The Muslims already celebrated their New Year on our December 18th which was their first of Muhharum. The Hijri (sometimes spelled Hijra) calendar is a lunar calendar. Every month has 28 days which makes their years 11 days shorter than our (Gregorian) years. If someone signs up for a one year contract here and never takes any time off they can finish the contract in a little over 8.5 months. I'm here as an explorer so I will be taking all the time off I can get!!!
I have had to work this weekend so I am not going out for New Year. Diane and I had a little non-alcoholic drink, wished each other HAPPY New Year and then I went to bed to recover from today and prepare for tomorrow. When I got home this evening there was a Warden's Alert from the American Embassy telling all Americans here to be on high alert. The Saudi certainly are. They have doubled the security at the compound and there have been lots of soldiers at the hospital. Saudi Arabia is at war with Yemen (which is waaaay south of where I am). Al Qaida took credit for the guy with the bomb in his boxers so now we have to be extra careful when going out. I am not worried. I feel very safe and life is going on as usual at KFSH&RC.
I'd like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! May it truly be a happy, peaceful and blessed 2010!!
Christine xx
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
We Had Christmas!!!!!!
We had TWO Christmas trees! We decorated our apartment even our front door! I baked cookies ALL day yesterday! I listened to Christmas music on the internet radio! I even saw a CHRISTMAS MOVIE on our Arab TV! (Ok..it was "Fred Claus" but that was pretty close to a Christmas movie) We had a Christmas luncheon at work and exchanged little gifts. I brought the cookies in to work that morning and the staff descended upon then like a hoard of hungry locusts! In 2 hours all but 5 cookies of NINE dozen were eaten! Mohammed (The Muslim) ran around the unit telling everyone "Christine brought cookies! Christine brought cookies!!" Truth be told I think he ate most of them ;) but I am glad they were enjoyed which was the whole point! I had also brought a cake for the luncheon. We feasted on East Indian food (chicken Marsala and rice), Kentucky Fried Chicken (yes we have one here) , Arab bread with sauces. My favorite was the Thai noodles!! We all had a great time! As I walked home from work this evening I stopped at my Irish friend, Stella's apartment and had a turkey dinner with roast vegetables and the best shortbread I have ever eaten!! It was great to share the day with all kinds of people who have become my friends in such a very short time. Even the Muslims wished us a Merry Christmas and the Mutawa left us alone. It didn't feel so Christmasy but it was a beautiful day!! There was sunshine, 75 degrees, flowers blooming everywhere, exotic birds. Different cultures came together to celebrate this great day...even those who don't believe. I BELIEVE that these kinds of experiences will bring the world together. I see we are more alike than different. My Christmas was great!!
Hope all of you had as amazing a Christmas Day!!
Love,
Christine xx
Hope all of you had as amazing a Christmas Day!!
Love,
Christine xx
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Merry Christmas One and All!!
We cannot openly celebrate Christmas here. No other religions or religious holidays are allowed to be observed by law. However what we do in our own apartments is our own business and we are quietly celebrating together. I have a Christmas tree thanks to my room mate. Apparently the man at the Al Quisse store keeps some Christmas items hidden so you have to ask for them. Our little tree smelled pretty strongly of moth balls so we aired it out a while then sprayed it with air freshener. Diane also found some little drum shaped multicolored lights and we covered a kitchen canister with red paper and used zebra striped tape to make it look like a drum. I think it looks very cool!!! and the little Christmas tree fits right in it! I've had to put a little more thought into how to celebrate Christmas with family and friends. There are no Christmas cards (in fact hardly any kind of cards at all...I guess people don't send many cards around these parts). Trying to shop on line has been a trip. Either I am blocked on the US side because the transmission is coming from the Middle East or I am blocked on this side because they don't know what it is (There is a very strict internet policy here. A friend tried to send me pictures of his trip to Peru but it was blocked because he posted them on Webshots.) I thought FTD.com wouldn't let me down but they did big time. The only one that I have been 100% successful with is good old Walmart!
Anyway...I am off Christmas Eve and we are having a little dinner. Yesterday at work many of us working on Christmas Day are planning a pot luck and a Mad Santa like game. Mostly though I believe Christmas is best celebrated in our hearts. Yes the traditions and celebrations are wonderful! However what we are really celebrating is the birth of Jesus Christ...something we should be celebrating 365 days a year.
Love to you all!
Merry Christmas and the Best New Year ever!!
Christine xx
Anyway...I am off Christmas Eve and we are having a little dinner. Yesterday at work many of us working on Christmas Day are planning a pot luck and a Mad Santa like game. Mostly though I believe Christmas is best celebrated in our hearts. Yes the traditions and celebrations are wonderful! However what we are really celebrating is the birth of Jesus Christ...something we should be celebrating 365 days a year.
Love to you all!
Merry Christmas and the Best New Year ever!!
Christine xx
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Where the Heck Are We?!?!?!
So how do we get home, Christine? my companions ask. I say...take the southbound bypass and get on Thakasoukki Street. Christine, they say, how do you know your way around Riyadh so well? Well...I say...a few years ago I worked with a girl named Patti who was ex-army. She said to always scan your sector. I took that to heart. Whenever we go anywhere I am talking with my friends but I am also looking out the window, learning street names, learning directions, finding landmarks and seeing which stores are available, Christine, where is the UPS store. Me: It's on King Khaled road on the way to the Kingdom Center. I studied a map of Riyadh and found the routes to places I generally go as well as learned the street names. I believe people have an easier time getting around if they orient themselves...and are less likely to get into trouble. Yes sir! Scan your sector! Thanks Patti!!!
Christine xx
Christine xx
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Still haven't found the post office
but I have a couple of good leads I will check out tomorrow!
It looks more like Christmas than I expected it to. The Eid decorations are still up with the lights and streamers. The colors for Eid are very much like Christmas colors. The streets have brightly colored lights on them. My room mate found a Christmas tree and some lights at the little hospital store. She also found some little multicolored lights to put on it. It is sitting on the living room table and looks quite festive. ( The proprietor of the store cannot openly display Christmas stuff but he has some stashed away for the asking!)
My friend, Moni, has decided to stay. They moved her to one of the brand new apartments on campus which is quite nice!! It is nice for her. She is encouraging me to put my name on the list for that complex but to be honest I love my little apartment and the walk is nice as well as when I leave it is like I am really leaving. I cannot see the hospital from my apartment so I feel I have really gone home! F complex apartments are efficiencies. they have new two burner hotplates and a convection oven. I need a real stove with oven...so I think I will stay put!
I have learned some very important cultural and religious aspects of the Arabian/Muslim people. Some I have shared with my colleagues but others I will keep to myself. you see...I understand when things are sacred to a person and you have to be careful who you share with because they may make light of something so important. I am glad my patients and their families shared these things with me. It shows they know they can trust me.
I have such fun with the people I am working with! Deepak, Mahmoud, Mohammed and Ahmeen are four of a kind! They are so funny and make me laugh every day! Of course I also make them laugh. We are using new Hospira Smart pumps (Plums) and I really like them very much. Anyway Mohammed was going around collecting the old pumps and asked if I had any "non-smart" pumps in my room. "You mean the stupid pumps?" I asked. He looked at me and then just roared with laughter. He used that line for all of the rest of the rooms. "Got any stupid pumps?" Nice to know I my sense of humor translates well ;)
Merry Christmas one and all!
Christine xx
It looks more like Christmas than I expected it to. The Eid decorations are still up with the lights and streamers. The colors for Eid are very much like Christmas colors. The streets have brightly colored lights on them. My room mate found a Christmas tree and some lights at the little hospital store. She also found some little multicolored lights to put on it. It is sitting on the living room table and looks quite festive. ( The proprietor of the store cannot openly display Christmas stuff but he has some stashed away for the asking!)
My friend, Moni, has decided to stay. They moved her to one of the brand new apartments on campus which is quite nice!! It is nice for her. She is encouraging me to put my name on the list for that complex but to be honest I love my little apartment and the walk is nice as well as when I leave it is like I am really leaving. I cannot see the hospital from my apartment so I feel I have really gone home! F complex apartments are efficiencies. they have new two burner hotplates and a convection oven. I need a real stove with oven...so I think I will stay put!
I have learned some very important cultural and religious aspects of the Arabian/Muslim people. Some I have shared with my colleagues but others I will keep to myself. you see...I understand when things are sacred to a person and you have to be careful who you share with because they may make light of something so important. I am glad my patients and their families shared these things with me. It shows they know they can trust me.
I have such fun with the people I am working with! Deepak, Mahmoud, Mohammed and Ahmeen are four of a kind! They are so funny and make me laugh every day! Of course I also make them laugh. We are using new Hospira Smart pumps (Plums) and I really like them very much. Anyway Mohammed was going around collecting the old pumps and asked if I had any "non-smart" pumps in my room. "You mean the stupid pumps?" I asked. He looked at me and then just roared with laughter. He used that line for all of the rest of the rooms. "Got any stupid pumps?" Nice to know I my sense of humor translates well ;)
Merry Christmas one and all!
Christine xx
Sunday, December 13, 2009
HO! HO! HO!!!
