I am a Gym Instructor weekend!

Hi folks - how is it going - have some of you emigrated???!! It seems ages since I last heard from you? Please keep in touch - you know I miss your news!!

Things ok in Saudi still. I was off work on and off last week, so don't really have much to report. Was off work Saturday with a bad stomach and feeling exhausted. Went to work Sunday morning, then back to bed again Sunday afternoon. Got up to teach pilates, only to find the a/c had broken down again in the room, so had to cancel the class! Made it to work Monday - stayed late - this is a rare occurance on Aramco!!! Still battling with the new e-travel system that is getting easier, slowly but surely... Went to the Dr Tuesday and was signed off for one day after being told all I could do is rest! And had to come in on Wednesday - still felt rubbish.

We had friends over Wednesday night - perhaps not the best decision, but they were made redundant over 3 months ago and could be sent home at any moment, so thought it best to see them, just in case! They are having some legal wranglings with their company at the moment, which is why they are still here... madness... hopefully it will be sorted out soon.... went to my friend Tina's house for drinks later (well for about 1 hour - its all I felt like!) - but she has just moved to a new house on Lime - its HUGE - and I was well jelous - puts my apartment to shame! Lovely house though - huge garden - I can dream I will be in one of them one day! In fact, I have just written to the new Exec guy of community services asking him why there is so much empty housing on camp which is not being refurbished and why "temporary housing" in Aramco terms means 2-8 years! I also ranted off about them getting rid of most of the janitors who are supposed to clean our apartment blocks, therefore leaving them not clean and dirty and the fact that we have to wait til October to get new janitors. I have to rant off to housing now and again you know - it keeps them on their toes...

So, off to Dubai on Thursday for my Gym Instructor 2 course. Flew from Dammam which was easier than going over the causeway on a Thursday afternoon! Flew business class - very posh dont you know - and then went to the hotel - Radisson Blu - in the Marina area of Dubai. Dubai is still mad - there are so many different areas now in Dubai - its like some space age city - with Media City, Dubai Marina, Knowledge City, The Meadows, Sports City, Medical City and they are even throwing in a Legoland now! Dubai still is construction city as you can see from the photos - everywhere you look they are building! It goes on for miles!

Hotel was ok - they upgraded me to a suite which was nice. On Friday I caught a taxi to The Meadows to Hayaa Health Club and met up with my team for the 2 days. Jade taught us, along with Claire - both fun and friendly girls. There were about 12 on my course - mainly Brits really. Spent time with a girl called Noreen who is a teacher in Dubai and also Julia - who lives in Bahrain and had flown over for the course too. In the evenings, I went to the mall - found a Waitrose (I wish I had taken a bigger suitcase!) and spent an hour or so revising for the theory exam before chilling out with a glass or 2 of wine... I had early nights as I was so brain dead from having to think alot!!!

On the Sunday, myself and Julia did the theory and practical. The others were doing the exam at a later stage, but as we dont live in Dubai, we had to do it then. Passed fine - in fact Jade says I was like a breath of fresh air as none of the other folk on the course had taught before - so I guess I had an advantage...

Bur Dubai - world's tallest building (the thin shiny one on the left!!) The building on the right is the same size as those blocks to the left of the Bur Dubai to give you some context!!

Managed to get into the lounge in the airport so took advantage of the free food and booze before returning to the land of homemade stuff! Ayon and Herb picked me up from the airport as Darron is at site all week - somewhere near to the boarder of Iraq! Police escorts all round too - nice!

So, back to work on Monday. Its ok - busy-ish really. Managed my first boot camp last night but my stomach is still crook so I am now drinking laban milk to try and clear the bacteria. Hopefully I will be back to normal next week!

I am teaching tonight - first official gym class - and I have to go and pick up some new saucepans I found on the classifieds. The water here makes most things go rusty and mine are rusty! There is also a car I am going to look at tomorrow night too!!

Going to Bahrain with Darron at the weekend - got a few things to do over there and hope to catch Angels and Demons film too.

Anyway, thats about all from me for now....

PLEASE WRITE SOON....

Jill xxxxxxx

Birthday weekend blog

Hi guys

Hope you are all ok. Thanks to all of you who keep in touch - its good to hear from you and keeps me sane out here!!!

