Mexican medley

Hi folks - here we are again - me sat listening to Planet Rock at work with not an awful lot to do really. I think a change is in hand for sure - time to move departments - I am working on it - there is a new job out there for me - just trying to get released from this position is proving hard. The system for trying to move jobs is rather rubbish I must say. Anyway, positive thinking.... I got promoted too this week - great news and I appreciate it (10 more housing points too!) but it would have been nice if my boss or someone might have told me, rather than me having to look it up on our system here!

The weekend was basically madness - an extra day off (Saturday) meant it was bound to be messier than your average mad weekend in Bahrain. Stayed in Weds (in readiness for the weekend), over to Bahrain early Thursday, mall, then Coral Beach Club which was nice sat in the pool to cool off and then to the hairdressers and then out to Senor Pacos for dinner. There were 23 of us at dinner - great fun (apart from trying to sort out the bill) - especially the Mexican hats, dancing and Lewis throwing himself on the floor and skidding through our legs - the waiters weren't too impressed though! On to JJ's after that - met a few folk we know - then on to Ground Zero til 4am!! Managed to get into the VIP area too which was pretty good...

Up at 9am the next day to get ready for brunch - brunch at mid-day at the Diplomat - that was ok - then on to Fiddlers afterwards - I think I lasted until 7pm and left and went to bed. Karen woke me up at 8.30pm jumping up and down on the bed and getting me to go and eat Kentucky Fried Chicken. How old am I - oh yes - that would be 40!!!! Quite a few of my other friends stayed out til the early hours - how they managed that I will never know!

Another quiet week at work really - hence the time for change - the 4 day week was welcome tho. I seriously haven't done much at all - I have managed to help re-home 50 cats and kittens though in the past 6 months via PAWS so that is a good feeling for sure... not been to the gym either - will go tomorrow.. We went over to Bahrain to see Lord of the Dance last night too - the dance group had been performing in Abu Dhabi and decided only 2 weeks ago to stop off in Bahrain. A local dance group sponsored them so tickets were really cheap too - we saw the show for 8 quid!!! It was amazing - worth the trip over to Bahrain and a late night back too!

I have a massage booked after work which is great as my back is full of knots. Not doing much else then tonight. Tomorrow I was due to go and see someone re PAWS but have bailed and will call her instead - I just want a day off! Got a few bits I want to do around camp anyway... Going to a BBQ then later on in the evening...

Anyway, thats about all for now - will keep you updated on the job situation...

Jill

xx

Just another week in Saudi

Hey

Not too much to report really - well apart from me having got through my Sports Conditioning exam finally!! I just have to answer some more questions with my assessor but not sure if these will be via email or phone as he is in the UK! So one down, 4 to go...

Work has been incredibly quiet this week due to no bosses - it means I have sat here and been able to listen to Planet Rock all day and take off early though - so pretty good really...

Last weekend was good - we went into town last Weds and I got some material to have a dress copied. Thursday we were at the spa which was nice and relaxing but its hot now sitting outside - I can only manage an hour.. Went bowling later and then to Sara compound to a leaving do.. Didn't do much Friday!

Been at the gym lots this week really - training folk and practising with Helen for my exam. Got told off again for standing in the wrong place - well - I was doing some circuits with Helen and had some equipment set up next to one of the machines and shouldn't have - they do my head in there - quick to tell you off for being in the wrong place, but let all the ladies who go there do their exercises wrong and don't correct them! Aggghhhhh!

Going to Bahrain this weekend - we have Saturday off - so mall tomorrow, beach, hairdressers then out for a meal and Friday is brunch. Going to see Lord of the Dance too next Tuesday in Bahrain which should be good - so a busy one coming up.

Anyway, thats all really - short and sweet this week...

Jill

x

The blog is back!!!!

Hi folks - phew - its been a while since I last wrote my blog... I think around 4 weeks - how time flies.

I had a great time at home though and the cruise was amazing. I arrived home a few days early as my Aunt Vi had died suddenly so I took off a few days early to be with family. I spent the first few days with my Dad and sisters and also managed to get some shopping in. Surprised George at his school fete which was nice, the day I arrived home. Flew to Birmingham too this time which was loads easier than London so will do that next year once I get all my BA flights out the way this year...

