S as in Saudi – over and out. April 25, 2009
Posted by Aella in Al Khobar, Bahrain, Bahrain Daily, Beirut, Blogroll, Culture, Don't - just don't, Dubai, Food, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Karlskrona, Lebanon, Life, Manama, Music, Pakistan, Palestine, Pictures, Qatar, Quotes, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Sweden, Tool, UAE, War, Whack, Work.5 comments
So. I have for quite some time been thinking about ending my blogging here at S as in Saudi. I have a lot to say but still nothing interesting to be honest. It has all been said. Been bitchin’, going on my rants, praising, celebrating, crying, whining and shit…
I have recently turned over a new leaf and I can see things quite a bit clearer and more focused when it comes to my life. I must say that, the years that I have been blogging here has been some of the hardest yet most interesting years of my life. I finally feel I can focus even if I don’t know exactly where I am heading. At least I know where I am not looking to head.
It has been an interesting journey where I started blogging to record the changes in my life and attitude and ended up a truly different person in a situation in which I never thought I would be in.
So I guess this is the last post here. I will keep the blog online for now and I will come back and hopefully read old posts and comments with a smile. It has been great getting all these comments from people all over the place. Some of you which I got to know a little more and some who only came once for whatever reason. I want to thank you all for your presence.
I will eventually be blogging elsewhere but it will be about a topic that I am passionate about. Who knows, we might meet again.
love to all of you out there
Sous
Poaceae April 14, 2009
Posted by Aella in Bahrain, Manama.add a comment
This morning as I drove back to Mahooz/Zinj/UmalHassam (or wherever I live) from Sanad the beautiful smell of a newly mowed lawn reached my car. It smelled so lovely :)! I could smell it as I passed by the Adhari Park but I wonder where the smell came from (I don’t rememeber seeing any lawns in Adhari Park). Lovely, lovely smell!! I want more!!
driving me mad April 8, 2009
Posted by Aella in Bahrain, Culture, Don't - just don't, Life, Manama, Whack.8 comments
Summer seems to have made its entrance here and the weather is grand indeed. I so need to find a place where I can go to (outdoors). A not so crowded, clean place by the water. I just need to go out and find it right?
The driving here…well it is getting to me on and off. It is the fact that people seem to lack common sense and instead possessing common asshole attitudes that angers me. They come in all shapes and sizes. For example, you have the young man that needs to drive in 130 the 500 meters between the two traffic lights. Dude…you don’t get any further than that.. We all have to stop here so you didn’t save any of your precious time. He posses the I-want-to-be-the-only-asshole-on-the-road-attitude. Because God forbid someone else drives like him or gets angry with his shitty driving. Then he lashes out in a retarded rage in order to frighten whoever has the nerve to get upset. This kind is really a nuisance and should be locked up in my opinion. Brain capacity 0%.
Then we have the other annoying personality. The Bahraini women that in all their holiness think they can park and drive how they want. Their mobile phones are always, and I mean always glued to their ears as they are chattering and laughing driving down the road. Only. OH!! I missed the exit to wherever I am going oooh I neeed to turn now ! Oh I don’t know how to do this! I will just drive across this narrow street with my big GMC and maybe it will work (still talking on the phone telling her friend how awful people are honking at her – how dare they?? I will tell baba!). My brain capacity isn’t enough for me to understand that I can go to the end of the street/road and do a U-turn like everyone else because I am sooo busy talking to my friend about all the craziness at work!
I am sorry but these women drive me nuts. I mean who the hell stops a big as SUV on a narrow street, blocking the traffic, ordering her shawarma…..fair enough. but then she sits and waits for it as the blocks the traffic (Adliye), talking on the mobile, pretending she doesn’t understand what all the honking is all about. I mean what the hell is wrong with a person like that? Some parts of the brains are missing or she just wasn’t brought up at all? And this is not a one off. I have seen it plenty of times.
Impulse is the name of the game here. I want to stop here. So I will do it. I am blocking the traffic but it is my right to do this because I have a license which must mean I am smart or something, anything right?
I want to throw my coke can out of the window now. So I’ll do it. I can’t wait until I come home and throw it in the bin. Now! I need to get rid of it now. Khallas.
I want to talk to my friend standing on the pavement. So, I’ll do it. I am blocking the traffic I know but everyone behind me is an asshole for honking. Can’t they see I am talking to my friend?
I am driving on a road with only one lane and the person in front of me is driving a tad too slow. I am flashing my lights like mad so he can drive to the side and let me pass by! Asshole! Why isn’t he driving to the side?? So what there is only one lane!!! Move asshole!! I need to drive in really fast to the next traffic light! AND I HAVE AN EXPENSIVE CAR,CAN’T YOU SEE?? I AM AN IMPORTANT PERSON!!
Ah well fugg you all. Everyone driving like this is retarded in my opinion. They never understood what traffic is all about. IT ISN’T A FIGHT OR WHO WILL GET THERE FIRST!!! IT’S TEAM WORK AND CONSIDERATION FOR THE BIGGER MASSES! IT ISN’T ABOUT YOU BEING THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON ON THE ROAD!! But then again if people aren’t raised to care for other people (other than their own immediate family) then you really can’t expect them to understand these things. Really. It is boring to see so many people with so little consideration for other people.
