Home Sweet Home: Jeddah!

Jeddah So Far!
Although it’s dreadful being away from DH for months at a time, it is nice to have a warm place to come for vacations! J I’ve been back in Jeddah for a week now, and it’s been a really nice visit so far. Jeddah still feels like home—wherever DH is home is! I was so happy to see him at the airport, but, of course, since it’s Saudi Arabia, a hello hug and kiss had to wait until we were home!

Toronto Snowstorm: December 14th, 2013

Toronto's Weather before I left. Brrr!!!!!!

When I flew out of Toronto, a big storm was brewing, and my flight escaped in the nick of time! I hope all my friends and family at home are staying safe—the power has been out in Toronto and the GTA for over a day in some places, and many people are being advised to stay indoors because of dangerous, icy road conditions. I hope for all of you that the weather improves and, for those without power, you get heat and electricity back as soon as possible!

Toronto Ice Storm
Source: 680news.com

Toronto Ice Storm
Source: 680news.com

(Okay, now I feel bad for pointing this out...) In contrast to the Toronto ice storm (see here: http://www.680news.com/2013/12/23/toronto-power-outages-may-extend-past-christmas-ceo/), the weather in Jeddah has been lovely—around 28-30 degrees and humid, and the evenings are nice and warm. That said, I still do wish I could walk outside, but it’s not really a “normal” thing to do here for the most part. The majority of people drive wherever they’re going—even if it’s only a 2 minute walk away!

Jeddah sunrise on my drive home from the airport 

My Welcome Home Gift from DH!

When I first moved to Jeddah in 2011, one evening I decided to venture out on my own (one of those lovely newlywed arguments compelled me to defiantly leave the house on my own in the evening lol), and needless to say—even with my face covered—I got a lot of stares and honks. Sigh!

Old City Gate

Beautiful Jeddah Sunset!

That said, the malls are a good alternative for a place to go walking, although there’s always the drawback of being tempted to spend too much money when all I want to do is go for a walk!!! A new mall opened not far from our house. It’s called Al-Salaam Mall, and, now that the majority of stores are open, it’s one of the largest in Jeddah. It even has my favourite Canadian store, Dynamite, which recently came to Saudi Arabia. Now I can buy my favourite brand TAX FREE!! Woo hoo!

Last evening, DH had to work late (until 10pm), and he dropped me off at the mall so I could get out and shop! He wasn’t sure that I’d be able to fill so many hours shopping, but in this new mall, I barely made it through half of one of three floors!! Inshallah I’ll go back soon!

Dynamite is Finally in Jeddah!

Al-Salaam Mall Jeddah

Dynamite (2) 

Camels!
Perhaps the most exciting thing I finally got to experience since I arrived last week is getting to meet my first camel friends! Before moving here, I told DH that I MUST get to see some camels, and though we’ve seen some from a far distance on highway drives, until last week, I had yet to see any up close.

DH and I were driving along a road in our neighbourhood the other day, and low and behold, there were two small camels in the back of someone’s pick up truck! DH got out of the car and asked the camel guy if we could pet them and take some photos, and he agreed. Here are some photos:

Camels in Jeddah!

We think that the man may be selling the camels, because why would they randomly be in the city? Also, we’ve driven by twice since then and both times saw different camels. I hope they’re not food!!!

Road Trip!

This past weekend, we took a road trip to Mecca. We stayed in a hotel in the famous Clock Tower, and relaxed (i.e. I slept too much as I was still adjusting to the 8 hour time change!) I got to check out some shops, and bought my sister a cool scarf from the souk part of the shopping area. There were lots of great deals, as well as overpriced abayas and other things to lure tourists in, I guess!

Beautiful fountain in Mecca

The Famous Clock Tower 

Masjd al Haram

Another view of the fountain

Leaving Mecca...

Since Umrah (pilgrimage) visas are open to just GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) nations until, I think, January, Mecca was a lot quieter than usual. We’re hoping to go back once more before I leave.

Catching Up!

