End of an Era - Spooks final call.....

Here is Bill the cat - he is one of the PAWS cats that myself and two other girls rescued and now look after. He lives outside the apartment blocks and gets fed about 20 times a day! He is lovely and another successful story involving PAWS. I have been very busy re-homing this week - I managed to help re-home 2 dogs and also several cats too - so its been a good week for PAWS!

Last week was another busy one - as ever!! I was out for food Tuesday night with some old friends from DMC who I worked with 15 years ago - so we had a catch up. Wednesday was Spooks closing night - he has been running his bar now for several years and its become a bit of an institution - in fact Spook is a bit of an institution and a larger than life character - I have known him since 1998 myself!!! It was a wild night I must say and ended (for me) at 4am - some of the others apparently kept going all of the next day and the following night I believe!!! (Spook is in the middle of Cheryl and Scott)

Thursday I had a bit of a lie in but then had to take some stuff down to the storage van for the PAWS garage sales and then onto a meeting with 2 new volunteers and picked up some more garage sale stuff, then ready and off to Lee's for a Happy Hour - beautiful evening sat outside next to the pool in the garden - oh to have a garden, let alone an outside area - dream on Jill!! Then onto Nada to the band night - again a great night which ended at 3am for me - ouch!! Friday - rest day...
Busy this week - taught circuits Saturday and Monday - Monday was my last Monday class as Val takes over now so I can now get back to the running club! Saturday had a dash to the
dentist again as I had a shooting pain up my face from my dodgy tooth - seems the root canal still isn't sorted. Its ok again now - I hope it lasts so I can have it filled at some point for good! Went to town with Tracy Sunday - bad move going into the pet shop - they had 2 gorgeous puppy dogs in there - I wanted to save them so much! Poor things - they aren't kept in the best condition..
Then last night was round 2 of Come Dine with me with Chef Toddy. She did carrot and corriander soup, corned beef hash with peas and cherry pie. Very nice too. I shouldn't really mention that she had left the stove on at lunch time and the fire brigade were about to bash down the door and had evacuated the building by the times she got home should I!!! Dinner was still served of course and Lou's apartment was still intact!

Anyway, this weekend there are a few socials on tomorrow and then we are off to Ugir and to find desert roses all day Thursday and Thursday night just a small do on camp so hopefully will be compus mentus to do some revision Friday!

I am now doing my personal training practical via DVD which will save me a trip to Dubai and also can sit the theory exam in Bahrain so I am happy about that, so have been pretty busy putting together all my papers and teaching Sheryl at the gym...

Anyway, over and out from me.

Jill

xxx

Paddy's ball weekend and Come Dine With Me Experience

Hi folks - here are some of the photos from the Paddy's Ball in Bahrain last weekend. It was ok I guess - there were quite a lot of "gaps" where nothing much was happening though - we were still eating at 10pm and the band didn't come on til gone 11pm - same last year - seemed to be lots of waiting around - but it was ok! It wasn't a late night out for us though!!

Last week was very busy at work - we had quite a lot of visitors over and there seemed to be lots of travel orders to do too...

I taught circuits on Saturday and Monday also - numbers are good so I am making a bit of extra cash now from that. I hope to start some personal training at the gym soon too. Looks like my personal training exam could be at the end of April now as Impact are coming back to Bahrain - it will save a trip to Dubai and save me money of course! So, am aiming for that right now...

I had more trips to the dentist for my root canal - I "think" it is on the mend finally now and hope next week she can finally fill it.

I also went to a happy hour last Weds which was really nice - the garden was all decked out Zen like! Really good evening and I caught up with a few folk I hadn't seen for ages... Over to Bahrain Thursday morning with the girls - got nails and hair done and also ended up in Sherlocks for pre-ball drinks although I stuck to soft drinks and coffee - I am becoming sensible in my old age!!

