Middle East Area - Spring 2017
The Wayfarer A publication for the SSA Global Community Middle East Area Edition Spring 2017
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The Wayfarer Middle East Area Edition Spring 2017
Hello everyone! I hope you enjoy this new edition of the Wayfarer! We have enjoyed Elsa’s Wayfarers for the last couple of years and now it’s my job to try and follow on her footsteps! The Middle East holds a special place in my heart because I got to work a few months in the Omani desert back in 2008, when I had no idea I would later become an SSA member, let alone the one that makes the Wayfarer!!! I want to thank the MEA Chapters that sent their contributions as well as members from other Areas that shared their wonderful photos from their days living in the Middle East!
Enjoy! Evelyn
Beau ful cover photo by Ka e Gill
Truck & Camel by Evelyn Bicelis 2
In this edition...
Message from our Global Coordinator
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Farewell and Thank you
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SSA Global Board
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Message from the MEA Area Coordinator
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Featured Chapters
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India - Mumbai
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Kuwait - Kuwait City
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Pakistan - Islamabad
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Saudi Arabia - Al Khobar
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Saudi Arabia - Nada & Udhailiyah
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UAE - Abu Dhabi
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Special Article by Lillian Small
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Interview with our SPOC, Sandra Caicedo
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Heart of SLB by Shilpa Zacharia
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Quiz time: Do you know the most commonly used SSA acronyms? 67 I’ve been there!!! MEA pictures from other SSA members
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Keeping in touch: SSAfara.net + SSA Global Community
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Next Wayfarer: NAM
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There’s always something going on By Elsa Scheffler “There’s always something going on.” I read that phrase in an ad recently, and it couldn’t sum up more perfectly my thoughts right now. There is always something going on in SSA! The last few months have been like a whirlwind. In December, we found out the very sad news that our dear Lorraine Albelto was leaving SSA. It wasn’t easy for any of us in the Global Board to say goodbye to Lorraine. Although our friendship con nues outside SSA, it was strange that suddenly she wasn’t “there” anymore. We worked closely for over 2 years and we’ve never even met in person, but that didn’t prevent us becoming good friends. With a li le push from her part, I applied for the Global Coordinator posi on and well, here I am, very happy to keep the ball rolling and con nuing with the projects that were already in the works and finding new projects that will benefit all our members too. A few people have asked me over the years why do I even volunteer for SSA… we don’t get paid and we put in many hours into the job… so why? My answer is always “Why not?”. I think I’ve told this story in these pages in some form already, but before marrying my husband, I worked in Procter & Gamble for a few years, and it was a dream job for me. My major in college was Marke ng, so I spent 4 years hearing about P&G and many of our study cases came from real P&G ones. It was only natural that a er gradua ng, I gravitated towards applying for a job there and I was very lucky to be hired. In the mean me, my then fiancée started his applica on process in SLB, which to a Marke ng major working in a consumer goods company like me sounded so mysterious. The oil industry, huh?... He was hired and immediately shipped off to exo c Nigeria, while I stayed in Mexico and Elsa and her husband Alejandro con nued working for another year at P&G before we got married and I joined him in the SLB adventure. I went on from a successful career and from being totally independent to the lush jungles of Africa with no job, no car, and no family nearby in a ma er of days. It was all very exci ng, of course. Never in my life had I thought I would have the opportunity to live in Africa. I can clearly remember our arrival in the early hours of the morning to the gated compound where we were assigned a small apartment. There was a lovely wicker basket on top of the dining table. It had a few pantry items: cereal, milk, juice, crackers, bread and jam.
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Middle East Area - Spring 2017
At first, I believed it was my very though ul new husband who had purchased these items before traveling to Mexico to get me, but he looked puzzled and said he had no idea who brought them. As many of you know, you arrive in your new loca on and it usually goes like this: arrive, husband showers and has some breakfast, then leaves for the office and you’re le there without knowing where or how to start your new life. I was in the middle of contempla ng my new surroundings, when there was a shy knock on my door. Three very nice ladies introduced themselves as the SSA Dubai Mall by Elsa Scheffler Welcome commi ee and they were the ones who had le the basket and food. They invited me for coffee, introduced me to my neighbors, and so my life as a SLB spouse began. SSA has given me lots of joys, amazing friendships around the world and support when I’ve needed it the most. That is why I volunteered in the first place and con nue to do so. Working in the Global Board has mo vated me to learn new things and to feel comfortable pu ng myself “out there”. SSA has kept me busy and engaged for many years, and has made me realize that however different we all are, we also have many similari es that unite us. “There’s always something going on in SSA” couldn’t be truer and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it! Speaking of something always going on, we recently Elsa and her son Patricio in the also held elec ons to fill four posi ons in the Global Grande Mosque - Abu Dhabi Board. As a result, we have Shilpa Zacharia as our new Global Secretary, Evelyn Bicelis taking on the role of Global Communica ons Coordinator, Erna Farizan taking over the role of Global Webmaster from Nikita Goel, who re red a er two terms in this posi on, and Zamira Polito who is the new La n America Area Coordinator. We are very happy to have an *almost* full board, only two areas pending for someone to be brave and come forward to fill up the posi ons of Africa and North America Area Coordinator. Who will it be? =) What else is going on? Elec ons in many Chapters! As some of you might know, the SSA Guidelines & Mission Statement V5.1 specify that the default elec on date for Local Boards is March 31st of each year. As I write this, many boards are holding elec ons, how exci ng! I can’t wait to hear from the new volunteers! 5
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There’s always something going on (cont.) By Elsa Scheffler One not-so-fun thing going on: Some Chapters have seen their budgets reduced even more in this new year. And yet, an amazing thing is happening… those Chapters are s ll going strong. It only shows that as members of SSA we have our mission clear, that we are here to welcome one another and that is what really ma ers. I congratulate all the SSA Boards that are making it work despite budget cuts and members leaving. Your hard work is important and does not go unno ced. Do you want to know one thing that is ALWAYS going on? The Wayfarer! This newsle er, which I really think more of as a magazine simply because of the wealth of ar cles and contributors we get, has been “my baby” for the past 2+ years. Maybe “baby” is not the right word, because you wouldn’t give it up so easily. Or would you? Hmmm… The point is that it is now in the very capable and crea ve hands of our gorgeous new GCC, Evelyn Bicelis. I had the pleasure of preparing 10 Wayfarer edi ons for the SSA Global Community and felt fortunate to have the chance to “meet” many of our SSA members around the world in the process. My very first edi on was the LAM Nov 14/Dec 15 issue, where we highlighted the SSA 25th Anniversary celebra ons around the world (side note, SSA is already 28!!). The longest edi on I had the pleasure to prepare was the Asia/Australia Winter 2015 edi on, which had 117 pages filled with the amazing contribu ons of the ASA Chapters. For two consecu ve summers, I received beau ful contribu ons from SSA ar sts worldwide and had the joy of publishing their works. The Summer 2015 Art Edi on was 36 pages long. In 2016, the Summer Art edi on was 72 pages long! Lots more ar sts interested in sharing their works of art with the SSA world. There is always varia on on how many ar cles and contribu ons we Elsa’s family in Dubai! get from the Chapters, but I always say that no ma er how small a contribu on is, even if it’s only a picture, a recipe or a quote, it must be appreciated because someone took the me to share it with us. Just in case you were wondering, we do share The Wayfarer with SLB top management. Whether they read it or not, that is another story, LOL, but I for one love to show off how amazing our SSA members are. So, keep on sending your contribu ons! I’m sure Evelyn will do them jus ce! I’m taking advantage of this being the MEA Edi on to share with you some pictures of our travels in the Middle East. It has been a fun ride! There are other fun things going on that I hope I’m able to share with you soon. In the mean me, enjoy your Spring Break plans and relax. See you next me! Cheers,
