Musicality

In recent years Max and Simon have become interested in guitars and have pursued a variety of self-taught activities. They have also benefited by being involved in a couple of bands this year.

Simon has been practicing with a "School of Rock" band led by his Grade 9 English teacher (an exceptional teacher and a talented musician). This band performed yesterday at the school's Open House for Grade 10 Personal Projects. Max assisted on his bass and Simon played ukelele, and guitar and also sang one song. 

You may remember Max's band Doorhandle that won a Talent Show last semester. Since then the group has been asked to perform at a variety of functions including a Google Conference last week. Their music is all original composition and hard rock genre.

It is such fun for Tim and I to watch them grow up and develop personality and interests that we are proud of.

Colour Run!

Two weeks ago our family participated in the Colour Run. Called the "happiest 5K on the Planet", the Colour Run is a 5 km fun run/ walk that is hosted all over the world by the Colour Run people. This was the first time in Doha and 5000 people participated! 

Lisa, Max, and Simon joined the race and Tim was a Volunteer for the event.

It was a beautiful day and great fun to be sprayed with colour along the way.

Happy Valentine's Day

Every week Tim buys flowers for Lisa. It is a flower plan at his school and every Thursday a bouquet is delivered -- florist choice. This week the bouquet had a Valentine look: two dozen red roses and a heart box of Hershey kisses.

Model United Nations

This past week Max took part in The Hague International Model United Nations Conference taking place in Doha. This is an annual event that hosts 1500 students from around the world acting as the members of a real-life United Nations Conference.

 The students each have a role to play: Secretary General, President of the Assembly, Ambassador for a country, Delegate from a country, Member of the Press, Administrative Support, etc. Max was part of the Technology Support Team and this was his first international MUN conference.

Max is in the middle working the video camera for the LiveStream

Max thoroughly enjoyed listening to the student delegates debate current topics from around the world. The students debated resolutions about food and water security in the Middle East, protecting World Heritage sites in regions of conflict, funding mechanisms of the Palestinian Authority, protecting human rights at border crossings, the role of religious organizations in the political process, the question of Syria, the protection of Arabic language and culture.

Compromise

The weather in Doha in winter is really beautiful -- days that warm to 27 degrees and evenings that cool to 18 degrees Celsius. It reminds us of relaxing Nova Scotia summers. So in an attempt to bring back memories of summer, Lisa requested a fire pit and camp chairs in the backyard for evening chatting and roasting marshmallows. Today when she came home from work she found this compromise in the front of the house! Of course the biggest obstacle was overcome -- they found real marshmallows!!