Hi folks - another blog before I depart for the UK on Tuesday. The photos above are of my good friend Sheryl. I knew Sheryl when I was at Aramco previously and we have spent a lot of time together (especially lunch!) over the past few years. Sheryl is also my dive master and mentor and were it not for her, I wouldn't be the competent diver I am today. Sheryl and her husband, Ian, have been in Saudi for 10 years and are now embarking on a little adventure sailing their boat around the world for a year. I will miss them both. We had a sending off meal for them last week at the Blue Strawberry. Not sure when I will see them both again, but hopefully I will meet up with them in Australia when I get there in a few years (on my own round the world trip!).
The past few weeks have been pretty busy - well not at work. I managed to do my theory personal training exam (results in the new year) and now have to finish off my nutrition work and do the exam for that - scheduled to do that in 2011 when I have had a break. I then have to do a 2 day course in the UK next year to complete my full Personal Training Qualification. That is me done then! So, what to do next!? I have booked myself onto a Competent Crew course in Dubai in April and plan to do my Day Skipper and STWC qualification (for yachts) over next year. The plan then is to either see if I can get a leave of absence for 2-3 months in 2012 and if not I will leave end of 2012 and do a gap year and travel and work on boats. Thats the plan at the moment. I have no idea what will happen after that!
Work wise, I have been trying (again) to get transferred to another position. Three years of studying is now taking its toll. My boss gives me so little to do, BUT, refuses to release me to another position. There is a really good job that has just come up that would suit me so well (showing around new hires and orientating them) but he won't even let me apply for it before having a replacement in place. It is more challenging, busier and a higher grade code, but he is making things as difficult as he can. As you can imagine, there is rather a lot of tension in the office at the moment. My other boss, Ali G, is retiring in 2 weeks. No word on his replacement but things are very changable as you can see. I just want to move to something different now and will continue my fight to be released - I have never known a system like it. As I was promoted in July, I am now expected to stay in this position another 4 years!!!! Anyway, I will continue to work on it...
No news on houses - still waiting - there are 10 extra mid-size houses due out in the new year with more to follow - I hope I get a place soon. Three years in an apartment is now taking its toll too...
I am keeping a low profile with PAWS too for a while - I got caught catching cats (to be sterilized) by pest control last week and although I am doing Aramco a favor by doing this job (their option is to catch and kill, our's is catch, sterilize and release) they refuse to agree with what we are doing. So, I received a very nice warning letter from community services telling me to stop feeding the cats outside my building! Go figure! I very rarely feed cats outside my building and there is, in fact, only one cat who lives outside my building and I wasn't even trying the catch the cats close to my building! Basically, the pest control man, who saw me catching strays, is just fabricating things to try and get me into trouble. He was actually lying in wait for a colleague who feeds the cats and I was just in the wrong place and the wrong time with my trap and a tray of food in my hand to catch them!!
I have been back and forwards to the dentist too to get my bridge fitted, which kept falling out, but I think she has finally super-glued it in now so that seems ok! Also, my car was in for a service - he was just bringing it back and the key stuck in the ignition so that cost more to fix, then I went into the PAWS safe to put some money in and all the money in there has gone moldy - so I am currently trying to clean all that with vinegar - and there is quite a bit - and then I cut my finger open on a glass I was washing up. I am beginning to think I am becoming a liability!!!
Anyway, spent the other weekend on Sara - I went for a Thai massage, then there was a Christmas Bazaar held and then we just stayed in - James cooked which was nice and on the Friday we went over to Bahrain for lunch. It was nice to have a quietish weekend as opposed to a mad one!
This weekend I had Sheryl and Ian's leaving do and then we went to Bahrain on the Thursday - had nails and hair done and then went out for a Christmas meal at the Ramada hotel and ended up in JJ's afterwards. It was a great night and good to catch up with some friend's I hadn't seen for a while.
Anyway, thats about all for this year. The next blog will be in 2011.Hope to see some of you whilst I am at home - just call me if you want a chat - 07903 497122. I am home 15 Dec - 3 Jan. Otherwise, have a great Christmas and New Year.
Jill xxxx
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