For Your Viewing Pleasure

Mike and Charmaine

Chris, Mike, Charmaine

Me at the Sofitel Hotel

Susan and Arf (I think that was his name)

Arf and I

Susan and I don't know his name

Kyle (new friend working in Saudi), Allison, and nameless friend

Group shot

Allison and I

Group photo

Yes, I danced by myself

band: Hip 2 Soul

Here is just a collection of weekend photos. I won't go into stories and details, but I will make a list of some of the things that occurred.

• Relaxation
• pizza
• dancing
• someone trying to sell a friend
• spa opening party/cocktail party
• meeting a band
• showing my angry side
• the taxi sob-fest
• making new friends

My First Experience With a Dust Storm

Not sure if this happened from the dust storm or maybe a car accident, but it did happen during the dust storm

Hard to tell from the picture, but it was dusty and hazy out. Normally it's sunny and blue.

Wind was blowing things everywhere

My first experience with a dust storm happened just last week. This was a mild dust storm though, because from what I've been told, some are so bad that you can't see 6 feet in front of you. This one was not nearly that bad. So it started off in the morning, when it was unusually windy outside, and seemed a bit cloudy (which is strange because it is sunny and cloud free everyday). By the time first break came, and we were outside with the students, it was even more hazy, there were leaves and bags flying in the air from the wind. My students were scared and freaking out because the bag they saw flying high up in the air, they thought was a bat, and were afraid. On top of that, they were complaining about their eyes (from the sand and dust getting into them). We took the kids back in eventually.

As the day progressed, it got a bit more dusty colored outside, and the kids weren't allowed to play outside during their second break, but instead had to stay in the cafeteria.

Walking home meant wearing my sunglasses and wrapped my scarf over my face, in attempts to keep the sand and dust out. The winds must have been strong because a small tree was down on the field next to the music room. Then, when I walked further towards home, a basketball hoop was laying sideways, and their was debris everywhere. And of course, when I got back to my apartment, lots of dust, leaves, feathers, and other things had blown under the door and into the living room, which made for a bit of a cleanup. All in all, the storm wasn't that bad, but I'm sure if I ever encounter a more fierce one, I may think differently. 

Birthday Night 2: My Actual Birthday

I don't remember what we were talking about, but I'm sure it was interesting

Here comes my birthday sorbet!

Making some wishes and giggling

Sonja, Allison, Me, and Chris 

Me, Susan, and Sonja

Round 2! On my actual birthday, I spent a good amount of the day in recovery from the previous night, but when dinner time rolled around, I was dressed and ready to celebrate. Unfortunately, not everyone had the same energy and mentality. Some friends were just a bit to hungover and worn from the night before, so they couldn't muster up the strength to join. Although this was sad, I did still have a wonderful group of friends with me, so I was content nonetheless.

We started off having dinner at a lovely Thai restaurant called Monsoon. We had our own private dining area and a nice big table. The cocktails were tasty, and so was the food. I had a Thai coconut and chicken soup to start, which gave me quite the shock. What I thought were diced up red bell peppers, actually turned out to be these hotter-than-the-sun Thai chili's. I literally almost choked when I first swallowed it, and experienced my mouth being on fire for a good 10 minutes. Now, I like spicy things, believe me, but this was by far the spiciest little pepper I have ever known!

After my mouth finally calmed down and I stopped breathing fire, I was able to cautiously continue eating my soup, and then my shrimp curry main course. It was all delicious, and I just love Thai food.

Of course, my dear friends surprised me with a birthday dessert of sorbet and fruit, which was also amazingly delicious, and a sweet way to finish the dining experience.

Following dinner, myself, Allison (a teacher friend from another school), Chris, and Miguel (Coast Guard friends), continued on with the night to party. Everyone else was tired and ready for home.

We met up with our friends Susan and Sonja for a night of drinks and dancing (my favorite). And after that, joined the band performing at the bar, to their hotel party. 

The night came to an end with me crashing on Allison's couch for the night, until morning when I could get a ride back home.

So that was the 24th birthday. It had just what I needed, fun and friends.

More Pictures from Birthday Night 1

Rachel and I

Lol, I like Alana's face here. Maybe she ate something funny

Alana and Tom, perfectly content

The two loves of my life

So much affection for my birthday

I have to make this one big because it's my favorite pic from the night. I break out in hysterical laughter every time I look at it and look at our faces. We look ridiculous. 

We had lost all control and were  just having too much fun

Nothing but laughs and smiles

I got to dance on stage for my birthday

And have champagne, and they brought me a cake and sang

2 sexy ladies at the bar

My birthday cake from the hotel

Enjoy the food and drinks

I finally got a hold of some extra photos from the first night of my birthday. This was truly a night to remember, as mentioned in the previous blog. There was no control or filter on our actions or words, and that is clearly what made the night as outrageous and fun as it was. I'm so happy that I came here and made friends with some awesome people who made my birthday all the better, and were able to partake in the nonsense with me.