AramcoBrats, Inc.

news


RSS subscribe

 Keep up with the latest news and announcements.

 Please feel free to leave your comments

  • 31 Oct 2011 8:09 PM | Marie Littlejohn-Dunn (Administrator)
    It's hard to believe that we have reached the end of the 2009-2011 term and even harder to believe that we will be saying ma'assalama to some valuable board members who have all served multiple terms. Randa Owen-Williams (VP), Mike Simms (Publications Directory), and Kim Zinszer (Secretary) will be leaving us. *sniff*  I'd like to thank them personally for their many hours (or years?) of service to the Brats and all the ideas, opinions and humor they brought to the board.  You have all been a pleasure to work with and will definitely be missed!

    Shukran!,

    Marie Littlejohn Dunn

      
  • 28 Sep 2011 8:39 PM | Marie Littlejohn-Dunn (Administrator)
    In this Issue:
    2013 Reunion Announcement

    Thanks to eagle-eyed Annie Oskam, who spotted a tell-tale book title in a Facebook teaser photo, the cat is out of the bag for the 14th Biennial AramcoBrat Reunion! ABI is pleased to confirm that the 2013 reunion will return to one of our favorite... (more)

    Reunion Auction Extravaganza!

    Every summer should have a kickoff as exciting as our Brat Reunion was in Dallas.  And the excitement of seeing old friends and making new ones during the...(more)

    AramcoBrats in Arab News

    Arab News recently published an article in their "Life and Style" section about Aramco Brats.  Entitled "Isolation and Adventures in Arabia" by Aisha Al Hajjar, the article gives a brief description of the Brat phenomenon and some insights as to what that has meant... (more)

    Mother-of-All Brat Slideshows

    Those of you who attended the reunion in Dallas may recall the "Mother-of-All Brat Slideshows" that played Saturday evening on the wall by the Fairmont's pool.  Photographs for the slideshow were (more)

    The Sidewalks of Dhahran 

    James Davidson (RT '67), who currently works for Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, recently posted an item in the Bratboard forum about an interesting new hobby. On his walks about camp, he has found marks of Brats that have stood the test of time, frozen in the sidewalks...(more)

    ABI Secretary Position

    Erica Ryrholm, our Secretary-elect, has agreed to chair the 2013 reunion in Tucson. She will, therefore, be ineligible to serve on the Board for the 2011-2013 term...(more)

    Reunion Photos from Eyecatch Designs

    Eyecatch Designs reunion photo gallery expired on 8/31.  You can no longer order prints from Eyecatch Designs, but you can still view web-sized images, including the fun "photo booth" shots, in our Flickr album.

    Show Us Your Pics! 

    Have you checked out the Dallas Reunion photo album on Flickr?  There are already more than 400 pictures to view!  Thanks to those who have already shared their photos with everyone, but we'd love to see...(more)


    Q2 2011 Financials

    Our latest financial statements (through the end of the previous quarter) are available for your viewing pleasure. 

    Share:

       

    Follow Us: 
    New in the Suq:
    Check out the newest items in the online Suq:  Dallas reunion sports towels, ghutra print pens and mouse pads!






     ABI Board:
  • 20 Sep 2011 11:58 PM | Marie Littlejohn-Dunn (Administrator)

    Thanks to eagle-eyed Annie Oskam, who spotted a tell-tale book title in a facebook teaser photo, the cat is out of the bag for the 14th Biennial AramcoBrat Reunion!


    ABI is pleased to confirm that the 2013 reunion will return to one of our favorite reunion cities – 

    Tucson,  AZ!   We are able to go back to  Tucson  thanks to the commitment of some true blue brats.  Erica Ryrholm DH72, John Prugh RT66, Colette Philip DH69, Hirath Ghori, DH75, and Alex RT74 and Donna Yiannakakis have selflessly stepped forward to ensure that we will have another fantastic reunion in 2013.   Please be generous with your gratitude to all of these fine brats.  Without people like them, the reunions would not happen. 