I’m also excited that I’ve been catching up with friends after 5 months away. I’m especially thrilled to go back to the university where I used to work to see some past students and colleagues. That place still feels like home to me, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone again! J

Sometimes I get really nostalgic for life here—as hectic and fast paced as it was, and as much as I would get so frustrated with little things – or not so little – like, as a woman, not being allowed to drive, not getting out for walks outdoors, and the insanely long hours I worked at two jobs for most of last year. Alhamdulillah, though, it was worth it for the amazing people I met here, and I would definitely consider moving back here or somewhere in the Middle East after I finish my PhD.

The job market in Canada and the US – at least in academia and for tenure-track positions—is so depressing to think about, and it excites me to know there are lots of other countries that appreciate my education and would gladly hire me with a great salary at the end of my 5 years of my doctorate degree. All the blood, sweat and tears I'm putting in now don't have to be in vain! Only time will tell what will happen, though, and there’s always a (small) chance I will get a tenure track job closer to home (I’ll try, Mom!).

A friend (thanks, B.M.!) posted this (above) on Facebook this morning, and it really struck me: “You must go on adventures to find out where you belong.” Moving to Saudi Arabia has opened a whole new world for me, and I appreciate all the lessons I’ve learned –and often challenging experiences I’ve had—over the past couple of years. I now know so much more about the world beyond the suburb where I grew up, and Toronto, the city where I’ve spent years living. 

I’ve always been quite open-minded, and moving abroad has made me even more so. Most of all, living here has helped me to see the literally endless possibilities for the future! Even if we don’t find our perfect jobs in Canada (i.e. for me, tenure!), DH and I can create the life we want in an exciting new environment. J

Hope to update you all with more adventures soon! Until then, stay warm and have a happy holiday!

Back to the Desert: A New Jeddah?

Saudi Arabia: a time of exciting change

It’s been some time since I’ve written, and I suppose there are a number of reasons for my absence from the blog world. When I moved back to Toronto this past July, I wondered whether I would continue with the blog; it’s about Saudi Arabia, after all, and since I’m no longer officially living there, I wasn’t sure whether I’d have much to say.

Good news, though! Any doubts I may have had about the relevance of Pink Jeddah Sunset have been eradicated! Obliterated! Blown away! In the few short months since I left Jeddah, many interesting, provocative, and exciting developments and been made in Saudi, and in Canada-Saudi relations, and I hope that I will find time over the semester break (in December) to write about these!

Al Hamra District Beach Area, Jeddah

Here are a few of the *big* events and exciting developments that I consider particularly notable:

(1)    Saudi Arabia has released Canadians from horrendously long visa wait times—it now takes only 10 days as opposed to 45+ to receive a visa. (When I first applied for my visa, I waited over 70 days once I’d submitted my completed application)

(See my entry from November 2011 here: http://pinkjeddahsunset.blogspot.ca/2011/11/day-42-why-we-wait.html, and the new wait time here:  http://embassies.mofa.gov.sa/sites/canada/EN/ConsulateSection/Visa/Pages/default.aspx)

Preview from the Saudi Arabian Consulate Visa Page: Good News!
(http://embassies.mofa.gov.sa/sites/canada/EN/ConsulateSection/Visa/Pages/default.aspx)

(2)     There is now a direct flight from Toronto to Jeddah via Saudi Arabian airlines! (Horray for easier future visits to see DH!)

(See here: http://www.travelweek.ca/news/3-top-news/3309-saudia-celebrates-new-direct-service-from-toronto-at-gala-reception)

 

Jeddah to Toronto, Direct!
(www.saudia.com)

(3)    Many women took to the streets—behind the wheel!—on October 23, 2013

(See here: http://news.msn.com/world/saudi-men-quietly-help-campaign-for-women-to-drive)

Driving in Saudi
(http://news.msn.com/world/saudi-men-quietly-help-campaign-for-women-to-drive)

There are all exciting things that I will write more on soon inshallah!

Life: too few hours in a day!

