Why I Like Doha - Reason #1

During the summer, half the population in the Middle East disappears. The minute school is out, everyone leaves for their home country or ventures off to a much cooler place. For some reason, each summer I am in the Middle East, I find myself stuck here with nowhere to go. I am either pregnant or about to move. When I found out that we were moving to Qatar almost a year ago, I dreaded this time of year.

The anticipation of this summer brought me great anxiety. The thought of having all my kids at home, in an ice box, unable to leave, seemed like torture. Most of their friends are gone and we are here to fend for ourselves.

However, something miraculous has happened. The summer here has been completely comfortable for a number of reasons. I have found a new appreciation for Doha, and I don't seem to mind it here so much. In fact, I am trying to focus on the great things of Qatar, because inevitably, we will be off to a new adventure.

Why I love Doha:

Reason #1

My compound gym

This state-of-the-art gym is all mine at any time of the day. I also have a sauna and steam room to relax in after my daily routine. It seems a little strange sitting in a sweat room that is probably cooler than outside, but that is where I allow the coconut oil settle in my hair and read the Ensign. It is heaven to me.

I also have the luxury of running on the treadmill while watching my kids burn out some of their energy or fight over who gets the dolphin floaty.

Stay tuned for the following #9 reasons. Try to contain your excitement.

Heavah's Dubai

It has only taken me over a week to put this together. Downloading pictures in Qatar is a nightmare. It is painfully slow.

Enough of my woes.

Heavah and I rocked Dubai. It was a blast.

The highlight was going to the Atlantis aquapark for an entire day. It only cost about 75 bucks in taxi services to get there but it was worth it. What surprised me what how few people were there. No line ups. No congestion on the lazy river. Must be a recession.
We did this ride and hated every minute. The shark tank looks intimidating, but your are so scared out of your pants the whole way down you might as well be in a drug induced coma. There was no way I was looking. I was just hoping the laws of gravity still applied to me.

Heavah and I also indulged in some salon fun. She got an adorable hair cut. It was about time. She hasn't had one since we lived in Dubai. I keep thinking I can cut kids' hair. I can't.
Heavah's wish was to have as much sushi as her stomach could handle. Oh! Sushi was the restaurant of choice and she showed off her chopstick skillz. She also ate pickled ginger like it was an appetizer and dessert.

We, of course, dragged Heavah to the Blue Souq in Sharjah to look at carpets. She was ready and willing, but in the end, she still voted this Crate and Barrel wool carpet as one of her favorites. I must admit it was freakishly soft and comfy, but my only question is how the heck do you vacuum it and what happens when my dog pees on it? Those two questions baffled me so much that I refrained from purchasing it.
I also refrained from purchasing any carpet this time around. Axel and I were both shocked at how little impressed us, despite the many Afghani/Indian salesmen pitches. We both found ourselves saying 'meh' and moving on. It was depressing and made us love Bahrain that much more.

The trip was a success. We got to see and do many things and Heavah fell in love with Dubai all over again. Continually she said, 'Dubai is lovely. It seems to have everything. I wish we lived here again. But we aren't and that is okay. I have friends in Qatar, and it is alright.' The entire dialogue was entertaining to hear because I could see her process of thinking and I rejoiced in her positivity.

We were tempted to join Axel on his trip to Dubai again this week. I was planning on taking Sedona, but needed to nest a bit. Many things are going on in the Bromley home. I just haven't felt inspired to write any of it down. I think it is the sandstorm that blew through the past day or so. It makes me want to crank up the A/C, cozy myself in a blanket, and read a book. A snow day if you will.

Old school

Heavah and visited her old school while we were in Dubai. She went to AAG for Kindergarden I and Kindergarden II. The area had changed so much since we lived there. I got lost twice just trying to get to the school. When we arrived, Heavah mentioned that she saw the school in a dream she recently had. She described the dream down to the rug on the classroom floor. Weird. She might have a little of Axel in her.

She also spent some time with her KG II teacher, Ms. Laure. Heavah continually said how excited she was before she saw Ms. Laure. After we left, she said, "She was the nicest teacher I have ever had". She then wrote Ms. Laure 10 different notes describing how much she missed and loved her. Rarely do you get a student/teacher relationship as sweet as theirs. Heavah should know. She just finished Gr. 1 and she has already been to 3 different schools and has had 4 teachers.