    The ink has barely dried on the contract, so we still have a few things to do before we can share the exact location.  As soon as we are set up for reservations, we’ll let you in on the rest of the secret.  Watch ABI's websitefacebook pagetweets and your e-mail inbox for further information.


    See you in Tucson!,


    ABI



  • 30 Jul 2011 10:47 AM | Marie Littlejohn-Dunn (Administrator)
    In this Issue:
    Dallas by the Numbers

    The 13th biennial reunion in Dallas was, judging from the smiles and laughter, a great success.  There were many of the same, old regulars and plenty of first-timers.  The venue was superb for socializing and soaking up that end-of-spring Texas sun (and wind?!), for enjoying our very own outdoor (more)
    A Class (AB '65) Act

    (The story of how a "missing" Brat discovered AramcoBrats, Inc, tracked down other missing classmates, became Class Representative, doubled the number of her classmates in the database, and rallied her class to attend what would be her first reunion in Dallas.) (more)

    The Votes Are In

    The ABI Board would like to thank all of you who voted . . . voting matters.  It is important for the Board to operate under officers chosen by the collective wisdom of all Brats.  So again, a big "shukran" to all of you who voted! (more)

    Order Reunion Class and Group Photos

    If you forgot to order you class or group photo at the reunion, you can still do so online.  EyeCatch Designs image gallery will be available online through August 31, 2011.

    Title
    :
     AramcoBrats Reunion 2011
    Passcode: abrats2011

    Photo booth images are also available.

    Upcoming Events

    2011 Florida Mini-Reunion - Nov. 6, 2011
    2012 Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion - Oct. 5, 2012
    14th Biennial AramcoBrat Reunion - May 23-27, 2013


    Show Us Your Pics! 

    Have you checked out the Dallas Reunion photo album on Flickr?  There are already more than 400 pictures to view!  Thanks to those who have already shared their photos with everyone, but we'd love to see even more.  (Don't think we don't see all those fabulous photos on facebook!) 
    (more)

     Q1 2011 Financials


    Our latest financial statements (through the end of the previous quarter) are available for your viewing pleasure.


    Extra Special Donor Shukran

    We would like to thank the following Brats for donating beyond the suggested AdBak amount this term. Your generosity helps keep the ABI going! Donations are...(more)

    Share:

       

    Follow Us: 
    New in the Suq:
    Check out the newest items in the online Suq:reunion-logo coffee mugs, ghutra print pens and mouse pads!






     ABI Board:
  • 12 Jun 2011 12:09 PM | Marie Littlejohn-Dunn (Administrator)

    There are 2 simple ways to share your photos from the Dallas reunion.

    (1) Email upload directly to ABI's flickr site.  This works best if you only have a single photo or small number of photos to upload. Please be sure to put the photo title and identifying tags to help us keep everyone's photos organized:
    Email address: turned16youre@photos.flickr.com  
    Your photo title tag: reunion Dallas 2011
    Body: your photo description

    (2) Batch upload your photos to ABI's reunion photo dropboxIf you have a bunch of reunion photos you would like to share in ABI's Dallas 2011 Flickr album, you can upload them to the following folder, and we will upload to the flickr site for you.  Please place them in the Dallas 2011 Photos folder and send Marie a note to let her know there are photos to pick up.
    Password: brats2011 
  • 20 May 2011 12:41 AM | Marie Littlejohn-Dunn (Administrator)
       Announcement #54
      May 20, 2011


    1. Deadline for Online Registration
    2. Discount Raffle Ticket Deadline
    3. Updated Fairmont Reservation Instructions
    4. Sign Up for Reunion Text Messages
    5. Mobile Reunion Photo Sharing
    6. Mail/E-mail Those Ballots!
      
       

    1. Deadline for Online Registration 

    Online registration with online payment will close at midnight Sunday, 5/22/2011 in order for us to finish printing badges and all that other last minute scramble to prepare for Thursday.

    If you miss the cutoff, no worries!  You are still welcome to register onsite.  We hope to see you there!