The main reason I have unfortunately not kept up (on the blog) with the interesting stories above is—first and foremost—school. The first year of my doctoral program is comprised of coursework, and that, along with other responsibilities, is making my days (and nights!) particularly hectic. I’m keeping a barely-there balance of readings, teaching assistant duties (marking two sets of 70 essays among other tasks this semester), my own seminar presentations, upcoming final papers, and an Old English exam to top it all off! It’s truly been a whirlwind few months, and for the most part I’m very thankful for the busyness.

And then it’s quiet...for a second.

The rare moments that I have an hour to myself—away from books, stress, and life drama—I feel a bit empty and miss DH so very much. I last saw him in early July, and, as he pointed out the other day, this is the longest we’ve been apart since getting married in the summer of 2011.

Having lived apart in 2009 for two and a half years, and then again in 2011 for four months while I waited for my Saudi visa, DH and I are no strangers to long-distance love.  We knew what we were getting into, and that keeping busy is crucial. By nature, we’re both masters at doing so!

Jeddah: Can't wait!

The countdown is on!

While DH and I are both keeping busy, I’m counting down the days until I can return to warm, beautiful, sunny Jeddah (a city for which I am truly so very nostalgic) and see my love! I’m also eager to see my former colleagues and students, and, of course, my wonderful friends who will be there when I visit for a few weeks next month!

I promise that I’ll write more from Jeddah in a few short weeks! Can’t wait to tell you all about my “reverse reverse culture shock” that will no doubt afflict me in some manner... (Reverse culture shock—even after being back in Canada since July—is a topic in and of itself!)

Until then, As-salam alaykum sالسلام عليكم and ma-salaam مع السلامة to you all!

.........................................

...and try to stay warm, fellow snow and cold-afflicted Canadians!!!!

Toronto Weather Last Night. BRR!

New Beginnings

Toronto: It's Really Home (almost)
I can't believe I've been moved into my place in Toronto for a month now! Yesterday was September first, and after two years out of school, I'm thrilled to be returning to student life for a PhD at the University of Toronto! Once DH is back here with me--inshallah in a year or so--it will REALLY feel like home again :)

West-facing view from my balcony. 

My sister came and visited for most of last week, and we had a fun last week of summer shopping, going to the movies, Starbucks dates, baking, and enjoying the *hot* weather. Yep--Toronto feels HOT to me rather than cold like when I first moved back in the middle of a July heatwave! I guess my body has adapted to the weather here. Let's just see what fall and winter do to me though!

Cineplex Movies!

Starbucks love!

Welcome to the Department of English!
Last week, I had my first official meeting with the Associate Director of my department for course advising. I am really excited at the great selection of courses being offered in my field--early modern and restoration drama--and can't wait to hit the books!

U of T: Varsity Stadium

I spent a couple of weeks fine tuning my funding applications for next year's competition (U of T's graduate students must apply annually for prestigious external awards; these look excellent on a CV, and don't hurt the bank, either!). I am pretty content with my dissertation proposal--for now! I'm always coming up with new twists and turns on my project, and it's an exciting thing to see my ideas evolve over the years (I worked on a more condensed version of my proposed PhD dissertation during my master's degree in 2010).

Freedom!!!
I've been really and truly enjoying the freedom that comes with living in Canada, and so close to the subway / public transit. In fact, my building is literally ten steps from a subway station, and it's super easy to get around. I can walk to 98% of the places I need to go, and if I want to get anywhere really fast, transit is at my doorstep.

There's also SO much to do here, especially during the summer. I went with a friend to see The Taming of the Shrew in High Park a couple of weeks ago, and the Canadian National Exhibition was on throughout the past couple of weeks, too, culminating in this weekend's airshow with the Snowbirds--from my balcony, I could see the beautiful planes flying in perfect formation! (photo below)

The Snowbirds at the 2013 CNE!

Shakespeare in High Park

More Shakespeare: The Taming of the Shrew

TTC Subway: Clean and Convenient!