Elsa 6
Middle East Area - Spring 2017
Farewell and Thank you to Lorraine, Nikita and Yoldary Dear Lorraine, As your term as SSA Global Coordinator has recently come to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of all SSA members worldwide for your hard work and commitment to our association. In a normal business climate, the Global Coordinator (GC) position can be challenging to say the least, but during an extended downturn, the scope of the need from both SLB and members can be all consuming. This did not deter you. From the beginning of your term, you approached the tasks ahead from a position of stewardship, accepting the responsibility for overseeing and protecting the SSA, which is an association that I know you feel deeply is worth caring for and preserving. You embraced the spirt of the SSA and yes, you continued the vision of our association that was set down from the very beginning, but you also had your own vision and passion for the SSA and your talent for strategic thinking helped us forge ahead on a path of renewed growth. You always believed in the Mission and Vision of the association, but were open to the need for the SSA to be able to be organic – to motivate members in new ways to a fect change, and to explore innovative ideas to bring about improvements. “This is the way we’ve always done it…” was never good enough. In order to include as many SLB spouses and partners in the SSA as members as were interested in joining, you worked tirelessly to raise the visibility of the association among SLB employees, and to educate the HR teams from Smith and Cameron about the SSA as their employees made the transition to SLB. In fostering these types of relationships, you helped to ensure that the SSA will have excellent representation within SLB, as HR employees move to new locations and take the knowledge of the cooperative relationship between SLB and the SSA with them. By all measures, the SSA has continued to fulfill its Mission and Vision under your leadership, and is on solid ground to continue to grow in the future. Your energy and devotion to the GC role will be hard to match, but your generous spirit of inclusion of the Global Board team in all projects allowed for each of us to live up to the potential of our positions. Because of this, each of us have been empowered to step forward in other leadership roles as the opportunities present themselves, as we saw with our amazing Global Communications Coordinator, Elsa Sche ler, stepping forward to take the lead as GC when the time came. To say thank you is not enough, but I will say it anyway: Thank you Lorraine for sharing so generously your time, your talents and the treasure that is you, with each and every member of the SSA!
Muah!!! Anisa 7
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Farewell and Thank you to Lorraine, Nikita and Yoldary Dear Nikita, The SSA is deeply indebted to you for serving as the SSA Global Webmaster from 2013 – 2017. Although the Webmaster’s term is normally two years, your willingness to continue on for a second term when asked to do so to complete a special project went “above and beyond”. Your commitment to the Association, your dedicated, timely and e ficient support during the SSA’s IT projects will always be appreciated. The SSA aims to support our members in many di ferent ways, but the level of IT support that you provided for the Association was amazing. I am sure that not everyone realizes how specialized the skill set is that is needed to fulfill the SSA Webmaster position, but the breadth of knowledge of all things IT is vast, and you were very generous to share your skills with us. You were always a very hardworking member of the Global Board team, always going about your work quietly, but steadily and you always got the job done. You have given so much time and commitment to our projects that no words are strong enough to express my gratitude, but... On behalf of all SSA Members worldwide, and on behalf of the SSA Global Board team, I would like to thank all of you for sharing so much of your time with us, and for working so hard for the SSA as our Webmaster. I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation for your loyalty and support of the SSA over the last four years. We on the Global Board team wish you all the best in the future! 01010111 01100001 01110010 01101101 01100101 01110011 01110100 00100000 01110010 01100101 01100111 01100001 01110010 01100100 01110011, Anisa Haddad SSA Ex-o ficio Global Coordinator Interim North America Area Coordinator *The closing above is Warmest regards in binary language.
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Middle East Area - Spring 2017
y (cont.) Dear Yoldary, On behalf of the Global Board and all SSA members, I would like to express my gratitude and admiration for you and the work you did as Latin America SSA Area Coordinator. I know it was not always easy, but your patience and love for SSA helped you serve the Chapters that were under your wing with grace and dignity. Some people might not know that your story with SSA spans more than 13 years, and volunteering in your Local Chapters was always high in your agenda whenever you moved to a new location. It is because of members like you, who happily give their time and e fort, that SSA continues to thrive. I am thankful that you decided to take the leap and volunteer for the Global Board. Your term started in a time that saw our Association in turmoil, with the oil crisis directly impacting many of our members’ lives. You saw a few Chapters in LAM that needed to close due to lack of budget and/or drastic reduction in Yoldary at Pedra do Telégrafo in Rio de Janeiro members. But you maintained a positive attitude and continued to support everyone who needed you. Your dedication to your role was inspiring. It was always a pleasure to work with you. I wish you all the best in your new endeavors, and hope that we are lucky enough to keep such a valuable member in our ranks and get to work with you again in the future. ¡Mucha suerte, querida Yoldary! Hugs, Elsa Sche ler SSA Global Coordinator Interim Africa SSA Area Coordinator
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The SSA Global Board SSA Global Coordinator
Elsa Scheffler
ssa-global-coord@slb.com
SSA Ex-Officio Global Coordinator
Anisa Haddad
ex-officio@slb.com
SSA Global Webmaster
Erna Farizan
ssa-webmaster@slb.com
SSA Global Communications Coordinator Evelyn Bicelis
ssa-communications@slb.com
SSA Global Secretary
Shilpa Zacharia
ssa-secretary@slb.com
SSA Africa Area Coordinator
VACANT (Acting Elsa Scheffler)
ssa-africa-coord@slb.com
SSA Asia/Australia Area Coordinator
Asma Fiyaz
ssa-asia-coord@slb.com
SSA Europe/Russia Area Coordinator
Basti Ismayilbayli
ssa-eur-slr-coord@slb.com
SSA Latin America Area Coordinator
Zamira Polito
ssa-lam-coord@slb.com
SSA Middle East Area Coordinator
Maha Sousak
ssa-mideast-coord@slb.com
SSA North America Area Coordinator
VACANT (Acting Anisa Haddad)
ssa-nam-coord@slb.com
A little bit about the new team members… I am very happy to introduce to you our newest Global Board Members. - Evelyn Bicelis, from SSA Rio de Janeiro, is our new Global Communications Coordinator. Evelyn is from Venezuela, and has been part of the SSA as Communications Coordinator and Newsletter editor since 2015. Before that she worked in SLB, and besides Brazil, she has lived in Venezuela, Gabon, Oman and Mexico. - Erna Farizan, from SSA Oslo, is our new Global Webmaster. Erna is from Malaysia and has a very strong IT background. She has excellent knowledge of all the software needed to perform her tasks as Webmaster. - Zamira Polito, from SSA Mexico City, is our new Latin America SSA Area Coordinator. Zamira is from Mexico, and has been a part of SSA for 19 years. She and her family have lived in 5 different countries and 11 locations. She has volunteered in many local board positions during those years, excelling in all of them. I wish you all the best in your new positions, and I know that the SSA will benefit from having you on the Global Board.
