Saudi Sexpat Stories: Tales from the Kingdom

Apart from the resounding success of the film New Moon, I guess most of the world is now talking about the end of an era in television – Oprah’s announcement of her show’s final airing in September 2011.

Though I may be reading more than there actually is to Oprah’s announcement, I can’t help but see parallels in her short spiel with our own lives here in the kingdom – on how, like her, we have been on this “yellow brick road of blessings” more than we could ever have imagined and also, like her, we are also now feeling (although we admittedly have to seek more spiritual guidance and direction before making “the change”) that 2011 may just be the right moment for us – “feels right in our bones and feels right in our spirit” too!

And  another eureka moment for me… guess where the proverbial yellow brick road leads to?

To Oz, right? (Are you seeing where all this is coming from now?)

Until then, please do keep our family’s intentions in your prayers as we prepare to end one chapter and begin another in our ongoing real-life Chinoy telenovela.

 Ballerina Girl
You are so lovely

With you standing there

I’m so aware
Of how much I care for you

You are more than now
You are for always

I can see in you
My dreams come true
Don’t you ever go away

You make me feel like
There’s nothing I can’t do

And when I hold you
I only want to say
I love you

Ballerina Girl
The joy you bring me

I guess I finally realized
There’s nothing else like loving you

Ballerina Girl
You are so lovely
I can see in you
My dreams come true
Don’t you ever go away
Ballerina Girl…

(Selected lyrics from the song of the same title popularized by Lionel Richie)

These photos are from diva-lette’s first (and only – as of the time of this post) ballet lesson.  Why the stress on the “first and only”? Because we actually attempted a second lesson the following weekend but… diva-lette that she is… she threw a tantrum and walked out! (*sigh!*)   Oh well, we do have our “down days” after all, right? We might have just unfortunately caught dear daughter during one of hers…

Nevertheless, this “ballet experience” goes to show – yet again – that this kingdom never seems to run out of little surprises… and we are truly pleased and very much blessed that we can let our daughter go through this even in such an ”ultra-conservative” environment we now live in   Oh yes, even in this desert kingdom, we still manage to sway to life’s  (as we know it, at least) rhythm and dance to its unique beat.

God is truly good and faithful to His promises!

And here’s to more tantrum-free ballet lessons to come!

Make no mistake about it… the happiest of seasons is definitely upon us

Yessiree… even here in our little kingdom where it is officially, um, to be politically correct about it… prohibited “non-existent”, it seems that there really is no stopping this blessed season from entering the homes, hearts, minds and spirit of all those who believe! 

And what better way to mark this festive and solemn occasion than by continuing on from our previous years’ family tradition, right?

Presenting… our completed “red and gold” set-up for this year!

Yup, we basically used the same decors as last year’s but with little additions here and there…  Can you spot them?

First off, there’s our “chika cuddlies”  – kindly “lent” to us from the, ahem, “exclusive Marga collection” – hahaha!   Don’t you just feel they’re discussing something when you look at them (or is it just my very vivid imagination?)?  Talking about who’s getting what, perhaps?

Was I thrilled to be able to finally find yet another makeshift skirt for our tree!

Next on the list is our “appropriately-attired” adorable boxer (yes, another part of dear divalette’s collection!)…

Finally, here’s Keith’s (and mine too!) current favorite – a red and gold Madonna and Child icon we snagged from our last holiday… just precious!

As a bonus, I’m happy that this also served as our inspiration to get back to the habit of praying the rosary together as a family (pray that we sustain the effort!)

 All in all, it was another fun family bonding time for us – yipee! God has been truly good for no matter where we are, He has always made it possible for us to feel His presence in our lives and to share the joy that comes from this to our children and hopefully, to all those we meet.

Let me be one of the very first to greet you all a meaningful “Maligayang Pasko”!  And may the peace and joy of the season be with you always.

Yes, it’s “that” time of the year again… and just as I was mentally playing my jam-packed domestic schedule in my head and trying to figure out how to squeeze yet another “to-do” in…

A welcome break comes along…

My boys stepped up to the plate and worked together to complete Rafael’s Social Studies project on land forms all by themselves (from the papier-mache work, to the painting, to labelling – name it, they did it)! Hurray! Guess who’s a proud Mama now? :D

Suddenly, my “deja vu moments”  on being a “PA”  (aka parent alalay cum project assistant) just got a whole lot better! (*me doing “dance of joy” now*)

My boys are indeed growing up and I thank God that they are doing so responsibly (and creatively too!).  Shame on me for thinking time and again that all my “past sermons lessons” seem to be falling on deaf ears! I do pray that all my children continue to rely on one another for support (in case Keith and I are already too weak or, God forbid, “not around” to help them) especially when life’s “bigger projects” loom dauntingly above their heads - assured in the fact that when family sticks together, and with God’s help, all will surely be better!

Next project: teach them how to cook (*insert evil laughter here*).