A day at school February 28, 2008

Yesterday, I attended the Parents Evening at my kids’ new school. Ala2 repot kad day la. The kids have only been in school for hardly 3 wks so there wasn’t much to talk about. Everything was ‘lovely’ and ‘excellent’ as both kids are in the top group of their respective classes. Syukur alhamdulillah. Myisha’s teacher said she has never come across a child of her age that could read exceptionally well. And this woman has taught in Wales for 20 years!

The school just moved to a brand new building with larger classrooms and more facilities. Of course, these didn’t come free. A 30% hike on school fees will start next year to accommodate this investment. The new facilities however, are still a far cry from my kids’ previous school in Muscat, where there was an olympic sized pool, gym, music room, football field, ICT lab, the whole works. International schools somehow manage to make learning more fun as compared to the text book teaching style in Malaysia. Sure depa boring bila balik Malaysia nanti. Unless by then mummy can afford to put them in an international or private school. In international schools, kids are encouraged to talk and throw their ideas. The chattier, the better. Dina, my eldest, who is considered the friendliest girl in my taman, is categorized as ‘rather quiet’ in the international arena. Oh, and kids don’t have to carry any textbooks in their school bag, the most they’d have is a homework book and a story book from the library. Pretty cool ain’t it..  

Bad habits die hard February 27, 2008

Office politics ada kat mana-mana. Only the extent to which it is practised differs. I am still adapting to my new work culture. The company I work for is made up of 70% foreigners and 30% locals. The locals have their own culture while the foreigners bring with them a whole suite of rojak cultures. But they do have some in common.

In my old company back home, teamwork is key. I have only been here a month, but for some reason it is extremely difficult to get info or data from others around you, be it intra or inter department. Macam ada satu penyakit tak nak share info. Some people are so insecure that they think we want their jobs. Some think we are adding more burden to their work. And some think we are looking for their faults. Duhhhh…??

Perhaps I should buy each of them ’Who Moved My Cheese’.     

Labour Pains February 24, 2008

There are two major labour pains for an expat in Qatar. First, the mandatory medical check-up as part of the process to get a Residence Permit (RP). Second, getting a driving license. I have recently gone thru the first one – a nightmare come true!

The medical check-up consists of three parts – registration, blood drawing and x-ray. The registration queue went on a shift-your-butt-from-chair-to-chair spiral movement. I guess nobody here thought of a better system! For a minute there I thought I was in kindy playing musical chair.. Next, was the blood drawing lab. This was suprisingly painless considering the super-efficient nurses (READ – kasar nak mampos) who jabbed your arm without looking twice. Suffice to say, the bluish marks on my arm lingered on for the next 10 days. Last but not least, was the x-ray, which had me waiting in line for almost 2 hours! One bloody x-ray machine to cater to hundreds of people that come for this check-up on daily basis. Nak kata tak cukup duit, negara kaya. The whole problem began with the inefficient queueing system. Women around me actually pushed and shoved their way thru, I almost fainted I tell ya. I had the first taste of being treated with such disrespect from the Arabs who apparently assumed that I’m some domestic helper who can’t speak English. A Tunisian lady actually refused to wear the x-ray gown as she said those are meant for khadams!

I have a long way to go to uphold my image and identity as a corporate lady in this country. Tough times are ahead, I’ll have to take each day as it comes… 

Marhaba February 22, 2008

 It’s the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Life as a lady expatriate in the competitive male dominated Arab world.

Arrived in Doha almost 3 weeks ago. Body and mind ready to take on the new challenges of the new environment – or so I thought! The first few weeks went on rather smoothly. Starting work at 7am takes some getting used to, with no lunch break to tend to this grumbling tummy. But getting off at 3 pm is a pleasant surprise well worth getting up at the crack of dawn.

Doha is a beautiful city developing at a super fast pace. Not as superficial as Dubai, not as scenic as Muscat, and not as conservative as Riyadh, Doha is comfortably somewhat in between.

Kata orang, things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out. Kita tunggu dan lihat.. Stay tuned to see how my new life unfolds..