Saturday, Apr. 21
Another fun activity that was added to our schedule this week was Girl Scouts. Brooke has found it very difficult to fit in without school, and so it was suggested to us that she join a troop of girls her age. My friend, Karen, asked her daughter's leader if they could squeeze Brooke into their troop. I was able to meet the troop leader at the women's retreat where she encouraged me to get Brooke in quickly. Today was their first meeting after spring break, so I took Brooke to the middle school for the lunch-hour meeting. It was weird going to the school as a visitor, but Brooke loves her new Girl Scout troop. There are quite a lot of troops on camp here, and with a waiting list; but because it's the Girl Scouts of the USA, they are required to keep a certain percentage of US citizens. That was fortunate for Brooke because she got right in without any waiting and into such a terrific 8th grade troop that likes outdoor activities and camping and such!
Sunday, Apr. 22
Today we added yet another weekly activity... Reese and Brooke went to a Bible study on camp with Gabriele and Micaela. I chose not to attend the Bible study this time, but enjoyed having dinner with Cene' at the dining hall before it started.
Every time they come on camp, they have to get signed in. It's such a hassle because their taxi has to wait at the gate for Cene' to take their passports into the office. We found that it's so much easier for me to drive outside the housing gate and pick them them up. As long as they're in my car, they don't have to be signed in.
Tuesday, Apr. 24
Today is Cree's birthday and Grandma Jefferson's birthday--Happy Birthday to both of you! We hope you both have a wonderful day.
Here we are at Cene's pool after school again while Jordan teaches swim lessons. Today, Jordan added two more little boys to her schedule.
Reese is trying to juggle.
Jordan is teaching Micaela now.
Wednesday, Apr. 25
As usual on Wednesday evenings, we buy shawarmas at the pool. Tonight Bruce and Jordan drove down there to pick them up and Jordan ran into her friends from school. This is Haley, Haley, Daniel, and Adam.
Thursday, Apr. 26 (desert Saturday)
At 7:30 this morning I was awaken by a phone call from our neighbor, Kurt. His wife's hip had popped out and the ambulance was on their way to take her to the hospital. He asked if we'd come get their dog since she hadn't been let out yet. Shadow loves it when Zoie comes over to visit.
Jordan has to take a mock AP exam in Language and Composition this afternoon... what a way to spend a weekend. This exam is acting as her final exam in the class. On our way to the school, we saw all these Saudi boys out. Bruce thought there might be an orientation or registration at the nearby KFUPM (King Faud University Petroleum & Minerals).
After we dropped off Jordan at the high school, Bruce and I ran to the strip mall down the street so I could grab a birthday present from Toys R Us. Reese and Brooke have been invited to a beach birthday party tomorrow, and since it's so difficult to get to the stores, I had Bruce take me there on the way home from the high school. On the way, I realized that it was almost prayer time... and after that the stores would be closing for four hours! So we hurried (and drove like the Saudis) but as I ran to the store, I saw a sign on the door that said, "Closed for Prayer." I knew this would be my only chance to buy a present, so I quickly ran in the exit and the guard was so surprised that he didn't stop me. The store was dark, but since I've been here before, I knew where to look. I ran upstairs in the dark, quickly found something suitable, and ran down to the cash register. Whew! There were still people checking out... I made it! I paid and was still able to have them wrap it. It seems like I am always running here... shopping here just isn't easy!
Bruce went over to the dining hall and picked up a burger and fries and took them to the hospital for Kurt (his old boss.) Later this afternoon, Kurt came over to get his dog and to tell us that his wife, Joni will be in the hospital for about 2 weeks. He told us how they weren't allowed to give her enough pain medication and tried to pop her hip back in without it. Then they waned to do surgery, but they eventually got it back in. They put both of her legs in casts with a bar between them. She was absolutely miserable. I will be praying for her quick recovery and Kurt's nerves!
