I'm sorry I don't have much time to report lately. Training is really taking up most of my waking hours. I do a lot a half hour or so to working on the new Tomb Raider Anniversary. It's relaxing, except when you know, a dinosaur jumps out of nowhere, or you take a wooden dart to the head.



Here are a few shots of downtown Doha at night. This whole city is under construction, it's just booming!

I had the WORST dream last night, woke up in sweats and panic this morning. In my dream I apparently had amnesia, and when I came to acknowledge myself, I found I was super pregnant! Like big huge belly pregnant. I was kind of poking at my belly and squishing it, thinking to myself, "this can't be mine, this isn't my real belly is it?" Then the father, or whom I assume is the father, walks in the room and smiles ear to ear. He exclaims how excited he was to find out the news and is so very happy to be a dad. He's hugging me and kissing me and there are tears in his eyes. I, however am freaking out and can't stop thinking to myself, "you are the last guy on earth that I know who would ever want a kid!". It was just too bizarre for me. Truly.

In other news I learned a little something about Qatari law during Ramadan. I was aware that Muslims fast from dawn til dusk during the month of Ramadan. What I was not aware of is that it is illegal to smoke, eat or drink anything in public, between dawn and dusk. It's a serious offense and you would get jail time! Oh, and you'll love the laws on alcohol. Drinking age is 16 here, but you can't be Muslim. If you are caught under age, you will receive 3 months in jail and a fine of 10k QR (which equals about $2,740). It is also illegal to engage in public displays of affection, which can also result in jail time and fines.

Chris got a speeding ticket the other day. We only know because they use video cameras and were shocked with a nice big flash. Don't know how much that'll cost. Apparently the going rate for running a red light though is 3k QR ($820). I really wonder if there is some way to convince the ministry to use some of this money for driver's education courses. The leading cause of death in this country, and why I make such a fuss about these roundabouts, is car accidents. They have signs of brutal accidents posted everywhere, signs of families with a ghostly father figure saying "where are you daddy?"...but I don't see this passive form of education as doing any justice. They need to teach these people how to drive, how to yeild, how to not drive 60mph down a side street. Clearly your speed bump infested streets do nothing more than bottom out the vehicles. Thank God they are slowly converting major roundabouts to traffic light intersections.

Chris, Lindsay and I went to our first house party last night. It was so nice to meet some new people, have some laughs, and whole lot of Carlsberg! We have now dubbed our outings as "Doha Nights". Sounds like a cheezy soap opera.


I admit it. I actually sang karaoke.


At least I picked a choice song


Everyone was having a good time

We had a successfull first day of training. I was happy to have the chance to bust out my old facilitator hat and do a lot of ice breakers/team building exercises with everyone. I really enjoy doing that sort of thing. It made me wish that we were moving on to a challenge course so I could hook some people up in ropes and start climing trees!

Honestly though, they were so receptive to everything it was a refreshing feeling. We had a lot of laughs and I learned that 'The Wave' that we use at sporting events, they call 'The Mexican Wave'. I asked why, and they had no reason, they thought it's what we called it. I thought it was very strange. Racial slurs are usually derived from some stereotype, but what does being Mexcian have to do with 'The Wave'?

My rental car showed up yesterday as well as my temporary license, so we all hopped in a car together and went on our first lesson. Yay!



I'm also feeling better so that makes me happy. Feeling well enough that I went and worked out in the gym last night and today after work I went swimming. Man I'm out of shape. I only managed to do 10 lengths of the pool. Granted it's an Olympic size pool so a length is a good distance, but I think that only works out to 1/3 of a mile. No matter what, it's a very good thing that I'm getting back into that which makes me happy and fit :) Ciao.