Hello peeps

Salam w.b.t and hi all,

How are you doing? I am doing fine. I am offshore at the moment, first time offshore in Qatar. On Al-Khor, Shell jack-up rig. Ocean is calm, but the temperature is so hot. They announce the heat index from time to time, the range of the temperature is between 49 to 56 degree C. It can be hotter during the day.

It has been crazy for the past three weeks. I have been planning to update the blog many times, but I was pretty occupied with the jobs.

Exhausted as well.

I managed to go back to Doha on Eid. I did not go anywhere, I was sleeping and rest as trying to adjust the sleeping schedule. Then, on the very same day, my manager asked me to come to the base on the next day to prepare the basket tests. Then, next day I was planned to go to another land rig for rig up with another MWD, Berik. I will do the rig up and leave Berik to run the job alone. There will be Remote Operation support and I will go back to the previous rig I was, GDI-4.

Ok, that’s cool. We arrived around 4PM and started the rig up. The heat was so crazy, and at 5PM I was sitting at the corner and about to black out. Immediately I went to room, wet my face, threw up, heart beats crazily and I could not open my eyes. I laid down on the floor for one hour with headache. It was like a punch hitting my head. I was so scared that I might be unable to wake up.

Then moved to the bed, slept. Around 6PM, back to normal and continued rig up and preparing the equipment. We rigged up and finish around 5.30 in the morning. We were so exhausted, and Berik, he looked like lost sometimes. Well, I understand because exhausted, heat, and unplanned rig up. He is the man with the plan, and when there is no plan, he kind of lost. I know this rig, so I led him.

At 8AM, driver came to pick me up to go back to Doha. In the evening, got another message to go to another rig, GDI-1 to do the setup and teach the loan guy about the job. Ok, fine. I departed to the rig, and came back to Doha in the afternoon.

After that, I managed to get three days of rest without any disturbance. Treated myself with good foods, watched Pirates of the Caribbean, and sleeping. On the fourth days, I felt weird as the managers did not call or email me. I was so kind (LOL), went to the base to say hello and ask them, "What's up?".

Went to the base, did the basket test and I was told by another manager I will be going to the rig in two days. He gave me 5 minutes pre-job briefing and I don’t know a heck what the job was about. I said, I am supposed to go back to the GDI-4, that’s what my manager told me.

Long story short, I was sent to the rig, I am currently at. I don’t really like it, although the food is really good.

The reasons are;

1. I share the room with another Shell's female personnel. The room is very hot, and the A/C is working, but it is always like that since it is summer
2. No hand phone here, leave it on land
3. Health and Safety is quite strict compared to land rig. I have been working freely on land, and then I need to limit and control it here. Basically, be more safer
4. New client for me, and a lot of things I need to learn and their SOP, bla bla bla
5. On land, if I want to come back to Doha, I can push my manager to relieve me. I can go to the supermarket, and walk around the rig. Here, I need to wait for helicopter and I cannot randomly say, I want to go home
6. I made friends with the rig I was at previously, I know the crew and what they are doing. I call them by their name, and they know me. Here, I am a new crew and I need to break the ice

I am an introvert, I don’t get along easily with people at the beginning. It takes time to know people, and after that I will be fine.

It is quite calm now, we are drilling. I arrived 5 days ago and the last two days, it has been crazy. Anyways, I hope it will be good now.

On another note, I will have my vacation in Aug-Sept. I will go to New Zealand visiting friend and see places, and I just bought the flight ticket two hours ago. It is going to be a long flight. From Doha to Christchurch, in total around 28 hours with three transits. Erm….I hope I will be fine. Then, I will go back to Malaysia. That’s the plan for now, details, I will think about it later.

When thinking about New Zealand, I already feel excited. Hahaha…will see. Anyone wants to join me, you are welcome.

That’s what I have so far.

I will write again later, take care folks.

Keep me posted if anything.

Salam w.b.t and see you all next time.

P/S - Nothing to P/S

Quick Life Update 10

Salam w.b.t and hi all,


How are you guys doing? It is been a while since my last entry. It has been quite hectic and crazy for the last couple of weeks.

Before I proceed, Salam Ramadhan to every Muslim readers :)

After I got back from my short holiday, I stayed in Doha for three weeks, approx. I did not go to the rig, only to base. Since not many engineers available in town, it was quite busy for me as I will need to complete my workshop training. I did basket tests, prepare the tools for load out, as well as preparing for the EMP school. During this time, I would day it was a "honeymoon" time for me. Sleeping, eating, shopping, and chillout in town.

 Krispy Kreme, Villagio Mall

I departed to Abu Dhabi on 13 May and came back to Doha on 26 May. This flight was the shortest flight I ever taken in my two years with SLB, around 40 minutes which I am so glad. The EMP school was two weeks and it was alright. Most of the D&M Engineers said this is the toughest course ever for this segment, but I find it was not that hard. It is just a lot of works, theories as well as practical. In my opinion, preparation is the key. Anyway, I learned a lot and I passed. Grade does not matter, as the application of knowledge on the job is much more critical.

