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.