Our Timmy

I don’t usually write about Timmy. But a friend’s blog reminded me that time with our Timmy is short (he’s already 9 years old). I, like our friend, hope that what I’m / we’re doing is right for Timmy.
I’m so proud of Timmy..yes proud. It was 18 months ago when I met him and Laurie at the Riyadh airport. I still remember scanning the crowd and not seeing Laurie’s blond hair or Timmy’s red hair. For a moment I panicked thinking they had either missed the plane or were being delayed somewhere by security in the airport. Then I looked and saw a lone woman with a scarf on wearing a coat filling out paperwork. Near her was a red headed boy who did not look happy. I was proud of Timmy for leaving everything he knew behind and flying across the world to be with his Dad to a live in a foreign country.
I remember the first year of school…much bigger and academically challenging school than he came from. He kept a lot of stuff to himself but one evening he let it all out in sobs. What was really upsetting him were some bullies on the playground. After the evening of sobs he walked into the principal’s office the next morning, by himself, and told her about it. She took out a year book and had Timmy point out the boys. I was proud that he had the courage to go to the principal’s office by himself and point out the boys…the situation was resolved.
I’m proud that Timmy wants to do after school activities. He comes home excited looking over the list and picking two. Last time it was cooking and board games. Timmy would come home with recipes that we could make (French toast being his favorite he learned). This time around he wants to perform in the Wizard of Oz and baseball. I would have never done these activities and I’m proud that Timmy wants to do them and does them.
We’re not a sports oriented family but while we lived in Texas we signed Timmy up for T-ball. We all loved it. It was awesome to see Timmy go from hitting the ball off the T to seeing a coach pitch it to him and him hitting it. Here in Saudi he still enjoys playing baseball and basketball. I’m proud that he signs up each season for basketball….dribbles his heart out…makes some good shots…does his best. As for baseball he does well in that too. Last year was a little tough with the temps at 100….I made sure he drank plenty of water (but it was still tough). Timmy even got hit with the baseball and still kept playing and going. I’m proud of that.
I’m proud that he has developed a love of books. I love seeing him read. The school here promotes reading and he has to do a reading prompt each school day. But he reads even on the weekends. Timmy likes his adventure books or books about inventing something.
I’m proud that Timmy wants to listen to the scriptures, say family prayer and have Family home Evening. He wants to learn about religion. I don’t think I really cared one way or the other when I was 9…but Timmy does care.
I’m most proud that Timmy has learned and shows empathy, sympathy and inclusion. I know he doesn’t get this from me (I pretend not to care…because then I would get teary eyed). Laurie cares. But Timmy has a sense of empathy, sympathy and inclusion that is awesome. In Texas there was boy in his class who others excluded but Timmy always included him. When we left Texas Timmy’s teacher wrote him a note that said she hoped her son would grow up to be like Timmy (that brought tears to my eyes…still does). Here Timmy showed a friend empathy and sympathy when that friend had some of his friends die. Timmy told him that he knew what it was like to be without someone you really loved and liked. The counselor told Laurie that she got teary eyed when Timmy showed this awesome empathy and sympathy.
Timmy has his faults (messy room….leaves his stuff all over…) but we’ll work on that and one day, inshallah, he’ll learn the importance of a clean room, desk, house, etc… Timmy is a picky eater…again though it’s something we’re working on (and lately he hasn’t cried when I put veggies on his plates…he accepts them and nibbles at them).
I see a bright future for Timmy. But I hope that as he gets older that Laurie and I aren’t left behind or forgotten. I hope that Timmy will always want us around and to be included in his life. I hope that the memories Timmy has of his parents will always be good ones.
Yes, I’m proud of our Timmy.

