To a Multi Media Arts student like my daughter who chose to major in Photography and 2D/3D animation, here in SAudi Arabia, taking pictures in public is a struggle.  She brought along with her the camera she’s been using in her class but she avoids shooting in the open because Saudis are known to raise concerns to being photographed especially women.  Under their law, there are certain areas and government buildings that may not be photographed citing security reasons.

With the proliferation of “point and shoot” cameras, somehow people here are beginning to open up a bit but there are still some who are suspicious that their pictures are taken and sometimes become emotional and will forcibly stop you for taking pictures.   The only safe way to take pictures here is to make sure that you are not pointing your cameras on people or sensitive government buildings or compounds.   Usually, there is “No Photographs please” sign prominently posted so you will be aware .  Well, on the other hand, there are also safer grounds that photography is allowed like Embassies, the comforts of your housing or your compound but still, we make it a point to be discreet and careful in taking pictures in public so as not to violate whatever stand they had about public photography.

That is why, she told me that there are pressures in taking pictures here and there will never be great outdoor subjects available because of the restrictions.   Since her camera is one of those high end bulky DSLR  camera,  we seldom use it outside but instead we prefer to use my compact digital camera because it will go unnoticed and I can travel light considering its size and weight.  I can just toss it in my bag and used it for every shooting opportunity.  We love photographs!

Unless their society comes to term with this photo art, Saudi Arabia will continue to be one of the challenging countries for photographers like my daughter.

I would like to share with you how our children spent the first 5 days of their stay here with us.    While their papers (iqama renewal) are in process, my husband and I make sure that their stay is maximized.  Since both of us are in office on weekdays  (Saturday to Wednesday), both of them just stayed home.  We feel guilty of  not being able to take even few days leave from work.  However, we make up by spending quality time especially the past week-end.  And that quality time happened to be Food Tripping time.   Let me recount the days 1-5….

Day 1:

My children requested this Barbecue chicken -Arabic style the next day that they were up and about.  Fresh from a good night sleep but still a little big groggy  due to jetlag yet, their rumbling hungry tummies were craving for an Arabic meal.   Well, of course their Dad immediately drove to the nearest restaurant and came home beaming with excitement to serve the chicken.  The three (my husband included) had a feast and ate with much “gusto”.

Day 2:

The night before, we planned to skip breakfast to reserve space for a “brunch” meal on the 2nd day. Quite economical because we will be eating breakfast and lunch in one sitting.  We drove to  Ikea Home Furnishing Store around 10:00 am to sample their promotional breakfast gimmick of eggs, ham, sausages for only $1.5 dollars per plate.   The extras are croissants, coffee, juice, boiled eggs, salads, doughnuts , etc. for a regular price.

Their gimmick is to offer breakfast at reasonable prices during week-ends and it worked!   People as early as 9:oo am are already making a bee line to the entrance to sample the promo!  Aside from the promo meal, you will be tempted to grab and fill your plates with add-ons.   Yes, just like us we were  very full when you get out of their restaurant.   And the tendency is to take a walk around inside the furnishing store hoping that walking will aid our digestion.   Hmmm..  we went home tummy full and a basketful of items we shopped inside.

What a way to start our bonding day!

Day 3:

We let the kids laze around the house @ day 3 while we attended a meeting.   We dine out after our meeting and we gave in again to their request of going to a  steak house this time.   We  ate to our hearts content.   Disaster!  It is always like that, after a hearty meal, I ended up feeling guilty of my indulgence.  Oh, it was too tempting and overpowering that I wasn’t able to resist and took several bites of those ribs though I conditioned myself that I will just settle  for that green salads.  My 3 companion care no less!

This is what we called “guilty pleasures”!  However, this is done occasionally like treating our children to good (but sinful) foods.  Anyway, they are young and they have fast metabolism unlike my husband and I who promised to do the treadmill hoping to burn the fats fast.

Well.. what can I say?

Day 4:

We decided to slow down a bit with eating out but promises are made to be broken.  So  there’s no stopping us.   I was picked up from the office half past 5 pm and we headed to a Turkish restaurant.   Oh no!  The cravings for Arabic meal again?

