"i made it!" written by Ladycroft on estrip.org

07/18/07 08:01 - 66ºF - ID#40152

i made it!

So here I am in Doha, Qatar. Transit time: 26 hours. I flew Buffalo to Boston to Londond to Bahrain to Doha. The best part is 2 of my 3 pieces of luggage made it with me! I had to laugh though because neither of them really had my clothes in it. I packed so fast and chaotically I had no idea what would be. Perfume, books, a few shoes, a blanket, tea lights/oil holder/burning oils....no matches :P

No matter, I'm hooked up to the net now and my 3rd bag should arrive at some point. My apartment is nice and not the gross grey/blue one I was shown during my interview! I'm pretty exhausted so I'm hoping they will let us get out of here for today so I can go take a nap.

Oh, and it's so hot that you don't have to use hot water to take a shower. The sun warms the water in the pipes! Yowza. More later, with pictures and such.

Thank you for all the well wishes!

local time: 3pm

vincent writes at 11:35:04 07/18/07 - Comment #20980: Sweet! Ironically I was thinking how weird it was that the both of us were starting something new on the same day (Monday)

Glad to hear things are off to a good start. Plus, it's good to get the (e:strip) franchise spread across the globe :-)

theecarey writes at 11:13:04 07/18/07 - Comment #20978: Cocaine! Some sniffing and a little mirror? Watch out for that cavity check! haha gee, I thought maybe you were checked for cocaine because of all the zip lock baggies full of white powdery stuff I shoved in your black luggage had something to do with it. Figured they would appreciate a little "international drug smuggler" humor. Guess not. ;)

metalpeter writes at 06:02:30 07/18/07 - Comment #20962: Glad you made it there ok. I can't imagine all that transit time to get there, I really can't. I will still never understan how if you send 3 pieces of luage together from the same place to the same place how they don't get there togather. I think that maybe UPS or FEDEX need to help out the airlines. I'm sure it will get there eventully. ok take care.

museumchick writes at 05:02:24 07/18/07 - Comment #20957: congratulations! can't wait to hear more from you soon:).

deeglam writes at 04:39:55 07/18/07 - Comment #20953: that is so exciting!!!!!!! keep us posted on all your amazing travels and sights!

libertad writes at 04:25:57 07/18/07 - Comment #20949: Can you come back? I found the CD you want. ;)

ajay writes at 03:47:20 07/18/07 - Comment #20946: Heh heh... the "water too hot in the pipes" reminds me of home in India.
You absolutely can't shower with tap water after 11AM.
The solution is to keep the water running for a while (wastage), or to fill up the bathtub in the early morning :-)

Glad to see you made it. Looking forward to frequent updates and pix.

joshua writes at 03:43:31 07/18/07 - Comment #20945: I got your message on myspace but its not letting me send it - its giving me some weird error. I dunno but I'll figure it out.

mike writes at 02:01:50 07/18/07 - Comment #20933: wow! I cna't wait to hear all about it and SEE PICTURES!

jenks writes at 01:00:25 07/18/07 - Comment #20931: Glad you made it safe. :)

lilho writes at 11:15:32 07/18/07 - Comment #20930: so exciting!!!! you must post about everything!

paul writes at 10:32:47 07/18/07 - Comment #20928: Wow, I can't believe the sun warms the water pipes. Is that by accident or an ingeneous environmentally friendly heating decision. I guess the cold here cools our water for when you want really cold water, lol.

james writes at 10:31:40 07/18/07 - Comment #20927: Yes, glad you made it. We may need you to pipe some of that sun heated water over here in February.

mrmike writes at 08:29:15 07/18/07 - Comment #20924: Glad you and most of your belongings made it there safe.

