The Edge of the World!

Before the sandstorm I had actually gone to a place called "The Edge of the World."  It's a big cliff that (on a clear day) has a view below for miles of desert.  We had gone out once before to try and find it but we didn't quite make it there.  Previously we made it to a sort of desert checkpoint where the road was blocked by a long arm barrier gate.  There was a guy there manning it, but he basically just shooed us away and wouldn't let us through.  At that time, we tried to go around but we just ended up on a main road eventually and just went back home.

After another try (on another day), the guy driving eventually found a way around (the other direction) that bypassed the checkpoint by using Google satellite pictures and a GPS. So last Friday, we went to go see it.

We drove out on the road and eventually we came to a point where you are supposed to turn off and drive down a desert road.  It is at this point where things start to get a bit bumpy and it is necessary to have a four wheel drive vehicle.  We bumped along for about a half an hour where we came to the same checkpoint and saw four other vehicles sitting there because they had been refused to be allowed through the checkpoint.

So we drove up to them and the driver (Matt's boss) asked them if they wanted to follow us because he knew a way around the checkpoint.  Now if you have made it out that far already, it is kind of a bummer being stopped before making it there so it was no surprise that all four SUV's decided to follow.  So off we went, now a group of 5 cars total.

The desert here is this vast open space that all looks very much the same, so it would be very easy to get lost.  There are "roads" all over the place, but all the "roads" are just tracks where someone has previously driven.  They are randomly all over the place going all directions.

It was a bit of a windy day, so the visibility isn't all that great.  Basically, the desert just stretches out like this in all directions.  It would be very easy to get lost and just be stuck out there.  Not surprisingly, cell phone reception out here is sketchy at best.

So we kept on driving and eventually we came to a place that was a bit hairy.  It was about 3 kilometers away from the Edge of the World.  But, you have to drive over it if you want to get there.  It was at this point that I am certain that the people following us started to have second thoughts or rather started questioning why they followed some random people so far out into the middle of the desert without knowing where exactly they were going.

The thing that you can't see on the video is that on the left of the vehicle is a rather far drop off the side, so if the vehicle tilts left, you could easily roll off the side and then roll down to the bottom.  Not a very desirable outcome.  This was probably why the last SUV decided to go more towards the middle.  Please note that another car had previously done this successfully.

What you don't see in this video is the water draining out of his now cracked radiator.  One of the guys tried to seal it up with some sort of putty but it didn't really work.  They were able to get enough water into the radiator so that they could drive it back over the hairy part and then tow it all the way back across the desert with a tow rope.  (And this is why you probably shouldn't go out into the desert alone!)

In the meantime, the family in the broken car piled in with the people in the other cars and we drove the remaining 3 kilometers to get to the Edge of the World which was definitely something to see.  Here are the pics.

Hmmm... does this picture look familiar? 

Same shot, but without me blocking the view.

The other side.

Notice that Sammy is back.  Matt went to Germany in January to go pick him up.  So Sammy has lived in the US, Macau, Germany, and now Saudi Arabia.  (Note* he also had stop overs in Taiwan and he was ferried over to Hong Kong as well.) He is looking a bit older, but none the worse for the wear.

In other news, today was the Marathon.  I am sad to report that I was unable to run.  I was holding out hope but yesterday I realized that it just wasn't going to happen.  To say that I was disappointed is an understatement.  It just seems so anti-climactic!  All that training and then no race at the end! Currently, I can't seem to make it past a mile without my IT band giving me trouble.  But, I can still walk, bike, and swim with no problem so I have been doing that.  It only hurts when I run. :(

I am looking into finding another marathon to run when I figure out how to get rid of this annoyance!  But, I hope that the race went well for the others who were running today.  It probably wouldn't have been the most exciting race anyway as there were only 15 people signed up to run the full marathon.  Others were competing in relay teams but in total, it probably would have only been about 50 people in attendance.  This would have been much less than the previous half marathon we ran and that was quite  a lonely race! So, I didn't get to run my race, and finishing the rest of the running season here is not looking good, but the injury doesn't seem too bad so it could be worse.  

