Not long til I am home now....

Hi folks

Another couple of weeks have flown by - more than half way through Ramadan now and I am surviving! The humidity outside tho is really getting to everyone - it has been humid now every day for weeks - normally we get the odd day or so of it but not continuous like this - apparently its the worst its been in years.... I am looking forward to some cooler weather - although most of you will probably find that weird!!!

Since I last wrote, I have been pretty busy - PAWS has kept me busy again although last week I managed to re-home 7 kittens and a tortoise - yes, a tortoise turned up on my doorstep but the next day I did manage to reunite him with his owner, who, in fact, said I can do a PAWS event at the hobby farm when it gets cooler - so it was worth "Mr T" being lost - the hobby farm is basically the stables on Aramco and is pretty out the way so I could do a barn dance or something down there I think and no-one would bother us!!!!

We had a girlie night the other Weds which was nice to catch up with friends and some of the new girls also joined us. There are quite a few new hires coming out over the next few months so some new faces around... On the Thursday I went to Bahrain with James and then on to Sheryl and Ian's place on Amwaj Island. Lovely apartment with great views. Ian cooked curry and it was just nice to stay in for a drink - we managed to get some wine from the hotel too as Bahrain generally is dry during Ramadan so that was a bargin... Friday we just chilled out at the hotel and then came home later...

I have been doing the usual this week - teaching, PAWS stuff, gearing up for coming home next week... my boss has been out most of the week so its just me here and I seem to have spent half my week in the coffee room!! Going for a meal tonight at the Heritage Village - traditional Saudi food etc - will post some photos - and have to go into town tomorrow - pain really as the shops don't open until 8.30pm but I need some new sunglasses as I just managed to break my others again - last time I ordered a new part for them it took 6 months to fix them - so think I will have to bring them home to the UK to be fixed this time...

Oh and last weekend I went to Dubai with James - a last minute decision really - but cheap time to go. We stayed at the Shereton in Jumirah - visited the Atlantis and the aquarium there and chilled at the pool - it wasn't so humid over there and went out for a lovely meal and visited the malls. It was nice to get away for a couple of days...

Got another girlie night this Weds too - I am cooking lasagne - and Thursday I am going for my first sailing lesson and then to a leaving do and then the countdown really begins. Fly out Weds morning of the 8th - arrive in the UK around 7am...

Anyway, over and out from me - hope to see you all soon...

Jill

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I seem to be behind on blogs!!!

Well, Happy Ramadan as they say in these parts....

We are 5 days into it now - I quite like it - numerous coffee breaks in the "sin room", extended lunch and going home a bit early! Its great! I do keep forgetting I am not supposed to eat and drink in front of the Muslims though!!

The weekend before last we were over in Bahrain for Rachel and Lauretta's birthday - went to the Meat Co for food and then on to JJ's - really enjoyed myself... unfortunately the next day I was really ill - I do believe that drink played some part in it, but I went to the Dr Saturday and got signed off for 2 days as he said I had a virus. Quite a few folk have had a stomach virus anyway and it took me a week before I felt much better!

Busy with teaching still although classes are a little quieter now with so many people on vacation and it has been incredibly hot and humid lately too. Roll on the winter!

PAWS is keeping me inundated - there have been so many kittens - its not real - I just cannot find homes for them either very easily - check out all the cats I need homes for...

http://www.saudipaws.com/ag.htm

There are more to add too yet!

We were over in Bahrain again last weekend - always a must the weekend before Ramadan really - so went over Weds night - ended up in JJ's and met some British navy guys (see Taff in the background of the photo!!) so had a right old laugh with them and then it was Nicola's birthday and she had a roof top BBQ at the hotel we stayed at. It was so hot though - we all got ready to go out and had to go and dry off again before we could go out later...!!! Ended up in JJ's for a change again!!!

Friday myself and Tracy came back at mid-day - couldn't really face brunch although a lot of our friends did go...

