Monday, February 27, 2012

He has your keys!


This traffic guy makes me laugh. Emily Duncan and I think the "thank god for safety" slogan is a great one. But this morning while I was sitting in traffic on the way to work I look over and this guy has some keys in his hand. The middle of a busy road and someone has lost their keys! What a crappy day that person must have had! I must admit there are some pretty great road signs around Doha, and some morbid ones as well - death tolls are always a pleasure to read about while you drive these crazy roads!

Blast from the PAST!


Just Emily and I playing on the dunes. Sisterly fun in the desert. I remember dune trips ended with having sand in your hair for days, and bringing home half the dune is all part of the fun. This post is for Emily because she is such a talented young lady! I want to share her Art Blog she has to keep for University with everyone because her work is amazing. I love your new work and I can't wait to see more! <3


Sunday, February 26, 2012

The right idea - but? Week 4 of teaching!


I am loving every minute I spend in the classroom with our 14 guys! They are all so funny, and we really have a great time together. We are constantly joking and I think that the atmosphere is pretty great for a class of 14 Arabic guys being taught by 2 blonde females. We spend Sunday through Tuesday studying ONLY English which pretty much consists of correcting grammar, spelling words and sentences, working on listening skills, speaking and reading out loud to practice vocabulary and pronunciation, and writing essays. All of this, and some practice tests from the IELTS book because these guys need to improve their scores on the exam! I feel like being hands on is teaching me way more than I am learning from my ONLINE course and I am really grateful that I am getting this experience.

I love the one liners they sometimes come up with because the translation is always interesting, and the words they guess with you can't help but laugh at... like the question I got the other day from one of the younger students - "miss, do you paint your hair?" - why thanks for pointing out that my roots are showing :) or when I am correcting work and the sentence is so backwards that you have to start from the very beginning on a new sheet of paper without making the student feel like what he did was wrong. Or like above... A misuse of a word but a perfect sentence if you remove the last two letters.

It is a never a dull day in our conference room class room at Qatar Foundation. 

Friday, February 24, 2012

Brunchin' it!


A picture really says it all...

Arabian Beauty!




Horse Photos Stollen from the Photographer above - PaPa Duncan :) 

Henna me up!

Being the tourist that I am I jumped in line to get some free henna at the horse show today! Even though the horses are very beautiful, and a horse show is always some what entertaining, there is only so much of a horse show you can watch before you want to take a nap! Sometimes before we would leave for summer vacation my Mom would let us get henna.

Normally Emily and I would get it on one foot, going up our leg a little bit, because we knew we would be living in sandals on the beach - and it just looked cool! I just remember it being an exciting thing to do before we would jump on a plane to escape the desert heat for the summer. Henna tips: leave it on for as long as possible so that the color becomes darker, to help boost the color add lemon to it after you wash it off, and if you want it to last for as long as possible then put Vaseline over it while you are showering. Henna is a natural dye made from a plant and is used mainly for temporary tattoo designs, but women sometimes use it for their hair, and fingernails. Basically it is the closest thing I will every be getting to a tattoo :) Henna art is really something else, and I have seen some pretty amazing designs (you can google it if you don't believe me). It is part of the wedding traditions for the Arabic women to get henna before their weddings. I just love it, and I love doing touristy things even though I am not really a tourist! 

International Equestrian Festival week has officially started, and it ends March 1st with the most famous day of racing in the Middle East (yes this day has been around longer than the big race days in Dubai). HH The Emir's Sword will certainly be an interesting ending to the week! 

UPDATE(26th FEB):


Conversation in class today... 


Student "Miss I really like your henna... but you should put it on your foot. Then a guy will see it and be like WOooooOOOW, and then wallah you will be married."



Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The W - maybe my new favorite place?

So I have now had drinks at the W in London, and dinner at the the Spice Market in Doha (dinner and cheap, yet surprisingly expensive wine). And I won't forget to mention that we spent Easter at the W in Atlanta a couple years ago... I think I am starting a trend here. Ha. The hotel is just all around cool, no matter what country it is in. The interior designer/s of this place have done a great job (photos from website).

About a week ago I went to dinner at Spice Market. It was an excellent night out with an old friend, and some people she has introduced me to, here in Qatar. My chicken pad thai was amazing, and Courtney Dutton you would have been extremely jealous. I am enjoying getting out and about here in Doha, meeting new people, and going to places that were not here before I left. Got lots planned now, I am super busy with teaching, and exploring the "new Doha." It is nice to have the comforting things that never change, but I love how developed this place has gotten and how many more interesting places there are to visit. I still need to go for a walk along the corniche, back to the souq, camel track, dunes, beach, and much more and I can't wait! 