Flight leaving Abu Dhabi

Certificate of completion the course

All the FEs of the class

I came back last week, and I tried to keep a low profile. I did not go to the base for the first weekday, and another trainee, Areej told me that my manager, Kulwinder was asking about me. Actually he knows I am back in town, it is his way of saying, "Why is Siti not here???". Hahahaha….the next day, which was last Monday, I showed up at the base.


Since last Monday, we had calibrations back-to-back. At first, it was supposed to be three calibrations then suddenly an additional calibration required as it was urgent tool. I took turn with Areej to do the calibration with two seniors with us. Basically, two persons are required for calibration and I came with Kamlesh (Senior) on the first day, then Areej with another senior came on the next day. It is summer here and the temperature can be up to 50 degree C during the day, therefore we started in the evening around 5 PM. We finished around 12 midnight. For the urgent tool, me and Kamlesh did it during the day yesterday and it was roasting.

Today, I came to the rig. My manager told me about this last night, and this morning I departed to the rig. This is my breakout job, and Kamlesh is here with me. From the plan, he will leave me alone to run the job after we do the rig up. He does not seems convince I can lead the job. It does not offend me, because I feel the same as well. I don’t feel confident at all, plus, I haven't been to the rig for nearly 1.5 months. Hahahahahaha….But one thing I can tell you about myself is, I will never feel confident if I don’t do it myself. I cannot just wait for the right moment of confidence to kick in, I will need to chase for it.


This is my first Ramadhan in Qatar. We are starting to fast around 3 AM and break our fast around 6.20 PM. The good thing is, everyone is aware of the Ramadhan month and summer. So, they are trying their best to be accommodating. When I did the calibration, Kamlesh kept saying, "Ok you can go have a rest after this", "Go to sleep", and others. The staffs also aware and asked me to go inside of the building instead of standing outside. Since I have been working with Kamlesh most of the times, I told him, it is alright for me and not to worry. If I feel tired or too much, I will break my fast but I will try first to fast.


The weather is so hot here, and windy plus sand. Also, we have been warned about the sightings of snakes and scorpions. The HSE officer casually said, "Before wearing your safety boots, make sure turn it upside down just in case there is a snake inside it". I was like, "Man, are you kidding me???". But that’s true. Another personnel said he came across the snake on the ground, and its colour is brown and when we look from distance, it is like a rope lying on the ground. I don’t feel excited about it.


I told my mother that I will probably not come back for Eid, which is sad as I was planning to go back. I asked my mother if I am selfish and does not care about family, because sometimes I can feel I am a selfish person. She said she understand that I need to secure my job as I have been fighting for this job for many years. It is time for me to prove myself through this breakout job. Therefore, once I am finish with this job, I am planning to take couple weeks off and go back to Malaysia. Although some people said, you should travel around the world since you are working with SLB and has a lot of money. Let me tell you something, distance grows a heart fonder. I will travel, but now, I could not find a suitable person or group I can tag along with.


Actually, we are free now as we are waiting for the crane availability to offload our equipment. The crane is pretty occupied and we could not do anything apart from waiting, waiting and waiting. I was thinking if we can rig up at night as it is very hot during day and I will be fasting. So, we will see how it goes. I drank coffee and just standby if we can start working tonight.


So, that is the update for now. I will write again later.


Take care and Salam w.b.t dear readers.


P/S - "Last Hope" from Paramore has been my looping music for the last two weeks. Listen to the live version of it, it was so good.

 

Settling down at Ezdan Hotel

Salam w.b.t and hello everyone,

 

How are you guys doing?

 

Since I got back from holiday, I haven't gone to any rig. Mostly because of many jobs being delayed as well as I will attend another school this weekend. This, by far the longest time I ever spent in Doha. I went to the base, and try to learn as much as I can from there. There are checklists of the things I need to complete before being promoted. Regardless, it is still far from being completed.

 

It is quite boring here in Qatar. Work. And. Alone.

 

I went out with other folks from time to time, had a good time. It was alright.

 

I try to set my mind on the idea of settling down in Qatar. I mean, to set my mind at peace that I will be here in Qatar. So, I need to settle down. Settle down here means, treat the place I stay here like a home.

 

See, the place I stay is called Ezdan Hotel. Basically, it is a Schlumberger staff house. However, I don’t feel very comfortable staying here at Ezdan. Because it is a HOTEL. Not an apartment, or house. Also, it is right in the city center.

 

Everything is squeezed in this big white cube. There is a common area outside, where you can cook. It is shared with others. Well, the others here are my colleagues, the girls. Most of the time, they are at the rigs, same like me. If I want to go out for cooking, washing your dishes, or heat some water, I will need to wear hoodies or scarves.

