Friday, April 04, 2008
Dudaze is a fellow artist at the zazzle .com ..She is a mother of three and her studio is their dinner table .
Her success story is simple and great : she loved needlework ,cross stitching and so on .
One day she decided to create dolls .When drawing the sketches she noticed that it is easier to draw and paint than making those dolls .Since then she is amazing the world with lovely characters for every occasions .
MOTHER'S DAY is celebrated all over the world on different dates .
For the Arabs March 21 (first day of spring) is Mother day . I read in the newspaper some hotels offering spa and light lunch for mums on that special day . For more than 700 rial at Sharq village - the lucky mother could get some spa ,beauty treatment ,massage ,a light meal .It seemed to be very posh .
For the British it is before Easter .
For the Americans it is the second Sunday of May .
For us - Hungarians it is the first Sunday of May .This day smells lilac in my memories.
It seems to be that after difficulties my mother got visa to visit us .We wanted her to come in February - but she did not get visa then .It is a little hot now here - but it comes with the advantage of being able to celebrate this day together .
I can read for her the story that I had written for her birthday .If everything goes well .
yadiin
For the Arabs March 21 (first day of spring) is Mother day . I read in the newspaper some hotels offering spa and light lunch for mums on that special day . For more than 700 rial at Sharq village - the lucky mother could get some spa ,beauty treatment ,massage ,a light meal .It seemed to be very posh .
For the British it is before Easter .
For the Americans it is the second Sunday of May .
For us - Hungarians it is the first Sunday of May .This day smells lilac in my memories.
It seems to be that after difficulties my mother got visa to visit us .We wanted her to come in February - but she did not get visa then .It is a little hot now here - but it comes with the advantage of being able to celebrate this day together .
I can read for her the story that I had written for her birthday .If everything goes well .
yadiin
WOK OF FAME
It was dizzying mixture of styles . The restaurant is a typical Chinese one .Dark wooden tables -yellow china plates - junk plastic vine leaves .Our waiter was Indian .The mall itself is in Venetian style .
It is located on a bridge over the canal - this way one can watch the Canal street with gondolas .
It was a Friday afternoon and it was packed with Far Eastern looking people .We waited too much -more than half an hour for our sizzling chicken . Our children became fussy .it was not really kids friendly .
The chicken itself was good but not very special .I had already far better sizzling at the Great Wall - at the Center .The size of the meal was very large . Actually it was enough for three persons .It was not expensive around 20 rial .
My fried noodles was disappointing . I expected some kind of Asian noodles -but what i got it was something like tagliatelle in soy sauce .
I recommend it for people without kids - having plenty of time to wait - and prefering the huge meals over the gourmet one .
Qatar
country of records
This country has the highest ever GDP per capita in the world .
It has the worst male -female ratio in the world .( too many single workers -without FAMILY )
It is among the highest per capita diabetes in the world - 16-25 % -like the other GCC countries .( only the tiny Nauru island has higher 100 % )
It has the largest ever hand printed logo - Qatar Gas .
It has served the largest serving of KFC chicken .
It has the sixth highest hotel room per resident ratio in the world .
country of records
This country has the highest ever GDP per capita in the world .
It has the worst male -female ratio in the world .( too many single workers -without FAMILY )
It is among the highest per capita diabetes in the world - 16-25 % -like the other GCC countries .( only the tiny Nauru island has higher 100 % )
It has the largest ever hand printed logo - Qatar Gas .
It has served the largest serving of KFC chicken .
It has the sixth highest hotel room per resident ratio in the world .
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
MISSING STRAY CATS IN QATAR
Potted Black Kitten Notecard from my Original Art!
by
buckscountydesigns
Get this custom card
at Zazzle
A lovely black cat .I used to have similar one in Hungary .The other day I was in the Al -Bida park - and I did not meet any stray cat there .Where are they ?
Potted Black Kitten Notecard from my Original Art!
by
buckscountydesigns
Get this custom card
at Zazzle
A lovely black cat .I used to have similar one in Hungary .The other day I was in the Al -Bida park - and I did not meet any stray cat there .Where are they ?
Saturday, March 22, 2008
HAPPY EASTER !
