Bathing Frustrations

After living here  8 years we still find things to laugh about and things that surprise us and yes, frustrate the heck out of us.  Take, for example, our recent bathtub adventure.  Mike was getting ready for work a few  months ago and fell thru the bottom of the bathtub.  How does one do that?  Well, it's not as hard as it sounds when the equipment in question is "rigged" to fit on top of the shower floor with some kind of metal base that the tub sat on. After time, things rust. That morning was the last day for that tub, and Mike's foot went right through it.  Thank Heaven he wasn't hurt but he could have been.  And so began the saga of getting it fixed.

At least three times guys came over and measured and conferred.  Then came the wait for the ok from the property owner. Then came the..".do you want the tub replaced or a shower put back in?"Just the shower ,please. The tub was going to cost us money.  Finally, they came and removed the old bathtub. A week later they came with the very heavy, large glass shower doors.  Holes were drilled. I didn't see the first glass wall piece go in but I was there for the door.  It was so dirty that the sand came off in chunks in my kitchen... Sigh. My idea to wash it off first was not well received.  The door was installed.  The guys left and nothing was cleaned. So I called again.  Please send someone to clean the mess.  They did. He showed up,with an itty bitty rag and a squeegee. Nope, not gonna happen.  You will need a bucket and soap and and.... He came back again.  Finally, after two weeks of installation, etc. and three months of waiting, Mike has his shower back.  Here's how that first morning went... " So, honey, are you glad to,have your shower back?" " the door won't close. They put it on upside down." And I couldn't stop laughing.  So they reworked whatever and now it almost closes.... But Mike has a shower. And I have another story. :)

I wrote this blog several months ago but forgot to publish it. :) So here's an update. I am happy to report the shower is working great.  We have since had other issues we are dealing with, but the shower is not one of them!  As Sallie recently reminded us via skype. "It's ok Mom and Dad, these are faith opportunities. "And she's right.  Mike and I are thankful we have kids who are growing in their faith and are able to encourage us on our journey.

Onward!  

Gowns, Gowns, Gowns

The Kansaas Clan Arrives in Carrollton..and we head out for Tex Mex. Of course!

The Reception

Brad and Sharon

The reception in Texas went off beautifully.  With many of our Kansas family driving down to celebrate, as well as all the dear friends from Texas...well, it was a blast.  Our 8 years away just kind of disappeared with each hug and smile coming through the door.  The best part was seeing Russell and Talitha having fun. I loved Russell's comment..."Mom, it was a wedding without the hard stuff." (Plus he liked showing off his sweet bride. )   Brad and Sharon were a godsend. Seeing to every detail and making sure it was perfect.  We all need friends like the Kerrs..and The Mike Hildebrands are blessed to have many friends like them!

Robert was glad to see us back in Doha. We missed him, too.  He had a great time with our friend,Jen,and the rest of the folks who helped out with driving and details.  Again...friends make life so much better!  He told me on the way to school today that he was being measured for his cap and gown.  So many gowns recently.  Lindsay's gown in New Orleans, shimmery and elegant. Taltiha's classy, stylish reception dress, reflective of her beautiful gown last January.  And now this, Robert's graduation gown.  

I'm not sure I'm ready for this next gown. It's happening so fast it seems. But I know we will have fun these next few months and I will figure out the empty nest thing from halfway around the world...later.

Good Times in September

Looks like there will be only one blog entry in September.  To summarize the highlights... Robert started his senior year at ACS, Mike and I flew to Dallas, Mike, Talitha, Ryan and I flew to New Orleans to celebrate my nephew's marriage to Lindsay.

First of all, I can't believe Robert is a senior!  He's been in class for three weeks now and so far he's having a great year.  His favorite thing this year is seniors have permission to leave campus so he can walk to the mall for lunch.  That's especially nice with the cool weather on its way.  