Well...I am not sending Christmas cards this year. In Saudi Arabia they do not celebrate Christmas so there are no Christmas cards in all of the Kingdom. On the other hand....they do have Eid cards which do look suspiciously like Christmas cards with camels and gifts on the pictures. So I purchased some Eid cards intending to send them with real stamps from Saudi Arabia. Well...I went to the mail room to inquire about stamps. "We stamp here" said the mailroom clerk. "no sir, I want real stamps to put on mail I am sending to friends and family" I responded. The clerk tells me "we have only stamp stamp with machine...no stamps". me:" well sir where could I go to buy some stamps" clerk: "tell the driver to go to the central post office on Olaya street" me: "What time do they open?" clerk "I think after four o'clock" the other clerk said "no..I think before three" So I tell the driver to take me to the post office on Olaya street and HE says "I don't think we have a post office"...so then I tried to call the post office to find the location.........but no one answered. Soooooo...........my dearest family....you will get Eid cards sometime in January with a stamped Saudi Arabia postage on it till I can work out this post office mushkala.......... :)
Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas!!!!
Christine xx
Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas!!!!
Christine xx
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Some have left....
My mother asked if any of the nurses who came with me have left already. Yes there have been a few. When I came here I expected that I was the one going to have to make some changes. An entire country does not have to change to suit me or make me more comfortable! Some think I have made it sound very easy. It is NOT easy at all. If you learn what the differences are and adapt yourself to the new situations you can get through it. If you expect that there will be some delay, that you may have some trouble making yourself understood but things will eventually happen and everything will turn out all right you will be OK. I haven't outwardly felt a lot of stress but I know that I am when something that normally would just roll off my back becomes uncomfortable to me. An example is getting my internet set up. I wanted that to happen very quickly because that was how I would communicate with family and friends. It took four trips to Al Quisse to make it happen....but it did happen! I have learned a lot of patience so far and to laugh at some of the situations.....find the humor in it. I also have much more understanding for people who come to my country and struggle with the language and the customs. The point is that the nurses who have left are the ones who thought they could come here and not have to make any adaptations. They became frustrated beyond what they could handle so they left. What a missed opportunity!!
We went to the antique souks today. Lots of interesting old stuff and copies of old stuff (like they didn't think I knew the difference;) ). We also saw the Old Clock Tower where they do the beheadings and amputations on Friday afternoons (if it is necessary). The procedure is to sedate the victim and try to get it in one swipe. Sometimes it doesn't happen. It is considered to be a great honor to carry out the sentence and the tradition is generally handed down father to son.
We ate at a very nice restaurant today. A word about portions..I have heard many times how American portions are so large compared with the elf food you get in Europe. I'm telling you no one beats Saudi Arabian portions!! I could not get through my lunch it was enough for four people!! and then the waiter asked if I wanted dessert!!! Where was I going to put it?!?!?! The Saudi Arabians take great pride and honor in being good hosts. It is embarassing to them if their guest is unhappy or uncomfortable.
It's been a nice weekend off so far. Going bowling tonight with a friend who is having adjustment problems. Maybe if she doesn't feel alone she will stay......
Christine xx
We went to the antique souks today. Lots of interesting old stuff and copies of old stuff (like they didn't think I knew the difference;) ). We also saw the Old Clock Tower where they do the beheadings and amputations on Friday afternoons (if it is necessary). The procedure is to sedate the victim and try to get it in one swipe. Sometimes it doesn't happen. It is considered to be a great honor to carry out the sentence and the tradition is generally handed down father to son.
We ate at a very nice restaurant today. A word about portions..I have heard many times how American portions are so large compared with the elf food you get in Europe. I'm telling you no one beats Saudi Arabian portions!! I could not get through my lunch it was enough for four people!! and then the waiter asked if I wanted dessert!!! Where was I going to put it?!?!?! The Saudi Arabians take great pride and honor in being good hosts. It is embarassing to them if their guest is unhappy or uncomfortable.
It's been a nice weekend off so far. Going bowling tonight with a friend who is having adjustment problems. Maybe if she doesn't feel alone she will stay......
Christine xx
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Where is that little Ameriki nurse? She come....help me!
I have now been working on my own in MICU-C! It is a LOT less stressful than the ICU at CCMH! It can get very busy though.
Ameriki is the Arab word for American. King Faisal Hospital is a teaching hospital and the goal is to train Arab nurses and doctors so that soon they will be able to run it themselves. The doctors I work with and many of the residents have trained in America. I am so proud of my country when they tell me that in America where they trained they were treated so kindly and that everyone was willing to help them get the education they were there for! They are fascinated that I am American. They have missed the US nurses coming to work at King Faisal because after 9/11 they stopped coming. Dr. Al Tarifi and Dr. Al Kheralla are two of my favorite doctors to work with. They are both intensivists who work in the unit and they are also responsible for the training of the residents when they do their critical care rotation. Dr. Al Tarifi is the one who started the phrase "Where is that little Ameriki nurse? She come....help me." He knows I do things to help the residents prepare for their rounds so they do not wast his time. ( I also do it because they are messy and make a wreck of my work space ;) ) I work with a lot of good people here and though I miss my co-workers back home I have made many good friends here as well.
I am keeping busy. One of the things we were warned about was isolating ourselves if we become overwhelmed by all the life changes we made in coming here. I pretty much do as I did back home. When I want to be out and with people I go out. If I need a quiet, be alone, gather myself, take care of Christine day I do it. There are tons of new things to try here! Gaelic football is a blast though very rough!! Gabriella had her hands around Stella's neck and swears she was just trying to hold her up (Stella had another idea...). There are no belly dance classes that I could find but there is a hip hop dance class that I enjoy on Saturday nights. It is a two hour workout and boy do we sweat! I have organized a reading group (for a quieter more cerebral activity) and we enjoy getting together and visiting. I do not think the Embassy activities are going to be my thing...stuffy formal affars. I did join the Riyadh Caledonian Society because they have lots of nice cultural activities and do a lot of charitable work. Looking forward to the Robert Burns night in January.
I LOVE going out to eat! Have been to some great Lebanese and Turkish restaurants! The joke about Saudi Arabian food is: kebsa=Saudi food. Saturday, Monday and Wednesday it is chicken and rice. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday it is beef and rice. Friday it is leftovers....and rice. I do enjoy eating Saudi style which is with your hands (no utensils) and sitting on cushions. For all of the eating I have lost another 10 pounds since I have been here...all the exercise I guess from having to walk everywhere I go! It is almost a mile walk to work and a mile back so that is two miles just getting to and from work...and I enjoy it!! That walk home in the evening is a nice decompression time from a busy day.
I have one more class and then "halas" I am finished. I looked at my next schedule and it looks very nice. The trip to Egypt for Michelle's and my birthday is setting up nicely and I have the time off. One of the doctors is Egyptian and has been telling me about all of the great places to go. I work with a lot of Lebanese so I am looking forward to a trip to Beruit, Lebanon , with my Lebanese friends! So many things to see and do! So many places to go!! Can I do it all? Probably not but I will as much as I can!!
Christine xx
Ameriki is the Arab word for American. King Faisal Hospital is a teaching hospital and the goal is to train Arab nurses and doctors so that soon they will be able to run it themselves. The doctors I work with and many of the residents have trained in America. I am so proud of my country when they tell me that in America where they trained they were treated so kindly and that everyone was willing to help them get the education they were there for! They are fascinated that I am American. They have missed the US nurses coming to work at King Faisal because after 9/11 they stopped coming. Dr. Al Tarifi and Dr. Al Kheralla are two of my favorite doctors to work with. They are both intensivists who work in the unit and they are also responsible for the training of the residents when they do their critical care rotation. Dr. Al Tarifi is the one who started the phrase "Where is that little Ameriki nurse? She come....help me." He knows I do things to help the residents prepare for their rounds so they do not wast his time. ( I also do it because they are messy and make a wreck of my work space ;) ) I work with a lot of good people here and though I miss my co-workers back home I have made many good friends here as well.
I am keeping busy. One of the things we were warned about was isolating ourselves if we become overwhelmed by all the life changes we made in coming here. I pretty much do as I did back home. When I want to be out and with people I go out. If I need a quiet, be alone, gather myself, take care of Christine day I do it. There are tons of new things to try here! Gaelic football is a blast though very rough!! Gabriella had her hands around Stella's neck and swears she was just trying to hold her up (Stella had another idea...). There are no belly dance classes that I could find but there is a hip hop dance class that I enjoy on Saturday nights. It is a two hour workout and boy do we sweat! I have organized a reading group (for a quieter more cerebral activity) and we enjoy getting together and visiting. I do not think the Embassy activities are going to be my thing...stuffy formal affars. I did join the Riyadh Caledonian Society because they have lots of nice cultural activities and do a lot of charitable work. Looking forward to the Robert Burns night in January.
I LOVE going out to eat! Have been to some great Lebanese and Turkish restaurants! The joke about Saudi Arabian food is: kebsa=Saudi food. Saturday, Monday and Wednesday it is chicken and rice. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday it is beef and rice. Friday it is leftovers....and rice. I do enjoy eating Saudi style which is with your hands (no utensils) and sitting on cushions. For all of the eating I have lost another 10 pounds since I have been here...all the exercise I guess from having to walk everywhere I go! It is almost a mile walk to work and a mile back so that is two miles just getting to and from work...and I enjoy it!! That walk home in the evening is a nice decompression time from a busy day.
I have one more class and then "halas" I am finished. I looked at my next schedule and it looks very nice. The trip to Egypt for Michelle's and my birthday is setting up nicely and I have the time off. One of the doctors is Egyptian and has been telling me about all of the great places to go. I work with a lot of Lebanese so I am looking forward to a trip to Beruit, Lebanon , with my Lebanese friends! So many things to see and do! So many places to go!! Can I do it all? Probably not but I will as much as I can!!