We flew to Crete on the 27th May (so back to Birmingham airport again!) and arrived mid-afternoon at the ship - The Ocean Village - got ourselves acquainted with it and had a look round - I had, in fact, been on the ship previously when it was the Arcadia and part of the P&O fleet...

The first night we spent in Connexions and Kelly and George took part in Blankety Blank - which was so funny - she won a share-me cocktail too which was massive!

The first day we were at sea - George spent his time in the pool and we just chilled out mainly. The first port was Korchula in Greece - it was supposed to be Dubrovnik but they had overbooked the port that day so we did a swap! I think Korchula was my favorite place out the whole cruise - unspoilt and not too many tourists... I just sat and drank coffee and chatted to some other passengers in the afternoon next to the sea!

I realised I vaguely knew the Captain from my P&O days and I also banged into another old work mate - Jane - who now works in the shops - so it was great to catch up with her...

Second port was Venice - I had been here twice before but it was great having time to look round properly instead of having to race around and be back in time for my shift on board! We did a gondola ride and then I just had a mooch around St Mark's Square with my sisters and G and then went back later. Dubrovnik was next - the weather wasn't great, so we just did a walk around the walls and then had some lunch. There were too many tourists for my liking there tho!

The evenings were spent either in the buffet restaurants for tea and we did also go in La Luna and the James Martin restaurant where you paid a little extra - the James Martin restaurant was definitely the best. The food was delicious... We also did the quiz and saw a comedian one night - Anthony Scott - very funny man and watched some of the other entertainment...

We also visited Corfu where I did a 14 mile bike ride - I really enjoyed this as I got to meet some new people and also saw alot more of the island, although I was saddle sore the next day! Zante was next which really was unremarkable - we just went into the main town which was a bit disappointing - maybe I should have done a trip this day! And lastly Heraklion where we were to leave the ship.

So, a wonderful cruise. I did speak to the fitness instructor about teaching on ships - it would be relatively easy for me to get a job on a ship, especially with my qualifications, but the money is seriously bad and you basically work for commission - so that was that idea out the window really!

Back at home I caught up with several friends, ran the Race for Life and raised 1,300 pounds for Cancer Research and did 5k in just over 32 minutes which for me, was pretty good going! Spent time with Dad, who is fine, visited a few more friends and also had Aunt Vi's funeral before I headed back on the 11th June.

Life back here was manic the first week - I had to get ready for the PAWS band night so thats basically what I did all week! The night went really well and we managed to raise another good amount of money for PAWS - I never stopped all night though so am having a break from organising socials now for a few months until the weather gets cooler. Its been around 118 degrees during the day here - not nice - so I am not really venturing out much in the day!

Work is just ok - its quiet really and Ramadan is coming up too in about 6 weeks - at least I know that after then I will be home again!! And then I am in Dubai in October, India November and home again at Christmas...

Been putting together all my personal training stuff too so that is coming along now..

Anyway, thats about all from me.

Hope you are well and keep in touch.

Jill

x

Another challenging week.....

Hi folks - well, it has been a weird old week really with one thing and another.... First I had to contend with the cat from hell - the one I rescued that the horrid bloke on Aramco just left at the vet. She hated it in my flat and proceeded to wreck it once she got a bit braver and kept me awake 2 nights with her meowing.. I locked her in the bathroom the third night and she kept launching herself at the door so I released her... havent seen her since so hope she is ok.

I also had a nasty email from the guy in question saying I had accused him of this that and the other whereas in fact I had just called him to make him aware of what was happening now.

Then, sadly my Aunt Vi died yesterday. She was a great age 90 and has a full and wonderful life but she will be missed. So, I am flying out now on Saturday night to get back early. I didn't ask work I just told them I needed to be with my family.

