Join us for the 2006 Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion being held May 29th through June 1st in beautiful Branson, Missouri located in America's heartland at the foot of the scenic Ozark Mountains. We'll be providing daily coverage of memories in the making as friends re-unite over four fun-filled days and nights.
Embraced by the stone wall, greeting and guarding, the oleanders, "rose-bays," with blossoms in bunches, clumps of small cups, pink or white, deep green, sand dusted laurel leaves, pointed, narrow, isolate each from each, the beautiful poisonous leaves and blossoms delighting the eye, oleandre, oleandro, oleandrum, lorandrum, these became out of bushes trees beside the door, beside the gate, where you entered, where you went out.
One year ago Saudi Aramco hosted a group of educators from the Houston area for a nine-day tour of the Kingdom which included visits to Dhahran, Dammam, Al Khobar, Riyadh and Jeddah. Participants returned to Houston not only more enriched by their experience but eager to share their deeper understanding of Saudi Arabia with fellow educators and faculty, students, friends and family.
On Sunday 24 April, eight old, and I mean very old (all pre-1950), Aramcons had lunch at a Spanish restaurant in San Francisco.
If good international relationships are developed on good individual relationships, the 70-year-plus ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia would seem to be in good shape after an eight-day visit of 12 retired Saudi Aramco employees and family members that ended March 5.
The past year was a record-breaker for Saudi Aramco Refining, as workers teamed up to create milestones in production, profits and safety. "It was a year in which, essentially, all major objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were achieved or surpassed," said Khalid G. Al-Buainain, vice president of Refining.
On 1 May 1939, after dinner with him in the new mess hall, I gripped briefly the scarred, long-fingered, sinewy hand of the first king of Saudi Arabia: Abdul Aziz ibn Abdur Rahman ibn Faisal ibn Turki as Saud.
A new poetry volume by Nimah Ismail Nawwab. With a clear voice she precisely conveys remarkable insights into Saudi Arabia and the world beyond that entwines an ancient society.
Several annuitants participated in the Sideline Exhibits. As noted in a display, the original intent of sidelines is to "share activities, interests, and accomplishments since retirement.
Tennis, anyone? Or golf, or bridge ... or checkers? "May I have the next dance?" or "Want to rock?" Or how about catching up with the latest news on the Saudi Aramco enterprise?
The final day of the 2004 Annuitants Reunion was dedicated to good-byes. People departed throughout the day and lingering Aramcons relaxed in the lobby at the Carolina until it was time to go.
Although the reunion was scheduled to begin Saturday, August 28, some of us arrived early to the beautiful Pinehurst Resort only to wait with anticipation for the arrival of our friends. To pass the time, we took a leisurely walk along one of the Resort's eight nationally ranked golf courses, then meandered into the small village of Pinehurst filled with specialty shops and restaurants.
Visit aramcoexpats.com from August 28th through 31st for coverage of four fun-filled days of familiar faces, friendship, and memories at the Saudi Aramco 2004 Annuitants Reunion in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
The Kingdom School is a modern K-12 school designed as a showcase of educational innovation in both the kingdom and the region. The chief mission for the school is to attract the best and brightest students. Innovative planning guides the futuristic institution in its physical environment, teaching methods and academic administration.
On Friday, June 4, after four days of whirlwind tours, educators were given a morning to relax and unwind in preparation for a 4:30 p.m. departure from the King Fahd Airport to Riyadh. In the morning, the Dhahran School Teachers invited the Houston Educators for coffee, casual visiting and the sharing of ideas.
On the morning of Thursday, June 3, Houston Educators were treated to a bit of Saudi commerce as they visited Al-Rashid Mall in Al-Khobar. They were all waiting at the front door of Eastern Jewelry at 8:50 for the doors to open. After much looking, bargaining and purchasing, they left the shop with at least 20 name necklaces, numerous earrings, bangles and chains. They continued around the mall, stopping at the Silver Museum, Jarir Bookstore, Middle East artifact stores and of course Starbuck’s Coffee.
The educators began their day with a breakfast hosted by Mustafa Jalali, Vice President, Saudi Aramco Affairs. Mr. Jalali greeted the group expressing his appreciation of them coming to Saudi Arabia.
The following are excerpts of biographies from two years ago.
On the second day of the tour, delegates met with President and Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Aramco, Abdallah S. Jum'ah. Mr. Jum'ah, who was appointed president in 1995, is also a member of the Saudi Aramco Board of Directors.
Houston educators visit Saudi Arabia in a remarkable, nine-day tour hosted by the Saudi Aramco Public Relations Department. Delegates, three-quarters of whom are K-12 Grade teachers from Houston, Texas, will experience the Kingdom first-hand in an extensive, guided tour from May 30 through June 8, 2004, in Saudi Aramco's continued efforts to support global education on Saudi Arabia.