Job Discussion Forums

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

How do people know when it is time to quit Saudi Arabia and head back to Planet Earth ?

I have been having a long internal debate and have (I think) decided that I have done enough time here.

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2003 10:59 am Post subject:

Dear Scot,

I was told that "you'll know when the time comes to go". I think this is true - a little voice inside you will tell you that it's time for ma'asalama. That was certainly the case with me after only 2 years - I just knew I'd had enough.

The very fact that you're asking the question - combined with your previous posts - makes me suspect that the time has come for you to say "khalas!"

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Scot47

I wasn't in Saudi, but I too found it hard to make the decision to leave. My life was so easy there, pay was good, students were great, but---

The pressure to leave was coming from family, not their asking me to come home, but that little twinge of obligation that starts to grow as you realize that an elderly parent is nearing death and the one left behind will need help - and you are the only child. I did an analysis of my 'assets' and with a small re-adjustment (selling the real estate that I had originally planned to retire into), I found that I could afford it.

It took 2 years to tie up all the ends and I often miss the teaching there, but --- all you can do is basically the same. You weigh your obligations, finances and wishes --- and see where it all comes out.

VS

johnslat · Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2003 2:42 pm Post subject: Inka Dinka Doo

Dear scot47,
Ever hear of an old-time comic named Jimmy Durante? He had a song that when like this:

" Did you ever have the feeling that you wanted to go, and still had the feeling that you wanted to stay?
With that unforgettable grin, the "Great Schnozzola" would belt it out � his fedora on, then off. "Wanted to go . . . wanted to stay" . . . "go, stay" . . . "go, stay" . . . on, off . . . on, off. "

When faced with such " yes or no " decisions, I'd always flip a coin: heads to stay, tails to go. Then, when one side or the other showed up, if, deep down, I didn't truly aggree with the result, I'd say to myself: " OK, 2 out of 3 ".
Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Yes, once you start to ask the question I think that is your inner voice telling you to go and pack. I am now 120 percent sure that I will leave in the summer.

The time has come. I want to be with my family and watch my kids grow up. You don't get a second shot at that.

johnslat · Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2003 3:15 pm Post subject: Priorities

Dear scot47,
When making decisions, especially those big, life-altering ones, it's vital to get one's priorities right. And that's not always so easy, involving as it does both cool logic and warm feelings. My personal opinion is that you're making the correct choice, not only because you get only one chance to watch your kids grow up ( that's mostly for you ) but, even more importantly because you need to be there to help them do it in the best way ( and that's mostly for them ).
Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Yeah. Someone else can post answers here to these guys who ask:"Is it nice abroad ? Will I like it ?" "Are foreigners nice ?"

"What's it like in Europe ?"

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Thanks to my theological adviser, ex-Jesuit and liberal who quoted :

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Ti 6:10

What is a might-have-been Catholic priest and self-avowed agnostic doing quoting the King James Bible to someone in Saudi Arabia ?

johnslat · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2003 1:06 pm Post subject: The devil, you say

Dear scot47,
Slight correction - I'm not an " ex-Jesuit ", just Jesuit schooled for 6 years. I am an " ex-Maryknoller ", not that I was ever ordained, but I was in the seminary for a few years after getting out of the Marines ( I always did tend to the extremes ). Also, I only an agnostic on my bad days; on my good ones, I'm a Theist ( I'm even doubtful about doubt ). As for your last question:

" What is a might-have-been Catholic priest and self-avowed agnostic doing quoting the King James Bible to someone in Saudi Arabia ? "

Well, as I'm sure you're already aware - even the devil can quote Scripture to his own to suit his own ends.
Regards,
John

ohman · Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 239 Location: B' Um Fouk, Egypt

"When I was here I wanted to be there. When I was there, all I
could think of was getting back. . .Every man has got a
breaking point"

johnslat · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2003 3:01 pm Post subject: Apocalypse Now

Dear ohman,
Would that be a quote - slightly paraphrased - from Apocalypse Now?

" When I was here, I wanted to be there, when I was there all I could think of was getting back into the jungle. "
Captain Benjamin L. Willard

But I don't think I'd call it a " breaking point "; maybe a " fed up point " would be more apt.
Regards,
John

ohman · Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 239 Location: B' Um Fouk, Egypt

John,
not paraphrased. I omitted "jungle". There's another line in the movie I can't recall word-for-word, but it's close to, "I went home, but home didn't exist anymore."

I came back here a few years ago, late 90's between Khaleej postings and the major changes I noticed then were these cigar emporiums (now turned back into sports bars), digital cable, and the proliferation of ATM machines in restaurants and bars. The local Sunday paper went from a dollar to a dollar and a half.

But now? As Michael Moore says, "Dude, Where's My Country?"

johnslat · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2003 9:55 pm Post subject: Man without a country

Dear ohman,

"Dude, Where's My Country?"

Ahem - profound statement warning:

You carry your country in your heart no matter where you might go.

Of course, that country might not resemble the one you see around you anymore all that much. In which case, you have two options: 1. indifference; or 2. doing what you can to try to make the country outside like the country inside. Dumping Dubya and Co. in '04 would be a good start, I'd say.
Regards,
John

Irish · Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 371

johnslat · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2003 10:42 pm Post subject: Let the campaign begin

Dear Irish,
Gawwwwleee, shazam. Surprise, surprise, surprise ( as my running mate might put it.) In a pre-emptive strike, Dubya tried to co-opt Gomer by offering him a rather surprising post:

http://www.internetweekly.org/iwr/parody_gomer_pyle.html

But Gomer isn't as dumb as he looks ( who COULD be? ) and, in the end he turned the bribe down. So, yup - the johnslat/Pyle campaign is off the gound and running ( hard to do at the same time, but we're capable of amazing feats - and, I might add, Gomer HAS amazing feet ). The national headquarters has been set up here in Santa Fe ( The City Different - or, as we locals like to call it, Fanta Se ). But remember, a political campaign runs on its bank account, so send those contributions ( tax deductable, my accountant, Goober , assures me ) in and, come '04, vote early and often.
Regards,
John