As much as I often tried to "argue" that Saudi Arabia wasn't necessarily limiting--especially for women--Toronto is a completely different world! As a woman, I wasn't permitted drive in Saudi Arabia, and that was a BIG deal. If a woman can't drive in Toronto, it barely has any implications--there are many, many reliable and fast options from the subway, buses, streetcars, commuter trains, etc, etc. In Saudi, though--or at least in Jeddah--there is no transit system to speak of (sure, there are random buses that take male workers from their construction sites to their lodging, but not anything a WOMAN can rely on!), and this is particularly constraining for the country's female population.

Where I lived and worked, I was constantly surrounded by a juxtaposition of people: girls and women from Jeddah / Saudi Arabia's wealthiest families who had their own BMWs (many girls did!), with drivers to boot...and, on the other hand, extreme poverty at every stoplight with women (often carrying babies) begging for money. While not every student had the luxury of her own driver, probably close to 75% of the girls in my university had their own drivers. By contrast, the Saudi / Arab women in my neighbourhood often relied on their sons, husbands and brothers to take them around. Others--whose husbands permitted it--took taxis...which, yes, I ventured out to do myself a number of times, but is not the most comfortable or pampering experience! Toronto's subways are a MUCH cleaner and fresher, not to mention more convenient, experience than a Jeddah cab!!!

Sunset in Jeddah

All of this said, I am looking forward to my trip to Jeddah in December. Of course I can't wait to see DH, but I'm also interested to see how I'll react to the very different world after having been immersed back in Toronto for, by then, six months!

Reverse Culture Shock?
When I was at U of T last week, I stopped in to say hello to the director of my graduate program, Dr. "M". I'd spoken to her over the phone a few times with questions about funding, courses, and the program when I was still in Jeddah, and she was interested to see how I've been settling back in here. I hadn't thought much about "reverse culture shock," but I suppose I've experienced--and am still going through--a bit of it.

Don't forget your abaya!!

Most notably, I often feel "naked" leaving my house without my abaya! Two years of wearing one and a head scarf definitely make covering almost second nature! When my sister was visiting, we went to Toni and Guy for haircuts. In Saudi, hair salons are, of course, segregated, so when you enter, there's an attendant who takes your abaya and gives you a number before she helps you into the salon coat. Needless to say, upon leaving Toni and Guy the other day, I was a bit kerfuffled when I paid, and then started looking around for my abaya! I felt I was missing something important without my covering! I quickly realized that, yes, my sweater and pants were all that I'd entered the salon wearing, and I wasn't missing anything (apart from an umbrella!) upon leaving.

Toni&Guy
Source: http://toniguytoronto.com/

I mentioned to Dr. "M" that surprisingly the most intense culture shock I've experienced was when I went to Kuwait in March 2012 to visit a friend. As soon as I stepped out of the airport, I was completely taken aback by all the WOMEN driving by!!! I suppose that since Kuwait is only an hour and a half flight from Jeddah that I hadn't braced myself for ANY difference. But Kuwait and Saudi are most definitely different (as someone told me before I decided to move to Saudi, warning me that I couldn't visit Kuwait and assume Saudi would be the same...or even similar).

When I arrived with my friend to her apartment, I was even more taken aback when, upon entering the elevator, she struck up conversation with a male neighbour! I literally (silently) panicked, wondering what would come of such mixed-gendered communication--and in public to boot! Again, I suppose that since Kuwait is in such close proximity to Saudi, I hadn't been expecting that this more "Western" girl / guy communication would be tolerated there.

Elevator talk?

Men, men, men!
After two weeks in Toronto, I had an experience where I was suddenly hit with how far I'd been kept from the opposite sex all that time abroad (apart from DH, of course!). I worked with all women, socialized with only women, volunteered with women, taught women in the university all day, and covered and kept a distance from everyone else.

