So. Boo friggin hoo. Sarah Brightman got SICK and was not able to sing at the graduation ceremony. I was devastated. I was SOOOO looking forward to seeing her. We DID have Andrea Bocelli. He has a lovely voice, and he's much larger in person than I ever imagined. The air was warm but there was a light breeze, and it made the evening concert spectacular. However, I was reminded just how lovely Sarah is when the fill in pretty much dropped the ball on every duet. He ended with "Time to Say Goodbye" and it just wasn't the same without her. :(
I learned the Qatar National Anthem, which isn't very catchy. The first two lines are and then it kind of gets muddled and confusing. I was up close and personal with His and Her Highness. There were also a number of high security folks present. Thabo Mbeki for example, President of South Africa. It was just weird being so close to so many people of influence. I've never even come close to seeing one of my Presidents.
This is the entire ceremony. I think you can see me for a split second at one point. The nice voice that does both Arabic and English introductions is my friend Ahmed.
In addition to the campus wide graduation each institution has it's own graduation. I attended VCU because one of my staff was graduating this year. I found 2 things very surprising during this ceremony. First, the Qatar Military Band plays bagpipes. WTF? I seriously thought someone next door was having a Scottish ball (we were at the Ritz Carlton). Yah. Anyway, the second and quite shocking moment came with the band played the Qatar National Anthem followed by the US Anthem (as it is a US school). 75% of the people in the room sat down. I never felt so incredibly awkward to be standing ALONE surrounded by Qataris who were sitting while my anthem was being played. Apparently it created quite a buz among all those that DID stand. Yeah. That's probably the first time in my life I ever felt SO out of place in a room full of hundreds of people.
Ladycroft's Journal
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05/13/2008 12:21 #44325
convocationCategory: potpourri
05/11/2008 13:43 #44306
1 monthCategory: relationships
He put flowers on the bed for me....
....he makes me so happy
....he makes me so happy
museumchick - 05/12/08 00:12
That's so awesome:). Pretty roses.
That's so awesome:). Pretty roses.
metalpeter - 05/11/08 16:51
:) very nice
:) very nice
fellyconnelly - 05/11/08 15:24
aw how adorable!
aw how adorable!
james - 05/11/08 14:08
Sometimes you have to travel half way round the world to find a good one. A really, really, really good one.
Sometimes you have to travel half way round the world to find a good one. A really, really, really good one.
mrmike - 05/11/08 14:07
Awesome
Awesome
tinypliny - 05/11/08 13:56
Ooooohhh, so pretty!!!
Ooooohhh, so pretty!!!
05/08/2008 07:29 #44270
destination 1Category: e:trek
See you in Zagreb (e:jbeatty), (e:lizabeth), (e:john)!
P.S. I have officially created a new term for any international travel involving 2 or more (e:peeps). It's called an (e:trek).
P.S. I have officially created a new term for any international travel involving 2 or more (e:peeps). It's called an (e:trek).
metalpeter - 05/08/08 19:24
First of all Since you are one of the group to first do the (e:trek) then you have all rights to naming it. I have a an odd feeling that when there is a 2nd (e:trek) (assuming you didn't all ready do one that I don't know of) I have a feeling you will take part in it. Hope you all have a great time.
(e:Joshua) I think I have to correct you a little bit if you said you went to Black Rock than you would be e-slummin it. There is some area where they over lap and the poor or broken home or housing projects is all ways called Black Rock I just wanted to point that out.
First of all Since you are one of the group to first do the (e:trek) then you have all rights to naming it. I have a an odd feeling that when there is a 2nd (e:trek) (assuming you didn't all ready do one that I don't know of) I have a feeling you will take part in it. Hope you all have a great time.
(e:Joshua) I think I have to correct you a little bit if you said you went to Black Rock than you would be e-slummin it. There is some area where they over lap and the poor or broken home or housing projects is all ways called Black Rock I just wanted to point that out.
joshua - 05/08/08 16:14
Or e-slummin' it, if you are up in Riverside trying to return a keg to Flying Bison like Jay and I.
Or e-slummin' it, if you are up in Riverside trying to return a keg to Flying Bison like Jay and I.
