I would love to say the move was uneventful and all went smoothly and that I wasn't stressed out to the utmost degree and I didn't want to beat Mr. Mans face in on a daily basis. But than that would be a lie probably one of the biggest lies I've ever told in my life. The next move call me a Saudi Woman because I plan to be like them and not lift a finger to pack or unpack a box or organize a house. While we American women like to boast about how we are do it ourselves independent women that isn't always the smartest thing to claim. I think Saudi women have figured that out and play the dependent mode when it is most useful, like a move.
So this American woman was typical, sorted a house into two, packed almost every box and the one that I left to the maid half of the things were left out and I had to save from the driver who took everything not nailed down. I don't know if he was more help or he was just plane annoying. At the final day as I was going to give the keys for the villa, the driver was still packing his over crowded car to the point where he tied things on the roof of his car to drive two hours back to where his family lived. Some of it was for his kids so bulky things, but I had to glance through his windows to find he took my rice and something of my mothers that was supposed to go to storage. I have no idea what he made off with that I wanted, besides my potatoes and onions, I suppose I'll never know.
During the last days I was loosing my mojo and saw red every single time Mr. Man came around. "You wake up angry at me" says the man who didn't unpack a single box and only packed one. Who came around a moment here or there to "look" at the status. Who complained every single time I had an idea for storage that cost money. Who didn't even follow some simple instructions I gave him and on top of it all not ONCE not ONCE I repeat did he say "wow that is so much work your doing I really appreciate it. Thank you." or the most important "Is there anything I can do for YOU". Yes men do take note when your wife is doing a job like moving 1. thank her 2. ask if you can do anything for her. And when she suggest something for you to do don't you dare complain or that will be the last breath you have.
Can you tell this all still raw for me? If he comes to me and says we have to move anytime soon I'm going to spontaneously combust and burn him along with me.
Welcome to our apartment as I first saw it after most things were moved in.
Not so grand, not at all but Mr. Mans choice who seems happy about it. That is our living space, our only family living space that we all have to share and we get to eat on the floor. (not me I'll be sitting in that lazy boy eating my meal)
In the pic
1. Sitting on my lazy boy is the borrowed maid, Dee Dee, holding Umar. She was around for three days helping with the move. It was light work compared to her work at a friends house. She made me an Indonesian soup that I like and I'll pass on the recipe soon.
2. My moms vacuum cleaner that she won in some raffle prize in the US. She was so happy with it I can't get rid of it although it has a broken belt and I can't find a replacement here. It is now sitting in a corner in Hannah's room hidden.
3. Is the shower chair I bought for my fathers visit that I have no use for. But I'm not willing to put it in the charity box because I'll end up needing it when I least expect it I'm sure. So it now sits in my mother in laws room and she uses it as a chair.
4. Is the kitchen, not a big space at all and everything is shoved in there and I search for things for too long for such a small space. That window leads only to a small space in the middle of the building I haven't figured out that point other than getting rid of a bad smell.
5. Is 1 of 3 TVs from America we couldn't use. The guy who was our driver for the move ended up taking it. Don't ask me for what it doesn't work here you can't even hook a VCR or PlayStation up to it or I would have kept it.
And on that wall there I ended up getting some nice shelves from Ikea and putting them there. Mr. Man didn't complain because they are nice. 
To the left of the room I was standing in taking the picture above is his moms room. Which she unhappily shares with the nanny and maid on the weekends. I don't know why she is so unhappy about it because it is her snoring that keeps everyone awake and my hired help is cranky over the weekend due to lack of sleep.
I was on my own sorting that mess out. #6 is a door in there leaning against the wall, for some reason our apartment came with an extra door. I put it in the hallway and someone came and took it away. I think it was a joke since Mr. Man made a front room meant for a sitting room to be our bedroom that has no door. Changing the other day to try on some new clothes was accompanied by Hannah standing guard so I could have privacy. I know what you ladies are thinking and well with Mr. Mans mother snoring in the next room as loud as a five alarm fire it doesn't make for a romantic atmosphere at all. 
View from the kitchen and it doesn't get much better.
#8 Is the apartment entrance #9 Is my bedroom with no door #10 is supposed to be a maids room but I turned it into storage for his mothers things with a cabinet, it wouldn't fit a bed and there is a very small bathroom in there with a shower head (no designated shower so sit on the toilet and shower at the same time). And in between #9 and #10 is his moms room. 
Welcome to my kitchen area! Notice there are no cupboards above to put things in? Well your more receptive than Mr. Man although I wouldn't go patting myself on the back for that. I did end up moving the stove and fridge so things worked out better. The stove blocked the door under the sink from opening and washing a dish next to a hot stove is just asking for trouble.
There are 3 bedrooms in the back of the apartment for the kids. Hannah has the biggest room which was to be the master with a full bathroom. Jihad and Umar have a room and Mariam and Leyna share a room. There is a shared bathroom in the hallway with a very small shower which I just chose not to put in use. I have used the space more for storage for cleaning products and put a dresser in there to hold towels and other items. We all share the shower in Hannah's room except for Mr. Mans mom, maid and nanny who all share the small bathroom by their room. It works out because we are only there two nights a week. Any more than that I would go insane.
I did forget to take the after pictures but I will during my next time there. Just soak this in for a bit. Think it is a nice size? Remember we are 5 adults and 5 children. Feeling cramped now? Just call me Sardine!
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