The rest of this week has been a bit of a blur. We had the fourth installment of come dine with me last night at Breige's house which was great - potato and leek soup, lamb and moussed. Really lovely and we had the added luxery of sitting round a table! We cannot fit tables in our flats they are so small! The search for a dress for the ball went on - I eventually gave up after looking in 5 malls in 2 countries! So, tried my back up dresses on which are now too big as I have lost weight! So, I will have to buy something on the day! No pressure like!!

Last weekend I went to visit the new Sara compound - most impressive - they have a massive resort style pool and several bars which are all great... Thursday I was running around doing PAWS stuff and then we went to the beach later for a party - it was like Ibiza down there - great night!

I am out with a friend tomorrow in Bahrain and staying there all weekend really for the Aussie Ball too on Thursday, back Friday and then over again Saturday to fly out.

Anyway - no more blogs for a few weeks now - will hopefully see some of when I am home...

Jill

xx

Stressful week....

Any takers for Freya the cat...

Hi folks - I am somewhat late in writing my blog this week - have been busy either rescuing cats or sorting out new flights so I can get home in time for my cruise.

Over a week ago I received a call from a guy who wanted me to come and move some kittens and their mother from his garden as his dog was freeking out. Asked around and the next day contacted him to say we could move them to an empty garden and once the kittens were old enough I would try and re-home them. Anyway, he had already called pest control by this point who had took the kittens but couldnt get the mother. So I said try and catch the mother, get her to the vets, sterilized and then she can be released - PAWS policy - trap, spay, release... so he took her to the vet then to tell me he was leaving her there as he had done his bit. So, I said I would fetch her back and release her - for some reason this email found its way to Recreation who have now stopped us from having charity events on camp as I am releasing cats that do not have an owner!!?? Its a stray - what am I supposed to do - the fact I am stopping it from having more kittens doesnt seem to interest them, plus this is what we do.. so basically this guy dobbed me in it. Fortunately we only hold garage sales on camp so these are the only things affected but we will have to meet about it to decide what to do. I don't know what is up with these people - we are providing a service and helping animals and being punished for it!! Anyway, I now have a cat in my bathroom - I got her back from the vet and couldn't let her out, so am now trying to re-home her... I have a few leads, so am hopeful... Also bought Bill, the cat, back, who has been scrapping and his face is in a right mess - it looked worse again tonight so he has gone back to the vet to recouperate for a few more days. It is so frustrating not having a house at times... I am also trying to catch the cat that battered Bill but so far he hasn't taken my bait in the trap....

So then BA decided to go on strike, so I have been trying to re-arrange all my travel plans home over the past few days. I have moved my original BA flight to December and am flying KLM to Birmingham - I just want to make my cruise... that has been a headache..

Have been at the gym on and off too - training down there too. Last weekend was great over in Bahrain - went to the beach and then Wranglers for Lou's birthday - we had such a laugh and there were certainly some characters in there. My drinking water inbetween each drink paid off and I was ok the next day too... Oh yeh Weds went to the mall to try and find a dress to the ball with no luck. Also, I decided to come out in a rash all over my face and neck - it seems I have some allergy to shellfish now too - so was pretty blotchy all weekend!!!!

This weekend I am visiting the new BAe compound tonight and then tomorrow have a PAWS meeting, a mall day, collect more free animal food then there is a beach party...

Anyway, 13 days to go and counting...

Jill

xx

Birthdays and BUP crawls

Hey there - its almost the end of another week for me - I don't know where the time goes here sometime - and its only 20 days now til my escape from here - volcano pending of course - it is worrying me slightly...

I struggled with a cold last week, which fortunately has now cleared and also my leg was still playing up. That seems to be better now after seeing another person on camp who diagnosed not tendinitis but a problem with my iliotibial band - it has been fine since she worked on it, even though it killed like mad at the time she was treating it... so back to short runs now but only in the gym and not even chancing the concrete...

I took delivery of some free pet food from a supplier we are helping advertise his business so I met up with him and he keeps giving me freebies now which is great for PAWS! Kitten season is upon us so there have been quite a few kittens coming and going. Overall, I don't have masses of cats to re-home, which in a sense, means that PAWS is working! Thats good to know... I am busy organising another band night for June with my colleague Myriam too and have a karaoke and bingo night lined up too!!!

