Reset

Posted on July 21, 2014 by TheJessicaness
Sparky getting his much needed attention while Piggy lounges on the couch behind us

Sparky getting his much needed attention while Piggy lounges on the couch behind us

I had the alarm set for 5:15, woke up and reset it to give me another hour of sleep that I quickly took. I was in the middle of a dream when the alarm went off again. I covered the dogs up and got dressed. Breakfast at 7am, shower, and leave for base at 11am. I go to PSD to find out that we got our travel expense money to get us from San Diego to here ($5,300) which helps cover the cost of the dogs and our trip to Alaska, but after five weeks here have yet to receive any money to cover our hotel bill which we’ve paid $4,700 for 30 days. When we move out in a week we will owe another $3,100 and will need $2,800 to move in to our villa and are still getting interest fees on our four-digit credit card debt balance.

cute letter idea I found online

cute letter idea I found online

The guy at the counter, PS3, took all the paperwork and luckily QM2 Richards, from the Dextrous, was there to give him the number to the OOD (officer of the deck) so he could call Caleb and verify the power of attorney and my presence in trying to verify what money we had and why we hadn’t received the rest. PS3 was able to tell me that they just put in a payment due (to us) on Sunday (when the States are closed) and we should be receiving $2,700 for Caleb. They messed up his paperwork and forgot about me which should give us another $1,500 by the end of the week.

one of our many hotel bills

one of our many hotel bills

I went to Personal Property and was given the same number to call about the car. I don’t care when it gets here, but I need to know so I can make arrangements with the rental company. Then I went to Housing to turn in another TLA (temporary living allowance) form and ask some questions about the place we are moving into soon. The guy told me to write things down on a blank page and sign it with the property manager to turn in so it can be added to our pre-lease when we sign the actual lease in three days. I could add it to that, but I’ve got five days after moving in to fill out a form with anything that needs to be fixed, replaced, or removed. And I’m wondering how many transformers I might need and how to add things to the list after our stuff gets here.

where the boats are

where the boats are

Caleb was going to be off work at noon and started his trek to the pass office on Mina Salman while I went to check mail. I picked up a book, Longbourn (the maids point of view from Pride and Prejudice time period), from the free table and talked to a staff sergeant about reading, libraries, and series. We walked towards the gate together, her going back to work, and me to the car to grab the bag of bottles to recycle. I picked up two more bottles on the way to the bin.

I got two dinars of gas on my way between bases. I got to the gate and the guys inside recognised my hat and complimented me on looking like a Hollywood star, even with the scar on my face. I called some office and he called the guy I was talking to, The Supervisor, and I was allowed on base as the duty driver pulls up and offers me a ride. I have such luck, poor Caleb. I’m able to meet him at a building with turnstiles, but from there I park the car and he still has to walk along the pier. He hands me the bright pink pass giving permission for Carl Aldridge to drive on base. When Caleb told them about the mistake he was told that the car’s information is more important than his. That’s good to know.

the back of our pink base pass

the back of our pink base pass

By now it’s 1pm and I’m late for my lunch date. Carole called when she got done with her house hunting early and I forewarned her that I’d be late. There were two accidents on the way home. A four car accident southbound missing the rear car and one on the shoulder northbound with a missing car engine because it went up in flames. We get to the room at 1:30 and meet Carole at Yamin Jana. They’re open from 11am to 3pm for lunch. She gets pita and hummus, Caleb the Greek salad (I think he was hoping for a side portion), and I got a falafel sandwich (actually a wrap) with fries. We stayed and talked until a realtor came to pick Carole up at 3pm.

my un-instagramed lunch photo

my un-instagramed lunch photo

Caleb and I worked out together, improving his flexibility, balance, and methods. I showed him what a Spiderman push up is. Then I typed this up before reading about the Amazon (the river that holds every record except longest, that record goes to the Nile). Caleb shortened his run this evening and then we walked the dogs while he was still sweaty.