Christine xx
Friday, November 27, 2009
A Great Time Was Had by All!!
See! You don't have to miss the holidays when you are not living in your own country. You find a way to celebrate wherever you are! We had a great dinner at my apartment! We invited several friends from work and just had a blast! I even managed a turkey with all the trimmings. Fifteen people came over and we ate, told stories, talked about traditions in their countries. It was quite the spirit of Thanksgiving!
It is beautiful here now. I didn't expect there to really be an autumn but we are having one! The weather has cooled off nicely and it is very pleasant. Sunny sunny everyday still though it was a little cloudy once but nothing serious ;)
Well I am off to do more studying. Next week I do my check offs and then I should have some breathing room!
Christine xx
It is beautiful here now. I didn't expect there to really be an autumn but we are having one! The weather has cooled off nicely and it is very pleasant. Sunny sunny everyday still though it was a little cloudy once but nothing serious ;)
Well I am off to do more studying. Next week I do my check offs and then I should have some breathing room!
Christine xx
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Eid al-Adha
This is the holiday currently being celebrated by the Muslims. It just happens to correspond this year with the American Thanksgiving. Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, celebrates Abraham's (Ibriham in the Arabic spelling) willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac, in obedience to God. The Hajj (pilgrimage to Mekkah) occurs this week and Eid begins when the Hajj is over and lasts three days. I have been privileged to have two very devout Muslims talk to me about their religion and what it means to them. One man is an Arab doctor. I really like working with him. The other is a fellow nurse who enjoyed working with me because I would watch her patient so she could pray when the call came. I am sure this is an important part of my education to this culture. Eid is a little like our holidays. There are pretty lighted designs lining the streets downtown. There are colored lights and a spirit of celebration! The Saudi's get time off for Hajj and our employer is kind enough to give all of us Hajj days as well (which we can take anytime we want to). My heart grows larger and filled with more understanding and love as I come to better know this people.
I am looking forward to tomorrow and celebrating my favorite holiday. Pies are baked, preparations are made, friends are coming...good times ahead. I have so much to be thankful for!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Christine xx
I am looking forward to tomorrow and celebrating my favorite holiday. Pies are baked, preparations are made, friends are coming...good times ahead. I have so much to be thankful for!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Christine xx
Happy Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite American holiday! Christmas has become so frenetic and commercial, halloween..well...there is so much candy one can eat. Thanksgiving is for remembering all that has come to you in the way of blessings. Health, family, home, friends it is a time for remembering that a happy life does not mean being wealthy in material things. Some of the unhappiest people I know have lots of money but have missed out on the truly meaningful things in life. Give your life meaning!
I am cooking today and tomorrow!! The herd of hungry expats are gathering at my apartment where I am cooking a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Some recipes had to be altered slightly due to unavailability of certain ingredients. Like sage. I could not find sage anywhere unless they are calling it something different here. I was sure they had nutmeg but nope. Not finding that either but did find a great cinnamon!! and ginger is easy to find!! Cloves...well I had to trust that the spice bottle that said GLOVES would be cloves...and it was! I made my pie crusts from scratch! I found pecans but they are not very good so they will go in to the sweet potato casserole for some crunch!
I feel extra blessed this year! I am living in an exotic place working in an interesting hospital. I am learning a new language. I have everything I need to be comfortable. I have made great new friends. I am thankful for technology that allows me to stay in touch with family and my friends back home. I am thankful to God for all these blessings I have been given...even the challenging ones that teach me patience, and to have hope. All of you who read this have touched my life and left your mark on my heart and I am grateful for you!
Happt Thanksgiving!!
Christine xx
I am cooking today and tomorrow!! The herd of hungry expats are gathering at my apartment where I am cooking a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Some recipes had to be altered slightly due to unavailability of certain ingredients. Like sage. I could not find sage anywhere unless they are calling it something different here. I was sure they had nutmeg but nope. Not finding that either but did find a great cinnamon!! and ginger is easy to find!! Cloves...well I had to trust that the spice bottle that said GLOVES would be cloves...and it was! I made my pie crusts from scratch! I found pecans but they are not very good so they will go in to the sweet potato casserole for some crunch!
I feel extra blessed this year! I am living in an exotic place working in an interesting hospital. I am learning a new language. I have everything I need to be comfortable. I have made great new friends. I am thankful for technology that allows me to stay in touch with family and my friends back home. I am thankful to God for all these blessings I have been given...even the challenging ones that teach me patience, and to have hope. All of you who read this have touched my life and left your mark on my heart and I am grateful for you!
Happt Thanksgiving!!
Christine xx
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Dheera Souks
I LOVE going to Dheera! A couple of friends and I decided to have the full Arabian experience and go shopping in Dheera at night. There are many little shops called souks where you can buy just about anything but the favorites are jewelry and rugs! I bought some scarves (you cannot believe how inexpensive pashmina is here!!) I also bought some amber and jade jewelry...also inexpensive here! Gold is less expensive here than the rest of the world but the shop keeper said to wait because the prices are not good. We were hungry after a while and decided to try Saudi fast food. We had chicken sherwa (sort of a wrap with chicken, vegetables and sauce) and we sat with the women along the curbs of the souks. We tried to blend in as much as our fair skin and light hair would let us! At least there were no Mutawa incidents this time ;)
Tomorrow I go to the bank and do a wire transfer for the first time......as with anything having to do with business here...I am certain it will be interesting! Fortifying myself with banana pancakes from Al Quisse before I go (they put cut up real banana in them!)
Christine xx
Tomorrow I go to the bank and do a wire transfer for the first time......as with anything having to do with business here...I am certain it will be interesting! Fortifying myself with banana pancakes from Al Quisse before I go (they put cut up real banana in them!)
Christine xx
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Language, PLEASE!!
I have been so busy getting oriented to the way things are here that I haven't had a lot of time to work on my Arabic. I plan to make a focused effort as soon as I can. Today my patient's son told me he wanted to learn more English. I told him I wanted to learn Arabic. Now we have a game going (and his sister joined in as well). He speaks to me in English and I respond in Arabic. He says I am doing pretty well but I have a funny accent (LOL!!!). I told him he should be glad I am not from Queens! :-) He is doing very well speaking English! I have a book I bought at Al Jiri bookstore that was written by an American doctor who worked here for many years. It lists lots of medical terms and short phrases English speakers can use to explain things to patients. it was written in Saudi Arabic which is slightly different from other Arabic. I asked some of the Lebanese staff here if there was a large difference and they told me there is. An Egyptian can make himself understood here as well as Lebanese but others would have trouble.
It is absolutely beautiful here! I was a little sad I was missing autumn back home because it is my favorite season! Well it is in the 70's and 80's here now (60's at night) and the sky is so clear I just stare at the stars as I walk home from work! There are also a lot of flowers blooming now. Haj is next week and even if you are not Muslim you get Haj days to add to your vacation time (we get Ramadan days as well). I'm planning (with a little help from my friends) a big Thanksgiving day bash and since our cable has 16 sports channels I am sure we can find a football game (though it may be the English variety). I have to work my King shift on Christmas Day but since I have worked Christmas Day ever since my children have been grown it feels like the tradition continues. We cannot openly celebrate Christmas here but right now in the Al Quisse Center there are little kiosks with brightly colored decorations that look suspiciously like the Arab version of Christmas ornaments ;-) Ho Ho Ho!!
Masaalama!
Christine xx
It is absolutely beautiful here! I was a little sad I was missing autumn back home because it is my favorite season! Well it is in the 70's and 80's here now (60's at night) and the sky is so clear I just stare at the stars as I walk home from work! There are also a lot of flowers blooming now. Haj is next week and even if you are not Muslim you get Haj days to add to your vacation time (we get Ramadan days as well). I'm planning (with a little help from my friends) a big Thanksgiving day bash and since our cable has 16 sports channels I am sure we can find a football game (though it may be the English variety). I have to work my King shift on Christmas Day but since I have worked Christmas Day ever since my children have been grown it feels like the tradition continues. We cannot openly celebrate Christmas here but right now in the Al Quisse Center there are little kiosks with brightly colored decorations that look suspiciously like the Arab version of Christmas ornaments ;-) Ho Ho Ho!!
Masaalama!
Christine xx
Saturday, November 14, 2009
For all of my nurse friends in the United States of America......
WOW! What a culture shock!! At first I didn't think there would be much difference in my nursing practice but as I went farther into my orientation I found out how wrong I was!!!
First off..there are no pre-mixed drips here. We have to mix our own inotropes! There are formulae to be used depending on the patients weight. There are no standard concentrations and everything is based on .01 mcg/ml. If you are using a 50 cc bag it is .03xthe patient's weight in kilograms to get the amount of milligrams to add to the bag, for 100 cc bag it is .06 and for a 250 cc bag it is 1.5. Then you multiply the milligrams by 1000 to get the micrograms...then divide by the volume, divide by the patient's weight and divide by 60 and that gives you the micrograms/kg/min. Two nurses have to do the calculations separately till both agree.
There is no unit dosing here. Everything is in multidose vials. Also there are no pre-filled syringes only vials. The clinical educator and a nurse came to me yesterday with an insulin pen...no one knew how to use it but they figured I did. They had the pen but no needle caps to put on it and they did not know at the time these pens are for single patient use. They had been drawing the insulin out of the top with a needle (I could just imagine Carey's and Becky's looks if they saw this).
