2012

I'm still in Doha!  I've been radio silent.  Life in Doha took a fast pace and all of a sudden it's 2013.  Which means I've been here almost 1 year. 

As a way to celebrate and thank God for a year I'll never forget, I'll share a quick recap.

Since pictures are more fun... 

Kelly visited...



Kelly at Souq Waqif if Doha, being Arab.

and we went to Dubai...


That is the Burj Khalifa in the distance.

I reconnected with a childhood friend...IN DOHA of all places



Kelsey and I went went to Elementary together - it'd been 12 years

I traveled to...

Istanbul, Turkey


Hagia Sophia. Met Talitha (college bud). 



The Blue Mosque

 

Prague, Czech Republic





I adored Prague!

Berlin, Germany



At Checkpoint Charlie enjoying sorbet.

I've made amazing friends and coworkers...



Friendsgiving!

Coworker Abdulghuny is one of my favorite things about Doha!



Shambhu welcoming the new office furniture.

 Traveled to Sri Lanka



Looking for Mowgli, Baloo and Sher Khan.



Hiking a mountain.



I fell in a waterfall.  Made a scene.
 

Dubai again (it's an hour flight)



On Jumeirah Beach in Dubai.

Went from pretend roommates to real roomates...

 

They are artsy and made us a Christmas photo.

My dad visited...



Dad in Doha.
 





Kayaking on the Arabian Gulf in Al Khor, Qatar.



Abdulghuny takes my Dad to Ethiopian Restaurant.

And we traveled to...

Munich 



Dacchau Prison Camp



Train from Munich to Berlin.  The way to travel!

Berlin, Germany (Take 2)



Holocaust Memorial in Berlin.




 Krakow, Poland



At Auschwitz.

On the streets of Krakow

 AND I made it home for Christmas! 




Dogs had matching PJ's too.

I am in awe of 2012!  2013 is kicking off with my new roomies (even though they will only remain in Doha for about 3 more months) and another year of experiences and memory making.  Come visit and make a memory with me!

I hope in 2013 you will experience life to the fullest.  May Jesus open our eyes to His plans for us and, with courage, may we grow nearer to them this year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Honeymoons is Over...

I've never been on a honey moon before, but from what I hear, they are lovely.  Would anyone like to take me on one?

These first three months has been a honeymoon in the sense that it was not reality as I know it.  But - about 1 month ago I walked into my apartment and thought, I live here.  This odd life I live is my new reality.   This world of Doha is so far from what I would consider normality.  Nevertheless, after 3 months, it has become just that.  Normal.

Here are some aspects of my new normal:

• I live alone.  I've never done this before.  Living alone unveils who you really are....when no one is watching.  Let's just say fellowship brings out the best in me.  So-- I am working on consistency in my character.   
• Roundabouts.  You can't drive more than 1000 feet without encountering a lovely roundabout.  (I say this sarcastically).  This makes me MISS Houston driving.  And I HATE Houston driving.  Here, when asking for directions they say go to the roundabout and take a right -- but from which direction am I approaching?  Makes for a few good stories.  Here is a teaser -- Context: I was looking for a lock smith, with no gas, having to go to the bathroom, on a deadline.  I find myself hollering at 6 arab men as they tried telling me which way to go on about 5 different roundabouts to find MR. KEY (because this is the only place to get a lock here).  I accused them of the illogical roundabout design and made them fully responsible for my situation.  It was a very weak moment for me.  Story ended with me getting a good dose of humility.  I found Mr. Key - begged for a bathroom, ran across the street to a squat-pot toilet to discover -- NO toilet paper.  But, I did make my deadline.    
• Food.  WHOA.  So good.  So fresh.  I'm currently rearing back - my clothes are not fitting as they should. 
• Caste System.  This place is hard on the eyes.  It is a developing country that has a lot of money and depends on a lot of affordable manpower.  It doesn't sit well with me.  You see these "labor workers," as they call them, everywhere.  They are here, away from their families, for needed manpower for the multitude of projects going on.  They work so hard.  I admire them a lot - but it's hard to process.  Everyone says they are better off here than where they came from...so does this make it ok?           
• This is not America.  But I am very American!  In the USA - persistence is a virtue.  Here - persistence is reason to hang up on someone.  In the US- I am very virtuous.  Here - I am obnoxious.  So, I'm learning to swallow answers like "later" "no" "I will come...when?...sometime" "call me tomorrow."  
• Coffee.  Seattle is NOT into coffee.  Seattle is into coffee flavored desert beverages.  Coffee is a drug here and it is amazing.  They take it in quick, strong dosages.  I've fully embraced this part of the culture.  Along with Shisha (aka Hookah).
• Christianity.  This is a Muslim country.  There are varying opinions of how closed you should be about the fact you are Christian - I haven't quite figured it out.  But having grown up in the US and in the Church, it is a unique experience to be in a place where the majority of the people don't know the song "Jesus Loves Me."  Where the entire country is centered on a singular religion.  Where Easter is not acknowledged.  What will Christmas be like?     
• Abayas.  The women here where black garbs and black abayas over their heads.  It is hilarious how fashion is just an idea that people get convinced of.  I have gone from thinking these abayas are so dull and boring to walking up to people saying "wow, I love your abaya."  I sort of want one.  They are strangely enticing.  :) 

Yes, It's only been 3 months.  But, I am definitely stepping into a rhythm of life here .  Curious to what the next 21 months of this Doha reality will bring.     

