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