Censored

One of my many guilty pleasures in life is a good trashy magazine.  I have gone without it since I lived in Nepal so I had to catch up on all the gossip.  The sad realization is, I don't know any one in the magazines any more, and even worse, I don't care.  I must be growing up, it sucks.  

Axel recently bought me some gorgeous flowers and a People Magazine to console me because I still don't have a maid or driver.  Yes, he loves me that much.  It was perfect because it was about the Saved By the Bell people.  Now, those were some people I cared about.  What can I say?  I am a child of the 80s.  Seriously, why wasn't Screech part of the article?  

When I read it, I forgot how great it was to watch a movie or read a trashy magazine in the Middle East.  I will never forget the time I was at Spinney's in Dubai and every single Special K cereal box was 'blackened' over a woman wearing a one piece bathing suit on the front.  I am sure the black stickers cost more than the entire packaging.   It is also quite entertaining to look at Maxim magazines.  Why do they even bother?  Who is going to buy Maxim if boobs and butts are censored?  I don't know.  Maybe the articles really are that good.  

Qatar seems even more stringent on what gets past the editor's eyes.  It is almost more entertaining to me to see what is passe and was is okay.  My question is, who does the editing?  Is it okay for him to look because it is for a 'higher cause'?  Or, is it some Filipino or European who is already tainted anyways?  I don't know, but it does baffle me.  

 

These images were blocked out in the above magazine:

Kissing?  

Not for you!

How about kissing your wife? (JLo and Mark Anthony)

Absolutely NOT!

Ah, this one, who are they kidding?  Shouldn't the name Kardashian give them a clue?  

Then again, side hip? Bad. 
Side boob? Not a problem.

Hun?

Church in Doha

Heavah and Sedona wearing the dresses I designed (but did not construct) for church

This past Friday we went to our first sacrament in Doha.  I was relieved to find out that the church villa was only 10 minutes from our current address.  That means we are only 10 minutes late for sacrament, not our usual 15.  Not bad.  

I did miss Devendra this week.  He typically watches Asa (who inevitably falls asleep on the way to church) during the first half of sacrament.  As soon as Asa woke, Devendra would pass Asa through the window.  It was the most perfect arrangement ever.  

Our church here starts at 1 pm.  A Filipino ward precedes our session.  Our ward is huge.  I was delighted by the following observations:

* Most people are from Texas

* There are 55 kids in the Primary

* It is like Dubai, but different

* I actually learned something from Sunday School

* There were other children who were even naughtier than mine during the meeting

*All the callings are filled with very worthy people

* Nothing had to be translated

* I sat with my husband during Sunday School with my youngest child in nursery

* There were at least 5 or 6 other new families that showed up the same week 

* We had a dinner invitation that evening from a fellow blogger who happened to find me before I arrived

The whole experience was refreshing.  I miss the mission field, but for now, this will be nice.  It is a well-educated group of members who have a lot to contribute.  A lot...meaning more than me...meaning I could learn from them...meaning I don't need to be called to anything any time too soon...meaning I will be keeping my phone number a secret during my 'calling vacation'...meaning I will also dye my hair once a week just to keep my identity a mystery.    

The drug I have come to abuse

Do you see these children?  Do you see how quite and calm they appear?  There is not one peep out of these kids during Axel's 30 minute commute every morning to work.  Why, you ask?

A DVD player fully equipt with digital sound and a crystal clear picture.  H-E-A-V-E-N. It even has a control system on the steering wheel!  Amazing.  During our past 5 days in Qatar we have not had to mediate any fights or draw any imaginary lines.  Instead, one dose of Kung Fo Panda and before you know it, we are home.  

The world has become a better place.  Who knew technology progressed so rapidly while I was gone.  Speaking of which, have you seen the LED TV coupled with the Blue Ray system? I don't even care if it is old news, I gotta get me one of those!

Dona is Three!

Two days after we arrived in Doha, Sedona turned 3.  While driving to the store to buy food and household essentials, we happened to pass a cake Dona liked and remembered it was, in fact, her birthday. After feeling quite guilty, we also allowed her to pick a present from the toy section.  The toy section itself was a present enough.  It was the most toys she had seen since her first birthday.  

There were no invitations to friends, no balloons, no hats, and no party bags.  I am so thankful Sedona is my easy going child and knows no different. It sucks to be the middle child in a family that never seems to settle down.  

The upside is she got to pick her own present and her cake was surprisingly delicious (for a cake that wasn't made in America).  

Happy Birthday, Dona!  

We Made It

Before we left Nepal, we had to have a tikka session.  It wouldn't be right without one.  Our entire staff gave us an elaborate farewell party.  I sobbed the entire time.  I felt so blessed to have had this experience.   I felt very lucky because A) Very few people are given the opportunity to live in Nepal; B) If given the opportunity to live in Nepal, very few people would take it. It has changed me forever.

Here are some photos of our farewell: 

Asa refused the tikka again.  He is not one for formalities, especially Nepali formalities.  

