Update!

Here I am on another "non-teaching" day before I get to officially be on vacation, and I'm looking back at all we've done this fall.

Two exciting things have happened:

1. We decided to train for a marathon. IN THE DESERT! We'll be running the Dubai Standard Chartered Marathon this Friday, January 21st, 2011. I am excited, but also terrified of the pain I'll surely be in afterwards (and during!). While this will be my fifth marathon, it feels like the worst training I've been through: running in sweltering heat, being surrounded by all men staring at me in my running clothes, not being able to run alone (by personal choice, not law), and massive IT band and knee pain for a good portion of this past fall.

2. We decided to move home! This is perhaps even more exciting than running my fifth marathon! I cannot wait to to do the follow things in the United States:

• buy dill pickles
• buy delicious deli lunch meats
• buy delicious whole wheat breads
• buy yummy bagels
• buy Dr. Pepper for my addict husband
• work at an American university
• run whenever, wherever I want - even alone if I choose!
• run a race at Disney World with my sweetie husband
• attempt a triathlon (first, must take swim lessons and buy a bike!)
• enjoy four seasons
• happily wear socks and close-toed shoes again, and all other cold weather clothes
• be able to see friends and family more easily
• go to the movies with an audience that knows talking on cell phones is rude
• go to public places and know that a child unattended will be quickly sought out by a guardian, rather than left to the involuntary supervision of strangers
• drive regularly in a car that will not be run off the road because some jerk is in a hurry and flashing his headlights while tailgating way too closely
• have police that actually enforce the laws on a regular basis rather than only have responsibilities as traffic cops
• celebrate all American holidays without offending someone by proudly saying to all "Merry Christmas!" rather than having to see it referred to as "the Magic Season" in the stores
• wear shorts and t-shirts (and possibly sleeveless shirts! - gasp!) without offending others
• watch our kitties experience life in the US - watching nature through house windows
• relax without censoring my self - words like "girlfriend":and "boyfriend" and "dating" will become part of my vocabulary again
• enjoy being able to leave my country for work or vacation without an exit permit
• enjoy getting to know an American city with my husband (we moved to Qatar almost immediately after meeting and marrying)
• getting a decent radio station while driving in the car
• knowing that if it gets ridiculously hot in the summer that I can and will wear a bikini to a public or private pool and not worry about it offending everyone or drawing an insane amount of judging leers from random people
• enjoying being home

Summer & Eid Vacations

Here are some photos of our trip to Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the big cat gift!

Until Next Time,

WW

Back to the Desert

We arrived in Doha on last Thursday in the wee hours of the morning. Thank goodness it was at that hour because Ramadan is in full swing which means late night traffic is crazy! So what were my thoughts upon arrival for our second year in the desert?

1. It is HOT still, but not as hot as I remembered it in August 2009. We are getting acclimated to heat I guess (especially after being HOT in Thailand just before our arrival).

2. I missed our kitties and I am glad to see them again. They missed us and slept with us through the first night. We had a 3 day layover from in Doha after our 3 week vacation in the US and before our Thailand adventure, so they were probably still feeling clingy with abandonment issues lingering.

3. I don't really want to go back to work, but I am very much ready to have a purpose other than vacationing. I thrive on a regular schedule that includes home cooked meals, my own bed, regular distance running, access to the Internet, and work of some sort.

4. I cannot believe that we will be off again for Eid again next week! We'll be going to Sri Lanka - a place neither of us have visited. And I already know I like the place because it is a mere 5 hour plane ride! Yea! for short flights!

5. In these idle days of Ramadan my mind wonders 'Where are we going next? Will Qatar ever become interesting or will I just count the paydays until my contract ends?'

6. I saw this article about Qataris and other rich Gulf Arabs that holiday in England in The New York Times.

Until Next Time,

WW

Photo Credit: Swns.com via The New York Times and the London Journal

Schools Out for Summer!

Photo: Sophia & Frankie bathe and then wrestle on their Cat Canopy

My classes have finished, exams have been graded and entered into the online system, and I have been to my office to wait for students to complain in person. (Not one student came.) Now, what to do?

My husband's teaching will finish the 3rd week of July, so that leaves me with about 45 days of time to kill. Here are some things that could fill my time:

1. Cook more delicious meals (I only know how to make 3 - maybe)

2. Clean more of the house

3. Run more (on the treadmill in A/C) because August 1st will be here soon!

4. Morning spinning class (on days I have the car)

5. Read more (I have 6 books on my nightstand currently!)

6. Blog more

7. Get Frankie (our little boy kitten) "fixed"

8. Get both kittens de-clawed - the poor things often get hung up on the curtains, sheets, and furniture upholstery

9. Get a haircut

10. Watch a list of recommended movies that I've never seen

11. Watch the entire series of "Lost" - I never got addicted to it

12. Plan next 3 vacations (mid-late August, mid-September Eid, mid-November)

13. Get car inspection (I've heard this is a big pain in the neck, so I'm not looking forward to this.)

14. Swim lessons (I emailed, stopped by in person, and facebooked the Doha Dolphins, but still haven't heard back from them - hiss boo)

15. Start saying goodbye to some teachers who are not returning in the fall :(

16. Start packing for July 23rd trip home :)

17. Continue taking a gazillion photos of our adorable kitties that I am already sad about leaving during vacation . . .

Until Next Time,

WW

The Best Christmas Cookies Ever

Today was finally the day that I made the best Christmas cookies ever - Peanut Butter Blossoms. I think you can click on the title of this blog posting and you will be lead to the actual Hershey's recipe.


My mom has made these cookies ever since I can remember. And while I was raised on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which I took to school every day even through high school, I have never quite tired of eating these peanut butter heavy cookies. The best part is they are topped off with a Hershey's kiss!