We ordered the usual freshly baked and hot from the oven flat bread called  pita (yummy!) with hummous dip which is made from cooked, mashed chickpeas, blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. It is a popular food here!

Though this bread alone can already make you full,  it won’t be enough with out mixed grill of lamb chops, chicken and beef.  The shawarma on plate completed our order.   It was watered down with our fave cocktail juice.

What a treat!  Don’t worry, we know that we should never sleep full at night.   So, after this treat, we went to a nearby mall having their 50% sale this week.   We don’t have intention to shop so we only looked around and wishing that it  will be a shopping spree day out next time.

Just a wish!

Day 5:

The family is feeling a bit sluggish these days!  The culprit is over indulgence!  We are aware of that and we admitted it to ourselves that indeed we have this successive bouts of eating out with no exercise at all!   And our bathroom weighing scale is not lying..   We have gained pounds!

I booked 2 bowling lanes for a family game right after work.  We proceeded to our Recreation hall but before that we took our light dinner in the nearby hospital family dining to give us the energy to bowl.

We are beginning to complain of our almost bulging tummies.  What do we expect?   So, watch out for the next story of the remaining 5 days of their stay with us!

Got to go.. dinner time!

After almost 10 days  Ramadan Eid break and 1 additional Saudi National day leave, it seemed that everybody are not in their best elements yet when we all reported back to work last Saturday.  First day was filled with customary greetings and a welcome feast for all!  The hospital prepared a sumptuous breakfast for all employees and a lot  joined in the “back to office” celebration!

While us in the admin section, we were already bent in doing pending work and have to deal early with numerous request from our cardiac physicians; leaves, visa request, memos….Whew!  It is too many to enumerate.  Oftentimes,  some of our doctors are getting “toxic” (that’s how we call most of them, lol) and it always tested our patience.  However, we were trained to handle those types of people, if  not, for sure, we will be at our  wits end…  Office work is really a challenge especially for us who are working in a multicultural environment.   Imagine our hospital employs more than 7,000 plus employees of different nationalities.

Tough but we believe that communication is really the key!

Yesterday, our 2 children who arrived early Wednesday morning seemed to have shaken off their jet lag and are somehow  getting adjusted to the time.   When they woke up almost noon , they requested for kabsa.  We can’t believe how famished our children were when we served them their favorite meal.  It’s been almost a year after their last visit here that no wonder they missed the dish a lot.  Besides, both  of them were  born here so it is understandable that their palates are already accustomed to eating Arabic food.   Shawarma is their second best meal, and we will also give in to their hearts’ desire.

If you are wondering what it is all about, this is what Wiki says about kabsa

Kabsa (Arabic: كبسة‎) is a family of rice dishes that are served mostly in Saudi Arabia — where it is commonly regarded as a national dish — and the other Arab states of the Persian Gulf. Kabsa, though, is believed to be indigenous to Yemen. In places like Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait the dish is popularly known as Majboos (Arabic: مجبوس‎) or Machboos (Arabic:مكبوس‎), but is served mostly in the same way.

These dishes are mainly made from a mixture of spices, rice (usually long-grain basmati), meat and vegetables. There are many kinds of Kabsa and each kind has a uniqueness about it. Pre-mixed Kabsa spices are now available under several brand names. These reduce preparation time but may have a flavour distinct from traditional Kabsa. The spices used in Kabsa are largely responsible for its taste; these are generally black pepper cloves, cardamom, saffron, cinnamon, black lime,bay leaves and nutmeg. The main ingredient that accompanies the spices is the meat, such as chicken, goat, lamb, camel, or sometimes beef, fish, and shrimp. In chicken machboos, a whole chicken is used. The spices, rice and meat may be augmented with almonds,pine nuts, onions and raisins. The dish can be garnished with hashu (Arabic: حشو‎) and served hot with dakkous(Arabic: دقوس‎) — home-made tomato sauce.

Meat for Kabsa can be cooked in various ways. A popular way of preparing meat is called Mandi. This is an ancient technique, whereby meat is barbecued in a deep hole in the ground that is covered while the meat cooks. Another way of preparing and serving meat for Kabsa is Mathbi, where seasoned meat is grilled on flat stones that are placed on top of burning embers. A third technique, Madghoot, involves cooking the meat in a pressure cooker.

