Around KAUST

Chuck began work on August 1st.  There was more paperwork, some meetings, but more importantly we are meeting some incredible people.  Chuck is working at the brand new International school.  So there is a lot of unpacking and setting up of the band room.  We spend all of our afternoons and weekends discovering all there is to do around the campus.  Me and the kids have the bus schedule down and we love going to the library, and to the rec center to go swimming.
 
    We took a trip into Thuwal which was culturally interesting.  The kids had their first opportunity to play in the Red Sea. They had a lot of fun! Oh and make sure the next time you see Jacob ask him about the squished fish hanging in the windows.

The campus is absolutely beautiful.  There are many water features and sculptures.  Everything is walking distance (but getting a scooter and having a bike makes things a little easier) We enjoy having dinner at the dining hall, walking around the campus, then heading home.  Each Wednesday night there has been Ramadan celebrations in Discovery Square with kids shows, pony rides , and a special marketplace with very unique items for sale..


We are having a really great time getting to know our new community.  Jacob has made friends with the guys at the grocery store and with the lifeguards at the beach and at the pool. Madelyn is very excited about starting school on September 3rd.  She is even more excited that she will be able to walk to school or ride her bike!

Our Adventure Begins

Our adventure began very early in the morning of July 25, 2011 8 bags, 2 kids and 1 dog, wait I am getting ahead of myself....  Actually.... our adventure began a few months before that.  In April after our oldest son Matthew was accepted into the University of Florida we decided it was a good time for a change.  Chuck had always talked about teaching internationally so with both feet we jumped right in and accepted a job at KAUST in Saudi Arabia.  The middle east was not our first choice but after doing our research, we decided it would be a wonderful opportunity for our family.  Chuck was hired as the IB music teacher at the KAUST secondary school.  So after passports, visas, medical exams, getting Penny (the dog) approved to travel, packing, shipping, saying goodbye to wonderful and supportive friends and family we were on our way....

8 bags, 2 kids, 1 dog, 4 planes, one 12 hour layover in Chicago, 20 hours of flying, plane food, foreign airports..you get the point.  The kids and the dogs traveled very well.  The Royal Jordanian airplanes had individual TV screens where you could watch movies and play games.  Kept both kids very entertained.  Jacob and Madelyn slept very well on the plane.  And of course Chuck had no problem falling asleep :) When we finally arrived in Jeddah it was 2 am.  The people from KAUST met us and helped us through the customs process.  We found Penny sitting in the baggage claim surrounded by curious children.  We were told that she did a few rotations around the baggage carousel.  That must have been a sight! We arrived at our new house about an hour later.  Even though it was 3 in the morning the kids were still excited to run up stairs and pick out their new rooms.  Everyone slept very well in their new beds.

Map of the campus

View out of Madelyn's balcony. 

Our New House!!

My camera lens kept fogging up because of all the humidity.