My First Sandstorm!!

People keep telling me about sand storms and they try to describe them to me but really, its just something that you have to see to believe!  Lately the weather has been sandy and dusty.  It looks like smog, but when you go outside you really can taste the sand particles.  And occasionally there is a bit of a crunch in your teeth.  It's weird.  The weather reports from weather.com look something like this:

Well today thunderstorms were predicted.  The temperature was pretty warm today.  The thermometer outside said 31 degrees when I went outside.  (This is about 87 F) It was warm but a bit windy.  I decided not to go anywhere today and I am so glad, because I would not have wanted to miss my first sandstorm!  I didn't even know it was coming! Anyway, I checked the weather after the sandstorm and this is what it said:

Notice that it said visibility 0 mi. They weren't kidding!  I went down to the compound store to get some water and shortly after I returned, I was fiddling around in my kitchen and basically the air outside the windows started turning orange.

It went from looking like this:

To this:

To this:

And then it went totally dark! As soon as I saw that something very out of the ordinary was going on I grabbed my ipod out of the docking station and ran upstairs to take pictures and of course, video.  So here is the video.  Sorry, I have no clue how to edit these things so please "bear with."

Basically, all you see is it going from red to dark.  Then it was dark for about a minute or two and then it started getting light again.  I started the second video from when it started getting light again.  The second one is about 2 minutes and it was actually much more exciting if you were actually there, but I am telling you it was the strangest thing I ever saw! (Weather wise that is... there are other things I've seen that I just don't want to talk about!)  So here is the second video hopefully.  It said something went wrong trying to upload it.  It may be to big but hopefully it works. I tried to edit it because it is kinda long.  I am not good at this.  If you see it change color suddenly, well I cut out a bit.  The whole thing took about 3 minutes.

And then, when it was over, it started to rain a little and it went back to looking like this:

Crazy I tell you! CRAZY!  And that is what happened today in Saudi Arabia!

The Usual, but with Goats and Needles!

The running season in Saudi Arabia runs from September through March.  This being February, things have been in full swing.  In fact, we have had three weeks in a row of races.  The first one was a 30K that I missed because my driver couldn't find the compound. (Was disappointed at the time but it was probably a good thing.) The second race was a week later.  It was a charity half marathon and Tiffany's first half marathon distance!  It was very hot.  About 85 degrees with zero shade on a bit of a confusing and repetitive course. (Confusing because we weren't clear on where the race ended...)  We ran together and Tiffany did fabulously! Here is a picture of us.

I think this may have been lap 5 of 6.  It was the only section of the race where there was any cheering.  It was a bit of a lonely race since a lot of people didn't finish and those who did were some serious folks.  I believe that we were on lap 4 when the winner was coming down the finish which meant we still had four miles to go. (At least this clarified where the race ended.)  I look a little goofy here... I don't normally swing my arms like that ... I blame the cheering. Still, we finished and a couple of days later Tiffany did make a mention of doing another one so it's all good!  Well done Tiffany!!! You're fabulous!!

Since this was a charity race, it had nothing to do with our running group and therefore the following week there was another race scheduled.  (That's 3 weeks in a row.)  Oh, and did I mention that I did my final 20 miler 2 days after the half?  My logic behind doing it this way was that I was already tired and so therefore this training would be more like running the end of the marathon. (Running while tired.) It makes sense right?  Regardless, it's done.  But, it took 4 hours!  The week before, I ran 18 miles in 3 hours 15 minutes but that was when I was somewhat rested and ready for a race.  Still, after finishing the last 20, I felt certain that I could finish the marathon.  Not necessarily with any great time, but I definitely felt confident about finishing. That is, until yesterday. We had a 10 mile race at a venue that I was familiar with. I was not planning on trying to beat my previous time but I was still planning on giving my last good effort.  It was a hilly course that I had run back in January with NO PROBLEMS!