I can't forget to "name drop" but when we were all sitting eating out meal at Spice Market someone noticed that at the table next to us James Blunt was enjoying a cosy meal with some of his crew/event manager/entourage (have no idea who they were). In true Doha fashion I had no clue he was even playing here. You always find out about stuff that happens, after it happens. He played at the Intercontinental Hotel on Valentine's Day. Now I love me some James Blunt, and I think it is great he stopped here in Doha to play, but, but it made me think - just how badly is he doing these days? 




Already sliding my "Arabic" into my English.

Today I was helping one of my students with his personal statement for Texas A&M and I was explaining something to him and slipped "yani" into the sentence. My student started laughing... I paused and said "oh dear I can't believe I just said yani" and he replied "SEE... you are MADE to live in Qatar!" Next thing you know I will ending my phone calls with "yallah bye bye."

Yani - "I mean."

Yallah - "HURRY UP" but also can mean "All Right."

Friday, February 17, 2012

ALL OF THE LIGHTS!


Somebody is getting married and wants everyone to know! Don't quote me on this but if I remember correctly this means a young woman in this house is getting married. The family of the daughter decorates the house with lights. I personally think it is a lovely tradition and it makes the ordinary white concrete block houses look beautiful, well at night! I do laugh though because growing up I asked my Dad to put lights on our house sometimes when I would have a birthday party, or just any random party. I guess everyone around us just thought "poor guy, he has a lot of daughters!" I think I might bring this tradition to the states and make my parents put lights on our house when I get married. 

The photo is such a bad one because I only had my phone on me when we drove past it. I am hoping to find a house and take a picture with an actual camera because I know that the quality, and the lights will look far better than above! One of my students is constantly going to weddings so I am sure another house will not be hard to find! 

Thursday, February 16, 2012

"You know you are in Qatar when..."

My first "you know you are in Qatar" phrase came on the second day I was here. I was driving back from the farm with my Dad, I looked over and the child on his father's lap was driving the car (a story I know I have shared). There are so many "only in Qatar" or "you know you are in Qatar when..." statements that never get old. Things like the random animals in the back of cars, and pick ups, or the spelling of gas at a gas station that reads "GAZ," or the people who cruise around the malls in their cars, yet never go in them, or the fact that if you really wanted to you could get McDonald's delivered to your house can all be followed by "only in Qatar." How about only in Qatar most of your police cars are Land Cruisers - the nations car. It is funny because the other day my Dad told me that in 1990 when we first moved here you had to be a Sheik to own a Land Cruiser. Oh... how the times have changed. There are so many things that go along with the two above phrases.. from driving to spelling. A perfect example of spelling is not only the "Gaz Station" but there is a certain brand of frozen chicken that reads "Killed with a sharp knife un Islamic rites" - I am not kidding, it says that on the packaging. 

I took the bellow picture summer of 2010 when I was visiting my Dad for a few days. It is a very "you know you are in Qatar when..." because these guys would be at every round about selling news papers, and fighting for their lives on the crazy Doha roads. Now there are not around. I do miss seeing them in the mornings, it was a normality in Doha, and now I think this guy might be the last news paper man. I saw him the other day. All alone. 


Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Pool Daze


I am not trying to be mean to all you people sitting in cold places this February but I would like to point out that I have had my first sun burn of the year... and even though I look silly with my raccoon eyes I am loving being able to lay out in the sun! National Sports Day in Qatar today - I put my Nike shorts on to walk to the pool :) Tanning is a sport, a tricky one! I love living in a desert... well sometimes! 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentine's Day Mail!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

My Mommy is always the best Valentine, I miss my college Valentine's Day package that is for sure, but I loved my card. I love you Mommy, and I miss you! I love getting mail!


Monday, February 13, 2012

House Mom?

I love my students... but excuse me?

Student One "Miss. Catie - how do you say mother cooks, stays at home, cleans, cares for kids?"

Before I can reply...

Student Two "Slave"

Me "Umm.... I think you mean a house mom?" 

Friday, February 10, 2012

"Money, Money, Money. Must be funny. In a rich man's world."


After so many years of traveling I can honestly say that American money is so boring. Sorry America - but it is true! How can you not love all the colors in the Qatari Riyals. I also like the fact that the bigger the bill the higher the value. So that 500 Riyal note ladies and gents is the largest in size. I didn't happen to have a 50 on me when I took this photo but it is a reddisd/pink/purple color - I shall post a picture later. 

Incase you were wondering 3.65 Riyals = 1 Dollar. Fix exchange.

So even though things are not always cheap over here in Doha, my egg sandwich I sometimes get in the morning in Al Shahania before the farm, or before I head back to town for work costs me 2.50 Riyals so my breakfast costs me about 70 cents. You can keep your McDonalds egg, bacon, and cheese biscuit because trust me my egg, chili, tomato, cucumber, cheese, wrapped in a special kind of bread (I forget the name of it). Delicious! 