Last week was pretty good really. I didnt go to boot camp on Monday - instead went for a look around Ikea with my friend Gay - picked up a few bits there... Saturday I was on a course which was supposed to last the whole day, but finished at 11am!!! So, I had the rest of the day off! I spent it sorting out washing and the like though, so it wasnt wasted! Did some training at the gym with 2 friends, then 8 of my friends came over for tea. Cooked spag bol - not easy in a kitchen that is not big enough to swing a cat round - but I did it! We had a nice night really and a good laugh...

Wednesday we went out for Sam's birthday to a restaurant in Khobar called the Soul Kitchen - it was just ok - the food wasnt great - Sam was surprised though as she thought only 4 or 5 of them were going for dinner and 20 of us were sat there when she arrived! The cake was huge too - enough for about 50 folk!!! I went home afterwards - was tempted to go out for drinks at the bars, but needed to get up early for Bahrain the next morning, so gave it a miss...

Went to Bahrain Thursday. The causeway was backed up even as we hit the first gate - not a good sign - but we did get through ok in the end - around an hour - so not bad going. It really wears you down sitting on that causeway in traffic! Went to the Ritz to get my hair done and then met up with Darron. Had a mooch around the mall and then went to TVs for lunch and then home to meet the boys.

Ayon, Bob and Herb came over later and then we went to Bushido for dinner. Its a new Japanese restaurant that has opened up just down the road from us on the coast. Lovely inside and great food - its just so dark though. You can hardly see anything! They opened the roof for Ayon for a while (so you can see the sky!!) and then we sang him happy birthday!! The boys drank saki - it was gross so I didnt partake!!!

Later, we couldnt decide which bar to go to - JJs is now closed - our usual haunt - the Bahraini Government, in all their wisdom, took away the alcohol licences of any 1 and 2 star hotels several weeks ago, and JJs has been closed since. It is hopefully opening up again. Anyway, because of this - all the folks and "workers" who used to go to the cheap hotel bars for "entertainment" are now spilling out into the mainstream bars. Warblers, being one of them where we had decided to go. It was full of mainly balding old men and Thai girls - so we drank up quickly and left!

Friday we were up cooking breakfast and then went to the beach later on in the afternoon. Darron had an appointment with a tattoo bloke - as he wants more tattoos - this guy lived in a tiny room which he shared with 2 other guys - I guess thats how the other half live - the Philipino and Indian workers who live over here. Certainly opened my eyes...

We then attempted to come back to Saudi but the causeway was backed up loads and we sat at the lights for 25 mins almost waiting to get through them so decided to come back to Bahrain and go over in the morning. Damn causeway...

This week I havent done much as I havent felt well. I have had a stomach virus of sorts that has basically knocked me off my feet. I was off Saturday and the afternoon of Sunday and am going to brave the queue at the Dr in an hour or so to see whats up - feels like a gastro type virus if you ask me - all I want to do is sleep! Not good....

Off to Dubai this weekend for my gym instructor's course - really looking forward to that too - cannot wait.. I will be there Thursday - Sunday...

Anyway, thats about all from me.

Dont forget to keep in touch...

Miss you all very much...

Jill

xxxx

Aussie Ball weekend

Hi folks - hope you are doing ok - and hope that you will write to update me soon - I know you all like my blogs cos you tell me but its really good to hear from you too so please keep up the emails as I miss you all lots!!

Things are hot here - its 37 degrees outside at the moment but its pretty windy so its keeping the heat down. No humidity yet either - we are very lucky so far with that - maybe it will last for days once it starts - I hope not!!

The week was busy (apart from work which isnt right now!) - I caught up with a few old friends a few nights last week who I havent seen for a while. Although Aramco isnt that big, you can go for months without seeing some folk. So I met Judith, a nurse who I had come out here with and then Sue, Robin and Heather who I used to work with in 1995 when I first came out here! They worked with me at DMC but then managed to escape to Aramco and now all work here! So, we go back a few years!

Classes went ok apart from constant interuption from men on my Saturday class - they use the room I use for tea and coffee for conferences occasionally and despite a sign on the door saying my class was on and it was ladies only, they kept trying to get in! The ladies do not like to be seen when they have their gear off their faces obviously by men so I had to keep diving for the door to make sure they didnt come in the room!

