Driving Test in Qatar

Today is my Driving Test day. I woke up early at 4am, and had an early breakfast since it's going to be a long day out there.

I reached the United Driving School at 4.45am, performed my Subuh prayers and then went straight to the Test Office. There's quite a commotion as people trying to do last minute revision of the road signs on the notice board outside the office. I've done my memorising for the past week. The weather is cold and windy. Thru out the whole morning, i went to the toilet around 10 times in total...

Around 5.15am, the 2 personnels from the Traffic Police Dept arrived and went straight to the Test Office where we will be tested the road signs. Around 5:25am, the Road Sign Test commences. The police officer pointed to me around 6 signs and i managed to answer them all correctly. One hurdle over.

Around 6am, after all have taken the Road Sign Test (they were 50 of us there), the Test Officer announced the names who've passed. Around 5 people failed so they have to repeat the test (only after 1 month later). Those who passed including me get into the cars parked in a queue for the L-Parking. I managed to get thru the L-Parking with ease and straight went for the Pocket Parking. This is the hardest one but with concentration and tips from my instructor, i managed to pass both the parking tests.

By around 7:30am all have taken their turns and we waited for the results. After getting the results, 20 of us make it thru for the Road Test. 9 of us get into a van while 1 will be in the test car in front with the police officer. During my turn i was told 2 go into 3 round abouts...and alhamdulillahi think i manage to take each turn calmly. Around 8:30 we all finished taking our turns and we're back at the Test Office waiting for the final results...i was waiting anxiously with my instructor calming me down...The results were announced at 9am...I passed. 10 of us passed that day. So u can see that the success rate is kind of 20% each day.

Finally the anxiety is overcome by excitement. I thanked my instructor for all the tips and tricks...I called my wife, my mum, my friends and colleagues to announce my victorious pass...After that i went home walking as a symbol of sacrifice and self-fulfilling...The 3km walk does not seems long as i was smiling thru out the walk....

It's only if you've taken the driving test here in Doha, then only you'll understand the meaning of this truly sweet success and how much pain we've to go thru trying to get a driving license. So now planning to rent a car...emm

Three months now in Doha...

As at today, it's exactly 3 months since i landed my feet in Doha...What i have accomplished so far??

Emm..work wise, i have gone thru 1 year-end audit, 2 month-end closings, 2 periodic balance sheet reconciliations...

Life wise, i finally settled down in the permanent housing provided by my Company after 1 month in transit accommodation. Watched the Qatar Tennis Open, play some bowling at Qatar Bowling Centre, and food tasting at the various asean restaurants, and met many malaysians from the events organised by Malaysian Association of Qatar (MAQ).

Last week i started my driving lessons at United Driving School. My instructor is Mr Sekara, a Sri Lankan...quite a nice guy teaching me the tips and tricks to prepare for the test. I took a short course consisting of 12 lessons...so today just finished my 6th day...another 6 more days to go...I just pray and hope that i'll pass the driving test in 1 seating...can't wait to have my own car so that i can explore Qatar more...

General Accounting Dept Dinner at Movenpick Hotel

Last nite, i attended a dinner at Movenpick Hotel, Doha.

The dinner was organised for the General Accounting Team for 2 main reasons: 1) Closing of the Year-End Accounts by 24 January 2008 by the GL Team. Previous years the accounts could only be closed the earliest by March. 2) Completion of End of Year Bonus 2007 and Salaries adjustment for 2008 in January 2008 by the Payroll team.

The team comprises of multicultural and multinational individuals from India (3), Pakistan (1), Canada (1), Phillipines (1), Indonesia (1), Egypt (2) and me, Malaysian. It's headed by our Accounting Manager, an American.

The dinner was buffet styled...That's not that much choices so i spend walking round-and-round to find what to eat. Maybe next time, a better place...

Sandstorm in Qatar

I just came back from my friday (juma') prayers. The roads are all covered with sand and i can't even see the whole building of the mosque due to this sandstorm. Well, actually it started last night. It's kind of drastic as the day time is quite sunny and bright. Welcome to Doha i guess...

Islam Agama Ilmu bukan Agama Warisan

Yesterday nite, I atttended a Islamic Lecture presented by Ustaz Dr Abdullah Yassin at the Fanar Cultural Centre, Doha. Some background on the utaz is that he's bornt in Indonesia and had tertiary education in middle east and USA. Now he's currently residing in Malaysia in fact for the past 20 years.

He's here in Doha for this week giving lecture to the malaysian and indonesian community. Another ustaz will be coming down next week from malaysia, Ustaz Saifulislam...

From the lecture, I gained some new knowledge to further enhance quality of my ibadah and life. The importance of obtaining knowledge was stressed very much in all his points. Without knowledge, our ibadah will be less meaningful.

I planned to study Arabic once i get my driving license here in Qatar...