Permalink: i_made_it_.html
Words: 178
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

07/14/07 03:21 - 77ºF - ID#40105

until we meet again

Um, yah so I just got a call from my future boss. I have to leave MONDAY!!!! Holy crap. I'm not done packing. I'm not done taking things and putting them into storage. I think I'm going to vomit. Some how they processed my visa on the contingency that my police clearance will be OK. So kids, I guess this is ciao time. Until we meet again.

chico writes at 10:00:17 07/16/07 - Comment #20853: Bon voyage and best of luck, Timika! Looking forward to the stories to come.

If you have to paint anything in Qatar, try not to spill the paint down the stairs, haha.

Whenever I have Friday fish fry at the FDR I will think fondly of you.

Go go global citizen!

leetee writes at 11:45:50 07/15/07 - Comment #20845: Safe journey and happy new adventure!

soma writes at 11:31:24 07/15/07 - Comment #20844: I left you a private email on myspace and on your Voicemail.. I am truly sorry i didnt get the oopurtunity to wish you well in person face to face keep in touch.
Safe travels and godspeed,
may your outer and inner journey bring u to your destination safely...

you will be missed around here...

Namaste' Timika

Curt-Soma

museumchick writes at 07:05:57 07/15/07 - Comment #20822: good luck with the packing and the trip! I hope everything goes great:).

tinypliny writes at 01:03:32 07/15/07 - Comment #20820: Don't know you at all, but good luck with the move and the new life! How exciting! :)

lilho writes at 12:09:29 07/15/07 - Comment #20818: do they have good pita bread there??? it seems like a place that has really great pita.

vincent writes at 11:27:59 07/14/07 - Comment #20815: Almost technically Tomorrow!

Thanks for getting me to join (e:strip)

I wish that you will find dependable transportation over there as anything with wheels let you down in Buffalo ;-)

matthew writes at 09:29:48 07/14/07 - Comment #20809: Good Luck! We'll miss you. Remember to post post post about your middle east adventures!

ajay writes at 09:04:06 07/14/07 - Comment #20807: Good luck and have fun!

You're the second person from Buffalo I know who's headed to the MidEast. Another friend leave for Kuwait on 08/17. Small world, eh?

mrmike writes at 08:57:56 07/14/07 - Comment #20806: Best wishes. Hope the big move goes well and you have an insanely great time. May your belongings and you have a safe journey.

uncutsaniflush writes at 07:21:04 07/14/07 - Comment #20805: Aloha!! And Bon Voyage!!

mike writes at 06:40:20 07/14/07 - Comment #20804: Have a great time in Qatar! Good luck with everything!! I hope you can blog on here from there!!

metalpeter writes at 06:26:31 07/14/07 - Comment #20803: Until we meet again, it is.

james writes at 04:02:31 07/14/07 - Comment #20798: I don't know you.

But your Samus costume for Halloween kicked serious ass.

And so, I like you and will say goodbye.

Have a great time in Qatar and send us lots of updates and pictures.

Permalink: until_we_meet_again.html
Words: 67
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

07/13/07 05:36 - 72ºF - ID#40098

a lesson from Luna Lovegood

I'm moving half way around the world. I have to fit my life into 2 duffel bags and a backpack. There are people I really want to say good-bye to. However I have to acknowledge the fact they obviously don't care to say good-bye to me as they have ignored me for the last 6 weeks. That makes me sad.

I'm only half way through my authentication process on both my diploma and fingerprint report. I'm not supposed to be able to get my visa without the finished document with the stamps from Qatar. Yet, the woman from HR sent me an e-mail today with an attachment titled 'permanent visa'. The note read: "Your department has made living and travel arrangements on your behalf. I trust you have your itinerary."

I feel nauseous. I hope they don't expect me to fly out on Monday! I'm not ready. I thought I'd been rescheduled because of my delay in paperwork. How do I pack my life away in 2 days. Say good-bye? I just don't care anymore. There are few people that even seem interested in the fact I'm leaving and cared to spend any time with me before I go. (thanks for the kind letter (e:metalpeter)).

