The new pad and Bahrain update....

Hi folks
Haven't written for a while - most of us are glued to the news at the moment with recent events in Bahrain and around here. I think some of us are a little worried about which way this might go - Iran seem to be putting their oar in now which is causing a bit more friction - at this point - I really don't know which way it will go. The army have been sent into Bahrain now and some say this will only make things worse. Anyway, all we can do is wait and hope it gets sorted soon.... so no trips to Bahrain for me for a while, plus they keep closing the causeway....

Its been a bit of a strange few weeks - what with moving house and then I had an awful cold - I have hardly done any exercise nor have I really had time. The house is pretty much now in order - just need some blinds putting up and also some yard furniture which I am fetching tonight. So not taken me long. I have had some issues with the a/c noise - although having a celing fan put in has sorted that out.

PAWS has been keeping me on my toes as ever and I am now in the throws of organising a 20 year anniversary black tie event for May! That will be my last event for a while - I am having a break then for the summer. I was over in Bahrain last weekend for my friend's 40th - Louise - here we are - what a wonderful cake too!!!

So, thats about it really - as I said, things are a bit weird here really with the stuff thats going on so we are just taking each day as it comes. I did do a PAWS garage sale - the day after I moved - full of cold - it was good fun - I was only going for an hour or so and ended up working 8 hours there instead. We made about 400 quid in donations though. Other than that I have been busy moving in and trying to find space for stuff! I was due to go to Bahrain this weekend, but obviously had to knock that on the head as most folk are on lock down so cannot really go out. There are tanks and army vehicles all over too. So just going to the US consulate now.

Anyway, thats all for now. Will keep you posted on events....

Jill xxx

Finally, I got a house!

Hi folks - this blog has been a long time coming - its been really busy at work with my two new bosses - I have had to work for a living! In fact I am still struggling to get this blog done now - I keep getting interuptions!!!

We had a long weekend several weeks ago now - went to Bahrain (just in time before the protests started) really enjoyed it - had our hair done, went out and about and did brunch too. Met some new folk also which was nice - mainly guys from the navy who are based there... the rest of my week has been made up of training at the gym, training other folk at the gym, teaching and other such things - lending out cat carriers - sorting out cats. Tripod is nicely settled in his new home with Ayon - he belonged to a friend of mine on another compound who was unable to take him when he left and has been living out on the streets really since although being fed - he was injured when he was a kitten and only has 3 paws and half a tail !! So sweet though and he loves living with Ayon...

I also attended a raw food demonstration with Robyn which was great - these sushi rolls are actually all vegetarian and the rice is made from turnips I think or something like that - we made loads of stuff. Also we had banana ice cream afterwards and chocolate ice cream all made from raw ingrediants!! Really interesting night...

We also celebrated Tracy's birthday and Chrissy's leaving do at the Blue Strawberry. Chrissy has been here a few years and has now gone over to work in Bahrain - obviously its been an interesting time for her recently! We are not sure what is going to happen over there yet. Protests are still happening and they are peaceful. In fact they were peaceful anyway but the police just opened fire on them for no real reason. The Sunni's are currently in power there but most of the people who live in Bahrain are Shia'a and they are wanting to take over. Its already cost them the F1 and a loss of millions in revenue - not sure how the businesses are going to survive and obviously less folk are visiting there. So, just waiting to see what the King decides to do really. We are going over Thursday - its fairly safe to go over as long as you know where to avoid...

We had our first session of come dine with me - Ayon cooked Indian food which was really nice. My car decided to break down (again) that night so I had to borrow a scooter to get to Ayon's house! I have never riden one in my life - on the way back I did almost manage to squash myself against the garage door! So, looks like I might need a new car soon.. especially now I am moving house - FINALLY!!! I found out last week - I didn't in fact win the house - someone else did with 141 points, but declined and I was in second place so got offered it. Its only a 500 sq foot unit - I did say I would never move to one this size - but as you know I am so desperate to get out the apartment - so at least now I have a yard area, own washer and dryer, dishwasher and my own front door and a much larger lounge. The bedroom is small - will just about get my bed in and the bathroom is off the bedroom - it is still temporary though so I keep my points and can continue to bid on larger houses. The way the lists are going tho it will be a while. The offers are really bad again this year... so moving on 2nd March officially, but starting to shift stuff tonight!

I actually had a night in last weekend on Thursday. I was so tired and burnt out from being so busy. So I just watched iplayer all night - it was great! I then went up to Sara to collect Tripod (and do some washing - wont need to do that soon) and then this week has been busy doing the usual!

Anyway, its not long til my trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai (in April) and I have booked my flights back too for June to the UK....

Well over and out from me - pleas keep in touch with me as you know what I am doing, but I don't know what you are!!!!