Bored is good April 3, 2009
Posted by Aella in Bahrain, Life.2 comments
I’m bored but I take that as a good sign. I rather be bored than suicidal, upset, desperate, crying or just plain ol’e unhappy.
I went to my kids school today and saw a kiddie “concert”. It was really cute with all the little girlies and boyz singing and dancing (some crying dying from stage fright) an it cheered me up big time. It was mini L’s first time on stage. She stood there in her little Slovakian outfit and didn’t flinch. Didn’t smile, didn’t sing and didn’t dance. Just didn’t care about where she was or what she was expected to do hehe. She didn’t smile until she saw mummy standing there with a camera waving :).
I so feel like going for a swim but I have still not found (no wonder when I haven’t even looked) a place to go swimming in. Some people say this, others says that and some are just freaked by the idea of swimming in the sea here. Too polluted they say.
Anyway, tonight I’m slobbing out in front of the TV munching my usual popcorn n chips mix. I will mark exams tomorrow, do some yoga, read, cook biriyani and probably go for a walk. Dying from all the excitement :)! Hamdulillah I’m not feeling bad in any way though.
No ado about no,no,no nothing March 23, 2009
Posted by Aella in Bahrain, Beirut, Culture, Lebanon, Life.4 comments
Me misses the crrzziness of Lebanon
I see that it has been some time since I posted. Usually not enough is happening but now I feel too much is spinning around in my head. Not that I am doing much to be honest. I go to work, go home, go food shopping and that’s about it. I don’t feel like seeing anyone these days and I am spending most of my time alone or with my children.
My mum and her husband was here for seven days which was really nice. I took them to a few places but to be honest, I don’t feel there is much to do here. They aren’t into going to shopping malls which is understandable and there aren’t any decent beaches as far as I know. I have heard of one called Algerian beach or something but I haven’t got around to figuring out where it is yet.
Something that amazes me here is how Bahraini women ALWAYS talk on the mobile while driving… It’s like their ears are stuck to the mobile. It is very rare, I think to see a Bahraini woman driving and NOT talking on the mobile. Just a note.
The weather has become hotter. I miss Swedish spring. The smell of grass, trees,the sound of trickling water, the sound of birds, the sight of birds building nests. Uh, I miss nature so much.
Sucks February 23, 2009
Posted by Aella in Bahrain, Life, Manama.add a comment
When the air is full of sand. It gets in my eyes and screws up my contacts. Was seriously considering to go to Amwaj for a swim today (even if the water out there has a suspicious colour – not sure it’s healthy to swim there)
Woke up with this in my head
One,two, three, four, five, once I caught a fish alive
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, then I let it go again
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so
Which little finger did it bite?
This little finger on the right!
Don’t ask me why it was stuck in my head….
Cheers to all of you out there….
Cheers, to freedom and turning a blind eye.
Ignorance is truly bliss!
True.
I was a cynic since quite some time but it is only becoming more deep rooted within me every day.
I want to be made.. February 14, 2009
Posted by Aella in Bahrain, Life, Pictures.5 comments
Slurp dribble drool where's ma food?
Yesterday as I went to bed all stressed out (having X-mans lawyer trying to intimidate me by phone with threats – no visa – no lawyer and no money aah life is great) I had a vision. I suddenly had a wish that I was a dog. I have always thought people are ridiculous asking what kind of an animal I would be if I could be an animal…I mean, I love being around them but hell no I wouldn’t want to be one….
Now last night…. I felt it…yes….I would love to be a big fat Saint Bernard dog. Not a little, happy, yappie puppy, no, a fat, lazy, dribbling Saint Bernard with droopy, wet eyes. Just sitting and staring at people with a drooling gob. No bravery and no actions. Sleeping most of the day. Having some dummy giving me left overs and taking me for walks. Slobbering all over little kids and furniture. Farting and chasing cats in my sleep when the family has guests. No visas to worry about, no exes, no money worries, no lawyers playing head games and no nothing keeping me up at night.
I never really liked Saint Bernards. My uncle had one when I was a kid and since I was really small it used to knock me over (with its butt). It had a funny smell and the fur wasn’t even that pleasant to stroke…still…this is the only dog that came to mind.
And no, I didn’t take my pills today either.
February Friday February 9, 2009
Posted by Aella in Bahrain, Bahrain Daily, Culture, Life, Manama, Pictures, Yummies.4 comments
Yaaa baby!
A new week has started and I feel that time is flying. I am currently teaching and the weeks are passing by way too fast. On Friday I drove down to Seef beach. I needed to clear my mind and of course I ended up sobbing as I stood there on a rock gazing across the sea. Eating a banana and a bag of Maltezers. A sad sight to see.
It hit me that I’m in a puddle with borders. This sea has no connections with my sea and even if I had superman’s eye sight I wouldn’t be able to see anything even remotely resembling my country across the puddle.