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Running Late

Posted on July 20, 2014 by TheJessicaness

Caleb woke me at 6:15 and I dropped him off, walked the dogs, and went to breakfast to get some coffee. I will take care of paperwork after getting a shower, possibly waiting for the houseboys to clean, and waiting until the offices open. I debate the gym, even though I know how happy it makes me afterward. I need to finish cleaning my camel. 

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I polish my camel and Caleb’s square. I upload resized photos to the blog giving me 14% of my space back. I still have another 15 posts to go, but published another one. I did a 20-minute workout (that took longer than that) and tried Spiderman pushups (bend arms and bring one knee up to the elbow, switch, and repeat). I did side pushups too.

IMG_2279

I had pizza all day, some chocolate, and chips. I was reading and feeling sleepy so I watched TV for 30 minutes to help revive me and then got back on the computer. Sparky didn’t eat today. It will be nice when we can vary his food again. Dad went to see the last live show of Monty Python. He said it was bittersweet. 

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Mosaic Morning and Late Night Laundry

Posted on July 19, 2014 by TheJessicaness
worth waking up for

worth waking up for in Bahrain

The alarm went off and I laid back down for just a moment. I knew that if I went back to sleep I could wake up late and throw off our timing for picking up dinar and Priya – a girl who asked for a ride on Facebook, and that after checking Google Maps, I offered to do. Before I could debate the comfiness of the bed any longer Sparky was in my face whining for me to take him out.

mosaic in progress

mosaic in progress

Caleb woke at 6:19, I blogged for a bit, ate some cereal, and we left the hotel at 8:30 to go to the ATM at Alosra Supermarket. We got lost finding Priya and got to her housing complex at 9:18. We had clear directions and no trouble finding the right gate to Jasra Oasis Compound. I tried knocking on an empty door and Priya asked the lawn guy where the clubhouse is – where a few people, including Ilse the mosaic teacher, already were.

ladies making an Arabic tea pot and a flower inspired by Pinterest

ladies making an Arabic tea-pot and a flower inspired by Pinterest

a turtle, mirror, camel, and mermaid with couple in background

a turtle, mirror, camel, and mermaid with couple in background

We grabbed our cutouts – a camel, square with mirror, and mosque with mirror – and sat at the end of a table. We started grabbing tiles arranged by color, shape, and shininess from the array of plastic containers covering four tables and putting our selections on plates that we’d been given. We were joined at the fourth seat by Sarah who had come to finish her camel, completing our table, and helping to fill the room with over 20 creatives.

kids and adults finding inspiration to create

kids and adults finding inspiration to create

another camel (very popular choice) and the boy working on hamsa aka hand of Fatima

another camel (popular choice) and the boy working on hamsa aka hand of Fatima

Each spot comes with a pencil for drawing your design, a sharpened chopstick for cleaning up dried grout, a bottle of Elmer’s glue to stick the tiles in place, and a mosaic glass cutter for trimming squares and circles to size. I started glueing tiles down and the order came to me as I went. One hour easily went by, and then another two. The power kept going out taking the cold air and the lights with it. We didn’t mind the latter as the sun shone bright enough outside, but it was the first that made us sweat as we were all bent over our work.

symbolism, a cross, and a camel (viva Bahrain)

symbolism, a cross, and a camel (viva Bahrain)

hands helping their table mate

hands helping their table mate

I started to get hungry and lose focus at 1 o’clock until lunch was served at 1:30. It was hard for the ‘chefs’ in the kitchen to cook chicken with multiple power outages, but as soon as lunch was announced I was the first in line. I got a large helping of salad – spiral noodles, carrots, bell peppers, pomegranate, olives, etc. and some garlic bread. I went back for seconds and there was enough for me to have thirds, but I was full. Caleb got chicken thrown on his plate, so he ate it.