Elsa Scheffler 10
Middle East Area - Spring 2017
We still have a few positions to fill!
SSA Global Board Calls for Applications - April 2017 The SSA Global Board is announcing Calls for Applications for the following positions: SSA Africa Area Coordinator SSA Middle East Area Coordinator SSA North America Area Coordinator All Global Board positions are for a two-year term. Global Board Members may reapply for a further two-year term and will be considered along with other applicants. All SSA Members, with the exception of Schlumberger employees (including dual career), are entitled to hold any position on the SSA Global Board. Applicants to any Global Board position must be active members with experience on a Local Board. Global Board applicants should be dynamic, energetic and enthusiastic with excellent organizational, management and communication skills; diplomatic and compassionate team players with the ability to meet deadlines. All SSA positions, including positions on the SSA Global Board, are volunteer positions for SSA members. SSA members serving as Area Coordinators must live in the Area. For the Area Coordinator position description, visit: http://www.ssafara.net/home/-/blogs/ call-for-applications-for-africa-middle-east-and-north-america-ssa-area-coordinators In order to apply to any of these positions, candidates must submit a letter of interest and a CV to Elsa Scheffler, SSA Global Coordinator (SSA-global-coord@slb.com) and Evelyn Bicelis, SSA Global Communications Coordinator (SSA-communications@slb.com) before Monday, April 24th, 2017. Please note that the language used within the SSA and the Global Board is English. It is a requirement for all Global Board applicants to be fluent in English (written and spoken). We're looking forward to receiving applications from wonderful, enthusiastic SSA members. We need you to keep our Association alive and thriving! SSA Global Board
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The Wayfarer During the past 10 years, we moved to Algeria, then back to Cyprus for three years, then England and now we’re in Saudi Arabia. The move here was unexpected and a bit conflic ng, as I was concerned about all the things I read in the news (No driving for women, having to wear the Abaya, the culture, etc.. ) Today, a er more than 1.5 I am originally from Syria and lived almost all years in Khobar, I don’t think about any of my life in Cyprus. Travelling for me started at a these things, and do understand why almost all the Expats I meet love living here. very young age, mainly to spend holidays in Syria. I only started moving from one country to another 10 years ago. My first move was to The Middle East Area currently has 12 Libya, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and it gave Chapters, Abu Dhabi and Dubai Chapters in the Emirates, Cairo Chapter in Egypt, Doha me an opportunity to stop work and Chapter in Qatar, Kuwait Chapter, Muscat concentrate on my family. Back then I had Ameer (2) and Marwa was s ll an infant. Since Chapter in Oman, Islamabad and the new I am crazy about babies and always wanted to Karachi Chapter in Pakistan, New Delhi and have 4 children but hated pregnancy, I started Mumbai Chapters in India, and last but not praying for twins, par cularly a boy and a girl least Udhailiyah and Al Khobar Chapters in Saudi Arabia where I am. Some chapters are to keep the balance! Yes, prayers do get rela vely small, but this does not really affect answered and I had my lovely twins, Amjad how ac ve and efficient the chapter is. Others and Reema and enjoyed being a full me are really big like in the Emirates and Saudi mum. It was since then that I started my Arabia. volunteer work.
Message from Maha, Middle East Area Coordinator
Our 12 Middle East Area Chapters 12
Middle East Area - Spring 2017
Serving as SSA MEA Coordinator has been a great journey. Almost over now, I look back and feel so happy that I volunteered. Ge ng to know the Local Chapter Coordinators is the best part. I learnt to appreciate their work and feel how much they need to do to get things done. All the board members do amazing work to support their Chapters and try their best to help ladies who move to a new country, making them feel welcome and loved. The experience of being MEA Coordinator gave me the opportunity to get to know the Fantas c Ladies of SSA Global Board, the people who work behind the scenes to make sure everything is done according to the guidelines in order to keep SSA strong. Their passion and belief in SSA and the true value it provides is commendable, I cannot thank them enough for what they have taught me.
Joseph Zacharia
SSA Members are the pillar of SSA, and I cannot thank them enough for being happy to join the events and support fellow members with the ups and downs that the move brings. They usually provide contact details of new ladies who arrive to the country and get them to join their Chapter. This support is highly appreciated by both Local and Global Boards.
I will always be a huge fan and supporter of This journey also lead me to get to know SSA in every way, and I encourage you all to some very nice and helpful employees at SLB do what you can to support and help keep who are ready to support and do whatever your chapters running properly. If you have they can to help SSA, apprecia ng what it any concerns, share them with your Area does to help the families with their move and Coordinators or any other Global Board se ling down. Thanks are also due to our Member you feel comfortable communica ng Sponsors, Schlumberger, for the support that with, and always step forwards to help when they show, the me that they also put aside you can. despite their very busy schedules. We are truly fortunate to have this organiza on.
Maha
I would like to thank all the Chapter Coordinators, Local Board members in the Middle East Area for their dedica on and support. I hope I haven’t been nagging too much :) 13
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Audrey StringďŹ eld 14
MIDDLE EAST AREA CHAPTERS
Middle East Area - Spring 2017
Egypt India
Cairo Mumbai New Delhi
Kuwait
Kuwait City
Oman
Muscat
Pakistan Qatar Saudi Arabia UAE
Karachi Islamabad Doha Al Khobar Nada & Udhailiyah Abu Dhabi Dubai 15
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INDIA SSA MUMBAI Kala Ghoda Festival By Shilpa Zacharia A walk through India's Grandest Arts Fes val... 'Kala Ghoda' translated to English Means 'Black Horse'. This is name of an area where the Kala Ghoda Arts Fes val in South Bombay is held annually. The fes val has free entry for public and it probably sees one of the largest foo all anywhere in India. It is a Nine Day long Fes val held every year in the month of February. I decided to go and check it out with my son, his friends from school & their moms. I am not one of those people who likes crowds and at the ďŹ rst point of entry I was completely overwhelmed by the numbers of people pouring in. Luckily, it wasn't too hard to navigate through them but keeping our 6-year-olds close to us without leaving their hands was the challenge we are proud we successfully accomplished the few hours that we were there.
