The world of freebies.

So, does anyone know how old the Queen is? Because I don't. Neither do I care, to be honest. But, last night, I was enjoying myself immensely at the British embassy's celebration of that significant day.

Don't ask how come we got invited. This is the beauty of expat life. You get to go to some very random, bizarre events, and do some very random stuff. 

Oh, Britain, love. I thought my feelings for you dried out like an old prune, but really, it was just that our relationship is so much better with some distance between us. It is almost like comparing an affair with marriage. I had an exciting affair with you, and I thought I would be oh, so happy if only you married me and let me live with you. But then, after 12 years...I figured I was getting quite bored. So I left. And now, look at this! I went out on a date with you last night, and what a fantastic time did we have! Oh, you looked so handsome to me again! (Even with Boris Johnson present.) And I was so proud of you. I thought you were a great, sorry I mean Great place to be in a relationship with.

But, joking aside, the reception pleasantly surprised me. I thought I was going to a very boring place, full of incredibly boring people standing around in a circle listening to boring speeches and sipping cheap wine. However, the set up was pretty good. There was a band full of good-looking boys; and an elegant young girl playing a harp, and a bunch of very English cars on display...and, and and...most importantly (for me anyway) there was a lot of very nice food. And a whole table full of CHEESE! And ALCOHOL! Pimms! G&T! Vodka! Wine!

Also, very interestingly, there were NO chavs. None, whatsoever. It was like someone took all the very best there is about Great Britain and left behind everything I dislike.

Finally, the best part of all of that was that everything was totally and utterly FREE. 

And this is something I am beginning to really enjoy. Recently, I have noticed that in the past two months or so, I barely paid for anything. Whether a day at a spa in a 5-star hotel, or a splendid dinner at the Four Seasons...someone arranged it for me, or paid or invited...in any case, I ended up enjoying a few fantastic freebies. I got so used to it now, that I announced to Husband that I cant imagine paying for expensive things like that ever again.

Even right now, as I am telling you this, my face is relaxed and moisturised, the fine lines smoothed by Lancome skin expert who gave me a free mini-facial earlier this afternoon. It was part of Doha Mums Mother's day treat. I mean, did stuff like this happen to me in the UK? Ha! Never.

I have discovered this fantastic new joy in life- getting expensive things absolutely for free, and I am terrified how I could ever be expected to give it up now. The only way is up. More treats, please and more freebies!

Oh, and Britain...I still love you.