When we first moved to Doha the first thing we made sure we had before food , water , or a cellphone was the internet. It's the basis for our survival so now that we have been without it for a week and a half we are starting to get a wee bit annoyed. Believe me it's not an episode of survivor man over here but it's getting a little annoying. But this is Doha. When we get to come home for a visit we will be repeating this saying over and over again , it's our new mantra , and believe me when you come here you will see what we mean.
So what have you guys been doing??? Staying warm and watching NHL I hope :). It's baby season at home our friends Karen and Robin welcomed their beautiful little girl Emma into the world this week and my cousins Adam and Kasandra did the same 2 weeks ago with Mackenzie. I don't remember if I said that already. These are the type of events that are making us home sick , but that just means when we get there we will have reserved cuddle sessions set aside for us.
Well the weather is sunny . Period. No just kidding it is chilly today and has been really hazy and sandy. When I sweep the floors I have enough sand to make a sand castle , and I sweep my floors more then once a month. The new apartment is great , we are getting things settled . It's a long process but there are pieces of home here now. We got our cargo this week and I felt like it was Christmas morning opening all the boxes I only pack a month ago. The smells of home and all the David's tea I packed brought a tear to my eyes. Almost everything made it , few minor breaks but nothing krazy glue can't fix right. The best part was all the photos I sent. It's great to see the familiar smiling faces of home. Speaking of which I am making a photo wall in the hall and am going to be putting pictures up of all our friends and family , so if you got a favorite of yourself send it to me or I will choose . We are going to get our place painted today so once thats done by Khumar ( he said he'll bring us some White Castle burgers ) , I'll be sure to put up pictures.
Mike's training is coming along nicely , he is doing some Human Factors course , that all North Americans have to do, this week. Less then exciting. We just found out his training is going to be changed to Bahrain , so I will be solo for 5 weeks here. Visitors are welcome and you will have your own room . I am going to go for a visit , the flight is less then a Toronto-Ottawa so it's nothing major. I am actually excited about my first trip here :)
I did my medical today for my residency , what an experience that was. I can't describe how things that are simple and logical at home are completely different here . If you can imagine going to the hospital and having no one speak English except to call you sister and then wander around and have no one answer your questions then you have a bit of an idea of what it's like. What that also means is my days of leisure are seriously numbered and I will be working lady soon. Early mornings are long commutes are in my very near future.
I have started driving on my own , well really I did it once yesterday but it's a start. I am still stressed out about it . I found this article from an expat about her version on the driving "rules" here and I am going to share a few of my favs with you.
1. Never indicate - it gives away your next move. A real Qatari never uses indicators.
11. It is traditional to honk your horn at cars that don’t move the instant the light turns green. This prevents Herons from building nests on top of the traffic light and birds from making deposits on your car.
14. If you cut someone off at a road junction as you turn right regardless of oncoming traffic, it will be O.K if you flash your Hazard lights just before impact takes place.
17. Upon purchasing or renting a new car it is mandatory to leave the plastic wrapping on the seats for as long as humanly possible. This not only protects the leather/fabric but it helps to leave both driver and passengers with a healthy level of moisture (aka perspiration) on their backs and lower extremities. (this is weird but very true)
19. Child safety seats are “haram.” Small children should be allowed to roam freely about the vehicle, larger kids should stand on center console and stick head out sunroof. ( this gives me serious anxiety when I see it )
I know there aren't any pictures this time but I promise when we get set up I will overload. On our time off we have been walking dogs and Mike has been studying tons. Our car arrives on the day Mike leaves to Bahrain so we are hoping that it gets here before his flight because we have no idea what this process is going to entail.
The best news though is our sweet boys are coming on Tuesday and will be arriving on Wednesday and will be ready to kill someone. They have no idea what is coming . Our little furry family will be complete and then Mike has to leave again. All you non-cat people don't know the separation anxiety we are going through. I am not sure that the cats are even fazed as they are being well taken care of by Mike's mom and dad.
