4th Week of My Dubai Journey

Image via WikipediaTime flies ! It will be my 5th week tomorrow with the new company. " So, how is my 20th day in the office ? " To be perfectly frank, I take it easy and no rush and hush hush. It was all different ball game. Why different ? Because of the book that I am reading now, " Shine How to Survive and Thrive at Work " by Chris Barez-Brown.

Before, I was an eager bee, and insisted things to be my way as soon as possible, and that was the lesson learned that I have to things easily and let things to happen in its own time.

That is a brief of my professional life.

My personal life ? Nothing much also just that I need to spice it a bit. That was after going through a month here. Ramadhan is coming very soon and I could feel the ambiance of Ramadhan already. On the satellite TV OSN, they have started the "Ramadhan Kareem" greetings to all the subscribers.It was nice gesture actually and different from the country where I come from. We normally busy with the greetings on the very first day of Ramadhan itself , but Eid greetings come on the first week of Ramadhan. When I went to Singapore Deli Restaurant Dubai, they put on Quranic recitation and all, so the feeling is there and reminding me that Ramadhan is just next 2 weeks.

Yesterday, attended the driving theory class for four (4) hours. It was kind of interesting to learn from basic about driving after years of driving experiences. Today, went again to school collect my L-Permit early in the morning, only to be told that I still have one document pending i.e. No objection letter from the company that I can drive in UAE. It was long story, but I told the lady that I have provided the original copy to the company last Wednesday [ though originally I was informed that I was exempted from providing the letter  during the registration].

I was told that the system was down so the document would not be ready today, and I have to come back again to schedule my theory test. I politely asked the lady of anyway she could help me to avoid me from coming back again? Her answered was a straight forward " NO ". I was silence and suddenly, I overheard one sweet voice from the back of the office that told her she could actually help to register on my behalf without me to come again to schedule for the test by using the the copy of the document that proved that I have attended all the compulsory test. She resisted at first and adamant that my L-Permit was not ready yet, so I could not be scheduled for the test. After discussion between the two ladies, finally the lady agreed and would help me to schedule my signal test. She asked me to make a copy of the document and called her back in the afternoon to confirm the date.

I went to make a copy and the photocopy machine did not work. I tried pushing all the buttons here pushing the buttons there for few minutes, but the machine just did not work still. I did not give up and I did not whine and complain, and trying to fix by myself when a gentleman i.e. the driving instructor approached me and without being asked helped me through the photocopying process. After saying "Shukran " to him, went back to the lady and passed the document to her. I asked her whether I can call her to re-confirm in the afternoon that I was scheduled for the signal test. She replied " I told you that the L-Permit was not ready !" . I replied " Yes, but you were the one who told me to call you back later in the afternoon !" Oh ok..call me this afternoon for confirmation ". In my mind, how can people easily forgetful including me, sometimes. Then, I informed her my preferred date and time for the signal test !".

I did not call in the afternoon assuming it will only be ready the next day, after going through this morning experience. Later in the afternoon, received a SMS that my signal test is scheduled as per the date and time I requested earlier.  Alhamdulillah....end of another episode of my life and journey in Dubai.

What have I learned ? Never give up , no complain and whine and help will come the unexpectedly in all forms..    

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Carluccio's Cafe @ The Pearl Doha

Source : QatarLMG

Kenza Yummy..Glup Glup @ Doha : Tex-Mex Chinese Cuisine

I continued my journey, of course with my Qashqai, my iphone, my wallet and my tummy lol. It was after I finished my "overtime" works at the office. I was hungry, and decided to take my laundry directly from the office. My tummy was so empty, my mind was tired and my energy level is at the lowest. Is it ? I decided to try this restaurant - Tex -Mex Chinese Cuisine, located at row of shops at Matar Qadeem, just opposite the Doha International Airport, or just next to MaxCar Service Centre.

Thank goodness that it was not crowded, but I guess it was weekday. Entering the restaurant, I was greeted by 2 waitress and immediately after I chose my seat, the waitress handed me the menu. Oh yeah, this is how the inside of the restaurant looks ;

The restaurant is very clean and well kept by the owner. Once the customer finished and left, immediately the table was tidy up, waiting for the next customer. I missed something back home, i.e. fry brocolli and chicken cashew nuts, ermm yummy yummy glup glup...and within minutes, my food arrived. That is what I like about chinese restaurant, you get the food almost immediately. Good for those who are always in hurry and rush, and people who are already hungry, like me lol

The taste was so good , especially the fry brocolli. The chicken cashew nut, errm..bit plain but still good. I enjoyed my selection.choice that evening, and the portion [ just nice for one person ]-normally, the portion is BIG, in any restaurants @ Doha.Based on the menu, price wise is affordable and standard Doha price in an ordinary restaurant, ranging from QAR 15 to QAR 30 per meal.

Below are what my tongue says to me [ out of 10] ;

1. Customer Service : 7 *******
2. Food taste : 8 ********
3. Price : 7 ********
4. Cleanliness : 8*******
5. Waiting Time : 8.5 ********
6. Overall : 8********

So, if you would like to have something chinese, head to this restaurant and you will enjoy, I am sure but just that the restaurant is a big small as it is designed for take away business , rather than dine-in.

Enjoy !

Food in Florian Cafe, City Centre Doha, Qatar

If you would have noticed, I am currently exploring food available in the country that I am based now, and this would be the blog where I shall dedicate and share my experiences in according to my tongue. Yeap, it is purely based on my tongue :)

With further due, I discovered this restaurant called " Florian Cafe" , at 3rd floor City Centre, Doha. I have been passing through this Cafe for almost a year. I tried the other day to have lunch with my friend, Jirka and unfortunately it was not opened, as yet. We tried twice, actually and the second time, we were told that the Chef was not arrived yet. In both occasions, it was 11 a.m. [ Check the opening hour before deciding to go though !].

That did not stop my curiosity to explore the menu that this restaurant serves. One day, I decided to give it a try and I like the food so much. I shall make the entry lately. Today, my 3rd time having lunch there and I tried this Fried Bangus and Eggplant [ dunno the name as it was written in Tagalog !]. Below is my review ;

Condition ;

The Cafe is spacious, clean and  lots of table with handful of people during lunch time.

Amneties/Facilities;

Free newspaper reading - Gulf Time. Peninsular. Qatar Tribune and Al-Sharq [ Arabic newspaper ].

Size of serving;

1 meal for two (2) persons, sharing is caring !

Price;

Average QAR 20-35 depending on menu, normally the menu include "steam rice" and a bottle of mineral water.

Waiting time;

Expect to wait between 20-25 minutes, but may be more depending on the number of customers as all the food are freshly prepared, straight from the kitchen.

Customer service;

Nothing to shout about, normal serving and expect nothing "extra-ordinaire" . The waiter will attend you before you take your seat.

Tips;

Up to you.

Food;

1. Fried Bangus [ Milk Fish] - You have a choice of full or half. The first time, I tried it was very good., crispy and taste it was fresh fish, unfortunately today,was so-so. Perhaps, they have consistencies issues and the fish seemed to me taste not fresh.

2. The Eggplant vegetable - too much salt  in it and shall I say kind of overcooked ! I could not finish all, except the eggplant. It was mixed with chicken, and presentation wise ; not inviting lol

All right, accordance to my tongue and perhaps my tummy ;

1. Food Rating : 4**** out of 10

2. Overall experience : 4.5 ** out of 10  

Till then, care to try ? Why not  and experience yourself :)