tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34687756625960927972011-04-22T07:48:37.323+03:00I'm always searching for new ways to explore our family's experiences both professionally and personally. Creating this blog offers us both of these options. We've had a plethora of changes in our lives in the past year and a half, and we continue to be blessed with unbelievable opportunities around the world, and we wanted to be able to share these with those in our lives.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.comBlogger251100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-44803976890761817932008-11-18T10:12:00.009+03:002008-11-18T11:17:57.111+03:00

About a month ago, or perhaps more...errr....it was last Eid, so it was quite awhile ago, my friend Tracy asked me to go to the beach with her and another friend to meet said friends partner, Peter, and John, who were taking a 5 day fishing trip around Qatar in Peter's boat, but it was quite windy, so they were stranded at this lagoon. So, the three of us hopped into Tracy's MRV, and began our

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-64579425343727174362008-11-17T22:47:00.003+03:002008-11-18T10:12:20.324+03:00

Okay, okay...so I've totally failed in keeping up with this blog....however, I will attempt to add somethings now, while I have a moment to breathe; emphasis on moment. Life here is going quite well, even though i am quite busy, teaching 6 classes and 120 some studetns....writing that is....even so, I really enjoy my students, and I think they like me as well. At least they say they do! :) The

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-1861321484301030582008-09-18T15:44:00.014+03:002008-09-18T16:47:15.098+03:00

I've now got a full week of classes under my belt, and I can now say I am very excited about the semester! : ) I have 6 classes total, 4 women/2 men, all of which are unique and fabulous in their own way. The guys have been great from day 1, sussing me out, trying to figure out what I'm like, etc. Once they figured out that I understand Arabic, they chuckled nervously, but thought it was great.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-50918335126638256532008-09-18T15:44:00.011+03:002008-09-18T16:38:20.455+03:00

Had a fabulous manicure/pedicure the other night, and for minimal funds. No joke either. Helen spent a full two hours meticulously scrubbing, rubbing, shaping, and trimming my nasty hands. It was heavenly. The massage chair, quiet soothing music.....what more could a lady ask for??? Nada!

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-26300419431566033112008-09-18T15:44:00.008+03:002008-09-18T16:36:22.377+03:00

I have decided that since there are soooo many American restaurants and fast food places, I needed to try them out to compare them. So far I've tried the following:McDonalds ~ same as the States, but the burgers seem to have more to them, but the fries don't compare....perhaps I should try a different location....Hardees ~ don't like it at all there, don't like it here eitherPizza ~ a variety of

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-31725430946147298632008-09-18T15:44:00.005+03:002008-09-18T16:11:02.622+03:00

I've had my rental car for about 2 weeks now, and thank God for that! Public transportation is virtually nonexistent here, so I am praising my little KIA every chance I get. Granted, the car has little power, a 4 cylinder, but it serves me well. You may wonder why having power is essential....anyone who has driven in a city with multiple roundabouts can tell you why power is an essential feature

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-27329861607966632812008-09-18T15:44:00.002+03:002008-09-18T15:56:56.001+03:00

OK, OK...I know that I promised to keep up with the blog, and I've been sincerely lacking lately, so now that I have a moment to breathe after the first week of teaching, I'll satisfy your reading quota for the next few days. First things first....friends are a beautiful phenomenon in life, and good friends are simply beyond anything words could describe. I've met some wonderful, helpful people

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-37977020512482047392008-09-14T15:40:00.003+03:002008-09-14T15:45:29.490+03:00

Hello again to all of my patient friends and family! I apologize up and down, to myself and you as well, for my delay in writing. I had many different obstacles, but the major was internet access, or should I say the lack of internet access. I finally, keep your fingers crossed, have a stable internet connection, and hope it stays this way. : ) I've kept a running tab of things that I need to

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-27059659906237263172008-08-31T22:11:00.002+03:002008-08-31T22:26:41.184+03:00

how oh how could I forget to tell you all about my lil companion Leo??? He's fiesty, playful, talkative, and super cuddly ~ he's our new kitten! Once I get the camera from Rabah, whose wonderful cousin fixed it for free!!!, I'll post some photos. Here's his story....In general, animal care here is very poor, and stray animals abound. Some expatriates set up an animal shelter, and they're deeply

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-69752377947286050342008-08-31T21:38:00.003+03:002008-08-31T21:42:56.779+03:00

I forget that so many of you have never heard the call to prayer, or the athan. Some people, those who are located right next to the speaker, get annoyed after awhile, but I thoroughly enjoy hearing the athan throughout the day. Not only is the meaning of it spiritually awakening, the sound is calming for me as well. I think reminders to pray/meditate/yogatate/contemplate/take a break throughout

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-91164297874820374982008-08-31T21:26:00.002+03:002008-08-31T21:37:54.513+03:00

Today was quite fruitful, as a number of things happened that will allow me to further plan my time here. First, and most importantly, I got my residence permit AND my Qatari ID!!!! :) This allows me to explore my world here, which really means that now I can get everything I need to start an actual life here. Now I can get my license, phone, internet, and car....ahhh....the bliss....Now, I know

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-49558649408818173992008-08-30T18:24:00.002+03:002008-08-30T18:47:16.360+03:00

My first day at the university went incredibly smooth, especially considering how much goes into starting a new life in a new country! They had everything set up in one room, except my laptop, but that's OK. I got my phone card (a much better system than the States I must say ~ no contracts, no locked phones, no nothing. You buy a sim card, put money on it, and then buy whatever phone you want

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-49740480211349572652008-08-30T13:33:00.002+03:002008-08-30T14:02:06.883+03:00

My journey towards Q-ville, as my friend Joyce so aptly names this place I now call home, began with a very hectic Tuesday morning, during which many tears were shed. I was leaving Sara, my fabulous neighbors, and my dear husband ~ what is there NOT to cry about??!! Leaving Sara was by far the most difficult thing I've ever had to do, period. She's excited about things to come, as are we, but

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-45972055767434528602008-08-30T12:53:00.002+03:002008-08-30T13:06:54.103+03:00

It appears that I've forgotten to write to basic reason I am here, so MANY have you have asked "What in the heck are you doing there?!". With no further ado....I am here teaching English at Qatar University. I was hired by their Foundation Program to teach non-credit ESL to students who didn't pass the TOEFL exam, an international exam testing students grasp of English. The university teaches the

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-3845253824478865992008-08-29T13:15:00.004+03:002008-08-29T13:49:56.937+03:00

So, here I am, all by my lonesome, sitting in my kitchen, leeching a wireless connection off of one of my lovely neighbors who's been here long enough to get a connection up and running. Where's my kitchen you ask? In a lovely, sauna-like city, Doha, in the lovely, sandy country of Qatar, which is in the Middle East for those of you who don't know, and are too afraid to ask. Never fear. Only

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-39484846147291117772008-08-29T13:06:00.002+03:002008-08-29T13:15:14.379+03:00

Sara is spending the next year in Seattle with her mom, as getting her into an international school her is nearly impossible with their waiting lists. She's going into the 4th grade, which seems completely impossible, but it's true. She'll be entering the world of pre-teen hormonal meltdowns before I can blink, I'm sure! Therefore, I refuse to open my eyes, enjoying the relative calm of 10-

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-82279862751718792552008-08-29T12:55:00.002+03:002008-08-29T13:05:57.867+03:00

Rabah is currently flying with Mesa Airlines, and is based out of Charlotte, NC until the end of September when he will move his base to Chicago, moving him closer to Sara, who is still in Seattle. The move to Chicago will also be fabulous simply because he will get more flight time there than in NC ~ the key to a pilot's career is flight hours; the more hours you have, the higher up their food

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-30401387239739049012008-08-29T12:51:00.002+03:002008-08-29T12:55:52.427+03:00

OK, so I feel incredibly guilty that I've not written since my time in Palestine many months ago, but I don't feel so guilty that I mope around my beautiful, new apartment, banging my head against the wall, asking myself "Why oh why do I procrastinate so?!" That said ~ I left many people hanging, and I apologize. Now, however, I will probably have a price on my head if I don't keep up with this

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-78283285414877217652007-11-19T16:30:00.000+03:002007-11-19T16:40:03.895+03:00

Hello from Qabatia!So sorry for any anxiety I've caused by not posting! Many of you have written, asking if I'm still OK, as I've not posted recetly. I'm now visiting Rabah's family, and am enjoying myself immensely. I promise to post about my experiences, but I'll cause familial dispute if I don't get back to their place soon, so I'll only write little bits here.The conference, and my

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-25868069049710541462007-11-12T13:02:00.000+03:002007-11-12T13:10:36.106+03:00

I've finally, after many hours in planes and airports, arrived at my initial destination on the Mount of the Olives in Jerusalem. I completely blundered, and told people that I would be here yesterday morning at 3:30am, so I missed a meeting with the people I'm presenting with! Ugh...oh well ~ not so suprised.My journey began at noon in Seattle ~ I was sad to leave Rabah after only having seen

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-1662503926625463812007-11-10T21:33:00.000+03:002007-11-10T21:43:21.510+03:00

We're leaving for the airport in about an hour, so I wanted to let you all know that I've appreciated your calls and emails of support and encouragement. Many of you, OK ~ almost all of you ~ have expressed some concern for my safety while I am traveling throughout the region. Thank you for expressing this concern, as this shows me that you care. I will do everything in my power to remain safe,

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-91394632744500914432007-11-09T01:11:00.000+03:002008-12-09T01:10:51.259+03:00

I am nearly jumping out of my skin to get on with my upcoming journey ~ though I keep reminding myself, as my friend Heidi would, to slow-down and enjoy each moment with Rabah and Sara before I actually leave on Saturday. I've sent Rabah off to the stores to get the gifts and such that I need to take with me, which gives me time to do my real job, get my presentation squared away, and not worry

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-37389569038849604022007-11-08T22:47:00.001+03:002008-12-09T01:10:51.795+03:00

The newest member of our family is Puma. Let me tell you a little about this guy... we think that he's a Maine Cooncat, but we have no idea. We picked this little guy up at the pound a few months ago because he was sooooo soft, extremely chill, and, most importantly, he acts more like a dog than a cat! :)  Lately, however, he's been meowing at about 4:15am for a VERY LONG time, waking Sara up by

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-2102269522992479982007-11-08T22:24:00.000+03:002007-11-08T22:45:08.606+03:00

Rabah has spent the last month in Phoenix, AZ training to fly the CRJ (if you know aviation speak, you know that this is an airplane) for Mesa Airlines. He'll be stationed out of Chicago, which is obviously nowere near Seattle, flying United Express, so if you fly United Express out of Chicago after March, listen for his name! :) He's now home for a few months because the airline doesn't have any

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468775662596092797.post-62200034058599316562007-11-08T21:52:00.000+03:002008-12-09T01:10:52.284+03:00

The last year has been a whirlwind of graduation, new jobs, homes, and travels! Most importantly we've moved to Seattle, which allows us to be with Sara year round. She is living with us now, which has been an absolute blast! I love that she wakes at the crack of dawn, bounding into our room to announce whether there's an unbelievable sunrise, or it's alltogether too foggy. The weather is

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02806999637841453350noreply@blogger.com0