    2. Discount Raffle Ticket Deadline

    Online discount raffle ticket sales will also close at midnight Sunday, 5/22/2011.  Get 'em now, folks, or pay a little more to buy them onsite.  We've got some really cool stuff to raffle off!

    Discount pricing: 
    • $5.00 for 3 tickets
    • $10.00 for a packet of 8
    • $25.00 for packets of 25. 
    (At the reunion, the cost will be 2 tickets/$5.00, 5 tickets/$10.00, 20 tickets/$25.00).

    3. Updated Fairmont Reservation Instructions

    Our room block has been released, so online booking is no longer available.  You can still reserve a room by calling Fairmont Reservations Department at 1-800-441-1414. Make sure you identify yourself as being with AramcoBrats Reunion for ease of booking.

    4. Sign Up for Reunion Text Messages

    To receive the very latest information about the 2011 AramcoBrats reunion straight to your mobile phone, text BRATS to 53137.  We'll send you updates via text message* with news and info about the biggest Brat party of 2011.

    *Your carrier's text message rates apply.

    5. Mobile Reunion Photo Sharing

    Share your reunion photos instantly with the Brat community by uploading to ABI's flickr account via email.  Your photo(s) will automatically appear in ABI's Flickr photostream AND on ABI's Facebook wall.  It's simple!  Just email your photo(s) to the mobile upload email address.  Your subject line should be your photo title plus tag: reunion Dallas 2011. The body of your email should be any photo description you would like to include.  Thanks in advance for sharing!

    Email address: turned16youre@photos.flickr.com  

    Subject: Your photo title tag: reunion Dallas 2011

    Body: your photo description

    6. Mail/E-mail those Ballots!

    Don't forget to vote!  It's getting a little late to return ballots via snail mail, but remember: properly filled out, signed and scanned ballots may be submitted via email to ballot@aramco-brats.com.  Emailed ballots must be submitted before 11:59 pm on 5/28/2011 to be counted.



    See "all y'all" in Dallas!,

    Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH '77
    ABI President
    for the
    ABI Board
  • 12 May 2011 9:46 AM | Marie Littlejohn-Dunn (Administrator)
       Announcement #53
      May 12, 2011

    In this announcement:

    1. Hami, Hami, Y'all!
    2. Vote!
    3. Help Build Your Reunion Jukebox
    4. Discounted Raffle Tickets Online!
    5. Check Your Contact Info
    1. Hami, Hami, Y'all!
    You know you want to be at the big bash in the big "D," so do yourself a favor and don't wait to register at the door!  Online registration will remain open through 5/22/2011.  The mail-in registration option will be disabled on 5/15/2011 in order to allow time for checks to be mailed and received before the reunion.  Register now!

    REMINDER: you must be either a Supporting or Sustaining member to register. (This is our newfangled way of saying you have to pay AdBak.) Not one? Go to your profile page and in the Membership Details section, click "Change Membership Level." Be sure to select the appropriate level (Domestic v. International).

     
    2. Vote!
    Check your mailbox for your ABI ballot form (if you haven't already received it), and please vote!  
    Be sure to write your name/address information clearly on the form and return completed ballots via mail to: 

    AramcoBrats, Inc.
    c/o Andrew Bobb
    3729 Arnold
    Houston, TX 77005

    Please allow sufficient time for delivery before May 20, 2011.  Ballots that arrive after May 20 may not be counted at the reunion.

    Properly filled out, signed and scanned ballots may also be submitted via email to ballot@aramco-brats.com.  Emailed ballots must be submitted before 11:59 pm on 5/28/2011 to be counted.

    If you do not receive a ballot in the mail, we may not have current address information for you.  Please download an electronic copy of the ballot from the website and check your contact information online!

    IMPORTANT: if you returned your ballot via email on Monday, 5/9/11, please resend to make sure we received it. We had a brief glitch with that email address.