I flew to Dallas first and then on to New Orleans to have extra time with my sister, my brother in law and my niece.  Mike and Talitha and Ryan came in on Friday and we spent the weekend with family celebrating!  New Orleans is a fantastic city but it's especially fun when you get to show it to your terrific, new South African daughter in law who is so easy to travel with! Selfishly we were glad that Russell had school commitments in Austin because we had Talitha all to ourselves.  It was also fun to catch up with old friends, some of whom I had to wen in over 25 years.  Martin and Lindsay's wedding was beautiful and I really hope we get to spend time with them when things aren't so crazy busy! 

We are back in Dallas now. Tomorrow many of our Kansas family members will be arriving for the Texas reception we are having for Russell and Talitha.  So many special people are coming that we are going to want to spend days with everyone. The time is too short but we plan on making the most of it.  We can't wait to introduce our family and friends to the newest Mrs. Hildebrand!

Talitha and Russell ready for Texas!

Ryan in New Orleans-happy boy!

My sister-the radiant Mother of the Groom, and my nephew- It was a magical evening.   

The Return Migration

The end of August . No break in the heat. No decisions made about our future.  No idea what we are doing.  BUT Robert's home! People have returned!  Robert arrived August 24 but the previous week people were trickling in from their summer adventures. Mike and I were so happy.  Early in that week my friends Janet and Molly stopped by and while they were sharing all about the big family wedding that summer, our friend Clint popped in.  I just couldn't stop smiling.  To be fair, Mike and I actually had a nice summer. People cycled in and out and we were not totally without good friends here. The difference though, is striking. Might be one couple at lunch one week and then they are gone but someone else is back for a bit.  The quiet is actually nice..for awhile. :)  

Church yesterday was challenging for several reasons.  The flip side of friends and others returning is the traffic goes to defcon 4 and it's crazy! Additionally, this summer new security measures have been placed at the Religious Complex ( and in mall parking garages) to prevent bad things like what has happened in Saudi and Kuwait.  There is one parking lot open and we have to go thru metal detectors before entering the complex. Then it's a further hike to our actual church. Dripping sweat by the time we get there...  So that's been a bit of a challenge these last two months as well.  Maybe we will take a driver next week and then the walk in 115 degree, scorching heat won't be so intense.  Still it's good to see the building filling back up. 

Robert's buddies are coming over today! Noise! Shoes at the door! Laughter! 

Welcome home, Everyone!

Peaks and Valleys

I can't believe how fast this summer has gone.  Although it has not been easy with the unknown still l ahead of us and Mike's job search not exactly working out like we planned, I still will cherish many memories from these last two months.  Years ago my friend, Cindy, said to me "Mattie, I used to think of life and marriage in peaks and valleys but the older I get the more I realize that life is peaks and valleys at the same time."  Maybe that's another way of saying, like Paul, Ive learned to be content in whatever circumstances.  Or perhaps that phrase my momma told me as a kid, Count your many blessings, count them one by one.  Because, when I look for them they are there. The peaks right along with the valleys, the good circumstances mixed in the middle of the hard ones.  

My English students this summer.  I hope I never forget my female Iraqi student, arriving faithfully everyday to improve her English.  Her goal to some way get into college, despite the waiting lists in Qatar, and her not being Qatari.  She smiles everyday, even when she hears again that she didn't get in.  Last week she told me how she takes the lessons we do in class and then teaches them long distance every evening to her friend still in Baghdad.  She wants to learn English, too.  I hope I never forget her words to me..before this I hate English now I speak all the time. I love it.  And I will keep the hat she knit for me,  forever.

I will remember moving our good friend, Curt, into his family's  new place because  they really needed a different place.  It was the hottest day of the summer and we were hauling stuff from one villa to the other.   Mike and I laughing at trying to even remember the last time we physically moved someone!  But glad, so glad to be able to help just a little bit.  While we were doing that his wife and daughters were showing Robert and his best friend, Adrian,  Columbus, Ohio.  How that blessed us to know Robert was having a fun week with good friends.