Jill

xx

Where did January go???!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jill

xxxx

Christmas and NY in Mansfield.....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jill

xxx

Its been a testing few weeks....

Hi folks - another blog before I depart for the UK on Tuesday.
The photos above are of my good friend Sheryl. I knew Sheryl when I was at Aramco previously and we have spent a lot of time together (especially lunch!) over the past few years. Sheryl is also my dive master and mentor and were it not for her, I wouldn't be the competent diver I am today. Sheryl and her husband, Ian, have been in Saudi for 10 years and are now embarking on a little adventure sailing their boat around the world for a year. I will miss them both. We had a sending off meal for them last week at the Blue Strawberry. Not sure when I will see them both again, but hopefully I will meet up with them in Australia when I get there in a few years (on my own round the world trip!).

The past few weeks have been pretty busy - well not at work. I managed to do my theory personal training exam (results in the new year) and now have to finish off my nutrition work and do the exam for that - scheduled to do that in 2011 when I have had a break. I then have to do a 2 day course in the UK next year to complete my full Personal Training Qualification. That is me done then! So, what to do next!? I have booked myself onto a Competent Crew course in Dubai in April and plan to do my Day Skipper and STWC qualification (for yachts) over next year. The plan then is to either see if I can get a leave of absence for 2-3 months in 2012 and if not I will leave end of 2012 and do a gap year and travel and work on boats. Thats the plan at the moment. I have no idea what will happen after that!

Work wise, I have been trying (again) to get transferred to another position. Three years of studying is now taking its toll. My boss gives me so little to do, BUT, refuses to release me to another position. There is a really good job that has just come up that would suit me so well (showing around new hires and orientating them) but he won't even let me apply for it before having a replacement in place. It is more challenging, busier and a higher grade code, but he is making things as difficult as he can. As you can imagine, there is rather a lot of tension in the office at the moment. My other boss, Ali G, is retiring in 2 weeks. No word on his replacement but things are very changable as you can see. I just want to move to something different now and will continue my fight to be released - I have never known a system like it. As I was promoted in July, I am now expected to stay in this position another 4 years!!!! Anyway, I will continue to work on it...

No news on houses - still waiting - there are 10 extra mid-size houses due out in the new year with more to follow - I hope I get a place soon. Three years in an apartment is now taking its toll too...

I am keeping a low profile with PAWS too for a while - I got caught catching cats (to be sterilized) by pest control last week and although I am doing Aramco a favor by doing this job (their option is to catch and kill, our's is catch, sterilize and release) they refuse to agree with what we are doing. So, I received a very nice warning letter from community services telling me to stop feeding the cats outside my building! Go figure! I very rarely feed cats outside my building and there is, in fact, only one cat who lives outside my building and I wasn't even trying the catch the cats close to my building! Basically, the pest control man, who saw me catching strays, is just fabricating things to try and get me into trouble. He was actually lying in wait for a colleague who feeds the cats and I was just in the wrong place and the wrong time with my trap and a tray of food in my hand to catch them!!

I have been back and forwards to the dentist too to get my bridge fitted, which kept falling out, but I think she has finally super-glued it in now so that seems ok! Also, my car was in for a service - he was just bringing it back and the key stuck in the ignition so that cost more to fix, then I went into the PAWS safe to put some money in and all the money in there has gone moldy - so I am currently trying to clean all that with vinegar - and there is quite a bit - and then I cut my finger open on a glass I was washing up. I am beginning to think I am becoming a liability!!!

Anyway, spent the other weekend on Sara - I went for a Thai massage, then there was a Christmas Bazaar held and then we just stayed in - James cooked which was nice and on the Friday we went over to Bahrain for lunch. It was nice to have a quietish weekend as opposed to a mad one!

This weekend I had Sheryl and Ian's leaving do and then we went to Bahrain on the Thursday - had nails and hair done and then went out for a Christmas meal at the Ramada hotel and ended up in JJ's afterwards. It was a great night and good to catch up with some friend's I hadn't seen for a while.

Anyway, thats about all for this year. The next blog will be in 2011.

Hope to see some of you whilst I am at home - just call me if you want a chat - 07903 497122. I am home 15 Dec - 3 Jan. Otherwise, have a great Christmas and New Year.

Jill xxxx

Amazing India

Hi folks - here is my blog on India. I haven't put too many photos on here as I have sent you the link to my picasa album already - here it is again - there are too many anyway to post on here - http://picasaweb.google.com/Jillbarrows69/AmazingIndia2010?feat=directlink.