Friday, Apr. 27
After church we followed our neighbors to Half Moon Bay (that's the company's yacht club and private beach) to celebrate Jayda's 11th birthday. Here her dad, Jason, is taking the kids on a tubing ride.
Grace and Brooke
Katherine, Abby, and Reese
These are the daredevils, Jake, Grace, and Brooke--ready for an adventure! Shelly is staying ashore with her 3-year-old, Luke.
Go faster!!
This is what we call, the Poop Boat. It's been abandoned and the birds have taken it over--it's quite stinky, but Jason loves to pull the kids around it so they have to smell it.
That was amazing! Can we do it again?
After watching the daredevils, these three young ladies (Katherine, Reese, and Jayda) didn't want to try it, but we convinced them that Jason would not go fast. So they took a chance, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Brooke got to take the wheel.
OH NO! Not the poop boat!
The ride is over.
The daredevils are ready for another splash.
I didn't get a picture of it, but Bruce got to ride with Brooke and Grace, and they flipped over (Unfortunately, Brooke lost her perscription goggles.) Another thing I didn't get a picture of was dozens and dozens of jelly fish. We're told that the white ones don't sting, and Brooke says she swam with them, and felt one touch her foot, but didn't get stung... yikes! I don't think I could try that.
Here you can barely see a line of boys getting ready to say their prayer... I guess it must be prayer time. There aren't any loud speakers here at the Yacht Club. From what I'm told, there is usually a leader, and it looks like it's the boy in the red shirt.
It was really interesting to see these young boys all say their prayers without an adult around.
Most people that hang out on this beach are westerners, but there were a few Arabs. This lady is and Arab Muslim...
and this lady is Muslim... the Arab women wear all black. Notice how the dad and the daughter can dress however they like? The mother has to cover her legs, arms, and head.
Brooke dove down for this starfish...
and clam... she said there were millions of them on the bottom covered in barnicles.
In this Arab family, the father wore a thobe, but the son could dress as he liked. You can't tell if these women are daughters or wives. A man can have up to four wives.
Jayda's birthday cake.
After many tries, I can't believe they actually blew out that candle!
Luke found a lizard... actually, it crawled into Brooke's hair and I had to get it out for her!
But it's Luke's lizard now!
Saturday, Apr. 28
Today is my Dad's birthday--Happy birthday, dad! We sure with we could be with you to celebrate. Oh well, at least I got to see you at Molly's wedding.
Today I worked on my front yard a little bit. There was this big pile of sand in the street, and I thought it would help if I filled in some of the holes where all the leaves seem to get stuck. It's supposed to be spring around here, but we can't seem to keep the leaves off our yard. I think the trees are from Australia and they're confused, because I've never seen more leaves on the ground except in autumn! lol
I even added a stepping stone... I know it's not very pretty (yet) but our driveway is so narrow that when we get out of the car, we have to step into the flowers or into the sprinklers. Hopefully, this will help alleviate that.
I tied Shadow to the hose faucet so he could sit outside with me, but he saw a cat and tried to chase it... he broke our water faucet and the water started shooting up into the air! I called maintenance and they came right over and fixed it. Even though they can't speak much Engish, the workers here are usually so nice and helpful. He had my faucet fixed within the hour -- for free!
After all the excitement died down, I went down the street and got Zoie. She stayed with us while Kurt was at work and Joni was in the hospital. The dogs had a blast running around the park. We're not supposed to let the dogs off the leash in the park, but everyone is careful about cleaning up after their dog and only letting them run when there aren't any people around.
I went to visit Joni in the hospital today and we played some cards. She doesn't know how she's going to last in there for two weeks with only two English TV channels. She says the meals have some strange things sometimes, but the fruit is really good.
Sunday, Apr. 29
I picked up Zoie in the morning and then went to visit Joni at the hospital after lunch today. I brought her our portable DVD player and a pack of DVDs from her house. She said it was a life-saver! The doctor says she'll be out of there in less than two weeks. Tomorrow, we'll bake some cookies and bring them to her--that should help!
That's all for April!
- Pattie -
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