Magical Suhour Dinners

Just last week I celebrated my birthday in Doha and now with the celebrations behind me, I can report about my various birthday adventures.  I continue to treat every day as a special treat filled with new adventures and people. I am having a fantastic time.

Since my birthday was so close to my arrival, I didn't know what to expect. I either thought I would happily work on my dissertation (as a super present to myself) or the right thing would come along and it would be perfect...and, I was right. I am delighted to report that my friend Cindy invited me to a late dinner (called a Suhour  during Ramadan) at the Ritz Carlton. Holy cow, did she just ask me to the Ritz? Several colleagues from various branch campuses were getting together for their annual beginning of the year outing. I was delighted to be included. Silly me I didn’t take a camera, but I found these pictures from another blog to show you more about the “tent.”

 During Ramadan hotels lavishly decorate their ballrooms in spectacular ways to replicate an old world tent. But as you can see these tents are anything but old world! Each hotel secures decorating sponsorships for the month-long event. Everything from new carpet overlays, to specialty linens draped from the ceilings in a “tent” fashion. Everything including the extra tall parsons chairs (complete with matching pillows), three linens per table and dangling fabric tents were adored with lines of HUGE beaded tassels that were at least 6 inches long. It was a spectacle - I am sure this was similar to having dinner at the Emmy Awards or a celebrity wedding. It was phenomenal.  One of my colleagues reminded me of his first outing in Doha. He said, "Surreal, isn't it?" Yes, yes. You could say that! Unbelievable.

 The ambiance was unbeatable and the food was very nice. Everything from salads to soups, shawarma, and various combinations of rice,lamb and vegtables. The dessert table offered individual little shot glasses filled with different gourmet treats. Martha could certainly add a few tricks to her bag from this buffet!

Chocolate pistachio straws placed in cream-filled pastries, mango moose with chocolate-covered extra-mini rice balls and my new favorite treat Omali, (a special bread pudding dish!)

Yummy, yummy omali (pronounced O-mali)

 I am so thankful for new friends and for a special night at the Ritz. As a dear friend reminded me, That is quite an adventure for a kid from Dupont, Indiana who grew up in the feed mill! Let me go on the record and say, I am very thankful.

Friday night continued in the same fashion, a special dinner for me and another colleague who shares the same birthday. A group of colleagues went to a delightful Italian dinner at The Pearl, a man-made island full of Rodeo Drive-esque shops (like a Bentley dealership) and very nice restaurants. It is also where a number of ex-pats live. The new harbor is filled with huge yachts and a beautiful outdoor walking area where underwater lights line the docks. It is beautiful.

Saturday night was an invitation to another Suhour, this time at the Intercontinental. Colleagues are really spoiling me with special invites and I am very appreciative of their generous friendship and transportation. At this outing the host presented each of us with a special fabric filled bag of treats to commemorate Garangaou, the middle of Ramadan. This new holiday is similar to Halloween, where children dress in traditional clothing and go to different houses asking for treats. This was started to help children mark the middle of the fasting season.

Monday marked my first day “on call” after a four year hiatus. Although I am on the third tier call level, by the time the calls get to me they are more interesting! I solved my first unique one this weekend at 2am. Oh, I had forgotten about late evening calls - this will take my body some getting used to!

Last night was another special occasion - another invitation to another souhour. This one had whirling dervishes! What are whirling dervishes? I am so glad that you asked! From what I understand, they are viewed as a mystical sect of Islam that prays to the music by turning around in circles, over and over and over again for a long period of time. Last night this male pair turned for at least 25 minutes. In a gesture of love they place their hand over their heart and turn to the left (the side of the heart) in unyielding devotion. They wear skirts (older men very long skirts with cording on the bottom) while the younger boy had a very colorful multi-skirt) It is impressive to watch! With all of these exciting things happening, I sprang for a new phone to catch all of these exciting adventures. Check out this video that I took.

 

Pretty cool, isn’t it? Can you imagine doing this for 30 minutes? Me neither. What a joy to watch! In addition to this video I took a few other pictures to share. As described above, these Ramadan dinners are lavish and beautiful - full of dramatic lighting, fabric and decoration. Last night, The Grand Hyatt showcased white leather couches and chairs around large coffee tables under purple lights. In essence, the ballroom was set up as a large living room where everyone had their own special spot. Here are a few other pictures of the event.

With all of these eating adventures, I am glad that I am fasting. I continue to fast during the day from sunrise to sunset. I am learning a lot through the process and continue to be amazed at the discipline it takes to fast, especially when you are in the oppressive heat. My intense headaches have subsided, but I believe only because I have been drinking a tremendous amount of water at night. This is my evening water intake for 2.5 days. Each bottle is 1.5 liters. I continue to refill them often. 