I will remember the lunches and movies with the few of us still in town.  Seeing Russell and Talitha, Pattie and Barry,  Elmarie and Kobus in Abu Dhabi, thankful to be so close we can see them.  The quiet evenings with Mike playing two handed Spades and going round and around about our next steps.  But always, at the end of the day, knowing that God has a plan. He will show us what is next.

No,  this particular  summer valley isn't quite over yet but that's ok. We will be ok.  He knows the plans ahead of us.  We are just waiting to see what they are. :)  And in the meantime,  it's been a good summer.  

Eid Mubarak-Abu Dhabi Style

Fun to celebrate Pattie's birthday with her. The four of us took a boat across the water and ate at The Meat Co. Brought back lots of fun memories as it was a favorite place for birthday dinners. 

In a spur of the moment decision, we decided to spend Eid in Abu Dhabi.  Pattie and Barry were going to be there as well, so being with them, and with Russell and Talitha ,clinched it for us.  We bought inexpensive plane tickets and made our plans.  Also motivating us was 7 days in Doha wondering about a job... Pretty sure we would have driven each other crazy.

Our visit was great.  Lots of time with Russell and Talitha is always special, even in the high humidity and hot weather.  We got to see a new park that opened. Our friend, Milt, worked on that project for several years and it was nice to see the fruit of his labor.  Along with seeing the kids and the Gardebleds, we also had lunch at The British Club with Talitha's folks.  The Club was opened in 1962..and nothing else was around!  Fun to spend time with Russell's fantastic in laws and deepen our friendship with them as well.  I'm glad we are getting to know them better and are able to see them on our visits!

When we go to Abu Dhabi it feels like going home. It's nice to know our way around and  revisit favorite haunts.  It's also fun to hit the new restaurants and malls that have opened since we left.

Russell and Talitha spent the day with us at the park and we all enjoyed just hanging out.  It's such a blessing to be living close to them at least for now.  (Being in Abu Dhabi though also makes me pensive as wherever we went I thought of other times and people that we miss.  Especially our other kids!) 

Mike and I are back in Doha now.  There are a few of us left after the summer exodus. :) Went to church today, had lunch with the summer survivors, and now we are hanging at the house. It's good to be home. 

Keep Smiling

Today is the last day of Ramadan.  Tomorrow begins Eid al Fitr.  Most of Doha will be heading out for the break. This includes Mike and me. Although we are staying close to home, we decided that we have to get out of here..so off to Abu Dhabi we go.  It is our favorite, spontaneous escape place.  Funny how when we lived there we always wanted to get away.  Ironic. :)  We can't go far as Mike is still searching for a job and we don't want to spend a lot of money.   Abu Dhabi is a cheap flight and we get to see Russell and Talitha, too!   There are  friends who haven't left for the summer or moved away that we might get to visit AND Barry and Pattie will be in from Riyadh, too. It will be a regular party and we are needing a party ....      The job search has been tedious and at times discouraging, but we continue to pray and are hopeful that we will at least get to stay for one more year. We would really like for Robert to have his senior year here.

To cheer us up Russell and Talitha came to see us last weekend.  A group of us went to see Jurassic World. Then we ate at Which Wich(new to Doha).  After dinner some of us walked around the Marina. It was such a fun evening and a great weekend.  All of us are getting excited about Russell and Talitha's upcoming visit to Texas. He can't wait to show her off. :) Their visit did cheer us up. Mike and I are blessed with 4..no 5 of the best kids ever.  We have so much to be thankful for.  It may be hard right now but we know how blessed we really are.  And tomorrow we get to see them again!  That puts a smile on my face.

 

Laughing and Crying

Despite the mass exodus of many friends from Doha this summer, some for a couple of months and some permanently, we managed to have a fun 4 th of July.  The men kept Mike company in the blistering heat and humidity while he grilled the burgers. We women had the easier job of getting things ready in the kitchen.  No fireworks but lots of laughter and talking.  It was nice to laugh and hang out, especially as we are losing many of our community to lay offs this year.