It was two laps of 5 miles each.  Should have been no problem.  The first lap was no problem.  When I passed the clock I could see that I was about 2 minutes off of my previous time.  No worries.  So, when I was running the second lap and I saw this coming towards me, I stopped to take a video.

I sound kind of weird because I was half laughing and half breathing heavy. It was just too funny to have this happen.  You just don't see that every day!

So anyway, as you can see, I wasn't exactly pressing things on this race.  I continued on, but when I started back up again I kind of noticed a weird feeling in my right knee along the outside.  It felt a bit like it needed to pop but it didn't.  So I slowed down but continued.  It didn't really hurt, just felt a bit uncomfortable.  So then I got to the hill and I stopped to stretch a bit but couldn't really work out the kink so I just headed up.  I got to the top of the first hill and felt a bit off and I could see the early turnoff coming up so I started thinking about quitting and I was torn between being somewhere that I could run the ten miles I had scheduled somewhere outside the compound and not wanting to hurt myself before the marathon.  Also, I really love hills.  Don't know why, just do! So I slowed down and kept running.  I went about ten feet past the turnoff and decided not to risk it and I turned back and took a shortcut back.  I walked a bit and then tried to jog and felt some pain but nothing I was too worried about.  It didn't hurt to walk but every time I started to jog it was very uncomfortable.  I made it back and wasn't too worried.  I iced when I got home and rested the rest of the day.  Stairs seemed to be a problem but I still wasn't too worried about it.  Until I woke up this morning and it felt really stiff and I was walking funny and it hurt! 

So I did the whole RICE thing, (rest, ice, compression, elevate) but it still hurt.  I am two weeks out from the marathon.  All of the heavy training is done.  I did two 18 mile runs and two 20 mile runs.  I feel fine with my training but right now I am walking funny, and it is not funny!! 

So, I haven't been to the doctor in Saudi and I was hoping that I wouldn't have to ever go.  So I went online to see if there was an alternative solution in the area.  A couple of years ago, I had some good results using acupuncture when I got injured so I looked it up and there just happens to be a clinic in the area.  I called and they said to come in and see the doctor and they would see what they think I should do.  

So we went, and it was a Chinese doctor with a translator.  After explaining the situation, the doctor said that she could do acupuncture.  She wants me to do 10 sessions in 10 days and hopefully that works.  Actually the phrase that the translator used was, "In shaa'Allah"  Basically this means God willing.  They use this phrase a lot here. So if they say that you can pick something up on Saturday In Shaa'Allah then  maybe it will be ready, and maybe it won't! It's probably best to call first before making the trip out there! So, maybe this will work and maybe it won't but I always love trying an "alternative treatment" first.  

It's a bit costly, so we decided to try one session first.  Here are the pics!

 The ones in the hands hurt like CRAZY!

 These hurt too but not as bad as the hand.  Matt said that they went in like an inch. 

He was very surprised when she pulled them out.

After the needles they did some cupping.  I think there were 6 cups in all.  A couple were on my back.  She was lighting something on fire inside them and then sticking them all over me and when the oxygen gets used up they suck onto the skin.  It didn't hurt but it felt really weird.  Anyway, the whole thing was really kind of cool! The knees still hurt (because the other one started hurting after walking all funny because of the original injury) but we will see what happens next.  I still have two weeks till the marathon so hopefully this goes away! Otherwise I don't quite know what I will do.  I mean, I made it through the whole training and now this?? Anyway, I am going to bed now and hopefully I will feel a little better tomorrow!  In Shaa'Allah!

Saying, "See you later!"

Clearly I am not nearly as into this blog as I was before I left to go home.  I think it has something to do with going home and seeing everyone and actually telling them all the things going on here that makes me feel like I have said all I need to say.  That being said, those who know me well, know that I can go on and on talking about nothing in particular sooo.....