It’s a good thing that I’ve concentrated my fun to the weekends because this last week was filled with daily concentrated efforts on my dissertation. Some days are easier than others, but every day I put forth a good 4+ hour effort. Every few days I take my computer to dinner in the clubhouse and spend a few hours there trying to knock it out.

The enterance of the club house

Well now that I have blogged and rested for the weekend, I should get back to dissertation writing and citing! Since I didn't post my last blog on facebook, friends asked me to remind readers it is below. Until the next time…

Birthday Reflection in Doha

(written on August 11) It’s hard to believe that today marks my two week adventure in Qatar. Jet lag has finally subsided and this week has been a fruitful one in many respects.

This week I continued to meet new colleagues and learn more about my role here within the Qatar Foundation. Qatari colleagues have been extremely patient in answering my ten thousand questions about life and culture here and I am learning a great deal. I have more details about my daily work but I think I will save that one for another day. Because today is my birthday and I have more pressing things to share…

Birthdays are often a time of special reflection - A time for remembering and celebrating. It is my dear friend Steve that taught me about this concept of reflection. For the last year plus, I have been doing a lot of that – mostly reflecting on loss and sadness and trying to see and accept the blessings along the way. But today I received the most wonderful gift – a reminder about the joy in reflection.

 Steve was a reflection champ. With his fantastic memory and unparalleled thoughtfulness, Steve had a way of helping me (and everyone else too) see how many successes and hurdles I’ve passed along the way. It is in his loving and celebratory spirit that I submit this reflection of the many successes and hurdles of my 33^rd year.

In classic Steve form he would say,

“Just a week ago – You submitted your first dissertation for review and started paperwork for becoming a resident.”

“Just two weeks ago – You started your job in Qatar (Living abroad has always been a dream of yours.)”

“Just a month ago – You completed your formal work in Iowa, said goodbye to dear friends and moved a carload of things to Indiana and bid your final farewell to your faithful furry fat one, Chlois, (who I am sure will be eating all the food in kitty heaven and making a mess in the litter box.)”

“Just two months ago – you sold your house, moved everything to storage in Iowa and accepted a job in Doha.”

“Just three months ago -  you, like all unemployed folks, were nervous about your job search, gave up a job offer, then traveled to Qatar for your interview all the while packing and archiving family memorabilia (with the help of your mom of course!)”

“Just five months ago – You went to two conferences, went on several campus visits and sent your beloved grandmother to heaven (after all that is where all the best ones go.)”

Steve showed me that feeling tired and exhausted sometimes is there for good reason. Sometimes just reflecting on your joys and sorrows can be an important exercise to see where you’ve been and how far you’ve come. It has no doubt, been a very difficult and unexpected year. A year of many devastating trials and yet promises of joys to come in my future.

Now in Doha, I have a dissertation on the way (hopefully), a new job to stimulate and teach me and a world of new adventures around every corner. As year 34 begins, I am excited about what the future holds. It is true that new things are around the corner and I am so thankful to accept each blessing with a thankful and gracious heart.

These last weeks in Doha have been full of tremendous gifts. Two colleagues who were departing bestowed tremendous household items (everything from a down comforter and converter boxes  to containers of sugar and tea) at my doorstep eliminating more than 80% of my shopping list (which was awesome since I haven’t received a paycheck and don’t have a license or a car yet!) Friends not only planned one birthday dinner, but invited me to three special birthday outings. Gifts were given, wishes were sent both virtually and in person.  And most of all, I unexpectedly found my heart smiling again under the full moon (A special Steve tradition).  With so many promises of goodness, it is hard to not be thankful for the gift of reflection. As it turns out, that was the best gift of all.

Definitely in Doha!

…And today marks my first full week in Doha, Qatar. It is hard to believe. Several of you have been asking for a blog and I am happy to keep this one updated with little things here and there to share about my adventures.  I have promised friends that I will try to keep things consistent with little updates here and there rather than a few posts now and again…I hope I can keep that promise. In the meantime, here are some updates. (And where available I will link words to areas for further reading…this may help all my friends with little ones learn more about life in a new place.)