Due to the economy right now there have been sweeping lay offs across all sectors this spring. Many of our friends aren't ready to leave but it seems this is the way it is.  We continue to pray for them as they job hunt or return to the U.S. without options.  Even friends who have been in the region decades have not seen the extremes we are seeing right now.  It's been really sad. Mike and I are on pins and needles ourselves right now.  Not sure if we will be here next year or not.  It's very tenuous for many of us.  

In the meantime, we pray and enjoy the friends who are here.

One last goodbye dinner for the Germans(second couple from the left) They will be missed. Thankful they live in Houston so we will see them again. 

Rolling with Ramadan

She exited the plane with the words..."and remember no eating, drinking or smoking in public from sunrise to sunset, " ringing in her ears.  Marganne came to visit right in the middle of Ramadan.  In two short days she experienced Doha full on.

My compound is decorated for Ramadan. 

 Traffic, sandstorm the whole time, heat, and no restaurants open in the day.  Summer can be intense over here, but summer with Ramadan is a whole different thing. It was so fun to have her here. Even though she was here during the harder time she got to see why we like it here, too.

A trip to Doha is not complete without a visit to a mall, especially one all decked out.   

She met a few of our terrific friends( who haven't left for the summer). She ate at some fun restaurants (after sunset, of course).

Jet lag kicked in after a great dinner at our favorite Persian restaurant with some good friends. 

 And for 48 hours lived a bit of life with me.  (Meanwhile, Mike was in Dallas driving her car and hanging out with our terrific Texas friends. He gets back on Wednesday. In fact, he returns to Doha on the same plane that Marganne is taking to Dallas. Makes my head spin.) Since I'm not going to Texas until August, it was fun to have a taste of home even though it was way too short!

See you in August! So glad you dropped by! :) 

Wrapping it Up

Max, Jaeden, Robert and Tejas. Last discipleship group before summer break. 

Hanging out at the Museum of Islamic Art

The sun was just coming up as we piled into the car on Monday to head to the airport.  I'd been up since 3 am. dreading the day.  Robert climbed up front with Mike so he could plug  his music from his phone and Sallie and I sat in the back.  She leaned her head down against my arm and I just sat there stroking her hair.  These two weeks with her flew by and I was barely holding it together.  And this time Robert was heading out with her.  Mike and I avoided talking about the looming departures all weekend before they left.

We did things differently this summer. Sending Robert ahead with Sallie, me staying here with Mike for the summer, this is a first.  Once I get used to the cave like quiet and no more taking to or picking up from school crazy drives...I'm sure it will be nice.  Not really. But I'm still glad to be here with Mike.  Summers apart get awfully long and this one has started out particularly challenging.   There have been sweeping lay offs across Doha.  Many of our friends have found themselves jobless and are packing up to leave. Mike is also needing a new project to go to as his is wrapping up and he is to be off it by the end of June.  We are praying for a position here but so far it's pretty quiet.  

Yes, we will miss her. She makes us laugh. 

After we hugged the kids and sent them thru customs we had coffee and waited for some friends who were on their way with their college kids as well. Daniel, one of Robert's closest friends, just graduated and Mike and I wanted to give him one last hug as well. Lori was barely holding it together but we all got thru it without embarrassing the kids too much.  

And we will miss Robert and his buddies making noise upstairs. Laughing, and hanging out. It is just way tooooo quiet. 

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

June.  End of school. Birthday fun.

Birthday Lunch

Goodbyes. Less traffic. Ramadan. Heat. Squeezing fun into every last minute.  Squeezing Sallie when she got off the plane.

Slower pace ahead. Maybe too slow.... That's what I'm thinking about as I think of June.

Friends gathering to say goodbye to the Gehmans

This year I will stay here with Mike until August then head to Dallas to be with Robert and Sallie. Robert will return to Doha on August 23rd but I will be there until October.  Mike joins us mid September when we will gomto New Orleams to attend my nephews wedding. It's a crazy way to do things but well, it is what it is. Sallie and Robert leave Monday and Mike and I are dreading it.

