Posts from October 2007

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

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!

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 :)

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 got in! There was room enough for me on this little island hopping cruise! I was also lucky enough to bag a last minute airplane ticket. I'll be spending an extra night in Athens so I managed to find a decent looking youth hostel to hole up in for the night. Close enough to the subway so I can get myself to the airport cheaply. I'll fly into Athens and spend 2 days there. Then I'll hit up Mykonos, Patmos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini.
I can't wait!

P.S. Eid ul-Fitr is a Muslim holiday which marks the end of Ramadan.

My original plans for my Eid vacation fell through. This means I back at square one for planning, and the Eid holiday week is October 14-20! Not much time left.

I found a really cool treck through China that I would love to do but the dates are about 1 week off. I've been digging and searching online for something, anything, during the actual Eid holiday week so I can get out of here for a change of scenery.

I came across a Greecian cruise that falls precisely within the dates I require. I don't know if there's still room on the trip. Of course flights from Doha/Athens are only on select days so I would have to stay an extra night. I looked and found some great hostels that have space available, so that would be reasonable enough for me to do. The flights are at great times too. I really hope it works out. it will suck having a week off and not getting to enjoy it anywhere. Everyone else has already been on vacation or has plans, I need one too!

I found Boca burgers at the grocery!

We are now half-way through Ramadan. Woohoo! Not that I mind sneaking into the kitchen and hiding my bottled water in my bag to take back to my office - I miss my tea boy. I mean he's hanging out in the kitchen with nothing to do all day. I promised him I'd buy him a book so at least he can entertain himself. Maybe I'll hit up the Virgin Mega Store this weekend.

I've been playing Pscyhonauts here and there during my unnaturally super busy week. I'm loving this game more and more with it's smart comments. However there is one level that really knocked my socks. It's glow in the dark! I had a flashback to the days of Tron!



I recently commented on @mrmike's post concerning pumpkins; I was wondering if they would import them for Halloween/Thanksgiving. I got my answer today. They at least import itty bitty ones with faces painted on them. But you'll never guess how much they cost! For a pumpkin about the size of a bocce ball they want $17!!!

Wow! The Psychonauts game has a rating of 12+. I'm wondering if that isn't too young for some of the comments in the game play. I was a little surprised by some comments here and there but overall it's not really a big deal. There is usually a load of inuendo built into these types of games (and movies) so it appeals to both kids and adults. But I have to say I was shocked when these lines came up!

"My husband may lose interest in me sexually but he will always love my apple pies."

"I have relied on the use of prescription medication to get me through the day for many years."

"When my husband drinks excessively I may threaten him with this rolling pin, though we stil love each other intensely."

"Look at that woman's breasts, they are huge."

I learned how to write my name in Arabic today!




Once in a while I just like filling these things out.

Four things about me.

Four jobs I have had in my life - not in order:
1. Tour guide at Historical Fort Niagara
(complete with dressing up in period clothing).
2. Video store clerk.
3. Baker/fruit sorter/cookie decorator/cashier at a fruit farm.
4. Teaching Assistant for graduate intellectual assessment course.

Four places I have lived
1. Buffalo, NY
2. Youngstown, NY
3. Boston, MA
4. Corpus Christi,Texas

Four places I have been on vacation
1. Egypt
2. Rome
3. Zimbabwe
4. Puerto Rico

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Dr. Pepper
2. Grilled cheese with tomato
3. Eggplant parmesan
4. Spinach

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. In my old bed with my dog
2. Anywhere my friends are
3. At a top notch amusement park
4. Russia

When I become aware of the dream, I am sitting at a desk in some large mansion. Maybe it was more like a castle. It was veeeeeery big, stone, lots of dark ornate woods with intricate carvings on them. Spooky looking demon children charubs here and there, carpet the colour of blood. Perhaps it was Vlad Tepes' old digs.

Anyway, Im sitting at a desk writing out a note. My friend stands by my side. A butler entered the room with a small package, placed it on the desk, bowed, and exited the room. It was a small package about the size of a shoe box, wrapped in funny type of light brown wrapping. Suddenly the box began emitting a strange sound that shouldn't have been audible to the human ear.

Oh Shit Batman, someone set us up the bomb!

I grabbed her arm and starting running through a door to the next room. BOOOOOOM! That shit blew! She fell gracefully onto a bed while I face planted a wall. Then I heard it again. Someone had set a trail of these bombs all over this castlemansion. I don't know if she was the target or myself, but then my duty phone rang for another fire alarm and I woke up.

I wonder who was trying to kill me this time?