Hicks, Hipsters, Hijabs, and Hibachis

Like my favorite friend Jimmy Fallon always points out there are pros and cons to every situation.  I have been in Doha only 2 short weeks but so far here is my opinion on the pros and cons of Doha Desert Life. Pro:  I am brushing up on my metric measurements Con:  I lifted 10 kilo weights at the gym, and paid for it the next day :( Pro:  I don't have to walk up four flights of stairs just to get to my apartment. Con:  Gonna have to find a new way to shape those calves Pro: I don't eat vegan sweets whenever I want Con: I can't really eat anything whenever I want since it is too hot to walk in my neighborhood Pro: I don't have a TV to sit down in front of and be lazy Con:  I have no idea what has happened at the end of True Blood and Masters of Sex Pro: I am learning military time Con: I can't seem to set my alarm for the correct time Pro:  I only have an 11 minute commute to work Con: Gonna have to find some other time...

My computer says it is Monday August 18th 5:09AM.  I woke up today at 4 and decided to get up and be productive.  Luckily I went to bed at 9pm the night before so I still got about 7 hours of sleep.  Not too bad considering we have major cat lag in my house.  Turns out animals get jet lagged too, so Maddie has been waking me up at 2am wanting breakfast.  Today we were able to stretch it to 4 so I guess that is progress (or pro-gress as the Canadians here pronounce it).  I don’t think it helps that both of the cats hide in cabinets when I am gone so they are completely thrown off with no sunlight, but I imagine it is kind of scary being a 10lb animal and flying halfway across the world to a new place. While I have only been here for 3 full days it feels like much longer for sure!  All of the teachers who live in my building are wonderful and since we take the shuttle/school bus back and forth to work we get to see each other often.  There many...

Dear NYC, What can I say?  These past three years have been wonderful.  Each day has made me love you more.  Your twinkling lights and crowded streets make me feel like I am always part of something.  Sure there has been some not-so-fun times.  The frustration of losing my keys, having to have apartment locks changed shows just what happens when you are absentminded in the city. You have shown me how to live in the bubble of exorbitant prices, yet quickly forget when the newest restaurant or clothing boutique opens.  Oh how I will miss those boutiques!  I now know how to be lazy while being extremely active, it is quite fun.  To live in a world without Seamless and Fresh Direct are things I don't even want to think about. I have grown accustomed to jogging up 4 flights of stairs, arms full, with out having to catch my breath.  A proud accomplishment I do not want to lose.  Sure I will miss the connivence of stepping outside my doo...