Happy Father's Day 2010

I have to say that I am the luckiest woman in the world to have the finest men in my life. My father has been an excellent example in my life and has taught me all I needed to become the person I am today. One thing my father taught me was to never take myself too seriously and never to be intimidated by other people. I will always remember the time when I was watching Fashion TV and all these gorgeous models were making their way down the runway. I was just a typical teenager and very conscious of how I looked at the time. I knew he could tell and he turned to me and said,

"You know, Terah, those girls are just people who do the same things as you and I. They pooh, they pee, and they pass gas. In fact, they could be passing gas all the way down the runway and you wouldn't know."

From that time on, I can never see those runway models without giggling under my breath. I am so thankful for the lessons my dad has taught me.

I am also lucky to have married a very strong, talented, and intelligent man like Axel. I know I married my soulmate because together we are infinitely better people. He helps me focus on what is important in my life and makes me become a better person. He is determined and ambitious when he decides something is important. He goes through the fires of life with strength and conviction when many others would run the other way. I am in awe of his talents and abilities. There are very few things Axel won't try and he is rarely-- if ever--intimidated. His creativity and perseverance is amazing. 12 years ago, I married a great, great man.

Axel had to head off to Dubai this week for an intensive budget meeting. It wasn't much of a Father's Day for him. Instead, I am searching for vacation packages to Afghanistan. He wants a trip to Kabul to buy carpets for Father's Day. Really, who wouldn't?

Suit Up

For some reason every time we visit Dubai Axel feels compelled to buy a new suit. How many suits does he own? Too many to count. I figure if he needs to wear one every workday of his life until he retires, he can buy as many as he wishes. Who am I to say no?

"Plus, Terah, this one is a different shade of grey and it doesn't wrinkle. I need to buy it."

Ironically though, he feels that the one time he doesn't have to wear a suit is when he goes to church (ie. Khakis and maybe a tie with a colored shirt). Otherwise, he feels he is campaigning for a time consuming calling. He is happy as the 2nd councilor in the Elder's Quoram and youth Sunday School teacher. Imagine what he would get if he actually dressed the part?

The time spent at the store was not all wasted. Heavah and I got some great shots. Especially this one:

Thank goodness I have a good self esteem and don't care what people think of me. Even better, I am married and I am not in the dating circuit. Imagine the friend requests I would get on a dating network?

Peacekeeper

Heavah keeps her younger brother (of only 11 months and 29 days) and his friends in line. She has very little tolerance for disobedience or childish behavior as can be seen in this letter hanging on Xavier's door:

In case you can't read the above notice:

The things you are not aloud to do in Xavier's room!

* Don't make a mess!

* No food aloud.

* No hurting!!!

*No dangrous things ALOUD!!!!!!

*Panting is inaproprit in this room

*Inaproprit dancing, playing, showings, languige is not aloud in his room

Thank you for READING!!

Thank YOU for reading.

Singing and Stuff

Heavah's concert was last week and it involved a lot of singing and dancing. I must say, for as much oil money that is poured into this school (Shell, Exxon, etc. all offer plenty of cash to keep the school top notch), the theater program pales in comparison to Nepal. The most interesting part was what Heavah said after the concert:

"Mom, I must say that kind of singing isn't really my style."

AND

Heavah: Mom, I felt a little strange dancing in circles on the stage. When my back was to everyone I was worried about my butt.

Me: Why would you say that?

Heavah: I just know I have a big butt and I kept trying to squeeze it so it didn't looks so big.

Me: Why would you think that your butt is big?

Heavah: I know I have dad's body, and he has a huge butt.

Those of you who know Axel well are smiling right now.

Xavier and Heavah's school has officially ended and summer has begun! In celebration, I am taking Heavah to Dubai tomorrow. (Xavier got a Wii, so he is content playing many mindless hours of games this weekend.) I was tempted to extend the trip to Thailand. They are giving away flights and hotels. But, I am burnt out of traveling. Yes, I said it. I am burnt out.

Forbidden City/Temple of Heaven

It is shameful that I am pooling these two marvelous, historical architectural wonders together, but I am sick of writing about China and I am sure you are sick of reading about it. Also, it sort of sums up our trip. There was a lot of enthusiasm at the beginning of our trip, but after miles of walking (and many of those miles were done in heels--Amber!) and going nonstop from the minute we arrived, our perseverance subsided and we observed our surroundings leisurely.

