Test.....Test.....1, 2, 3.....

Hi Y'all,
I had forgotten all about starting this blog.
I shall try once more to let everyone in on my adventures!

Ciao,
Yazz

Give them their flowers while they yet live...

On March 20th, I was in Houston to attend the funeral of a friend that I loved very much. I had plans to talk to him the day after he passed. I wished I had not of waited. Don't wait to tell the people that you love how you feel about them. Live each day as if it's your last, with no regrets!

Friday Worship

Hey Y'all!

Just wanted to send an update to let you know that I'm still alive and kicking.  My area of the desert is very quiet, nothing extreme happening here.

School has been a little more challenging than the previous years here. I have 15 students, one speaks very little English. Last year I had a class of 7 and one of those moved after spring break. Here is a pic of my class on the first day of school.

I'm continuing to be active in leading praise and worship at church. On September 28th I led 5 songs.
1. He Has Made Me Glad
2. You're Worthy of My Praise
3. Blessed Be Your Name
4. Lord I Lift Your Name On High
5. Friend of God

After church a 5 year old boy came up to me and said "Miss Eleby, why were you singing that you are scared of God?" I replied, "I'm not scared of Him. He's my friend and your friend too!" He said "OK" and ran off to play. It hit me a few minutes later that he thought I was singing "I am AFRAID of God", not a FRIEND of God! I had a really good laugh. Guess I need to work on my diction. Dang that Texas twang!

This Friday, October 12 I was asked to help lead praise and worship with another lady that played piano and her son played the drums. We sang 4 songs.
1.  Cry of My Heart
2.  Holy and Anointed One
3.  Breathe
4.  As the Deer

The First Lady and I had on the same style of dress this morning. Pastor Steve said I looked very cosmopolitan this morning.

Since the mid May I have been living in temporary housing while my house was being renovated. I had to pack up and move EVERYTHING out! I was able to move back to my home on
September 22nd. I have realized that I am becoming a hoarder <gasp>! As I've been unpacking I'm giving away clothes, shoes, and things I no longer use or need. One day there was a man raking the leaves on my street. I gave him 2 pair of tennis shoes and some water. He was so thankful. He now smiles and waves at me every time I see him. I'm so thankful to be in a position to help others!

Well that's enough for now. I'll check back in at a later time.

 Peace, Love & Blessings
YAZZ

Breezy, Balmy Beirut

 I had the great pleasure to travel with three friends to Beirut, Lebanon June 6-9.

I really enjoyed the trip and had an awesome adventure visiting the Jeita Grotto, an underground cavern and river;

 Byblos, Phoenician city considered the longest continually inhabited city in the world;

 and Harissa, telepheric service from the bay of Jounieh to the mountain of Harissa to view the huge statue of the Virgin Mary. 

I also did some window shopping on Hamra Street, considered the Paris of the Middle East. A friend and I even indulged in some karaoke singing at Beatz Pub. The Lebanese people are very friendly and the men are quite nice looking! I'm sure to visit this beautiful land again.  

  Please click on the link below to view more photos on Facebook
Beirut Pictures

How To Make Spaghetti With Camel Meat Sauce

Start with fresh camel from your local grocery store.

 

Have the butcher grind it for you.

In a skillet add 1 chopped onion, ground camel, and seasonings. I like to use Tony Chachares, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Cook on medium heat until camel is brown and onions are translucent.

Drain meat and add to a large pot.

 Add a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce.

 Simmer over low heat while pasta is cooking.

 Cook pasta to desired tenderness in boiling water.

 Drain pasta and add to Camel meat sauce.

 Stir to combine.

 Serve with Garlic Texas Toast with Monterrey Jack cheese and sliced cucumbers. Enjoy!!!

It was a good day....

The first graders (some are my students from last year) are writing poems in class. Today they wrote one about me. It totally lifted my spirits. I am truly blessed to be working with a sweet bunch of kids.

Hi Y'all

Hey Y'all,

I've been wanting to write a blog for a while now to let everyone know how things are going in the sandbox that I call home: Udhailiyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. So with that being said.....
I'm doing great! I recently went on a trip to Turkey and am going to Korea in November.
My school year kicked off with a bang: new phonics and science curriculum, new goals from the principal, several new teachers and aides, one teacher retiring, and 7 new students. NO, that was not a typo. I have SEVEN students and an aide!!!!!!!

The national work week in Saudi Arabia is Saturday through Wednesday, the weekend is Thursday and Friday. So this weekend will be a long weekend, Saturday is a company holiday. I was thinking that I would take a quick trip somewhere close, but think that I shall just stay at home.

Send me an email or facebook message.
Let's stay in touch.