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There were more than a hundred stalls selling some of the most unique and gorgeous pieces of Arts everywhere. Extremely temp ng for shopaholics. There were also several unique sculptures & pain ngs displayed on the street. We entered the museum gardens where there was po ery and beau ful artwork done by children on the theme of 'If Dreams were horses'. My son and his friends tried their hand at the po ers wheel and a ended a puppet show held in the Museum garden. The Moms decided to go grab some delicious 'chaat' while the kids were busy. A er the show the kids refreshed themselves with some delicious gelato and were ready to navigate their way out through the crowd which was only ge ng larger as the sun set. There was a literature fest happening in a nearby library and prepara ons for a music concert all set but unfortunately, that was all the me we had with it ge ng dark and kids ge ng red. We went to Kala Ghoda on the last weekend of the fes val & were a li le sad to leave the fes ve atmosphere. We look forward to going to it next year & probably exploring more exci ng events! If you are in Mumbai in the first couple of weeks of February you definitely should check this fes val and the unique experience it has to offer!
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INDIA SSA MUMBAI HSE event – Driving Safety By Hiral Shah Schlumberger is an acknowledged leader within the industry in managing driving safety risks. On March at the Nerul base we had driving safety, HSE event. INM driving champion, Mr. Harish gave us a presenta on on the SMARRT techniques of driving. It was very informa ve and useful presenta on.
CAR ACCIDENT STATISTICS
Even the videos shown were an eye opener. Talking and tex ng, listening to music, etc. has become rou ne while driving.
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The presenta on gave us some good sta s cs: At 55 km/h, one drives blind the length of football field = me to answer the text on mobile (4.6 seconds), holding the steering in 9 – 3 clock posi on, coun ng 1001 to 1005 to keep the safe distance between cars. We also did commentary driving to understand the prac cal aspect of driving to be followed in terms of green, yellow and red zones, the dangers, the body posture while driving, blind spots and distance to be maintained between cars. Interior of the engine and following the POWER (petrol, oil, water, electrical parts and rubber) checkup message was taught. Mr. Harish gave the ladies the opportunity to experience the seat belt convincer. The value of using
seat belts is reinforced during training through a seat-belt convincer crash simulator device. Its purpose is to expose drivers and passengers to the forces of a low-speed crash to reinforce the benefits of wearing seat belts whenever a vehicle is in mo on. Overall it was beneficial session. We ladies pledged to be safe & drive smart!
Greetings from SSA Mumbai!!! 19
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KUWAIT SSA KUWAIT CIT Y By Pia Dey Verma Sunglasses – check Sunscreen lo on – check Scarf – check Hydra ng facial mist – check Bo le of water – check
Please sit back and let me take you on a ride through Kuwait and our Chapter here… Kuwait can be best described as a ‘city state’. From what used to be a fishing village, this region went on to be an important center of all boat building and trading ac vi es in the Gulf region in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Of course, the discovery of oil in 1938 changed the socio-economic climate yet again of this na on. Today, Kuwait boasts of a modern skyline with strong tradi onal roots that are evident in the souks selling incense, oud, beau ful tea cups, rugs and baskets. 20
Pia Dey Verma
Middle East Area - Spring 2017
Landmarks in Kuwait 1. Kuwait Tower is the symbol of modern Kuwait, it is an iconic group of three slender towers with spheres situated next to the Persian Gulf. The spheres house an observa on deck and a wonderful restaurant where SSA Kuwait held its Annual Welcome Back Breakfast in 2016.
2. The Libera on Tower is the second tallest structure in Kuwait. This was originally meant to be called The Kuwait Telecommunica ons Tower which was renamed as the Libera on Tower, symbolizing the country’s libera on from Iraq.
3. The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre which was inaugurated on 31st October 2016 is a stunning complex housing theatres, concert halls, conference centres, musical fountains and restaurants. One of our members, Consuelo described the place as “stunning” when she went for the “Cats” show last month.
4. Souk Al-Mubarakiya – this is what probably comes to mind to most of us when the words “Arabia” and “Middle East” are men oned. The tradi onal souk has rows of shops selling produce, incense, souvenirs, clothes, toys and more. There are basic restaurants where I have eaten the best charcoal grilled chicken ever!
5. Kuwait Water Tower System Yes! Water tanks. These mushroom shaped blue and white striped water towers can be seen all over Kuwait. 6. The Grand Mosque is spread over an area of 45,000 square metres. With its beau ful architecture, prayer halls, libraries of references books, and guided tours, it is a must – do in Kuwait. Shilpa Khatri
Shilpa Khatri
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KUWAIT SSA KUWAIT CIT Y Things to Do in Kuwait:
grocery items from all over the world. You
With its malls, restaurants, parks, can munch on guavas from Thailand, sip beaches and places of interest, Kuwait water of tender coconuts from Sri Lanka, is a vibrant place to live. add pizzazz to your dishes with spices from If you are a shopaholic of any degree – you are spoilt for choice in Kuwait. The popular places to shop (and spend the day) are the Avenues Mall, 360 Mall, Gate Mall, Promenade Mall, Souq Sharq, Symphony Mall and Al Kout mall. In addi on to these, we have the Friday markets, the City Centre at Salmiya, the interes ng souks, shopping areas of Salmiya, Fahaheel and Egaila. Members usually end up mee ng each other while doing their weekly grocery shopping at Lulu, Sultan Centre, Carrefour or Geant! Grocery shopping can be quite an adventure too – with aisles stuffed with produce and
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India, while choosing your dinner steak that comes from New Zealand or a fillet of Norwegian salmon And if you are a gourmet, Welcome to Kuwait! Try any cuisine you like – Arabic, Lebanese, Turkish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Iranian, Thai, American, Caribbean – the list goes on! My personal favourites, however, are the small juice bars that whip up freshly squeezed fruit juices, small bakeries that sell delicious Arabic coffee sweets to go with your li le cup of Turkish coffee and ‘Fatayer’ – which are essen ally flat bread can be stuffed with spinach, local cheese, pine nuts, meat etc.
Middle East Area - Spring 2017
If it’s the outdoors you want – then Kuwait has beau ful beaches, boulevards and parks. The hotspots for picnics are the Egaila and Messilah beaches where you can set up a barbecue, play beach volleyball or roll out a rug and read a book. Our chapter has had lovely picnics at both these beaches. You can rent boats or take cruises into the sea. Take a day trip to one of the farms in Waffra or Abdaly where you can pick strawberries Pia Dey Verma (yes!), buy farm fresh produce and spend a day out in the sun. A crowd favourite is the Yasmine Farm that classes. One can spend a day at the Tareq runs guided tours, has a play area, a picnic Rajab Museum (like the SSA Kuwait did a area, place where children can feed baby couple of mes) or the Amricani Cultural goats and rabbits, a shop on site – all the Centre, watch master weavers and while being a fully func onal farm. cra smen at their tradi onal art in at the For the culturally oriented, we have theatres, museums, privately run hobby
Sadu House, visit the fascina ng House of Mirrors or Scien fic Centre.