We draw ALL of our own blood sampling. I don't consider this a problem. All of the patients in all of the ICU's have either a PICC line or a central line. We also do our own blood cultures and there is quite the protocol for doing them. A couple of years back there was a huge infection control problem which is why they are so compulsive now about how we draw blood cultures, do trach care, do wound care etc. All of the rooms in my unit are positive pressure rooms. We have had several patients with H1N1 flu and the reason it is so serious here is because many of the patients have serious genetic diseases that make them high risk for morbid complications. I'm telling you every night I come home and have to look up a half a dozen things I have never heard of!!
I have to do conversions all day long! I'm sure over time it will come to me more naturally. The hospital is run based on the American system of practice but temperatures and lab tests use the European system of measurement. For example. a good blood glucose here is 4-5. Multiply that number by 18 to get our equilivant. A low hemoglobin here would be 78. Thank goodness they put the normal range by the labs or I would never remember all that stuff!! PT, INR and PTT is the same but the chemistrys are very different!!
I like not having to charge my patients for every little thing. I can use as much gauze and wound care stuff as I want. I can use all the chux in the world and not have to scan a single charge. Communication is a problem but I am learning more Arabic and can instruct in one word requests (though they think I speak with a funny accent :) and I STILL have a lot of trouble with the gutteral click) A lot can be communicated by gentle handling and a soft touch. My preceptor was kind of rough with a mother who just wanted to rub her daughter's back (her daughter is 16, has leukemia and probably will not see her 17th birthday). After the preceptor left I took some lotion and started massaging the girl's feet. The mother saw what I was doing and was so happy there was one thing she could do to give her daughter some comfort. So I gave her the lotion and she went at it! I have discovered when it comes to caring for people body, mind and spirit are very much universal!
My first day on my own was yesterday and it was a great day! There is a lot to experience here and I am embracing that!!!!
Chris Young, SN1 xx
First off..there are no pre-mixed drips here. We have to mix our own inotropes! There are formulae to be used depending on the patients weight. There are no standard concentrations and everything is based on .01 mcg/ml. If you are using a 50 cc bag it is .03xthe patient's weight in kilograms to get the amount of milligrams to add to the bag, for 100 cc bag it is .06 and for a 250 cc bag it is 1.5. Then you multiply the milligrams by 1000 to get the micrograms...then divide by the volume, divide by the patient's weight and divide by 60 and that gives you the micrograms/kg/min. Two nurses have to do the calculations separately till both agree.
There is no unit dosing here. Everything is in multidose vials. Also there are no pre-filled syringes only vials. The clinical educator and a nurse came to me yesterday with an insulin pen...no one knew how to use it but they figured I did. They had the pen but no needle caps to put on it and they did not know at the time these pens are for single patient use. They had been drawing the insulin out of the top with a needle (I could just imagine Carey's and Becky's looks if they saw this).
We draw ALL of our own blood sampling. I don't consider this a problem. All of the patients in all of the ICU's have either a PICC line or a central line. We also do our own blood cultures and there is quite the protocol for doing them. A couple of years back there was a huge infection control problem which is why they are so compulsive now about how we draw blood cultures, do trach care, do wound care etc. All of the rooms in my unit are positive pressure rooms. We have had several patients with H1N1 flu and the reason it is so serious here is because many of the patients have serious genetic diseases that make them high risk for morbid complications. I'm telling you every night I come home and have to look up a half a dozen things I have never heard of!!
I have to do conversions all day long! I'm sure over time it will come to me more naturally. The hospital is run based on the American system of practice but temperatures and lab tests use the European system of measurement. For example. a good blood glucose here is 4-5. Multiply that number by 18 to get our equilivant. A low hemoglobin here would be 78. Thank goodness they put the normal range by the labs or I would never remember all that stuff!! PT, INR and PTT is the same but the chemistrys are very different!!
I like not having to charge my patients for every little thing. I can use as much gauze and wound care stuff as I want. I can use all the chux in the world and not have to scan a single charge. Communication is a problem but I am learning more Arabic and can instruct in one word requests (though they think I speak with a funny accent :) and I STILL have a lot of trouble with the gutteral click) A lot can be communicated by gentle handling and a soft touch. My preceptor was kind of rough with a mother who just wanted to rub her daughter's back (her daughter is 16, has leukemia and probably will not see her 17th birthday). After the preceptor left I took some lotion and started massaging the girl's feet. The mother saw what I was doing and was so happy there was one thing she could do to give her daughter some comfort. So I gave her the lotion and she went at it! I have discovered when it comes to caring for people body, mind and spirit are very much universal!
My first day on my own was yesterday and it was a great day! There is a lot to experience here and I am embracing that!!!!
Chris Young, SN1 xx
Friday, November 13, 2009
Nice day in Al-Maather Cave Park
It has been a pleasant weekend. We were all so tired we didn't try to jam pack a lot of activity this time. We were going to Dirrah but since this is Friday we opted not to go. Fridays are when they do the beheadings and limb removal on the square at Dirrah. We opted to skip that. We went to the cave park instead. It is a lovely garden with a theater and an ancient cave site. The information on the sign said it was part of Old Riyadh. At first it didn't appear to be much of a cave but when we looked closer we saw though it had a small opening it goes back a long way into the hill. They say the old Bedouins used it as a place to stay when they came for meetings or to visit. Here are some pictures from our tour.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
She has met the Mutawa!
Before I came to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia I had heard many things about the Mutawa. I was told they carried canes and camel whips and struck men and women who were acting inappropriately. You can be arrested if you got on the wrong side of one! I was told you could tell who they were by they wear no ring on their head to hold the head scarf on, their thobes are shorter exposing their ankles, and they always have a beard. Some of the books I had read told horror stories about the Mutawa. While I am not afraid of much I really did not want to run in to one of them (but I knew I would eventually). They seemed a little bit scary! Today I was caring for a very sick woman who is not doing well though sh is making miniscule improvements. I'm writing in my nurses notes, look up, AND THERE HE IS STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!! No ring (check), beard (check), short thobe (check). Holy mackeral and shoot the monkey..it is the Mutawa!! He asked if he could sing the Quran to the patient. I said of course and since the patient was in isolation I helped him get into his gown and mask. I listened to him sing while I was doing my notes and it was so so beautiful!! When he came out I helped him out of the paraphernalia and disposed of it for him. He said "thank you, sister". I told him how much I enjoyed listening to his prayer. I think some positive attitude adjustment was made by both parties. I respected his position and he appreciated my help. The king has made a lot of changes over the years regarding the authority of the Mutawa and we were given a lot of advice on arrival. I am glad my first real experience was a good one!
I am really quite tired. I have worked a lot, taken lots of exams, had extra training and competency evaluations. I haven't been out in over 10 days so I am looking forward to having a couple of days off! I am off Thanksgiving and the bash is at my house. The Yanks have invited the Irish, the Aussies and the Kiwi's! Maybe some of the East Indians will come! Must go to Tamimi market and get a turkey tomorrow!! I found canned pumpkin and sweet potatoes, stuff to make green bean casserole. Everyone is supposed to bring something from their country to share. I may do that pilgrim and Native American thing again. Hmmmmmm
Christine xx
I am really quite tired. I have worked a lot, taken lots of exams, had extra training and competency evaluations. I haven't been out in over 10 days so I am looking forward to having a couple of days off! I am off Thanksgiving and the bash is at my house. The Yanks have invited the Irish, the Aussies and the Kiwi's! Maybe some of the East Indians will come! Must go to Tamimi market and get a turkey tomorrow!! I found canned pumpkin and sweet potatoes, stuff to make green bean casserole. Everyone is supposed to bring something from their country to share. I may do that pilgrim and Native American thing again. Hmmmmmm
Christine xx
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Now I Am the Expert!!
I was walking home from ordering my water cooler and internet radio when a young Canadian girl stopped me. She had just arrived last night and her room mate hadn't made it in country yet. She was lost and needed help finding her way back to her complex! She had crossed the boulevard in front of the hospital to get to where we met and was terrified to try to cross it again!! AS WELL SHE SHOULD BE!!! I walked with her to show her "The tunnel" that goes under the street and the over road cross way that goes over the street because there is NEVER a safe time to try to cross that road otherwise (and there are many roads like that here!). I walked her safely to her complex and answered all her questions adding words of advice that I hope will make her start a little easier. After I left her I walked home (to my apartment....US tooo far to walk;) I realized that after just one month (tomorrow) here I had become the "expert" and was already helping the newbies find their way around.
I am also learning a lot about power and electricity here. Diane and I are tired of having to buy drinking water every week. In addition we are also very aware of all the plastic trash we have been generating!! We can buy large containers of mineral free (mostly) water but it is cumbersome unless you have a water cooler. I found a very reasonably priced one that will give us hot or cold water but the power was 220. Now it isn't just a matter of getting an adapter for the plug! It also requires a transformer as well as an adapter! Most of the residences have a combination of 220 (European) and 110 (American). You can tell by looking at the plugs if you can't work out the Arabic ;) My residence is all 110. All of the appliances you can purchase are 220 so it requires extra equipment to make it work in my apartment. It was an extra SR85 which isn't that much (between 20 and 25 dollars American) and SR 398 (nearly $100.00 American) for the cooler so I think it was a bargain! A little info..the water here is drinkable but is very highly mineraled. Lots of problems with kidney stones and such (I have a history of them). It is best to find the water to drink with the least mineral content . It is hard for me to drink enough water. I know I haven't drank enough when I wee only 2-3 times a day and my skin gets very dry. Because the humidity is so low here you lose a lot of water you don't realize. You sweat but it evaporates so quickly from your skin you don't realize it! Everyone walks around with a bottle of water in their hand! Three liters a day is the recommended intake per person.
