goodbye-ing again

Michelle had us all over for a breakfast send-off for me. It was good to be with them all one last time. Got to play with the kids this afternoon, pack some, and after dinner, Michelle and I went to go get henna done on our legs. So pretty. It's still cracking off, so the only picture I have is half-way there (and the ones from when I was getting it done). Had a wonderful experience at the "Saloon" (that's what they call "salons"). A girl from Yemen was so sweet and tried to talk to us with the little English she knew. And while we were waiting for the henna to dry, a Qatari woman began to talk to us. It was so interesting! She was so friendly, and I got to learn much about the culture. We were very surprised, first time I've ever held a conversation with a Qatari.
Well, I'm pretty much packed, but it wasn't too hard, when I don't have to pick and choose what to take. Just fit it all in strategically. Tomorrow my flight leaves at 10.45am, and I arrive in London 6.15pm (UK time). Looking forward to seeing good friends makes it a little easier to say goodbye to friends here...but I'm still sad to go.

more souqs

Angie took me out to go shopping at some souqs (markets) in the same area again today. This time it was a little different feel because it was day-time. But I got a few pictures that impressed me.
I can't believe I've already been here six weeks and leave on Tuesday. Time really does fly by!

girls' night out

Friday night was so much fun. From the moment the kids were in bed, five of us took off in Heather's car and headed to Souq Waqif to make our dinner reservations at an Iranian restaurant at 9pm. I felt very honored, and the girls made me feel pretty special. We all had great conversation and laughed so much, it was an overall great night. Before dinner, we had a little time to check out the souq and buy a few things here and there. But after dinner, everything was closed, so we just walked around...it was still just as cool to see it all.

gig 'em from TAMU-Q

This morning I woke up early and came to work with Dar (Texas A&M Qatar. It has been really cool getting to walk around here, it's like a different school, yet it has pictures of the Aggie Ring, and logos and stuff throughout that kind of make me feel a bit like at home. It's a little weird feeling. After Dar showed me around, he went to his office to get some work done, and I just walked around to take pictures. I walked down by Student Affairs because they had some interesting posters and stuff, and I guess my look of curiosity was taken for a look of confusion when someone asked me if she could help me. I explained who I was, what I was doing here, mentioning that I go to TAMU-College Station. In conversation, I asked her if there was a way I could get my hands on a TAMUQ t-shirt to take with me. She hooked me up with one of her co-workers who not only gave me a tee, but a water bottle. Then I walked down a few offices and saw one of the guys that lives in the same compound as us, and he gave me a bag that they give the freshman for their New Student Orientation, which is going on now. So I scored a few freebies (side bag, memory stick, water bottle, planner, pens, little office kit, etc.) I was really excited...pays to be an Aggie! Dar and I were joking because I did better on my own than he could get his hands on...just said the right things to the right people.
After eating lunch here in his office, our friend Rob (also a neighbor) invited us to come to the "cave." It is this room with a large panoramic screen where we watched digital animation with 3D goggles. It was sooooo cool!!! We saw simulation of a hospital bedroom (architecture), a few molecules (science), a piece of land with oil and water wells (engineering), and then for fun the guy put on one of a roller coaster...I really felt like I was on one. The guys were getting a bit queasy. I would have done it again, I really felt like I was riding one!
So tomorrow's the weekend! I can't believe I leave on Tuesday...time has FLOWN!

safari cont.

Here are a few videos from last Saturday's trip for those of you who don't have Facebook.

This first one is of one of the 4X4 vehicles ahead of us doing what we're about to: ride up the side of a sand dune.


In this one we were watching a car ride down the side of a dune and coming to a complete stop before starting again and reaching level ground...and following soon after.


This one is from the top of a dune. By the way, all the music was playing in the background, not my selection.

new sights for these eyes

I felt like I was in a movie. The safari was such a thrill!!! Before the safari got started, when we were waiting for the other three cars to arrive, I got to ride a camel. That was a cool experience; I had a blast.
On the trip, we drove in 4x4 vehicles south of Doha, into the Qatari desert as if on an exciting roller-coaster trip over the sand dunes, inland, but at times along the sea. We stopped twice for 10 min-breaks by the water. At the second stop, we could see mountains of Saudi Arabia across the water. Before sunset, we finally stopped at a beach and were able to wade. The beach was beautiful, clean and clear water. We had a BBQ dinner at a Bedouin Camp that was set up. Delicious food! The ride back was at night and very exciting!!! (I'm a bit sore in my neck and back from being rocked around so much...thank goodness for ibuprophen!...but no holding kids for me today)
I'm going to put a map of Qatar up...I'm guessing we drove down from Doha for about and hour to Umm Sa'id, where the asphalt ended and the thrill began(where the camels were).

Here's a link you can go to to see an album of pictures I took yesterday:
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2567098&l=475dc&id=8347472

I'll try to get some videos on here as soon as I figure that out.

getting ready

Not much exciting has happened recently. Yesterday was a fun day. After church, the Hinton's (neighbors) took me out to lunch at Bennigan's. Later we went to their house to play with their new electric piano. I ended up giving them a piano lesson to three of them. I was very impressed at the speed they picked things up, and I really enjoyed teaching a little. (I'm glad that the little I know was enough for me to help). They want me to come over often to finish teaching Pachelbel's Canon before I leave on the 19th.
Got my visa renewed with absolutely NO problems at all. I expected a few hiccups in the process, waits in line, having to give proof of everything they could possibly ask for...but all they asked for was my passport and credit card and I was in and out. PTL!
Today for breakfast, the Daniel's (hosting family) took the family and me to delicious breakfast at "Ric's Country Kitchen." SOOOOO yummy!!! HUGE American breakfast. Yummy sausage, tasty bacon, blueberry pancakes...all those things you don't find easily around here. :)
In about and hour, I'm going to go with Michelle (neighbor) on a guided desert safari. It goes from 2.30-9.30pm. I imagine I'll come back pretty exhausted. I'll have to post pictures of it in the next few days. I'm really looking forward to this!!!

YAY! Finally, that was brief!