emails were very insistent and I didnt give up easily and liked to get things done and then said he was looking for housing assistants like me! So, at the moment, I could be moving to housing! He has my CV and I am just waiting to see if I can get released from finance! So, bit of a turn up for the books there. Anyway, he hopes the list will improve towards the end of the year. We also spoke about fitness as he overseas recreation and he is very interested in my fitness knowledge and it was him apparently who wanted the Stott pilates reformers - which again I told him again were a waste of money - I explained to buy 10 it would cost nearly 50kUSD and he would need a dedicated Stott teacher. He said well you are qualified - I am like not in Stott pilates or using reformers - I would need to go on more courses! He hasn't a clue basically! Anyway, not sure if that will bring some more fitness courses my way or what....

Taught pilates Sunday and did spin last night - walking tonight with a friend and then tomorrow we are going bowling. Thursday I have a big PAWS meeting - Louise - the main organiser for PAWS - is having to go back to Australia for we don't know how long, so my PAWS job could get even busier once she goes. I am inundated with cats again - I have around 35 to re-home and another lady on camp wants me to help her catch a female and some kittens when I get back from Cyprus... it is never ending...

Friday, I am off to Cyprus with the girls! I can't wait - really ready for this holiday.... So will be in Paphos til 24th September then spending the way back in Bahrain for a few bevvies...

Anyway, thats about all from me.

Hope you enjoy the photos and the update.

Jill

xxxx

Its good to have a car....

Hello folks

Well two blogs in one week - I had a pretty busy week last week as usual. Saturday I ended up teaching circuits - Jason, the regular fitness teacher has been sent on another assignment, so I covered his class Saturday and Wednesday. And, I also taught pilates on Sunday and then the same again this week - so tiring, but also a change to do something other than pilates and the classes have been popular...

Last weekend was really good - we held the PAWS quiz night - around 120 folk turned up - so many more than we anticipated and we had to send out for more chairs! Myself and Val were Ditsy and Bitsy - the quiz mistresses! It was a really good night and a right laugh too. We managed to raise 1500 quid towards getting cats and dogs sterilized which was a really good amount....

Thursday I was pretty busy - its so great having wheels now as I can go and visit friends on camp when I want! My car is all squared away and is mine now!! I must take a photo of it to show you! I went to see my friend Sharon for a coffee and catch up then got ready to go out early for tea for Neil's birthday at the Blue Strawberry. Had a nice time down there and then went to Ra'ood's birthday party on camp. Took a couple of the new girls too and introduced them to my friends... We have had quite a few new arrivals lately and its good to get them out and about and show them the ropes!

Friday I did nothing - just chillaxed at home and suffered from drinking too much wine the night before....

This week has been a funny old week and I have been all over the place. I did end up seeing Darron on Sunday who was on camp saying his farewells. So, we did chat and he has actually gone to Milan to work, followed by Mumbai for a couple of months. I think we managed to iron out a few issues we had too so at least things have been left amicable now - I dont like falling out with folk....

So, done nothing else this week except teach every night! I ventured to the supermarket last night - Ramadan hours mean the shops dont open til 8.30pm - I had to go and get my hamster some new food as the stuff he is on is making him go bald! I hope his hair grows back now....

I am looking forward to tomorrow - flying to Yanbu (care of Aramco) to go diving in the Red Sea. Really looking forward to being stuck on a boat for a few days with no contact with the outside world. Should be fun....

So, I am away on Saturday too, arrive back Sunday then only have 4 days and am off to Cyprus with Tracy and Breige....

No news on me ever getting a house on Aramco. More changes in policies mean that the female bid list has got even bigger and in desperation I went to see my GM to see if he could pull any strings. The thought of staying in a one-bed apartment for another 2 years at least is not appealling at all..... but thats how it looks like it now is here... I am not sure what to do. I love it here and am happy, but am condemned to living as a student, sharing laundry facilities and not able to invite friends over as there is no room for them.... its not good really...

Anyway, here are the rest of the photos from last week:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Jillbarrows69/PAWSQuizNightAndNeilSBirthday2009?feat=directlink

PLEASE WRITE SOON....

See you in 10 weeks and counting...

JB

xxxx

Its cooling down already thank goodness!

Well, the heat is already subsiding - I am really surprised as I thought we would be in for more humidity but actually it is getting cooler now which is good!

I have had a bit of an emotional rollercoaster of a week really after my ex (Darron) decided to announce on Facebook and to the world that he was already in a new relationship - anyway - time to move on me thinks and what a thoughtless and horrid thing to do. Good riddance to bad rubbish it seems.... however, that is the reason that the blog is so late this week and it will be time to do another one tomorrow already!!!!

Anyway, last weekend was pretty mad. I taught an abs class on Weds, then dashed home to retrieve my computer from a guy who had fixed it and got rid of a nasty virus, then I got changed and dashed to another friend's house for a drink and then up to the airport to meet my friend, Liss, from Riyadh! We went straight out to a party on Azziz - I thought I might as well drop her in at the party deep end here - it was a good night in fact - saw loads of folk I had not seen for a while so great to catch up...