Anyway, we went over to Bahrain on Weds night. Had thought it might be busy, but it only took an hour which wasnt bad going. Just stayed in Weds. Thurs I went to get my nails done and had a wonder around the mall for a bit, then met the girls in Trader Vics (where else!!) for lunch and a few bevvies, then made my way to the hair dressers. Was pretty happy with the result and amazed that Joseph managed to put my hair up in 40 mins!

Left around 6pm and went straight to the Gulf Hotel. Met up with quite a few friends and colleagues there. Everyone looked pretty glam too!!

The menu was interesting - crocodile and kangaroo and these bug things disguised as something else - hence to say I ate more bread really to fill up - the crocodile didnt taste of anything - just tough and fish like and the kangaroo was livery - yuk!!

They had some chippendale type dancers on, a bloke in drag and some other dancers - no long speechers like the other balls though and I even did some dancing!! Afterwards we went to Sherlocks next door - it does have a reputation for a pick up joint - some guy tried to "buy" me off Darron with a bottle of champagne which was all quite funny now looking back on it! Weird place Bahrain sometimes!!!

Friday I felt a bit "tired" so didnt do too much - went to see Star Trek which was really good if you havent seen it yet and then we went to this new restaurant Bushido - which has just opened up next to the Ritz Carlton and is on the beach. Very well done out - Japanese style and serves Japanese food - lovely decor and will be nice in the cooler weather as you can sit outside on the balconies - it also has a roof which opens up!!

We are going there next Thursday now for Ayon's birthday to try it out...

Thats it really. Didnt do much last night - well I taught Wajd at the gym - had no energy left for my own workout then tho! Then I walked a cat trap down to someone's house who is trying to catch a female cat which needs sterilising and has just had kittens. She also has a cat who just had kittens - 5 of them - so I sat and played with them for a while - I fell in love with Tiger but unfortunately due to having 2 hamsters (which it would love to play with) and Darron being hyper allergic and living in a 3rd floor flat, its out of the question for now... my job as a cat co-ordinator is so hard at times. I now have 40 cats on the website looking for homes....

So, thats about it really. Class tonight, tomorrow I'm giving boot camp a miss and going to Ikea with Gay, Tuesday I am teaching at the gym most of the evening and Weds I have a birthday meal out and then out with Ayon on Thursday night. So, another busy one!

PLEASE WRITE SOON...

Jill

xx

Its hot out there!!!!

Hello people - I hope you are all doing ok and I hope that I will hear from some of you soon! Where have some of you disappeared to?!

Today I have to remember Paul - as it is the 2 year anniversary of when we lost him. So, I have put up this picture as I think it about sums him up really and George looks really cute too!

My sister is holidaying with his sister in Jersey so she has some good company.

Anyway, here is my blog for last week.

It was quite an eventful week really - but then again, I think it always is out here for me!! I managed to fit in a few training sessions at the gym and went to boot camp again on Monday, followed by a catch up meal with Linda and Gay over at the Tandoori (restaurant over the road from me). Wednesday night we went to see a Murder Mystery play performed by the theatre group, on camp. It was entitled Technology of a Murder. Very funny, with some great casting and really enjoyed it. The only problem is in ADiwan (the room where it is held) is the air conditioning blasts and I am now carrying a cricked neck and cannot turn my neck around from the draft that was blowing on it!

Just as the show was ending, I got a phone call from a friend to say a cat had been knocked down on the main Kings Road. Fortunately, I was with my PAWS friend Louise, so we all went over the road to try and catch it. It was fast and kept hiding under the cars so we were crawling around on our knees with blankets to try and catch it. Eventually, after about an hour, we did catch it, but by this time it was exhausted and couldnt run any more. Louise held it for a while and then sadly, it died. So, we tried our best. I think it had been hit pretty bad in the head by the looks of it - poor thing.

We then went to a happy hour, which had, by the time we got there, almost finished, but we had an hour with Sheryl and Ian (who's 40th surprise birthday party it was) and then came home...

Thursday was the find a dress for the ball saga. It would have been easier to go to the shops in Bahrain - as you can try clothes on over there - but we couldnt be bothered to go over the causeway and sit in traffic, so instead went to Dhahran Mall here. I ended up having to buy 3 dresses to go and try on in the bathrooms - one of which I chose and took the other 2 back and got refunds. Right hassle though and expensive for a short time until I got my money back!

