Boxing Day Fun

Happy Boxing Day!  American’s don’t observe Boxing Day and I still don’t fully understand this holiday, but Jonathon and I celebrated our own version.  We were surrounded by boxes from our sea shipment!  It is nice to have familiar items to make our place feel more like home.  Now we just have to find closet space for all our comforting treasures.   

 

 

Christmas Eve we went and saw The Hobbit at the IMAX.  I can’t believe that I’m actually admitting that I enjoyed a three hour movie where I wore snorkel goggles, but it was a great film and now I want to read the book again.  This photo is proof that we might be related to Urkel.    

 

We don’t have a fireplace, so instead our stockings were hung on the staircase with care.   
 

 

Christmas morning we had a special breakfast including some bacon.  Then we opened some awesome presents.  My family thinks that I deprive Jonathon of that gross yellow stuff, so they sent him a lifetime supply.

 

 

The Holmes family knows me too well and sent me some much needed running shoes.  See how worn out my old shoe is on the left compared to the beautiful new shoe on the right.  I refused to take off my new shoes, so taking this picture was interesting.  I would have added a picture of me running, but I’m so fast that I show up as a blur in photos.  (As if.)

 

 

 After presents we got busy cooking for our Christmas feast.  Jonathon cooked the turkey and gravy and I covered the mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, and apple crisp.  The vegetables were not invited to our carb fest.  Okay maybe someone else brought the greens.  Anyway, you have to trust me that it was a lovely dinner, because I was too busy shoveling food down my throat to take any pictures.  We had 10 people around the table and I made mashed potatoes for at least 40 people.  I wish I was joking.  I am going to be sick for the next week from eating too many potatoes trying to save my pride.  There is no way any of those fluffy friends are going in the trash, that would give Jonathon the right to tease me until next Christmas.  Again, I have a fear of running out of food.  The Stockton gang understands.

 

It was fun to have a house full on Christmas and to celebrate with others.  We felt very loved by all the cards and emails from everyone back in the States.  We are glad to have each of you in our lives.  

Christmas Eating

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  We are getting ready to host a Christmas feast complete with a cutthroat white elephant gift exchange tomorrow.  We purchased some $2.80 Christmas CDs in Target’s Middle Eastern Cousin, so this past week has been fuelled with cheesy Christmas beats and various tasty meals.  It turns out that this blog is really about all the food that I eat.  This week I was very passionate about food, with good reason.

 

Monday night we had a co-worker from the Houston office in town and discovered a nice hibachi grill. 

 

Tuesday we celebrated Qatar National Day.  It is similar to America’s Fourth of July.  There was a parade in the morning and a huge fireworks show at night.  It was the best fireworks show I have ever seen.  It looked like a finale for 10 straight minutes.  The Qatari employees hosted lunch at work on Monday (we got Tuesday off of work) and there was so much yummy food.  The women and men ate in separate rooms which is customary.  The main dish was lamb and rice. 

For lunch on Wednesday a couple co-workers took me to The Chicken Place aka TCP.  My mouth is watering again looking at this picture.



 

We got a rental car and are now cruisin’ the roads (read as Jonathon drives and I ride in the passenger seat so happy that my husband is such a great driver and I'm not the one behind the wheel).  So Thursday was the last day with Nasar, our driver.  We went to dinner with him and some friends at an amazing restaurant serving food from Kerala, India.  We got to eat with our hands which was surprising fun.

 

Our Christmas festivities include going to see the Hobbit tonight and having company over tomorrow.  The menu includes the Thompson’s famous stuffing and an apple crumble close to Thompson apple pie.  Apparently I have a phobia of running out of food, because I bought enough food to serve 20 people and there will only be 10 of us.  This week we also got our license to the Qatar Distribution Center, which means we can purchase adult beverages and products from Babe/Wilbur.  We hope you have a wonderful Christmas filled with love and cheer.

 

Dubai and Driving

This past weekend we hopped on a quick one hour flight to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to explore a new city. 

 

Friday we went to the Dubai Mall which according to Wikipedia is the world’s largest mall based on area.  The mall is huge.  It has an aquarium, underwater zoo, ice skating rink, movie theaters, waterfall, and hundreds of shops.  I was excited about the giant chocolate tower.

 

 

Waterfall in Dubai Mall

Attached to the Dubai Mall is also the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.  Of course we had to travel to the top in an elevator that went 8 meters per second.