Caleb concentrating on placement

Caleb concentrating on placement

Caleb was finishing tile placement at 3:30 while I was maybe halfway done. Four people were left glueing tiles while the others started to smear grout. I finished an hour later and laid my brown grout all over my uneven surface. We were given the option of brown, white, or black – whichever we thought would go best with the tiles we chose. I took mine outside to dry and then took a moist sponge to the surface, just enough to see the top of the tiles, but not too much to take grout away from in-between.

waiting for grout color selection

waiting for grout color choice

Priya's on left, Caleb's on right

Priya’s on left, Caleb’s on right

I came in to fine tune my camel with my sharpened stick and noticed it was 5:30. It was time for Caleb to pay so we could take Priya home. She made the Taj Mahal with her daughter’s name, Lolly, on it and a drink coaster. If you were a quick artist, Ilse would let you make the smaller object for free, as not everyone chooses the difficult route I did of making a large image and choosing not to make a border first. This makes it more difficult to finish when having to cut all the tiny pieces to fit the edge, but I didn’t want mine to look like all the others. And mine is definitely the odd camel out.

close-up of another camel

close-up of another camel

Caleb added the numbers 5377 to his mosaic to represent his wife’s name, the same digits that appear on his right hand. He did an excellent job and I claimed it as a birthday gift, even if it is a month early, like Sparky was seven years ago. Caleb paid the 50 dinars, price for both of us for supplies and lunch, and then we wrapped our creations in pink plastic to protect them and our rental car.

my mosaic mess awaiting grout

my mosaic mess awaiting grout

We got lost taking Priya home and happened by a demonstration. She lives in a black flag area. I didn’t have time to take a picture of the fifty men in black, let alone a second glance, as the guy behind me honked his horn. We had been redirected down a street with a don’t enter sign. Made a turn on the last street to her house and a kid with a bag full of trash on his way to the dumpster almost ran into the front of the car. I’m glad his brakes worked faster than mine. We all had our hearts in our throats.

Caleb capturing his artsy wife in action

Caleb capturing his artsy wife in action

She asked us to drop her off in the back closer to her house and past the dogs that are let out at night that bark at people. I don’t blame her. I wouldn’t want to have to walk by their vicious faces either, even if the chain is set to a perfect length. She thanks us for the ride that her husband couldn’t give her since he was at work and tells me to keep in touch. She had a lovely time and looks forward to more lost adventures in Bahrain with me – I agree.

the pizza that inspires an eight inch growth spurt

the pizza that inspires an eight inch growth spurt

We went to Il Capo for pizza at 6:30, ordered two – veggie and Margherita, and some fried garlic bread that is absolutely delicious. We waited in the car while they got our order ready. Caleb thought it would be a great idea to start laundry after we got home late instead of letting it wash all day while we were out. We watched some TV until he felt sleepy, and then I stayed up for the next 2 to 3 hours cleaning my camel waiting for the machines ‘done’ alarm to sound so I could hang his things in hopes they would be dry when we woke in the morning. He has duty tomorrow and needs what few clothes we brought. I can take a nap when I get tired.

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Cereal for Breakfast, Black Flags for Lunch

Posted on July 18, 2014 by TheJessicaness
kiteboarding at Amwaj Islands

kiteboarding at Amwaj Islands

I didn’t go to bed until after 2am which didn’t help me to be on time picking up Caleb at 9am. He forgave me and we went to the store for Honey Nut Cheerios, Weetabix Crispy Minis Fruit & Nut, and some Raspberry Ginger Clusters & Flakes. And somehow it’s already 12:40pm.

downtown architecture

downtown architecture

We left the house at 1:30 headed towards Busaiteen, then to the Central Bank of Bahrain, and drove around the block once to find parking, stopping in front of a cold store. We enjoyed the old buildings and new; chipped paint and shiny glass; and empty streets with people moving around indoors. We saw the Saudi and Kuwait embassies and wanted to go inside, but as we approached, the guards came out and I smiled, waved, and turned towards the car. I don’t know the rules for visiting a foreign embassy (without passport and proper attire), but Washington, D.C. offers an Around the World Embassy Tour of over 50 countries.

looking through the hole

looking through the hole

We drove towards the World Trade Center with the intention of walking around, but passed the souq and I kept driving. We were going down a road and to my left I spotted a market, so I turned left to find parking and stopped the car in front of an empty garage door – a shop that is closed for the holiday. There is a cemetery behind us and I take a picture as I see the mosque and wonder if the grounds are considered too sacred for photography. We walk towards the way we came in, past a guy that looks 78 years old sitting on a bench like he’s been living there, so I can get pictures of the art and graffiti on the walls.

