Sorry I haven't written in a while. First I went to the 2-day Green Building Confrence for New Image and for myself. I heard some interesting things after trying to understand each speakers take on the english language. Then the next two days we spent moving into a bigger apartment 8 floors lower in the same building. After that I went to the Sustainable Qatar meeting. Now my mom is visiting.
On Friday we went into the desert and to the beach with the AWA group. Beside the lack of roads and sunburn, we had a good time and got to see camels and a few ostrich eggs-very large.
On Saturday we went on the Doha Garden Club bus tour. We got to see five different villas each with a different style garden. Some had lots of flowers (some we see in the US and many we don't) others were more large yards with trees (fruit-banana, papaya, lemon.) It was fun to see behind the fences and how the other half lives. They all had water features and swimming pools.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Dubai Weekend
This weekend, John and I went to Dubai. Since we are here in Doha on Visitor Visas we have to leave the country every 2 months. Friday I got to see the Dubai Mall finished (well only 1/3 of the mall since it is huge!) We took the world's fastest elevator to the observation floor (124th floor) of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building which is next to the mall. There is a 360 degree view of Dubai from there and we could see where we lived when we were there in 2008/09. Then we went to dinner with John's friend that does high rise window washing, Alan. John is trying to get Alan to work with him in Doha.
Saturday we went to the beach in the morning then to Ikea before we left. This is the first time I have ever bought lamps at Ikea and put them in my carry on suitcase! We flew home Saturday evening. On both the 45 minute flights they served a meal and had tea service. They also give all the kids a toy and each seat has a tv monitor in which you can listen to music, play games or watch tv. This is all in economy, I can only imagine what first classs is like.
Saturday we went to the beach in the morning then to Ikea before we left. This is the first time I have ever bought lamps at Ikea and put them in my carry on suitcase! We flew home Saturday evening. On both the 45 minute flights they served a meal and had tea service. They also give all the kids a toy and each seat has a tv monitor in which you can listen to music, play games or watch tv. This is all in economy, I can only imagine what first classs is like.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Today I went to the Qatar Womens Association presentation of wedding traditions. The room was set up much like a western wedding reception: covered chairs, floral centerpieces. Then we were served different drinks and sweets as they put on the show. The groom presents a dowery to the bride and it is hers to keep (doesn't go to her family) which includes cloth and jewelery. The night before the wedding is a henna party and all the ladies get together and sing and dance. On the wedding day the groom's father holds a dinner for everyone he knows (and anyone who happens by is invited in.). The village helps out with the grooms expenses. The next day the bride's father holds a lunch for both families. The bride receives visitors for the next seven days at her parents house, then she moves in with the groom.
After the presentation they invited us to a large buffet lunch. Then I got henna on my right hand and wrist, then my picture taken with the traditional wedding "dress" a sheer fabric with lots of embroidery which they wear over a dress and have a cape/veil on their head. All the ladies, including little girls there were dressed in brightly colored dresses and their hair was down and uncoverd. Because this was a presentation there were no men there, so I don't know what they wear.
After the presentation they invited us to a large buffet lunch. Then I got henna on my right hand and wrist, then my picture taken with the traditional wedding "dress" a sheer fabric with lots of embroidery which they wear over a dress and have a cape/veil on their head. All the ladies, including little girls there were dressed in brightly colored dresses and their hair was down and uncoverd. Because this was a presentation there were no men there, so I don't know what they wear.
Monday, February 14, 2011
This Week So Far
On Sunday I went with John to his apointments as his navigator and went to yet another mall with a grocery store. Spinneys (where we shopped in Dubai) also has a lot of American products including Milk Bones for Ginger. It is hard to find dog treats here. I also got Kraft Mac & Cheese, yummy! For lunch we went to Chilies and had chicken fajitas, just like at home. I also had a strawberry margarita without the tequila (not like at home.)
On Monday, I joined the American Women's Association (open to any woman.) They have a general meeting once a month with a speaker and organize "field trips" Next week I am going on two including the fish market at 8:30 in the morning.
Last night we went to pick up our SUV (no more rental) the New Image work truck and worker van. This resulted in a 4 car carivan through round abouts with lights (which we got seperated at) on streets I had never been on in complete darkness. In the end we all made it back to apartment with our marriage intact.
Today I am going to the office with John to help him prepare a proposal.
On Monday, I joined the American Women's Association (open to any woman.) They have a general meeting once a month with a speaker and organize "field trips" Next week I am going on two including the fish market at 8:30 in the morning.
Last night we went to pick up our SUV (no more rental) the New Image work truck and worker van. This resulted in a 4 car carivan through round abouts with lights (which we got seperated at) on streets I had never been on in complete darkness. In the end we all made it back to apartment with our marriage intact.
Today I am going to the office with John to help him prepare a proposal.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
John's Birthday
Yesterday was John's Birthday, since it was a Monday, we celebrated on Friday night at the W Hotel in the Wahm Bar. It is more of a lounge with sofas and an outdoor area. Through out the night, about 20 new friends stopped by for food and drinks. We had a lot of fun. One thing we have noticed is that on the weekends you have to show an ID or passport to get into the bars, I thought this was weird. Then we realized that this is to keep the Qatar Muslims out of the bars, since they are not aloud to drink. We learned this the hard way, because John invited a new friend who was dressed in traditional clothing was not aloud in. John got to talk to him in the hotel lobby.