 



View of the Dubai Mall from the top

 

 

 

We also enjoyed a water show in the fountains outside of the mall.  Think the Bellagio in Vegas. 

View from the roof of the hotel.  The body of water is the Dubai Creek.  Notice the dhows on the water covered in lights. 



 

On Saturday it seems like we stepped back in time when we traveled to the gold souq in the Dubai Creek district.  There were men pulling carts and wooden ships getting loaded with goodies to travel to Iran.  

 

 

There are many places in Dubai to see, so we will have to come back and explore some more.

 

Thursday morning I woke-up bright and early to take my driving exam to get a Qatari license.  The test started at 5am, because that is definitely the time when people are the most alert.  Thursday is the female testing day, since men and women take the test separately.  The test began in a large room with 150 plastic patio chairs in rows (yes, the patio chairs were inside and I counted the chairs because I was that bored).  All the chairs filled up and women started standing around the perimeter of the room.  I am guessing that 200 women took the test with me.  All of the announcements and instructions throughout the day were spoken and written in Arabic, so this is simply my interpretation of the test.  I might have done everything incorrectly.  All day I just followed people around and listen for my name to be called.  Listening for your name is actually a difficult task.  My named was morphed into many different forms depending on who is reading it.  Generally my name resembled Elly Lee.  (Jonathon was Joseph Phillip.  Bible names are known.)

To start the day, all the women stood in a line to enter a tiny room where our paperwork was spread out on top of multiple tables.  The front page of our packet of paperwork was our photo so we could be identified.  After getting our packets, we went and stood in another line to take the signal portion of the test.  The signal test is conducted by an officer pointing to signs on a laminated poster and then you regurgitating the meaning of the sign.  This sounds simple, by I had to study for this test because British English is spoken here.  So instead of saying yield, they say giveway and passing is called overtaking.  There are also slight differences in the wording of the signs; our "Do not enter" sign here means “No entry for all vehicles."  After the signs test everyone went and sat down in the patio chairs again to wait to hear if they passed or failed.  Now everyone started chatting with their neighbor.  With all the 200 women talking in various languages at the same time, the room sounded like it was full of barking dogs.  Such a delightful sound.

After more waiting, the test administrators came out and called the names of those who had passed and could continue on to the parking section of the test.  My name was called, but I was told that I didn’t have to park because I had an American driver’s license.  I simply said thank you and reunited with my plastic chair.  Around 8am the road test began.  To conduct the road test, a bus filled with 20 ladies followed around a car.  A police man sat in the passenger seat of the car and the ladies rotated from the bus to the driver’s seat of the car for her test.  When a lady had driver her 90 seconds, she pulled over and changed places with someone else on the bus.  The final driver took us back to our patio chairs to hear our fate. 

Around 10am, a police officer stood at the front of the room and read everyone’s name followed by saying pass or fail.  If you passed then you were given a number and waited until your number was called to pay your fee and collect your license.  If you failed, then you were told to go home.  Everyone only has four chances to pass the test.  I took the test with 200 ladies and about 50 of them passed the test.  Most of the women taking the test were older than me.  About half were from Qatar and the other half were workers from various countries trying to earn some money to send back to their families.  To some ladies driving means freedom or the ability to have a better job.  I was humbled watching the ladies celebrate passing the test by dancing or some with tears of joy.  I have taken my past 10 years of driving for granted. 

I passed my driving exam on Thursday and Jonathon passed his test this morning.  I am looking forward to the gained independence.  Our driver is wonderful, but it will be nice being able to drive on our own.  We are slowly starting to feel like we belong.

Glittery and Grungy

Jonathon and I both started driving lessons on Sunday.  Every day we drive around for 45 minutes with somebody sitting in the passenger seat saying left, right, or straight.  It isn't very exciting but we did learned how to drive through roundabouts.  I will take my driving exam on Thursday and Jonathon will take his test next week.  We still need to get a vehicle before we can cruise Qatar on our own.  

 

Thursday night we kept it classy at the company holiday party.  Before dinner we went to the Corniche to get some pictures of us looking so fly.

We traded in our fancy clothes for the remainder of the weekend and did some beach camping.   The weather was beautiful and only required a sweatshirt at night.

 

This morning we woke up to a beautiful sunrise and
clouds in the sky!  A cloudy sky is a rare sight.



To Legit to Quit

Warning: This post contains too many words and unnecessary pictures.  Proceed at own will.