Pia Dey Verma
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Middle East Area - Spring 2017
Great shots by Consuelo Balcazar and her son Samuel
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KUWAIT SSA KUWAIT CIT Y Our Chapter
Our welcome baskets!
At present, we have 125 members from over 30 na ons who speak over 25 languages (we can’t wait for our next Interna onal Day which is around the corner!). Our Chapter loves welcoming new members and we are constantly delighted at the increased par cipa on of members in our events. Our ac vi es include coffee mornings, picnics, pain ng experiences, movie nights, working out with a Zumba instructor, gi exchange par es during the fes ve season in addi on to the Annual Welcome Back Breakfasts and Annual General Mee ngs. The chapter has wonderful members who are always ready to pitch in by bringing food together for an in house coffee morning or a picnic. This year, as a Charity ac vity, the chapter collected 160.500 KD (that’s about $526) as cash dona ons from members. The en re amount was handed over to the Kuwait Red Crescent Society. In November 2016, the Board members were invited by the HR sec on of SLB to be a part of the HR Open Day. We had a booth of our own where we talked about our Chapter and its ac vi es. We were so glad when a few employees signed up their spouses!
It’s Time to Meet the Board Things are run with high enthusiasm by the SSA Kuwait Chapter Board Members of 2016-17. They are:
Chapter Coordinator: Pia Dey Verma (that’s yours truly) Treasurer: Heind A a Welcome Coordinators: Maznie Omar and Parinaz Jokhi Ac vity Coordinator: Rania Rashad Charity Coordinator: Alwia al Hassan Shilpa Khatri
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HSE Coordinator: Amany Saleh
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Here are some lovely photos from SSA Kuwait’s activities!
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KUWAIT SSA KUWAIT CIT Y
Bond over Breakfast Our version of Valentine’s day! 28
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KUWAIT SSA KUWAIT CIT Y
Young Artists’ Corner SSA Kuwait shared lovely pictures showing the creativity of some of the children of their members!
Arhana Pal
Arhana is 8 years old and goes to the English school (year 3) She is Narbanita Nag’s daughter
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Hanzalah Yasser
Hanzalah Yasser is the son of Ammara Yasser, not only is he an expert at drawing planes but can also write poems!
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KUWAIT SSA KUWAIT CIT Y Young Artists’ Corner
Reet Kaler This pain ng is from the eyes of a SLB kid whose dad is busy doing the office work on his study table in the top right corner Reet is 4 years old. She is Pree Chowdhary‘s daughter
The sketches made by Reet of her family including the grand parents with a pen. She doesn't like to use an eraser :)
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Neil Kaler
Neil is 7 years old. He is Pree ’s son and Reet’s older brother! Talent definitely runs in the family!
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KUWAIT SSA KUWAIT CIT Y In Conclusion
confess that I took 15 minutes to think about it! It’s been a roller coaster ride It’s been a pleasure and an honour to be since then. It was a wonderful experience – being a Chapter on the SSA Board ever since I came to Kuwait in September 2013. I had hardly Coordinator since April 2015. The first task as a Chapter Coordinator in April been here for a couple weeks, when I 2015 was to send the contribu on for got a phone call from Kiran Juyal, another SSA Member. She asked me if I Kuwait to the first ever Wayfarer – and would be interested in volunteering on its only befi ng that I send it once again in 2017 before my term ends next the Board as the Communica ons Coordinator. My answer was an instant month. ‘yes’. I met the other ladies on the Board During my me on the SSA Board, we later that week – Youssra Kamal, Mariela have seen the best of mes but we have Rodriguez, Eman Tohamy and of course seen the worst of mes too. It has been Kiran Juyal – to plan the Welcome Back difficult to saying goodbye to friends Breakfast. So, I was welcomed to not whose spouses fell vic m to the hard only Kuwait but also the SSA as a Board mes on which the Oil Industry is member! A er that first term, a new con nuing to see. However, hope lives board took its place in October 2014 on. And the support we give each other that kept the flag flying high. does not end either. Unfortunately, the then Chapter I am o en asked – “how do you manage Coordinator could not con nue as her husband moved from Kuwait. A er the all this?” I will not pretend that it’s a cakewalk all the me. But the truth be mail calling for volunteers to fill the told, it isn’t very hard either. When you posi on was sent in March 2015, I received a call from Nadia Usman who have a great team working with you, wonderful chapter members to work for was the Treasurer asking me if I would like to volunteer. As before, the answer and the convic on that the SSA is was a ‘yes’ – though this me I have to instrumental in making new members feel welcome into what is o en a new 34
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country and culture to them, the minor With Lots of Love, issues simply fade into the background. Pia Dey Verma All you’re le with is the bond of a SSA Kuwait Chapter Coordinator (2016 – 17) sisterhood of the trailing spouses. So if you are reading this and wondering if you should or shouldn’t volunteer for the SSA, do so without another doubt. I can guarantee that you will have an unforge able, enriching experience.
This amazing piece of art was made by Nabanita Nag (Zoom in for a surprise!)
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PAKISTAN SSA ISLAMABAD By Zahra Ali
We had another year full of exciting coffee mornings and enlivening activities!
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Recently, a quiz was held “How well do you know “Islamabad” at the coffee morning. Winners and participants received gifts!
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PAKISTAN SSA ISLAMABAD
A cooking class was arranged by SSA and hosted by our lovely Nahed Telawi from Syria. Professional chefs taught yummiest biryani, daal and nehari recipes to all the participants. In a similar gathering, our Syrian and Egyptian friends delighted us with their traditional cuisines. 38
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Hiking & trip to the Heritage Museum
SSA Islamabad has developed a special bond between us. The members often plan private gettogethers and meet and greet each other. Here, it is worthy to mention that not only the locals have actively participated, but the expats have equally contributed in strengthening this bond. We have enjoyed experiencing each other’s culture, food and tastes. We have
welcomed a lot of new members and bid farewell to some of the dear ones. But no matter wherever our destinies take us to, these memories will be cherished forever! Looking forward to another phenomenal year with SSA!!
