Overseas Living

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Saturday Purchase

An innocent visit to the souq this morning resulted in the purchase of this:

Axel says he has been wanting one forever, and if I let him buy it he will never ask for anything else in his entire life. He also said I could buy a new sewing machine. In our relationship two wrong purchases always make a right.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Alfardan Gardens 1,Doha,Qatar

Drive to Church

I have been meaning to take photos of the following signs for weeks now. The signs have been placed throughout the city by Qatar Foundation.

I love the backdrop of West Bay, the most beautiful area of Doha. It is also the *only* beautiful area of Doha.

The scenery was fantastic despite the fact that I was using my crappy iPhone 3 camera. It also helps that a storm was imminent. No rain, just a threat. So disappointing.

Happy Fabulous Sabbath Friday!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

When Life Gives You Lemons....

During the winter break Heavah was desperate for things to do. She was also anxious to make a little cash. Economics are dawning on her and she is ready to play the game. After a long brainstorm session she decided to start selling lemonade.

Below you can see her 5 sample cups. She feels one must try the product before he or she commits. She also conducted a focus group to decide what a cup of lemonade was worth. She went from 5 Riyals ($1.50) down to 2 Riyals (.50 cents) per cup--much to her dismay.

Her final challenge was finding customers. It wasn't until she moved her picnic kiosk to the clubhouse that she really made hard cold cash. 500 Riyals ($150. USD) to be exact. It helps to have wealthy expat neighbors who have a soft spot for cute white girls.

Since the lemonade stand Heavah held a yard sale for all the clothing I was going to donate. She is also brewing up an idea for a cookie business. She is ready to go, but I am not sure I can commit. She plans on visiting the neighbors, providing samples, and taking orders. It is serious business.

Heavah's goal? An iPhone.

That's a whole lotta lemons and cookies. * iPhones in the Middle East are approximately $950. USD. And yet, we are closer to China. Hummm.....

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Doha Contemporary Art Museum

I know I have mentioned maybe once...okay, maybe twice...okay, constantly, that we are art starved in our wee little country of Qatar. Apparently someone with real power in Qatar subscribes to my website because it appears that they are actually trying to provide venues for art. I am sure it is the Sheik himself, he loves to read about my potty training woes and how much I love Nepal more than his country. Hello there...while you are reading Mr. Thani...please get rid of more roundabouts and provide more beach areas. Sincerely, Terah

Although the new initiative is noble, and greatly appreciated, I must admit the last instillation of the Doha Contemporary Art Museum kind of missed the mark in my books. Our group was very excited, including my 4 year old daughter. The ardor and fervor gradually diminished after we went deeper and deeper into the cold wearhouse of doom.

There were several confusing exhibits that must be beyond my understanding. I will be the first to admit that contemporary art isn't my absolute favorite, but I think this surpassed the point of taste and entered a world of sheer bizarreness. Due to a strict rule of 'no click, click' (exact words of the security guard) I was unable to get the best photographs. These photos are done on the sly, thanks to my tiny camera and devious ways.

Sedona refused to entire the blade room. Don't you know that sharp edges can hurt? She's my cautious child.

This room was the saw room. The sound was as sharp and piercing as the blades themselves. Each blade was inscribed with Quran verses. This exhibit had some hope for me, I interpreted the blades as a penetrative device that can pierce and allow the words of the Quran to seep within one's soul. No bad, eh? I obviously missed the point completely. In the description, there was no discussion of the Quran at all and instead it represented how technology has developed throughout time, blah, blah...blah, blah...blah, blah blah.

According to Grandma, she is holding his hand, not attempting to reach for anything else as it may appear in this photo.

This one was probably the one that influenced me the most. It was called 7 Jews to 1 Palestinian. I am not sure where they came up with that ratio but the premise is that if you stand in the middle you can not see both sides. In other words, whose side are you on? Why they are in their Calvin Klein underwear, I do not know.

There were many more exhibits like a petrol can home with a video of a man rolling a petrol can with his foot, a military vessel dressed with strawberry and tomato plants, photos of modern depictions of Christ, statues of horses pierced with arrows, a human sized sling shot room, and a car demolition room with the sweet sounds of crushing metal and broken glass.

Sedona was a tad bit traumatized by the entire experience. She was hesitant to turn corners or veer off on her own. She held her daddy's hand the entire time. She spoke of her uneasiness and her desire to leave--like now.

As soon as she came home she described the entire experience in detail to her brothers. Asa was extremely intrigued and demanded to go to the scary place where blood flows from the ceiling. Where else are you going to be able to see that?

Heavah's Special Day

Heavah had a special day yesterday. I am not allowed to write about it because I live in the Middle East, but let's just say she is 8 years old and she was wearing white.

How did I get such a beautiful, mature, and sweet girl? She is remarkable and I am excited to see how her precious little life unfolds. I know I am lucky. Very, very lucky.