Speaking of skin...the local women around here have the most beautiful skin...not dry at all! I asked the local pharmacist their secret. He says sweet almond oil every night and use lotion with shea butter. Those kinds of products are very inexpensive here so I have been using them. My skin is so soft now!!! The dryness is gone! I remember trying to use lotion in Oklahoma and not liking it except in the winter. I guess the humidity there is enough tht the lotion just sat on my skin rather than absorbing.
At any rate I confess I have had more new experiences here in one month then I had in forever back home. I miss home but I wouldn't trade this experience for anything!
Christine xx
I am also learning a lot about power and electricity here. Diane and I are tired of having to buy drinking water every week. In addition we are also very aware of all the plastic trash we have been generating!! We can buy large containers of mineral free (mostly) water but it is cumbersome unless you have a water cooler. I found a very reasonably priced one that will give us hot or cold water but the power was 220. Now it isn't just a matter of getting an adapter for the plug! It also requires a transformer as well as an adapter! Most of the residences have a combination of 220 (European) and 110 (American). You can tell by looking at the plugs if you can't work out the Arabic ;) My residence is all 110. All of the appliances you can purchase are 220 so it requires extra equipment to make it work in my apartment. It was an extra SR85 which isn't that much (between 20 and 25 dollars American) and SR 398 (nearly $100.00 American) for the cooler so I think it was a bargain! A little info..the water here is drinkable but is very highly mineraled. Lots of problems with kidney stones and such (I have a history of them). It is best to find the water to drink with the least mineral content . It is hard for me to drink enough water. I know I haven't drank enough when I wee only 2-3 times a day and my skin gets very dry. Because the humidity is so low here you lose a lot of water you don't realize. You sweat but it evaporates so quickly from your skin you don't realize it! Everyone walks around with a bottle of water in their hand! Three liters a day is the recommended intake per person.
Speaking of skin...the local women around here have the most beautiful skin...not dry at all! I asked the local pharmacist their secret. He says sweet almond oil every night and use lotion with shea butter. Those kinds of products are very inexpensive here so I have been using them. My skin is so soft now!!! The dryness is gone! I remember trying to use lotion in Oklahoma and not liking it except in the winter. I guess the humidity there is enough tht the lotion just sat on my skin rather than absorbing.
At any rate I confess I have had more new experiences here in one month then I had in forever back home. I miss home but I wouldn't trade this experience for anything!
Christine xx
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Lost in translation?!?
I was walking home with friends (who I managed to Tom Sawyer into carrying four boxes of stuff I had sent to myself). Stella O'Neill, my Irish friend, noticed I had some travel brochures. She looks at me and asks "did you get them from your man?". I looked at her and said, "No, I got them from the travel agent". Apparently in"Irish" that expression means I got it from the travel agent. We looked at each other and burst out laughing!! There are about 10 countries here divided by a common language. We call it "the look". Someone will say something none of the rest of us understand and we give them "the look". It's a combination of confusion and amusement. No one ever EVER takes offense and usually the misunderstanding results in a great laugh!! It's great fun to share each other's English culture....or the interpretation thereof ;)
I've got a long work week ahead of me. I work three 12 hour shifts in a row , have two days off, then work three in a row again except my clinical instructor decided I was so proficient in computer charting that he is sending me to the ISIS training on Sunday so I can help train my co-workers. Been there a little over a week and already in the thick of things! Means I get only one day off now....but Carlos thinks I am motivated by money and assures me I will get overtime! That's OK. I'm planning a trip in March for my birthday. Going to Egypt and do my best Cleopatra impersonation :) Cairo, Alexandria, Giza and a cruise down the Nile. Happy birthday to me!
Christine xx
I've got a long work week ahead of me. I work three 12 hour shifts in a row , have two days off, then work three in a row again except my clinical instructor decided I was so proficient in computer charting that he is sending me to the ISIS training on Sunday so I can help train my co-workers. Been there a little over a week and already in the thick of things! Means I get only one day off now....but Carlos thinks I am motivated by money and assures me I will get overtime! That's OK. I'm planning a trip in March for my birthday. Going to Egypt and do my best Cleopatra impersonation :) Cairo, Alexandria, Giza and a cruise down the Nile. Happy birthday to me!
Christine xx
Monday, November 2, 2009
Welcome to Al Rahji Bank!
I am now the proud owner of a bank account in Saudi Arabia! Complete with ATM card!! I am also a card carrying member of the Employee Social Club! Yessiree I'm set up and settled in!! I had a day off today so took care of that little bit of business and then explored more of Riyadh. Two friends and I went to Olaya Street and found another huge mall (there are tons of malls here) but this one sold more textiles and craft items. There was a small DMC store and we found out there was a larger one across the street! DMC is a little like Hobby Lobby where they sell craft and artist supplies. I was thrilled they sold beads and beading supplies as well as needlework kits. We then went to Al Jiri Book Store. It is more like a Office Depot than a book store. There were lots of office supplies and computers but they did have a section that sold craft and artist supplies. Upstairs they sold school items and some books but not many. There were Best Sellers and a few nonfiction but not many. I bought a book on Saudi Arabia to send to Matt's children since they seemed pretty interested in where I was going. While we were trying to cross Olaya Street we were able to make it to the median because there was a traffic light that stopped traffic. Getting to the other side was trickier because there is NO traffic light and the cars kept coming! We were stuck on the median with no break in traffic!! A man came across to us on the median and helped us make it to the other side! I thought WOW!! What a very kind (and brave) thing to do! A word about driving in Riyadh...believe me when I tell you I am very very happy not to drive here!! The traffic system makes no sense, there are no speed limits, the traffic is always very heavy and the drivers are crazy!! The number one cause of death of children in Riyadh is traffic accidents!
My unit is interesting but not nearly as stressful as the one at CCMH. They are using the same monitors we did before we got the new ones. The people here did not know they could print vital signs or change colors of the waveforms or do a host of other things. I showed them a lot of things they could do and the clinical instructor said "I can see we will be learning a lot of things from you!". That made me feel very nice! The drawback is they still do paper charting....and it is crazy!! They want to move to computerized charting but some of the nurses come from areas of the world where they have very little exposure to computers. They have to teach them basic computer skills and then try to teach them the ISIS (the charting system we will be using). We have a very fancy PYXIS medication system that uses a bioscan after you put in a password. You have to return your empty narcotic vials and count those with the narcotics (but don't include it in the count on the PYXIS). Returned meds do not go back into the PYXIS but get placed in a bin that says "outgoing to pharmacy". They are hoping to integrate the systems. We are HANDWRITING the drugs out on a medication sheet!! Modern equipment and stone age charting!
Christine xx
They use APIE charting here which I find a little hard to get used to. It is OK for the chronic patients but not at all friendly for the acutes. It is a very strange system but I have decided "when in Rome" and just go with it till they get the computer charting system up and running....patience.....
My unit is interesting but not nearly as stressful as the one at CCMH. They are using the same monitors we did before we got the new ones. The people here did not know they could print vital signs or change colors of the waveforms or do a host of other things. I showed them a lot of things they could do and the clinical instructor said "I can see we will be learning a lot of things from you!". That made me feel very nice! The drawback is they still do paper charting....and it is crazy!! They want to move to computerized charting but some of the nurses come from areas of the world where they have very little exposure to computers. They have to teach them basic computer skills and then try to teach them the ISIS (the charting system we will be using). We have a very fancy PYXIS medication system that uses a bioscan after you put in a password. You have to return your empty narcotic vials and count those with the narcotics (but don't include it in the count on the PYXIS). Returned meds do not go back into the PYXIS but get placed in a bin that says "outgoing to pharmacy". They are hoping to integrate the systems. We are HANDWRITING the drugs out on a medication sheet!! Modern equipment and stone age charting!
Christine xx
They use APIE charting here which I find a little hard to get used to. It is OK for the chronic patients but not at all friendly for the acutes. It is a very strange system but I have decided "when in Rome" and just go with it till they get the computer charting system up and running....patience.....
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Well...we got yelled at!
My friend, Moni, and I were at the Tamimi market waiting for prayer to be over when we noticed we were standing across the street from the Faisaliya Tower. It was beautifully lit up and the moon was shining so big in the sky next to it! We pulled out our cameras, took a picture, the a policeman started yelling very loudly at us NO PICTURE NO PICTURE!!!! An Arab man walked over to the policeman and explained he had overheard us saying how beautiful it was and didn't see the harm in a picture. The policeman said "If everyone sees how beautiful it is then they all will want to come here...and we have enough trouble". The Arab man said the police were stupid. I'm sure he was just doing his job. Moni and I had quickly put our cameras away anyway (and I DID get a picture but the moon isn't in it :( It was very sweet that we were so nobily defended however :)
Tamimi market is great!! I bought tons of fresh fruits and vegetables! We sauteed some squash tonight and had it with our little steaks we bought. It tasted so heavenly!!! Moni and I both suffer a bit with the negativity imposed on us by others ie: people complaining about being here. Good grief, people! We came to THEIR country so you need to adjust...and not expect them to adjust to you! Moni is a kindred spirit and we have had the best times together! I expect we will have many more adventures!
Tamimi market is great!! I bought tons of fresh fruits and vegetables! We sauteed some squash tonight and had it with our little steaks we bought. It tasted so heavenly!!! Moni and I both suffer a bit with the negativity imposed on us by others ie: people complaining about being here. Good grief, people! We came to THEIR country so you need to adjust...and not expect them to adjust to you! Moni is a kindred spirit and we have had the best times together! I expect we will have many more adventures!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
I feel good (dadadadadada) like I knew that I would (dadadadadada)!!!!!!