Why Doha?

Well, here is how it transpired.  (a bit lengthy- but there are pics near the end)

In October 2011, I returned from Uganda and found myself JUMPING out of my skin for adventure.  I was getting quite frustrated with myself, because I really had it quite good in Houston, Texas.  But I was literally wiggling in my seat for....something.

I prayed to God, begged for Him to show me what is next, apologized for not relishing my wonderful situation and asked if He would please please direct me onward or just turn off this drive.

Then one day I'm walking to the bathroom at work and someone was walking my direction- in search of me.  Heidi, there is this opportunity in "cutter."  (What's "cutter'?)  It's totally safe, women have rights, it's not your typical Middle Eastern country (Ok- so it's in the Middle East).  We are wanting to pull someone from corporate to go over there and help set the office up.  (Whoa!)  Would you be interested in throwing your name in the hat?  SURE (What the heck did I just agree to?).

I proceeded to the bathroom, then back to my desk and pull up google.  c-u-t-t-e-r m-i-d-d-l-e e-a-s-t didn't give me much results.  From my work bestee I find out it is Qatar.  OoooH!  So I re-google.  WHOA!  They own Harrods?  and Manchester United?  It's so lavish.  What is this place.  I read that they are growing and building and developing like crazy. Hm...fascinating.  I tell my dad (forgot to tell my mom).  A few friends. I was flattered.

Thanksgiving.

Holidays.

Dec. 15th-ish.  Heidi, can you come down and meet with the Chairman?  SURE, when?  Now.  Ok.  On my way.  
So - you want to go to Cutter.  Ya!  Well, I've never thought, I WANT to go to Qatar. But I love travel and anything international.  So yes, I want to go.   Ok.  Well....(I don't remember what was said).  Have you traveled before?  Yes, sir I've spent some time in Uganda.  (I don't know what else he asked.  Maybe if I was married or had kids....I said no)

Dec. 19th.  Heidi, you've been selected.  Ok.  Wow.  Can I think about this for 24 hours.  Sure and we want you to spend a week there and see if you still want to do it.  Ok.  That'd be helpful.  We want to send you over the first week of January.  Alright, I'll let you know tomorrow.  


Tomorrow.  Ok.  I'd like to check it out.  


Jan. 2nd.  I land in Doha, Qatar (after flying the oh-so-classy Qatar Airways -- Continental/United: get with it!  Everyone needs hot towels when they fly...how have I done without for so long).

Exquisite buildings.  Construction.  Food.  Construction. Masques.  Construction.

The Soque Waqif.  Construction.  Malls.  

Construction.  Al Corniche.  Construction.  FOOD.  Construction.  Arabic.  Construction.  Thobes.  Construction.  Land Cruisers.  Construction.

Hummus.  Construction.  Construction.  Shisha.  Construction.  Lemon-mint juice.  Construction.

Ok.  I can do this.  What an awesome, crazy, unique place.  I HAVE to do this!  Too cool of an opportunity to NOT do it.  I WANT to do this.  HOW AM I EVEN GETTING THIS OPPORTUNITY?!  So amazing.  Thank you God.  Is it God?  I really think it is.  So- please be with me as I jump into this crazy adventure!  Amen.

Feb. 14th (Valentines Day/Qatar's National Sports Day).  I land in Doha.  For a while.

I'm here opening up an office for a American construction contracting company.  I am just short of starting from the VERY BEGINNING of the process.  The office buildout started (pictured right) about 8 months ago and should be done in 1-2 months.  Are they sure they know what they are doing trusting me with this?  Well, I will work my little patootie off showing they made the right choice!  :)  It is a lot of responsibility.  It's nerve racking.  I love it. 

My sisters dog...no point to the entry.  Just adorable.   

 

Doha

On Valentine's Day of 2012 I hopped off the plane for a two year assignment in Doha, Qatar.  

I'm wanting to process this adventure with you all.  So I hope you'll pop in every so often.  

What's Qatar (it's ok- I googled "Cutter" the first time I heard about it)?  Watch this 60 minutes special to get a bit of context of this paradise I am in. 

Pictured is me and my awesome mom (she's had 7 kids) along Al Corniche right in the heart of Doha.  She came with me on my first week to get me settled in.  I am quite blessed to have her.  

Much more to come...