It Rained in Riyahd!

November 27, 2011     

     As I was departing the villa to go to work, I opened the front door and it was raining! The average rainfall here is about 4 inches, annually, usually occurring between November and May. The rain can be heavy and lead to flash floods as the water tries to run off the dry ground. Hail has also been present during winter storms!  The last couple of weeks, it has been chilly. The average weather temperatures in the winter periods are 47-68F degrees. During the summer months, the temperature range from 81-109F degrees! Riyadh also has many dust storms throughout the year. Sometimes it gets so thick that the visibility is just like the fog in Florida!

  
      So, the misconception that the desert is only hot and dry with relentless heat is not all true. If you visit here, bring a jacket and umbrella for the winter months and a high tolerance for the heat in the summer months.

 

All the best,
GMarie

Happy Thanksgivings!

November 24, 2011

It is 12:45 am in Saudi Arabia! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!

      Thanksgiving is a day of the thankful feast, but today, please remember those in your prayers before dinner who are "standing watch" enabling you to have the freedoms you have to get together with your families today. 

      Don't forget those who have fallen on hard times during these tough economic times and may not be able to have a traditional holiday feast.
Lastly, pay attention to those friends and family you LOVE that you have not reached out to in a while. This is the time of year where people, whether they are around others or not, get depressed. Give them a call. A task so small may make all the difference in the world to them.

All the best,
GMarie

A Tribute to Julia

     
November 21, 2011

     When I first met Julia, my first impression, which turned out to be incorrect was that....this woman has a lot of nervous laughter! At the time, I thought she may be either masking something or it was just her way to communicate. But later, after getting to know her, laughter was just Julia. I can say that I have never seen her upset or say an unkind word about anyone. Thinking of Julia  now makes me realize that I have really wasted a lot of time dwelling on displeasing matters that not only could I not possibly change but was totally out of my control (i.e. seemingly unhappy folks and workplaces). All of this should have been replaced with laughter!

      Like Julia, I loved the feline species; cats. We would talk on the phone just about our cats! Julia also decided later in life that she wanted to get her Bachelor's degree. So we were both attending college; she on the east coast and I on the west coast. She would spend hours with me on the phone helping me with my school work while completing her own. I believed with her logic, she was borderline genius! She would always say that I was the daughter that she never had even though she only had a few years on me. 

      I spoke to Julia a couple of weeks before I departed for Saudi Arabia. She said "I know that your Dad have the story wrong as usual because he said you are leaving for Iraq, so tell me where are you really going!". I told her that she was correct and that I was going to Saudi Arabia to work...a more peaceful place. She said, as she always said to me..."You will be just fine! You are the daughter I never had...You'll do just fine"!

      Julia passed away on Friday, November 18, 2011. We all get busy in our lives. Just as easy as you make those appointments in your Outlook or your Blackberry to remind you of meetings, make it an important part of your life to reach out to those you love more regularly. It is imminent and evident that tomorrow is not promised. I LOVE YOU JULIA and will miss you dearly!!

All the best,
GMarie

Adrian and Tookie

November 15, 2011

A couple days ago, I heard from my “Favorite” couple…….Adrian and Tookie!  I may get the ages wrong, so let’s just say that Adrian is in his 80’s and Tookie is in her 70’s. The vitality of these two is amazing! I had the pleasure of meeting both of them at a place called Gators located at Treasure Island, Florida, not too far from Clearwater Beach. Well on Sundays, Gator’s venue is typically a Reggae band. While I was checking out the local musical talent, I spotted this mature couple on the dance floor, gyrating to the Soca and Reggae beats with rhythm and stylish swagger. They even had a couple of line dancing routines that immediately had folks learning the steps and joining in. I starting meeting up with Adrian and Tookie at Gators every Sunday and eventually attending other venues with them. It finally became official; they adopted me as their daughter!