birdy brunch

birdy brunch

I see a couch on a divider in the road and it’s not until I point my camera, aim and shoot, that I notice the, somewhat tattered, black flag waving on the corner of a wall. I mention it to Caleb and wonder if it’s to keep us out of the wall, or the street, or the area… how did I not notice?! We walk back towards the car and the guy that was sitting lonely on the wall looking ancient and rundown has managed to get up and step lightly until he is close behind us. We pass each other slowly and he turns his head. I keep walking until we’re in the car and I can sneak a drink of water.

what the birds were eating

what the birds were eating

We head back to the road we came on and look down the street as we pass. There are more black flags. We drive on, following cars for a while, and then I make another turn. This time I shout at the size of the black silk rectangles blowing in the wind. There had to be at least four at the entrance of a small door. I didn’t stop long to see much else. And if the navy and American negative campaigns hadn’t done enough – traffic stops and I think the worst. Caleb assures me it’s a bus stop, and we’re at a red light, and moving forward again.

Ministry of Finance

Ministry of Finance

Part of me wants to stop, to pull over, to take pictures, to walk around, to buy things. I want to experience Bahrain, but this is their territory that is clearly marked. I hear of other spouses and couples going into off-limit areas (country club, etc.) that have lived to tell the tale. I want to go to Saudi even though locals here don’t and everyone tells me I can’t because they don’t like me. We are done with the flagged areas today and Caleb finds us a route out. We are almost on the highway when I see a Lulu’s – like the rundown old elementary school version versus the new high school one that is closer to our hotel.

cemetery near mosque

cemetery near mosque

We get offered a car wash, there are women begging out front, and the ceilings are low. There are lots of dress stores, kitchen appliances, shoes and bags, and the large clothing and grocery store on the other side. We walk around looking at everything and Caleb notices a bright pink wallet. We come back when the owner has no other customers so we have her attention and I can point to the wall of pink until she touches the right one.

grassy grave

grassy grave

On the highway, it’s about 4pm, and we are thinking about dinner. Caleb suggests Casa Mexicana in Adliya because it was recommended to me and so was El Capo in Hidd. We figure we will go home and hydrate first. My fingers are swollen and starting to burn, and then I think of Christie’s homemade salsa and get in the mood for chips and dip. We turn to Alosra and Caleb says that their selection is like a convenient store, just not one he wants to buy anything at.

Twisted No.1 in Used Equipment

Twisted No.1 in Used Equipment

We have a British man giving us a hard time trying to leave the parking lot because he feels he has the right to the whole thing and won’t move his car. I get around him and we go to Lulu’s where we buy three bags of chips (salt and pepper, jalapeño, and veggie), two salsas (hot picante and Newman’s pineapple), some guacamole (that we introduced the stock boy to), and four cheeses (garlic, herb twist, Brie, pepper jack).

couch on black flag corner

couch on black flag corner

We get home at 5pm, walk the dogs, start laundry, and get our snack ready. We watch a cartoon and then a documentary on Ken Jones, from 2003, about two avalanches that caused him a broken leg and fractured hip. He struggled for three days and lost four toes to frostbite after a boot went down current while he was crossing a river. We finish off a bag of chips, a packet of guacamole, and the two cheeses that were already in the fridge. It seems that will be dinner and I’m fine with that.

I read. Caleb runs. We sleep.

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The Day of Birthday Celebration for Angel

Posted on July 17, 2014 by TheJessicaness
sign on base

sign on base

I didn’t get out of bed until five minutes to 6am. It felt great. We’re on our way to the ship when Caleb gets a call from Douglas. He’s still at his hotel and needs the duty driver to come get him. I suggest it will be quicker if we do and I get them both to work by 6:30am. I eat an early breakfast, and notice someone else was in there before 6:50. I take a shower and then give the dogs their anti-bug chews and oily drops on their back. It will be nice to have their medication back – one small pill covered in peanut butter.

