Singing Dunes June 28, 2008

 

Yesterday afternoon, bored of the routine mall hopping weekends, we decided to make a trip to the ’singing dunes’. Like the name suggests, this is one of the 30 odd sites in the world where sound is produced from the sand dunes naturally. The shape of the dunes is like a semi circle, forming a natural desert amphitheatre. Dekat je tempat ni, hardly half an hour from our place.

Our friends Zul, Noreen & family, as well as another car of ‘bujang’ guys also came along. When we reached the spot of the so-called singing dunes, we didn’t hear a single sound, so we were rather disappointed. But what the heck, we continued with our plan climbing & rolling in the dunes and of course, our mini picnic. At last, when it was almost sunset, we all struggled to climb the steep dunes to catch a better view. It wasn’t easy to climb in this weather, that’s for sure. Dah lah pasir tu panas, they keep slipping away due to the steepness of the slope. I literally had to crawl up! After catching our breath and enjoying the scenic sunset, we slid down the dunes together and surprise surprise, a deep roaring booming sound was then heard! Hmmm rupanya the sound is stimulated when the sand is put into motion. Alas, the trip was not wasted after all.   

Trip to Muscat @ Balik Kampung June 27, 2008

Last week my boss asked if I would be willing to go to Muscat to support our subsidiary there for a special project. I jumped at the chance as not only have I done similar projects before, it also meant I could see my friends there again. So early Monday morning, I took the first flight to Muscat and was there for 3 whole days. The weather in Muscat was better than Doha, not so dusty and more green. Macam kan cheap skate, instead of staying at some lavish 5 star hotel by the beach, I decided to stay in Al Khuwair, where our house used to be. Reminiscing good old days la konon nya.

After a hectic first day, working late for Arab standards, managed to meet Oja, Lynn & families at our favorite hangout Yahya. Semua Yahya’s specialties were ordered to lepas gian – shawarma, lamb chop, chicken wing, turkish bread & labneh with honey. Yums! And on the second day, again, my good friends managed to make time for me eventho they were leaving for Dubai the next morning. This time to Arab World for the briyani & ‘mandi’ lamb that was so tender. Missed seeing Rohaya & Kak Liza as they had gone back to Malaysia for summer hols. Also Nazri, who was at site this week. It was sooo good to have spent time with them again, it really felt like the old days for a while except our ex-ketua wanita Kak Intan is no longer in Oman.   

Thanks everyone and hope to see you in Doha someday…

Our New Gadget June 21, 2008

First, the cool new ride. Now, we need to accessorize it to make it even cooler. So for two days we went hunting for a multi-player for the car. Nak yang boleh play CD, DVD, bole plug iPod and yang ada USB port for flash frive. Eh wait, macam2 nak ni, perhaps we need to prioritize. Well, after much searching, we settled for two items – a portable DVD player as well as a CD receiver. The kids simply love being able to watch DVD in the car. And I’m relieved to finally get to listen to my favorite tunes while driving (I have been listening to the only English station that plays mostly 80’s songs like everyday). Hmm bila nak dapat travel by road jauh2 sikit ni, bole try test real sikit.

The Al-timate Driving Machine June 15, 2008

Yeay, our new ride is here! Setelah 5 bulan ke hulu hilir satu Doha dengan kereta sewa, we are now the proud owners of a four-wheeler. Kat Qatar, kalau tak bawak 4WD memang tak sah. Sebab nya, tak merasa lah nak ke sand dunes, picnic kat inland sea and other off-road adventures. Lagi satu, kalau takde 4WD, alamat nya kena rempit lah by selfish tok arabs yang drive macam jalan tu mak bapak dia yang punya. Siap dengan the annoying horn and flashing high beams nye lagi. Kalau kat Malaya, jangan harap lah nak dapat beli kreta 4.8 liter, dengan harga minyak yang melambung naik these days. Oleh kerana Hubby takes the company bus to work, nampaknya saya lah primary driver of this car. I’m still getting used to the size and the height but yup, it does feel good to drive this new machine. Kawan2 kat Oman & UAE, tunggu kitorang drive ke sana end of summer ni ok!   

Our 1st makan-makan June 14, 2008

After 3 weeks of moving into our new house, we finally invited some friends over for a makan-makan to merasmikan the house, plus to celebrate Ikhwan’s 4th birthday. Hubby decided for a BBQ since we have that little backyard. So the menu was chicken wings, sausages, ikan bakar, udang and ketam. Spaghetti, potato salad and salad to accompany. Colourful fruity jelly with whipped cream as pencuci mulut. The weather was windy, our chairs almost got blown away. We didn’t even put the umbrella shades on the garden sets due to the gusty wind. A special thanks to those earlybirds who helped start out the bbq – you know who you are. Maklumlah kitorang laki bini kelam kabut sikit dengan ketiadaan maid lagi ni. 