Here is what has been going on in Saudi.  For starters I am extremely sad to say that Crystal and her family have left and moved on to bigger and better things. (And definitely colder weather brrrrr)  We tried to spend as much time with her as possible before she left.  She is beautiful and fabulous and will be greatly missed!  And if you ever miss her too, well here is a little clip of her at her going away party so you can watch and remember.  (Note* You may want to turn the volume down a notch!)

The tree was something that she really wanted but just couldn't bring herself to buy.  (I'm sure that you can see why.)  Here is a pic of her later with the tree after she brought it home and filled it up with dates.  It's quite useful really, we are all thinking of buying one next time we are in the souk!

You are missed my dear!!!

And one last picture of Crystal deciding on a carpet just before the most amazing negotiations I have ever had the privilege to witness.  I should have taken video.  She was AMAZING!  I couldn't believe it when the man said, "You win!" Especially since about a dozen men had gathered outside the souk to watch.  I will remember it always! (Although I am almost certain I will never replicate it!)

In other news, Tiffany and I were shopping the other day and came across some more pool toys.  Remember this pic?

 I am specifically referring to the woman with, what I thought looked like some sort of bone. It had really bothered me.  What is that woman carrying?  Well, apparently (and luckily I might add) the woman colorer inner at Saco got a bit lazy and this is what I saw there.

It was an arm!  I'm not sure if anyone else was wondering... but I was, so I thought I would post just in case it was keeping anyone up nights.  

And, well, here are a couple of more shots from Saco. 

How would you like to see them coming up on you while you are playing in your pool? I also found that you can use tape to cover up offensive parts.  I was looking for a hair straightener in Danube and the faces of the women on the boxes were taped over.  But, that is neither here nor there.  

Moving on to my favorite topic... Running! We are currently at just over 3 weeks to the marathon! I am super excited and super nervous! I have been going over my schedule and reading about tapering and everyone says something different.  I have a one half marathon and then I am planning one last 20 miler before I taper.  Some say to start the taper at 4 weeks but I am pretty sure that is for people doing really high mileage which I am not really doing.  These last weeks I have been doing around 35 miles per week.  When I first got back I did an 18 mile run and I was so tired and jet lagged that I could only do about 11 on the street and did the last 7 on the treadmill.  Time was 3 hours 40 minutes.  A week later I did a 20 miler on the street and it took 3 hours 50 minutes. I was still completely knackered but I was OK.  But just last week I did another 18 miles on the street and it only took me 3 hours 15 minutes and I felt quite good afterwards and even better the next day so there must be something to this whole training thing.  I will see how I feel after the next 20 but I think I am going to be OK!   I will definitely finish! 

Back in Saudi!

Hmmm.... I guess I have been a bit lazy lately.  3 weeks plus and not a single blog entry.  I guess that I can blame jet lag for the first week and just plain tired for the last two!  I arrived "home" on the 30th before 6 AM.  I did OK until my husband left to go play soccer.  I fell asleep at 1 in the afternoon and didn't wake up again until he returned home at 7.  Even with my little "nap" I was still able to go back to sleep at 10 that night.  I woke up at 5 AM and was up for the rest of the day.  Unfortunately this was also New Year's Eve, so an early bedtime was not possible and for some reason I could just not fall asleep for a nap.  Still, I forced myself to go to another party at the US Embassy.  Apparently the tickets were really hard to get.  It was fun but I was really tired and it just seemed like midnight would never arrive!  Also it was outside and it was really cold.  I had scrapped my sleeveless dress for a skirt and sweater but it was still very cold despite the heaters.  It was uneventful but I did see a super drunk guy get kicked out.  That's got to be a bummer because if you get kicked out it's for good.  You can never come back.  A party blacklist.  But I guess that is not my problem.