I flew into Doha last Wednesday after 27 traveling hours. I was exhausted before I ever stepped foot on the plane and that made catching up on rest difficult once I arrived.  Kudos to Aunt Sharon and cousin Lindsay who helped me transport and label my five suitcases and two carry-on back packs to the airport (because they wouldn’t fit in my little Honda Civic) Yes there were overage costs for baggage, but I feel thankful that I only spent half of the allotted amount and didn’t have to leave important luggage (like the piece with my dissertation notes!) to make their way through the mail or sea transport system. What do you take when you are moving internationally? Well, important things like clothes, lots of shoes, dissertation notes and a sewing machine. Yes, that equaled seven pieces of luggage! J

Sharon and Lindsey helped with my luggage entourage

My supervisor met me at the airport and we loaded all of my bags in his SUV and headed for my new home. I arrived to a fantastic 2-bed room apartment in the educational city community Housing area – a compound about 5 minutes’ drive from the Qatar Foundation, where I am working.  I’ll post a few pictures below so you can see. The place is extremely spacious (similar to my apartment in Beloit or condo in Iowa) with 2 bathrooms (with bidet in each bathroom for those youth reading this blog), living room, storage room, two walk in bedroom closets and the loves of my life: a washer, dryer and dishwasher. Life just couldn’t get any sweeter.

Extra Bathroom Bidet and Toliet - Do you know how to use one?

Living Room and Dining Room (other wise know as Dissertation Desk)



Kitchen filled with welcome items...and a dishwasher!

Master Bedroom Closet

Master Bathroom (with Bidet!)



Master Bedroom



View of Education City Community Housing Lot 2 (my lot!)



The front of my building.

Colleagues had taken the liberty to purchase many necessary items (that I am still living on!) to welcome me to my new home. In the neighborhood (loosely worded since we’re in the desert) there are two housing compounds and a third area (about a 10 min walk) that offers a grocery store, club house with restaurant, pool, clinic, bank, spa, workout facility, etc. All of these facilities are for the Qatar Foundation and Branch campus partners. Everything is connected by bridges so it is possible to never walk outside the complexes. I am going to be spoiled.

My first week here has been an adjustment. Jet lag hit me hard and on top of sleeping a ton; I found myself nauseous and very light headed and loopy. Someone described it as an out-of-body experience and I think that is very accurate. You know you don’t feel great and aren’t on top of your game, but you can’t do anything about it. I am slowly coming out of that just in time for Ramadan.

I have to admit – I knew virtually nothing about Ramadan. Sure I knew that it was posted on calendars in the US and some students might be celebrating, but I had no idea about the history or roots of the celebration. If you don’t know about it, I would encourage you to do some homework. In short, Ramadan is a celebration of fasting to help remind us to consider and give to the poor in addition to helping with patience, spirituality and humility. It is a celebration of family and friends which is underscored at the end of each fasting day with an Iftar (pronounced if-tar), or feast. During Ramadan, fasting occurs for 30 days with Iftars every night (I’ve made it for two days thus far…). Although everyone does it differently, many families spend time in prayer (5 times a day) and then celebrate together with large feasts and gatherings until 3am. Because a large number celebrate Ramadan, all the offices and services are also on different hours. People work for 5 hour days (instead of 8) and offices and shops are closed for prayers and Iftars throughout the day. This means that to get a driver’s licenses, I may have to go between 9pm and 2am since the office is open later. On the other side of things, a woman from the national bank came to my office to help me open a bank account (no travel needed!) I am enjoying all the newness that living in a new land brings. There are so many special things about the culture here: a strong love of people and family, spending time with others without the pressure of being late for meetings, etc. I promise to keep you updated on the interesting pieces and the fun and adventures along the way.

As I knew, my colleagues here are fantastic. They are great group of committed and loyal professionals who are working hard every day for the benefits of students. They are international in scope from the UK, Brazil, Qatar, India, Lebanon and beyond. Many have taken me for meals, daily rides to work and shopping excursions.  I even got invited for a Jon Stewart showing and taken for Pinkberry Yogurt (check out the cute music too!)…which if you haven’t experienced is a fantastic US export to the world!

For my student affairs friends: Today was the first day of CDA (Resident Assistant) training. I have been out of Res life for a few years so it is good to be back with folks in student affairs again. The Hall Directors (RHDs) have done a great job bringing their energy to the table and I am looking forward to participating as much as possible to refresh my residence life skills. I am thinking a lot about a this different type of training where you don’t provide times for meals (because some students are fasting) and you have 30 minute breaks for prayer time throughout the day. It makes me wonder if other Res Life training programs, conferences, practitioners etc might explore ways to incorporate these concepts into training schedules for students that choose to fast. As you can see I am learning a lot and thinking about the ways in which I can be a more inclusive professional. Although I had practicing students in the past, I am ashamed to say that even after all the diversity trainings, etc; I never once ask if the training schedules interfered with any religious practices. As you can see, I am learning a lot.

Of course I have tons more to write, but I will hold that for another day. It is approaching 6pm here (7 hours ahead of EST in USA, or 8 hours ahead of Lily in CST) and with the sun setting in just a few minutes, it will be time for our CDA training Iftar. What a wonderful celebration with my new co-workers and students after a day of reflection and fasting.

Until next time…