Belated birthday dinner. Wanted to wait until Sallie got here! Steak dinner at a great Argentine Restaurant. Bored the  kids with childhood stories. :) 

  In the meantime we have had lots of goodbyes this month and lots of socializing before great friends leave..either for good or for the summer.

Daniel, second from left, graduated this year. Joey far right, moving back to Houston. Friends for life.

 Although this is usual for the summer season in the Gulf region,,it's also been more intense this year.  Lots of long time friends are leaving due to the economy here in the region. It's been a dark time for many reasons.  Several friends are still in the waiting mode to hear if they are being laid off.  Lots of prayer.

Grace Youth Group 2015. New faces will come. Others will be gone. Everchanging. Always special. 

Time in Thailand

Last week Mike and I left Doha for Thailand.  I was excited as this was my first time in Thailand.  On top of that we were going to see dear friends who live in Chiang Rai then meet up with more dear friends in Phuket.  Today our trip is fast winding down.  It's been great.  We needed some time out of the desert and boy! This is not desert. Most of the time I feel like we are part of the Jurassic Park movie set. It's green everywhere! Bull frogs, lizards, flowers and more flowers. It's beautiful. As it is the beginning of rainy season we have had lots of that as well.  But the Hones are from Phoenix and all of us are enjoying the rain. :).

I'm so glad we visited Chiang Rai.  Harry and Pattie have been in Thailand for 9 years and to finally see what they have built here. It was great.  They have a goat farm that is serving the community there and they are working hard to grow this business and reach out to more and more people.  The potential,is exciting to see. And although I was very hesitant to drink the milk, I will say it was excellent. I can be a milk snob but this was out of the park. I think ice cream should come soon.  We had 3 and a half days with the Brittans and everyday was special. Really glad we made it out there and hope to return soon.

Our time in Phuket with David and Mary has been great, too.  We were neighbors in Dallas before moving to the Middle East and it is like no time has passed.  Lots of laughter, playing cards, and heart to heart talks have made this vacation fantastic.  All of this in a beautiful place. We are grateful to have this chance and to be with dear friends.  And it's a great way to celebrate 32 years of marriage!

Our time in Phuket with David and Mary Hone was relaxing and a wonderful place to spend our anniversary. Although Mike questioned our sanity when we entered the Tiger's den....

Mother's Day Far Away

There is something about Mother's Day that makes me pensive and thankful and sad all at once. The easy answer is I am so thankful for four of the greatest kids on earth, and now a new sweet daughter in law as well, and then I am sad as we are not all together...not even in the same hemisphere.  As I was driving Robert to school today these thoughts were rolling around in my head. ( I think intensified even more so as he just turned 17 and in a year he will be leaving to that other hemisphere as well. )To complicate this mental process there is the added sadness of missing my mom today. And Mike's mom, who was a second mom to me for 33 years.  The questions I wish I had asked these great women, the life we all shared over the years,  and just missing them, plain and simple. So maybe it is just the easy answer... I am happy because I have known great love with great children and sad becuase I miss two women who loved me so much.  

When I get this way, bordering on a full blown pity party, I remind myself to count my blessings and turn my eyes on the One who has blessed me and continues to bless me with such great love. My blessings...too many to count.  Amazing family and friends in Qatar, in the UAE, in Kansas, in Texas, all,over the world, parents who loved me so much.., and above all this? a God who knows me and loves me even when I'm throwing a pity party.

It is a great day. Happy Mother's Day to all my North American friends. 

Mattie

Here is Robert at his surprise party with just a few of the many friends he has!  

April is Over???

I am stunned. Where did April go? For the last two weeks I told myself I need to blog but for one reason or another I didn't sit down and do it!  I think my new work schedule is wearing me out. Ha ha. I use "work" loosely here as for most people I barely qualify as working.  I am teaching 6 different Berlitz classes. Usually it is just 3 to 5 hours everyday. But honestly!I am beat. Poor me. I am embarrassed to admit it. The other side of the story is..I am loving it. My students come from Spain, Brazil, Italy, Iraq and Qatar. How fun is that?! Ages range from youngest of 19 to my age..fifty something. :) Singles, marrieds, one guy, and 6 women.  But all this to say... I have procrastinated about blogging and am just now making myself sit down and catch up.