Our trip to Qatar was uneventful (thank goodness).  Why do my children always save all their naughtiness for when mom is solo on the plane?  This time (while dad was there to help) the kids were perfectly behaved.  

When we got off the plane, Sedona had to tell us that Qatar was a 'heating one'.  She was right.  In the middle of the night it was well over 100 degrees.  Also, unlike most other desert climates, Qatar is humid.  I am so glad we are showing up at the tail end of summer.  Better days are ahead.  

Our temporary home is just fine.  It is a spacious 3 bedroom overlooking the Persian Gulf. It is so soothing and calming to look at clean, clear water.  I forgot how great that really is.  

Our heap of stuff.  Transporting 4 kids under 6 years old requires goods, and lots of them.  
Our bedroom overlooking the Gulf
Xavier and Asa's room
Our view outside of the living room
Driving in Doha

I questioned how I was going to adjust to life in Qatar.  I expected that my love for Nepal would cloud all my judgements of this place.  Admittedly, as soon as I got into the Carrefour (the local hypermart) I about died.  For once, I wasn't there to store things in my bags and bring them several hundred miles home.  Instead, I simply buy, put in my car and drive home.  Novel, I tell you.  I was giddy.  

Axel and I had to talk about this for a while.  We liken the experience to this:  Remember when you dated that ubercute guy/girl in college?  Even though he/she is a little conservative and boring, and you know that he/she isn't someone you want to stay with forever, it is sure fun to hang out and be seen with that person.   Although you know that the other guy/girl you used to go out with was really interesting, eccentric, and helped you grow as a person, he/she was just not that attractive.  

I know I will eventually want to get back with my eccentric mate in the future, but I am so thrilled to have my rich and handsome play date for a little while.  

Two More Hours

In order from left to right: Ritu (TM/BA), Anindra (BA), Suresh (IT), Poshak (CFO), a hot housewife, an ex GM, Arun (microinsurance A&H),  Bhupesh (CSC), Sumita (HR), Basant (training), Nirmal (CMO) and Surya (Group).  

We are two hours away from getting in the car and leaving Nepal for good.  Last night was a wave of a million emotions and during my farewell dinner with my Heads of Departments  So many good people to say goodbye to.  It was really tough.  As I looked around to all the people who where there I thought about all we had been through together and I felt really honored to have worked with them all.

Dasrath (COO and my GM replacement), the Punisher, Ram (U/W head)

People say that business is cut throat and Hollywood likes to portray it in its worse possible light.  In my few years of experience in the 'for profit' world I have seen 99% good.  Good people trying to help each other working together as friends for a common cause.  

And it has been especially that way here in Nepal.  It honestly was a family.  We had some tough times and a few disagreements, but no more than a normal family.  We went through three major issues and came out on the other side stronger and in a better position than when we went into them.  

It really is with sadness that I leave these people.  I only hope I get a chance to work with them again in the future.

Then on top of that we had to say goodbye to our staff.  Sarita did not get her visa to come as a tourist, so we are flying out tonight just the family.  Even though we are going to get Sarita and Debendra (our driver, guard, fellow orchid collector, animal doctor and all around big brother for the kids) visas over the next few weeks, it is still hard to say goodbye to them.  The others it is especially hard as we will probably never see them again.  Gotam (Terah's eye candy), Najouman (our resident Maoist), Namaste (old man who we never knew his name) and of course Hari dai.  Hari built 90% of the things we had here, took care of all the animals, and has a great relationship with Asa.   It was a teary goodbye to say the least.  

From left to right :Najuman, Gotam, Dona, Sarita, Asa, Terah, Xay, Me, Kopila, Heavah, Hari and Debendra.  Namaste is missing.

One of the things that is tough about living overseas is constantly having to say goodbye.  And not becoming jaded to the process.  Even though you know what is coming, making new friends is one of the best things about this lifestyle.  

In the end we are all just passing each other in this life.  Which is getting shorter and shorter.  If I live as long as I have lived, I will be 80.  Will I make it to 80?  Maybe, but even if I do, I only have as much time coming as has already passed.  It is going to fly by regardless.  It is more than comforting to know that one day Terah and I will see these people again.  Whether in this life or the one to come.  We always tell each other when we finally do die, not too many people will be able to come to our funeral as everyone will be scattered around, wherever that random place will be that it is going to held.  But that the party on the other side will be overflowing with great people.  And that isn't so bad at all.

They're Here...

I guess it is really happening.  It seems like yesterday I wrote this post.  Now you simply have to reverse it, and that is what we will be doing in another day or so.  

This is the truck they are using to take our things to another location.  They do several trips a day.  I am not sure where this magical location is exactly, I am just hoping it isn't over a cliff somewhere.  

Asa headed for the bubble wrap.  Who can resist?  Even in my 30s, I can't.  

Axel's bird cages were all given away to our guards and friends.  We are down to only 4 chickens.  Anyone care to take some bunnies home?

As sad as I am to leave Nepal, I am not enjoying the limbo phase.  It is like taking off a Band-Aid.  I just want to get the pain over with as quickly as possible.  It will be nice to start our new lives and begin another Bromley adventure.  I am ready.