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SAUDI ARABIA SSA AL KHOBAR A Brief Look at Life in Al Khobar By Elizabeth Wise SSA Al Khobar Chapter Coordinator A move to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has its challenges but it can be a fantas c adventure too! The Al Khobar SSA is a wonderful group of ladies from over thirty countries with many different cultures and languages. The Al Khobar SSA provides extra support and strength to all its members. Whether you have ques ons about schools, houses, or what to pack for your move, or if you are already living in Al Khobar and have a ques on about finding a den st, or when the drycleaning man collects the laundry, there is always someone that can answer your ques on. When we first get “the le er” there is the usual mix of emo ons, the sadness of leaving friends
Ka e Gill 40
combined with the excitement of the much an cipated le er having finally arrived. “I can not believe it is really happening. WE ARE MOVING to Saudi Arabia!” Even for the most seasoned interna onally mobile spouse, a move to Saudi Arabia opens up a whole list of new ques ons alongside the usual ones about schools and housing. How do I get a Visa? What can I wear? Will I have to cover my hair and face when I go out? Can I go out without my husband? Is Saudi Arabia safe? Women are not allowed to drive, so how can I get about? If you are a Schlumberger spouse moving to Saudi Arabia your husband will need to go ahead of you first, and then you will usually be able to join him a few weeks later once all your paperwork is completed. Schlumberger provides assistance with all the usual logis cs of housing and applying to schools (do this ASAP as school spaces are sought a er). The SSA here in Al Khobar can also be a great source of advice in these early stages.
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Al Khobar is a developed city with many restaurants, shops and supermarkets, living here is straigh orward and not as daun ng as it might first seem. When outside of the home or compound all women need to wear an Abaya (a long loose fi ng garment), contrary to popular opinion these do not have to be black, there are many varia ons of abayas in navy blue, beige, grey and pa erned, although I have not seen anyone wearing a bright red one yet. The best thing about the Abaya is you never have to spend too long deciding what to wear when going out. Expats who would not normally cover their hair with a scarf are not expected to do so in Al Khobar, although many ladies carry a scarf as some areas are more conserva ve than others. Ini ally I thought that I would not be able to venture out without my husband accompanying me, but I was relieved to find out that women can move freely around town on their own. In Khobar there are many excellent restaurants and coffee shops. One unique Saudi feature is that many businesses are separated into two areas one for men not with their families and the other Ka e Gill for families only. Surprisingly you soon get and helpful and most speak excellent English and accustomed to this separa on and to entering by a Arabic. Al Khobar feels very safe and secure and I different door. do not have concerns about crime or security. I was delighted to discover that in Al Khobar there Most compounds have buses that run each day to are many shopping opportuni es from large malls the various schools, malls and supermarkets. There of designer goods to markets and local traders. In is also a very good network of private taxi services the cooler weather spending a morning exploring that are widely used by Schlumberger spouses downtown Khobar and the Dammam markets can here in Khobar. There is no need to feel trapped at be very interes ng. Morning or evening is the best home and the issue of not being able to drive is me to shop as many stores close in the not as challenging as it would be in some other a ernoons, and everything closes a number of loca ons. To be honest the driving style in Al mes each day for prayers. This certainly adds Khobar is pre y aggressive, and although I would some challenge to your shopping trip or errand like to be able to drive at least I do not need to running. Staff in the stores are usually very polite deal with the other crazy drivers on the roads! 41
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SAUDI ARABIA SSA AL KHOBAR A Brief Look at Life in Al Khobar (cont.) By Elizabeth Wise SSA Al Khobar Chapter Coordinator Ka e Gill
The SSA members offer classes in a variety of areas; including languages, cooking, fitness, art, and ballet. There are lots of addi onal opportuni es for both adults and children to develop an exis ng skill or try something new; swim teams, cricket, rugby, yoga, BodyPump, Zumba, soccer, language schools, piano, and tennis lessons to name just a few. Many compounds have facili es that include a small grocery shop, a gym and a swimming pool. Living in Al Khobar we are very close to Bahrain and in a li le over an hour (if the causeway traffic is in your favour!) you have the opportunity to explore all that Bahrain has to offer. Many Al Khobar residents head across the bridge for day trips, weekend getaways, and school breaks. Bahrain is more liberal than Saudi, women do not have to wear an abaya and are allowed to drive. There is a vibrant arts culture, a world heritage 42
site fort, shopping malls, movie theatres, indoor skydiving, an F1 circuit with family go-kar ng, water parks, a camel farm, water sports, as well as great hotels and beaches. Saudi Arabia is a fascina ng country and now in the lovely spring weather we are looking forward to exploring more of what is on our doorstep; the Al-Ahsa Oasis and Na onal Park are only about an hour and half drive from Al Khobar, and the lure of a desert camping trip is calling too! One of the greatest things about a move to Saudi Arabia is joining the community of fantas cally talented, strong and suppor ve SSA ladies. There is always another spouse near at hand to call for a coffee, advice, or even for help in a crisis. We are an op mis c “glass half full” group, that recognises the posi ves in our life as a Schlumberger Spouse in Saudi and truly support each other.
Regards from Al Khobar!
Afsheen Khan
Middle East Area - Spring 2017
Audrey Stringfield
Nahed Al-Dossary
Afsheen Khan
Audrey Stringfield
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SAUDI ARABIA SSA AL KHOBAR
Family International Day
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This February our members and their families par cipated in the SSA Family Interna onal Day. Almost 600 people gathered at the Mutlaq Compound to share their culture, na onal dress, music and food. A colourful parade of na ons started the event with lots of cheering, music and flag waving, this was followed by wonderful performances celebra ng our different cultures in theatre, music and dance. The SSA Al Khobar members worked together in twenty different country teams to put together vibrant display tables which included delicious food, artefacts, flags, photographs, games, Egyp an Pyramids, Russian Dolls, Indian Temples, and much more. Everyone enjoyed celebra ng our different cultures, visi ng the country display tables and sampling the food. Children collected facts and stamps for their passports and par cipated in lots of fun ac vi es, including camel rides and face pain ng.
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SAUDI ARABIA SSA AL KHOBAR
Desert Designs Co fee
A morning of Ar san Culture
and Calligraphy at Desert Designs Al Khobar
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SSA Al Khobar Back to School Co fee Morning
Icebreaker games and a chance catch up with friends and welcome new members in Al Khobar (including some very young members!).
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SAUDI ARABIA SSA AL KHOBAR
Breast Cancer Awareness Zumba Class
HSE Training
We danced our way to raise almost 2000 Riyals for the Saudi Cancer Founda on. Addi onally, the SSA provided informa on on breast cancer detec on.
SSA Al Khobar members spent an informa ve morning learning about CPR and First Aid with our Schlumberger Country Doctor and HSE Department. 48
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Big Chefs A wonderful Turkish Breakfast with SSA friends suppor ng each other, welcoming lots of new ladies and holding board elec ons.
Indian Cultural Morning
SSA Al Khobar members learned about Indian culture through dance, food and music, ladies were able to try wonderful new dishes and try henna and a Sari photo booth. 49
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SAUDI ARABIA SSA AL KHOBAR Cooking lessons in Al Khobar The lovely Afsheen Khan, from SSA Al Khobar, has been sharing with some very lucky ladies some wonderful cooking lessons. In one of the sessions that I a ended she showed us how to cook two very tasty vegetarian dishes: Stuffed Aubergines (Bagharay Baingan) and Daal Makhani (Shahi Daal). We had a great me and a delicious lunch! I asked her permission to share her recipes here, and I do hope you give them a try. Serve with white basma rice and you’re all set! Elsa Scheffler
Afsheen’s Recipes From: Various Serves: 6-8
Daal Makhani (Shahi Daal) Prep Time: 30mins Cook Time: 45mins
Ingredients 1 cup Brown Len ls
Instruc ons
1 medium Onion
1: Wash and soak len ls in warm water for 30 mins
1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
2:In a pan, put len ls and cover them with enough water to cook them through. Add chopped onion ( save a li le bit for tempering), ginger garlic paste, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder. Use a wooden spoon to mix. Cover and cook for 30 mins or ll the len ls are tender.