05/05/2008 15:32 #44243
my don quixoteCategory: about doha
Last weekend I got to spend some real quality time with Rory. I'm not going to go into detail but, as my little extended family, you should know that the boy is a diamond in the rough. He invited me over for a quiet night in. He cooked me dinner - tofu fajitas. He actually bought me tofu! But it gets better. He served it to me alongside a crisp cool glass of DR. PEPPER!!! Liken finding Dr. Pepper here to finding some rare exotic fruit that shows up every 3rd blue moon in Buffalo that you just adore - and your significant other went out and got it for you. Seriously, I was melting. He is incredible!
Next day we went out to "Party on the Pitch", a fundraiser for the rugby club. I took on his buddy Mark in the sumo ring, and Rory and I danced to the live music. I love being outside, having a drink on a warm night, and listening to live music. ; Especially since I've been lacking it for so many months. Lately it seems ALL I do is hear live music! Ha! Anyway, enjoy the photos. Cheers!
huwaaaaaaaaaaaaa
i challenge you to mortal kombat, *slap slap*
i am the champion!
i put him out of commission
so he took it out on ian
and i drank almost an entire bottle of champagne
P.S. Feliz Cinco de Mayo! AND....Feliz Cumpleanos Jenks!!! Happy 32!
Next day we went out to "Party on the Pitch", a fundraiser for the rugby club. I took on his buddy Mark in the sumo ring, and Rory and I danced to the live music. I love being outside, having a drink on a warm night, and listening to live music. ; Especially since I've been lacking it for so many months. Lately it seems ALL I do is hear live music! Ha! Anyway, enjoy the photos. Cheers!
huwaaaaaaaaaaaaa
i challenge you to mortal kombat, *slap slap*
i am the champion!
i put him out of commission
so he took it out on ian
and i drank almost an entire bottle of champagne
P.S. Feliz Cinco de Mayo! AND....Feliz Cumpleanos Jenks!!! Happy 32!
metalpeter - 05/07/08 17:54
I'm glad you two are happy (I'm happy for both of you). He sounds like a pretty good guy and and you are pretty awesome so I would say you two are a very good match and I wish you both the best. If that wording is kinda odd sorry what I'm trying to say isn't really coming out the right way. I'm glad you two awesome people have each other and remember how lucky you two are to have each other (ok that is a little bit better).
I'm glad you two are happy (I'm happy for both of you). He sounds like a pretty good guy and and you are pretty awesome so I would say you two are a very good match and I wish you both the best. If that wording is kinda odd sorry what I'm trying to say isn't really coming out the right way. I'm glad you two awesome people have each other and remember how lucky you two are to have each other (ok that is a little bit better).
libertad - 05/05/08 21:20
It really is nice to see you so happy. Love that first pic.
It really is nice to see you so happy. Love that first pic.
tinypliny - 05/05/08 19:09
Wow. I am so happy for you. Though I have actually never met you, you do feel like you are family. :)
Wow. I am so happy for you. Though I have actually never met you, you do feel like you are family. :)
hodown - 05/05/08 19:09
You look so happy, adorable!!
You look so happy, adorable!!
04/28/2008 10:37 #44167
guy manoukianCategory: potpourri
I went to my first proper concert in Doha last night. We had a special showing for Education City only. Great stuff! There was such a variety of tempos and influences. Arabian, Latin, Oriential....blended together like smooth creamy ice cream at marble slab. I just thought I'd share some culture from the other side of the PM. I think I'm going to have that woman's dress made, but with a built in bra because my boobs are way to big to dance around without.
metalpeter - 04/28/08 18:12
A. I like the music
B. Not sure what movie but there is a James Bond Movie theme it reminds me of
3. It kinda reminds me of some of The Tea Party's music
4. Even though you never see a full shot that dancer is is hottie or at least banging
5. In terms of the dress all you need to do is the Christan Agularia and others double tape thing or what ever they do, HA just kidding.
A. I like the music
B. Not sure what movie but there is a James Bond Movie theme it reminds me of
3. It kinda reminds me of some of The Tea Party's music
4. Even though you never see a full shot that dancer is is hottie or at least banging
5. In terms of the dress all you need to do is the Christan Agularia and others double tape thing or what ever they do, HA just kidding.
andrea bocelli??????? (melts)
Andrea Bocelli is divine sounding *and* looking. :)
Canadiens don't sit during the American national anthem and we don't sit during theirs...why did they sit? Seems very disrespectful but then again everyone hates America.