Was semi sensible and came home at 1am. I took Liss to the beauty shop the next day for a bit of pampering then Gay came over for a chat and then we went off to the Blue Strawberry for food.

It was ok really - food mediocre, but in Ramadan times being able to eat and drink home brew is as good as it gets. We did have an outlet in Bahrain still serving booze - the Country Club - illegally during Ramadan - but that got busted this week, so now Bahrain is completely dry for another 2 weeks!

Went to a party after the meal on Nada - well, it was in fact a memorial service for someone who had died recently! Didnt realise that - but it was quite good really and he certainly had a good send off... then we went to this weird party on Aramco where everyone was sat round playing bongo drums - honestly - I am not making that up!

Friday we did brunch and then sat and didnt do much else to be honest - watched a few DVDs and chilled out mainly and then Liss went to catch her flight. Life down here in Dhahran is a bit better than Riyadh I gather and I think I will be seeing more of Liss over the next few months which will be good!

Anyway, thats all from 2 weeks ago - Ill update you tomorrow on the past week!!!

Jill

xxxxxxx

Hot and humid week

Hi Folks

Another week gone by already - and the humidity finally arrived. The temp gauge has been reaching 45 degrees, but according to the weather forecast it actually felt like 59 degrees one day! It really is not pleasant, but we cannot complain as this is the first humidity we have had all year and normally is starts earlier than this. Should last another few weeks on and off, then it starts cooling down for winter - thank goodness! Phew!

As usual, I have been busy. I managed spin last week and then caught up with a friend for tea. Taught Tuesday at the gym and also found a car to buy finally - Mercury Sable. Everyone cannot believe how good it looks to say its 18 years old! So, finally I have wheels. I got the keys today and there is just some paperwork to do now - although, as normal in Saudi, no-one seems to be telling me exactly what paperwork needs to be done!

I taught Jason's abs on Weds, then me and Tracy braved town - my goodness - it was melting point down there. Plus poor Tracy's building's a/c had blown up from over use - it took all weekend to mend it too - awful. Thank goodness it wasn't my building! The weekend was really nice - went up to Ras Tanora on Thursday to see my friend Jo, who is leaving in a few weeks to work in Bermuda - RT is nice - its our camp by the beach - I did take some photos but the camera just kept steaming up with the humidity! Came back and went to spin - but the a/c wasnt working well in the room and I was melting with no air circulating, so left half way through!

Thursday night I ended up at the consulate - it was ok - too hot of course as it was outside, but good to catch up with a few folk I'd not seen for a while...

Friday was my brunch at Lee's house - he has a gorgeous house on camp and it does irritate me how the bidding system is here when we are stuck in our apartments.. anyway - had a good mix of mates over and served cocktails and ordered too much food - a lovely afternoon though...

Here is Lee serving mimosas...

And the pool and myself and Gay!!

This week Ramadan started also - I actually like Ramadan - its deadly quiet at work (as the locals are either never here even when they are supposed to be from 7am - 1pm) but at least we get proper breaks as we have to go and hide in a room to eat and drink. Our sin room is great - we have all the latest Heat and UK trash magazines in there from my travels to the UK and you actually get to meet people who you work with who you rarely see as they are stuck in their cubicles!!!!

Again, been teaching and spinning on and off all week. Sorting out my car is taking time and I also only keep thinking about revising for my personal training course, which now has an added sports conditioning course for 2 days stuck on the end of it - so I will be in Dubai for 6 days now at the end of October...

My birthday party is coming together at home, but I need to sort out one here too!!!

Flights are booked for the UK - flying home 18th Nov and coming back 14th Dec - so a nice long break this time!!!

And sorting stuff out for the PAWS quiz night next weekend - oh my goodness - you should see what they are making me wear - I will certainly post pics on here for you!!

I had to go to the vets too last night - Ozzy, my hamster, is going bald! The vet says he is allergic to his food - and I have changed his food recently - problem is that they don't sell hamster food on Aramco so I have to go into town and as its Ramadan all the flippin shops don't open til 9pm at night!!!! So, until I can get to the pet shop, he is on a diet of fresh veggies and sunflower seeds!!

Then my computer broke so a guy has taken that away to fix... one thing after another this week...

Anyway, thats all. Busy weekend - teaching tomorrow, then friend's house for a drink, then up to the airport to meet my friend Liss from Riyadh (who is staying with me this weekend), then either a happy hour or up to a bar on Azziz, Thurs - pampering at the beauty shop, lunch, then a meal out and a party on camp that night and Friday - haven't got that far yet! Its too hot to sit out at the pool or in the pool for that matter - so not sure what to do with Liss but I will figure out something! I cant take her to Bahrain either as she doesnt have a visa to get back into Saudi!!

Must dash - I need to leave early to go and see what else I need to sort out with my car....

See you soon....

JB

xxxxx