Ikhwan managed to get his ‘Power Rangers cake’ yang di idam-idamkan. Tiramisu from Bateel that turned out to be cool and, yummy. But oh, how the kids all haggled over who gets the blue, red, green, yellow or pink ranger! Camna lah auntie nak potong cake nie..

After the cake cutting, the kids went for a night swim at the clubhouse. While the dads were jamming oldies led by Hubby’s guitar strumming. And the mummies continued to chat endlessly. Sedar tak sedar dah almost midnite. I hope everyone had as much fun as our family did. 

Shop Till U Drop (D.C. Part 3) June 9, 2008

Day 4

Hooray, it’s finally the last day for meetings. Big boss said I could skip today’s meetings, but rasa bersalah la pulak. So macam bagus, attended the last few meetings. Big boss then offered to drop me off at Pentagon City, where I was supposed to meet my new found friend Faezah. Off we two gals went shopping the whole day, sampai tak ingat makan. I’ve almost forgotten how fabulous shopping is in the US! We then dropped our goods at Faezah’s hotel and continued to meronda. We walked blocks and blocks away to Hard Rock Cafe, Macy’s and decided to check out the night life in DC. Ended up at Dupont Circle yang agak happening. But beware, ada pulak pasangan sejenis sedang ‘beraktiviti’ kat situ… oooppss..

Day 5

No more shopping today, or so we thought, since luggage dah overflow. So okay, sightseeing pulak since Washington is such a historical city and all. The typical tourist places – White House, Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and so on. Banyak betul tugu kat sini, tak larat nak tengok semua, time was limited.

Lastly, our tour guide took us for some last minute shopping, followed by nasi lemak & meehoon goreng by his sweet preggy wifey, Nani. And off I flew back to Doha the same night. Pheww what a hectic trip this was. But the shopping bit was definitely the reward for those three and a half days of bilateral meetings. Physically and mentally exhausting.   

Rainy in D.C. (D.C. Part 2) June 5, 2008

Day 3

It’s a rainy rainy nite in District of Columbia. Haven’t seen any rain for the last 5 months, so, the soothing sound of the rain is most welcomed. But, no dinner again nampaknye, how to walk out in this weather? Macam ni bole lose a few kg during this trip. Lunch however, was good. Nasi lemak with sambal udang. Where? A Malaysian eatery called Banana Leaves, hardly a block away from the hotel. Lega dapat makan nasi…

Meetings were over at 5pm today. Big boss nak pegi Costco and offered to bring us along. Ok, why not. Big boss did his Masters at GW so he knows this city really well. So a mini tour from him on the way to Costco. Tersangatlah berhemah pemanduan nye, betcha this is not the way he drives in Qatar though.

Am missing my Hubby and kids terribly. Toooo much…!          

Sleepless in D.C. (D.C. Part 1) June 4, 2008

Left Doha on Sunday morning after sending the kids to school. After checking in at the business class counter at the main terminal, I got a call from my colleague who was waiting for me at the first & business class terminal. A separate terminal indeed, and how was I to know. The scanning and body check were done on a mobile unit as we walked out of the terminal – a vehicle macam bas converted for such purpose. Ala2 canggih gitu. 

The flight was smooth, but since it was daylight tru out the journey, it was difficult for me to doze off in spite of the almost fully reclined seat. After 14 tiring hours which seemed endless, we arrived Washington Dulles International Airport on time.

The American Guesthouse is a B&B opposite Hilton Washington where the ITW is held. My staff found this place over the net. Hmmm dari luar rupanya sungguh mencurigakan, but the room is clean and cozy with an overall home away from home kinda concept.

Day 1

Rise and shine on the first day of the event. My colleague insisted on being there by 7am so we had to skip breakfast. Berduyun2 manusia present at the event, telcos from all over the world. In between the 11 meetings I had for the day, managed to grab a quick lunch (read – salad & fruits) with old colleagues from Malaysia. By 5pm, my head was spinning due to the jetlag. Went back to hotel and fell flat on the bed. Sedar2 dah midnite, well, there goes my shopping plan for the day.   

Day 2

It’s 3.30 am and I’m fully awake. Mana taknye, dah 9 jam tidor. Decided to do some work and managed to chat with kids at home. And, managed to do some researching of places to visit in DC (read – malls, malls & malls).  12 meetings today but thank god I did not feel as worn out as I did yesterday. Back in hotel at 7pm. Was really hoping to go downtown today but guess what, it was raining cats & dogs. Oh well, another day gone. It’s a good thing that I decided to extend my stay 1 day after the event finishes. With this kind of schedule, how am I supposed to get any shopping done?