A blah week…

So there has been some positive stuff this week, but mainly this was a boring week. I did do a lot of car shopping. I looked at SUVs and cars and made the choice that I wanted to be up higher and get more perks for my money. In the end I decided on the KIA sportage. Several people I know drive them and love them. I am waiting on bank approval, if all goes well I will get approved next week. When I actually own it, I will post a picture!

This week I have felt run down and have noticed a few other problems. Some of the issues I dealt with last year were coming back, including clumps of hair falling out. I know that it is the medications I take (I think I am taking the wrong dosage), but I do not yet have a health card. I tried to get my card every day, but got nowhere. My boss’s boss even tried and did not get anything. Eventually I went to a clinic and the doctor told me she couldn’t do anything; she could only refer me to an endocrinologist. I then took this referral to my HR office and by the end of the day they assured me my card was being printed and I would have it on Sunday (the next work day). I also spent time calling hospitals to try and get an appointment with an endocrinologist. The doctor I met with recommended one hospital and said it was the best and the others were just ok (she told me not to go to the American hospital – that is nothing like an American hospital). I called the first hospital and when I asked for an appointment with an endocrinologist I was told “We kind of have one of those, but he is on vacation for a month.” I am not sure what “kind of” means, either you do or you don’t have an endocrinologist. I then called hospital number two. I am not even kidding you – she is on vacation for the next month. Hospital number three did not event have an endocrinology department. I finally called clinic number 4 (not a hospital) – they never answered the phone. I gave up and will try again on Sunday. I am sure once people get back from vacation I will find a great doctor.

The bottom line is that even though I did not “do” that much this week, I am more run down than I have been since I moved here. I am hoping sleeping all weekend will re-energize me.

Pictures of my life in Doha...

Here are some pictures to give you a better idea of my life in Doha

The building on the right is one of my Halls (not the shed at the very front, but behind that)

My office is in this building (I think - they all look the same)

This is the compound in which I live - ECCH

This is Doha - everything is under construction

These are 2 of the 3 boats we were on for the international student orientation Dhow Cruise.

You may remember a student jumped off my boat

... You can see me talking to this student (I am along the side of the boat toward the back in a pinkish/salmon shirt, the student does not have a shirt on)

Car shopping and cars in Doha,

There are several key things to note when considering cars in Doha:

1. The Land Cruiser is by far the most popular car among Qatari families
2. People make very bad car “decorating” decisions in this city
3. Supposedly the best deals of the year on new cars are during Ramadan
4. Car dealerships are only open after 8pm during Ramadan

To expand on 1 and 2 – I have never seen so many Land Cruisers until I moved here. These SUVs dominate the roads and are a status symbol. You know a Land Cruiser has power on the road, and the driver likely has power in life. Unfortunately the owners almost always decide to get racing stripes or designs down the sides. These decent vehicles suddenly become very ugly. Another awkward decorating choice of many in Doha is carpeting the dashboard and back shelf area with fake shaggy fur. I have been told this is to prevent the bleaching affect of the sun; however, it is the worst possible car interior choice one could make.

I have been attempting to car shop the last few days. Several weeks ago I began the process by just looking around, but I knew that until I got a license I would not be searching seriously. Now I have a license and am ready to buy. I lucked out because dealers usually have great sales during Ramadan. I did not luck out because the dealers are only open late at night. When I have gone in search of a dealership I have found a closed door. Tomorrow night I will try again. Wish me luck.

This is not your typical work place…

Working in higher education in the US I became used to tight budgets and doing more with less. In my last job I started the year with no budget and begged, borrowed, and hoped for funding for various projects (the necessities got covered – but no frills). In my new role I am consciously aware of the fact that the budget was cut by 30%; however, I am still amazed that there is funding for wonderful projects. Each of my initiatives has a budget! (This is amazing to me) In addition, my CDAs have clear budget guidelines, and while they think it is a tight budget, it is comparable, if not higher than most RA budgets in the US (depending on the school).

Today I was reminded in a very tangible way that budgeting is much different in Qatar. While budgets have been cut to reflect the state of the economy, we were still given a Ramadan gift from the foundation. Every single QF employee received an ipod shuffle. I love my job! I have never owned an ipod, and I was just about to buy one. While part of me thinks of the budget items that were cut and what they could have saved by not purchasing these awesome gifts for about 5000 employees, the other part of me just wants to say “thank you” and run before they can change their mind. The good news is the ipod is engraved with Ramadan 2009 and the QF logo – so they cannot return them. They were also kind enough to have some stuff already uploaded for us. First there is an introduction to the meaning of Ramadan (I am hoping in English, because I want to listen to it). Next the entirety of the Quran is included in both English and Arabic.

The next time I see you I would be happy to show you my exciting gift.

Don’t drink the green liquid…

I attended my first Iftar today in the lobby of the Carnegie-Mellon building. It was wonderful. There were a few hundred people at different tables, with 10 at my table. They were all very friendly and in a good mood. The food was great, with lots of options. While I am growing more adventurous with my food selections, I was not able to gain enough courage to eat the meet from the carcass of a small animal with a full skull and teeth (I think it was a lamb, but I am not sure). I did try a butter curry chicken that was great; however, nothing in it tasted like butter.

The only bad part of the meal that was the green drink. At the table we had water, but through the meal I was thirsty and wanted to try something different. There was a table at the front of the room with a few choices. One was a thick white liquid that possibly was dairy – so I steered clear. Another container held a frothy deep purple liquid, and a third contained a bright green drink. I was not sure what to try but thought the green drink might taste like cool aid. I filled my cup half way and took a big gulp. I am so proud of myself for not spitting it out onto the strangers standing filling their cups. The green liquid was quite similar to mint mouthwash with a small sugar after taste. It in doubt, don’t drink the green liquid.

Humidity has arrived...

Humidity had come to Doha and set up residence. Everyone told me the humidity would come, but I did not think it would hit one day with full force. A few days ago I went to work and it was hot as usual. When I left work, the air was thick and wet and hot. The humidity there is worse than I have ever experienced in Ohio or Michigan. It is hard to breath and in when you leave a building in less than a second your sunglasses are fogged and your skin is damp and clammy (strange because you are still really hot). Thankfully I do not spend much time outside.

In addition to adapting to the humidity, I am mentally preparing for Ramadan. I know it will not be drastically different than the rest of the year, but I want to avoid as many cultural mistakes as possible. Beginning Friday the majority of my students and many of my colleagues in the larger Office of Faculty and Student Services will be fasting from sun up to sun down. During that time all others should not eat or drink in public or in front of those who are fasting. It will be interesting to see how Ramadan impacts the start of the school year and student issues. I have been told that students stay quiet during the day and life really starts when the sun goes down. I am really excited to experience all of this while in an Islamic culture. I have talked to others about Ramadan before and know people who fasted, but in the US Muslims adapt to the dominant culture and I was not forced to see it in detail. Here, Muslims are a part of the dominant culture and the holy month takes a completely different form. (meaning most Muslims in the US continue to work a full work day, while here the work day is shorter, and in the US they are surrounded by people eating and drinking in front of them with no regard for the fact that they are fasting, while here the rest of the community adapts to show respect for their fasting). I hope that after experiencing it this year, I will be able to understand Ramadan better.

I can drive...

I now have a valid drives license! If you would like to hear the whole long story, feel free to give me a call. I am glad this long process is over – although I did actually learn something from it. Now I can buy a car!