Brians First Weekend

Looks like Brian has an admirer.

These camels wanted to make some new friends.

Old Turkish market

I tried to get Brian to post a blog about the fun he's been having already, but I just don't think he's into this whole blogging thing. But I did get some pictures from him and a friend so I can put some of those on here.

So far his news of Saudi has been that the traffic is terrible and it's dangerous to drive and even more dangerous to be a pedestrian. Think of that game "Frogger" and you get a little bit of the picture.

Another funny story was when he was at the grocery store. He walked by an employee cooking some rotisserie chickens. He was wearing a face mask, which to Brian thought, "oh that's a nice thing" until the guy quickly removes it so he can sneeze... directly onto the glass over the chickens. This scene was second to one that happened at McDonald's in which the guy stocking the condiments dropped all the ketchup cups on the floor but still put them on the shelf when no one was looking (except Brian).

On his trip to the old market that I put pictures of the group stopped by a beach to put their feet in the water. They were there for only a few minutes before they were approached by the Coast Guard and told they had to see the Captain. So the Coast Guard checked their papers thoroughly and questioned them about their purpose in the area and all that exciting stuff, before explaining that the beach was off limits. It all turned out okay and they were released to go home, but what is a day in another country without being questioned by the military?

Brian is still in a guest house for another few days but should be moving to our home the beginning of the month. Here is a link to the website of the compound we will be in. I don't know how old the site is, but you get the general picture. http://www.albustanvillage.com.sa/
Miss you all! You're welcome to write to let us know how your life is!

Here's the Story

So I figure that an appropriate way to begin this blog would be from the beginning of the story.
As most of you know, Brian grew up in Saudi Arabia. His dad worked for an oil company, Aramco, over there. His parents actually just retired last spring after being there for 25 years. For the last two and a half years, Brian has been working at Schweitzer Engineering as an International Human Resource Specialist. This was his first job out of college, and he was blessed to already be in the international side of things. Last summer Brian got in contact with his old stake president (we'll call him Mr. C.) from when he was is Saudi. He also works in international human resources so Brian wanted to get some advice. A while after that, Mr. C got a new job with Worley and Parsons which brought him back to Saudi. To shorten up the story- Brian found himself being interviewed for a job by Mr. C and one thing led to another and he was offered a job.

Now if Brian were to ask me a year ago to go to Saudi Arabia (or anywhere over seas for that matter), I would have said "Nope, I'm not going." Of coarse I never thought it would actually happen. Lucky for Brian, we had a discussions a few months ago about whether I would be willing to do such a thing or not. After realizing a few things- I love my husband and want his dreams to come true; that I married him knowing this was a possibility; and that life is short and I should be seizing an opportunity for memories and adventures- I decided to be a little more open to the idea.

When he got the job offer I thought I'd know right away if it were a good idea or not, but of coarse, I also hoped that the feeling would be NO. I really didn't like the idea of him having 4 out of his 5 days at work be 11 hours (not including travel). I'm also pregnant and due April 18th, which is our third boy. I also was very happy in my home in Moscow and had many wonderful friends there. So I had a lot of things that made my believe it wasn't a good thing to do right now.
After a week of constant ponder, I told Brian this, but he felt differently. He explained his feelings that he knew this experience would bring us closer as a family and we would have the ability to experience great things together. A person who has only a few years experience in his work does not get an opportunity like this one. If we were to turn it down, it would probably be 10-20 years before he ever had the chance again. And after he is done, he will be much further ahead in his career than he could be any other way.

I now realize that I was just hoping I wouldn't have to leave Moscow and have any sort of challenges. Life in Moscow was good- no, great- pretty much perfect. Moscow is a great place with wonderful people. God blessed us over and over while we were there, and I'm so greateful he allowed us to live there so long. But now he wants us to continue to the next experience in life. I have prayed to know what God's will for me is, and I believe this is the start of the answer to that prayer. It is hard not knowing what the future is and what is will be like, but that is part of the adventure!

So we left Moscow at the beginning of March. I'm now living in Caldwell where my parents live. I have an apartment with my boys so that we can stay a little independent and not get too spoiled like we would if we lived with my mom and dad (though we are still getting pretty spoiled). My brother and his wife and family live here too. My sister lives with her husband in Boise. So I have a chance to spend some time with them before I leave. My other sister who lives in Wisconsin will also be visiting before I leave.

Brian was able to spend six full days with us while he waited for is visa. He flew to Saudi Thrusday, and will be starting his first day of work in a few hours. We are hoping he can fly back in about three weeks so that he will make it in time for the baby's birth. Crossing our fingers there! A short time after the baby is born, he will go back to Saudi, and I will get things arranged to follow by the end of May or beginning of June. I can't do any paperwork for the baby until he is born, so it will probably be at least six weeks after the birth that we will be able to go.
So there it is in a nut shell. We are starting an adventure. For those of you wondering what the heck we are doing, hopefully this blog will ease your mind. I have been told that we will be very safe there. The country has come a long way over the last 25 years (I couldn't have been my mother-in-law when she went- that's a story all in it's own!).

We will be living in very large compound- or "gated-community" if you prefer. I'm told it's like a compound made up of lots several compounds. Security will most likely be time consuming, but if you ask for safety that is what you get. Mr. C and his wife were an answer to our prayers and took their time to find us a place that will be in a great community for our family. There are schools nearby so there should be lots of families too. There is a park, a swimming pool, and lots of things to do. The is a store where I can do grocery shopping without leaving the compound.
Our home will be a town house style with three bedrooms, and two and a half bathrooms, and 17oo square feet. It is furnished with the large appliances, couch, table, beds, and dressers and such. It sounds like it will be a wonderful home!

Lets see, other detiails:
I wont be able to drive- it's against the law. And when I leave the compound I will wear a black, loose-fitting cover that goes to my wrist and ankels, but I don't have to cover my head. There is a bus system that if I want to use to get to some where in the city, it can take me. I don't know how much I will use that for the first part I'm there, considering I will have a newborn, three year old, and a four year old to bring along with me if I go. Whether in the compound or in the city, I should be able to find most of the things I need or want. The city has a Toys R Us, and an Ikea, and lots of other shopping.

Our work contract is for two years with the chance for renewal. The company will pay for us to come home once a year. It gets up to 125 degrees there during the summer, so it's better to take your vacation to America when it's like that. The timing doesn't work out this year, so we will be stuck in doors a lot, where there is air conditioning. I'm hoping we can go out in the morning and evenings and then stay in during the hottest part of the day, but I guess I'll have to see how fast the heat gets unbearable. At least there is the opportunity to go to the pool when ever we want for no cost. Oh, that's something else, the perks include the cost of housing, we don't have taxes taken from our paycheck, they company provides a car, and our utilities are paid for.

So as you can see, we wont be completely unfortunate. I will have to adjust to the atmosphere and the country as well as Brian working longer hours than with his last job. But I'm hoping that after the first little while we will get used to things and feel right at home. This will be a unique experience for us. I'm really looking forward to our adventure- if I can just get there!

Updates still to come

We're not in Saudi yet.

This is a test

This is a test to see if I know how to do this or not... or if this website works...