Eating out!

This weekend Tim, Lisa, and Max went to a new restaurant called Salad Boutique. It had a beautiful, FUN decor and an extensive menu of salads. They were also very large!

One of the things we love about Doha is the variety of restaurants available. Most people eat out (or order in) at least twice a week -- hence, the high obesity rates. There are restaurants that cater to every ethnic food craving desired by ex-patriots. Because there are large numbers of Philippino, Sri Lankan, Indian, and Arab expats..... these restaurants are in abundance. 

The North Americans are (sadly) represented by the Fast Food restaurants -- McDonald's, Burger King, Subway, Hardees. There are also several American restaurant chains: Fuddruckers, Applebees, Chillis, Pizza Hut.

Max goes to the doctor

During the summer Max was having some neck and back tenderness. A couple of weeks ago he had a some days when the pain intensified so we took him to the doctor. He was seen by an orthopedic surgeon educated in Britain. An XRay and exam revealed an injury to his T1 vertebra. He started on arthritis medication which gave him great relief!

He has been seeing a Canadian chiropractor for ultrasonic treatment, massage, heat, and minor adjustments. He has been able to resume basketball practice. Most of the pain is now gone as long as he keeps his neck in proper alignment. The biggest challenge is being in school. He has been able to modify the height of his desks and his chairs at school to keep his work at eye level.

We expect him to make a full recovery. And he really loves getting a massage!

Friday!

Our week of work is from Sunday to Thursday and our weekend days off are Friday and Saturday. Friday is the country's Holy Day when Qataris go to the mosque for prayers and teaching and spend the rest of the day being with family. We also go to church on Friday morning and spend the rest of the day relaxing as a family.

 

One of our Friday evening routines has been to order take-out and watch a movie together. Sometimes we invite others to join us but mostly this is a fun family time for the four of us. Often we eat Indian food from one of many Indian restaurants. This week we watched The Great Gatsby and ate our favourites:  Butter Chicken, Naan, Palek Paneer, Vegetable Masala, Lemon Grass Tea.

Suits

One of the things we most appreciate about living in this culture is the ability to get reasonably priced fabric and tailoring services. This fall it was time for new suits. The boys have outgrown theirs and Tim wears a suit every day so can always use a new one. The process begins by selecting fabric for the suit (usually a lightweight cashmere wool) and a shirt (usually bright-coloured cotton silk). Then everyone chooses a style: we show a magazine picture or flip through the books available and describe preferred tastes.

Then it is time for measurements. Over the years Tim has come to really appreciate the custom-made shirts -- which better fit his need for space at the neck, his long arms, and a slim-but-not-too-slim cut. Max also has very long arms and prefers his jacket to be a bit longer than most.  Simon likes a slim jacket and very slim pants.

A week later we return for a fitting and fine adjustments. And then in another week the suit is ready. The total cost for this experience is 700 QR (about $200) for each suit.

There are several school events that take place each year that require formal dress: Graduation Ceremony, Leavers' dinner, Film Festival. Tim also had a tuxedo made last year for those occasions when he is required to wear one.

School Again

Max and Simon and Tim have had a good first week back at Qatar Academy. Simon is in Grade 8 and Max in Grade 10 of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB MYP). Both boys are happy about their teachers this year.

Max's program has a new course this year called Music Production. This is his Arts elective. It is focused on the technology involved in producing and recording sound. He will be using his skills to help with the school Musical this fall and to assist his Thursday evening Youth Band.

Max also has a "Personal Project" that is part of the Grade 10 MYP. A student can choose to do anything that will change him in a personal way. Max has created a project with a couple of parts. He spent the summer working with Grandad to carve 20 "comfort birds". Now he is working on the next step of his project which is to find a group of people who will receive the birds. Max has learned the skill of carving and is now doing research into the therapeutic benefits of touch, the cultural influences of wood, and the health issues in Qatar.

Fried Eggs

When we returned to Doha, we were surprised to see a nest outside the boys' bedroom window. A Mourning Dove sat on the nest for most of the time.  We did notice that the parent Dove would leave the nest in the middle of the afternoon when the sun shone on that side of the house. He/ She would fly to the neighbour's house and watch the nest from a shaded spot.

We wondered how the eggs would survive the 45 degree heat...... It would appear that they did not. The incubation period for doves is 2 weeks. We have been here for more than two weeks and there are no "squabs" to be seen. The nest seems to have been abandoned and the eggs seem to have an unusual colour -- maybe partially hard boiled?

Settling In

Tim hanging a new clothesline in backyard

We have been back in Doha for two weeks and it has been very busy. Getting settled back into our home and routines is fun and exhausting.

Lisa has started back at work at the University of Calgary; the students returned this week and classes have started. Tim has been busy with the arrival of 57 new teaching staff and families. He made several trips to the airport and we have hosted a couple of dinner parties. The full staff of Qatar Academy returned this week and are doing preparations for the students' arrival next week.

Simon putting together frames mad for their artwork

Overgrown Weigela

Simon and Max start school next Sunday. They have been keeping busy with basketball practices twice a day, doing chores around the house, and the occasional day at the Mall going to movies.

It is still too hot to spend any length of time outdoors but we have made a couple of trips to the Clubhouse pool. Soon we will be able to be out in the backyard reading and gardening; the jasmine and weigela are out of control.