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Keep Calm


"Miss, you should really learn Arabic"

I started some work experience yesterday through Texas A&M being a teaching assistant for an English as a Second language class. The class is 6 young men who have all applied to the Ministry of Interior here in Qatar and have been selected for scholarships, if accepted, to Texas A&M University and Carnegie Mellon University here in Doha. These schools are all part of Qatar Foundation and are located in Education city. These guys range in their English abilities, yet they are all so positive and willing to learn. They have to take the ACT for the math portion, and the IELTS for English to send in with their applications to the Universities. The IELTS is a four part English exam that gives an ability score at the end, they have to get a 6 or above in order to be in consideration as an applicant.

Today we had them write about themselves, and then read it in the class so we could see how much English they know, their writing skills, and their speaking skills. After they were all done it was extremely heartwarming to hear their points of view on their new friends. For a bunch of young men they were open, and honest about friendships, family, and their love for their country. They all share the common goal of gaining higher education so that they can give back to their country.

When it got to my turn to introduce myself, and after they all found out that I grew up in Qatar they all asked me - "Miss. Catie - how come you said you don't speak Arabic if you have lived here for 16 years?" This is a question I ALWAYS get, and it is the one thing I regret the most. Learning a language when you are young is such an easy task, however, none of my schools offered it. I personally think that it should have been mandatory. We are guest in this country, and we should really learn how to speak the native language. When I got home I asked my Dad why we were never enrolled in English courses, his reply "you were too busy at the farm, horse riding, or taking piano lessons." I would have swapped the piano lessons for Arabic because I do not remember how to read music, and I haven't played a piano in years. The past is the past though, and I am going to make an effort to learn some Arabic (well try to) while I am here in Qatar.

Arabic Lesson for today - work on my greetings!
Personally "Hula Wala" is my favorite way to say hello in Arabic. It is fun to say...


English GreetingsArabic Greetings:
Hi!Salam!   سلام
Good morning!Sabah el kheer   صباح الخير
Good evening!Masaa el kheer   مساء الخير
Welcome! (to greet someone)Marhaban   مرحبا
How are you?Kaifa haloka/ haloki ( female)   كيف حالك؟
I'm fine, thanks!Ana bekhair, shokran!   أنا بخير شكرا
And you?Wa ant? / Wa anti? (female)   و أنت؟
Good/ So-So.Jayed/ 'aadee   جيد / عادي
Thank you (very much)!Shokran (jazeelan)   (شكرا (جزيلا
You're welcome! (for "thank you")Al’afw   ألعفو
Hey! Friend!Ahlan sadiqi/ sadiqati! (female)   أهلا صديقي /صديقتي!
I missed you so much!Eshtaqto elaika/ elaiki (female) katheeran   إشتقت إليك كثيرا
What's new?Maljadeed?   مالجديد؟
Nothing muchLashai jadeed   لا شيء جديد
Good night!Tosbeho/ tosbeheena (female) ‘ala khair/   تصبح/ تصبحين على خير
See you later!Araka/ Araki (female) fi ma ba'd   أراك في مابعد
Good bye!Ma’a salama   مع السلامة




UPDATE:

The class has jumped up to a total of 14 guys. The original 6 from MOI, and now 8 older guys from QAPCO who have been working at the plant but need engineering degrees so they can gain a higher status. I am really enjoying getting to know them all, learning about why they want to get a degree in engineering, and about their families.

Ma'a salama!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

3 days in a sand storm!

It is hard to take a picture of a sand storm so these two are the best I could capture. As you can see, or can't really, nothing but dusty skies. Today the skies were clear and bright, and the sun was out even with the chill winds from who knows where, however, for the past 3 days we have had nothing but sand flying around in the air. I swept my floor today because I wanted to wait for the storm to be over and maybe I should have taken a picture of that so that you could see just how much dust was left over, INSIDE! After getting home from being at the farm I could feel the layer of dusty sandy all over me, gross I know, but it is all part of living in a desert! I remember when multiply times walking through a sand storm to find my Mom's or Dad's car in the parking lot after school. You couldn't see and walked out into the traffic with your eyes closed so that you didn't get sand in your eyes - safe right? 

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Mosque Sounds.

An update on the mosque man! Finally... over two weeks later I have tuned him out. He doesn't wake me up at 5.30 in the morning for the sunrise prayer! I snapped this little scenic photo the other day of the mosque from our house and I thought I should share it. My Dad told me that the mosque wasn't close and clearly he didn't know that there was this one as WELL as the other one, and that this one is CLOSER. Bad news is... the guys voice has still not gotten any better. I do feel sorry for him. 


For those of you would would like to hear what it sounds like this is a pretty good comparison, voice wise. I have defiantly heard better over the years we lived in Doha. If you listen carefully you can hear all the other mosques - this is what it sounds like in Doha. Pretty interesting to listen to when there are no other sounds happening around you.