Family Life in Jeddah

Life here so far is very peaceful and stress-free. Although it is too hot for the kids to play outside during the day time, they don’t mind being inside playing video games on the x-box and computer. However, we are all ready for school to start so that we will be on a more productive schedule.

For me, I have followed the same type of routine and schedule for the majority of my life. As a child, I woke up and went to school each day. I did the same in college and then as a teacher, also. Now, things are beginning to change a bit. We are now  on the other side of the world-8 hours ahead of the US. Here is what our new family schedule is like and will be in the near future, on Saudi time! Honestly, I feel like I am on another planet sometimes! I like it here, but things are so different!

USA (school year)	Saudi Arabia (school year) *My Prediction	Saudi Arabia (summer)	Ramadan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (July 20-August 15)
6:30am Wake up & get ready 7:30 Leave for School 8-3:30 Work 3:30-4:30 Stay at work to do more work, kids do Homework 4:30-5:00 Pick up Zayne from PK 5-6:30 Cook, eat or drive to get Dinner 6:30-7:30 Outdoors 7:30-8:30 TV, computer 8:30-9:00 kids bath 9:00 Kids bedtime	6:30 Wake up & get ready 7:00 Kids picked up by bus or driver 8:30 Driver picks me up 9-5:00 Work 3:00 Kids get home from school 3-6 Babysitter (called maid here) is at home waiting for the kids, house clean, snack & prepare dinner 6:00 Dinner 7:00 homework 8:30 Bed time	7:30am Wake up & get ready   8:45 Driver picks me up 9-5:00 Work 5-8:00pm Nap (yeah baby!) 8-8:30 Cook 8:30 Kids get home 8:45 Dinner 9:30-10:00pm Kids bath, Kids chores: dishes & laundry 10:00 -12:00 Shop, read, or TV 12:00 Bed Time	9:00am Wake up & get ready   10:45 Driver picks me up 11-5:00 Work 5-6:00 House clean or Nap 6-7:00 Drive to family’s home 7:30 Dinner 7:30-9:00 Family time 9:00-12:00 Shop,  go home, clean, cook, read, blog or TV 1:00am Bed Time!

In the US, we went to work and school Monday-Friday and enjoyed our Saturday and Sunday weekend. Here in Saudi Arabia, the normal work and school week is Saturday, Sunday,Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. The weekend is Thursday and Friday. I don’t know if I will ever adjust to this. I never know what day it is here!

 Pictures of our Daily Life in the Summer Time- Below is a local street, complete with green street signs. What is interesting here is that there are no turn lanes. U-turns are the only way to get to the other side.

This is a picture of me enjoying my ride as my driver takes me somewhere.

Here are the kids, enjoying their summer schedule of expanding their expertise at playing the X-box. They are doing a group dance here.

What we see on a Daily Basis - This is another picture of Jeddah, where we live. The palm trees make me feel like we are in Florida. The beach is actually just a 15 minute drive from our home. I was pleasantly surprised to see green plant life here in the desert. I expected to be living with sand all around me!