Friday we had breakfast and Ricks and then came back and I spent all afternoon preparing for my Come Dine with Me meal - here are the results:

Starter was chicken skewers with sweet chilli dip, main was vegetable thai curry - it was supposed to be red, but couldn't find any red paste, so used green and it turned out yellow/orange, dessert was sticky toffee pudding... yummy! All plates were cleaned and then the results put in an envelope and sealed. The winner gets around 100 quid at the end of it - it will take time for us all to do the meals though as there are vacations, etc in between!!! It was good fun though!!!

This weekend is the end of an era. Spook's on Azziz is closing down - its been a constitution for years and many a good night has been had there.... so tonight we are going to Spook's closing down party. Four of the BAe compounds are closing down and everyone is moving to a "super compound" so hence the reason for the last call at Spooks.. Tomorrow I have 3 new people coming to see me regarding helping out with PAWS and then I have a happy hour from 6-9 and then the final band night at Nada (before that closes too!).

So, another busy one....

Anyway, write soon...

Jill

xxx

Qatif and PAWS band night weekend

Hello folks - not sure if you have all seen this photo of me diving but i think its a pretty good action photo of me!! Had another busy week again (whats new!!?) - started treatment at the dentist for a root canal - I had said last year after one of these I never wanted another - and although my dentist out here is very good, it is still a not very nice procedure... I felt ok on Monday after treatment though and managed to teach a class somehow and then had a casino night meeting. Tuesday we went into town to look for dresses for the ball this week but I came home empty handed and have decided to wear an old one I have to save on money! Didn't do much on Weds and then up early for the Qatif trip on Thursday at 6am - I was helping Louise again as a tour escort! Enjoyed the trip - I had done it before, many years ago. We visited the markets - bought lots of bread - this bread is so lovely - they have some made with cheese and some with sugar on it - I bought some back to freeze and we ate loads! Missed out on the animal market as I knew I would want to let them all go free! I did spot a man walking round with a cage of chickens on his head tho and saw this cow in a truck and I loved the Anne Summers style store - don't really get it when all the women cover up in head to toe black - I wonder if they do wear this stuff under their abayas!!???

After the market we went to see the fish market and vegetable market - I didn't like the fish market at all - I saw many of the fish lying there that had been swimming around me the week before! I think I have gone off fish! It really smelt bad too! The veg market was great - all fresh stuff and cheap but you had to buy in bulk!!

We then went on to a fort and to look at some old buildings made out of mud..

Then it was on to the corniche for our last port of call - myself and Michael - one of the consultants - decided to do star jumps and yoga head stands for some strange reason!! Such lovely beaches and a shame they are all empty!!

We got back around 1.30pm - I ran a few errands, had a quick kip (knew it would be a big night) and then went off to the band night! Spent most of the evening on the door really - had some great helpers, of course, helping me sell the door tickets and the raffle tickets. There must have been around 250 folk there I reckon - had a few gate issues - people who couldnt find their name on the list so my mobile phone never stopped all night! Great success though - did the drawer - gave a speech about cats and managed to re-home a few then too - and we made a really good amount for PAWS too! The bands and DJ were great - everyone had a wonderful time and I have many emails saying what a good night it was! It went on til around 6am I believe!!

So, Friday I didn't really do much - had a chill out day!!

This week has been really busy at work - haven't stopped til today really to be honest!! Taught Saturday - circuits - full class - Sunday more root canal treatment - it was really horrific this time and I felt awful afterwards - came back to work but soon went home and just stayed in bed most the evening. I am back there today and hope it isn't as bad today! Be glad when its all over... Been out for dinner too with friends I haven't seen in months too! Its such a small world on Aramco but sometimes you don't see friends for ages!

Anyway, thats all folks. Keep in touch as I always say!!

Jill

xxxxx

Hello - hope you are doing ok. Above are just a few photos from our dive trip - my fellow diver, teacher and photographer, Sheryl, a couple of photos of the reefs and a fish in the corals. There are more photos to follow - I am just waiting for Sheryl to download them...

Had another busy week last week.. I taught my last Sunday class last week too which was ok but I was glad to be finishing the late shift. Went to dinner at a friends and I think it was 9pm by the time I sat down then! Monday did my first circuits class - had around 15 folk so better doing the early shift! Then I had to go to the gym to run through stuff for my personal training qual with Sheryl as she is my "body" - its weird - I am teaching her gym stuff and she teaches me diving!