     
    3. Help Build Your Reunion Jukebox
    Just a reminder to help us fill our reunion jukebox with streaming music from grooveshark.com.  
    Sign in as bratmusic2011 (password dallas2011) to check out what has already been added and/or add your own song selections to the decade-based playlists we have set up: "Best of the 19XXs," etc.  Just look up a song in the search window, drag it into the appropriate decade playlist, and you're done!  If you really want to get fancy, you can even upload music from your own desktop collection!

    Feel free to contact
    Dawn if you have questions or suggestions.


    4. Discounted Raffle Tickets Online!
    Take advantage of our discounted prices by purchasing your raffle tickets online between now and May 22nd!  The online sales will close on that date to give us time to tabulate the ticket purchases and have your tickets ready for you at registration. The more tickets you buy, the greater your chances of winning the raffle item(s) you have bid on.

    Online prices:
    • 3 tickets for $5, 
    • 8 tickets for $10
    • 25 tickets for $25 
    Onsite prices:
    • 2 tickets for $5
    • 5 tickets for $10
    • 20 tickets for $25
    PURCHASE NOW and get more bang for your buck!

    (For raffle/auction questions and donations, contact raffleauction@aramco-brats.com.)

     
     
     
    5. Check Your Contact Info
    If you haven't checked your contact information, now is a good time to do so before we finalize information for the directories.  Whatever we have in our database as of Friday the 13th is how your listing will appear.  To check your contact information, Go to your profile page and click "edit" at the top if you need to make any changes.


    See y'all in Dallas!,

    Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH '77
    ABI President
    for the
    ABI Board
  • 15 Apr 2011 11:13 PM | Marie Littlejohn-Dunn (Administrator)

       Announcement #52
      April 14, 2011

    In this announcement:

    1. There's Still Time!
    2. Need to Cancel or Add a Reunion Registration?
    3. Help Build Your Reunion Jukebox
    4. Discounted Raffle Tickets Online!
    5. Reunion Suq Vendors
    1. There's Still Time!
    There is still time to register for the reunion in Dallas. You can always pay at the door, but why wait?  It's so much easier to walk into registration to pick up your badge and goodies then join the party!  Register now, folks!

    In order to allow time for checks to be mailed and received before the reunion, the mail-in registration option will be disabled on 5/15/2011.  Registration with online payment will still be available through Sunday, 5/22/2011.  

    REMINDER: you must be either a Supporting or Sustaining member to register. (This is our newfangled way of saying you have to pay AdBak.) Not one? Go to your profile page and in the Membership Details section, click "Change Membership Level." Be sure to select the appropriate level (Domestic v. International).


    2. Need to Cancel or Add a Reunion Registration?
    If you have already registered for the reunion and need to cancel or add a guest, please contact Dawn who will take care of it for you.  (See cancellation/refund policy.)  

    3. Help Build Your Reunion Jukebox
    Jukeboxes are becoming antiques, so we're trying something new in the canteen at this reunion: a netbook with streaming music through grooveshark.com.  Instead of adding quarters and paging through CDs, folks will be able to search by song or artist and add their selection to the queue.  Presto!

    Wouldn't it be great if we could build some playlists before the reunion?  We have already set up a grooveshark account, so you can do just that!  If you want to help build a great music collection you and your classmates will enjoy, go to grooveshark.com any time before the reunion and sign in as bratmusic2011 (password dallas2011) to add songs to the decade-based playlists we have set up: "Best of the 19XXs", etc.  Just look up a song in the search window, drag it into the appropriate decade playlist, and you're done!  If you really want to get fancy, you can even upload music from your own desktop collection!

    Feel free to contact
    Dawn if you have questions or suggestions.

    4. Discounted Raffle Tickets Online!
    Now that your reservations are made, it’s time to start gearing up for the event itself.  In case you’ve been wondering, YES, our ever-popular raffle and silent and live auctions will take place again this year.