1/2 tsp Red Chilli powder
3: Once the len ls are cooked, add yogurt, whisk them well for a creamy consistency. Season with salt and add water if required to get the desired consistency. Add a pinch of garam masalah. 4: For tempering: heat bu er in a pan, add chopped onions, ginger juliennes, chopped garlic, cumin seeds , dried chillies. Fry them ll garlic and onions a golden brown. Add it to the cooked len ls. 5: Add fresh cream on top and garnish with green chillies and coriander leaves. Serve with boiled rice
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1/4 tsp Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp Cumin Powder 2 tbsp Yogurt 2 cloves Garlic 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp Fine Juliennes of Ginger 2-4 Dried Red Chillies 2 tbsp Bu er 2 tbsp Fresh Cream Salt to taste Pinch of Garam Masalah
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Garnish Green Chillies & coriander leaves
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Afsheen’s Recipes
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Stuffed Aubergines (Bagharay Baingan) From: Ammi Serves: 6-8
Prep Time: 20mins Cook Time: 30mins
Instruc ons 1: Dry Roast Peanuts, Sesame Seeds, Cumin, Coriander ll it releases nice aroma and peanuts are turning a bit brown. Add coconut and s r of few secs on very low heat. Keep it aside to cool 2:In the same pan, add chopped onions and roast them without oil on medium heat, ll it’s nice golden brown. 3: Make a fine paste with roasted spices and onions and keep aside. 4: Slit the aubergines lengthwise and keep them intact from the top. Stuff them with the paste, prepared earlier. 5: In a pan heat oil, add curry leaves, mustard leaves and dried whole chillies. When the mustard seeds start to splu er, add the ginger garlic paste, red chilli powder and turmeric. Lower the heat and s r constantly. Now add stuffed aubergines and fry evenly from all sides. 2:Now add the remaining paste, salt and cook for few mins or ll the liquid starts to dry. Now add tamarind pulp and cover the pan. Cook for a further 10 mins on low heat or ll the aubergines are done. Garnish with Green chilli and coriander leaves, serve with rice or chapa s
Notes
You can also use onions without roas ng. Just skip step 2 and add all the onions in step 5..
Ingredients 1/2 kg Small Round Aubergines / Eggplants 2 medium Onions 1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste 1/2 tsp Red Chilli powder 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder 2 tbsp Peanuts 2 tbsp Sesame Seed 1 tbsp Cumin Seeds 2 tbsp Coriander Seeds 6-8 Curry Leaves 1/2 tsp Mustard Seed 2-4 Dried Red Chillies 1/2 cup Tamarind Pulp 1/2 cup Oil Salt to taste Garnish Green Chillies & coriander leaves
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SAUDI ARABIA SSA NADA & UDHAILI YAH Jabal Al Qarah Caves By Erika Martinez Hi! My name is Erika, I am from Mexico City and live in Hofuf, recently I visited this place, it is beau ful and I definitely recommend it to visit. Jabal Qarah is at a distance of 10 km from Hufuf. Hufuf lies about 140 km southwest of Dammam and 300km east of Riyadh. Jabal Qarah is well known for its intricate natural caves and is a major tourist a rac on in the east of Saudi Arabia. Jabal Qarah is made up of sedimentary rocks like sandstones and limestone. Jabal Qarah is a flat-topped hill with a maximum eleva on of 225 m above sea level. By the passage of me, water and wind transformed this hill into an abode of caves and fascina ng landscape. Though most of the caves in Saudi Arabia are wild and difficult to explore, Jabal Qarah caves have walkways and iron railings a few meters inside for the public to enter safely. These caves are known to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. 52
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SSA ABU DHABI Various Events & Activities ──── Wonderful Year ──── Awesome Activities ──── Parties.! ────
It’s been a great year and one of the busiest for SSA Abu Dhabi Chapter,
Welcomes & Farewells
with 31 gatherings & activities conducted. The active participation of the SSA members and their positive responses and feedback received via the survey as highly motivating for the SSA board as well.
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Coffee Mornings Picnics Lunches Zumba Classes Arts & Crafts Mums & Tots Cooking Yoga Movies Dinners
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Welcoming new members: We welcomed 43 new members in our chapter this year.
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SSA ABU DHABI Coffee Mornings, Lunch, Picnics & Dinners Our Chapter had many ac vi es based on various themes including Brazilian lunch, Valen nes Coffee Morning, Hawaiian Dinner, and much more.
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SSA ABU DHABI Mums & Tots And Informa onal Mee ngs Our Chapter also has Ac vi es for the ladies who cannot join other ac vi es due to their babies i.e., Mums & Tots. This year, we also had Breast Cancer Awareness Session with our members.
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Sports, Cooking Events, and Arts & Cra s Sports Ac vi es like Yoga, Zumba, Muay Thai, Jumping at Bounce, Bowling, etc. along with Mexican, Lebanese & Dim Sum Cooking Sessions were organized. Arts & Cra s Ac vi es included Nail Arts & Napkin Art.