I had a facial and reflexology on Tuesday - can't say I enjoyed the reflex stuff - she really hurt my feet kneeding into them!!! The facial was weird too but my skin felt nice and soft afterwards but I don't think I looked 10 years younger!!! I did a run too - forgot about that - running has taken a bit of a back burner really as I have been so busy...

Weds afternoon we went off to the dive trip - we managed - last minute - to get on the Aramco flight - so that saved us a bit of money - flew up to Jeddah and got the boat there. Sailed up the Rabigh the early hours of Thursday - it was pretty rough so I think I got about 1 hours worth of sleep!! First dive there were bad currents - I pulled myself down on the anchor line and then started being swept away from the others, paniced so came back up. Not a good start! The second dive I was fine - apart from my mask flying off as I went in the water - fortunately Sheryl managed to retrieve it before it sank! I didn't do any more dives that day - Friday did another dive late morning - then did the night dive later. It took me around 10 mins to get in the water - it was pitch black, no moon and choppy - Nancy coaxed me into the water eventually - pulled along the tag line to the reef and went down - we had torches - saw a few large Parrot Fish and some anenomies that wake up in the dark - managed 12 mins - started to get a bit freeked then so came up and got swept off a bit by the wind - I can't say I enjoyed it really and am not in a rush to do another night dive - unless its millpond conditions with a full moon maybe!

The following morning we did a wreck and cave dive - very interesting - the caves were ok as you could still see the surface at times - managed to get myself burnt by fire coral though and also my ear was playing up - I seem to have real problems clearing my left ear for some reason.

Anyway, I really enjoyed that dive. Didn't pass my advanced diver yet - Sheryl passed me on the night dive but I can do the other bits to it on my next trip. Got back around 2pm then waited around on the boat til 6 chatting to Captain Eric and watching movies as our flight wasn't til later...

This week has been busy at work - we have had lots of bank visitors - time of year when they all come over here and we ask them for cash for our various projects. I ran Sunday and then Monday had to go to the dentist - she did a root canal - they are so horrendous - half my face was numb as I needed so much anaesthetic! Managed to teach later tho - had a massive class of around 20 odd folk and then had a casino night meeting!!! Sat down around 9pm again!!

Went to the mall last night too but didnt buy anything - it is the Paddy's Day Ball next Thursday in Bahrain - I was dress hunting but have a back up I can use so I wasn't bothered I didnt find anything! Going for a walk tonight - was going to run, but as I still currently have a sore gum and big hole in my tooth - don't think its wise - have to go back to the dentist on Sunday now for more pain - she is a lovely dentist and I had to laugh when she said - look here is the root I just pulled out - nice!!! Tomorrow I am up early for Qatif - being a tour escort again, then its the PAWS band and disco night - 250 folk + are expected!!!!!! Don't ask me how I manage to find all these folk to attend PAWS do's - everyone thinks Aramco should create a special job for me as social organiser!!!

Anyway, over and out from me - hope to hear from you soon - keep in touch - its important...

Jill

xxxx

Hi folks - another week has gone by - I just realised its Weds and I haven't written a blog yet. Just about time before I pack up for the weekend.... Life is, indeed, as crazy as ever and this week its been 9pm before I have sat down most nights. Last week was the usual running - in fact that is all I am doing really - running at the moment - the weather has been so lovely - I do need to get back to the gym but there will be plenty of time in the summer when its too hot to go outside... I didnt do much last Weds - went to look at some houses on the bid list - which once again I didnt get - so have to keep trying - over 2 years now in temporary accommodation - it really is rubbish... Thursday I spent racing around - went to meet Louise - my PAWS colleague who is now back in Saudi, albeit temporarily maybe - but she isn't sure! It was good to catch up, then beauty shop, then lunch with Anthea, then ready for the US consulate. It was a good night at the consulate - havent been up there for a while and all the more interesting with me not drinking (due to my race the following morning) - very entertaining!!! Friday saw me run the half marathon as a relay with 4 of my friends - we got a silver medal and did it in 2 hours 3 mins so not bad going. I managed my 2 miles in 19 minutes!!! So we did really well!!