We went to Tony Roma's for lunch which was quite nice and they opened up 40 mins early for us too as they were closed! Then did a bit of shopping at the supermarket and then back to camp. Darron was doing his nitrox theory exam - which he passed - then we got ready to go out. Went to Al Rushaid II compound - really nice villas and gorgeous pool. Makes Aramco look so dated - but it is - everything here was built in the 70s! Just sat outside and had a few drinks. Then went to Nada to see a band - Metro - had a few more drinks there, then rolled in around 1am I think!

Friday was a nothing day - I did nothing apart from watch a few DVDs!

Got a few things on this week - been at the gym as usual, boot camp - out with some old friends who I worked with in 1995 on Tuesday and who now work on Aramco. We have a catch up now and again and its been a while since the last one!

In Bahrain this weekend - we have the Aussie Ball on Thursday night, so looking forward to that - I will post the photos for you next week... There is a brunch on Friday too - although I am not sure we will make that after the ball!

Right, thats about all from me.

Please write soon....

Jilly

xxx

Diving in the Red Sea and men in towels weekend

Hi guys

Hope you are doing ok - havent heard from some of you since I got back so please keep in touch. I miss your emails....

Life here is still good and of course, busy. Work wise I have been trying to get to grips with a new travel order system - they impliment the new system but dont train you - so I have been messing around trying to teach myself all week!! Been sorting out lots of cats and kittens - it is kitten season and I have loads to re-home... Went to see some out on camp yesterday which we eventually need to try and catch once they are a bit older.. been busy organising social events. There is a comedy night coming up so I am co-ordinating tickets for that and I am also organising a trip to Dubai during a long weekend in July...

Been doing the usual classes - only been to the gym once so far this week - I was shattered after the dive trip on Saturday so didnt go..

Anyways, the weekend was wonderful. We flew from Dammam to Jeddah. The men in towels are the men who are doing their pilgrimage to Mekkah - they have to do this once in their life - there were just a lot of them around wearing towels (something to do with them being clean!) but seeing men wandering around in airports in towels is a weird concept - it looked like they were getting ready to line up for a shower or bath! Anyway, the journey went smoothly really - 3 hour bus trip after Jeddah to the port - that was not great - but smooth all the same. Got their around 10pm and then boarded the boat and got all the dive gear ready for the following day.

Met Captain Erik - a star in his own right and entertainment for the trip. He was born in the UK, but bought up in Nigeria but has a Welsh accent! He has lived in Jeddah for 37 years and works for a Prince - hence the fact he is allowed to run his own tour company as the Prince allows it and wants to encourage tourism... He has 5 guys working for him on the boat and they did everything for you - cooked, cleaned and helped you on with all your gear and re-filled the tanks, etc.

I did my first dive on Weds. I have always had an issue with jumping into the water - but got over this eventually. Did 2 dives the first day - I was ok but a bit freeked out at first with the depth as I am used to being able to see the bottom of the sea but in the Red Sea - once you go down past the wall of coral it just goes down and down forever! Anyway, I was ok - managed about 20 mins down there both times - had the usual issues with my ears as I always do.

After each dive we have a break and some food - diving makes you feel knackered and hungry! In the evening we had tea and watched some House DVDs! Early night as we were all tired...

Next day I did a dive with Captain Erik whilst Darron went off with the more advanced folk. This was my best dive and I was much more confident - we even went down to 84ft without realising it - we were only supposed to go to 60! Erik had to fetch us back up!! Saw loads of fish, a manta ray, a turtle. It was great. I did another dive later but developed a headache so only stayed down around 20 mins again.

Later that day we went over to an island and made a fire and cooked fish that the guys had caught - we had a really nice evening. Also rescued a seagull that had got caught in fishing wire but unfortunately it died later. We tried our best though...

The next day I just snorkelled - it was still good and you could get right over the coral. Then the journey back and we just about made the flight by the skin of our teeth with an hour before take off!!

So, loved diving and cannot wait to see if Erik has a cancellation in October for us to go again!

Didnt do much Saturday as was so shattered and spaced out and when I was sitting down I kept swaying from the boat movement! Did my class yesterday and got boot camp today.