Robert, Daniel, Adrian and Glory taking a break in Nepal.

With April being devoted to Vivian and her release..amen... I did  not get a chance to write about Robert's trip to Nepal, the Sandstorm from hell, or the aforementioned  new friends from Berlitz. Robert really enjoyed the trip to Nepal. The students worked on an orphanage, ministered to many sick people through prayer and healing, and also showed the Jesus film in some villages. The kids worked well together and from what we have heard from Robert and others, really had some fun adventures. It has been very hard for Robert and others to watch the news about Nepal.  The group that they stayed with and worked with, however, is ok and is hard at work helping as they can in the community. Robert was asked to talk about Nepal at school this week and to lead in a moment of silence at a school wide assembly. He is also part of a group at school doing fundraising to send over.

The worst sandstorm in 20 years blew thru Doha this month. No, I didn't leave the windows open.

School is winding down. Exams in a couple of weeks. Then Robert will travel to the US with Sallie for the summer and I will join them in mid August.  Mike and I are going to celebrate our 32 anniversary in Thailand next month. . We are so excited.  Some friends from the US will meet us there. We will also get to visit old friends who live and work in northern Thailand. We are looking forward to catching up with them and seeing what their last 8 to 10 years has looked like.

Team Vivian

On Easter Sunday Sarah went to see Vivian on her own.  She doesn't speak Spanish but she wanted to give her an Easter hug and pray with her.  Despite our best efforts to unravel the documentation for Vivian's release we still had no,idea what the hold up was.  Her appeal sentencing was two moths ago and even though we had the wonderful news that she was free to leave with time served, we had heard nothing and waited.  So Sarah went to give her a hug and tell her we were still trying from our side to move things along. 

 We are so glad she went that day. Vivian was struggling with sadness as she had heard her mom was not well and her brother needed medical help .Vivian and Sarah, in English and Spanish, prayed and sang praise songs in the prison courtyard.   We all praised God that evening when we learned that Vivian was in the  deportation center. 

Sarah learned on Monday, after about 4 hours of traipsing around the various offices in the deportation center, that all that was needed was ticket home.  On Tuesday, I went up there and bought the ticket from the Qatar airways office in the deportation compound.  On Wednesday we met Vivian at the airport. Itmismhard to describe the elation we were all feeling, the thankfulness over all that God had done and was doing in this crazy situation.  Over and over we saw Him show up, bring help, touch lives, and now we were sending this precious new sister in Christ home.  There were major problems at the airport, but I am not going to go into them. I will say that even in the problems Vivian was smiling and confident of her freedom.  It was great.  We bought a second ticket that got her to Dubai. Then she was stranded there and we purchased a third one.  Today, after four days of traveling, Vivian is in Bolivia.  We haven't heard yet but we are hopeful she is or will soon be with her beloved mother, brothers and children.  

I think most of us are still in shock. Next up? When can team Vivian get to Bolivia to see her? :)

Strangely Comfortable

This morning I walked into the prison that sits a few miles outside of  Doha.  It struck me how comfortable it felt walking thru the gates, nodding at the guards, waiting for permission to proceed into the compound.  How did this happen? I asked myself. I was anxious to get inside.  A beautiful spring day, I could hear the birds and felt the fresh morning air.  Knowing just where to walk thru the gate, pas official buildings, thru another building and more guards until finally I would get to hug my .hopefully soon to be released friend. She doesn't have an embassy here, so for the last year several friends and I have gone to see her. We are thankful that the authorities allowed us to take in supplies and help her through this difficult time until her appeal was heard and her release date set.    She is a strong woman who has made friends and worked hard inside the high walls during her 16 month sojourn. I think today was my last visit. We are praying that by the beginning of April all her paperwork will be processed and she will be allowed to go.  I don't know if our visits continue after she leaves, as usually only family or embassy connections may enter. We talk about going to her country to see her one day.  This team of women who have been blessed to walk this path for the last year. She wants us to come and meet her mother, her children.  I hope we do. What stories we will tell. The guard smiled and waved as I drove away.  So many of them know us now.