I decided to add this spectacular couple to my blog today because in December they are celebrating their 50^th (Semi centennial) wedding anniversary!  Adrian wrote me and said, “On December 1^st, I will be going to Las Vegas with my “first lady” to celebrate our 50^th wedding anniversary!” He further said (in reference to me), “40 is the old age of youth and the youth of old age”. He said I was at the prime of my life and to try everything. He concluded with, “Let me know when you can ride a camel. I hope you don’t get arrested for doing something illegal. It is illegal for a woman to drive a car, don’t try to beat the law by riding a camel. I guess you will have to get a friend to give you camel driving lesson!”

Considered the “golden” anniversary, spending half a century in love with the special someone is a wonderful statement about the gift of married life. Having recited their marriage vows in 1961 (I wasn’t a thought yet!), Adrian and Tookie are role models for whomever believe in LOVE. I am emotional writing this piece, but I celebrate your bond and dedication to one another……

With much LOVE

Your adopted daughter,

GMarie

Memorial Ceremony

November 13, 2011

Sixteen years ago today, explosions ripped the front of a building where nearly 400 Americans train the Saudi Arabia National Guard (SANG) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This disaster severed the lives of eight people, including an enlisted soldier, and injured many others. Two groups claimed responsibility for this heinous crime against humanity. The building that was targeted by the bomb was the headquarters of the Office for Program Management of the Saudi Arabian National Guard (OPM-SANG) and their presence is to help the Saudi military better defend their country.

We assembled today at 11:00 am in memory of the brave ones who were taken from the OPM Family on that fatal day on November 13, 1995. Those honored, remembered but never forgotten are as follows:

James H. Allen

Alaric J. Brozovsky

William L. Combs, Jr.

SFC David K. Warrell

Wayne P. Wiley

Tracy V. Henley

Thermal B. Devadas

Eyakunnath Balakrishnan

After the presentation, Taps was played. You could hear a pin drop and sniffles that represented that somber moment. Peace was taken on that horrible day. I prayed for the families who lost their loved ones as the assembly came to a close.

Assalaam Alaikum,

GMarie


Dirab Golf and Country Club, Riyadh Saudi Arabia

November 8, 2011

My friend Jay asked me last evening if I would like to go golfing with him and a buddy in the morning. I saw this as an opportunity to get off the compound as well as get some insight on the game of golf. I was asked by my sponsor before I arrived in the Kingdom if I knew how to play golf and if not I should consider taking it up as a hobby. So at 0700 hours we headed to Dirab Golf and Country Club which is about an hour west of Riyadh.

The views were absolutely beautiful! Picture this; the golf course was surrounded by mountains in a distance and from the sun’s reflection, they appeared to be just like the sand,…red clay in color. There were eucalyptus trees that really set the tone of the grounds for this course; tranquil and green, really!  Not exactly what I would expect in a desert!

Dirab Golf and Country Club is one of the two grassed 18 hole courses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and nestled in picturesque Tawfiq valley. The course offers a driving range, putting greens and a Golf academy. Nine of the eighteen holes is floodlit for night time golfing. The club also offers tennis, swimming and horse-back riding activities as well.

I can certainly see after today, all of the hype related to golf, especially when I start recalling how folks talk about the beauty of certain courses they have played in different regions. The guys played 18 holes and after about 4 hours, the final score was Tony, 86 and Jay, 79.

All the best,

G.Marie

Bruce Visits Me in Riyadh!

November 5, 2011

My friend, Bruce is coming to visit me today! Bruce works as a Chiropractive Physician at a major hospital in Jeddah. Jeddah is an hour flight to Riyadh.  I met Bruce and his wife Florence through our friend Robin who lives in Florida. While Bruce was visiting, I hear Robin had a party.....Happy Birthday Robin and many, many more to come! Robin and I met one evening in St. Petersburg, Florida and while chatting I told her that I was soon departing to Riyadh Saudi Arabia, she immediately made the connection with Flo, Bruce
and I.