    As in the past, we will have a wide variety of items - from brass camels and candlesticks, stuffed animals, bedu jewelry, clothing, books, decorative brass plates, coffee pots, hookahs and incense burners to cookbooks, books and manuals. Items are still coming in via donations from fellow brats.  Among our goodies should be something which strikes your eye - something which you always regretted not having collected while you were there (perhaps your budget was nonexistent?).

    Take advantage of our discounted prices by purchasing your raffle tickets online between now and May 22nd!  The online sales will close on that date, to give us time to tabulate the ticket purchases and have your tickets ready for you at registration. The more tickets you buy, the greater your chances of winning the raffle item(s) you have bid on.


    Online prices:
    • 3 tickets for $5, 
    • 8 tickets for $10
    • 25 tickets for $25 
    Onsite prices:
    • 2 tickets for $5
    • 5 tickets for $10
    • 20 tickets for $25
    PURCHASE NOW and get more bang for your buck!













    (For raffle/auction questions and donations, contact raffleauction@aramco-brats.com.)

    5. Reunion Suq Vendors
    We've had a great response to Suq signup for this reunion.  Brats will be selling everything from books and clothes to jewelry and Arabian artifacts and lots in between, so bring some extra spending faloose!  That's the good news.  The bad news is the Suq is almost full, so space and tables are now on a first-come, first-served basis.  Wish we could squeeze in more because it would feel a lot like the old Al Qaisariyyah Suq in Hofuf, but we have to play by the rules. 



    Shukran!,


    Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH '77
    ABI President
    for the
    ABI Board

  • 30 Mar 2011 10:47 AM | Deleted user

       Announcement #51
      March 30, 2011

    In this announcement:

    1. What a Deal!
    2. Yalla, Yalla!
    3. Class Gathering Spots
    4. Gift Registration
    5. Got Suq Stuff?

    1. What a Deal!

    Road trip to Dallas

    Your mileage may vary
    Group room rates at the Fairmont Dallas
    $105/night ($74 savings over average nightly rate) or $52.50/night because you're sharing with your best friend from childhood!

     Discounted parking

    $13/day ($10/day discount) or $5/day at the YMCA lot
     4 fun-filled days and nights at the 13th Biennial Aramco Brat Reunion* including:
    • 15% off food and beverages
    • T-shirt, goodie bag, assorted Brat swag
    • Nifty reunion badge (you won't get 15% off without it)
    • Discounted banquet meal ($35 savings)
    • Dance band
    • Jukebox, foosball and other games
    • Garage band equipment, so you can jam all night
    • Fun door prizes
    • Night time, poolside movies featuring "Hamad and the Pirates," "Home," and "Coming Home"

    $79 or less than $20/day!


     Coming home and seeing the best friends you ever had
     

    ........PRICELESS. 
    *Warning:  may cause sleep deprivation, loss of voice from talking too much, prolonged periods of smiling, flashbacks, and ostentatious (is that possible?) displays of gold jewelry.  Some may also experience tears upon departure, sudden urges to stay in touch with new and old friends, and solemn vows to never miss another ABI reunion!


    2. Yalla, Yalla!

    March 31st is tomorrow!  This is the deadline for early registration and for full refunds on cancellations.  As of April 1, a late fee of $20 will be applied to all registrations that are not paid in full.  If you are paying by check, your envelope must be postmarked by 3/31/2011.  Register now, folks!

    REMINDER: you must be either a Supporting or Sustaining member to register. (This is our newfangled way of saying you have to pay AdBak.) Not one? Go to your profile page and in the Membership Details section, click "Change Membership Level." Be sure to select the appropriate level (Domestic v. International).


    3. Class Gathering Spots

    Need a place to gather your class before Saturday night’s (28 May) class parties?  Your Brat board and reunion committee has the answer.  Four rooms at the Fairmont are being set aside for groups of classes.  We will arrange for tables to be set up in the rooms and a cash bar in the area adjacent.  The rooms will be available from 4 PM to midnight.  This will be a great place for classes to gather prior to outings to other venues for individual parties.  And, yes, you can drop in on other groups. 