Reika, Nikki, Amy, Josie, Christie, Angel, Mark, me, Yanell, Lucas, Nick

Reika, Nikki, Amy, Josie, Christie, Angel, Mark, me, Yanell, Lucas, Nick

I let the internet suck away two hours of my life. I take the dogs out to pee and leave here at 9:30. I’m on my way to the library when two guys on a golf cart on base reverse and look my direction. I tell them I’ve seen rubbernecking before, but never reversing. They tell me they were looking at a sign. I bet, but it gave us all a good laugh.

my apple-walnut-raisin-blue cheese-spinach-romaine salad with balsamic

my apple-walnut-raisin-blue cheese-spinach-romaine salad with balsamic

I get to the library at 10am exactly and the two volunteers have no idea what the cross-stitch thing is. I ask the lady inside and she told me she cancelled because she has things to do – like talk to your friend and watch books!! You’re a librarian. I told her it was fine. I will wait till my things get here and do it by myself. I was just hoping someone else was interested so I could make a friend.

5 riyals = $1.33 = 500 fils

5 riyals = $1.33 = 500 fils

On my way to the NEX I pass the same two guys. I guess it’s their job to update the DUI sign with current numbers of the rank of who got in trouble, how many days it’s been since the last person got in trouble, etc. I’m really getting adjusted here as I don’t realize how hot it is until I step inside and can feel the sweat all over my body and beading down my forehead threatening to dive-bomb my eyes.

the birthday girl checking my blood pressure (cake meter)

the birthday girl checking my blood pressure (cake meter)

I walked all the way to the back to go in, so I walk to the gym side upstairs (closer to the gate and where I parked the car) and sit entertaining myself by people watching – who will take the elevator and who will take the stairs. I was going to get a picture of the sign downstairs that says, “Get exercise. The elevator is for handicap and heavy packages or carts” but the door opened and a small, very capable, guy stepped off as a woman approached and felt the need to tell me that she was feeling lazy today – like I care.

Christie wrapping asparagus in bacon and Sergio rubbing mustard on the camel

Christie wrapping asparagus in bacon and Sergio rubbing mustard on the camel

I leave my seat at 10:50 to head to Bennigan’s. I get there at 11:10 which gives me time to go to the bathroom and get seated in the air-conditioned bar with the smokers. I grab my stuff and get out of there to join the two guys enjoying their lunch. They were the ones that asked that the door be closed because it was starting to bother them. I text the girls to make sure I’m at the right one and then Yanell with Lucas and Nicki walk in.

view of Galali with Angel from the third floor

view of Galali with Angel from the third floor

We sit at a table for six and the waitress brings the boss’ fan down to help keep us (the baby and expectant mother) cool while the A/C gets cleaned. Amy and Nick show up the same time as Reika and we add another table, and then add another when Christie arrives with her three kids – Mark, Joselynne, Angel. Everyone brought presents but me… Oops! I thought we would be bringing them at dinner and I’m used to being invited across the street just to help eat cake. I’ve forgotten my party manners.

Angel showing me her watercolors - all the purple and gray ones

Angel showing me her watercolors – all the purple and gray ones

 

We order our drinks – me a lemonade that I fill half with my water – and then order our food. I’m not the only one to get the apple walnut salad. After some time the waitress comes out to tell us that they are out of mac-n-cheese – the whole reason we came because it’s Angel’s favorite dish. She seems to be ok with ordering not one, but two, burgers (sliders) and while we wait for the food Angel opens her presents. She got plenty of Play-Doh, a Hello Kitty swimsuit, a My Little Pony, three cute dresses, and some cash among other things. She liked the stickers the best.