I am not fond of cooking Arabic dishes and totally ignorant on how to cook it.   Besides,  I don’t have access to Mandi cooking holes, so it is best to just buy in Mattam (Kabsa restaurants) that are almost in every streetscorner.  A Saudi officemate, gave a recipe list taken from www.inmamaskitchen.com (please see below) and she told me to just follow the recipes in case I get the kick of cooking Mediterranean dishes.  I doubt!  I only know how to eat but not to cook.

Chicken Kabsa

Chicken kabsa is one of the most popular dishes in Saudi Arabia. It is considered a staple food of Arabs.

• 1 2/12 – 3 pound chicken, cut into eight pieces
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 1 (12 ounce) can tomato puree
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 medium carrots, grated
• Grated rind of one orange
• 4 cloves
• 4 cardamom pods
• 3 sticks cinnamon
• Sale and pepper to taste
• 1 pound long grain rice
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

METHOD

Sautee onion in oil until it begins to brown. Add chicken pieces, tomato puree, chopped tomatoes and garlic and stir for about five minutes over low heat. Stir in three cups hot water, grated carrot, orange rind, spices, salt and pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat, covered, about 20-25 minutes, until chicken is done.

Remove chicken. Set aside to keep warm. Stir rice into the liquid inthe pan, and cook, covered over low heat for about 35 – 40 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.

Put rice on a serving platter with chicken pieces arranged around the circumfrence. Toss raisins and almonds over all.

Serves: 6

So, maybe you could try it too!

I’ve told you on my earlier post that we received 2 invitations this week-end.   Since, I favored the Family Day instead of the children’s b-day party, I ordered a home made cake as a gift to soften up my excuses for not coming.  However, there was no chance to have it delivered so we picked it up ourselves and brought the cake to the birthday party venue.   So we had no choice but hand carried it to the venue  and present it to the celebrant.   We went there much earlier just to show up and with  plan that not to stay longer since there was this Family Day that we also need to attend to.

The theme was  Sponge bob so the whole place was decorated with all sorts of Sponge bob related designs and characters; balloons, stickers, toys that any child for that matter will surely be as excited as the celebrant.  The place is teeming with games and gifts in store for them.

Such a sweet party… chocolates, cakes, cupcakes, candies and ice creams to those who are sweet toothed but a big no to those who are diabetics.   The children were all delightful to find their favorite dishes of fried chicken, hotdog on stick with marshmallows, spaghettis and a lot.   Food galore!

We would love to have stayed for a while but we were pressed for time because hubby will  deliver his Welcome speech as scheduled.   Our friends surely understand why we were in a rush to leave and our short presence was appreciated.

Gold abounds in this Middle Eastern country and wearing gold bangles offer a touch of elegance and somehow a sense of pride if you own a piece or two.  The price of gold these days is way far pricey than years ago.   And yet people still buy gold;  be it jewelry or gold coins as investment. Here, it is not easy to decide which design to choose because of dizzying bulk of gold on displays and if you cannot reach to a good conclusion for your gold bracelet purchase, you always have to the option with custom made jewelries.  But of course, there will be difference in the selling price.

I would like to brag about my bangles which I’ve kept and treasured for more than 15 years now. Back in the year 1990s’ , price of gold is only  SR.25.00/grams and  ballooned to a whooping SR 150.00/grams to date.  Can you imagine that?  I am lucky to have wisely bought pieces in a much cheaper price.  Because, I know that I can no longer afford to buy bangles these days due to the increasing expenses of my 3 children in college.  Their needs come before mine.

Yes , we can call it a worldly possession!   On the other hand,  I am proud to say that I am saving my treasures in heaven.  I believe I am striving my best to be a good Christian.

And I am slowly getting there! How about you?

The plane landed in King Khaled International Airport at 12 midnight but my husband and I for some reasons were late.   Hubby dropped me off on Level 2 of the airport  instead of going with him in the parking lot.  And there I found these 2 anxiously waiting for us.