    The Oak Room with capacity for 180 will be set aside for classes 1980 through 1989; the Continental Room (capacity 90) will be used by classes 1970 through 1979; the Far East Room (capacity 90) will be set aside for classes 1950 through 1969, and the State Room (capacity 60 ) will be designated for classes 1990 through present.  


    4. Gift Registration

    Want to register a brat friend?  What a great idea, and what a great friend!  If you were thinking of doing something like this for another Brat, the best thing to do is contact Duane (duane@aramco-brats.com) first to see if they already have an active account.  He can then help you get everything taken care of and even email you the invoices.

    5. Got Suq Stuff?

    Brats like other Brats' works, so if you have something to sell, be it jewelry, book(s), photos, quilts, t-shirts, you name it, sign up for a table at the Suq.  It will be conveniently located just off the pool, so you're sure to get plenty of traffic and not miss out on the party yourself.  To reserve your table contact Cathy Singelyn-McDaniel at  reunionsuq@aramco-brats.com.  She will set you up with a table and answer any questions you have.

    Shukran!,


    Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH '77
    ABI President
    for the
    ABI Board

  • 24 Mar 2011 6:50 AM | Marie Littlejohn-Dunn (Administrator)
       Announcement #50
      March 24, 2011

    In this announcement:

    1. Yalla, Yalla! Early Registration Deadline!
    2. A Place to Eat, Drink And Be Merry...And Rest
    3. Last Call for Nominations
    4. Where to Park Your Camel

    1. Yalla, Yalla! Early Registration Deadline!

    March 31 is just 1 week away!  This is the deadline for early registration and for full refunds on cancellations.  As of April 1, a late fee of $20 will be applied to all registrations that are not paid in full.  If you are paying by check, your envelope must be postmarked by 3/31/2011.  Register now, folks,  and keep that $20 in your pocket to spend poolside with your classmates at the reunion!

    REMINDER: you must be either a Supporting or Sustaining member to register. (This is our newfangled way of saying you have to pay AdBak.) Not one? Go to your profile page and in the Membership Details section, click "Change Membership Level." Be sure to select the appropriate level (Domestic vs International). 

    2. A Place to Eat, Drink And Be Merry...And Rest

    In just a little over 2 months - Reunion Time!!!!  The Fairmont will release our room block to the general public on May 10, so be sure to make your hotel reservation before that date.  The room night rate is only $105.  Even if you live in the Dallas area, you might want to consider reserving a room for a night or two, so you can visit with your friends into the wee hours without having to constantly check you watch and worry about getting in your car to drive home.  Book now!

    And, remember - We have complimentary internet access in guest rooms for Fairmont President's Club members. Attendees may enroll prior to arrival at www.fairmont.com/fpc.  It doesn't cost anything to join!

    3. Last Call for Nominations

    Last call for candidates seeking an elected position on the Board.  Anyone wanting to run for: (1) President; (2) Vice President; (3) Treasurer; or (4) Secretary please submit your name(s) to Andrew Bobb by March 31, 2011.  Ballots have to be printed, mailed and returned prior to the Dallas reunion to accommodate those who will not be attending!  Ballots will also be available at the reunion.

    4. Where to Park Your Camel

    Discounted valet parking for 180 camels (cars) is available at the Fairmont Dallas for AramcoBrat hotel guests at $13.00 per day.  The cost includes unlimited in and out privileges.  This is $10.00 cheaper than their current price.  Additional parking is available at various other locations.  However, the hotel recommends YMCA (open lot) at Ross & Field Street which is located diagonally across from the hotel.  They charge $5.00 flat rate - guests deposit cash or credit in the pay station.

    Shukran and hammi, hammi, y'all!,


    Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH '77
    ABI President
    for the
    ABI Board



© 1996-2023 AramcoBrats Inc., All Rights Reserved
AramcoBrats Inc. and this website are not affiliated or sponsored by Saudi Aramco
"Aramco" is a registered trademark of Saudi Aramco

Terms of Use

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software