We started off our journey in Bahrain - myself, Tracy, Breige, Jean, Lou and Sam made the most of the Irish Bar whilst waiting for our flight. It took around 4 hours or so to fly to Delhi. On walking out of the airport, Louise said whats all that stuff in the air - welcome to Delhi pollution! There was this haze in the air... there was some confusion with the bus that was picking us up - they had gone to domestic arrivals for some strange reason - so by the time they picked us up it was 6amish - and then there was the traffic to get through - road accidents all the way or trucks breaking down.

We were staying at the Viyasa Hotel in New Delhi - a small boutique type hotel - they were very good - had breakfast then the rooms were ready for around 8.45am so we all got a few hours kip before hitting the streets. Louise was a great tour guide and took us via the tube (it cost next to nothing!) to some markets first - this is where we also witnessed the start of the begging, street kids at the traffic lights wanting money, etc. We ended up having pizza the first night for food as we thought we would play safe with Pizza Hut!! We took the tube back - they have cars just for ladies on the tubes which was great as the men's cars were completely rammed to the rafters - it would have been a bit uncomfortable being squished up against an Indian man! We managed to find a booze shop too on the way home so got a few drinks in (the hotel didn't serve booze) so we had a few drinks before bed.

The next day, Angel, our tour guide, picked us up and we did a tour of new and old Delhi. The population of Delhi is 15 million. We visited India Gate - this was built to remember those who fought in the wars. I noticed a large presence of military everywhere - on the streets, outside hotels, etc. Also there were loads of stray dogs too - Hindus believe that these are reincarnations of people who have been bad so
basically they are left to wander around the streets. Of course, I did end up trying to feed some of them! After India Gate, we went to a temple - it was very busy. We all put the red spot on our heads too!
There were lots of swastika signs on the temple - apparently Hitler stole this sign from the Hindus - it means perfection and success.
We also saw lots of guys going to toilet at the side of the road, seemingly without a worry in the world - also there were these urinals at the side of the street with no doors on them!! The noise is mental too everywhere you go - the horn rules the roads - its constant - and the traffic is mental too - you are fighting with cows, bikes, camels, lorries and cars on the road - compared to Saudi, I didn't find it quite so frightening really as you don't get the speed over there - how there are not more accidents though I don't know - our driver was amazing at missing folk by inches!!

The rest of the day we went to see Ghamdi's grave, Parliment House (where the female Priminister lives) and also had a nice (but expensive) lunch - we did go for curry today - there are restuarants that cater for tourists but the food and the drink are very expensive - we found that everywhere and some places even have menu's for locals and one for tourists with different prices in them!

After lunch Angel asked us if we wanted to go on a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi, which we agreed to. It was complete madness really - and the street kids were constantly harrassing us - especially poor Jean - they wouldn't leave her alone. The streets were really small too so we were constantly trying to avoid people and other vehicles - hats off to the rickshaw drivers! But we did find the trip quite stressful and at one point the rickshaw guys starting abusing the street kids which upset us all. We did see some amazing sights though through the streets. We also visited another mosque - Breige took some photos of us in these lovely coloured sheet things we had to wear to cover up! Ill post them soon! After the rickshaw ride, we went back to the hotel, got a quick change, then went to see the light and sound show at the Red Fort - the traffic was manic tho, as it was coming up to Hajj, so we missed half of it! After, we had dinner at this really nice restaurant in Delhi - quite old colonial style. It was weird eating in there and outside there were loads of homeless folk just asleep on the pavement...

Next morning we were up early for Agra - we stopped on the way at Akbar's tomb - he was the third ruler of India and founded the Mogul dynasty. There were deer and birds in the grounds - it was very peaceful compared to the hustle and bustle outside. We also saw a monkey - did see quite a few of them out and about too. Carried on our journey into Agra and went to check in at the hotel - The Holiday Inn - it was ok but pretty worn, but ok. Had some lunch there and then the tour escort picked us up and took us to the Taj Mahal. It took some time to get in as there was a massive queue - and they do search you very intensly before you go through the gate. Industry is banned from a large radius around the Taj (100km away) due to pollution and it is cleaned with mud every 2/3 years. Between 10-13,000 visitors go to see the Taj each day. It took 22 years to build and 20,000 workers to build it. Sarah Jahan built the Taj in remembrance of his wife who died in childbirth after her 14th (!!) child. The building is actually only marble on the outside and brick on the inside - if it were all marble, then it would be so heavy it would sink

At the back of the Taj Mahal there is a wide river and the plan was for the Shah to build a black Taj over the other side of the river, but it never happened as his son threw him in prison

It started raining at the Taj, so we had a quick trip to the Red Fort and were then taken to some shops, neither of which I found interesting and then back to the hotel We stayed in that night and just ate at the hotel as the weather was so bad - there was a really bad storm..

It was quite noisy that night in Agra due to it being wedding season - it happens for 3 months apparently from Oct - Dec so there were fireworks going off and bands playing - somehow I managed to sleep through it!