I didn't particularly feel jet lagged like some of the others did but I guess I was a little. Now I am back to waking up sans alarm clock at 0530 and I feel great!!! Moni, Diane and I are going shopping today for more "creature comforts". It is nice to be out in the city early in the morning!
I started working on my unit this week. I get 10 days of floor orientation and then I am out there on my own. Really the only thing I need to get familiar with is their paperwork. The hospital is working on moving toward a computerized system but they haven't achieved it yet. Many nurses from some areas have never worked with computers so the process is slow going. We all had to be assessed for computer literacy and after two moves they decided I knew enough I didn't need any further training. Many of the Filipino and East Indian nurses have never used a computer so they are being taught.
The unit is a little different from what I expected. Many of the patients are chronic. It is a 20 bed unit and three or four of the patients have been there for about three YEARS! We take care of VIP's and members of the royal family. Apparently if the family doesn't want them moved they supplicate to the king and he tells us to keep them there. The work is not nearly as frantic as CCMH was. In fact it is pretty relaxed! We get 30 minute tea breaks morning and afternoon and an hour for lunch! This is in a shift that goes from 0700 till 1930. My critical care clinical instructor tells me I may get bored so after I finish orientation in MICU-C I can orient to the surgical ward to get some variety. They do many open hearts here and I will be able to get some experience with LVADS and ECHMOS. The issue is most of the patients are PEDIATRIC! Well....it will be an experience for sure. I keep trying to slow down as far as my nursing career but I guess I am so addicted to the adrenaline rush I can't do it!
A note about the VIP's and Royal Family....the members of the Royal Family I have encountered have been lovely! They have been very appreciative, kind and supportive, very gracious. The VIP's however are what I have always referred to as "the fringe people", people who THINK they are someone because they are associated with the Royal Family in some way (not really related to them). These people are the rudest, most demanding people!! It's funny because these are the people who get rotated among the nurses so you don't have to take care of them for more than one day at a time! Just smile.....deep breathe....and know ;)..........
Anyway I'm off to have more adventures today!!
Christine xx
I started working on my unit this week. I get 10 days of floor orientation and then I am out there on my own. Really the only thing I need to get familiar with is their paperwork. The hospital is working on moving toward a computerized system but they haven't achieved it yet. Many nurses from some areas have never worked with computers so the process is slow going. We all had to be assessed for computer literacy and after two moves they decided I knew enough I didn't need any further training. Many of the Filipino and East Indian nurses have never used a computer so they are being taught.
The unit is a little different from what I expected. Many of the patients are chronic. It is a 20 bed unit and three or four of the patients have been there for about three YEARS! We take care of VIP's and members of the royal family. Apparently if the family doesn't want them moved they supplicate to the king and he tells us to keep them there. The work is not nearly as frantic as CCMH was. In fact it is pretty relaxed! We get 30 minute tea breaks morning and afternoon and an hour for lunch! This is in a shift that goes from 0700 till 1930. My critical care clinical instructor tells me I may get bored so after I finish orientation in MICU-C I can orient to the surgical ward to get some variety. They do many open hearts here and I will be able to get some experience with LVADS and ECHMOS. The issue is most of the patients are PEDIATRIC! Well....it will be an experience for sure. I keep trying to slow down as far as my nursing career but I guess I am so addicted to the adrenaline rush I can't do it!
A note about the VIP's and Royal Family....the members of the Royal Family I have encountered have been lovely! They have been very appreciative, kind and supportive, very gracious. The VIP's however are what I have always referred to as "the fringe people", people who THINK they are someone because they are associated with the Royal Family in some way (not really related to them). These people are the rudest, most demanding people!! It's funny because these are the people who get rotated among the nurses so you don't have to take care of them for more than one day at a time! Just smile.....deep breathe....and know ;)..........
Anyway I'm off to have more adventures today!!
Christine xx
Sunday, October 25, 2009
An Observation
I was at the grocery store. The call to prayer was announced and everything shut down while the workers went to pray. While we were waiting the 20-30 minutes children were playing and laughing, They were playing the same kind of games American children play including the energy and giggling. I noticed the women in their abayas and veils. What struck me was how ornate some of the abayas were and some were embellished with pins and other ornamentation. The experience showed me that children are children no matter where you go, and women are women even if they are limited to wearing black in public they will find a way to make it more beautiful!
We met a Muslim woman from Holland. She is not required to veil while there. She veils here because she says it makes her feel safe. Americans apply their own opinions and prejudices regarding Arab culture but the women here do not feel they are oppressed or diminished. I spoke with several educated Saudi women who feel a bit threatened by Westernization of their culture. As it is I have observed sons being very respectful and helpful to their mothers and husbands (while they cannot openly show affection) showing their wives great affection and respect by the way they look at and regard their wives in public. It was explained to me by some Saudi women that women run the home. That is a true observation I made at the Panda store..poppa deferring to momma when it came to buying groceries and such. Is there abuse in the home? I am sure there is some just as there are in some American homes. Our news media makes sure we get all the bad stuff. I do not profess to be an expert in Arab culture after spending only three weeks here. I am learning a lot however which was part of the purpose in coming here. I am on a steep learning curve!!
I start working in my unit tomorrow. It will not be as different as I thought...which is a good thing. My favorite Arab word at the moment is mushkala which means problem. I like words that sound like what they mean!
Christine xx
We met a Muslim woman from Holland. She is not required to veil while there. She veils here because she says it makes her feel safe. Americans apply their own opinions and prejudices regarding Arab culture but the women here do not feel they are oppressed or diminished. I spoke with several educated Saudi women who feel a bit threatened by Westernization of their culture. As it is I have observed sons being very respectful and helpful to their mothers and husbands (while they cannot openly show affection) showing their wives great affection and respect by the way they look at and regard their wives in public. It was explained to me by some Saudi women that women run the home. That is a true observation I made at the Panda store..poppa deferring to momma when it came to buying groceries and such. Is there abuse in the home? I am sure there is some just as there are in some American homes. Our news media makes sure we get all the bad stuff. I do not profess to be an expert in Arab culture after spending only three weeks here. I am learning a lot however which was part of the purpose in coming here. I am on a steep learning curve!!
I start working in my unit tomorrow. It will not be as different as I thought...which is a good thing. My favorite Arab word at the moment is mushkala which means problem. I like words that sound like what they mean!
Christine xx
Friday, October 23, 2009
Room with a View
This is the view from my bedroom window. The little white and black cat below is one I call Sparklette since she likes to drink the pool water while I swim.
Kingdom Tower and Batha Souks
The Kingdom Tower was great!! One of my friends described it as a giant razor blade. Really it is a very tall, modern structure. It's the tallest in Riyadh! It is a very large mall with very expensive shops and some moderately priced ones. The third level is "The Women's Kingdom" where we can remove our scarfs and abayas (but who wants to carry them around) and the women who veil may remove them. No men are allowed!! It has very nice clothing, makeup and jewelry stores!! We had lunch at a very nice place where they had couches and upholstered chairs . They served very dainty sandwiches and finger foods and drinks in fancy glasses and cups! We then went to the top of the building. Now the upper levels of this building contain fancy hotels ($1000 US and UP/night) and verrrry expensive restaurants. On the 99th floor, which is the top,there is a sky walk where you can go and see the entire city of Riyadh!! Everything is the color of the desert so it looks like a city that just appears from the desert and then melts into it again...no rough edges. It was magical!! We plan to go again at night to set that view!!
The Batha souks were another story. It was sort of the bowels of Riyadh. We found the beautiful India shops where they sell gorgeous material and clothing. It is a very dirty place and there were too many young men standing around. We had been told we can get really good deals on some items there but I felt very uncomfortable. I especially felt that way when I realized we were the only women on the streets!! I told my friends we needed to get a taxi NOW and leave. I was very glad they agreed! My brother gave me this advice before I left home...if you get this feeling you are in the wrong place you probably are and need to leave immediately! Good advice!! If I were to go back it would be in the morning and never alone!
So it was a day of contrasts. We were exhausted when we arrived home. I was able to get some "creature comforts" ie: some pillows. makeup, clothes and chocolate. I am very comfortable here and seem to be settling in nicely. I get to be "mother" to some younger nurses who are really homesick...I just encourage and support them...give them a place to hang out if they need to. I'm learning to cook on an electric stove (I hate them). Enjoying a quiet Muslim Sabbath today gearing up for another busy week!
Christine xx
The Batha souks were another story. It was sort of the bowels of Riyadh. We found the beautiful India shops where they sell gorgeous material and clothing. It is a very dirty place and there were too many young men standing around. We had been told we can get really good deals on some items there but I felt very uncomfortable. I especially felt that way when I realized we were the only women on the streets!! I told my friends we needed to get a taxi NOW and leave. I was very glad they agreed! My brother gave me this advice before I left home...if you get this feeling you are in the wrong place you probably are and need to leave immediately! Good advice!! If I were to go back it would be in the morning and never alone!
So it was a day of contrasts. We were exhausted when we arrived home. I was able to get some "creature comforts" ie: some pillows. makeup, clothes and chocolate. I am very comfortable here and seem to be settling in nicely. I get to be "mother" to some younger nurses who are really homesick...I just encourage and support them...give them a place to hang out if they need to. I'm learning to cook on an electric stove (I hate them). Enjoying a quiet Muslim Sabbath today gearing up for another busy week!