Before I left the US, I had been doing a lot of running because I am still planning on running a marathon here in Saudi.  I had wanted to get to 18 miles at home but alas it was not to be! My daughter, who gave me a Bedazzler for Christmas, also gave me her cold.  I spent most of Christmas day in bed and there was no way that I was going get 18 miles in before I left on the 28th.  I did manage to squeeze in a bit more hill work though so that was good.  Too bad I couldn't squeeze the Bedazzler into my luggage though.  Just too much stuff to bring back.  Next time!! (Thanks Neekole Peekole!)

Looking at my sad little running schedule though, I realized that tired or not, I had to get my run in soon because I had a 10K race coming up on the 6th.  So, I sucked it up and did it.  I did 11 miles on the road and then had to finish the last 7 on the treadmill because I was so tired. My 10 K race went fine but no PR.  The 20 mile run a week later went better because by that time my friends were back from their holidays.  I did 8 miles on my own and was feeling completely knackered which is odd because that is not that much considering I had to do 20.  Luckily it was at that point that Crystal came out and ran the next 2 and a half miles with me.  She talked the whole time and got my mind off of things.  Then my Nike+ said, "halfway point," and I said "phew!" I felt better and continued on.  After about another mile and a half, Tiffany came out did the last 9 with me.  Also Crystal came back at the end to do the last mile and a half or so.  When my Nike+ said, "400 meters to go" I thought that sweeter words had never been said! The whole thing took 3 hours and 50 minutes which was not that bad considering that it previously took me 3 hours 40 minutes to do 18.  Thank you, thank you, thank you ladies! I really could not have finished on my own!!!

Anyway, just yesterday we had our 10 mile race at a Farm.  We pulled up and there was a herd of (I think) goats and lots of trees and it was an actual farm! (I have seen signs in the desert and they say there is a farm and there is absolutely nothing that looks like a farm.)  In fact, I saw several of these supposed "farms" on an attempt to find the "Edge of the World," but alas, we did not find it.  We did however find "Pump #5" out in the middle of the desert.  Not all that interesting. But I did take a picture because if we drove around for almost 4 hours, I should have something to show for it.  Admittedly, it's not much.

Pump #5

Exciting stuff!! 

Anyway, back to the race!  So we got out of the car and not only did it look like a farm, but it smelled like a farm as well!  I imagine that 100 or so goats will do that.  But really it was quite a nice place and it was a nice change of pace from running in compounds all the time. I didn't even think to take pictures  until afterwards so sorry.  Next time the pictures will be better but here is the only one of the farm.

You can kind of see where they kept the animals.  Mind you, when we got there, that was where they were keeping the goats.  

So anyway, the race was 10 miles with 2 loops of 5 miles each.  They mentioned a hill but since I had been doing some hill work at  home I wasn't too worried.  Besides, I really like the hills.  We started out going past the goats and pen full of shetland ponies. It was a really nice race, but the problem was that once we got to the hill and went up you could see this really long course stretch out into the desert and it was all a bit of an incline for a very long time!  It looked really long and then it turned a corner. It seems a lot further when it is all stretched out in front of you.  But it wasn't too bad.  Shortly after turning the corner there was a roundabout and we headed back and then down again.  At four and a half miles I decided to take a gel and I was just finishing up when I noticed the herd of goats crossing the road up ahead.  It was the funniest thing I ever saw during a race.  The group ahead of me had to slow up a bit while the hundred or so goats passed over the road and into the grass.  I would have stopped to take a pick but I felt like I was making good time.  And as I neared the halfway point, I could see that the clock said 44:44 and I realized that I was actually on pace to break 1 hour and 30 minutes which was my goal.  As I passed the clock it read 45:10 and if I just ran a little faster on the second loop I could actually do it. So I kept on running now that I knew what to expect on the second lap.  I passed the shetland ponies and the now empty goat pen and headed out to do the hill again.  Anyway, I managed to pass the finish at 1:29 something and I was very pleased with myself and completely pooped out! So, new PR for the ten mile is 1:29 something. (Official results not out yet.) 