 

And, here I don’t really have much privacy. The hotel's housekeeper will knock the door to clean, calls from receptions etc. Also, I live next to other SLB staffs, and this level also has SLB staffs.

 

This situation makes my life wrap with SLB - SLB - SLB. I don’t know. I am thinking to rent a place outside and far from the city. 

 

Anyways, I am still adjusting and, I am gonna say that this time it is going to take a while compared to other places.

 

Alright, I will write again later.

 

Take care and Salam w.b.t.

Gonna get over you

Salam w.b.t and hello all,
I would like to share one song I have been listening for the last couple of weeks.

Nothing fancy, I like the dance and how she enjoying herself dancing around like none cares.
Enjoy, and dance even it is raining.

A great time at home

Salam w.b.t and hi all,

This is one of the entries I should have published weeks ago. This is about how I managed to get a last minute holiday.

###

After all the rig days.

Still need to standby at the other rig while waiting for client to officially declare Lost in Hole. Waiting game on for days and yesterday afternoon after having-more-than-enough-sleep, drop an email to my manager.

 "I need time off for couple of days". And basically, the answer is no.

 Ok fine. Nothing to discuss then.

 "Screw everything". Hahaha...

 8 PM, pull myself together to stand my ground as per senior's nagging me, finally call my manager.

 "I need holiday from now for one week - 7days"

 "Where are you going? In Doha or out of Qatar? Why? Urgent?....And list goes on, on, and on.

 Put my answers short and precise as per senior's instruction while he was standing behind me.

 At the other end, sh*t, oh man, bla bla bla.

 Finally, "You have 5 days".

 Ok. That's good enough and told my senior about it.

 He said, don't bother. Make it 7.

I called my mother, 3 AM Malaysian time, telling her about me going home and I had to use her credit card to pay the flight ticket since I left all my cards in Doha. I was still at the rig, remember?

Less than 24 hours later on 13 April, I flew home. The ticket was really expensive, but money means nothing when my heart is nowhere to be found apart from home. On the flight, I felt unbelievable that I am going home.

I miss home, I miss my comfort zone, and the warmth of being with my beloved ones.

I miss being in the place I know, where I know I will be safe.

Qatar is nothing, apart from work. It is time for me to re-energized and go home.

I told none about my homecoming, only my mother and sisters. I just want a personal time. However, I was still working at home. Finishing the control cards, preparation for the school. Regardless, I had a great time by being at home. Nothing can beat that.

My mother cooked most of my favourite foods, buy all the local delicacies, and many things. Foods are one of the things I miss so much. Nasi Lemak, Apam Balik, Cendol, Sambal Sotong, Sambal Cili Api, and many more. You will never get any of these here in Qatar. 

On 19 April, I flew back to Qatar and came back to work on the next day.

The next day, my manager asked me how was my holiday. I said to him, "I should have ask for 2 weeks". He was like, "Bluergh".

Hello All

Hi all,


I am still here. It is just I am a little bit busy with the jobs, juggling my life, as well trying to keep myself healthy.


I am in Doha, after got back from a really, really short holiday last week. After being bored at the rig, I dropped an email to my manager I want to take time off. 24 hours later, I was on the flight on my way home.


It was so last minute, I will share later. Now, my manager just put me on standby in town, which is good. So, I can complete my trainings here and meet the dentist.


Anyhow, if anything, just drop me an email at sitinor.atiqah@yahoo.com or at my Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nor.atiqah.9693.


I will update again the blog.


Take care all.


Salam w.b.t and chow.

Art of communication

Salam w.b.t and hi all.

 

How are you guys doing?

 

There is no particular topic I want to write this time. I am on the job but on the standby mode as the drillstring got stuck downhole. Basically, we are not being productive since three days ago.

 

I want to do something productive, like study. But I don’t have the motivation to do it. Therefore, I write this.

 

So far, working in the field is exciting and also frustrating. I will not sugarcoat this by saying, "Yeah, I love challenges, bla bla bla". In reality, you have to deal with everything and everyone.

 

As you know, I am a beginner and absolutely green on my job. Many things I don’t know, thus I will do and react slower in any situation as I don’t know. Thus, my judgments, my decisions, and observation would be off or wrong. I cannot pretend that I know everything and "act" smart. So, when the senior become cynical or scoff at my stupidity, it kills my motivation honestly.

 

 In this case, it is up to my mentality whether I can take it or not. So far, I take it and learn from my mistake although it can be so harsh.

 

Whenever I managed to do something right or close to right, no one really bother. Most of the time, it just me giving a pat on my back as a small reward.

 

Basically, this all comes down to the art of communication.

 

Remember this, if you criticise others for their mistake, you should also praise them for their efforts as well. It is unfair to just do one side - being negative, but not being supportive. This is crucial especially when you are a leader or supervisor, as you don’t want your team turn their backs at you.

 

That's all I want to write at the moment.

 

Take care and Salam w.b.t.

 

P/S - Another 5 hours to go before I can go to sleep.