Week 20 - Birthdays, soccer and movies

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We played our third league game on Wednesday. Unfortunately, we were creamed again, but we actually played a great team - both skill wise and personality. Many of the girls on my team have never played soccer before, so they are still learning (some of the basics need time to take hold), but it is amazing to see how much they've improved every week. I had a few shots on goal; one of them, I admittedly panicked and probably could have gotten it otherwise. Grrr. Stupid alexis! Sadly, my shin splints which have been bothering me since our first game three weeks ago have only gotten worse, so I'll be taking it easy until they go away. I'm too old to play injured! And they friggin HURT during the game. Bad.

One way to ensure I get rest is to leave the country right? Well, supposedly I am going to Qatar on Monday when an American coworker goes as well; he is arriving Sunday to Dubai then heading to Qatar Monday, so I'll probably just wind up going with him. I'm very excited. The project that I'll be working on sounds very interesting and different and like something that I'll be good at. People are a bit worried about me going to Qatar, thinking that I won't like it. But I am excited. Qatar is far more conservative than Dubai - you actually do have to be careful with how you dress and behave. But I will most likely be so busy with work I won't even have time to find trouble. Besides, I love exploring new places and Matt seems up for that as well. There really is not a lot to do in Qatar long term, but I look forward to seeing the city, seaside and desert. I'm sure there must be something to do...

Yesterday, I work up early and took myself to the mall to finish buying my friend's birthday gift. He was hosting a party that evening, which I was looking forward to. Of course, my favorite thing in the world to do was beckoning, so I took myself to the VIP movie and watched Looper with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I didn't even know what it was about; when I looked it up earlier, I saw his name and really just didn't even care what the movie was about. Fortunately, it was very very good! And it had Bruce Willis!!!

Sam came over that evening and we were to walk to the party together, but Samar called us and offered to come pick us up so she wouldn't have to go in alone. The party was fun - Denny and his wife made some traditional Hawaiian foods and there were plenty of drinks to keep everyone happy. Tanya taught the girls the Hula and soon it turned into a night of people showing their traditional dances. I was given country; I haven't done line dancing in like 15 years so I kind of improvised. Sad that I don't know line dancing, but I've done Hula and Belly dancing (which, yes, I showed off).

This morning we were hurting a bit, so Sam and I went and watched a movie at the Dubai Marina Mall - Looper again! I was happy to watch it as I caught a few things the second time that I missed the first. I like the theater there. It is less than half the price of the VIP movies at the big malls; while it is not quite VIP it is called "Business Premier" and is very nice - the seats lean back, without footrests, but wide seats.

Other than that, I took it very easy today. Hopefully there are no crises at work tomorrow and Monday and I can move on to the next project in relative peace...

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