Creating an Easter ambiance here in Doha is difficult .We do not have spring here at this time - it is like summer 21C -31C .After that -there are no tulips or daffodils here -at least I did not ever see those flowers here .Our relatives are not here either : essential thing for a great holiday .Especially that the Great Hungarian Sprinkling Day at Easter requires male relatives who would sprinkle on you some water .( my husband never understands why it is so important for us )
What do we have ? Eggs to dye .Red food color . Internet to keep in touch .Delicious cakes I bought at the Center supermarket .Their bakery is really wonderful and I am a little bit tired to bake .And Duna tv to watch some old American film and other one on the life of Mother Teresa .That's how a Hungarian Easter in Doha .
Creating an Easter ambiance here in Doha is difficult .We do not have spring here at this time - it is like summer 21C -31C .After that -there are no tulips or daffodils here -at least I did not ever see those flowers here .Our relatives are not here either : essential thing for a great holiday .Especially that the Great Hungarian Sprinkling Day at Easter requires male relatives who would sprinkle on you some water .( my husband never understands why it is so important for us )
What do we have ? Eggs to dye .Red food color . Internet to keep in touch .Delicious cakes I bought at the Center supermarket .Their bakery is really wonderful and I am a little bit tired to bake .And Duna tv to watch some old American film and other one on the life of Mother Teresa .That's how a Hungarian Easter in Doha .
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
When I was a little girl I liked those fine dots very much and I always wished to see my father in such tie .But he did not like the idea . I have just designed some ties with dots - and I wanted to know how others like dots in men’s fashion .
I put the question in a discussion forum for ladies and here are the answers I got:
I just don’t think polka dots belong on a tie.
If they are tiny, I like polka dots. But I don’t like the big 70s-style dots.
I’ve got nothing against polka dots in general, but IMO, some of those ties require sunglasses.
I do like the capuccino, cafe latte, burgundy dots, and fine dotted blue. I would never buy the very LOUD plaids and blocks though. But someone out there may like those.
Different strokes for different folks.
I would never buy anything polka dot for a man.
Truthfully, I don’t think I would ever see ties like those on men in my company...not even the gay ones.
This were the answers I got . I wonder what do you think about men wearing necktie with polka dots ?
I put the question in a discussion forum for ladies and here are the answers I got:
I just don’t think polka dots belong on a tie.
If they are tiny, I like polka dots. But I don’t like the big 70s-style dots.
I’ve got nothing against polka dots in general, but IMO, some of those ties require sunglasses.
I do like the capuccino, cafe latte, burgundy dots, and fine dotted blue. I would never buy the very LOUD plaids and blocks though. But someone out there may like those.
Different strokes for different folks.
I would never buy anything polka dot for a man.
Truthfully, I don’t think I would ever see ties like those on men in my company...not even the gay ones.
This were the answers I got . I wonder what do you think about men wearing necktie with polka dots ?
Ides of March is an important date in Hungarian history : it was the date of an uprising in Pest in 1848 which later lead to a Freedom war .When I was in my twenties -we celebrated it in Pest with loud demonstrations - and anti -government slogans - citing the 12 points of those rebels whom we commemorated .
Here ,in Doha the Hungarian embassy gave a garden -party with goulash some years ago - these were nice reunions of the Hungarian living here .
This year there was nothing at all .
A Roman chatholic church was opened with 2000 seats .There is an estimated number of 150 thousand Christians living here temporary - out of whom 100 thousand is Roman Chatholic .
However ,the church was not full at all .
Here ,in Doha the Hungarian embassy gave a garden -party with goulash some years ago - these were nice reunions of the Hungarian living here .
This year there was nothing at all .
A Roman chatholic church was opened with 2000 seats .There is an estimated number of 150 thousand Christians living here temporary - out of whom 100 thousand is Roman Chatholic .
However ,the church was not full at all .
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Talmacsi,the Hungarian did not win the Losail race as he had planned .His motorcycle let him down .
However I am very proud of him - and it is a great feeling that one of my compatriots is performing very well here in Qatar .
My male relatives in Hungary were very much excited about this race .They strongly encouraged me to go to Losail to support him .The race took place 10 pm - and I do not know exactly how to get to Losail .The guys of our family could not really understand how I can miss such important event !:)
HAJRA MAGYAROK !
However I am very proud of him - and it is a great feeling that one of my compatriots is performing very well here in Qatar .
My male relatives in Hungary were very much excited about this race .They strongly encouraged me to go to Losail to support him .The race took place 10 pm - and I do not know exactly how to get to Losail .The guys of our family could not really understand how I can miss such important event !:)
HAJRA MAGYAROK !