Something is going on

Things have been very interesting things going on here at Jadawel Compound since the break-in a few weeks ago. Let’s start at the beginning.
A few weeks ago we all heard about a break-in where a safe had been stolen along with other stuff. The occupants were on vacation. When they came back and discovered the robbery they reported it. The driver, maid and d / m’s Mother were all taken to jail. The investigation is still going on.
The driver has been released. The women have not been released (which is why we had to hire a new maid). Rumors are that the Mom is the mafia princess (I’m not sure what that entails but at least she has a title).
Rumor is that a note with 50,000SAR (about $13,000) was thrown over the wall. The note was an apology for stealing their stuff. Interesting…but there’s more.
There have been at least 4 more break-ins. At one of the break-ins a note was left thanking the residents for the food…but making fun of them for not having anything worth stealing.
There were two attempted break-ins but a resident was in each of the villas and the would be thieves were scared off. But there’s more.
Rumor is that the security guys are shaking down the maids for money. They are telling the maids that they will frame them if they don’t get money. I’ve noticed that the maids aren’t walking around like they used to…they’ve gone into hiding.
Another rumor is that at least one security guy is a pimp for some of the maids..and of course getting his fair share of the money they’re making. Some of the maids are very young and pretty so I could see this happening.
Another interesting tidbit of corruption are the profitable parties. There are, rumor, 4 villas that charge everybody 75SAR ($20) to attend these parties. These parties aren’t limited to Jadawel residents…lots of young Arab (Saudi, Lebanese, Syrian and Jordanian) guys are coming onto the compound and partying. Again, the security guys are getting a cut because they 1) allow the Arabs on and 2) they move the furniture out of the LR and DR for the night and then move it back the next day.
Things are interesting here at Jadawel. I think I’ll have to take a walk late on Wed night to see what villas are partying. At least it’s never dull in Saudi Arabia.

Getting Groomed

For 22 years I got a haircut from either the barber or the beauty shop (I liked the beauty shop best...friendlier) on base. The military has all these rules on how the hair should look, be cut, etc.. and I accepted that. Before the military Mom and Dad decided how my hair was cut. Then I retired from the military and realized I could do whatever I wanted with my hair. I love it when the guys decide to grow the pony tail...love is a pretty strong word...amused is more like it. Personally I like the clean cut look.
Before I left San Angelo a new hair salon opened (I can’t remember the name of it). I went in and asked if I could get my hair cut with scissors...no problem. Wow my haircut looked better. I went again a few days before flying to the KSA. At that appointment I also asked if she could wax my ears (I get hair on my ears now!!!!). The stylist said she had never done that but was willing to try. She waxed my ears and then yanked out the hairs...my ears were so clean and shiny (the stylist liked the way my ears looked and said she was going to recommend this to all of her male customers).
I get to the KSA and notice that most Saudi men are very well groomed...much more than just a haircut. So I felt confident that I'd be ok when it came to a bager. Our compound has a barber and he’s really good. The problems...only open twice a week and you have to book a month to 6-weeks in advance. Sometimes I just want to drop in.
One day I was very frustrated and needed my hair cut so I stopped at a nice place. The sign said it was a Turkish Barber. I've had my hair cut in Turkey and like it. I go inside. One young guy speaks some English. He’s a stylist. I get my haircut, shampooed, he uses string to “pluck” the hair from my ears AND he trims my eyebrows. Wow. I had never been so pampered. I went back two more times. The third time he was gone and the other guy did a good job...but when he “cleaned” my ears he burned the hairs off...yes burned (my ears looked good but it was little nerve racking).
I found another Turkish Barber near..relatively speaking..our compound. Very limited English but we manage to communicate. The second time I went they asked if I wanted a manicure and pedicure. Sure why not. Then he looked at my ears and nose. The next thing I know he’s stuffing hot wax up my nose...lets it cool and then yanks it out along with all the nose hair. Wow did it hurt. BUT the inside of my nose looked better. He waxes my ears...they look very nice. The manicure and pedicure are nice. Suddenly I realize this is why women go to the beauty salon...to get groomed and pampered. I liked it.
This last time I went I not only got my ears, nose, haircut, manicure and pedicure but they also did a facial and shaved me. Wow. This is the life. Go and get fussed over for two hours and walk out looking and feeling better. This morning the guy at the gas station mentioned that I looked better (you know it’s a good day when the gas attendant mentions you look good).
Now I don’t just get my haircut...I get groomed and I like it. It’s a whole new world.