by Natasha Tynes | Jun 14, 2004 | Doha affairs, Everyday me!
Something unusual happened yesterday. We received an invitation for a wedding here in Doha! This is our first since we moved here eight months ago.
The invitation was extended to us though a Palestinian colleague of mine who is getting married next week . It was addressed in English to “Mr and Mrs Jeffrey Tynes”- our first invitation as a married couple.
I don’t know, but for some reason it just felt “normal” to be taking part in social activities here in Doha. We have been away from our friends and families for a good chunk of time that social activities became somehow “things from the past.” Now with this invitation, it seems like we are riding the social wave yet again. No complaints from me;-)
On a different note, I didn’t get enough sleep last night, as we stayed up and watched Ridley Scott’s Matchstick Men. The movie was quite enjoyable. Nick Cage did a superb job. Two thumbs up!
by Natasha Tynes | Jun 13, 2004 | Books
The Harry Potter film was as expected: Very amusing, whimsical, with outstanding special effects. I must admit, the movie was darker than the previous ones, but that is mainly due to the nature of Potter books which tend to get darker as the characters grow older. Also, it was very amusing to see the characters (Potter and friends) looking older and more mature. Somehow it made them more real.
After we got back home, I immersed myself into The Da Vinci Code and read it all the way through. I really enjoyed it, as it was very informative and thought-provoking. Although the book’s account of the Holy Grail and Mary Magdalene might well be all fictional, but it was quite engaging and tremendously interesting.
Next on my reading list is Jarhead: A Marine’s Chronicle of the Gulf War. Jeff read it last week and recommended it. Although I am not really in the mood for more political mayhem in my life, I will give this book a look just for the sake of curiosity.
by Natasha Tynes | Jun 11, 2004 | Film
Check this out ladies and gentleman, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban has made it to Doha. I’m really impressed. This is so quick for a developing Middle Eastern country!
Thanks to the City Center’s new movie theatre, we are getting to watch new flicks almost every week. When we first got here eight months ago, the movie scene was nearly non-existent. Now, as the country itself is growing and many innovative projects are underway, new theatres are coming to town. Not bad!
Im very excited about this movie because unlike the previous Harry Potter movies, this one is directed by Alfonso Cuaron, the Mexican director behind the drama Y Tu Mama Tambien.
Jeff is coming to pick me up from work at 8:30 — as Im working a semi-civilized shift today — to head to the one and only City Centre. 45 minutes to go. I can’t wait!
by Natasha Tynes | Jun 9, 2004 | Food and Drink, Shutterbug
Last night was fun. We went out with a diverse group of people to The Korean Garden Restaurant here in Doha. The food was just superb. I had my all-time favorite Korean dish: Bulgogi. Going back in time, I was first introduced to the Korean delicacy when we were on our honeymoon in Istanbul. I tried Bulgogi per Jeff’s recommendation and I was hooked!
Besides the exotic food, the unique assortment of people we were with gave a special flavor to our outing. There was Manu from South Africa, Amal and Katia from Lebanon and Julia from Brazil, who is originally Lebanese, having moved to Brazil at the age of 7. We chatted the night away discussing various topics ranging from the large amount of sodium in Doha’s bottled water to the Lebanese community in Brazil, some seven million people!!
Jeff played the role of gourmet last night, recommending dishes and explaining the ingredients to those who were interested. Jeff’s knowledge of Korean food came via his Korean friend, Jun, whom he shared a flat with in DC after a semester with him as a neighbor in the American University dorms.
We came back soon after midnight and watched the 80’s movie The Seventh Sign, starring Demi Moore. The flick was interesting but a bit cheesy, perhaps due to its age and idealism.
by Natasha Tynes | Jun 9, 2004 | Doha affairs, Everyday me!, Web/Tech
I’m working until 3:30 AM!! AHHHH!! I have no idea how I will stay awake and be cogent!
Earlier today we went to one of Qatar Telecom’s (Qtel) offices and signed up for ADSL internet service. They have a cool offer nowadays in which they give the modem for free and don’t charge for installation. But, as usual, they shafted us (and anyone else who takes the offer) with the deposit. It turned out that we had to pay 900 QR deposit, some $300.
We’ve been fortunate that my employer could be the guarantor on all other phone related transactions. But for some reason they do not provide users the opportunity to use their guarantor, everyone has to plunk down their 900 riyals. Jeff is sure this is part of the vast telecom conspiracy being perpetrated around the world, a conspiracy theory he fell hard for after dealing with Jordan Telecom, an organization he thinks works for the devil.
I tried to look at this in a positive way by considering the deposit as a saved sum of money for a black day, following an Arab proverb.
Before coming to work we watched The Big Lebowski, a first time for me, and I must say it was quite entertaining. It was a bit silly but had its funny moments. Ah, and I loved the soundtrack!
Last night was fun. We went out with a diverse group of people to The Korean Garden Restaurant here in Doha. The food was just superb. I had my all-time favorite Korean dish: 