Wednesday, January 28, 2009
My First Doll!
Kelsey received the little doll as a present and she just loves it! So I figured she should have the bigger version as well!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Another Year Down (Late)
This is a few weeks late...but...Can you believe we have been in Doha for 2 years now! It really seems more like 10 instead of two! Have I been here long enough to say that?! I guess because it is hard to believe that we could feel so comfortable in another country, let alone the Middle East! We do feel completely blessed as our lives have changed so much with the addition of Kelsey. Things happen for a reason and there is definitely a reason we accepted this assignment when we did. Of course the downside to Kelsey (if there could be) is traveling...where can we go now with an infant and too bad she won't remember any of it!? I guess my only regret would be that we didn't head off on a trip before her arrival. But with trips home, me working and getting ready for Kelsey, we just could not have fit it in. Hopefully we will find a place to go to this year, though arriving home is at the top of the list.
The addition of Kelsey brought my sister, Lori, and my parents to Doha. Seems that people were waiting for our miracle just as we were! We are hoping that Michael's mom will make the trip as well.
You may or may have not heard that I have decided to not return to work. While I hate to do that to my students and the school, leaving Kelsey is just something that I am not prepared to do. Seems that maybe I should not have worked this year at all, but I guess until she arrived in our arms, I just couldn't really believe that our prayers had finally been answered.
We continue to pick up a very small amount of the language, though working at the school was really helping me out in that department. Michael continues to like his job and the challenges that he is confronted with on a daily basis. This year brings for him a much longer drive, such is life. We continue to meet many wonderful people who we know we would have never met if we hadn't moved to Qatar. It is actually amazing how often Michael runs into an old friend or classmate. I had a student come up to me one day and tell me her dad went to OSU with Michael! This year also brought the addition of a live in maid as I thought I would be returning to work and they really don't have day cares here. That has been quite an experience. I feel now with me staying home that there is not much for her to do and my cleaning compulsion has kicked back in. However, she is worth her salary as she does laundry, wash, dry, iron and put away, each day! We are currently working on teaching her to cook though it is hard as she is unfamiliar with "American" food.
Well we are looking forward to sharing another year of adventures with you! Plus a new rug!!!
The addition of Kelsey brought my sister, Lori, and my parents to Doha. Seems that people were waiting for our miracle just as we were! We are hoping that Michael's mom will make the trip as well.
You may or may have not heard that I have decided to not return to work. While I hate to do that to my students and the school, leaving Kelsey is just something that I am not prepared to do. Seems that maybe I should not have worked this year at all, but I guess until she arrived in our arms, I just couldn't really believe that our prayers had finally been answered.
We continue to pick up a very small amount of the language, though working at the school was really helping me out in that department. Michael continues to like his job and the challenges that he is confronted with on a daily basis. This year brings for him a much longer drive, such is life. We continue to meet many wonderful people who we know we would have never met if we hadn't moved to Qatar. It is actually amazing how often Michael runs into an old friend or classmate. I had a student come up to me one day and tell me her dad went to OSU with Michael! This year also brought the addition of a live in maid as I thought I would be returning to work and they really don't have day cares here. That has been quite an experience. I feel now with me staying home that there is not much for her to do and my cleaning compulsion has kicked back in. However, she is worth her salary as she does laundry, wash, dry, iron and put away, each day! We are currently working on teaching her to cook though it is hard as she is unfamiliar with "American" food.
Well we are looking forward to sharing another year of adventures with you! Plus a new rug!!!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Suitcase For Kelsey
When my parents came to Doha for their visit, they brought a whole suitcase just for Kelsey! Can you believe it? Not only did they have to pack for themselves, but also for the new baby girl! Spoiled would be an understatement! Michael brought back pink hangers while he was in the states and we finally have everything hung and put away. I wish I could show you every outfit as they are all adorable! I guess you will see them soon enough as she continues to grow! Thank you so much for thinking of her!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
"Excuse Me Sir..."
Michael recently returned from a very short trip to Appleton, Wisconsin. While, I hated for him to be gone, for us it meant two suitcases to be filled with "necessities!"