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SSA ABU DHABI
Photos of Abu Dhabi and Dubai by Sonal Bishnoi, a member of SSA- Abu Dhabi I came to Abu Dhabi last year and was mesmerized by the beauty of this place. I loved visi ng various places here due to which I used to get a lot of beau ful shots. My camera has captured everything including the Palaces, Hotels, Nightlife, Malls, Mosque, Bridges, Skyscrapers, Mountains, Rains, and much more. I am s ll an explorer here, as I know there is a lot more le to see and capture. 60
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E X PAT L I F E : W H AT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING By Lillian Small And we’re not talking babies. I’m talking about “the move.” The move that will end our life in Paris and start us on another adventure. We’re the kind of expats that move with the needs of an employer. We get some say, but overall, if there is a job for my husband in Timbuktu, about the city that lights us up. And as our first expat then we go to Timbuktu. It’s the life we gladly signed up experience, it couldn’t have been better. It had truly for. been the best years of our life and we wanted to keep holding on. But, there has been one looming question When we first embarked on this expat journey, it was over our heads… when will we get the next unexpected. We always knew an overseas assignment assignment? was on the agenda. But we had expected to stay in Edmonton at least another year. So it was a huge We’ve been expecting a move for the past few surprise to find out the company was going to move us months. Back in November, our vacation for January so soon. Of course we were excited and happy to go. wasn’t approved because “you may be gone by That 1-2 year assignment became a 3.5 year sejour. It felt like we were defying fate because it couldn’t last forever. We wanted it to last forever. This time in Paris has enriched our lives in so many ways. It became our home. A place we know we can always go back to and remember our fond memories. There is just something
then.” But the weeks and eventually the months rolled on. With each Friday that passed without any news, we let out a big sigh of relief. Another weekend where we can just simply enjoy life in Paris, hang out with our friends, soak up the city that feels like home. And not worry about the future. Six months has been a long time living with the knowledge that he can come home one day and kick-start the beginning of the end of our Paris life. There were rumours and whispers at his work… we were asked to reconsider moving to City A. But that didn’t seem to lead anywhere. Then the possibility of City B seemed really enticing. But that was no longer a possibility. Then there’s City C… we don’t want to go to City C. It might be City C. Is there a City D we don’t know about yet? And during this time of uncertainty and impending change, I’ve learned what you can and can’t expect…
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You can’t make long term plans. And if you do, you have to accept the fact you might not be there to carry them out. The baby shower I didn’t think I would be there for. The birthday I thought we’d miss out on. The yoga retreat I was sure I might have to cancel. It has become harder to get excited for that Facebook invite for next month’s party. For that special once-a-year event in Paris we’ve never missed. Let’s just make it to the Masked Ball at Versailles. Let me just spend one last birthday here. How to handle this: Plan it anyway. You don’t want to regret not doing something because you thought you might be leaving. You can’t live your life making assumptions and not doing the things you love. People keep asking you… any news? Any news on when to expect tearful goodbyes and make promises of staying in touch. And of possible visits. For the past 3 years, I was on the receiving end of these goodbyes; soon I will be the one giving them. And no matter what side you are on, the one leaving or the one staying behind, they always suck. No news… yet. Yes, I’m relieved too. How to handle this: Tell them there is no news but you want to focus on the present moment and be grateful that you can still enjoy this day and moment with them. Maybe they get the hint and learn to live in the moment too. Your emotions get on the biggest roller-coaster of your life. The sadness of leaving is contrasted by the excitement of going somewhere new. The discovery of a new culture and language. A new part of the world to explore. A new city to call home. But then there’s the anxiety of starting over. Making new friends. Establishing a new home. Doubts creep in. What if what worked here, doesn’t work there? What if I keep pining for Paris? What if I’m not happy there? How to handle this: Practice gratitude and mindfulness. Live in the present moment. Stop worrying about the “what-ifs.” Life is one big roller coaster so hang on for the ride. Remember why you signed up to this nomadic expat life in the first place.
Through these anxiety-filled months when we didn’t know where we’d be living and working at the same time next year, my mind was on overdrive. I tried to think of ways to stay longer (and even forever). Perhaps we can get our passports renewed, that will take time. Is there a way to delay the visa process? Perhaps we can find other jobs, and stay in Paris as locals. I ran through all the possibilities and imagined where they might take us. I listed the pros and cons. I dreamed. I wished. I dread. I accepted reality. I accepted our fate that will be determined by someone else. We wait. Not knowing what the future holds. Not knowing how much longer we can call ourselves Parisians. We wait for news of “the move.” The move we’ve been talking about from the very beginning. We always knew it couldn’t last forever. But as a traveler at heart, I can’t help but feel excited and ready for a change. Even if it’s to City C.
This article first appeared on www.lilliansmall.com. Follow The Smalls Abroad for more stories and adventures of a Canadian expat couple living and making the most of their life abroad.
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Interview with our SSA IT Special Poi Hello, Sandra! Welcome to the SSA Team! We are very happy to have you on board and would like to know a little bit more about you! Where are you from? I am from Colombia. I was born in a city called Barranquilla located by the Atlantic coast, but was raised in Bucaramanga, a smaller but nice city. I have been living in Bogota for the past 15 years so I am now adapted to cold weather.
Where did you go to school and what did you major in? I attended to high school in Bucaramanga, in a school called Gimnasio Cantillana. It is a small but high quality catholic school only for girls. Then I moved to Bogota where I did my major in electronic engineering in Los Andes University. I later studied a master degree in engineering in Systems an informatics in the same university. Ultimately, I did a post-graduated diploma in project management in EAN University.
What was your first job ever and how old were you? I worked as a camp counselor during a summer in Tulsa US. I was 20 years old. 64
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int Of Contact, Sandra Caicedo How long have you been working for SLB? I have been in SLB for 5 years.
How are you settling in as SSA IT SPOC? What have you been surprised to find out about SSA? I am very happy to join the SSA community. I feel you are all very kind and make me feel very welcome. I have noticed the SSA members are like an intercultural family which I find very enriching.
What do you like to do after work? Hobbies? Likes? I like to work out. Nowadays, I am training Karate and taking Zumba lessons. I enjoy watching movies and hiking.
How is life in Bogota? What is your favorite spot in the city? Favorite restaurant? Bogota has many cultural things to do like theater, concerts and parks. In addition, there are nice places to visit outside the city that are rural areas. Besides my apartment, my favorite spot might be Monserrate because there is a nice view from there and you can breathe clean air. My favorite restaurant is WOK, they change the menu frequently and are friendly with the environment.
Thank you Sandra!
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Special Valentine’s day message from our Global Board Secretary: Shilpa Zacharia
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Quiz time: SSA Acronyms
How many did you get? :) 67
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I’ve been there!!! MEA pictures from SSA members all over the world
Burj Khalifa by Mariana Cantu
Abu Dhabi by Shilpa’s husband: Joseph Zacharia, 2013
Camel with red muzzle by Ka e Gill 68
Petra by Evelyn Bicelis, 20
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Thank you for sending your photos!!!
u, 2012
008
Dubai desert safari by Elsa Scheer, 2016
Abu Dhabi by Mariana Cantu, 2013
Al Khasab, Musandam, Oman by Joseph Zacharia, 2010 69
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I’ve been there!!! (cont.)
Photos by IvĂĄn Moreno from his days living in Doha, Qatar 70
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Keeping in touch: SSAfara.net & SSA Global Community Don’t forget that the Global Board is here to connect you to your next loca on. You can either check out www.SSAfara.net for the latest info on the chapter you are moving to, or you can contact your new Area Coordinator by email so she can point you in the right direc on. Remember to join the official Facebook group h ps://www.facebook.com/groups/SSAGlobalCommunity/
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A big thank you to everyone that sent their contributions to make this Wayfarer possible! Specially to the featured MEA Chapters: Mumbai, Kuwait City, Islamabad, Al Khobar, Nada & Udhailiyah and Abu Dhabi!
Kuwait by Consuelo Balcazar
North America, you’re next!!! The next Wayfarer will be NAM May/June 2017 Did you know we have 22 chapters in NAM? ?? United States (18 chapters), Canada (3 chapters) and Trinidad & Tobago (1 chapter) Looking forward to your contributions!!! https://www.ssafara.net https://www.facebook.com/groups/SSAGlobalCommunity/