Mom Community
Within the span of our arrival 2.5 years ago, approximately nine little boys, including my two, have been born into our circle of friends (we can’t produce girls apparently). 👶🏻 :: Since so many of us are in the same stage of life, our community is strong and we’ve become pros at swapping everything: books, toys, […]
An Abaya for Every Occasion
I have a love-hate relationship with abayas – 10% love, 90% hate. Love that I can wear pajamas underneath and still look put together but hate that I can’t walk up the stairs without tripping, I’m constantly shutting them in car doors, and if there’s a puddle I will inevitably drag my abaya through it. […]
Balcony of My Dreams
This spot is our saving grace right now. We moved to this apartment in November, just in time. We had been looking for a new apartment for months but couldn’t find a place that checked all the boxes. Finally we decided to compromise and give up the idea of finding a decent balcony. We started […]
Men in One Room, Women in the Other
One of the toughest cultural challenges we faced in the beginning was the segregation between men and women. It was uncommon/illegal for groups of unrelated men and women to congregate in public (the restrictions on this have loosened over our time here). Banks and other places of business have a women’s side and a men’s […]
Mars or Saudi?
Hiking in Saudi feels a little like exploring the surface of Mars. No wildlife. No green. Plenty of dust and rocks. I was skeptical of the outdoor opportunities we’d have in a desert climate culture, but we were surprised when we learned of a few weekly hiking clubs in the city. Groups of around 50-100 […]
Overflowing with Generosity
Arab generosity and hospitality is truly something to behold. We’ve experienced generosity of time, money, and resources – from friends but also complete strangers. This photo was taken 5 days after our arrival in country. We were wandering around random neighborhoods on foot searching for “for rent” signs. 🏠 We had no car, no idea where […]
FINALLY Getting Behind the Wheel
I learned to drive on my grandpa’s old, stick-shift Jeep Wrangler that we’d steer through the woods that backed up to their farmhouse. 🌳🍃🌾 I was 14 at the time and, getting a taste of the driving life, I was chomping at the bit for my 16th birthday so I could legally take to the roads […]
What Led Us to Saudi
It’s hard to pinpoint the origin of our move here. Did it start back when I signed up for my university’s pilot Intro to Arabic course as a senior? 📝 Or when Sean befriended Saudi classmates in his pharmacy program? Or was it when I played the part of a Saudi bride in a mock wedding for […]
My Unglamorous Morning Routine
🌅 Mornings are not my thing. I envy people with productive crack-of-dawn routines and those who can function without the snooze button. You’re superheroes. Most mornings I’m woken by little baby whimpers or toddler cries. Sean is typically already on his way to work, so I trudge blearyeyed to the nursery door where I’m greeted […]
Introduction to my 100 Day Project
Today I’m starting a #100DayProject to document our life in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 🌞🌴 Each day I’ll share a photo and brief caption (hold me accountable! I’m not great at sticking with projects) with the goal of telling our story at this time in life right now. This photo was taken in my favorite room of our house – […]