Balhmabar restaurant
We went there around two weeks ago after visiting the Robot Zoo at the Corniche .As we approached the restaurant we saw somebody going unconscious and the guests of the restaurant all jumping up from their chairs and were standing around the poor woman - who had nobody with her on that sunny afternoon . I kindly asked if she was breathing then they became happy for a moment thinking of me that I was a doctor - and for a moment I really wished I was one .As the ambulance arrived we left the scene to look around the restaurant itself .In the terrace a large shami Arab family was celebrating something with a delicious looking cake .Otherwise there were western looking tourists relaxing there .The waiter was a young Qatari .Real rarity - some people could not even believe me that a Qatari takes up a job where he has to serve other people - especially serving the non - Qatari ! Well- he did not do it with pleasure ! He turned up for a short time then he escaped .As I did not wish to wait for ages _ I entered the restaurant to order some drinks and egg custard .Traditionally built Arab house with thick walls is the restaurant building .Rustic interior design - calm ,quiet atmosphere .Some Qatari families just finished their lunch .There is an open buffet for 100 rial .Otherwise one can not eat much there !
The egg custard was very good - it had some extra oriental flavour added - I think it was rose water - and it was really something special .
When the waiter appeared I told him to bring the bill . Fifteen minutes later I ran out of patience and went inside the restaurant again . He was not busy at all -sitting quietly at his desk - the least caring about my bill. When he saw me he apologised .
Besides this special local way of serving - this place had impressed me very much .We were sitting in the terrace with sea view .The massive structure of the building isolated us from the busy city -and it was very calm there .
I do recommend anyone to sit there but only in case one has plenty of time ...
We went there around two weeks ago after visiting the Robot Zoo at the Corniche .As we approached the restaurant we saw somebody going unconscious and the guests of the restaurant all jumping up from their chairs and were standing around the poor woman - who had nobody with her on that sunny afternoon . I kindly asked if she was breathing then they became happy for a moment thinking of me that I was a doctor - and for a moment I really wished I was one .As the ambulance arrived we left the scene to look around the restaurant itself .In the terrace a large shami Arab family was celebrating something with a delicious looking cake .Otherwise there were western looking tourists relaxing there .The waiter was a young Qatari .Real rarity - some people could not even believe me that a Qatari takes up a job where he has to serve other people - especially serving the non - Qatari ! Well- he did not do it with pleasure ! He turned up for a short time then he escaped .As I did not wish to wait for ages _ I entered the restaurant to order some drinks and egg custard .Traditionally built Arab house with thick walls is the restaurant building .Rustic interior design - calm ,quiet atmosphere .Some Qatari families just finished their lunch .There is an open buffet for 100 rial .Otherwise one can not eat much there !
The egg custard was very good - it had some extra oriental flavour added - I think it was rose water - and it was really something special .
When the waiter appeared I told him to bring the bill . Fifteen minutes later I ran out of patience and went inside the restaurant again . He was not busy at all -sitting quietly at his desk - the least caring about my bill. When he saw me he apologised .
Besides this special local way of serving - this place had impressed me very much .We were sitting in the terrace with sea view .The massive structure of the building isolated us from the busy city -and it was very calm there .
I do recommend anyone to sit there but only in case one has plenty of time ...
How I recovered in two days from a bad flu ?
I had been taking care of my ill four year old for a week when the flu attacked me on my turn . Usual symptoms : pain everywhere ,high temperature ,very painful coughing .
It reminded me a similar bad flu which had attacked me 17 years back in my twenties .Then it took me more than three weeks to recover .
Now I remembered what I read about the vitamin C and how to cure ourselves .I took one tablet of vitamin C C(1000 mg) every half an hour until it caused diarrhea .Then I took only one or two in the afternoon .The day after I repeated the vitamin C intake and like a miracle I became much better and I was able to get up from my bed and to do the housework .
So easy ,isn't it ? It is difficult to believe since it is so simple !
17 years ago I spent one week in bed - then another week just lazing around the house .We had a holiday booked in the mountains - I had to go . But I still felt terribly weak at times .As we were riding up and down the hills I had big pain on my ear drums . It was a wonderful Indian summer around us we were living in a villa in the middle of the forest and I was not able to enjoy it at all . Then as we were walking in the forest I found some rose hips _ I collected them. When we were kids we used to have a lots of rose hip tea - but it became somehow forgotten . I ate them fresh I drank some infusion ... It worked like a miracle : half day later all my symptoms had vanished ... and i enjoyed a lot our holidays ...