God.
How sad am I on a scale for even thinking that thought?
In any case. I took a walk and ended up next to an Asian (Korean I’m guessing) couple staring into a fishermans hmm well fish box we can call it. He had just arrived back from sea and was proudly showing off his catch. He held this little octopus (I think it is classified as an octopus but I could be wrong) and I asked if I could hold it. He handed it over and I grabbed it the way he gestured I should hold it. As expected it was slimey. It curled its tentacles around my arm and fingers and coloured my skin a little dark. Slimey…but hmm I’m sure it made a great meal for the fisherman and his family (he told me they would cook all the fish later). I must say holding this poor creature made my day.
Light up the barbie!
I love being out there. It’s so quiet yet you can hear sounds in the distance. No buildings in my way, no people, no nothing.
Quite the opposite of the place where I headed after that. I have since a long time ago gathered a bunch of clothes that I want to make copies out of so I decided to go to the souq for some fabrics and to see if I could find a tailor (don’t ask me why I chose the souq when I already have a tailor and when it’s such a crowded place). Said and done.
No people! I don’t want a singing camel, a pink plastic mosque or a pashmina! And no, I am not a tourist either. I really enjoy walking around the souq, well before it gets too crowded. Only thing is that I feel that I sometimes walk around in circles and end up in the same place again and again. Same guy trying to sell me huge underwear with printed kittens on again and again. Naaa, don’t want those either. In any case. I found some black fabric and I will pick up a dress and a yoga bag tomorrow ( the bag is soo my own design – hope it turns out luukin good).
Sorry dude, just had to take a pic.
What else can I say about the souq? Well it’s smelly in some places, dirty in others, I don’t like the idea of eating there and I have a major para about catching germs whilst walking about (TB!), still I go there cus the occasional visit does something for my well being just like my little beach in Seef.
Oh and I almost forgot to mention :)! My mum and her husband are coming here in the beginning of March. I am really looking forward to that. Any suggestions of must go places?
It is Sunday, I still have no visa and I am home sick. When will things look up?
that sinking feeling January 28, 2009
Posted by Aella in Bahrain, Culture.5 comments
Wow, I just realised that the Life in Bahrain blogged is blocked….blimey… sorry about that guys.
Thanks for all the answers on the previous post. Yes, there are many ways around this block and I guess it’s not worth having a heart attack over but it’s just hmm very frustrating and sad… as if life here isn’t hard as it is.. Why don’t you just go home then you may ask? Ah well I wish I could…
I think it is really immature to block sites to be honest. It’s like a childish way to be in control of other peoples lives when you feel you have no other ways to do it. Petty, pathetic behaviour.
It is 7.17 in the morning and I wish I could go back to bed. Not feeling well really.
Today’s word….conceited.
Yalla bye Bahrain real estate! January 4, 2009
Posted by Aella in Bahrain, Culture, Dubai, India, Lebanon, Manama, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, UAE, Whack, Work.4 comments
Today I resigned from my position as a sales associate in the real estate company that I worked for. Khallas, I had enough of it and really can’t run around like a mad person doing it anylonger. The market is down big time but I must say this is not the only reason why I left since the company I worked for has a steady stream of clients wanting to rent apartments, offices and villas.
I just had enough. It has been both a great and dreadful year. I met many funny, interesting, sweet and kind people but also many seriously creepy people that wasted plenty of my time and unfortunately I have been blessed with too much patience.
The real estate market in Bahrain is in no way regulated so it is jungle to say the least. I think everyone can agree that anyone and everyone here is as an agent. From the watchman, to grandpa Abdullah, to the stray cat , to the ice cream man. A client often has many agents and things can get kind of messy in the end of who should have the commission since the same property can be shown by many agents.
There are not such word as ethics, standards or morals in the real estate market here. Agents steal each others clients, companies refuse to pay commission and even fire agents once they realise they have made a lot of sales for the company (court case – shame on you ), people steal information from each other (clients and property data) and so on. In the middle of all this you got clients noticing the chaos in the market and desperately trying to play agents against each other by bargaining on commission rates (screw you – do you think we are the Red Cross?). Many people seems to think agents are charity workers that owes them their lives (even if they pay jack-all). Not to mention the owners of property that ask you to sell their property and once you are about to close the deal for them they suddenly increase the price :). That really makes us looks like asses when we tell the clients. Well suckers, you are stuck with your property now :). Can you feel the sweat as you are paying it off not being able to get rid of it as you planned muaahahaha!
There are a few companies that have set standards for how their agents can act and they also back up their agents in times of need. I welcome and applaud this. The market needs some hard ass rules and some serious people backing up agents and kicking their asses if they act irresponsibly.
I have a great interest in the real estate market here but since being a sales associate doesn’t really lead anywhere here and all of the above mentioned, I say yalla byeeeeeeee! Gimme a shout people if you hear of any interesting vacancies 😉 !
Oh, and Happy New Year!
Have a wicked 2009!
S as in Saudi 