The weekend was busy (as ever) - went to a local place on Weds to celebrate Lou H's birthday. Thursday I spent at the garage sale, meeting various new volunteers, chatting to them, helping at the sale again, having social meetings, meeting the guy for more pet food donations... never stopped and it was so hot too. Then the BUP crawl started just after 3pm - that was great fun going from house to house for "refreshments" - really enjoyed it.... (photo shows the route!!)

Friday I didn't really do that much - I think I was so exhausted from being out in the heat all day on Thursday really - so I took it easy, went to look at some houses on the bid list (yet again NOT successful - when will I escape my box?!?) and caught up with some friends.

This week I have been on a roll with my sports conditioning work. I am all but finished (with a bit of advice and help from friends - many thanks - you know who you are) so any day now should be able to complete that - lets hope I pass.. theory exam (hopefully) confirmed for the end of June and am doing my nutritian course in October in Dubai and trying to sort out another course to do in the UK! I will almost be there by then! Its just taking time...

We had the third round of CDWM - at Lou H's this time - nice meal and we still must stink of garlic even now!! Teaching at the gym tonight, then have some PAWS stuff to sort out with Joy and there may be the possibility I have to go and move some kittens and a mother cat to an empty house somewhere - glad that Lewis bought me some ultra strong cat catching gloves!

This weekend is Toddy's birthday so we are off to Bahrain for the weekend and tomorrow night I am out dress shopping in Khobar ready for the Oz Ball in 2 weeks...

Anyway, over and out from me.... keep me updated on your news - I don't seem to hear from many of you much now I have been gone so long!!! I still appreciate you keeping in touch

Jill

x

Double celebrations in Bahrain

Hello - I cannot believe how fast this week has gone - it started off slowly and now its Wednesday again - time sure flies here. I have had a relatively busy week, despite not really exercising due to my tendinitis in my knee and I have had a cold the past few days too which has made me feel a bit rubbish. I went to a small party last Tuesday - to celebrate a friend's graduation. I was then due to go out Wednesday but just felt exhausted so stayed in - had my last visit to the dentist too for a check up on the root canal and that seems fine. So yes, diagnosed with tendinitis, so no exercising for 5 weeks apparently or until the pain goes. Not in pain really now, apart from the odd twinge, but I worry that if I start back too early, it will make my knee worse. Very frustrating me not being able to exercise much. Going to try swimming tho and do some upper body stuff (once the cold goes)....

Ended up going to Bahrain last Thursday with Ayon as the casino night was cancelled of course. Did a bit of shopping, saw Alice in Wonderland in 3D which was really good and then stopped off quickly at Trader Vics - as you do! Stayed in Thurs night again and then over to Bahrain again for brunch on Friday to celebrate Julie and Phil's wedding and Sam, Kelly and Hannah's birthdays. Really enjoyed it in fact as hadn't done brunch for ages - met quite a few new folk down in Fiddlers afterwards too.... came home at 7pm too so wasn't too late back and felt "reasonably" ok on Saturday - one glass of water between each glass of champers does work you see to avoid a major hangover on a work day!

Managed to teach Saturday night - most of it was verbally done which was challenging but I did it without too much pressure on my knee.. Sunday I did a quick floor session at the gym and taught Sheryl in readiness for my personal training exam - although Sheryl currently also has an injury too - so until we are both well - I cannot do the practical exam! In between all this I have been running around picking up stuff for the PAWS garage sale tomorrow. Had a good meeting yesterday with someone from a pet shop in Dammam who is going to give us some freebie pet food in return for us helping advertise for his store.. I also had physio on my knee...

Tonight I am helping set up the garage sale and then have a birthday celebration to go to - tomorrow garage sale - I am meeting up with quite a few new volunteers and some of our helpers outside camp, then have to pick up some pet food and then have a pub crawl with the running group which I am, incidentally, going to have to walk!

Anyway, thats about all from me. Let me know if you want to meet up when I am at home - only heard from a few of you so far .....

Bye for now.

Jill

xx