When my friend L's boyfriend texted me a couple of weeks ago, I was accordingly surprised. A guy texting me?? What was he up to? (In Saudi, if a GUY texts or calls a woman and it's not business related, something is DEFINITELY up. It could only end in TROUBLE!) Well, it ended up that L's boyfriend, who works for the University of Toronto, was calling with an awesome opportunity for me to be involved with the "Boundless" campaign. U of T has been running this movement to raise $2 billion for the university's expansion and better graduate and research funding. "J," I'll call him, was asking whether I'd be free to be interviewed on camera for the campaign. What a neat opportunity! I said yes, and gave him more information about my program and the university's generous funding, and his boss okay-ed my participation.

The U of T "Boundless" Campaign
Source; http://boundless.utoronto.ca/

Filming on campus!

It was a great afternoon being filmed, and I felt like a celebrity in front of the camera, although afterwards, after only one hour of filming, I vowed that I never EVER want to be an actress! I have a new-found respect for the hard and tedious work that celebrity actors and actresses do all day filming. (NB: Another interesting thing? Feeling REALLY shy about taking pictures with PEOPLE in them! In Saudi, it's a big no-no if you don't want to offend people--especially women! So, my apologies for no "action" shots of the filming.)

The point of this story--which has kind of turned into a tangent--is that that afternoon, I was working with all men. It felt so incredibly odd! The cameraman was a guy, as were the directors, the lighting crew, the sound technician, and the others on set. I grew up with four brothers before my sister was born, and it kind of reminded me of that. But still, I couldn't escape the thought that in Saudi Arabia, this probably wouldn't fly! There, there would likely be women trained in most of these positions, setting the cameras and lighting up, etc, etc... Or else the women involved (definitely not just ONE woman alone with all these men!) would be covered in their abayas and hijabs. Again, I felt a bit naked wearing "only" my blazer and pants.

Boundless!

Settling Back In
Despite all these differences, I feel more or less settled back into my old life here in Toronto. My cat, Oreo, is now back with me; he stayed with my mom's aunt for a year. It's nice to have my little fur ball around again, especially in DH's absence.

Oreo--could you grab me that book, please?

I'm looking forward to orientation meetings this week, and to meeting my new PhD colleagues in my department. It should be a whirlwind week coming up, and before I know it, I'll be back to the usual work, work, work! Though this week has been nice and quiet--I definitely needed the down time after TWO big, stressful moves--from Saudi to my parents' and then the suburbs to Toronto--working hard is what I love, especially when it's academics!

Here's to a new beginning, which is what the wonderful autumn is all about!

PS: I just noticed that the blog now has over 10, 000 hits!!! THANK YOU to all my family, friends and loyal readers for your support for and interest in my adventures! :)

The University of Toronto: Convocation Hall & the CN Tower

Farewell, Saudi Arabia...Hello Canada!

Time to Say Goodbye
Well, the time has come for me to bid "adieu" to Jeddah, the place I've called home for the past two years. I’ll be visiting every five or six months, but it's no longer my real full-time residence. Of course, as long as DH is there and I can visit our apartment--the first place where we created a home for ourselves together--Jeddah will feel like home, but Toronto is my more permanent nest again.

Goodbye, old neighbourhood...

Hello GTA! 

Leaving Jeddah
I am kind of trying to block out my departure from Jeddah. It was chaotic and stressful to say the least. Well in advance of my departure, I had consulted my ticket (which noted a two 23kg baggage allowance), and also visited the airline website to make sure I could carry an additional overweight bag. When we finally arrived at the airport (after missing the right entrance more than once because of terrible signage and construction and having to drive over 30 minutes to get back to the right road), the check-in agent wouldn’t accept more than ONE bag even though my ticket CLEARLY mentioned two, and the website described additional allowances for international flights. Alas, after some struggle it got sorted out. DH literally saved the day, and without him, I doubt I’d have been able to bring the 2/3 of my luggage that was finally checked in back to Canada with me. DH knows quite a bit of Arabic by now (he’s been in Jeddah for over 4 years), and was able to have an exception made about my luggage (with, naturally, a significant price tag). I still don’t know exactly what he did, but I do know that all I lost were 10kgs of luggage and I was able to bring along three 23kg suitcases. Everything arrived safely in Toronto. *whew* THANK YOU, my love! I really don’t know what I’d do without you!