Christine xx
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
A New Friend!
I have a new friend! His name is Yasser and he was born in Mekkah but was raised in Riyadh. He is a brand new nurse! Many of the young Saudi men and women are taking nurses training so they can eventually run their own hospital. Yasser was impressed by the number of certifications I had and asked about each one. He just graduated this year and this is his first job. He is so excited and eager to do well in his new career. He has asked for my friendship and help as he learns how to be the best nurse he can be. I have to say he is pretty cute and has quite the engaging smile. Reminds me of my sons. I hope I can be helpful to him and encourage him in his new profession.
TGIF we say on Wednesdays around these parts! We are going to the Kingdom Tower and the Batha Batha souks tomorrow. If there is time we will also go to Dirrah. I passed my med test...100% on calculations!. Next week is the EKG test. It has been many years since I have been a new employee. I didn't realize there were so many tests!!! Hope to have some pictures to post after tomorrow..IF I can figure out this camera thingy!
Christine xx
TGIF we say on Wednesdays around these parts! We are going to the Kingdom Tower and the Batha Batha souks tomorrow. If there is time we will also go to Dirrah. I passed my med test...100% on calculations!. Next week is the EKG test. It has been many years since I have been a new employee. I didn't realize there were so many tests!!! Hope to have some pictures to post after tomorrow..IF I can figure out this camera thingy!
Christine xx
Monday, October 19, 2009
Arabian Nights
I made application for my igama today. .Another chore I can check off the list! I've been invited to the Irish party along with a bunch of Australians I have fallen in with. Many of the Australian nurses live in D Complex as well so we see each other at the pool nearly every evening. We have lots of laughs and lots of fun!!
Our pool is heated so after dark Diane (my room-mate) and I went and had a swim. It felt wonderful!! I turned on my back and just floated looking at a black sky filled with very bright stars and thought to myself "look where you are girl!".
Med test on Wednesday, Thursday we are going to the Kingdom Tower, Friday is our day of rest, and Saturday we finally get to see our unit! Hurray!!!!!
Christine xx
Our pool is heated so after dark Diane (my room-mate) and I went and had a swim. It felt wonderful!! I turned on my back and just floated looking at a black sky filled with very bright stars and thought to myself "look where you are girl!".
Med test on Wednesday, Thursday we are going to the Kingdom Tower, Friday is our day of rest, and Saturday we finally get to see our unit! Hurray!!!!!
Christine xx
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Long Orientation!
I swear I am a zombie by three in the afternoon! From 0800 till 1700 every day we are in orientation! I know that is good but we really need to move around a little! It was OK today. I finally got my medical clearance so now I can apply for my igama (work permit). We were measured for our uniforms a couple of days ago and today we got them. Now it is off to the tailors so we still don't actually have them! Possibly Tuesday we will but for sure we need them for Saturday because that is when we finally get to see our unit!! I am very excited about that! I am ready to get to work!!
Over the last few days my little group has ventured out into the city. We are getting braver and braver! We found a store called Hyper Panda that is just like being in Wal-Mart (which everyone who knows me knows I'd rather have a sharp stick in the eye than go to Wal-Mart!) Everyone was in there it seemed and if my friends and I became separated it was because we all look alike wearing black and our heads covered! We had a very difficult time finding each other and we would sometimes think we were with our friends only to find we had followed the wrong person! I wonder how the nuns do it? When we are away from the hospital we have to put on everything but a veil. The Mutaween are about :)
Well I'm tired so headed to bed. Just a short update tonight!
Christine xx
Over the last few days my little group has ventured out into the city. We are getting braver and braver! We found a store called Hyper Panda that is just like being in Wal-Mart (which everyone who knows me knows I'd rather have a sharp stick in the eye than go to Wal-Mart!) Everyone was in there it seemed and if my friends and I became separated it was because we all look alike wearing black and our heads covered! We had a very difficult time finding each other and we would sometimes think we were with our friends only to find we had followed the wrong person! I wonder how the nuns do it? When we are away from the hospital we have to put on everything but a veil. The Mutaween are about :)
Well I'm tired so headed to bed. Just a short update tonight!
Christine xx
Thursday, October 15, 2009
I'm Here!!!! Hello from Riyadh!!
The trip from Lawton was very very long. It took me just over 24 hours to get here. It rained in Oklahoma City just as we were leaving and it was snowing in Denver! The flight from Denver was delayed because they had to de-ice the wings! I hadn't met anyone else going with me on to Riyadh but I met a nice nurse who was half Croatian and half Arab who was on her way home to visit family. The flight from Denver was 10 hours to Frankfurt. They had a screen you could watch that showed you the progress of your flight. It was a little sad and bittersweet to watch as the plane moved from the US out over the ocean. It was night so you couldn't really see anything out of the window but still...it was a closing of one chapter and opening another. Of course the plane was late to Frankfurt because of the delay and as things always seem to work where I landed was exactly opposite from where I needed to be! I had to go through two security checkpoints to get there (weather in Frankfurt was sunny and clear)!! At Frankfurt I met three other nurses from the same agency and we have become fast friends. I was a little concerned when they took us to the cargo plane area to catch the plane to Riyadh. It was not as nice a plane as the one I crossed the ocean in but it was OK. I sat next to a stinky Algerian (smelled like he hadn't bathed in days) who was also drunk! AND...he continued to drink the entire 6 hour flight!! (On Lufthansa flights the alcohol flows for those of you who need to know this) I began to wonder how he would get off the plane as in Saudi Arabia you could be arrested if you even smell like you have been drinking! I didn't see what happened to him but I guess he made it OK.
At the airport we found the people there very warm and welcoming. We were standing in line to get through customs when all of a sudden we were being moved very hurriedly from one area to another and then another! Then I saw him..a Mutawa. He had his cane and he had walked into the airport while we were standing there. No one besides me had an abaya but we were instructed to keep a long scarf handy in case we needed to put it on. Everyone at the airport was working really hard to keep us out of sight! They never even opened our bags! Seemed like we were out of there in 15 or so minutes! It was around ( at night when we got there. As we drove through the city toward the hospital it reminded my of Las Vegas with all the brightly colored lights! We drove past the Kingdom Tower which is quite impressive even in the dark! It was nice to finally collapse into a nice clean (queen sized) bed! No time for jet lag as we started orientation the very next day!
My apartment is very nice! The complex has a Moorish design and I can see the beautiful swimming pool just outside my bedroom window! There is a gym in the complex with treadmills and ellipticals and weights. My complex (Complex D) is the farthest from the hospital and walking back and forth has been a great work out as well! The bedrooms are large and we each have a large nice bathroom with a deep tub! I share my apartment with a woman from Los Angeles who is a neurophysiology technician (EEG tech).
This hospital is HUGE! There are 8 ICU's with two more planned! The main corridor through the hospital is one kilometer long! There are lots of metabolic disorders and genetic issues. It is very beautiful and there is a lot of construction going on! We are 100 new nurses, the most they have ever had at one time! The nurses are British, Scots, Irish, Kiwi, South African, Phillipino, Swedish, Canadian, French Canadian and of course..American! It is fun to listen to all of the different accents..sort of tickles the ears! I don't mind at all wearing the abaya..it is not hot or uncomfortable to do so though I do sort of trip over it sometimes. I have learned how to wear the scarf (thank you Hayat) and it is starting to look nice now instead of mangled on my head.
We have managed to make it all the way downtown. It is a beautiful city with very modern glass and metal buildings (sort of reminds me of Dallas) with beautiful old mosques in between. The Saudi people I have met have been very warm and welcoming! There are a few things that get lost in translation sometimes but I am learning to take it in stride and find the humor in it rather than get frustrated as some of my companions do. For example: tomorrow tomorrow actually means day after tomorrow..not emphatically telling you to come back tomorrow. My brother shared some good advice when he said do not act upset or the process will take longer...as some have found out!
I LOVE it here! The men are very handsome and the women are very beautiful and very graceful. Life is a slower pace which I hope to embrace as well. I have decided it is a good thing to be reminded to pray 5 times a day.
Pictures will be forthcoming. We have to be careful taking pictures here and I haven't learnd all of the rules yet.
Take care!
Christine xx
At the airport we found the people there very warm and welcoming. We were standing in line to get through customs when all of a sudden we were being moved very hurriedly from one area to another and then another! Then I saw him..a Mutawa. He had his cane and he had walked into the airport while we were standing there. No one besides me had an abaya but we were instructed to keep a long scarf handy in case we needed to put it on. Everyone at the airport was working really hard to keep us out of sight! They never even opened our bags! Seemed like we were out of there in 15 or so minutes! It was around ( at night when we got there. As we drove through the city toward the hospital it reminded my of Las Vegas with all the brightly colored lights! We drove past the Kingdom Tower which is quite impressive even in the dark! It was nice to finally collapse into a nice clean (queen sized) bed! No time for jet lag as we started orientation the very next day!
My apartment is very nice! The complex has a Moorish design and I can see the beautiful swimming pool just outside my bedroom window! There is a gym in the complex with treadmills and ellipticals and weights. My complex (Complex D) is the farthest from the hospital and walking back and forth has been a great work out as well! The bedrooms are large and we each have a large nice bathroom with a deep tub! I share my apartment with a woman from Los Angeles who is a neurophysiology technician (EEG tech).