This weekend we have a murder mystery night to go to on Weds. Going dress shopping Thurs (ready for the Aussie ball next weekend) and then Thurs night there is a 60's/70s night... it never stops does it!

I think thats about all anyway.

Here is the link for the rest of the photos.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cVjzD11KP6jBAUhad7WNrg?feat=directlink

I dont take credit for the underwater snaps - they were taken by Sheryl - we need to get a decent camera!

PLEASE WRITE SOON....

JB

xxx

Hi lads and lasses

Another week has flown by - I really dont know where the time goes here - it just flies by so quickly.

Work was relatively busy. My new boss Brian, however, was only in for one day and then went off to Houston and is due back tomorrow. My week consisited of the usual classes - pilates Sat and Mon and Sunday night, boot camp on Monday - which was a killer as we had not been for a while. I also found a new sofa - I have been after one for a while. It certainly was a challenge for Darron and Herb to get it up 2 flights of stairs and goodness knows how it went through my door - it only just! We had to drive it from Mango (which is a street on camp) back to my apartment - with half of it sticking out the back of Bob's truck - which fortunately I am borrowing at the moment! Good job no security were around!!! I also had Wednesday off to get my floor fitted. It looks wonderful and with the new sofa I think my apartment is just about complete now. I was told my floor would take more than a day, but they guys managed to get it all done in one day - to say how long some things take to do over here, if you really push them, then the work does get done!

Wednesday night, myself, Lou T, Lou H and Cheryl flew from Dammam airport to Sharjah to celebrate Lou T's birthday. Got in around 8.30pm only to be met with a huge taxi queue, but it wasn't much of a wait - maybe around 20 mins. Got to the hotel - the apartment was gorgeous - really new - 2 beds, kitchen, lounge and 3 toilets! We dumped our stuff and then headed out for food. We were all pretty gagging for a drink by this time but unfortunately Nando's didnt have a licence so we had to make do with water and softies!! Fortunately, we had picked up some booze from duty free, so had a few drinks when we got back to the apartment...

Thursday, we were up pretty early - went for breakfast at Starbucks, then myself and Lou T went to get a manicure and pedicure at the Monarch Hotel just up the road. Then I decided it didnt look far to our hotel so walked it! Silly idea as it was over 40 degrees and a good 30 mins walk!!!

Spent the afternoon at the pool and then at the gym also - did a short session, then drinks and ready to go out.

We went to a bar in Jumairah which was on the beach and was a lovely spot. Sat outside, drank and had a nice meal and just watched the world go by. There were lots of expats there - seems the place to go really... Stayed til around midnight and then headed home. Left Cheryl with her friend who is in Dubai - Wael - and went off clubbing with him, leaving us "oldies" to go home. Well she is only 28!

Friday we were up at a reasonable time. Went for some breakfast at TGIs which was only ok. Its so difficult in Dubai to find a decent place to eat as there are so many places to choose from! We were going to go to the Atlantis Resort and should have done really - we went to Sharjah to the Souk, but unfortunately it was closed and didnt open until 4pm when we had to leave for our flight. So, we ended up in a shopping mall instead for a few hours!

Got the airport - met up with Cheryl (who had been feeling ropey all day!!?) and flew home.

This week work has been pretty quiet to be honest, but boss is back tomorrow so maybe it will pick up.

I am teaching tonight, but don't seem to have many takers so far - seems everyone is busy today! Oh well. They are filming my class apparently for a new hire DVD! That will be a laugh!

Boot camp tomorrow, then flying off to Jeddah Tuesday night for my 3 day dive trip. We are on a liveaboard boat so that will be pretty interesting. Apparently whale sharks have been spotted where we are diving too - they are pretty rare and huge creatures. I am looking forward to actually seeing things when I am diving rather than just salt and yuk as we do in half moon bay in Saudi!!!

Anyway, thats all from me. I am home again in August by the way - for a flying visit again for a week... 6th - 14th...

Here's the link to the rest of my photos too...

http://picasaweb.google.com/Jillbarrows69/LouSBirthdayMay2009?feat=directlink

Jill

xxx

Back to the Magic Kingdom...

Hello folk - here I am back in the old sand pit. Its ok to be back really - I am as busy as ever already really.

Had a wonderful time in the UK (and on the Oriana), although it was a bit of a rushed trip once again....

