Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Disaster in the kitchen

Not a good day.  Went out for the afternoon and completely forgot that I had put on a pan of water with two cans of condensed milk in.  I was turning the condensed milk into caramel for a banoffee pie. Keith came home two hours later to find the house filled with black smoke and the cans had exploded.  He was not in a good mood when I got home especially as he had to clean up the mess. :(


A day at the Granada mall funfair was brilliant. Two big kids riding the roller coaster and the water log ride. Funfairs which are normally outside in the UK are inside the shopping malls on the top floors. They have everything bumper cars, whirlizer, carousel, roller coaster. The only think they don't seem to have is the Ferris wheel.







Wednesday, 4 December 2013

Monday 26th November - Diamonds are forever

Went to Kuwaiti Souk to dip my signet ring in white gold.  Muhammad allowed me to try on some diamonds to see what they looked like.  I have never seen so many diamonds cut in so many shapes they don't even look real, but believe me they are.  The ring equates to £2,000. Didn't even ask how much the necklaces were.

First wedding anniversary coming up soon! Hint, hint Lol! I know it's paper..................





Who said you can't buy a Christmas Tree?

I couldn't believe that we would be able to buy a Christmas Tree and decorations in Riyadh.  Keith found this little shop full of things for Christmas including the foil ceiling decorations and garlands made of tissue paper.  And there I was thinking we would decorate an indoor plant with a few bits of tinsel we brought with us from the UK. Just goes to show Aallah looks after all his people when in Saudi.






28th November 2013

Well I have now been in the land of sand for 2 weeks and the sun is finally shining. 

I have been out on my own twice without Keith lol.  I got on the compound bus and went shopping to the malls, Hyatt and then to Kingdom mall.  I have never seen so many designer shops and western clothing for women.  Seems to be little clothing for men when approx 4 million of the population of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are men who only wear western clothes.

Despite being so far away the world is such a small place! Just 3 houses down live a couple called Fiona and Paul Rizzardi.  Fiona used to work for Surrey Community Health as a staff nurse at the Jarvis centre and then in the breast screening clinic.  Fiona attended the University of Surrey and Melaine Coward was her personal tutor and then to top it all Fiona and Paul attended Pam Frost's wedding. Amazing!!!

I have been offered a deputy director of nursing post at the King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC),  but who knows whether it will be followed up with a contract who even a job description and even then it's going to take sometime for my igama (residency) to be transferred from Keith's company to KSUMC which may result in me returning to the UK for many weeks.  I have told this could take as long as 3 months.  The recruitment process is very different here and not something I am used to. 

I have also been interviewed for a service manager in a rehab hospital in the middle of the desert managing 4 clinical managers and responsible for 104 beds.  Said they will let me know in a week, but too far to go each day by taxis 48 kilometres each way at a cost of 60 SARS each way ( 6 SARS to a £).

Looking forward to starting work and the huge learning curve I will experience with the culture and the different way health care is delivered.  Looking forward to putting in place visiting lecturers so watch out some of you may be getting an all expenses trip to KSA.  Very exciting! :)

I am learning about Islam and women so that I have a better understanding of what is expected of a Muslim woman.  Today I found out you woman shouldn't wear nail polish as a woman cannot perform Wadu (ablution) for prayers as water cannot penetrate the nail polish and so you are unclean.  Interestingly a company have produce breathable nail polish which lets air and water through to the nails.  Its called O2M (Oxygen and Moisture) so problem solved for all Muslim women.  For my next lesson .......................... only kidding unless you found it as fascinating as me.

We were invited to Keith's boss house Tony's for tea and I met his wife Vivienne.  Really nice couple.  They have a rescue dog called Dudley who is so sweet and gentle spent the whole time on my lap.  No I am not having a dog.............. Need to wait once I have started work and then we will see. 

Have started doing my decoupage again and have even found that Jariri bookshop sell the paper mâché shapes which is great and so much cheaper than the UK just need to source the decopatch paper here and I'm in business.  Have been asked to show someone how to do this so maybe could start some classes up.  knitting has not come out of the cupboard so not that bored yet and as for being a housewife! I don't think so lol

Went to Kuwaiti souk last night and got the opportunity to try on some jewellery for fun.  Didn't like the pieces, but was nice of Muhammad to allow me to do this.  Diamonds everywhere and so many different cuts of diamonds you just can't believe they are real.  Just mind blowing. 

Anyone wanting any shopping done just let me know.  Easier if you send a picture of what you would like and I can then have a look and send you a picture of what I find which is similar and the cost.  Some of Keith's friends from the UK who also work here come back to the UK on a regular basis so no problem in getting your items to you.

Well that's it for now. Will write again soon.

19th November 2013

Hi
 
Apologies but I am being lazy and doing one email to all so apologies for those of you I have spoken with and know what I have been up to.  For those who don't here goes.
 
I have left my position with Virgin Care as Director of learning & development, which was sad but on reflection probably for the best.  I was working long hours, lots of travel and missing Keith especially at weekends and after 14 months enough was enough.
 
Over the past few weeks we have also moved house in the UK still in Hampshire moving from Port Solent to Fareham where we have bought a 4 bedroomed house for when we return to the UK.  We also moved Emmy into an apartment in Aldershot.
 
So I have arrived  to a somewhat wet Riyadh last Friday.  Severe flooding and schools closed.  The house with most of the other houses on the compound leaking as not built for wet weather.  The air con has become air heat LOL.  A few days more I am told and the sunshine will be out again.  Good job as did not pack for wet, cold weather if you can call 68 degrees cold.  Feels cold to me......... that said it is good to be here with Keith.
 
The house looks so homely.  Keith has put up pictures and photos of the family.  Got some more furniture and rugs.  The house looks and feels nice.  I know spoilt!
 
My plans are to look for a suitable position in Riyadh as I won't be able to stay at home for long as will get bored.  Did bring some knitting and decopatch to do.  Not used to sitting around doing nothing used to a structured day with little time to relax.
 
Well that's it for now will email again soon.  If you would rather I emailed to personal email addresses then let me have them for next time.  Please keep in touch and let me know your news.
 
Take care and lots of love
 
Lorraine