I love Christmas!  There is no denying. I love the excitement. I love the bustle in the shops, the carols, the lights, the decorations and the cold.  So spending Christmas in a hot, non-Christian country does take some adjustment.

This is our 3^rd Christmas in Qatar.  Year one we had some friends and family over, last year I went back to the UK, this year it’s just Dave and myself, so I set about the ‘Christmas Project’ early.

December 1^st – Advent Calendars – this year I have really loved the Jacqiue Lawson Advent Calendar, the Christmas e-cards are always good, but each morning opening up my Village and finding it come to life has been a wonderful way to participate in a traditional village Christmas.  It brings back memories of the small towns I lived in, Dickens nights, the town lights and Christmas tree, the local church.

I insisted on shipping over the tree I had had for many years, it still bears up very well and every decoration has a memory.  Christmas memories are mostly of when my children were small, the tree light up and the open fire alight.

We have no fireplace here, but with the tree up and curtains pulled, I can imagine its cold outside.

To add to the atmosphere, I have created my own Christmas playlist on Spotify – well I know it’s only for UK/Europe but most ex-pats know the value of a VPN!  This also gives me access to sites such as SeeSaw, which means in the lead up to Christmas I can watch old Christmas specials.

Then there is my library of old Christmas films and not forgetting the radio.  This year I am most grateful to Mr Jobs and Apple for the iPad.  One of my favourite apps is the Tunein Radio app, hundreds of stations are available.  I have rejected ‘Christmas FM’ from Northern Ireland, but was delighted to find Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion there as a weekly show.  Garrison can make me both laugh and cry with the stories of Lake Wobegon and Christmas is the best time for both.

So, as it’s now Christmas Eve, and I will listening to the traditional nine lessons and carols from Kings on my iPad, whilst making the mince pies – I can look back and say that I am very grateful for the technology which has enabled me to remember the excitement and wonder of Christmas.

I wish you all the best for the Season and a Happy 2011!

Well I am just finishing my first week with my new friend the ‘fitbug’

I can see why it becomes addictive! I regularly check how many steps it takes me to go down stairs to switch on the PC and don’t moan when I’ve forgotten something and have to go down again!

Then it’s the daily online tracking of activity and nutrition intake.

For those who have ‘techie tendencies’ it’s a great way to motivate yourself.

All I have to do now is what to see what targets my ‘bug’ will set me for week 2

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