Oh, and I also found out that they are delaying the marathon by 2 weeks because they have an 18 mile race scheduled for 2 weeks before the marathon which makes no sense if you are supposed to be in a taper at that point.  But now my training schedule is a bit off but more time is better than less time so I am happy about it.  

Here is me Happy!

Here is Tiffany. (Hope you don't mind Tiffany!) 

It's a nice picture. 

And that is what has been going on for the last 3 weeks in Saudi.  Mainly running.  Hopefully something interesting will come up! Until then, well... I guess we will just keep running!

Home!!

Someone in Saudi once commented that all Americans live in Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks.  While I have never set foot in a D and D (and there used to be one right around the corner from my house in Vegas) the Starbucks comment is pretty much true for me.  In fact, the second day I was home I got a Starbucks in the Target and I thought... Ahhhh, home!

And other than visiting the Starbucks on a daily basis, I have also been visiting as many of my friends and family as possible.  Bummed that I have missed some people, but it can't be helped.  Especially when I am trying to fit in as much running as possible.  Gotta love the Rosebowl for running! A three mile loop that requires no turns anywhere and has several optional hills.

While here I entered 2 races.  The first was a last minute decision but I was glad that I did it.  It was the Burbank Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving.  I did the 10K.  It was really cold that morning (53 degrees).  There was also a little drizzle but nothing too bad.  I did pretty well and ran a 9 minute mile.  I finished in 55:11.

My second race was a half marathon that I had planned on beforehand.  In fact, I thought that I had done all kinds of planning for it beforehand but evidently it was not enough!! I showed up in Oxnard and picked up my race packet at the hotel and found out that I was number 666!  Ah, the luck of the draw.  The next morning, even though I had driven to the parking area the night before I still missed the shuttle. I saw the last one leaving as I pulled in.  This could definitely not be good.  Although I saw a couple of other runners looking around as well, so I was not the only one this happened to.  The problem was that I now had to go find the start of the race.  It was the Santa to the Sea run from Oxnard to Channel Islands Harbor so I knew I was looking for the giant Santa that you can see from the freeway.  Also the road closures helped too.  Either way, as I was driving down to the start, of course I got lost and when I finally figured it out I was able to see the runners all running over the overpass just as I was driving underneath it.  By the time I finally found the start, I was at least 10 minutes late and they were starting to break down the starting line.  Even still, I was not alone.  There was another guy there starting as well which was nice because there were no runners or walkers anywhere visible from where we were.  We both made sure that we crossed over the official starting point so that our chip timers would be activated and off we went!  We were talking, but it was pretty clear that he had a  much faster pace than I did so I quickly realized that I was starting off way too fast.  He was trying to be nice and stay with me till we could see the other runners but I remembered that I had forgotten to start up my Nike+  so I wished him luck and sent him on his way.  Once I made it onto the bridge overpass I was able to see the walkers so I knew that I would be fine.  I got into what felt like a decent pace and just started passing people.  First the walkers, then the jog walkers, then the joggers.  At mile four I had caught up with the 2:30 pacer.  I tried to do the math in my head and figure out my pace, but I just figured screw it and carried on still steadily passing people.  I passed the halfway point at 1:09.  I figured that I had started out at least 10 minutes late... so I figured .... pretty good if I can keep it up!  Around mile 9 I passed the 2:20 pace group and was still steadily passing people.  I never did catch the 2:10 pace group.  Probably because my official time was 2:13. My Nike+ said 2 hours even and 16 seconds.  I went back later to the start and measured in my car that I had gone exactly a quarter of a mile before I started my Nike+.  I figure I was running an 8 minute mile at the start (too fast) so it was probably about two minutes.  Anyway, the best that I figure it I finished between 2:02 at best and 2:05 at worst.  I will never know because there is no actual chip time for me.  I was THAT LATE!  Still considering that my first half marathon in October of 2010 my time was 2:49:04 and my second one 6 weeks later was 2:42:33... I am really happy with 2:05!!