Random Bees, Ancient Bahrain

Jeff, Mike, Evonne, Timmy, Me, and Mary. Good times 

After getting back from seeing Russell and Talitha in Abu Dhabi it was off to Bahrain. Mike and I flew to Manama to join Jeff and Mary visiting our friends Hani and Dani. Hani and Dani live and serve there in the Arab Church.  Hani is our friend Nadia's brother whom we all met in Abu Dhabi several years ago when all of us still lived there. Nadia and I went to see him in 2009 when Arab Spring was just happening. On this trip we also got to spend time with her nephew, Timmy, and her sister Evonne.  We stayed in Timmy's apt. and enjoyed  getting to know this wonderful Egyptian family.  On Saturday morning, Evonne made us a a delicious Egyptian breakfast, even though we begged her not to work so hard! They are stubborn when it comes to hospitality. :)

Coffee time with Hani and Dani

We also walked to a nearby museum and fort.  Unlike the fort I visited with Russell and Talitha which was built in the 1700s, this fort was built in the 16 th century on the site of the capital of the ancient civilization of Dilmun from about 4500 BC.  We didn't have time to go thru it and I definitely want to go back. But just seeing the site and reading about it was fascinating. Outside the museum there were these random large bee structures.We are stumped. No idea what they are doing there. Oh well, fun picture. Random. We get that a lot over here.  

If you want to read more about this cool place google Qalat al Bahrain. 

Qasr al Hosn..Finally!

I just couldn't stay away any longer.  On a spur of the moment decision I bought a ticket for Abu Dhabi last Thursday and flew over to see Russell and Talitha.  They headed to AD from Dubai and I met them there early Friday morning. And I mean early.  I landed at 6 am which meant i was at the Doha airport by 4 am. So out the door by 3:30...you get the picture. But it was worth it! We talked about the wedding, ate breakfast at a favorite place, Mugg and Bean(coincidentally a South African chain) , took naps and then headed to this new festival in downtown Abu Dhabi. Qasr al Hosn Festival which centers around the Qasr al Hosn or Palace Fort. I have wanted for years to get in there. It's a fort that sits in the middle of the city and until this year it has been closed to the public.  The watchtower, the first structure, was built in 1761 to protect the freshwater well discovered in Abu Dhabi. In 1793 the ruling Sheikh expanded it into a small fort and residence with further additions in the 1930s.  The Fort was the seat of government in Abu Dhabi until 1966. For five years I drove by it, just itching to get in.  In spite of the sandstorm blowing across the entire Gulf Region, the three of us headed out and my wish was finally granted! They are doing a great job restoring it and preserving it. It was fun to see it with the kids. :)

Flying February

After our return from Russell and Talitha's wedding and Tom and Bonnie's departure,  the fog rolled into Doha.. It  much reflected what I was feeling. The wedding week was so much fun. Having  friends here for a couple of extra days afterwards,  was icing on the cake. They left, the fog rolled in, and I walked around like Winnie the Pooh's buddy Eeyore.

That's me, on the right. 

We are back into our routine now. School-Robert, Work-Mike,  teaching English-Me, which by the way, I am really enjoying. I have had some wonderful Qatari students this year and a fun lady from Spain. Yes, sometimes we slip into Spanish. :)  .

The days are flying by. Summer plans to be made. Flights, dates, locations. I can't believe it is already February.  In March we are taking a quick trip to Bahrain with Jeff and Mary Kenney to visit a friend there. Last time I was there with Mary was during their Arab Spring Uprising. Mike hasn't been so it will be fun to go together. Robert is preparing for the Youth Group's spring break trip to Nepal. Sallie gave him tips over Christmas... :) I'm excited he gets to go.

Off to teach!
Happy Valentine's Day!



   

This region can really get into decorating.