During the week we did boring grown-up things, like working and learned what to document so we can file our taxes properly.  Refer to the word boring in the previous sentence.  Jonathon also got his resident permit, which means he can exit and enter Qatar as he pleases.  He will now sponsor me, so I will start the process of getting my resident permit.  Until now I have been on a work visa only valid for 60 days.

Since Jonathon has his resident permit, we can get Qatari driver's licenses.  Jonathon signed his consent that I'm allowed to drive (He is a very innovative thinker.) so on Thursday we headed to the driving school to take our eye exams and schedule our 12 mandatory driving lessons.  We had a company escort who helped us navigate the confusing buildings.  At one point the escort and Jonathon stood outside the ladies only building while I went up to the counter to ask to take a road test to prove that my Texas driver’s license is valid.  I did just what the escort told me to do, I walked up to the counter with all my paperwork and said "road test."  The guard behind to counter said "not now."  I stared at him like a deer in the headlights and repeated "road test please".  Then the guard just shook his head.  I started walking back to the door where our escort was standing.  The escort then stuck his head through the doorway shouted across the room (in Arabic) to talk with the guard and figure out the problem.  It turns out that the guy who conducts the road tests was out of the office, so the guard stared at me for 10 seconds and then decided to take my word and approve my license as valid.  I can already tell that getting our licenses is going to be a hectic, painful process.

This weekend we were busy having fun.  Friday we boated and wakeboarded.  We also saw my dream boat/ship. 

Friday night we went to a lovely dinner party hosted by our new friends who we met at the Thanksgiving dinner.  Then Saturday morning we invited our salsa making neighbors over to participate in a Lebo, Kansas tradition and decorate some Christmas cookies.  Our neighbors have two little boys, so at least I wasn't the only person caught licking the frosting off my fingers.

 

This afternoon we went on a kayaking trip with some co-workers.  I've typed too much, so here is the summary in pictures. 

 

It has been a busy week for birthdays and anniversaries.  I have been thinking about all of you.  Happy 1st birthday McKinley.  Happy anniversary Kaleigh and Jared.  Happy anniversary Mandy and Greg.  Happy early birthday to one crazy red headed reptile, Meghan Turtle.

Eat, Sleep, Repeat

Thanksgiving this year was very different, but it was a great weekend full of fun and lots of food.  We had to work on Thursday, but the Americans in the office brought in their favorite Thanksgiving desserts to share with the rest of the office.  It was fun to share some Thanksgiving facts and talk about our family traditions.

 

 

The Doha Tribeca Film Festival has been going on this past week.  Temporary theaters were set up at three different locations around town and each played multiple movies a day.  Thursday after work we enjoyed the movie Searching for Sugar Man.  The movie was about an artist from Detroit named Rodriguez who recorded a coupe albums in the 60s but never made it big in the US.  Although, he was bigger than Elvis in South Africa, but never knew it.  I highly recommend Searching for Sugar Man.  My inner diva had a little too much fun walking the red carpet before the show.

 

 

Friday morning I joined a friend for a run.  My friend is training for an Ironman, so I just tagged along for a couple laps around Aspire which was built for the 2006 Asian Games.  The Asian Games are the second largest multi sport event after the Olympics.  The facilities are really nice and open to the public.  I thought the outdoor ellipticals along the path were a nice touch.

 

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Friday night at the nicest people's home.  There is no arguing that they are not the nicest people.  They invited us to their Thanksgiving celebration after meeting me once and then sent us home with all the leftovers.  Our refrigerator is a beautiful site.  It was a fabulous evening filled with great company, wonderful food, and hopefully the beginning of many friendships. 

 

This evening we are playing a softball game and then eating more food!  Our friends invited us over for some leftovers from their Mexican Thanksgiving feast and we are ecstatic.  We love Mexican food and haven't had any since being in Doha.  I started drooling when I heard homemade salsa.  I started this week in a bad mood, but it ended up being a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.

 



 

My First Funk

We went back to the beach this past weekend.  It was windy and a little bit chilly.  It is November though, so it is probably appropriate to be cold standing in a wet swimsuit.  The wind brought out the kite boarders and they were great entertainment.

 

 

I also went to a bazaar and purchased a lovely table runner.  I included this picture simply to show it off.  I expect lots of oohs and aahs.  And yes, the table runner has a large crease in it from being folded, but I am afraid that ironing it might ruin it.  There is also the fact that I don't even iron my clothes so why would I iron something for the table.