But it hasn't all been running!  There was some time for Vegas! Of course... what happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas!  (Actually I just think no one can actually remember the next day...)  This is my friend Tamika!

Here are my mom and stepdad looking at the California "snow."

While it looked like snow it was actually just bubbles blown off the roof of the Americana.  I have to laugh at all the little Californian kids running around all excited about the "snow." Gotta love the So Cal weather.

Oh, and in case anyone was wondering what happened to the possessed camel, I have a little video of that.  There were two.  The first one was Collin dancing.  This one was much funnier.

Gotta love that kid.  Also, before he went to bed he asked, "Is it OK if I leave this out here?" Yeah, no one wants a stuffed animal that's eyes blaze red in the middle of the night.  Also note, the handful of stuff in his hands at the end of the video is the stuffing from the camel.  (Not the most expensive present!)

Also went to my Dad's Christmas party.  That's my sister and my daughter.  Dawn got tarps!! Super excited, can't you tell?? Nicole and the rest of us thought it was funny.

Also got to hang out with my friend Gina.  Love that girl!! Miss you already!

And got to hang out with many others but we forgot to take pictures or just didn't bother! Wish I could have gotten to everyone but I should be back again in Aprilish.  Anyway, leaving today to go back home?  I guess so!  Happy Holidays!!

Nice Job if You Can Get It!

I have been back from my trip now for over a week and time seems to be flying by.  Probably because I am going to go home soon for a very long visit!!  About 6 weeks.  I am super excited about it!  Although I must say that I am a little bummed that I am going to miss the upcoming 10 mile race.  Ten miles is my favorite race distance.  It's far enough that you really feel like you did something, but not quite so far as a half where you feel like you need to keep something in reserve.  There aren't a lot of ten mile races around.  Oh well, there will be another one coming up in January.  In the meantime I have a half marathon scheduled in December.

A few days after we came back we had 5 mile race scheduled.  It was a predictor race because we had to predict our finishing time.  I had previously finished a 5 mile practice run in 48:36 at a pace of 9:38 per mile, so I gave myself a prediction time of 44:59 figuring that I could surely shave 3 minutes off that time with race conditions.  

Long story short, race day came and despite the fact that the compound we were racing at was fairly close we ended up getting quite lost and no amount of phone calls seemed to help.  Since women are not allowed to drive here, I really didn't feel all that responsible for getting us "lost." Shockingly, we actually did end up making it to the race, but only after it had already started.  I decided that it was better late than never and I stashed my stuff, did a quick bathroom trip and took off from the starting point.  I looked at one of the timers and said, "Evidently I am late."  To which he replied, "Yes you are, very late!" 

As I started to run I felt... well, a bit pissed! (that's "American" angry... not "British" drunk) Also, I was a good 4+ minutes behind and so I felt a need to catch up.  And indeed, I did start to catch up! First I passed some walkers.  Then I passed some people wearing knee braces.  Eventually I started passing up people who were just running.  Then I lapped my husband. (Ha ha... but I was still mad!) I think that might have made me speed up a bit there.  Eventually I ended up finishing with a respectable spot.  (I never did catch Tiffany... Well done!) When I checked my Nike+ for my time, I ended up finishing at about a 42:30 for a 5 mile race.  It said my pace was 8:39!  I could not believe it! I really never thought I would run anywhere in the 8's much less for 5 miles.  GO ME!!!!

This is my, "I'm still pissed off at you but I freaking rocked this one" smile.  

And, in the spirit of doing things that I never thought I would do, I have decided to go ahead and give the marathon a whirl.  We have one coming up in February.  I have just enough time to train for it.  Also, its already paid for... so may as well!  The only problem is that since it will be here, there is a very real possibility that I could very well come in last place.  But again, that is another worry for another day!