We arrived back in the UK on Thurs 16th April. Spent the afternoon in Nottingham - I did some shopping - managed to buy out most of Boots in 10 minutes too!! then went over to Mansfield, to Dad's. Spent the evening with Kelly and George and Kat later - George is growing up fast and is fine. Sisters are good too.

Friday we all went out to the garden centre with Dad also and then out for a meal later.

Off to Southampton on Saturday morning - to the Oriana - we parked next to Bobby Davro which was pretty cool - then boarded - quite a long process but once on board I was like a kid in a sweet shop, running around the place. It was nice to be back and better as a passenger! Caught up with Jackie Boot, whom I worked with briefly and checked out the other officers on board. Just really knew the Staff Captain - Steve Howarth - whom I met the next night at the cocktail party... Had sail away - how nice it was to enjoy that and not be stuck on the front desk! Then we got changed and went out for the Canberra reunion. There were around 60 of us I think that were there - only knew Dan, the plumber and his partner Julie. Dot Cotton was on board tho - alias June Brown, from Eastenders. She was with her partner, who had apparently worked in the Entertainments Dept on the Canberra at some point. We banged into her quite a few times and she always seemed like she had had a few too many vinos!! Caught up with Jackie Bott, also, who is Passenger Services Manager and chatted to her for a while. Then we had dinner - all 7 courses of them and then went to see Bobby Davro do stand up - he was really funny.

Next day we docked in Bruges, Belgium. Had a trip on the canal then just mooched around the little streets really and drank coffee with Dan and Julie. It was pretty relaxing and we had good weather.

We went back to the ship, got spruced up for the Captain's cocktail party and then headed up to the Crow's Nest. Got chatting to a gadget up there (trainee deck cadet) which was nice and then went for huge amounts of food again at dinner.

Later we went out for drinks again with Dan and Julie and ended up back in the Crow's Nest...

Docked early Monday and had a farewell breakfast with Dan and Julie. Quite sad at having to leave and it was over too fast, so will be making plans to return to the ship at some point soon!!!

Drove up to Barrow on the Monday to see Darron's family. Caught up with them and his kid's too and he also had a mini reunion with some of his old school mates.

Then on Thursday, back to Mansfield to see Dad and sisters and George. I had a few appointments in Nottingham on Friday and also a training session with my fitness guru Jon and some update on my bad back and the cause of it - apparently I am not using my backside enough! Had a BBQ with sisters and George on the Thursday - it was a lovely evening and went out with Dad on Friday - well I think I cooked - Darron helped him put the patio heater up! Saturday went to the pub to meet as many of my friends as possible - it was great to catch up with them all and nice too see them... and the new arrival of baby Adam of course - my friend Emma's little boy.

Sunday we met up with Caroline and Graham at The Lambley and had a nice Sunday lunch with them and catch up and also went to see their new house which they have bought, and then back off to London to stay overnight, before our flight on Monday!

Life has been busy since coming back. I was in a bit of a daze Tuesday and Wednesday really. We had a happy hour Weds night which was a good place to catch up with some friends over here, then Thursday I was helping the PAWS girls sort out some boxes of decorations which we have stored. Sounds easy, but not in 43 degrees heat! It has got rather warm lately! Sorted out the re-homing of a kitten later and met up with Ayon for lunch and then had friends round for drinks, then off to Casino Night! That was pretty good too - didnt win anything but it was a good night afterall! Friday down at the beach to do my dive refresher with Sheryl. I was a bit nervous, but once I got down under the sea I was fine. We go to the red sea in 2 weeks so I just needed a recap...

Work is fairly busy still - I have a new temporary boss as Ali B has been moved on assignment for 6 months, so thats been unsettling really - Brian is nice, but retires in 2 months so then there will be someone else here!

It seems classes will be busy too. I had 11 today. As its hotter outside now, more folk are doing exercise inside.

I bought a new sofa too - have to get that up 2 flights of stairs on Tuesday and also I am now after a car too! Decided its time I had my own wheels.

Anyway, enjoy the blog - here are the rest of the photos from my trip home - http://picasaweb.google.com/Jillbarrows69/TripToUKApril2009?feat=directlink

Speak to you soon and hope to see you in August when I will be home for a week again..

Jillx