SAUDI!

     So, I am "officially"going to Saudi Arabia on a one year contract with a training center.  It is NOT my first choice of jobs, the pay is NOT what I hoped for, and they still refuse to send me pictures of the housing, but it is an actual contract and an actual job.  I am currently in the throws of processing my Saudi visa, and I am almost at the point of tears.  Like China, I am trying to do this with a company overseas that keeps sending me documents, only some of which are in English.  After the pain and agony I experienced getting my Chinese visa, I was fully prepared for the uphill climb that was likely to be the process of obtaining a Saudi visa.
     I was right.  I was sent a stack of paperwork, only some of which is half in English.  I was referred to a website to start the visa process, and of course, most of it is in Arabic (even the English translation page), and is as clear as mud.  I found a company, Travisa, which has an office in Chicago, and physically went there to ask them to help me figure out what I needed and what paperwork I already had.  They had no clue what some of my paperwork was either, but guided me to a webpage and printed out the list of documents I would likely need.  Again, almost clear as muddied water, I felt I was making babystep progress,
     I am about half way finished with the preliminary steps to the online part of the process, but now I am being asked for plane tickets, or an electronic itinerary.  The company informed me that they would send me a ticket and then I would have a week to book?!?  I just sent them an email requesting that they book my flights for the date of Sept. 12.  Because they are closed on Friday and Saturday, and are 8 hours ahead of us, I am not expecting a response until tomorrow.  I have to return to the VA on Monday to pick up my medical paperwork and possibly get more bloodwork done.  I had very specifically asked them if I would need a medical exam for my visa BECAUSE I had about 7 doctor appointments at the VA in the past 3 weeks and could have had the doc fill them out WHILE I WAS THERE ANYWAYS!  Of course, I was told it was not required, but the online form says I need it signed as originals in triplicate.  (very heavy sigh)
     So Catie, what have you been up to since you left China?  Good question.  I have been on 3 continents and spent time in 3 countries.  I spent 6 days in Berlin with Nikka.

I then spent the night in Paris.

After Paris, it was off to London!

I promise to post more pictures at a later date.  Today, I am just informing the 2 people who read my blog that I am going to Saudi Arabia for a year.

     So, Catie, where have you been staying after you left China and after you came home from your gallivanting about Europe?  Glad you asked.  I have been literally crashing on my sons' couch in their living room.  Ian is working back-to-back double shifts so I am not willing to ask him to give up his bed.  Michael is working, but he has done god knows what/whom on his bed....not going there.  So, I bought a brand new futon ($99 Target) and a foam topper to cover it and I am sleeping on the most miserable futon imaginable.  I thought the Chinese bricks (read mattress) were bad, they have nothing on the futon from hell.  The metal frame hits you in all the wrong spots, so I wake up every morning feeling like I was beaten to death, if and when I actually sleep.  They do not believe in A/C and won't let me buy a unit for the room I am sleeping in.  (very heavy sigh)

     They too (Robert) complain about how much food I make, and except for the chipolte chicken stew and the quinoa, they have eaten everything I made.  Today it is Italian beef, yesterday sloppy joes, and tomorrow, chicatacos.  I am stocking their freezer :-)

Enough for now, I will blog like mad from Saudi.