As Michael was coming through customs in Doha, the security screener, a Qatari woman, stopped him and said, "You have disks, CDs?" Michael completely clueless as to why she was stopping him asked for clarification. Now as he is telling me the story, I am thinking in my head...you idiot you tried to smuggle in a pig!!! She then asks him to come and look at his bag on the monitor as she begins pointing out and saying disks...disks, there were hundreds of them! (Now I know what you are thinking, you can't bring cds into the country? You can, but not in the quantity that the screener had discovered. Someone bringing in 300 cds clearly had a motive to sell.) Michael sheepishly smiled and politely explained that his wife had recently had a baby and those disks were...drum roll...disposable breast pads!!!
So what types of things are on the list of necessities? Well that list has been reprioritized? Michael ALWAYS finds room for candy! He found room for the Learning Home (which I found here at the Toysrus but it was double the price!!!). He also brought diapers, butt wipes and of course...breast pads!
As Michael was coming through customs in Doha, the security screener, a Qatari woman, stopped him and said, "You have disks, CDs?" Michael completely clueless as to why she was stopping him asked for clarification. Now as he is telling me the story, I am thinking in my head...you idiot you tried to smuggle in a pig!!! She then asks him to come and look at his bag on the monitor as she begins pointing out and saying disks...disks, there were hundreds of them! (Now I know what you are thinking, you can't bring cds into the country? You can, but not in the quantity that the screener had discovered. Someone bringing in 300 cds clearly had a motive to sell.) Michael sheepishly smiled and politely explained that his wife had recently had a baby and those disks were...drum roll...disposable breast pads!!!
So what types of things are on the list of necessities? Well that list has been reprioritized? Michael ALWAYS finds room for candy! He found room for the Learning Home (which I found here at the Toysrus but it was double the price!!!). He also brought diapers, butt wipes and of course...breast pads!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Gaza Peace March
As I have shared before, the US Embassy sends out warden messages to alert US citizens traveling abroad about a wide variety of issues. Well on Friday we received a warden message regarding a protest in regards to what is going on in Gaza. Yesterday afternoon, we were alerted to another protest/march that would be happening on the Corniche at 3 pm (Mom and Dad, the protest was starting at the National Theatre Roundabout...home of accident number 5 for someone...and continuing down to the Sheraton). The warden message just alerts us to not drive through it as peaceful protests can turn dangerous in just a matter of seconds.
On the front page of the morning paper was this picture taken at the protest. I guess what I found interesting was that Sheikha Mozah, one of the Emir's wife, was present for the protest. Imagine Michelle Obama going out for a protest and just standing among the masses
. To read more about this story click here.
Both protests have been extremely peaceful.
On the front page of the morning paper was this picture taken at the protest. I guess what I found interesting was that Sheikha Mozah, one of the Emir's wife, was present for the protest. Imagine Michelle Obama going out for a protest and just standing among the masses
. To read more about this story click here. Both protests have been extremely peaceful.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
YouTube Here We Come
So on one of the last days, Michael took Mom and Dad out to the dunes as my mom wasn't interested in going on the duning trip. You can't visit the Middle East and NOT go out to the dunes. Plus, it was so windy when Dad went on his excursion that he did not ride a camel. AGAIN...You can't come to the Middle East and NOT ride a camel! This seriously is worthy of a spot on YouTube!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Falcon Souqs
We swung by the souqs at night in search of the falcon souqs! We finally found them! In Qatar, falcons are associated with wealth and nobility. Click here to learn more about Falconry in Qatar.
Dunes Baby!!!
Our friend Sybil, AKA Knox Tours and Travel, organized a trip to the dunes. Unfortunately this was the worst day weather-wise, it was cold and windy. Regardless, the guys had a great trip slipping and sliding their way through the desert! That is Dad with his toe in the Arabian Sea (AKA Persian Gulf). That is Saudi Arabia behind him in the distance!!!
Another Walk on the Corniche
There is just so much to see on the Corniche! Whether it be a Dhow docking or just people watching, if the weather is right, this is the place to be!
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