A message from my US Embassy today (how's that for advance warning?):

The U.S. Embassy in Doha has learned that starting October 2, 2007, people who have not paid fines for traffic violations will not be allowed to travel out of the country.

WOW. Now that's gonna hurt a lot of people! They have cameras set up on several roads, so you don't even know you got a ticket unless you check the website. I just did, since I'm driving a rental car. Last thing I'd need is for the former driver to have a ticket and I'm the one that gets screwed!

I just got off the phone with my friend in Sweden. It was SO great to hear a friendly voice. I've made tentative plans to visit him in May. He says it's the best time of year for Sweden as tourist season hasn't started yet but the weather is nice. Word! I'm just so excited to have a job I love that pays me enough to pursue my passions! It also allows me to stay in touch with my friends

that's him

Man I was really dragging my ass through the day today. I haven't been sleeping well the past few nights. TGIT! My night is over and I can finally go to bed. Before I do that though, I wanted to share my lovely new henna tattoos. We had a Ramadan Bazaar on campus tonight so I got my hands done. It's so pretty!

The big cheese boss invited everyone in the education division to a sohour this past weekend. Sohour is usually the last meal of the night/day for those fasting during Ramadan. A lot of the hotels make a big deal about the Iftars and Sohours.

Ours was at La Cigale, some new fancy shmancy hotel. It had a lovely entrance and very helpful staff, but I didn't like that I spent my entire meal bouncing up and down everytime someone walked past me. You see, I was seated so carefully on a plexiglass floor bridging two sides of an indoor pool. I guess we were 'lucky' to have this prime locale looking over the entire space. I was just hoping it didn't buckle under the weight and send me plundging into the pool with a big fat table on my head.

3 photos for ya'll. 1. I tried a new fruit. They look like olives but have the texture and flavor of not quite ripe apples. No one was able to explain what they were. 2. the 'floor' i was seated on 3. a rather cool view of that floor via the mirrored ceiling

I was woken at 4am by a phone call to report 2 dogs wandering in the garden. No REALLY.

Let me fill you in - Arabs are afraid of dogs. Even harmless, adorable, cute, and fuzzy ones just chillin in the garden.

I need your input dear estripers. If you know me, you know I love Halloween and usually come up with creative and well prepared costumes. I face interesting obsticles on my path to Halloween happiness here in Doha.

1. I cannot be too obscure, or the people here simply won't get it.

2. I cannot dress like any male character as it would be found offensive.

3. I don't do the trashy hooker outifts anway, but I cannot even wear cool outifts that are too skimpy. In other words, unless I do a camo pant or snow version - I can't do Lara Croft (nor do I have the time now to pull off one of those versions).

4. I don't want to be too generic, i.e. a witch, zombie, vampire, etc.

5. I don't have access to thrift stores.

The things I have going for me are:

1. If it's simple enough, I can sew it.

2. My creativity can help me find alternate materials for producing the costume.

So what do you think? Suggestions!?

Hallelujah! Ramadan is officially OVER! I'm going to eat my lunch but the pool today!!!

Since everyone had already left on their holidays and I still had to work through the weekend I thought...it's time for some office shennanigans. The big cheese will come back to find his office like this

Greece was absolutely amazing! My body is still in recovery mode. It was one hell of a workout! Even on a cruise ship with 5 buffet meals a day I managed to lose 5 pounds and I think my ass and calves are tighter than they have ever been. I don't have the time to really get into my adventures with this post but I will drop a few teaser photos.

I really want to give a BIG HUGE THANK YOU to e:metalpeter for sending me SPOT coffee beans! I got the package today and it was such a wonderful surprise. Efharisto! (that's thank you in Greek).

I thought it was a joke at first.

More Greece photos soon, I promise!