the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

(I wrote this before Jordan’s post, but I hit Save instead of Publish… I blame it on the meds) I’m sitting in a suede lounge chair, drinking an ice cold Sprite as I write this blog.  Jordan is sitting across from me in a leather lounge chair, enjoying a glass of white wine.  Oh, VCU and VCUQ you sure did take care of us… business class and this wonderful clubhouse.  He’s working on uploading some new pics, so in the meantime I decided to post a blog.  <br> HEALTH UPDATE: Still have this cold.  I’m not much better since my last blog… well, I’m not achy, but I am very congested.  I have a lovely red nose that more often than not  has a stream of mucus running down it.  Lovely, huh?  Well, you’ll see the pictures… if Jordan decides to post them.  <br> SO FAR… This week I felt like there was a giant clock, ticking away above my head.  Jordan and I were doing everything we could to make sure all our ducks were in order before leaving today.  Hopefully, everything will be fine on the trip.  If I’ve forgot an article of clothing and nothing else, I’ll be happy… Good news – we have all of our luggage taken care of.  Yesterday, we packed all of the equipment and weighed it on my best friend Courtney’s home scale.  We thought we were save, but we ended up having to make some adjustments at check-in.  Things have been going pretty smoothly, though.  Our “limo,” which was actually a large van much like the studio’s, was later than expected.  We were told they would be picking us up at 2:30, and when I called to check on the driver at 2:40, they told us they were told pick-up was at 4:30.  Luckily, they sent the driver early and he was expected to arrive in 30 minutes… not too bad.  <br> I don’t have much else to say right now.  Plus, I would much rather be eating some Tomato Bisque than typing away on this, so TA-TA FOR NOW!   

From the Virgin Clubhouse

We made it — at least to the Airport in D.C.

We took our “limo” here and then passed through security — close to nude. Our beautiful attendant at the check in (see picture gallery) sent us to Virgin Airlines Clubhouse where we currently sit waiting for our departure in 2 hours.

Free wine and food abound in the amazing executive lounge.

300 views

This page has had 300 views (by the time I check this post three times) and I have yet to pack my suitcase.

Here is the travel plan from right now until we arrive in the Doha (known  regionally as “The City of Brotherly Encounters”).  <– this may not be true…

Friday:

• 2:30pm — Depart Richmond via “Limo”
• 3:30pm — Arrive in Dulles
• 10:30pm –Depart for Doha, Qatar

Saturday:

• Arrive in Doha at 7:00pm (Qatar local time — 8 hours ahead)

This will be longest plane ride I have taken, at over 12 hours, and will certainly allow the excitment to build.  I have grand plans for the big city.

Unique Animals

Thanks for stopping by… This is THE place for keeping up with Lisa and I (Jordan) as we travel approximately 7,000 miles to the Middle Eastern city of Doha, Qatar (which you can pronounce however you like).

This trip will drop us in the middle of Education City – where VCUQ is located– for a two weeks stint. We expect to see the sights, hear the sounds, and observe the customs that surround the school and the city.

Expect to see humorous videos, pictures and commentary posted here daily and perhaps even to learn a thing or two.

Thanks for your support – feel free to spread the word – and we will catch you on the flipside.

RE: Sniffle…Sniffle

Lisa, if this illness gets passed onto me — again — I will be none to pleased. Additionally, where is the Mr. Pasty post…

this is us… (livejournal=afarinqatar.com)

thanks xkcd

Sniffle… Sniffle

I’m sick!!!  Yesterday my whole body was aching and I had the classic hot and cold thing going on.  Today, my nose is doing it’s own personal show of Niagara Falls!  I just hope I get better by Friday…

Pseudo-positive post

We leave in a week — effectively — and I can’t wait. I want to ride a (real) camel, drive 4 wheelers excessively fast, explore a new culture and shoot some video. There will be a lot of hard work involved and who knows what else.

I hope to see an OASIS:

iPhone click here

A traveler’s anxiety

As Qatar draws nearer, I can’t help but feel anxious. A part of me feels like there can’t be much to do before we leave because the hotel has been booked, we have our visas and travel arrangements have been made. All of which I had nothing to do with, besides giving people my name… But here I am day in and day out thinking and knowing that there are tons of things that still need to be arranged. Jordan is not exaggerating when he inserts on his list of things to do “long list here.” We need to figure out our luggage situation, power adapters, currency, cell phones/ phone plan… OH! and then Jordan sends me this article that just makes me feel like I have even more things to do YIKES!!! Not to mention my Dad keeps asking me questions that I don’t know the answers to… or was that about my taxes?

REGARDLESS, I’m getting more and more worried as the days wither away one after another! Just this blog itself has increasingly become more intense!!! … THINK ABOUT THE GOOD THINGS: Sweet Limo Rides, Flight in Business Class, Beautiful Hotel, great location, great people, new experiences, a HELLO ride over Doha, and I’m sure there’s more… but of course, most of those things are all things to enjoy once we get there… it’s the getting there part that’s driving me crazy. NOT TO MENTION I get motion sickness… Dramamine is my friend…

Wow, that was a lot of venting… thanks for that.

12 Days till departure

12 days seems like a short amount of time, but it is almost half a month — what a false sense of security.

List of things we need:

• (Long list here)

Should we not remember all of it, expect posts lamenting forgotten items.

No one is reading this yet…

This is true… for now: