(Jennie writes this entry)
Our whole experience here in Saudi might be summed up with the word surreal. Imagine slipping on a black, nylon long-sleeved robe in the 104-degree heat, constantly clutching the side bar of the passenger seat as a careening car next to you takes its half out of the middle, or planning an entire evening around prayer times. This, my friends, is our new life. Not a day passes that I don’t wonder how we ended up here. It is not necessarily a bad thought; it just fits the word from my first sentence…surreal.
I knew I was truly living the Saudi experience when I went out last week to purchase an abaya…and enjoyed the whole experience! Finding that the one provided by the school was a bit too short and less than roomy, I set out to the local market with our school buddies. The first store offered a huge variety of black, black and more black, surprise- surprise, so I started there. Much to my amusement, the storekeeper (of course a male) showed me the many varieties of this black robe. With everything from embroidered sleeves to floral designs up the back to choose from, I finally chose a wizardly looking one with mauve like flowers on the sleeves and bottom. It cost me all of 35 dollars along with the headscarf, which I have yet to wear. I actually look stunning, so I will send out pictures. It’s quite slimming actually…ha ha.
Our other big experience was a little “welcome back” party for our school put on by the US embassy. Everyone that wanted to go was escorted to the “Diplomatic Quarter” by bus, which in itself was an experience. The security around that place is huge, and we each had to undergo an airport-like security check and give up our hand phones, if we had one. Once in though, it was like being in some fancy restaurant. They had these cool water misters going all night to keep us cool; music played, people danced, and they served ham and drinks, both of which are forbidden in Saudi. This was the diplomatic quarter though, so I guess the rules don’t apply… I felt like I was at a wedding of someone I did not know very well. We sat there making polite conversation with our table, and found ourselves anxious to go home about 10. Unfortunately, the bus was not scheduled to leave until 11:30. Not that it wasn’t fun and free, but you know…However, the music was sing-along-able, we danced a couple country western numbers, and the ride home with some of the guys singing impossible songs was amusing, but I was very happy to climb into bed that night and realize that my life is full, no pomp necessary.
Speaking of pomp, Bryan picked up a People magazine the other day at our compound store so Hannah could catch up on all the latest gossip among the celebrities. Much to her surprise, about six pages had been torn out, Britney’s knees had been blackened, and the world seems to no longer wear swimsuits or low-cut dresses but instead sport suspiciously thick black markings that are decidedly not designer fashion wear. Rules may be less enforced at the DQ (diplomatic quarter), but censorship is alive and well at Al Yamama (our compound). It has become a keepsake item for us!
We do like our little villa and the compound. The pool and surrounding gym, whirlpool, and Jacuzzis are lovely. I have no excuse but to walk over there a few nights a week, after all it is free, not crowded, and air-conditioned, opposite of what we experienced in Korea! I have not succumbed to the “everybody needs a maid” syndrome just yet. I would like someone to iron all the infernal cotton we brought with us, and clean all these white floors, but I find myself reluctant to do so. I sense an air of entitlement here that I never experienced in Korea, and of course, I am fearful that we will all start expecting someone else to clean up after us and cook our meals. Yes, it would be easier, but not necessarily best for us.
As for the American International School of Riyadh- well, the jury is still out for me. Bryan fell in love immediately with his students, and I will admit they are a lovely bunch in the elementary as well. However, I was originally a bit disappointed with the lack of definition for my position and I am still concerned about the written curriculum. I have now designed my position, but as to the lack of curriculum…well, we shall see. I think my first inclination is to want changes immediately, but I have already learned that the wheels move slowly here. Those who have been here awhile strive to keep the peace and don’t think to question the status quo. We new folks are wondering at the lack of any true written curriculum and curriculum maps that follow a textbook, but it causes few ripples anywhere else, it seems. I find myself a bit disappointed that I failed to notice this crazy imbalance between good and terrible curriculum when we interviewed, but I am seeing now that it not that the curriculum is missing- it is just not followed! We will see how this transpires.
As for the kids-, they seem to be doing well. Nathan is probably the most shell-shocked in the middle school. The prevalence of foul language is tough on him and he finds it hard to relate to the tougher, more aggressive style of the Middle Eastern boy. He does have a few friends, and enjoys the teachers, so I am hopeful that he will be ok, but I must admit that I am concerned. Middle school is a hard road to traverse for most kids, and my prayer is that he will truly trust God in this. His heart is to relate and to be a light to others, and I know this is a growth place for him and me!
Hannah met a few friends on the first day that have proved to be just what she needed for the transition to a new school. She has had fewer roller coaster emotions than Nathan has, and truly seems to enjoy her classes and her time here. She is getting involved with the newspaper, drama, and the yearbook, just to name a few things. A few of her new friends are Muslim, so she is getting some first-hand information on the vast differences of her beliefs to theirs. I am praying for her to find a Christian friend as well, and I am trusting God in this. I know the importance of like-minded friends, and that goes for all of us!
Rachel does keep in touch with us fairly well, and I am thankful for that. Venues like Face Book and Skype prove valuable for sending notes and hearing the latest on college life. She just got a job in the library putting bar codes on the books and scanning them into the computer. She says she is ok with the mindlessness of it. We will see how long that lasts! She loves her child psychology class and puts up with math. We haven’t heard much about the others. She also admits to enjoying the daily worship at chapel and looking for a church. Her suite mates and roommates are also just right, so this mom is quite pleased with the state of her eldest.
We receive regular updates concerning our house in Virginia. The real estate agent, who sold us the house, goes in regularly and checks for mail and makes sure things are secure. He lives in the same neighborhood, so it is easy for him to stop by. We also have someone mowing and keeping up the yard. Start planning now when you will visit us if you get to the Roanoke area, or anywhere nearby. We will make room for anyone! We have already purchased our flights home for Christmas. It seems we did it just in time as they fill up by October, too weird. Rachel and my dad are both coming to Roanoke so we can have Christmas together. This is our first Christmas in the US since 1999, and our first without a Christmas party of friends and family. Oh well, what is life without change?
We are all growing, and it is indeed a bit painful on the heart, but I know we will be better as long as we gain our sustenance from the right source. I am reminded constantly of the cisterns from Jeremiah:
“My people have committed two sins:
They have forsaken me,
the spring of living water,
and have dug their own cisterns,
broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
My prayer is that we will always seek our sustenance from the living water…even in this land that is dry and thirsty; I know He reigns and lives and is working- even here.
