QPPSSA Athletics Competition

Isabelle with fellow Aussie Olivia.
Jump!

The Year 3 girls, Olivia, Isabelle, Sally & Rachel (l-r).

Go Team DESS!

GOLD!

√(-1) 2^3 ∑ π

Happy PI Day!

As a member of the Doha College Mathematics Department,

I did my bit and baked some pies to celebrate.

Yes, that's true. I am a nerd.

(The title of this post is "I ate some pie."

Email me if you want an explanation.)

IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics

Only in Doha can you get front row seats for next to nothing at world class events like this. We camped out at Aspire Dome all weekend and saw some awesome athelets battle it out.

Emma Green jumps for Sweden and gets a place in the final. Heja Sverige!

Man, these athletes are fit! 1500m semifinal.

Women's 3000m final.

The huge Ethiopean crowd goes wild! Drums, horns, cheering... it must have been so uplifting for the competitors.

Victory lap for Defar and teammate.

Jessica Ennis from GB takes gold in the women's penthalon.

Steve Hooker tries 6.01m in pole vaulting. Up he goes...

... woohoo! He did it! Gold for Australia. The girls get a chance to sing Advance Australia Fair.

QPSSA Cross Country Event

Mr Proudfoot takes the girls on a warm-up run at the Doha Golf Club. We've had thunder, lightning and even hail over the last two days, so everyone is relieved that today has turned out to be a super day for the kids.

That's an anxious smile before the race. Either that or the sun is in her eyes.

The teams gather at the start line. Isabelle is nervously placed at the front. She looks likes she's listening to Mr Proudfoot's instructions intently.

The DESS team has one last warm-up. Isabelle takes those size 36 feet for a jog.

Ready, set, GO! The girls from eight schools in Qatar start their race. Isabelle is on the extreme right in the background... smiling.

Isabelle powers up for the finish. Go Belle!

Very close friend Louise turns up to support Isabelle and give experienced athletics advice.
Thanks Lou!

A well-earned snack!

Well done Belle! We're very proud of you!

Camping with the Hamzas

Unpacking the hillbilly cart.

Looks like a GAP commercial. The girls relax while we unpack and set up camp.
This is what it looks like when you camp in Qatar... tent tied securely to your quadbike.
We're all done... what's for dinner, chef?
Brendan prepares prawns in the sea. Served on a bed of lettuce and Thousand Island dressing. We camp in style my friend.
Day 2: It's a misty morning.

Isabelle and Jamila start their kindling collection.

Thrillseeker Jenna just can't stay away from the quads.

Matilda and her best friend.

Mr Hope will be proud... girls writing about camping for their journal.

Boys relaxing... good to see.
Isabelle is first in to the cold sea... Persian Gulf to be exact.

Three little monkeys sitting on a kayak...

Kiddie jail.

Nah, we were just visiting the movie set in Zekreet. (Don't ask which movie because no one knows!)

It's pretty cool though.

Cutie pie.

Moe says, "They are all my family".

Girls play follow the leader.

Moe prepares his potjie.

Two and a half hours later and voila! It was tres tres bien!

Jenna tries her hand at light writing.

On the second night, the girls collected some driftwood and go to roast marshmallows on their own bonfire.

The marshmallow effect kicks in.

Day 3: After another misty morning and then glorious lunchtime, we head home. The girls and dog collapse with exhaustion on the ride home. Sign of a good camping trip! Thanks everyone for another great Doha experience!

I'm learning how to take portraits in class...

What do you think?

Helps to have good models...