Where did January go???!!!

Hey folks - another few weeks has gone by already. Classes are continuing to be busy - I have had 18+ folk coming - its been great. I have also started personal training lessons with Leanne - another instructor - she teaches me in return for me teaching her - currently we are seeing how far we can push each other to the limit for an hour! Its quite funny seeing the two of us shouting at each other in the gym! Quite a few of my friends that I have known for ages are leaving - one of them being Heather - (on the right next to me) I have known her since 1995 and she is also the sister to my friend Helen's husband! Small world. Robyn and Sue, also in the photo have worked out in Saudi and with me on and off since 1995 too! So we go back a while!

We had the doggie dawdle also a few weeks ago where we did a walk and raised money for PAWS. I spent the weekend on Sara - went out and met up with a few friends and then just chilled out on the Friday.

This week has been so busy with my two new bosses starting work. They are both really nice (so far) - Basil and Adel - both Saudi guys. And I am actually doing proper work again - its great! No news on the housing - no list out again for 5 weeks but we have had bad rains here and there have been alot of leaking roofs, so I can only assume maintenance have been busy fixing them rather than renovating houses. It doesnt make it any easier though now - over 3 years in temporary accommodation - its still the only major bug bear I have (well apart from now being told we wash our clothes in the shared laundries at our own risk!!). Myself and Raj did a housing survey to the girls and received over 200 + replies, so we are slowly sifting through them! Its taking time...!!

I have been busy with PAWS (as ever) - managed to re-home quite a few cats over the past few weeks - 5 of them were Persians who we saved from being "let out" onto the street and I was at the US consulate also the other day checking out all their cats - they have a fair few to be sterilized - around 15! Been to several parties, had the PAWS do (photos above) - we had a great night - hectic but everyone really had a great time. The costumes were good too! And this week has been a round of getting used to the new bosses, having a proper sports massage which was amazing, teaching, German, gym, cooking curry and doing more PAWS stuff! I also had my hand henna'd!

We have Saturday off this week so myself, Tracy and Lou are off to Bahrain tomorrow morning to get our hair done and then do a bit of shopping, followed by a movie and dinner and on Friday we are going to brunch at the Movenpick and then meeting up with some friends.

I have just about sorted holidays out this year too - I am in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in April for my competent crew course and to visit my friend Liss in AD. Home in June and July for Dad's 70th and the cruise, in Oman (I think) in September, home again September for a week and to finish off my personal training qualification and then hopefully Canada in November - if I can negotiate some extra (unpaid) holidays with work....

Anyway, thats it from me. Hope you are all ok.

Jill

xxxx

Christmas and NY in Mansfield.....

Hi folks - well here is my blog - I know some of you have been eagerly awaiting my blog. Its been a few weeks due to me being home.

The UK was great - I had a few days in Centre Parcs (in Sherwood Forest) with my sisters and George. As you can see, George is growing up quickly! Spent quite a lot of time with Dad and also caught up with some friends locally and also in Chester and London. And I managed to do quite a bit of shopping too which is always good. I was very cold all the time and although it was nice to see the snow it did cause a few travel issues, but not with my flights fortunately.

There were quite a few friends I didnt get to see this time - I guess due to Christmas and NY being over the weekend and folk busy with work do's etc. I only plan to be home in 2011 for around 5 days so will be having a get together at Dad's house one night in June, if anyone wants to see me then. Other than that, you won't really see me!

Life has been very busy since I got back. I have gone head first into sorting out the PAWS event I have arranged for next Thursday - a 70/80/90s bad taste disco! Should be fun. I think I have sold around 150 tickets! Also, am more involved in the garage sales now as Carol retired (who helped out alot with them). So, I was helping set that up on Weds and I believe they made a good amount of money on Thursday at the sale. My class started last Saturday - Total Fitness - which seemed to go down a storm - I just did a load of new stuff which everyone enjoyed and think I will be even busier tonight! Started German again and am training Leanne - who is also a Personal Trainer - so she trains me, I train her! And I have been running around into town to do stuff - I got a load of t-shirts printed for PAWS as Recreation have banned PAWS from being actively involved in anything on Aramco - there is a doggie dawdle on Thursday and I am going to wear my "I support PAWS" t-shirt, just to prove a point, along with some other friends! Last year, by the way - I managed to help re-home 114 cats and kittens!!! Not bad going really!

I just found out I passed my Advanced Exam for Personal Training - so all that is left now is the nutrition work and then a course which I have to do in the UK when I am home (if I can fit it in!).

There are a few changes at work - I am getting two new bosses next month. One has already retired and the other one is on an extension anyway, so its going to be challenging with two new guys. I know that one of them is very nice so thats good, but we don't know much about the other one...

So, will be home next in June. I have a weekend booked for Dad's 70th and aim to be home around the 20th June. Then I go on a cruise for 2 weeks 2nd July and then back to Saudi. In April I am doing my Competent Crew Course in Dubai and September might have a week somewhere and then November I might go to Canada - I am waiting to see how it pans out with the new guys regarding holidays. I want to take a few extra days this year...

The housing saga continues - I hear on the grapevine that more houses are being made available for the females, but I kinda believe things now when they happen... it is the only thing here really that does my head in... I keep hoping I will get a house someday soon though!

Anyway, might see you this year if you can get over to Mansfield to see me .... write soon...

Jill

xxx