Warm Fuzzies

As my summer Texas getaway is coming to an end, I await what looks to be my final trip to Doha a week from today. What's the saying, "time flies when you're having fun"? Four years later and it hasn't slowed down. Full disclosure: My time in Qatar would not have been near the grand adventure it was had you not allowed me to share my experiences with you. The people I've crossed paths with along the way have been the icing on the cake of my sweet journey. I want to share with you an email from a Doha acquaintance, part time stalker, tweetup buddy and facebook friend that made me feel so warm and fuzzy that I couldn't keep it to myself. Ok, so I'm exaggerating about the stalker part. Get over it, I like to flatter myself.

copied and pasted verbatum...

Hi Sybil..

How are you and your family? hope your all enjoying your time back home. I saw your latest blog post about you leaving early next year. I had to re-read it as I was initially in disbelief and I immediately felt a pang of sadness when I realized that I hadn't misunderstood your words. I guess I got so used to reading your blog I felt like your were a permanent fixture of Qatar, despite you blogging about things from a distinctly expat perspective, giving me a different insight into my country, which I enjoyed immensely as I would come back for more each day. I have to agree with one of the commentators on your blog, you have been such a great ambassador for your country and you have really embraced Qatari culture with all it has to offer- good and bad- and although we are all entitled to our own opinions, I always found your posts thoughtful, respectful, positive and funny! You always wrote with such flair and vivacity that I found refreshing and enjoyable. I 'd like to ask you if you would like to get together sometime after your back, since I always wanted to but for some inexplicable reason haven't, and consequently feeling guilty for not doing so sooner! lol perhaps we can get together for coffee or dinner or shisha or all of the above?? :P I'm open to suggestions!
I hope I was able to convey my appreciation and admiration for you and your blog, and although your leaving Qatar, I am grateful to you for allowing me as a reader to have a glimpse into your world and seeing Qatar through your eyes.

Thank you and Warmest Regards,

Nasser


No, thank YOU, Nasser and TO ALL that came along for the adventure.

It was real, it was fun, it was real fun

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

What Does the Future Hold?

Can you say melodramatic?

I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself. I decided I needed to add a bit of drama since little bit has played the role of "It's all about Kristi" these last 24 hours after finding out our pending expat fate. ALL of her plans have been ruined. Her words. Pass the Kleenex, please. I guess I'll give her a pass, since there never would have been a "Sybil and Kristi's Qatari Adventures" if she had not given the nod to make such a leap of faith four plus years ago. So, do you want bread with those beans, Kristi?

Related Post: All Good Things

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

All Good Things

"You shouldn't overspend at the moment.
Frugality is important."

The above ditty is was pulled from my fortune cookie yesterday while dining with Kristi. It did give me a bit of a pause, even though I don't really believe in fortunes and such. While we were stuffing our faces with sushi and Mandarin chicken in Texas, David was settling in for a night's sleep on the other side of the world unknowingly awaiting his our fate. So, David Skyped me this morning. Drum roll..........January 1. The magic date by his name that we've been waiting to hear, not necessarily wanting to hear, had been announced. Holy gee willikers, Batman ~ I still have things to do, people to see, and places to go! Ok, calm down, all good things must come to an end. Seriously, who said that and why do they? It was a nice ride, Qatar.

...to be continued

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

Only in Texas

It's time to share some "Only in Texas" moments since I've been know to dish on Doha quite often. Fair is fair.

This little lady proudly waltzed into Las Palmas Mexican Food cafe sporting her pink rollers while Kristi and I were getting our fill of cheese enchiladas yesterday. Do you think she just forgot that they were in?

Can you say "Walmartian"?

WARNING: THE LINK ABOVE TO URBAN DICTIONARY CAN
BE A LITTLE LOT MORE COLORFUL THAN SOME WOULD LIKE

During the same visit, Kristi used the powder room and then suggested I take my turn, but to make sure I took my camera with me. Hmm, I didn't need to go, but I was too curious to pass up what she thought may be a good photo op.

What? Texas is not a third world country with inadequate plumbing. By the way, they meant what they said. No toilet paper was provided ensuring that you didn't bend the rules. For those from Doha wondering what the big deal is, no water hose thingamajig was provided either. Horrors!

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

Share and Share Alike

So sue me...I like to share. No doubt some would cry "TMI" when I open my mouth, but when I open it, it spews. What can I say? It's not that it's necessarily info that shouldn't be shared, but more like why would I share it? Bless your heart if you've run into me during my USA summer tour. You, no doubt, had to endure my latest vacation pics via my photo book creations. I do appreciate all those obligatory, "Oh, it's beautiful" comments by the way. All compliments welcomed, sincerity is optional. It's not like I just corner you in person...all social venues are fair game, as well. Now, all 545 of my twitter followers (no doubt "unfollowing" as we speak) know that I got a new phone cover (visual included). Earth shattering news like that is meant to be shared. Oh, and no one is spared from my sharing. Did I mention that David not only backed into Dustin's car once during his short stay in Texas, but TWICE. And, on that second incident, I had announced when I plopped into the car, "Watch out for Dustin's car", before the ensuing crunch. I won't even mention the Whataburger incident where he jumped over the little bumper thingy in the parking space. Hmm, maybe that's the TMI part. Anyhoo, "Heads up Doha, he's coming back your way." Have a good one, peeps!

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

Tennessee

Kristi, Dustin, Shea and Kayla hanging at the
annual Knox reunion ~ Columbia, Tennessee




Old cousins...can I say that?








Young cousins






A few blue eyed cousins







Twin cousins

We gathered my side of the family a couple of weeks ago for a cajun crawfish boil. Yesterday we had a good old fashioned country picnic (fried chicken included) with David's side in Tennessee. Good times.

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!

Tee Time

David, Kayla, and myself made our way to the Plum Creek Golf Course in our backyard for a round of...let's just say "simulated" golf. We chose the "twilight" after 5:00pm rate, since we knew our skills weren't worthy of any full price action. Good call. We sucked. At least he cart ride and the back to nature setting made it worth our while. Bunnies, mice, water birds, cacti, wildflowers, and more were in abundance to keep our attention when we weren't ducking from errant golf balls. "Fore" has a whole new meaning when you play with our group.














It's very important to stay in
"duck and cover" mode with us





"Uhhhh, can I get a "mulligan"
on this tee off?




"Twilight" quickly turned
to night on us.

To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!