Why the area is called Water Tank Area

Ever since the very first day I came to Jubail city, when ever my compound mate and Malaysian friends describe the place where I live in now as 'Water Tank'. I finally found out why the area is called 'Water Tank' as it's nick name. 


It's real name is Dahkeel Maghdoud but it is called 'Water Tank' because of this huuuugggeeeeee water tank nearby the area. The water tank is situated nearby Farm super market area on the side of the main road heading to Jubail town. It could be seen from quite a distant, hence the water tank name is given to the area.


Ok without further a due, let me present to you the WATER TANK.. dum dum daaaaa

Sand Storm Experience

Date: 1st April 2015


After Isya' time at around 8pm ish, the inside of our house suddenly became hazy with smell of  dusts and dirt. At first I thought there was fire anywhaere. We panicked. Upon inspection, we noticed the weather outside was very very hazy and dust/sand were being blown by the wind. The sand storm has hit Jubail.


The sand storm was too strong that even with all doors and windows being shut, sand could still enter our house. Both of my children are asthmathic so hazy condition is not a good condition. It already night time and the children has to sleep. We have to reduce the haziness inside our house and air-conditioning is not an option as outside air will be sucked in. 


So we immediately thought of imitating the water blowing fan at the usual mamak's restaurant in Malaysia. Haha if we were to spray water into the air, the dust might stick to the sprayed  water and fall down thus could lessen the haze inside our house. Well my hubby  had some much fun spraying (more of sprinkling the water tho) using hand since we do not have the sprayer. My children enjoyed the session and dance while daddy sprinkle water. haha


Alhamdulillah nothing unwanted nor asthma attack happened that night and we survived the heavy stand storm. And my children were ok. Here are some pictures and videos for my own keepsaking.

The next morning, thick dusts covereed practically everything

The sand storm was in the news too and debutted as amongst the worst that ever happened.
Even Airport activities were halted.

Our Compund BBQ session in Jubail Saudi Arabia

Date: 8 March 2015

Our compound had our 1st BBQ session for the year 2015 yesterday. It's a potluck kindda event where we get to mingle with one another. Yesterday was special because one of our compound-mate is moving out to Hijaz Sector, the Royal Commission area. 

Alhamdulillah we had such a lovely evening together. Here are some pictures that I managed to snap. Enjoy !

Shot 1 - not good, Aqil moves

Shot 2 - ok.. let's take again 

 Shot 3 - Again.....

Shot 4 - ok, whateva. We will never get good shots anyway. Pictured here is the 5 of us Compund Zaujah mates (From left : Suzi, kak Maya, kak Hasni, kak Najwa, myself)

All the children living in our compound - Faiq's and Baby's Friends

My 2 sunshines

Some of the food for the session 

 Faiq playing with friends - as usual

Baby enjoying her sate 

Hubby lighting up the BBQ area

Yums. Sate time!

awww.... the sunray is hurting your eyes, baby?

Water Shortage and Water supply in Saudi

Date : 8 March 2015

The significance of a 2 day water shortage at our housing area made me want to blog about water today. We experienced no/ intermitent water supply on Friday and Saturday (which was yesterday and the day before). Before this, we have had the same problem in mid February but only for 2 hours in morning session. Luckily last month, my children were still sleeping at that time and I was saved from any toilet emergencies.


The one that we experienced since last 2 days was quite bad. We even had to reschedule our Compound BBQ session from Friday to Saturday due to the failure pump at the water tank placed at ground floor of this building. (Will post some pictures of our BBQ session in another post). By the time water was available for about 30 mins each time, we had to really stock up our water reserves and perform the necessary water related chores. Alhamdulillah by yesterday evening, the water supply became normal again as the pump is fixed.  


The experience reminds me of the occasional water shortage around Klang Valley caused by the Selangor Water Dam contamination and also due to drought due to hot season in Malaysia last year. 



Fresh Water Supply in Saudi 
Some basic info about water supply in Saudi. Since Saudi do not have any river, Saudi fresh water were mainly sourced from sea and also some underground water digging. The majority which was sourced from the sea has to be desalinated  before it can be consumed.