Had a full English breakfast afterwards, kindly cooked by Karen and then went for a kip - I had been up since 5.30am and was exhausted!!! Later I met up with a friend and cooked dinner and just chilled with a DVD...

This week has been manic - Saturday I had to go to the KLM office to pick up the contract and ticket for PAWS, then I ran 3 miles. Sunday I taught - my last Sunday class is next week. I am now taking over from Andy so will be teaching at 4.45pm on a Saturday and Monday. The times are loads better but do conflict with the running club, so I will need to run still at some point to keep up my training! I had 2 meetings on Monday (after running 3 miles!) - a dive meeting and then a PAWS meeting and last night a race night meeting (after running 3 miles!) to sort out who is doing what at the charity event tonight! I am a bit stressed about tonight and hope it runs smoothly!!!

So, another busy one. Folk keep asking me to do personal training - talking of which, I have finally set my exam date for 20th May - the company I train with were due to come to Bahrain to do some courses, but aren't now, so its another trip to Dubai for me in May!

So, I have the PAWS race night tonight and then I am off to Bahrain tomorrow for a 50th birthday party - but I have the spa first which I think I will need after the stress of organising tonight!!

Anyway, over and out from me.

Keep in touch as always..

Jill xxxxx

February so far.....

Hello

Extremely late with my blog again - any spare time I seem to be printing out betting slips for the next PAWS do on the 24th!!! No time to write and work, in fact, has been busy too with visa applications, sorting out expenses on the completely unfriendly and impossible to use etravel system, etc.. I also seem to have tickets coming out of my ears, what with the race night, band night and now the casino night tickets all to sell!!!

I think my last blog ended up around the 2nd Feb. I had just managed to blag 2500SAR (about 400 quid!) off Mike, my financial advisor, towards a donation for PAWS!! We had the PAWS garage sale also that weekend and I helped with the set up - managed to raise around 6000SAR for that too (1200 quid!) so thats a good amount... Spent that Thursday at the spa - it was lovely and you certainly forget you are in Saudi - just like the spa's in the UK really - did a class and hung around the pool and chilled and had a manicure too!! Very relaxing.. Later on we went up to Jubail to the engagement party of Julie and Phil - they had a band and food and drink - very nice evening, met some new folk too who live up in Jubail (its about 90 mins from Dhahran where I am now) but it was really, really windy!!!

Friday, I decided for some strange reason, to go to Bahrain for lunch with Ayon. It was a choice between Trader Vics or the Hobby Farm on camp and TVs won hands down! It was a good afternoon - but only "a couple" lead to us leaving at 6pm instead of 3pm!!!

Saturday I ran again - think we did interval training and I had some PAWS stuff to sort (prime ticket seller me!) - I attempted to catch a cat with Chrissy on Sunday but that didn't happen - got to try again in a week or so - and then I did my class - much busier this week. However, I have been getting fed up with not being able to teach earlier in the evenings and Recreation are currently trying to find me a new venue so I can start erlier.. I teach 6-7 and by the time I have got in its 7.30pm, ate and showered, I sit down at 8.30pm and then to bed an hour later.. it just eats into my night.

Monday I ran - around 3 miles non stop - getting good at this now - will work my way up to 5 miles now....

I made my first batch of sushi too for Gay on Tuesday - very nice - rice ok, could have been better, but in Japan the guys who make the rice take 3 years to perfect it, so for my first attempt, it wasn't bad!!!

And then onto Dubai - we left Tuesday after work - flew to Sharjah and then taxi into Dubai. Still a huge construction site with road works and cranes all over the place - nothing new there! Just had a few glasses of vino that night, birthday cake for Tracy and some snacks...

Wednesday we went to the Mall of the Emirates - met up with Anthony, one of Breige's friends, who lives there - nice to see him and chat - then off to do some shopping and out later to meet friends. Met up with my fitness friends - at The Lakes Club, and also a couple of friends from the UK, who were travelling to NZ, via Dubai....

