Things that would make me super happy right now:

1. Two or three TV channels in English.

2. 9 consecutive hours of sleep.

3. A nice cold Dr. Pepper.

4. A piano.

5. An attractive (to me) man sitting on my sofa rubbing my knees as they drape across his lap.

6. That same man then massaging my scalp.

7. Getting my teeth cleaned.

8. Being acknowledged.

9. Plants in my apartment.

10. Holding my nephews.

11. A hug from a friend.

Here's the little cartoon that was supposed to show up in my last post:




Hopefully I'll have time tonight to post about this amazing woman I met today. She is the FIRST person I have ever met that I think TRULY understands my sense of travel adventure. I'll try my best to explain it later. Simply amazing.

So today I met Marguerite van Geldermalsen. She's an unasuming and quiet woman, thin, with a wise and weathered face. I didn't recognize her at first because the photos in her book are about 20 years old. I had the privelage of sitting next to her at lunch before she gave us an informal talk about her book and the experiences that brought her to finally writing this memoir.

In a nutshell, it is the tale of how a young twenty-something woman from New Zealand found herslef married to a Bedouin. Are you shocked yet? You should be.

What made my meeting her even more extraordinary was the connection I was able to make with her. I don't think I can find the words to properly express the nature of my mind when I travel. But she knew...she knew exactly....and I understood her equally as well. Someone at my table asked her a question about one of her many adventures. Rather than some long winded reply she gave a little shrug of the shoulders and made a small noise as her eyebrows lifted in a smile. It was priceless.

an excerpt from her book:
" Taking the chance often was [infinetly more interesting]. It didn't even occur to me to nervous on this occassion. I suppose we were two and he was small but I don't think that even crossed my mind. We were looking for adventure and we were finding it."

If you're curious to learn more: www.marriedtoabedouin.com

I want to say thank you again to those of you that remember my birthday. It really meant a lot to get your messages while I'm so far away. My little get together just wasn't the same without you all.

I did get a unexpected treat. The author I previously mentioned just happened to be in the office at the moment they decided to surprise me with song and cake. Being the birthday girl and all, I felt brave enough to ask for a photo with her. She's a very shy woman and at first declined but then agreed since it was my brithday. It will make a nice compliment to my signed book

After working all day I headed over to my aunt and uncle's place to prepare dinner. Fajitas, pinto beans, 7 layer dip, beer and margaritas. It was tasty. Finished with sweet red velvet cake. Yum.


Me on my 2nd birthday




30 years later




with Marguerite




party folks




party hair (i tried lilho)




it was almost 100 degrees at 1am!




i missed you all, muah!

(this one says it all)




BUT IT'S THE BRUTAL PRICE YOU PAY TO AVOID THIS ONE!!

Ok, what rock have I been living under that I have never heard of handball!? Actually, let me be more precise, TEAM handball. I've heard of handball, where you smack a rubbery blue ball around a racquetball like court.

TEAM handball is this crazy fun sport that I totally want to play! It's played with what looks like a deflated volleyball and combined rules of basketball, rugby and soccer. I guess that's the bonus of finally living in a country that fills you in on ALL sports. Seriously, you want to know who's tops in Sumo Wrestling? Anyway..this handball game is the shit! I can't believe I've been missing it all my life. I want to start a league!



I wouldn't want to be the goalie though....yikes!

Ramadan will start within a few days. I guess Muslim scholars are still observing the moon to decide the official start date. It should be either Thursday or Friday. It's going to be an interesting month. Here is the warning e-mail I got from the US Embassy:

Muslims are required to fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan. As such, it is illegal in Qatar to eat, drink (even water), or smoke in public during fasting hours, approximately 5:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. This includes inside motor vehicles. Official times for sunrise and sunset will be announced in local newspapers. If Muslims are present in the work place, they expect non-Muslims to respect their fasting and not eat, drink, or smoke in front of them, or to prepare food that they can smell or see.

As it is illegal to serve food or drink during fasting hours, restaurants will be closed during daylight hours. Restaurants will begin serving food at sundown, but expect them to be crowded, especially during Iftar, the first meal immediately after sunset.

Please avoid driving in the hour immediately before sunset. One should be extra alert at this time, as many Muslims will be rushing to family member's or friend's home or a restaurant to break their fast. Many accidents occur at this time, some very serious.

Yah, so I'm pretty excited about the potential to FORGET during this month long holiday and get arrested for drinking water in my car. Wouldn't that be some shit. I'm sure it would make a great chapter in my book.

I just got the link for a youtube video that some students from VCUQ made about Education City. I invite you on a scerene google earth journey to my home. You'll be taken on a tour of the entire campus. If you watch the clock, at 2min36sec you will approach a building...this is where I live! Bottom floor, windows on the right

I have a new user song/theme song. It's fucking perfect!




Now I've told you all driving here is absurd and makes me want to vomit. Here's video for you. This is the kind of shit I deal with on the roads.

If the driving isn't enough to get you killed you can always try this brilliant sport!

Well, unfortunately I will not be around for it this year. I'll have to donate and miss the fun. Hopefully one or two or ten of you peeps will partake is this event. I'm pretty sure at least e:boxerboi will

Share the tradition, excitement and energy that can only be found at North America's Oldest Continually Run Footrace!

The 112th Annual YMCA Turkey Trot is just ten short weeks away! Be part of the fun this Thanksgiving, November 22, 2007!

Register today: