Arab in America

I ran across a few tweets from someone I met recently in Doha that has put a spin on my reporting. While Qatari Adventures gives my take on what it's like to be an American in Arab lands, Ramy flips that around by giving his take of America while on the road in L.A. ~ California, that is. Ok, so Texans don't quite count California as a true representation of America, but we won't tell Ramy any better. These witticisms, if you may, hit on a few striking differences in our cultures.

On with the tweets...


One of the many things I'll miss about Doha...saying "fill'er up", just like we did in the olden days in America. No, Ramy, those gas stations were open. Now, get off your duff and do it yourself.

I love this one. This is truly one of my first complaints when arriving in Doha. Back off people, give me my space is what my eyes were glazed with on my first trip to the local mall. In America, there is a transparent two to three foot buffer zone that envelopes us and no one crosses into that zone without an "Excuse me", or an "Oh, I'm soooo sorry"....well, if you live in Texas, anyway. Kudos for picking up on that quirk so quickly, Ramy, and if you value that air that you breathe, I suggest you not breathe others', unless you've practiced up on your apologies.

LOOOOOL, definitely a no fly zone here, dear. This tactic will fly no where in America, not even California. Open your car door, get your lazy patooty out of your car and help yourself. Oh, if only that concept could catch on in Qatar.

Yep, no interaction with the fuzz here. You better be checking the MOI traffic website to see if you've been flashed by the many cameras around town or you just might not catch that flight out of Doha as you planned.

No reason to worry about hiring someone to close your criminal record here. Qatar will handle it for you. It's called deportation.

No doubt Ramy's running into as many quirky things in L.A. as I am in Doha. It's eye opening to see America through an Arab's eyes. Looking forward to more tweets as his trip unfolds. Safe travels!

You can follow Ramy here @ramykhalaf

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

Three Generations

A little post Thanksgiving dinner action...

No technology generation gap in my family
Yep, that's my mom ;-D

Pictured: Me, Kayla, Kristi, Mom, Shea

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

Deep in the Heart of...

Texas!

My welcome home breakfast courtesy of a
missed connection, Qatar Airways, and The Marriott

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

Only in Texas

It's time to share some "Only in Texas" moments since I've been know to dish on Doha quite often. Fair is fair.

This little lady proudly waltzed into Las Palmas Mexican Food cafe sporting her pink rollers while Kristi and I were getting our fill of cheese enchiladas yesterday. Do you think she just forgot that they were in?

Can you say "Walmartian"?

WARNING: THE LINK ABOVE TO URBAN DICTIONARY CAN
BE A LITTLE LOT MORE COLORFUL THAN SOME WOULD LIKE

During the same visit, Kristi used the powder room and then suggested I take my turn, but to make sure I took my camera with me. Hmm, I didn't need to go, but I was too curious to pass up what she thought may be a good photo op.

What? Texas is not a third world country with inadequate plumbing. By the way, they meant what they said. No toilet paper was provided ensuring that you didn't bend the rules. For those from Doha wondering what the big deal is, no water hose thingamajig was provided either. Horrors!

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

Share and Share Alike

So sue me...I like to share. No doubt some would cry "TMI" when I open my mouth, but when I open it, it spews. What can I say? It's not that it's necessarily info that shouldn't be shared, but more like why would I share it? Bless your heart if you've run into me during my USA summer tour. You, no doubt, had to endure my latest vacation pics via my photo book creations. I do appreciate all those obligatory, "Oh, it's beautiful" comments by the way. All compliments welcomed, sincerity is optional. It's not like I just corner you in person...all social venues are fair game, as well. Now, all 545 of my twitter followers (no doubt "unfollowing" as we speak) know that I got a new phone cover (visual included). Earth shattering news like that is meant to be shared. Oh, and no one is spared from my sharing. Did I mention that David not only backed into Dustin's car once during his short stay in Texas, but TWICE. And, on that second incident, I had announced when I plopped into the car, "Watch out for Dustin's car", before the ensuing crunch. I won't even mention the Whataburger incident where he jumped over the little bumper thingy in the parking space. Hmm, maybe that's the TMI part. Anyhoo, "Heads up Doha, he's coming back your way." Have a good one, peeps!

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

Tennessee

Kristi, Dustin, Shea and Kayla hanging at the
annual Knox reunion ~ Columbia, Tennessee




Old cousins...can I say that?








Young cousins






A few blue eyed cousins







Twin cousins

We gathered my side of the family a couple of weeks ago for a cajun crawfish boil. Yesterday we had a good old fashioned country picnic (fried chicken included) with David's side in Tennessee. Good times.

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

Tee Time

David, Kayla, and myself made our way to the Plum Creek Golf Course in our backyard for a round of...let's just say "simulated" golf. We chose the "twilight" after 5:00pm rate, since we knew our skills weren't worthy of any full price action. Good call. We sucked. At least he cart ride and the back to nature setting made it worth our while. Bunnies, mice, water birds, cacti, wildflowers, and more were in abundance to keep our attention when we weren't ducking from errant golf balls. "Fore" has a whole new meaning when you play with our group.














It's very important to stay in
"duck and cover" mode with us





"Uhhhh, can I get a "mulligan"
on this tee off?




"Twilight" quickly turned
to night on us.

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

Yummy for the Tummy...

but not so much the waistline

Hot Fudge Cake Sundae ~ Cheddar's Casual Cafe

It's true what they say 'round these parts...

Everything's BIG in Texas

And if I continue eating like I am on my Doha hiatus...
I, too will be in that category.

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

... and I Will Go To Texas

“You may all go to hell…

and I will go to Texas”

~ Davy Crockett

Shea (son) and friend, Tonya

There's nothing like a visit to the Alamo to bring out the "Texan" in me.

Another thing it brings out is the Photoshop. Would all you "extras" please remove yourselves from my pics?!
Thank you, very much.

original photo-->

Moral of the story: Seeing is NOT believing

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

Christmas Continues

I'm not sure where I left off on my USA visit, but as of two days ago, we have been chillin' at the in-laws in Tennessee waiting for more family to arrive to continue our Christmas celebrations. Chillin' consists of the usual eating and vegging, being that it's entirely too cold for anything else. It did reach a whopping 34F today, a tad warmer than yesterday's high of 30F. I don't know about you, but I think cold weather is for the birds...literally. Later.



P.S. We did enjoy Christmas at the old homestead in Texas with my mom and dad, along with the siblings and nieces and nephews. Proof positive...

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!