Angel showing me the pool

Angel showing me the pool

All the sliders, a Reuben, and Monte Cristo’s come out before the two large salads. I eat all the romaine and Yanell eats all the spinach. I was wondering how we were going to split the check, but the waitress brought each of us our own. When I handed her the bill with cash she asked if I ordered a water – no, that’s the water I brought in and nothing else is said. That is, until she hands me Saudi riyals. Caleb told me to be careful of this because of the exchange rate so I asked for change. Their five ‘dollar’ bill is only worth 500 fils in Bahrain (half a dinar). I have fun enough with two currencies in my wallet.

the kids: Josie, Angel, Mark

the kids: Josie, Angel, Mark

We stood up to leave and grab all the bags when Christy remembered that she brought a cake. The waitress brought a candle and a lighter and Angel blew it out before we could sing. Once the song was done she got to do it again. Christy cut the cake open to see inside and we all agreed we could have it at the house later when we’re not so full.

my meaty dinner

my meaty dinner

I waste three hours at the house and then Reika sends me the address for Christie’s. I feel bad not bringing any gifts or drinks or snacks, but I did ask. She lives five minutes from my house in a large complex. I park out front next to a dumpster and ring the bell. It sounds extravagant and a man opens the gate. I stumble to tell him I must have the wrong door, but he is so kind as to tell me the lady I’m looking for with three kids lives next door.

the cake after Angel stuck the candle in twice

the cake after Angel stuck the candle in twice

I ring the bell and hear Angel’s voice. I’m glad to know I’m at the right door. I meet Christie’s husband, Sergio, and their friends Sabi from Pakistan and Aaron, nicknamed Courtney, from the Gladiator. Some other guys from the Gladiator show up to eat, have a drink, hang out with Angel and leave. On the menu is meat and more flesh and I’m wondering how to break the news, but I don’t want something like that to ruin the night when I’m surprised to hear that there will be camel to eat. Now I have something new to try. I have an appetizer of chips and spicy homemade salsa and a Yuengling.

Josie posing for photos at the table

Josie posing for photos at the table

I thought the other wives would show up, but the command policy keeps them from bringing their husbands – whom were all home tonight except mine, but even then he’s from a different ship. My time is split between playing doctor and building Lego houses with Angel, and talking with the adults. Angel got two orange ball things out of the fridge and told me to get my own so I could try it. Christie cut it open and I was expecting juice so some landed on the floor. It’s somewhat gelatinous and definitely a different texture, but nothing bad. I won’t need to try another one. 

Angel enjoying the icing, Sabi behind her

Angel enjoying the icing, Sabi behind her

Christie’s kids are smart and respectful. We hang out while the host couple and others go to the bakery to watch the bread bake that will be used for dinner. I went to the third floor and listened to the prayers, got a panorama of the view, and saw the guys on the grill. The kids and some of the guys were in and out of the pool that is cooled in its own outdoor room. Christie’s house is phenomenal. It has three living rooms downstairs and one upstairs for the kids. Back in the kitchen with Angel, “My toe cut itself so I need a banana.” I love the excuse to eat something healthy, not thinking it might ruin her appetite for later. 

Christie posing in her dress made at the Souq

Christie posing in her dress made at the Souq

I have a pineapple juice and coconut vodka drink with dinner – camel meat, some butter chicken that Sabi made, and fresh-baked tortilla-ish bread. I was able to sample the meat first and dip it in the sauce. It was nice when it was sliced thin. I was given a small chunk, but it’s been so long since I’ve had to tear meat apart with my teeth. It made me feel like a cave woman, part barbaric and part sexy; and I had a napkin to wipe my face instead of a loin cloth or my arm.

Aaron on the hookah out of the pool

Aaron on the hookah out of the pool

After that it was time for cake. It had a picture of Frozen characters on it and pineapple in the middle. It took Angel three times before she could settle down enough to eat half of hers. I was surprised to see her awake still at 11:30pm and hadn’t realised the time had flown by. I went to leave when Sabi went home, but Angel wanted me to stay a moment longer – just long enough to watch her fall in the pool trying to get one of the half air/half water balloons that her brother had thrown in there.

Sabi showing us how to blow smoke rings

Sabi showing us how to blow smoke rings

The balloons smelled like kerosene and were quite tough, and pink with white polka dots. Josie really likes my bag. I debate giving it to her when my other bags get here. Christie walked me out and we talked until 1:30. I wish I could’ve recorded more of the evening. I had a great time. As I drove away I smiled to myself – I was out past curfew again. I’m glad it’s a weekend but I still have to pick up Caleb in the morning. The guard was still able to find me a spot in the top lot and when I said thank you he said, “You’re always welcome.”

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