The next morning we went to Jaipur - another 4 hour trip on our bus - we stopped off at Fatehpur Sikri an old town where the Moguls lived. We found this very interesting although I think the guide gave us information overload! It took years to build and was built by Akbar (he built alot of stuff it seems!) and it took 25,0000 workers to build it.. We then carried on to Jaipur where we stayed at the Country Inn and Suites - lovely 5 star hotel and 5 star prices for drink - Louise - I am not paying that much!!! we went for a few bevvies in the outside bar then for curry up the road - managed to help out a fellow tourist - Dana - she had got lost on a tuk tuk and was a bit worried about getting back to her hostel, so she ended up coming for food with us - I gave the leftovers of the curry to the street people and a dog!

The next day we went to the Amber Fort via elephant - this is 400 years old and took 200 years to build apparently - think this was the highlight for most of us -




The picture above is the Palace of Winds in Jaipur. All of Jaipur is painted pink with Terracotta paint and now all buildings must be painted this color - it was for when Prince Albert visited some years ago apparently. The palace is just a facade and the ladies used to look out the windows at the guys down below - beats curtain twitching I guess!

We did some shopping later in various shops and then probably went out for another curry later! None of us suffered from Delhi belly either so we all did quite well! Especially me as I always seem to get ill!

Other sights were prostitutes at the side of the river on the way somewhere - they were sat on these bed things and the squallor and poverty to you - it is everywhere - and the people sifting through bags of rubbish looking for anything that they can sell and the piles of stinking rubbish around and people and pigs living in the middle of it!!

Back to Delhi then the next day which was some trip and the fan belt snapped 40k from Delhi which took 2 hours waiting for a spare part but it was entertaining at the side of the road!!

Just went out for another curry once we got back to Delhi - it took forever!

A great trip - and very memorable but not sure for the right reasons - the poverty and dirt - I cannot believe people survive like that in this day and age. It is very sad really.

Anyway, back to the madness here now - it was my birthday on Monday I just stayed in as I was tired from travelling and had some Thai food and a nice bottle of real red wine which was a gift!! Then tomorrow we are celebrating it with lunch over in Bahrain - just small scale really compared to last year! And its not long til I am home again for Christmas - just over 2 weeks.

Over and out - enjoy the blog and pics!

Jill
x

Less than a week until India....

Hi guys - hope everyone is doing ok. Life here is much the same with me - and I am still coughing (from my long lasting virus) - 7 weeks on - another two trips to the Dr and I think my latest steroid inhaler seems to be doing the trick! I have been attempting to exercise - still teaching of course - but it starts off coughing fits - so not been doing too much exercise really and desperate to get back into it!

Went on a trip to Nariyah the other weekend - I was a tour escort on one of the buses - we visited a market and then went for lunch and sat around Arabic style eating. It was a good, but long day. I even made it out that night - went to a Halloween party - it was ok but due to the 5am start for the trip I was home by 11.30!!!

I had another trip to the dentist to get a crown fitted - the initial visit was pretty awful but they are now made and hopefully I will have my new teeth fitted either Thursday or Saturday! I have also been busy in the week catching up with friends, running PAWS erands and getting spray tans done! We have the Marine Ball this weekend at the US Consulate so my latest orange glow is in preparation for that. One of the new girls, Nicola, is also a trained hair and makeup person so we are getting the full works this year! Looking forward to it...

Last weekend was also busy - we had Carol's retirement party - she has been a major part of PAWS for the past few years and is a big loss - she will be missed. Also went to another leaving party (there are alot of those going on at the moment) and Thursday to Bahrain for hair do, nails and then lunch at Trader Vics. Caught up with some Bahrain mates there, then came home, got changed and went off up to Sara for the Children in Need Charity Night. Had a good time up there too - catching up with folk. Friday James came over and we just did some running about and got some tea later.

There has been uproar this week as quite a few girls have been refused entry to the coffee shop opposite where I live. Basically, its a fenced off area with the Tandoori restaurant, Cafe Nejaar and the library all enclosed in there and you have to go past security to get in. Some of the security staff have been saying that the girls are not appropriately dressed even tho they had nothing out of the normal on for what we wear on Aramco (its not like we go walking around in bikinis - even though we are on camp - we are still respectful to some degree) - so its caused alsorts of issues but is, I understand, being dealt with. Aramco is, primarily, a camp for Westerners and what happens inside the walls of the camp is unique to Aramco. Anyway, I hear that things like this usually kick off every few years and then it dies down!!! Its just something else for us to get wound up about!!

Anyway, off to India next Sunday - going to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur - looking forward to that - it will be a cultural experience... and then after that its my birthday (where did that year go?) and 3 weeks after that I will be in the UK for Christmas...

Thats all for this time. Speak to you soon,

xxx