Yesterday, I made dinner for John. My signature dish is pork fried rice, since you can't get pork here, I made it with chiken. Turned out pretty good. Then brownies for dessert, John's favorite. Well, while I was able to convert measurements and temperature, I still haven't figured out how to work the German oven. There are nine different settings on the oven. They came out with crispy edges and top and not cooked in the middle. Then without realizing it I bought candles that sparkle and re-light, we barely avoided setting off the smoke dector! All in all John had a great birthday.
Yesterday, I made dinner for John. My signature dish is pork fried rice, since you can't get pork here, I made it with chiken. Turned out pretty good. Then brownies for dessert, John's favorite. Well, while I was able to convert measurements and temperature, I still haven't figured out how to work the German oven. There are nine different settings on the oven. They came out with crispy edges and top and not cooked in the middle. Then without realizing it I bought candles that sparkle and re-light, we barely avoided setting off the smoke dector! All in all John had a great birthday.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Cars and Soccer
On Friday we went to the Qatar Motor Show (the first time for a car show in the middle east.) We were able to see everything in about an hour, that tells you how small it was. GM had the largest display, Ford's was disappointing and Chrysler fell in between. There were many luxury car brands and a couple we had never heard of. All in all it was fun and we felt a conection to Detroit for a hour. It was well received in Qatar with traffic jams outside the convention center the entire time of the show. Then we went for an authentic Arabic meal where you sit on cushions on the floor and share large plates of food, that was fun too.
On Saturday, we went to the Asian Cup Final soccer game between Australia (don't know when Australia became part of Asia) and Japan. Before we got there we decided to cheer for Australlia and found our seats (about $30.00 US for a final game!) surrounded by Australia fans. For those of you who don't about soccer the game has two 45 minute periods, if there is no scoring (which there wasn't) then there are up to two 15 minute periods. Japan scored in the second 15 minute period, thankfully. Then came the presentation of all the trophies, so we decided to leave. When we got out to the gate they said no one could leave until 15 minutes after the fireworks. So we thought ok let's go back in, plus I needed a bathroom even though I was a little afraid of what I might find. They wouldn't let us back into the stadium, finally I got to go back in. When I came back I went out a different gate and they weren't stopping people from going back in. So we went in and watched the back side of the presentations. Then the fire works, which were on the outside of the stadium and we could only see a little bit over the sides of the stadium and they didn't turn off the lights inside, afterwards came the confetti. Qatar has a lot to learn about these types of things.
On Saturday, we went to the Asian Cup Final soccer game between Australia (don't know when Australia became part of Asia) and Japan. Before we got there we decided to cheer for Australlia and found our seats (about $30.00 US for a final game!) surrounded by Australia fans. For those of you who don't about soccer the game has two 45 minute periods, if there is no scoring (which there wasn't) then there are up to two 15 minute periods. Japan scored in the second 15 minute period, thankfully. Then came the presentation of all the trophies, so we decided to leave. When we got out to the gate they said no one could leave until 15 minutes after the fireworks. So we thought ok let's go back in, plus I needed a bathroom even though I was a little afraid of what I might find. They wouldn't let us back into the stadium, finally I got to go back in. When I came back I went out a different gate and they weren't stopping people from going back in. So we went in and watched the back side of the presentations. Then the fire works, which were on the outside of the stadium and we could only see a little bit over the sides of the stadium and they didn't turn off the lights inside, afterwards came the confetti. Qatar has a lot to learn about these types of things.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Learning Arabic
Last night we met up with a dozen people at a hotel restaraunt to learn Arabic. This time the "teacher" finally showed up, he is volunteering his time so we can't complain too much. He is from Egypt and said that most Arabic speaking people understand Egyptian Arabic since most TV shows are produced in Egypt and exported to the rest of the Arabic world and it is the language of the Kouran. 2 billion people speak Arabic.
To start, they have 28 letters but no J sound. The spelling of Arabic words are not really able to be translated into English spelling. We decided it was best to write the words the way they sound. The teacher also said it would take a very long time to be able to write in Arabic and that we didn't need to try. "Ana la atakkalam al arabia" means "I don't speak Arabic."
I needed that phrase earlier in the day when I went to turn in my resume and they wanted me to fill out an aplication that was written in Arabic. What I did understand (I think) was I would hear from them in 3 months. I am not holding my breath for getting a job here.
To start, they have 28 letters but no J sound. The spelling of Arabic words are not really able to be translated into English spelling. We decided it was best to write the words the way they sound. The teacher also said it would take a very long time to be able to write in Arabic and that we didn't need to try. "Ana la atakkalam al arabia" means "I don't speak Arabic."
I needed that phrase earlier in the day when I went to turn in my resume and they wanted me to fill out an aplication that was written in Arabic. What I did understand (I think) was I would hear from them in 3 months. I am not holding my breath for getting a job here.
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