 

 

It is a funny week.  In the last post I said that expats seem to go a little crazy to celebrate holidays.  Now I understand why.  If you don't make an effort to celebrate holidays, then the day comes and goes just like any other day and you are left with a strange empty feeling.  In Qatar, Thursday is just another work day, only to Americans is it Thanksgiving.  In an attempt to make sure that Thanksgiving isn't forgotten, I am making dessert to share with the office on Thursday.   Then on Friday we are having a celebration with our sweet neighbors complete with watching the Cowboy/Brown football game and a feast.

 

I am just sad that I will not be joining the Holmes family for Thanksgiving this year.  Jonathon's family in Chicago has been busy the past few months welcoming new grandchildren into the world and I was looking forward to seeing lots of baby photos.  I am also very disappointed that I will not get to sit on Grandpa Lyle's porch and take in this view.

 

 

I am experiencing my first homesick spell, but there are always pluses and minuses to all experiences.  I decided that I'm allowed to feel sad for a couple days, as long as I don't let it take over.  I just can't forget how blessed I am to even be in the position that I get to experience another culture and establish new traditions.  I am just missing celebrating the way I am accustom to.  At least I get to celebrate with my hubby.  Wednesday will be the two year mark from when we got engaged. 

Getting Into the Swing of Things

We are settling into our routine quite nicely.  Jonathon was busy this weekend hooking up all our electronics and now we are able to watch as much American television as our eyeballs can handle.  Jonathon was able to watch some football (the kind with the long, brown ball, not the round black and white ball) although the time difference made it tricky.

 

We have been exploring grocery stores figuring out where to buy everything.  Doha should really be called pita heaven.  Pita bread costs pennies (seriously less than a nickel) and is amazingly delicious.  We have lots of pita bread in our future and that makes me so happy.  One grocery store has a little refrigerated room where you can buy fresh, whole fish.  If I were brave enough to enter the smelly room with fish eyes staring at me and a man holding a cleaver, then I’m sure the fish would be amazing.  So far I have only been able to hold my breath and pick up already cut fish filets on display outside Nemo’s graveyard.  The salmon filets are wonderful, so I know that the other fish will be divine.  I am going to have to enter that scary room soon.  (Read as: Jonathon will be entering that room soon while I run away.)

We went to the mall this week and I was surprised to see a department store selling Christmas decorations.  Then, I went to break a sweat at the compound clubhouse and saw this beauty.  Christmas in the desert!  We can sled down sand dunes. 

American expats in Doha make a big deal about holidays.  I think it is overcompensation for not being in the U.S.  Halloween was celebrated with two evenings of trick-or-treating, and we are having a Thanksgiving potluck in the office.  I’m not complaining, but I do think it is funny that the compound’s tree is up before a lot of people in the U.S. have their trees up.

Sunday was Jonathon’s first day of work.  (We work Sunday through Thursday.)  He will be traveling some in his new role, so hopefully he will blog about his trips.  Get excited for an increase in photo quality.  He is a great photographer.  Today he made a trip to the field and he was so excited to have me take the following photo, so I know he will be pleased that I shared it with all of you.  Just look at that smile.

 

Not as exciting as Jonathon, but look at my new mug.  We work with a lot of Englishmen and Scots, so afternoon tea time has been added to my daily routine.  The office has a wonderful spread of tea, but I was getting tired of my styrofoam cup while waiting for our sea shipment.  My tea tastes so much better now.

 

Tonight I meet the ladies of the compound for a friendly game of Bunko.  The ladies, employees and spouses, get together once a month to play some Bunko.  Tonight my neighbor hosted and it was southern comfort themed with chill and cornbread as the main meal.  Quite tasty and fun to meet more neighbors.  I also won last! (I got last place.)

Tomorrow is the Islamic New Year which fits nicely with the beginning of our new adventure.

Reunited

Jonathon made it to Doha!  He landed safely last night and we were busy today trying to help him forget his intense desire to climb into the nearest bed for a nice long nap. 

 















We went with some friends to explore the northern coast.  It took an off-roading vehicle and an emergency stop for gas, but we found a nice, quiet beach area.

Many Qataris were camping along the beach, but it wasn't your average Jones family campout.  People built little temporary cities on the beaches with generators to power the light polls and whatever that satellite dish is connected to.  There were also water tank trucks coming around to refill water supplies.  (Sorry Dad for giving Mom any ideas about next year's camping trip.)  Camping on the beach just got added to the Qatar bucket list. 

Qatari Camping on the Beach