Hi All, Monday Aug. 24, 2009
As the title says, Ramadan Kareem - or Wishing You a Happy Ramadan - has started. I am fasting during the day at work which has been shortened by 2 hours per the law so I'm home by 3p daily. Awfully strange - but who's complaining? ( except you now try to jam 10 hours work into 8 hours) If you get caught eating or drinking you could receive a fine - something I'd rather avoid.
When I left work yesterday and the temp was 118F. Toasty !
I had dinner with my neighbors yesterday - the Finn and Brit along with a couple of Scot's. The Finn had her sister there - the 4 different languages - Finn, Scott, Brit and American were something to hear.
Still swimming most every day - although yesterday was spent inside watching West Ham play football ( soccer) - Chris - my Brit friend across the street is converting me. West Ham went up 1- nil but lost 1 - 2 to Tottem because of a bonehead play. We were both gritting our teeth.
I've watched Cricket and have discovered I like watching paint dry as it's more interesting! Quite a boring game. There is also lots of Rugby on TV as well - now there is a brutal sport.
As you have guessed, I'm not getting out much and using my Internet and TV as my main forms of entertainment. Going out costs you money and I'm all about saving it.
Back to swimming - I'm doing on average just over 1000m per day - not much but at least its better than nothing. I lost my good goggles ( forgot them in the shower) so I'm using uncomfortable back ups. Christine is ordering new ones for me and will bring them when she comes in October as they are not available locally.
Work is as busy as always - however some things are starting to fall into place - not to say I'm comfortable or anything - not by a long shot - but at least we are headed in the right direction.
Not much to report but just wanted to check in. I'll try and remember to add some pictures later on of when I went to Al Ain - some fantastic dunes.
Take Care
Scott
Monday, August 24, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
OK, OK, I get the message - you want news !
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
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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