Hi All , Sat. 1 Aug. 2009
I've heard from you - that your wanting to hear from me- and Yes I have been lazy and have not blogged for a month now. Didn't know so many of you were hanging on my every word ! - ( OK my inflated ego made me say that - as if you really were hanging on every word I said )
Well this past month I've moved from "the new guy" at work to the trenches and have been extremely busy and stressed. - This hospital was/is a free for all when it comes to the supply chain - anyone orders anything they desire and lo be it to the person who questions it - well I be "it" and have been taking on some departments whose wasteful spending is seeing the light of day - and if you know anything about the Mid-Eastern male Ego ( there's that ego word again) - well it's all taken PERSONALLY - as if you have insulted their family - so much finger pointing and OH My's - but Administration is supporting me so that's a plus - and we are trying to sort out the supplies and get them on the right track - which is what they are paying me for. So in a nutshell - work is what it is and let the games continue.
On a personal note, I have been swimming most every day as not only does this relieve the stress - but also helps with the weight and cardio. BUT today ( and about 5 other days in June) have had no swimming due to dust storms.
I was taking my garbage out this morning ( they come daily - yes, daily) , had my suit on to go to the pool and when I opened the door - it was like I was in a fog - but it was dust. I'd say visibility was 1/2 mile MAX. Everything has a fine powder on it So I retreated back to the villa, changed out of the suit as I am not sucking in air while swimming with all this dust as it is just not healthy. So I was prepping to to go out to the Fish Market when the door bell rang.
Here it was my new friend Ross - from Australia. He's an IT guy who works for SEHA ( SEHA controls all the hospitals) who is helping Mafraq Hospital get all it's information systems up and running - moving from the stone age to space age in 2-3 years. My Materials Management system is on his to do list to - so I'm in good with the project manager - Yippee !
So Ross shows up , he's new in the compound and has yet to get his villa outfitted. Back up - we spent until 2a on Thursday /Friday morning drinking and talking- and didn't hook up on Friday as we were both " a little muddy" in his words.
So he wants to borrow my ladder/ tools to put up some curtains and says he'll ride along to the Fish Market with me - he hadn't been there before and enjoyed the whole experience - but since he doesn't own a refrigerator yet - opted not to buy any seafood- as one could imagine.
So he's at his villa working , I'm here hiding from the dust and cooking a big pot of lamb chili. It's not for tonight as shrimp - the big ones from the Fish Market- 10/12 count are on the menu using my sisters seafood pasta recipe - hot / citrus blend of spices that is just a killer recipe.
I've really got nothing much else to report and no pictures to share at this time as frankly it is too hot to go out with temps in the 115 - 120 range and humidity at 85%, it is just brutal. Looking forward to the fall/ winter when temps will get down to a frosty 60 - 70 F range. This I got to see.
Christine is booked Oct 28 - Nov 15 for 2 weeks/ 3 weekends here and Alex is finalizing his post Christmas /New Years trip dates now. Sometimes the time goes so slow and others it's so fast , Been here for 4 1/2 months now seems like 20 years some days and others 20 days. Still all in all a fascinating country and you can't beat the money.
Love to all
Scott
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Glad to hear you're making friends. Now play nice on the playground, especially the swing set.
ReplyDeleteI can't blame you for wanting to stay inside in that heat. So glad Christine gets to make another trip in the fall! Much better than her having to wait until 2010. Who helps you eat all of that food and WHY would you want chili in the Summer??? ;-)
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