As soon as I knew Bruce was coming, I contacted our security folks on my compound to find out what Bruce required in order to gain access to this military compound. I was informed that he would need a copy of his Passport and igama (resident card that allow you to work in Saudi Arabia) to be sign in. He soon found out just how many restrictions I had, not just being a woman in Saudi but also as far as receiving guests.

After trying to find an Arabic interpreter on post to translate to Bruce’s cab driver how to get to the base and getting my friend Jay to sign Bruce in at the gate with not only the Air Force guards but the Saudi Army as well, Bruce was finally able to come on post! I had a spaghetti dinner with my homemade sauce prepared and I hoped it made all of the “red tape’ Bruce had to go through, worth the trip.

The next day, I showed Bruce all the amenities (i.e. the gym, basketball court, batting case, pool, tennis, volleyball) that are available to the residents in order to keep busy in the Kingdom. We did not make it downtown Riyadh due to it being the Eid holiday here in Saudi. Every shop and restaurant would be closed. The post also provides free movie rentals at the library and we have several movie free channels in out villas. We dined at post restaurant, visited the Base Exchange then had a nice swim in the Olympics sized pool. Bruce said, “You guys have really got it made! This place looks like a resort!” All of this; the compound with all of its amenities are a courtesy from the King!

All the best,
G.Marie

Sports Day

November 2, 2011

Today was Sport’s Day at work. On this day, the offices closed and all of the military and civilians get together and play a variety of sports. The purpose of this day is to promote sportsmanship and camaraderie. This event consists of sports ranging from basketball and volleyball to more uncommon venues such as tug of war and tricycle races. Before the games began, we were divided into three teams; White, Blue and Black. I was on the Black Team.

The festivities began at 8:00 am beginning with a photo session. I participated in playing spades and hoola hoop contest.  Around noon, we took a pause for lunch and some socializing. The final event of the day was Tug-of-War contest. Those who were fit and those who thought they were fit participated in this sporting finale.  The point totals were tallied and the ending ceremony involves congratulatory speeches by the Program Manager. Prizes were awarded to all of the teams for each event played, but the top trophy went to the Black Team for scoring the most points of the day.  

My team received a Gold medal (1st place) for the hoola hoop contest and a Bronze medal (3rd place) for playing spades. All in all, it was a good day that was enjoyed by all. It was also a nice break for me from the frustrations of getting accustomed to a new job and of course, the Saudi culture.

All the best,

GMarie

Arabic: Common Expressions

          A week after I started working, I asked my co-worker Ablah to teach me a new Arabic word a couple times a week so we could eventually build up to having a conversation in Arabic. She smiled, concurred and we began our lessons. I still have quite a ways, have plenty of time to learn but have begin speaking some words and understanding a little Arabic. Here a few basic words I have learned thus far:

Good Morning     Sabah al khair
Good Evening     Masah al khair
Hello                   Asalaam alaikum (Peace be upon you)
No                      La
Yes                     Na'am
Thank you           Shukran
Inshallah             If Allah wishes

...just a few words.

          Ablah and I help each other. If I have a vendor I am communicating with and have a very strong accent I cannot understand them, I have Ablah interpret for me. When she have reports to transcript and cannot understand the Colonel's handwriting, I assist her.  

          I didn't get to spend time with Ablah after Eid Al-Adha, as planned. The day we had our OPM Sports Day, she found out that her Grandmother was very sick. She and her Mom left that day for Jordan, which is where the Grandma lives. Plane fares were too expensive, so the bus was the only option, but the ride is 12 hours! To cheer her up a little, I told her that I could drive her and her Mom to Jordan. She smiled and reminded me that I was in Saudi not Florida! I received a text a couple of days later informing me that her Grandma had passed on. I texted words of condolences and wished her safe travels and return to Riyadh. That would be a task due to flocks of folks returning from Hajj. My prayers are with Ablah and her family for their loss.

Talk to you all soon,
Inshallah,

G.Marie