Its been a while

Marhaba!! Now I know it’s been many months since I have written, so I thought I better let you know that I am still alive and smiling and wish you all a very happy new year. What an exciting year it will be!

Alot has happened in the 3 months since my last edition. (Well I have either been very slack or busy? You can decide!) A quick review, however, I will update the site in the future (inshallah) of the amazing pictures and unique experiences of the amazing Asian Games. They were a success, of course it posed its challenges but overall the experience was amazing. So the past 3 months has been filled with the games (2 months), closely followed by exhaustion, then Christmas in Doha, New Year in beautiful Italy, the month of January in Doha and now… Jordan. The year 2007 is yet another year that Ms Lauren doesn’t sit still…

I have now completely finished with the Asian Games, however, I am currently in discussions with companies in Doha so the plan is that I will return to Doha around April/May (though this is not confirmed)… Till then, I will enjoy life!!

I am now in Jordan (yes, the 2nd time) I am playing tour guide to my Dad and Susan. Dad and Sue came to visit me in Doha and now we are travelling the desert of Jordan for 9 nights. Dad and Sue will then continue onto Egypt, Oman, Dubai making it a total trip of 5 weeks in the Middle East, whilst I will say Ma Salama (goodbye) to them at the end of Jordan where I will travel to Italy (hmmm my 4th time!!).. After 2 weeks in Italy, 28th Feb I will land back onto the beautiful soil of Australia to visit everyone and get my taste of the great Aussie life before jet setting once again after 1 month to the Middle East. From there, I don’t know. And that’s the beauty of it!!

Here are just a few pictures of us in Jordan… It’s totally amazing to be in a country where my first visit was 40 degrees plus and now it ranges from a blistering cold 5 degrees at night to a mild 8 – 15 during the day. The first time in Petra, it was stinking hot and now, there is snow!! Wadi Rum remains my number 1 place, the landscape, the beauty, the peace, the tranquillity.

Dad and Sue at my favourite hideaway & second home - The Diplomatic Club

My final day in Doha. A lunch with department and HR Director - Sultan Al Abdulla. Very pleasant memories.

The gorgeous ladies..

Who is?

Oranges anyone?

Beautiful kids in Little Petra (and the gentle giant...)

Wadi Rum - AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL

Giving driving in the 4WD jeep a try.... was fun!!













Snow in the desert!!! Who would have thought...

Ciaoooooo

Asian Games

To be continued.... hehehehe

Asian Games 2

Pics to be added.

Move to Venue..

Finally, its time!! Time to move to the venue.
The venue I am working at is Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. Its a beautiful venue, with palm trees, grass and prediomately outside, a nice change to work in open spaces than within one major sports stadium of the MCG.

The move in was delayed by 2 weeks due to construction (which was due to be finished in August). Move means we have to bring the complex alive, create it to be an Asian Games Venue. This means installing IT equipment, power, cables, lighting, courts, stages, lounges for VIP, temporary tents for offices and signage to name only a few. Its great to see the venue come alive and also frustrating!!

As you can see, Im extremely busy!!! Just kidding, just a photo opportunity that I couldnt refuse. My office, the tent! This is where all workforce are to check in after passing through the security. With grass at my feet and a few palm trees I am a happy camper. Who couldnt refuse a meeting with me in this environment?

Below a view of the Tent.

Look being installed to brand the venue.
Classic example of OH&S.
One of my team (Mohammed), placing signage for the Prayer Room, Mosque.
Saud and I. Operational Competition Manager for Bodybuilding.

A few Logistics crew placing up some my signage.
Mr Wayfinding (Steve) taking a well deserved break.
The lovely break area. I am so pleased to have this break area as my space. Do you think workforce will enjoy their breakfast, lunch, dinner whilst sitting around the pool? If you cant find me at my office - you know where you will!!!
Workforce Entry Point
Messing around with Security
Saves walking!!!
The stage being installed for BodyBuilding and Weightlifting
Far view of Centre court

Next Stage - Venue Specific Training..

The next phase of the delivery of the games is the Venue Specific Training. Now all workforce have attended functional area (department) training, its time to move to a venue focus. Venue Specific Training we invited 1500 workforce over 4 sessions within the Bodybuilding/Weightlifting Hall at the venue.

I was the MC for all sessions, throwing in a few Arabic words to mix things up. My major challenge was the correct pronouncation of all 6 Competition Managers, Venue Managers and the Venue Commander.

• Venue Manager - Tariq Al-Saddiqi
• Deputy Manager - Andjelka Bubalo, Ian Knox
• Venue Commander - Colonel Muhammad Hassan Al Saie
• Competition Manager Bodybuilding - Ibrahim Kafoud
• Competition Manager Chess - Yousef Ahmed
• Competition Manager Soft Tennis- Khaleid Al Khulaifi
• Competition Manager Squash - Khalid Al Obaidly
• Competition Manager Tennis - Mohammed Al Saoud
• Competition Manager Weightlifing - Ibrahim Waleed Al Abdulla

As you can imagine, I had to practice these names ALOT! The introductions and protocol are very important in the Arabic world therefore I had to ensure I did this correctly to avoid any offense.

Major Abdulla Aziz and our Emergancy & Evacuation Plan..
To spice things up slightly, the World Champion from Qatar in the 85kg Bodybuilding catogory gave the audience an introduction as to what to expect of the exciting competition.

In and Around Doha...

I have always updated the site with exciting events and activities and now I would like to update you on - In and Around Doha!!

You will see how the city is a complete construction zone. Walking from the carpark to my office, I have to walk under cranes, wait for bull dozers, across sand and rubble - all this ismy heels!!!

Driving around the city, 90% of roads are NOT complete. The death rate on the roads is devasting!! The speed and construction is quiet scary. I now weave in and out and will kick anyones butt in dodgem cars when I am at home.

The picture (above) and photos to follow are the roads from my house to the The Diplomatic Club (my gym - my oasis!!)

The gate to the Diplomatic Club
Entrance to the Diplomatic Club

Side view over the water off the City. The City of Doha all the buildings you see in the distance are shells, there is nothing in this area at all yet!! In a year or so, this city will be a hype of activity. This is completly an example of - Buidling a City!!
My wakeboarding lane.... my sanity!

As you can see the Diplomatic Club is lovely, it is my retreat!! It is equipped with a gym, suana, spa, outside pool, resturants, cafe, beach - where you can windsurf, play a game of beach volleyball or my favourite activity wakeboard. I unfortantely have been injured for one month due to wakeboarding, so will be back on the water next week!! Next sport to learn is Kite Surfing!!! The same activity but I am not dependant on a boat. Now that I am injury free and the winds increase - ill be trying kite surfing at the beaches of Qatar.

Now below, are ramdon shots whilst I am in the car. This will give you an understanding of the normal sights I see every day.

The picture above, shows the level of impatient drivers. Instead of waiting in any of the 3 lanes prior to a roundabout, which whilst we waited all of a sudden turned into 4 lanes due to drivers squeezing their cars between lanes. Above are drivers actually cutting the corner - going off road!