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Last Visit 2021-12-07 08:02:03 |Start Date 2005-05-26 16:50:55 |Comments 1,827 |Entries 526 |Images 1,337 |Videos 8 |Theme |

Category: potpourri

09/27/09 03:49 - 57ºF - ID#49863

culture clash

Finally getting to take my Eid break this week! Technically we were out of the office last week but I was still on duty. I had a doozie of a call Friday night. It almost makes me laugh because it sounds so rediculous to us as westerners, to say I had to show up and spend 2.5 hours investigating and interviewing students who decided to mix gender in one of the apartments. Over here it's such a serious offense and people are freaked out about getting deported. I'm thinking, then was it actually worth risking deportation just to hang out? I mean yes, it blows big fat goats that we can't be 'who we are' over here - but we are guests of another country, and like it or not we need to abide by their laws. I guess I traded regular alcohol infractions for major cultural clashes. At least (I don't THINK) Qatar does not participate in stoning women for 'tainting' themselves by being the presence of guys without a chaperon. Having grown up with freedom it makes it hard to enforce things like this, I almost feel like a brainwashed Nazi. This is one of the hardest parts of being an expat - when your core values are judged and infringed upon on a regular basis by a school of thought that you simply cannot identify with.

SO...got lots of wedding stuff done while Rory was also off last week. Namely settling the ceremony. I think we found the right words that 'sound like us', and the music as well. Not traditional, but not so far off it would scare the older generations. :)
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Permalink: culture_clash.html
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Location: Niagara Falls, NY


Category: potpourri

09/19/09 03:05 - 62ºF - ID#49818

eid mubarak!

At last, Ramadan is officially over with tomorrow's dawn. My students will start sleeping better, eating better, and we'll all not suffer from dehydration is this desert heat. Most exciting of all, it's Eid break. A free week off work to catch up on a massive list of 'to do's' at home and a myriad of wedding details. It couldn't have come at a better time really.

I attended a program by one of my CDAs to celebrate the arrival of Eid and had 2 of my students henna my hands. We're thinking about having a henna artist at the wedding as a tribute to where we met.

Have a good one peeps!

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Permalink: eid_mubarak_.html
Words: 114
Location: Niagara Falls, NY


Category: birthday

09/17/09 04:27 - 50ºF - ID#49792

happy birthday carey!


!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I hope it's full of surprises! Wish I could be there to help celebrate.



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Permalink: happy_birthday_carey_.html
Words: 22
Location: Niagara Falls, NY


Category: potpourri

09/08/09 08:01 - 63ºF - ID#49723

party poopers

I'm curious for a little input. If you were planning a party...and at this party you wanted certain things..and those certain things cost money...and you're willing to pay that money because you want to be happy...and you invite people to your party because you want them to join you in your happiness...

1. Would you get a little upset if someone said, "I'm not coming to the pre-party event but I'll pop by the party for a little bit as long as I can also bring my kid" (who was not invited).

2. How would you respond to such a statement?


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Permalink: party_poopers.html
Words: 103
Location: Niagara Falls, NY


Category: potpourri

09/04/09 06:58 - 56ºF - ID#49695

worlds sexiest camel



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Miss Qatar 2009

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Permalink: worlds_sexiest_camel.html
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Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Last Modified: 05/31/13 07:22


Category: wedding plans

09/03/09 06:53 - 56ºF - ID#49684

wedding planning update

The biggest lesson Rory and I are learning about planning a wedding...if you make a great team, you won't have any stress - it's the family that adds unnecessary stress to just about everything.

It would help if people stopped saying things like, "that's so far", "i don't like that colour", and "that's not my style" and started saying things like, "i'm so happy for you", "can i do anything to help", and "i can't wait to celebrate with you".

Otherwise, I can't wait for October 31st to be here!
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Permalink: wedding_planning_update.html
Words: 91
Location: Niagara Falls, NY


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