When you see the outside of the Forbidden City, you can't help but be in complete awe at the grandeur of the huge Imperial buildings. What is also impressive is the number of Chinese tourists that are wandering the grounds. They touch all the brass figures and huddle around all the windows and openings of the main buildings. For 500 years the Forbidden City served as the seat of government and was off-limits to ordinary Chinese citizens. It was like they were touching the bronze statues in honor of their ancestors who only heard of what was behind the tall brick walls.

The dragon and phoenix figures bring protection against lighting and fire.

The lace bark tree

ceiling of a gazebo

The empress' bedroom. This is where she committed suicide after she found out they had been defeated.

Various thrones:



The nine dragon wall:

To me, the buildings were great, but the people watching was even better:
Here are some samples of Chinese high fashion:

Temple of Heaven

I am dreaming up a plan to go back with Axel. I know he would groove the art and appreciate the culture. The trip was amazing and Amber and I have said over and over again we would go back in a minute. What would make it all the better is if we moved there. Maybe? Please?

Shopping in Beijing

Since everything comes from China, I knew we were going to devote a lot of time to shopping. It is a girlcation after all. I brought one overnight carry on and one HUGE empty suitcase. Amber did the same and we were so ready to spend a few bucks. We went to the Pearl Market, Silk Market and the 'dirt market' over a span of 3 days. It was so good to know that our husbands and children could have never endured this kind of shopping torture. It was a true girlcation.

The Chinese take haggling to a whole new level. They start at least 10 times the real price. If I was with Axel, he would have said, 'You offend me by starting so high' and he would move on to the next guy. But in China, it is all part of the game.

Once the price is given, you cut the price by 1/10th and move up from there. Sometimes they are immediately offended that you start too low and they grab their calculators and scoff at you as you walk away. They are mad that you are privy to their game. So many dumb American tourists see the price and pass the cash. Not this girl.

The other trick I came to learn while in China is that if the price is fairly reasonable to you and you are not 100% sure that you will see the item again, you should buy it. A number of times I said, 'I will come back.' When I did, the price we negotiated went back up to the original price and they would not budge knowing I obviously really wanted that one thing. I passed up two items that I deeply regret not buying.

The Chinese use all the typical tactics but some of them are highly exaggerated:

1. They will grab you, call you friend and tell you you are the most beautiful person they have ever seen.

2. They will make faces to show that you are offending them as a human being for trying to negotiate so low.

3. They will tell you about the high quality of the fake knock off they are selling. This one always made me laugh because they would say, 'Good quality, made in China'. To me, that is an oxymoron. I had one lady tell me that sometimes the fake one is made better than the original. Surely.

4. When you will not budge from your price, they will yell at you, call you stupid and ugly as you walk away. OR, they will put on an angry face, show you that you are slitting their throats (by hand gestures) and take the money while putting the item in the bag. OR they will barely be able to contain their excitement for selling their item for 5 times the real price.

Sadly, I fell into every one of these categories during our shopping excursions. It was tricky business, but I think if I go back, I will be all the wiser.

One of my favorite purchases was a collection of calligraphy brushes.

My favorite places were the toy shops. It was so interesting to see all the items that are Made in China. Everything was about 1/3rd of what you would pay in the states and about 1/6th of what you would pay in the Middle East.

Amber found her treasure--wigs. A brown and blond wig is just what a redheaded actress needs!

Amber spent a lot of time at the Pearl Market looking at pearls. I wasn't that into the whole pearl thing until I saw how beautiful they looked on. Amber bargained hard and bought quite the collection. After she did all the hard work, I bought some from her. As payment I lugged an extra 5 pounds of her stuff in my carry on. It was totally worth it. I look dazzling in my pearls!

A very small sample of what we bought while we were in China. Our luggage was close to double the weight allowed on Qatar Airways. We didn’t have to pay extra. It helps to flirt and smile a little.

It is necessary for one to go to China with nothing and come back with unexpected treasures. My only regret is not buying more--of everything. Be prepared to invest a lot of time in being the seller’s friend or enemy. There is no in between. In China, bargaining is a passionate game.