Hyperpanda shopping center

Jack and I took an early morning walk to the shopping center nearby.  I rarely get a chance to take pictures in public places because Saudis are fairly private and modest people (understatement...).  But at 7am no one was out (and nothing but Starbucks was open) so I took some photos.

The main grocery store is called Hyperpanda and has a giant shopping cart in front.  These pictures are in the food court.  I don't know if I've explained the seating arrangements in public places before or not.  Every place is separated into "singles"and "family" sections.  The "singles" section is for men only.  The "family" section is for women, children, and men who are accompanied by their wives. So if Rob goes out by himself he has to go to the singles' side, and if he's with me he goes to the family side. 

For example, the Starbucks is essentially two identical Starbucks divided by a wall, with separate entrances, and the one guy working there goes back and forth between the two sides.  The family side has frosted glass on the windows, and the singles side has clear glass and an outside seating area.  All restaurants with seating are like this, or at least have dividers that they set up between tables to provide privacy for women.  Some places, like the banks, are separated strictly into "men" and "ladies" sections rather than the "family" section.

Grill Xpress which has Lebanese food like hommus, tabbouli, kabobs -- and Shawarma Inn

Dhow Restaurant with fried fish and chicken, and a Chinese restaurant

"Singles section"

"Family section" - notice the barriers put up for privacy

"Singles" seating -- by Mongolian Grill, something I don't know, Popeyes, Baskin Robins

Busy days...

We have been very busy, just as I expected...but it is a good busy.  Student Council elections, Open House, teaching.... I am also now coaching the varsity girls volleyball team (if you remember, I coached JV last year) and today was our last tryout so I'm posting the list and breaking girls' hearts tomorrow.  I wish they all could play but you've gotta win, right?  Our tournament this year is at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) which is on the Red Sea, so we will fly there at the end of October.  Here is an interesting article about KAUST on NPR. 

Jack is growing up so fast and talking our ears off.  He even started shaving this week.

And he has finally started to appreciate the adorable giraffe costume I got for him last Halloween.

We have a three day weekend coming up (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) because of Saudi National Day, so I will try to get out and actually take pictures of Saudi Arabia rather than just Jack in our house! 

Back to School

Jack was all ready for school (nursery) on Saturday!  He wore his new fast running shoes which make him run so fast that Sydney will not catch him and his backpack with the orange giraffe with a long neck, and inside the backpack were two toy trucks for the car ride and of course, bear, for taking a nap at school.  I suddenly understood why parents take first-day-of-school pictures!

Here are a few more from summer...in no particular order.

Riding the ferris wheel with Daddy at the Price County Fair

Asking Grandma "What would you like to drink?" at the abandoned bar in Bannack Ghost Town, Montana

With wonderful cousins Olivia and Ben

This carousel had about 30 horses, but Jack chose the one camel!  With uncle Jason on our visit to Madison

Feeding goats on a trip to the MN zoo with Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Steve

Feeding deer at Jim Pecks in Minoqua, WI with Grandma Karin

Grandpa Dave is always good for a huge bowl of ice cream and fresh picked raspberries!

Saudi Week 1, Round 2

We are safely back in Saudi Arabia, and have been settling in for a few days.  Tomorrow we go back to school for teacher work week, and Jack will return to nursery.  Rob and I will both be very busy for the start of this year -- Rob is teaching IB Biology  in the new International Baccalaureate program at our school along with mentoring a new biology teacher (who is from Minnesota...small world), and I am doing lots of admissions testing and revamping the Learning Support program.  On top of that, we volunteered to lead the Student Council so we are busy planning elections and a Back to School Dance.  Exciting!

There are a lot of new teachers this year, including several American and British families that have small children for Jack to play with!  We have enjoyed being on the other end of the culture shock/settling in period.  Rob has been giving lots of rides, remembering how difficult it was to get around without a car.  I'm sharing my knowledge of which delivery places actually answer the phone, speak English, and can find our compound.   We also ordered a bunch of Indian food and invited some of the new staff over for dinner.

As everyone tells each other about their summer trips, we have gotten lots of questions about the Pleasure Cruiser - which turned out to be pretty awesome.  Here is a photo to prove it...

Some more summer highlights...

Fishing with Grandpa

Jack's special pond at Uncle Dan's house

Eating Marshmallow Sandwiches

Chowing Down on Porkchops

At Kelsey's Wedding in Bozeman, Montana

P.S. to Mark's family and friends who read this...he is back too, just returning from an Ultimate Frisbee tournament in Italy.  I'll try to take some more pictures of him to prove to you all that he does indeed live in Saudi Arabia :)

Summer Travels

I've been getting a hard time about not blogging this summer (Mal....) so I thought I'd put up a few highlights.  We have about two more weeks left stateside (I think I'm so cool when I say "stateside"), and the summer has gone by quickly. We've been in Wisconsin, Florida, Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Montana.  I will put more pictures up when we return to Saudi and have more time.  For now, here are some photos taken at some amazing tourist destinations in South Dakota.

The Countdown

Less than a week from now we will be in Minnesota!  At school we have made it through graduation and are finishing up final exams for the rest of the students.  We are so excited to go home for the summer.  Mostly what I'm looking forward to (besides seeing all our family and friends!) is greenery and outdoor activities, so if anyone wants to go for a walk with me, I'm in.  Also being able to drive myself to Target!  Jack is most looking forward to fishing with Grandpa, and Rob is most looking forward to Taco Bell (obviously).

Jack has recently overcome his fear of bouncy castles.  We have had several opportunities to try them out at going away parties for some families who are leaving and birthday parties.

In other news, Rob and I just went downtown to buy a big boy bed for Jack.  We are planning to have him sleep in it when we return at the end of August.

 Looking forward to seeing you all!

Diving Practice