Thursday I went to get my hair done in the morning - took a look at the Burj Khalifa - we were due to go up it, but it had been closed due to technical problems! Impressive building tho - you cannot get your head around its height!!! Had a wander round the Dubai Mall later and bumped into some Aramco friends - then went back, changed and off out on the boat trip. Cheryl had booked us on Bateaux Dubai - we had a lovely meal and a few drinks and they even put on a firework display for us (yeh right oh!!) - nice evening though, but expensive. A trip to Trader Vics followed (can't get enough of that place!!) and we met up with some other friends.... and then on to Friday. Went to the Dubai Mall again - bumped into lots of Aramcon's again!! Bought a few bits and bobs and then went to watch the fountain show afterwards - its a bit like the show at the Bellagio in Vegas.. went out a bit later Friday night - to the Irish Village - had a really good night and met lots of new friends and I bought silly hats for us all!!! The picture of the fish is from the huge aqurium which sits in the middle of the mall!!

This week has been busy - I have managed a couple of 3 mile runs in preparation of the half marathon on Friday - not running it all - there are 5 of us each doing a relay - shouldn't be too bad, apart from the 6.30am start time!!! Yes I am bonkers... Tonight I am just catching up with some friends, tomorrow I have various meetings and appointments and then I am going to the US consulate to catch up with a few folk - nothing mad and no booze due to the run!

Anyway, thats you up to date. Write soon...

Jill

xxx

A very busy PAWS week!

Hi folks

Here I am again!!! Managing to get my blog done last minute tonight before I go off for my Thai foot massage. My legs are aching from running! I have been at the running club twice this week and am doing a half marathon (in relay!!) in a few weeks with 4 friends. Its only a few miles each though!

We have actually had rain yesterday and a bit today. I am hoping it clears for the weekend as we have a PAWS garage sale - outside - typical, it never rains for months and then it rains when we have an outside event! PAWS has, indeed, taken over this week. I have been busy getting the tickets ready for the race night (or Donkey Derby as I am calling it - it hasn't half confused those here who aren't from the UK!!) and I sold all the tickets in 2 days!!!! I now have 128 horses to sell! It is just on the TV screen and the races all come from the UK! Should be fun and make a bit of money for PAWS! I also had a casino night meeting last night too so am helping with that - I have the job of finding volunteers - we need about 60! I am sure I can find half that with all my friends! There will be 200 folk invited and a marquee on the side of the house with the gaming tables in and a disco on inside the house. We are going to deck it out in Hollywood glitz style as its a black and white do!!

It is in fact, just before my theory exam for my personal training - well the company I do my training through are in Bahrain 23-27 so I guess I can do my exam any time whilst they are there! No pressure tho with everything thats going on and I am doing my advanced diving exam beginning of March! I don't do things by halves do I!?

I had a pretty good weekend last week - I had to go to see Dias, at KLM, to sort out donations from them for PAWS - they are giving us 3 tickets to fly to Qatar and 2 to London this year - so great prizes.. Then I went to a happy hour, which was a really good night. Thursday to Lulu for grocery shopping, then to a mall day on camp, then to the consulate for quiz night and finally to a leaving do!

Friday was a wipe out!

This week I did running, class was a bit rubbish Sunday as only 6 folk turned up. I am trying to get an earlier slot (ie straight from work) to teach, but recreation aren't being at all helpful. Two teachers have the best 4 slots after work - why they cannot divide them up between us I dont know...

Mike, part of the financial company I use, is calling round tonight - I am trying to blag some money off him for PAWS!! And I have also been busy getting cat traps sent up from Riyadh to Dhahran via the US Consulate. Don't ask me how I get involved in all these things!!

Busy weekend - helping sort out for the PAWS garage sale tomorrow (weather pending), spa day Thursday and then to an engagement party Thurs night - day of rest Friday and I must revise for my advanced diving exam and my personal training exam - ahhhhhhrrrrgggghhhh!!

Dubai next week too so there might not be a blog for 2 weeks!

Anyway, over and out from me....

Jill xxxx