This weekend we were over in Saudi - quite a welcome change really - went to the gym and to a party Weds night on camp - slept for 11 hours that night - I think I was a bit tired! And Thursday I popped to a friend's house who has got 4 kittens she found up for adoption and then I did some stuff around camp. Went to the Blue Strawberry for a meal then and on up to Sara compound to Music Mania night - it was so busy and a great night.... got in at 4am!!!!!!!

Anyway, thats bought you up to date really... busy week this week with teaching and I have some PAWS stuff to sort out too... only 24 days til I am home now too so not long!!!

See you soon...

Jill

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Busy week for me

Hi folks - can't believe it is Weds already - 20 mins and I am out of here. Got to go and see physio woman about my bad back again - it is getting better though... Work has been busy in places - the system that we use here has been causing me major headaches and causing lots of unnecessary work...

I have been busy every evening - teaching circuits Sat and Mon and I did my practical personal training exam Sunday night - managed to use the gym when it was closed and film me doing the teaching so that was good - just need to put the footage on another disc now and get it sent off for marking. I passed my Sports Conditioning exam fully now - so have 3 more courses and my theory advanced left to do...

Last weekend was pretty mellow - apart from brunch - Weds went to Ayon's housewarming party, which was good fun - I bailed at 11.30pm but the revellers went on until 4am I believe! Thursday I did nothing - very unusual for me of course - and Friday we went over for brunch in Bahrain. I actually quite enjoyed it - spent most the time with my friend Andrew (who works in Bahrain and is from Mansfield) and 3 other friends of his all from Mansfield! Bit of home was good in Bahrain! Got back around 8pm so was not too bad for work on Saturday!

I went to the vets last night - two kittens have appeared in our apartment block area so I took them to be sterilized - I reckon they are around 4 months old. Also there were two kittens that the vet had been dumped with so I am hoping to get someone to at least look after them. They are only 2 weeks old!

Off to the finale of our Come Dine with Me meal tonight to Liam's house - its been on-going now for around 5 months! So, we will see who the winner is later!!! And Breige was the winner in the end - it was a great end to the competition!!!

Spent Thursday in Bahrain - went over early to miss the rush.... saw Robin Hood - it was quite good although Crowe's accent was Scouser and Irish I am sure in parts!!! Good movie tho. Later to the meal at the Meat Co and then on to JJs which was a bit of a blur.

And then so began my illness on Friday and I have been sick since and signed off work. There has been a virus going round and I am still not 100% today but back at work... so nothing to report so far this week as I have been inside for it all!!!

Anyway, over and out from me - won't be long til I am home now...

Jill

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Anyway, over and out for another week...

Jill

xxx

Two weeks for the price of one!

Hi folks - missed out on a blog last week. Work has been pretty quiet really so not much to report from there. I am trying to be released to move to a busier job but after a discussion with the GM, they won't let me! I am far from happy about that as there is only so much stuff you can find to occupy you for 8 hours a day!

Anyway, not letting it get to me... I have done my circuit class the past few weeks - its busy now as its so hot outside - which is good. I am starting cover for Val next week so will be teaching twice a week now for around 6 weeks! The extra cash is always handy too!

I have been visiting quite a few friends - been round for tea - its always good when someone does the cooking! We have the semi final of come dine with me tonight and then the final next week - its only taken us about 5 months to get it finished!

Things are moving more with my fitness training - I am doing the practical exam on Sunday (via DVD recording) and I am doing nutrition in October still and then the other 2 I need to finish the qualification, I am looking at doing in the UK next year. I am just waiting to see if the dates are close together to do them in one trip... I am also looking at doing some yachting and boating qualifications as I fancy a career change - want to go and work on the yachts at some point...

Socially, there have been a few parties, another meal at the infamous Senor Pacos in Bharain and a relaxing weekend at the Gulf Hotel in Bahrain. In fact I am in Bahrain now every weekend leading up to Ramadan - oh the joys - that is due to kick off around 11th August...

And then its not long til I am home - only around 6 weeks away!!!

Anyway, thats all - keep in touch!

Jill

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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

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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

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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

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