There are a few water desalination companies that operates to provide clean water to the Saudi citizen. As the water is not clean, the water supplied to the houses are to be used for chores only. Tap water is not fit for drinking. Based on my neighbour's experience who had been here for more than 5 years, previously even water supplied to the houses is still salty and is 'hard water'. The housing water bill here is fixed and quite cheep whereby hubby payed a flat rate of 200Riyal per year for the supply of fresh water to our home.



Hot Water at home
Similar to any 4 season country. HOt water is vital here. There is a hot water boiler tank placed at each of our houses to heat up water. The heated water is channeled to sinks and washrooms for our usage.

Drinking Water in Saudi
Since it is 'Hard water' we have to purchase our drinking water bottles. For first 1 week and a half in Saudi, we have been drinking water bought from the groceries shop - Brand Nova. Hubby had to bring boxes of drinking water bottles 2 flights of stairs - pity him. But Thank you hubby.. muaah love you more cayang.

Initially we bought water bottles from the groceriy shops ike Panday hypermarket and hubby has to carry these bottles up 2 flights of stairs. 

Luckily my neighbour told that we can get water drinking supplier to send drinking water bottles to the front door of our houses. Had to pay 600 Riyal upfront for half yearly drinking water supply. Each bottle is based on a prepaid coupon system. Received 100 coupons in total per set.


The provided 4 big bottles of drinking water ( 5 Gallons each) will be replenished every Wednesday morning. Once emptied we shall place the bottle outside our house door with coupons placed underneath. The company supplying the drinking water to our house is Spring Water. They even have a special delivery lorry (i have snapped the picture - will update once I found the picture later)

The 5 Gallon water bottles. We initially received 4 free bottles of water. 

The coupon system 

The delivery man that will come and replace our emptied bottles every Wednesday morning.

In Saudi, we have to buy our drinking water either from grocery shops or from water suppliers. The above is our water dispenser bought second hand from our fellow Malaysian who went back to Malaysia for good. 

Feedback form for the drinking water supplier. Opss.....Now I know that the company for our water supplier which is Spring Water is Nestle Water. Erk what should I do? I boikot all Nestle product or any other Israeli based company due to their inhumane act. But how should my action be about this? Sigh..


Ok bye for now.

Asam Pedas for Dinner

18 February 2015


I cooked Asam Pedas i.e Hot Asam Fish today. Was cleaning through the kitchen wardrobe and found the Adabi Asam Pedas paste which I sent to hubby last year which is still unused. Was thinking that might as well that I cook simple Malaysian delicacies for today by using this ready made paste. 


The recipe to cook Asam Pedas from scratch is pretty simple actually. We inherited the recipe from my late grandmother (Nenek Uteh) and also my grandmother (Nenek Endon ) as my family originated from Melaka. Asam pedas is my parent's favourite dish. I really missed the Asam Pedas that my mom, my neneks, my auntie cook already. Sigh..

The kitchen wardrobe full  with lots and lots of ready made paste which I posted to my hubby before this. Well it's time to cook and finish up all these. There are many Adabi pastes, Brahim's pastes. Waaaaa so many treasures for lazy people like me. 

Adabi ready made Asam Pedas paste that I've found.

Frozen "daun kesom". This fragrant leaves is an essential ingredient to cook Asam Pedas. It 
has to be frozen since it is not available in Jubail and was brought from Malaysia. Courtesy by my neighbour kak Hasni who gave this packet to me. ( The benefit that I get when the compound neighbours are all Malaysian - just a shout for help or WhatsApp away and the ingredients is delivered- yeay!) Thank you kak Hasni and Suzy for the help. 

You can also bring the dried version of daun kesom as well. 


Tips : You should bring loads of Daun Kesom from Malaysia as a stock if you like to eat Asam Pedas ok!

To cook the dish using readymade paste is super duper simple. Heat up the cooker, then saute the onions until browning. Add fish, asam keping and vegetables. I used eggplant, but the original recipe uses ladies finger. Pour in water and wait until boiled. Include tomato if you like. Season with a pinch of salt and sugar for taste. Tadaaaa... it is that easy and now ready to eat.

The look of my cooked Hot Asam Fish dish.

I will update the inherited Asam Pedas menu when i had the chance to cook it. For now, will have to finish up all those paste treasures in the wardrobe first. 

"Ready Made Paste- Life made easy". haha