Moving on to other things.  One of the things that I love about living here is that there is just so much time to do whatever.  People often ask, well what do you do all day?  And truthfully, I do whatever tickles my fancy.  I run, I bake, I go shopping, I swim, I go to the gym, I watch movies on DVD, I blog.  You get the picture.  I do whatever strikes me as interesting at the moment.  

I'm not sure if I have mentioned it before, but everyone here seems to have a business card.  When you meet new people and make "connections," you exchange cards.  I have been asked on occasion where my "card" is, and of course, I haven't got one.  (At this point they tend to look at me with confusion.) So after much thinking about it I decided to make myself some business cards.  I figure that if I start passing these out, people will start to think that I am a bit of a loose cannon and may stop being so eager to try and find me employment. 

So here is what should probably be my current card:

 I am very good at this.  I am sure that my husband and friends here would all be excellent references for me.  I was going to say that I was a "Professional Job Avoider" but I really think that the card implies the "professional" don't you think?

Now this is not to say that I wouldn't take employment if it was something that I found to be very interesting.  Perhaps I could be a business card designer.  Clearly my work speaks for itself!  Anyway, I  do see a niche that I just may need to fix, if only I can get my hands on a bedazzler from back in the 80's.  Folks back home, please be on the lookout for one for me!  There is always ebay I suppose.

 But, until I get my hands on a bedazzler, this one will have to wait.  In the meantime, I have just come across a job that I think that I would be very good at but it just needs a touch of explanation first.

The other day we arranged a driver and went to lunch at a noodle house.  (When I say "we" arranged a driver, I mean Crystal did it.  That girl really gets things done!) Anyway, we went to lunch and on the way back she wanted to stop at Toys R Us.  I was asked if I wanted to go in since I don't have young children at home and didn't need to buy anything.  "Um, hello! It's Toys R Us! Of course I want to go in!!"  So in I went.

It started off very well and only got better.  Remember the "Slinky?"

"Slinky, Slinky a wonderful wonderful toy.  Slinky Slinky its fun for a girl or a boy!"

 Here I guess it's just called, "Metal Spring."  Which of course, is all that it actually is.  But it is made of "Real Metal!" And it is of course, "Super Action," and it "Does Tricks."  So it must be just like the real Slinky.  My sister and I had one when we were little.  That and a wooden board just entertained us for hours.  I remember this one time that Slinky got away from us on the stairs and we had to chase after it... good times. Slinky ... Come back!!!

Tiffany came across this game and she said, "Oh I just love Cluedo, do you guys have that?"  To which I replied, "Yes, but we just call it "Clue."  So now I am really not sure about anything anymore.  Maybe "Cluedo" is more fun than "Clue."  I will have to play and find out.

Anyway, the best part came when we came across the water toys.  This is where I discovered a job that I think I would be very good at.  Here is my business card:

Now, I know, you are thinking, Danielle.... What on Earth is a Woman Colorer Inner? Well it is an actual job.  Someone has to do it.  Apparently, when Saudi Arabia gets products in that have "overexposed" women advertised on the packaging, someone needs to cover them up and they do this by coloring over them.  Now, I realize this is a bit hard to believe for some of you so of course I took the pictures to prove it.  And here they are:

 I enlarged these so you can see more clearly.  Now if you look at the woman in the white shirt, apparently arms are OK, just not legs. The woman in the pink shirt must have an offensive face because someone felt the need to block it all out.  Notice, that someone else must have really wanted to see her because they have tried to scratch away the black on the face.

These were just colored over.  No real finesse to it.  I could do so much better!  Really I could!

 Now whoever colored these at least put a little more effort into it.  I love the top one. "Hey? Where did mom go?"

 If mom forgot to wear her burkini, well, you just color one on for her. Problem solved.

This one is my favorite.  The mom on the left looks completely bowlegged and the mom on the right looks like a black ghost carrying a black bone.  (Still not sure what that is...)

So, basically, I am off to the US for 6 weeks, but while I am gone, if anyone hears of a job opening up for a woman colorer inner... hook me up!!