I had been taking care of my ill four year old for a week when the flu attacked me on my turn . Usual symptoms : pain everywhere ,high temperature ,very painful coughing .
It reminded me a similar bad flu which had attacked me 17 years back in my twenties .Then it took me more than three weeks to recover .
Now I remembered what I read about the vitamin C and how to cure ourselves .I took one tablet of vitamin C C(1000 mg) every half an hour until it caused diarrhea .Then I took only one or two in the afternoon .The day after I repeated the vitamin C intake and like a miracle I became much better and I was able to get up from my bed and to do the housework .
So easy ,isn't it ? It is difficult to believe since it is so simple !
17 years ago I spent one week in bed - then another week just lazing around the house .We had a holiday booked in the mountains - I had to go . But I still felt terribly weak at times .As we were riding up and down the hills I had big pain on my ear drums . It was a wonderful Indian summer around us we were living in a villa in the middle of the forest and I was not able to enjoy it at all . Then as we were walking in the forest I found some rose hips _ I collected them. When we were kids we used to have a lots of rose hip tea - but it became somehow forgotten . I ate them fresh I drank some infusion ... It worked like a miracle : half day later all my symptoms had vanished ... and i enjoyed a lot our holidays ...
Monday, March 10, 2008
There was a cultural festival in Qatar last week . It started by Placigo Domingo concert and ended by another opera Il barbiere di Siviglia and Demis Roussos concert . There were a lots of events during this one week - exhibitions and theatre plays : fireworks and old boats show .
I wished to go and see it all - but like a typhoon -a virus swept across our house leaving everybody lying in bed with high temperature - so either I was treating my ill family members or I was ill myself - not able to go .
I wished to go and see it all - but like a typhoon -a virus swept across our house leaving everybody lying in bed with high temperature - so either I was treating my ill family members or I was ill myself - not able to go .
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Che Bello ! Romano Macaroni Grill
I have a stomach ache after eating the kids menu''s pasta with cheese . It was very heavy:in thick cheese sauce there was some floating pasta .My child refused to eat it at once . I had some salad and sandwiches - it was good - not fantastic .The service was excellent . The tables are covered with white sheets of paper - our waiter introduced himself and wrote his name on the paper with a chalk .We laughed and liked the idea .Kids were given a magazine and some chalks to color .It was excellent still they are coloring .The white sheet was also attractive I saw others as discovering the artist in themselves and are drawing on the table .So did we .Waiting for the meals was fun .Besides the chalks we got a round bread and some olive oil .It was oven fresh and tasty .If only they gave some water cheaper ! One bottle of water was 10 rial ! The waiters were wearing extravagant ties .Each of them different ones .For we can recognize our one .
The kids meal came with a drink with extra fillings and an ice cream - vanilla one in chocolate sauce - it was excellent .
Lovely place .Little bit pricey : a kids menu was 18 rial , the sandwiches with salad 29 rial .
I have a stomach ache after eating the kids menu''s pasta with cheese . It was very heavy:in thick cheese sauce there was some floating pasta .My child refused to eat it at once . I had some salad and sandwiches - it was good - not fantastic .The service was excellent . The tables are covered with white sheets of paper - our waiter introduced himself and wrote his name on the paper with a chalk .We laughed and liked the idea .Kids were given a magazine and some chalks to color .It was excellent still they are coloring .The white sheet was also attractive I saw others as discovering the artist in themselves and are drawing on the table .So did we .Waiting for the meals was fun .Besides the chalks we got a round bread and some olive oil .It was oven fresh and tasty .If only they gave some water cheaper ! One bottle of water was 10 rial ! The waiters were wearing extravagant ties .Each of them different ones .For we can recognize our one .
The kids meal came with a drink with extra fillings and an ice cream - vanilla one in chocolate sauce - it was excellent .
Lovely place .Little bit pricey : a kids menu was 18 rial , the sandwiches with salad 29 rial .
TALK Of THE WEEK
According to a new law no landlord is allowed to increase the rent until further orders.
Qatar became too expensive - and the inflation became too high .All of it started around four years ago when rents started to go up in price .Officially -it is said that there are more newcomers than available flats -but one living here can clearly see that there are too many new ,empty flats here with terrible high rent .
