Heavy Rain on the Dry Land

While a heavy downpour is very common in a tropical country like the Philippines, it is an unusual phenomenon in a desert land such as Saudi Arabia. It's almost impossible, but it did happen. Last Monday afternoon, I hurriedly went to our rooftop to get the clothes I recently washed and hanged. The sky had suddenly darkened and it was as if heavy rain is about to fall. At first, I thought it was unlikely to happen because it is already summer and that morning, the sun was shining intensely and the weather was really hot. For a long-time resident, one can tell that the dark clouds would just go away as usual. But I instantly assumed that it is similar to my country, a heavy rain is about to fall. My assumptions have proved to be true for that afternoon, a heavy rainfall had flooded most of the places in downtown of Riyadh.

My husband had actually seen and experienced the unusual incident as he drove from his workplace. Traffic was really heavy and most of the vehicles were stranded on the streets. It's a good thing that he and his colleagues arrived home safe even though late. Their work for yesterday was even cancelled and I'm pretty sure classes as well as other duties were also suspended.

I haven't experienced the flood personally, but I have seen some pictures on the internet. The images are as bad as any calamities and I do feel sorry for those who were affected. I just hope they can recuperate from the loss they have the soonest possible time. Here are some of them (from picasaweb.google.com).  

Only in Saudi

Like any other women, I love gold jewelries and others made up of precious metals and stones. And if only I can afford to, I will buy as many as I can not only for my pleasure but also as an investment. Too bad, I'm not rich and my pocket is not overflowing with money. So for now I'm contented for whatever I have and I quench that lust for gold by just looking at them. lol!

I'm often fascinated and enticed by the jewelries for sale here. Even with their glimmering beauty and expensive value, they are carelessly displayed in glass cases without any metal barriers that will protect them from possible thieves. Likewise, jewelries that are generally composed of 18-21k gold are just hanged on the walls for buyers to have a closer and clearer view.

I have also noticed that jewelries here are for sale by weight and not by the gold composition. So if one decides to buy a 10 grams, 18k gold  rope necklace, it has the same price to that of the 10g, 21k gold  necklace of the same design. Likewise, prices highly depend on the vendor. So you just have to be diligent enough to look for the lowest price among the neighboring jewelry shops. Of course, in order to save money, you have to ask for discount. Anyway, since Filipinos are known for that , prices are always negotiable. It is also wise to buy gold when only few buyers are around so you can ask for big discounts. I believe those Arab vendors also aim for bigger sales. So when sales are low,they prefer to sell the item at a much lower price than to have no profit at all.

My New Baby

I have been out of the circulation for a while because I don't have anything to use with. My hubby and I decided to sell my old notebook. Actually, it was already enough for me, but my husband insisted for a laptop because it has a much bigger screen. We also sold his old HP laptop which is almost 3 years old because it started to show signs of deterioration. The screen had repeatedly blacked out and when we had it repaired, the computer technician advised us to sell it before it can be totally useless.

After having much thoughts on what to buy, if either desktop or laptop, we decided to buy a laptop that we can use anytime and anywhere. Now, I got my brand new baby. As for hubby, he can buy later this year if I decide not to return here in Riyadh. At least, now I have something to use for my online activities.

Happy Birthday Ysabella!

To my cute and pretty niece, Ysabella, who always has a special place in my heart, Happy 1st birthday! I hope I'm there to celebrate the one year of happiness and blessings we have all experienced since you came into our lives. May you grow to be a God-fearing, family-loving and good person. Enjoy your party!

Sunday Blues

It's Sunday once again. And this day marks my 31st Sunday without going to church. This is why I couldn't help wishing for a more lenient and open city where freedom from all religions is practiced and allowed. But I know it's highly impossible for this country had existed for decades already, and they kept their system as it is from the start, and consistently too.

Sunday in Riyadh is just like any other weekdays. They have a different calendar here with regards to the working and rest schedules. Thursdays and Fridays are considered to be weekends as analogous to the Saturdays and Sundays of most Christian countries. That's the reason why these two days are considered to be family days. Singles, or more particularly, males without families are not allowed to enter the malls. In these days also, malls are crowded with families as well as single ladies. Most offices and clinics here are also close every Friday.

Every Sunday I can't avoid feeling lonely because I really miss going to church and being blessed by hearing some good news from the minister's sermon. I know that I can always worship God anytime and anywhere, but worshiping as a part of the congregation is much better.

Likewise, much to my dismay, I have eaten dinner all alone just awhile ago. After waiting for my husband all day, now I don't have someone to chat with. Hubby is sound asleep from his long and tiring day, and I don't have a heart to wake him up to dine with me.

Actually, this is my usual Sunday and I'm quite used to it. I just have to remind myself everytime I feel blue that this is a strange country and I just have to bear with them and their culture in order to sanely survive my stay.