Well my free internet at the coffee shop is almost up so I must be going. Will be back soon!!
Miss everyone
M&M
xo
So what have you guys been doing??? Staying warm and watching NHL I hope :). It's baby season at home our friends Karen and Robin welcomed their beautiful little girl Emma into the world this week and my cousins Adam and Kasandra did the same 2 weeks ago with Mackenzie. I don't remember if I said that already. These are the type of events that are making us home sick , but that just means when we get there we will have reserved cuddle sessions set aside for us.
Well the weather is sunny . Period. No just kidding it is chilly today and has been really hazy and sandy. When I sweep the floors I have enough sand to make a sand castle , and I sweep my floors more then once a month. The new apartment is great , we are getting things settled . It's a long process but there are pieces of home here now. We got our cargo this week and I felt like it was Christmas morning opening all the boxes I only pack a month ago. The smells of home and all the David's tea I packed brought a tear to my eyes. Almost everything made it , few minor breaks but nothing krazy glue can't fix right. The best part was all the photos I sent. It's great to see the familiar smiling faces of home. Speaking of which I am making a photo wall in the hall and am going to be putting pictures up of all our friends and family , so if you got a favorite of yourself send it to me or I will choose . We are going to get our place painted today so once thats done by Khumar ( he said he'll bring us some White Castle burgers ) , I'll be sure to put up pictures.
Mike's training is coming along nicely , he is doing some Human Factors course , that all North Americans have to do, this week. Less then exciting. We just found out his training is going to be changed to Bahrain , so I will be solo for 5 weeks here. Visitors are welcome and you will have your own room . I am going to go for a visit , the flight is less then a Toronto-Ottawa so it's nothing major. I am actually excited about my first trip here :)
I did my medical today for my residency , what an experience that was. I can't describe how things that are simple and logical at home are completely different here . If you can imagine going to the hospital and having no one speak English except to call you sister and then wander around and have no one answer your questions then you have a bit of an idea of what it's like. What that also means is my days of leisure are seriously numbered and I will be working lady soon. Early mornings are long commutes are in my very near future.
I have started driving on my own , well really I did it once yesterday but it's a start. I am still stressed out about it . I found this article from an expat about her version on the driving "rules" here and I am going to share a few of my favs with you.
1. Never indicate - it gives away your next move. A real Qatari never uses indicators.
11. It is traditional to honk your horn at cars that don’t move the instant the light turns green. This prevents Herons from building nests on top of the traffic light and birds from making deposits on your car.
14. If you cut someone off at a road junction as you turn right regardless of oncoming traffic, it will be O.K if you flash your Hazard lights just before impact takes place.
17. Upon purchasing or renting a new car it is mandatory to leave the plastic wrapping on the seats for as long as humanly possible. This not only protects the leather/fabric but it helps to leave both driver and passengers with a healthy level of moisture (aka perspiration) on their backs and lower extremities. (this is weird but very true)
19. Child safety seats are “haram.” Small children should be allowed to roam freely about the vehicle, larger kids should stand on center console and stick head out sunroof. ( this gives me serious anxiety when I see it )
I know there aren't any pictures this time but I promise when we get set up I will overload. On our time off we have been walking dogs and Mike has been studying tons. Our car arrives on the day Mike leaves to Bahrain so we are hoping that it gets here before his flight because we have no idea what this process is going to entail.
The best news though is our sweet boys are coming on Tuesday and will be arriving on Wednesday and will be ready to kill someone. They have no idea what is coming . Our little furry family will be complete and then Mike has to leave again. All you non-cat people don't know the separation anxiety we are going through. I am not sure that the cats are even fazed as they are being well taken care of by Mike's mom and dad.
Well my free internet at the coffee shop is almost up so I must be going. Will be back soon!!
Miss everyone
M&M
xo
No comments:
Post a Comment