Let the Truth be Told

I can remember when we first arrived in Doha, a friend in the compound was telling the story of how her grocery bagger was not at the store that day. I can remember listening to her, half rolling my eyes, thinking to myself are you kidding? She proceeded to explain that this man would bag her groceries, load them into her car and then help her back out of her parking spot. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! I just never in a million years thought that I would sink or rise, not sure which, to that level.

Today as I went to pay for my groceries, I thought to myself...where is my little bagger and how am I going to get my groceries to the car??? ;-) Luckily there was another bagger who was eager to step up to the challenge! See you build a relationship with these people. I can give my regular bagger my keys, tell him which car I am driving and let him go, while I stop at my favorite juice stall for some fresh fruit or juice. When he is done, he will come back in and bring me my keys. Of course I do provide a tip, but truly a very small amount to me is quite a bit to him.

So today, not only was my regular bagger gone, but I got caught by a friend from the compound receiving grocery cart assistance! I must say I was quite embarrassed that I was not pushing my own cart to the car. She of course just laughed!

Living is Doha is rough to say the least!!!

Oh Yes We Did!!!

So of course we had to walk through another baby store this evening. It was like a spotlight shining down from above on this precious little sleeper!!! For those of you who know me, know that I practically knocked people down running to the register. For those of you who don't know me...you have at least determined that I am slightly neurotic! I am considering bringing the baby home in this sleeper as I am wondering if Macey will be a bit more accepting of him/her!!! We will see!

WOMAN IN LABOR!!!

No, not me silly! So tonight Michael and I had our 5th birthing class. Tonight was a big night as we were going on a tour of the labor and delivery floor. Along with 8 other couples, we proceeded on our merry way. The tour started in Emergency, just in case you come in after hours (or in a rush). Then we went to view one of the delivery rooms. Of course the joke was made..."There isn't anyone in there, is there?" The midwife who was taking us on the tour replied that all of the babies were born for the day! So we are all in the room as the midwife is explaining all of the different things about the room and the birthing process. Of course with 9 new mothers to be...we had a million questions. Suddenly, there was huge commotion outside of the room. Everyone froze. Then all you could here was a woman screaming bloody murder. The midwife tried to continue on with the discussion, however as you can imagine there were 18 eyes locked on the door imagining that scream to be one of our own very soon (and 18 soon to be daddy eyes looking for an exit)!

Today we are 37 weeks!

Can't Go Over It...

...Can't go under it...Gotta go through it.

There are many things done here that illustrate little logic. For example, in an effort to prevent people from crossing busy and congested roads, fences are built. We all know what you are thinking...Why don't they just build an overpass so that people can cross safely? Seriously that makes too much sense. Instead, they just build the fence, wait for someone create their own path through it and then fix it once again. This truly provides and endless cycle. This is just one example, of a poor use of resources and time, that we see daily while living in Doha.

DIY: Baby Nursery

Looks like the baby's room is about finally done. Besides washing and putting away clothes, blankets and towels, all that is missing is the baby! The elephant carving came from Thailand and I think it is just perfect in the babies room!

"Eid Mubarak"

All of that praying to Allah paid off tonight! The moon was seen! This is a bonus day for us as the sighting came a day earlier than predicted!

It was just like a snow day too! Waiting and waiting for that call! Rumors and false hope. There was a knock at the door at 7:45 and I laughed and told Michael that I was sure it was my students...and it was. "DO WE HAVE SCHOOL? DO WE HAVE SCHOOL?" I am happy to report...an hour later...NO SCHOOL!

Snow Day! In Doha?

We are all on pins and needles waiting for Eid al-Fitr, marks the end of Ramadan, to begin. Eid is Arabic for festivities and Fitr means to break fast! Eid is a three day period filled with gift giving and food (remember Muslims around the world have been fasting for the past month). The timing of Ramadan, as well as Eid, is dependent on the sightings of the moon. So while we are scheduled to be off of school Wednesday-Sunday, if the moon is sighted early, we will get an extra day! Think of it as a snow day in the desert! lol The Imam, Muslim religious leader, will proclaim the sighting of the moon as soon as it is seen.











So Michael and I were walking around the compound last night and I said, "look Halloween decorations!" As we got closer, I realized...they were RAMADAN DECORATIONS!!! Had to share!