Sure, they were more than glad and excited to be back for a while.  They will only renew their residency permit (iqama) and semestral break will be over by October 3.  They will be flying out of Riyadh on the 4th in time for school.

Today is Saudi National Day and so timely, we will have a day to bond together.

This is the start of busy bonding days with them!

Since September 23 falls on a Thursday (weekend here) then Wednesday (September 22) will be a holiday in observance of Saudi National day.  We, in the hospital are all forced to file our leaves except for those staff who are on–calls.   A day will be automatically deducted from our accrued balances as per circular memo so we have to use it.  Hmmm… this will be a great bonding time for my family since my 2 children will be arriving tonight aboard Philippine Airlines.  They will stay for 10 days only just enough to renew their about to expire iqamas (residency permit).

We’ve  just returned to work after our  7 days Ramadan Eid holidays and barely a week, we have to rest again!   The present Saudi Arabian ruler King Abdullah pushed for reform of his deeply conservative country and upon his decree, September 23 was declared official holiday.  We believe that King Abdullah had this modern approach in ruling his country. The National day celebration is getting more colorful and public and private sectors employees are getting paid day off.

For sure, we will be enjoying left and right shopping (if our budget will allow) for most items will be up for 50% sale.

Very good!

A neighbor wasn’t able to drive  to school his 2 children because of his worsening gout problem so I volunteered to take errands.  I  patiently settled in the waiting area where most Moms and students were gathered and there I  silently observed and felt once more how campus life is.

From a distance, there was this pretty student whom I’ve overheard bragging and trying to impress her classmates with her amusing anecdotes.  She recounted on how during the past years, she found College Algebra obnoxious and sickening.  It may be an exaggerating statement but she would recall how she sat in her class feeling sick and sweaty whenever she is confronted with Factoring polynomials and even Math word problems because she simply didn’t understand the underlying principles and how to solve it.

As her story goes, she told them that she discussed her growing Math anxiety with her Mom who immediately acted upon her concerns and made the best effort to look for a Math problem solver. It was then that they’ve discovered the magic of tutornext.com, an online tutoring company which was highly recommended by their family friend.   That girl swore to high heavens that after only few weeks of personalized online tutorial services provided her,  suddenly she was not only getting  all A’s in her math classes but actually she became a Math fanatic!

The good news about the effectiveness of one-on-one tutoring spreads like wild fire in the campus and mostly K-12′s and college students subscribed to tutornext.com.  I’ve heard too, that those who have tried the initial sessions of  Math homework help are slowly but surely getting over their fear of Math.

And you can try it too!

It was timely that I called to check at home to give rush instructions to my sister Jen because my 2 children will be traveling tomorrow.  However, the land line phone kept ringing so I called her in her mobile only to find out that my Mom was rushed in a nearby hospital because of her high blood pressure.  My mom has essential high blood pressure sometimes reaching over the 180/150 mark.  She’s in her late 70′s and on drug maintenance.  However her hypertension still persists.

I was able to talk to her when she was quietly settled in her room and asked if she has eaten something which might have triggered her high blood pressure attack.   I even commented that maybe she needs to try natural remedies because those synthetic drugs don’t appear to be doing much to improve her overall health.  On second thought, I can see that her age is also a contributory factor.  She was admitted because she was nauseous and weak and her elevated BP did not stabilized even after she was given medicines and hours under observation.  She will be confined in the hospital for few days so that his attending physician will be able to assess her real condition.  I was told that her physician recommended her to undergo General Check- up and we believe that series of test would be best for her.

When I was talking to her, she sheepishly mentioned of her desire to transfer to another room.  The hospital was full house so she was admitted to a big private room.  Knowing how frugal she is, she insisted to be transferred to the next possible available shared room.  My Mom receives monthly pension and somehow she is dependent on my sister so I can feel that she doesn’t want to burden her about hospital bills.  But all of us her children will definitely support her all throughout so she should not worry at all.

I assured her that she is going to be fine and she has to enjoy her hospital stay whether she likes it or not.  I reminded my sister to make sure that Mom will take a complete rest and sleeps soundly tonight.  For sure, she will be thinking of the bills to come.

That’s how penny-wise my Mom is!