I've had more friendships break up. I'm beyond caring about it. I'm weird, I'm quirky, I'm sensitive, I'm goofy, I'm clever, I'm blunt, I'm giving and just sometimes I talk bad about people that piss me off. Like it or don't. I don't need to try to convince anyone that I'm worth spending time with. Life moves at a fast pace and if the current takes you away from each other that's just the way shit's creek works ain't it?

You don't have to tell me things will be good when I get where I'm going. I know they will. It doesn't make it hurt any less to know people you cared about can walk away from you without so much as a 'bye' uttered from their lips. Again, just the way shit's creek flows and I just lost my oar. Gotta go with the current or you'll drown flighting it.

museumchick writes at 06:55:43 07/14/07 - Comment #20783: I'm really sorry that you've experienced those kinds of things with the former friends. It's very hard to experience that at any time, especially when you are leaving half across the world.

I hope you'll have a wonderful time in Qatar!

deeglam writes at 10:15:45 07/13/07 - Comment #20776: well said....and I can't say it enough: Good luck!

metalpeter writes at 07:42:40 07/13/07 - Comment #20771: Ok I'm not sure exactly what to say but I feel I need to say something, so If I say something dumb I'm sorry.

You are welcome in terms of the letter, I know it isn't as good as in person but I thought I had to say goodbye to ya. There is saying I wish I could remember about it isn't a goodbye because I'll see you again, I hope that is true. I didn't know exactly when you where leaving and when you where at home so I figured writing was the best way. I also didn't want to do the come over unanounced thing. (not sure if I'm saying this right) Sometimes I don't say things the right in social situtations or I'm not sure if what I say is clear or the words in my mind come out differently. That was another reason I thought i should write in stead of droping by.

I can't speak for anyone else and what they do. Often for what ever reason people move apart or don't stay in contact with each other. I can say myself and 3 good friends of mine that has happened to. I will also admit it is both sides fault cause neither of us calls the other. In our cases it doesn't mean we don't care it just means we are bad or shity friends. I can't imagine having a friendship break though. I have ben mad or felt ackward but I can't imagine something so bad to break up a frienship, it must really hurt. I can't imagine being friends with someone and then when I'm leaving the split happens, I really can't.

Not that you need my aprovel at all. But I like that you know things will be good when you get to where you are going. I also like that you don't need other peoples approvel and that you know you are a great person.

Sorry you are having the problems you are. But maybe the bad times make the good times feel better. Of course it would be better if there waren't the troubles. But in life that isn't realistic. If I made this comment at all about me instead of you again I'm sorry. I will finish off with I wish you a safe travels and I hope to see you again, but for now bye.

fellyconnelly writes at 07:32:37 07/13/07 - Comment #20770: sorry your 'friends' suck... and also sorry that i won't ever meet you.. but i'll say 'bye' none the less. good luck to you!

mrmike writes at 06:28:51 07/13/07 - Comment #20767: I'll miss ya. Hope the transition is reasonably hasslefree.

Permalink: a_lesson_from_Luna_Lovegood.html
Words: 354
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

07/05/07 03:55 - 78ºF - ID#39927

back from houston

Just drove in this afternoon. I can't take anymore screaming babies for a few days. Gonna head back to my pad in b-lo, crawl into my bed and either pass out or play video games. I need my alone time. I can't wait to sleep in MY bed, alone. Lots to do tomorrow. I'll talk about my travels soon. Ciao.

Permalink: back_from_houston.html
Words: 60
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

06/30/07 02:13 - 72ºF - ID#39865

golf

I admit it. I was bested in Wii Golf last night by (e:joshua).

Permalink: golf.html
Words: 14
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

06/29/07 02:23 - 71ºF - ID#39846

oy, this visa

Yesterday I had my appointment to take care of all my medical testing. Bill: $279. I got my physical, vision tests, chest x-ray, urinalysis, shots and blood work done. Pisser of it was I had to fast for one of the blood tests. By the time they got around to sucking out 5 vials of blood I hadn't eaten in 16 hours.