According to a new law no landlord is allowed to increase the rent until further orders.
Qatar became too expensive - and the inflation became too high .All of it started around four years ago when rents started to go up in price .Officially -it is said that there are more newcomers than available flats -but one living here can clearly see that there are too many new ,empty flats here with terrible high rent .
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Winter is over .Spring is here .Birds are singing happily all the day .The park is full of people "no more cold - everyone is happy " feeling is common .Kids are wearing pullovers but the bold threw it -and wearing t-shirts .
Valentine Day is coming .Last week I saw the Royal plaza with splendid decor for this day .
There is a jewelry fair and expo in the city .Seef hotel invited me and my husband ( comme il faut par ici ) for two nights at the price of one night .Other hotels and restaurants are inviting us for a dinner .
The conservative imams are telling their usual speech : no imitating of westerner is allowed ,no pagan traditions ! The milder imams approve valentine day -but only for wife and husband .
So ,it is just the usual mid-February here .
Valentine Day is coming .Last week I saw the Royal plaza with splendid decor for this day .
There is a jewelry fair and expo in the city .Seef hotel invited me and my husband ( comme il faut par ici ) for two nights at the price of one night .Other hotels and restaurants are inviting us for a dinner .
The conservative imams are telling their usual speech : no imitating of westerner is allowed ,no pagan traditions ! The milder imams approve valentine day -but only for wife and husband .
So ,it is just the usual mid-February here .
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
A SIXTY -FIVE YEAR OLD STORY
It was a very strange evening in Al- Bida park . It was late March - the weather started getting warm . After sunset it became all misty . The fog covered the park not evenly but in patches . When the park 's lights were on -it became even more whimsical .I was watching people walking on the paths - and disappearing in the dense fog then appearing again . Young ,slender girls walked into the mist like serious fairies in their black outfit and walked out of it .
. Pop corn, curry , biriyani , cardamom smell all mixed with the cool air from the sea . The park was loud with happy families relaxing , having picknick ,playing . Apart from the weather -it was a usual Friday night .
We met our friends there . Our children were playing ball and we were having hot tea and samosas and telling stories of our childhood .
Riding home we got stuck in a traffic jam . MY husband started to talk about the new car that we should buy .
And while he went on analysing the different models -I hardly could hear what he was telling .
IN my mind a picture appeared , a blurred but irresistible one . I stared into the lines of car to see he picture sharply :
I saw a woman walking on a country road . She was walking slowly with a big packet on her back . Hopelessly she moved forward . On her back there was a child crying :" Is it still far ?"
" Hush " - she kept answering " Soon we will be at home " - but less and less hope she had .Will somebody would feel sorry for her and take them?..
People in her village did no like what she did . When something started to grow on the neck of her little child
they kept telling her ;" God gave the child God takes her " ""we are not aristocrats , but poor villagers - we can not afford an operation "
But my grandmother had different view on this . She sold whatever she could and went to the town's hospital .
The doctor was rude to her ;" What do you want , Woman ?"
"Please , remove this from her neck " she was pointing to the small ball sized thing growing on her daughters neck .
"Where is your husband ?" " I am divorced ,I have no husband ." The doctor became furious hearing that :
" No husband ? What do you think ?An operation is too much money !!"
"Please ,listen to me ""It is true ,I have no husband -but I do have money ,I sold whatever I could - and if it is not enough I still have some lands to sell "
This way the doctor was ready to examine the little girl .He did not look into the her eyes when he took the money .Only little remained - my grandmother had to pay for accommodation and bought a little ,cheap toy for the five year old with a wound on her neck ...
There was no money left for paying for a bus ticket or horsed carriage ...
She took the child in the morning from the hospital and at sunset still there were some kilometres ahead of them . She had expected to arrive home before midnight . But there were also good men in her village .One of them stopped and took them home on his carriage ...
The next morning my grandmother went to the market to sell her fruit and vegetables and bought pigeons for the little girl .She had fed her by pigeon soup and she was living on bread and water . She was in great mood .She won .In spite of all the talk of the village -she saved her little girl .The doctor told her that type of cancer will not grow back most probably .
And he was right ! MY mum has just celebrated her 70 th birthday !
Slowly we arrived home from the park .We were packing our things and trying to arrange our memories . The misery of 1940 's today is only history in Hungary . But Europe is a long way from here . The distance is painfully big at times !
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