The luggage that made it!

Moving Forward
I’ve been back in Canada for just over a week now. It’s been nice catching up with my family while I stay with them for a couple of weeks while I wait for my new place in Toronto (I move in August 1st). My sister and I have been going on lots of long walks in the beautiful summer weather, baking, drinking lots of Starbucks, and laughing our eyes out together. I missed her so much! My brothers, of course, have been making fun of me and my great interest in the royal baby (CONGRATS to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge: their baby boy was born on our second wedding anniversary yesterday—what a wonderful gift for DH and I!), and my parents have been keeping busy helping me go out to buy furniture for the new place (and have been kind enough to let me store it all in their now overflowing living room!)

Baking fun!

Starbucks. Mmm!

I am so, so happy that DH has been helping me to decorate and furnish our Toronto place (even though I'm the one who will be living here alone for now). It makes being apart feel so much more temporary when we're planning the next phase of our life here together. It's a very different experience (so far) from the past when we've been apart for long periods of time when we've not known when we'd see each other next, and couldn't really make solid plans about where we'd be living. Heck, his schedule was so unpredictable the last time we were long distance that we had to change our wedding date a couple of times. Needless to say, having some sense of the future together is a really nice change!

Our future living room?

We have been consulting online catalogs and sending photos and images of room set-ups back and forth to each other. Once we find an item we agree on, I head out with my dad--who is an amazing heavy lifter!--to make a purchase. My poor parents--their living room is quite overflowing with our furniture, and it's still another week before I get the new place in Toronto. THANK YOU, Mom and Dad! (And sorry for the eye sore!)

My generous parents’ living room. 

And again...

Our Anniversary
It was kind of sad to “celebrate” our two year wedding anniversary alone yesterday, but DH and I had a nice chat on Skype and exchanged e-cards. We’d already exchanged gifts before I left, and I’m loving my new Michael Kors rose gold watch!!! (He, I imagine, continues to enjoy his fancy silver pen, too!)

Anniversary gift from DH!

Looking Ahead
As soon as I get settled in Toronto, I plan to get right to work on this coming year’s funding applications (one of which is “SSHRC,” or the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council application). I already feel behind not having started them as I usually try to get on top of the tedious editing and form-filling by early July. I’m trying to give myself a bit of a break this year in waiting until August to begin. After all, it’s not every summer I move home from abroad, and I need this time to catch up with my family (and hopefully friends before too long!) Sometimes I wish I had a more easy-going personality. But then again, I guess the way I do things is what brings me academic success and recognition.

My “friend,” SSHRC (official logo)Source: http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx

This past year in particular has been full of challenges, and I have worked so hard at my two jobs. I really enjoy teaching, and, after finishing my PhD, would love to combine that with more rigorous research in an academic position, whether here or abroad! At times, I didn’t think I could make it through the past year. I was getting up at 5am most mornings, and not getting home from work until after 8pm. Between PhD and funding applications, organizing reference letters, perfecting writing samples, ordering transcripts, writing statements of intent for individuals schools, holding a full-time teaching job, marking papers, organizing college events, attending faculty and staff meetings, tutoring three nights a week, keeping up with the housework, and doing even more grading on weekends, I barely had a single second to myself. Looking back, I have no idea how I got through it, but I did and I am so proud of myself! Sometimes it’s when we put ourselves in challenging situations that we realize how strong and capable we truly are! After all this, a PhD sounds easy! Haha (Well, maybe not “easy,” but easier to manage!)

The work that never ends
Source: http://www.tekkaus.com/2011/01/you-may-not-see-me-that-often-anymore.html

I can’t wait to start my new courses and re-connect with my supervisor, who has also been assigned to be my faculty mentor for the first year of my program. Lots of changes coming up in the next few weeks, and I’m usually so resistant to change. I can do it though!

Here’s to new experiences, changes, and embracing life’s new possibilities with positivity and smiles!

Attitude is everything! :)
Source: http://fitchicktricks.com/motivation/a-positive-attitude-takes-practice/