This hospital is HUGE! There are 8 ICU's with two more planned! The main corridor through the hospital is one kilometer long! There are lots of metabolic disorders and genetic issues. It is very beautiful and there is a lot of construction going on! We are 100 new nurses, the most they have ever had at one time! The nurses are British, Scots, Irish, Kiwi, South African, Phillipino, Swedish, Canadian, French Canadian and of course..American! It is fun to listen to all of the different accents..sort of tickles the ears! I don't mind at all wearing the abaya..it is not hot or uncomfortable to do so though I do sort of trip over it sometimes. I have learned how to wear the scarf (thank you Hayat) and it is starting to look nice now instead of mangled on my head.
We have managed to make it all the way downtown. It is a beautiful city with very modern glass and metal buildings (sort of reminds me of Dallas) with beautiful old mosques in between. The Saudi people I have met have been very warm and welcoming! There are a few things that get lost in translation sometimes but I am learning to take it in stride and find the humor in it rather than get frustrated as some of my companions do. For example: tomorrow tomorrow actually means day after tomorrow..not emphatically telling you to come back tomorrow. My brother shared some good advice when he said do not act upset or the process will take longer...as some have found out!
I LOVE it here! The men are very handsome and the women are very beautiful and very graceful. Life is a slower pace which I hope to embrace as well. I have decided it is a good thing to be reminded to pray 5 times a day.
Pictures will be forthcoming. We have to be careful taking pictures here and I haven't learnd all of the rules yet.
Take care!
Christine xx
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Saying "Goodbye" Oklahoma and "Hello" Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Leaving tomorrow morning. I've said my goodbyes (maasalamas) and I'm looking forward to the hellos " ( al salaamu aleikum). I'm looking forward to getting there but getting on the plane feels like the start. It is exciting and a little bittersweet. I'm leaving everything I have known for a very long time and venturing into a great unknown. I have prepared all I can so now it's time. I guess all those little last minute annoyances were preparing me to learn patience and how to handle new things with grace. They gave me a headache sometimes but when I recovered I learned from the experience. I am expecting many more learning experiences.
I spent last evening with my sons and Matt's family. I was able to put on the abaya and show the g-kids what it looks like. We found the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the map and through the wonders of the internet I could show them where I will be working and where I will be living. We talked a little about the history, the culture. We talked about some of the changes I know I will experience ie: no driving a vehicle, no riding a bicycle, wearing the abaya whenever I am off hospital grounds, following a new set of rules and sharing an apartment. Calista made me a wonderful going away card that I am taking with me to put on my wall. I have the picture taken of me and the twins at the grandparent's day breakfast.
I hope now for trouble free flights, my only MINOR anxiety since I haven't been across the pond in many many many years.
Love to you all!
Christine xx
I spent last evening with my sons and Matt's family. I was able to put on the abaya and show the g-kids what it looks like. We found the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the map and through the wonders of the internet I could show them where I will be working and where I will be living. We talked a little about the history, the culture. We talked about some of the changes I know I will experience ie: no driving a vehicle, no riding a bicycle, wearing the abaya whenever I am off hospital grounds, following a new set of rules and sharing an apartment. Calista made me a wonderful going away card that I am taking with me to put on my wall. I have the picture taken of me and the twins at the grandparent's day breakfast.
I hope now for trouble free flights, my only MINOR anxiety since I haven't been across the pond in many many many years.
Love to you all!
Christine xx
Friday, October 2, 2009
getting ready to go
I have my tickets in hand! I am so excited!! Cleaning up things in town has been a bit of a challenge however! I HATE the automated directors! I spend 30 minutes at a time just trying to get to the person that MAY be able to help me settle up before I leave. I'm glad I thought to talk to my bank before I left for SA. There was more information I needed before I could transfer funds from an Arab bank. I have spent all day at this but I know all the headaches now will be worth it when the end result finally arrives. It just makes the rewards sweeter!
Wish things were going better for my brother. I feel I have seen him for the last time.........
Christine x
Wish things were going better for my brother. I feel I have seen him for the last time.........
Christine x
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Winds of Change
Today I left the job I have held for 24 1/2 years. It was a bittersweet feeling. I love and respect the people I have worked with all of these years...I will miss them! Today I had a last day at work, a last patient a CCMH, a last Middle Eastern dance rehearsal. Saturday will be a last International Festival. There have been a lot of lasts. I am looking forward to starting the new firsts!
Christine x
Christine x
Friday, September 18, 2009
BANZAI!!!
I've always liked the word banzai! It is such an enthusiastic word. In fact it is the Japanese word to cheer or for patriotic enthusiasm. During WWII it was the Japanese battle cry. Literally translated it means "may you live 10,000 years". I like that meaning! I was telling a friend once that there are occasions when you just have to take a deep breath, close your eyes, and make the leap. Banzai is a good word to shout at this point!!! I have discovered I cannot always just wait and be certain of an outcome before I take a risk or make a change. I would rather yell "BANZAI" and find out what good things happen...I expect them to happen...but if they don't then a lesson is learned and I will know not to do that again :) Since no one really gets to live 10,000 years these days I have a lot of work to do to get that much living in before I go!
Found out yesterday I will have to endure a "presentation" retirement fete. Jeez...I told them I didn't want one but my boss says I'm getting one whether or not I want it.... Well....it's good to get kudos and well wishes when embarking on a great adventure!
Three weeks till departure!
Christine x
Found out yesterday I will have to endure a "presentation" retirement fete. Jeez...I told them I didn't want one but my boss says I'm getting one whether or not I want it.... Well....it's good to get kudos and well wishes when embarking on a great adventure!
Three weeks till departure!
Christine x
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Three Weeks and Four Days
My tickets and flight info should show up pretty soon. My sister and my friend, Judy Chapman, gave me a Kindle as a going away gift. I have wanted one for a long time and it has been fun loading it! Still a few things left to do but nothing stressful. Just five more days to work and I'll be retired....WOW...never thought I would make it!! My British friends included me in the next Scrabble game on line....Frankie was very nice and said it would help me get settled in the desert (?). I would really miss my game buddies!!
It won't be easy being so far from family and friends. I have never taken the easy path to anything however so this is nothing new. I do like to challenge myself...stretch my physical and mental muscles! I like the feeling of strength! My hope is to have great, new, eye opening (and maybe eye popping) experiences that will influence me to become a better person and that will be good things to share with the people I love. I am grateful for technology that will help me stay in touch with everyone!
Christine x
It won't be easy being so far from family and friends. I have never taken the easy path to anything however so this is nothing new. I do like to challenge myself...stretch my physical and mental muscles! I like the feeling of strength! My hope is to have great, new, eye opening (and maybe eye popping) experiences that will influence me to become a better person and that will be good things to share with the people I love. I am grateful for technology that will help me stay in touch with everyone!
Christine x
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Getting Closer
I have 8 more shifts at work. My co-workers and friends have already started "I'm going to really miss you". That is really nice to know!! It's way better than "thank goodness she's finally gone"! However I think it will be hard to hear this everyday I work for the next three weeks.
Really looking forward to seeing Michael around the 20th. Matthew and Michael will be driving me to the airport to see me off!
I have this feeling that I can only describe as the feeling I get when on a roller coaster and I can see the peak before the next full speed drop....very exhilarating!!
No turning back now....and I wouldn't want to. I feel like I am really living my life again!!
Chris x
Really looking forward to seeing Michael around the 20th. Matthew and Michael will be driving me to the airport to see me off!
I have this feeling that I can only describe as the feeling I get when on a roller coaster and I can see the peak before the next full speed drop....very exhilarating!!
No turning back now....and I wouldn't want to. I feel like I am really living my life again!!
Chris x
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Six More Weeks!!
I'm really getting excited! Nearly everything is done and taken care of...just the odd thing or two left! I'm really looking forward to this experience!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Pictures! I need pictures!!
Please send any pictures you may have of you all and your families (kids) so I can put them in my pandigital frame. I am very excited about this because I can't take a lot with me. I can digitally download pictures into this frame and it holds a lot of pictures!!
Pleasesend pictures via computer!
Thanks!
Chris x
Pleasesend pictures via computer!
Thanks!
Chris x
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
So much to do! So much to do!!
So much to do and I don't want to do any of it! Last night I sent all of my contact information to family. I hope they wrote it down somewhere 'cause it's a lot to remember. Spoke to my niece who will be living in the house while I am gone. I asked if I had to move EVERYTHING out and she said "no, Aunt Chris, you have some nice stuff". So that is a relief I don't have to find homes for ALL of my possessions! My sister, Mary, is storing everything I really want to keep. Can't believe I am six weeks from retiring and eight weeks from leaving!
Chris x
Chris x
Monday, August 10, 2009
New Baby Grand-daughter
Ada Susanne ObermanBorn August 5th, 2009 at 1154 PM.
Weight 5# 14 oz Length 19.5 inches
The town of Ada has a long history in the Young family. The Youngs pioneered Pontotac County, Oklahoma and Mack's father was the first baby born in Ada, Oklahoma after it became a town. It's a pretty little town in East Central Oklahoma.
A New Day is Coming
I'm getting this blog set up so my friends and family can keep up with my adventures out in the world. Yessiree folks I am finally breaking free and going global. My son, Michael, has been doing this for some time now. I want to do what he has been doing .....only with a job I love doing. I am off to Saudi Arabia for two years to work as a nurse at King Faisal Hospital in Riyadh. Coming from southwest Oklahoma makes me accustomed to the heat already so that will be one less thing to get used to. I'm very excited!!! Yet there is still so much to be done before I leave............
Chris x
Chris x
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