I didn't just have a little 'faint'. I checked out of that hotel for a good 2 minutes! The last thing I remember is telling the nurse, "I'm starting to feel dizzy", then I slumped over in the chair. When I came to she was holding me upright by my forehead with an icepack. I was soaking wet with sweat. I couldn't see or hear anything.

Slowly I could begin to make out sounds and a silhouette. Apparently they were trying to get me to take a cup of orange juice but I couldn't see it and I was so weak I could hardly lift my arm. They wheeled me into a room and put me on a bed. 15 minutes later I finally had enough colour in my face so they let me sit up. It was fun and all but I felt like I was on drugs the rest of the day.

Today I had to tackle the fingerprinting. I finally got my card from Albany. Dropped $15 for some guy to ink me downtown and another $50 to send it back to Albany.

Then I went to the Registrar's office at Canisius to work on my diploma authentication. I thought I had to get a certified copy of the original, like everyone else, but noooooo. New York State requires the actual diploma, so now it's going to get all messed up with signatures and stamps. They want $30 for a replacement copy for myself.

I dropped another $3 for the county clerk's signature, $10 for the State to verify the county clerk is for real and another $7 for US to verify the State is for real. This will probably take 3 weeks with the use of Fed Ex overnight super expensive service.

Hey, at least I made some progress before I head out of town! I fly to Houston tomorrow so I can say good-bye to my thousand relatives and help my mom drive her 'new' car home. Which is ironic because she doesn't drive really.

Permalink: oy_this_visa.html
Words: 390
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

06/27/07 03:49 - 86ºF - ID#39829

i been thinkin about my doorbell

when you gonna ring it, when you gonna ring it?

theecarey messaged me with this and it reminded me i didn't mention the funnies of sunday afternoon.

someone came in through our outer front door and stole the doorknobs off our front doors. for serious. they were the fancy ornate ones like pmt have on their door, traditional old buffalo home knobs. yep, walked right in and yanked them bitches off the door.

i wonder if it's the same pecker heads that stole my bike.

Permalink: i_been_thinkin_about_my_doorbell.html
Words: 85
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

06/27/07 02:18 - 85ºF - ID#39827

my process

I finally have one thing going smoothly. After about 20 phone calls to various clinics and doctor's offices I found a place that can do all of the tests required for my visa. I'll have that all done tomorrow. Bonus: it's going to be much, much cheaper than I anticipated.

I'm still waiting on my fingerprinting card from Albany.

I just found out I also have to authenticate my diploma with the same lengthy process as the fingerprint card.

Let me hear you say, oh shit!

My leave date is not going to happen July 16.

Permalink: my_process.html
Words: 94
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: america fuck yeah

06/24/07 12:15 - 74ºF - ID#39792

fingerprinting

It seems Buffalo's fingerprinting department is a one man show. He was on vaca forever. Then he yelled at me saying, "You're just trying to make things difficult for me aren't you" when I told him I do not have my own card.

Silly me to assume a fingerprinting office has the actual cards you get fingerprinted on. No, I have to call Albany to have them mail me a card because my employer from the middle east did not supply me with a NYS identification recorder. True story.

I'm so far behind in the process now I probably won't make my leave date of July 16.

Permalink: fingerprinting.html
Words: 106
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: dream

06/20/07 05:05 - 72ºF - ID#39742

shades of aqua

I had such a beautiful dream last night. I was walking through a lovely forest full of redwoods and giant ferns. The sun was beaming strands of brilliant light to the forest floor. I could hear a few insects, a few birds, but I knew I was alone. I came upon a small hot spring. The surface sparkled in shades of aqua. I removed my clothes and slipped in. I drifted in the floating abyss. I was overcome with peace and happiness. I wanted to stay there forever.

Permalink: shades_of_aqua.html
Words: 88
Location: Niagara Falls, NY