Ahhh....for more than 2 months, after all that "give-away", I had to get on with the physical, emotional and psychological upheaval of "going away". It amazed me....and amused me.... to see the different reactions of people.

My only surviving aunt rebuked me: "How can you be so heartless to leave your kids behind and just go with your husband?"

My childhood friends cautioned me: "Hey, you'd better be careful. They are of a different religion."

My visionary friends spurred me on: "That's great! It's very encouraging to know that you and your husband at this semi-retirement age are willing to make this move to re-locate."

Anyway, here I am in Qatar.
And loving it!!!

People complain about the slowness ---- I think it's stressless.
Foreigners are frustrated with the lack of responsibility in fulfilling promises (eg. appointments made are broken without any apology) --- I think it's heaven's way of teaching us earthlings to be patient and know eventually it'll get done!It won't kill us to have the kitchen cabinet installed 2 months later, or have Cable TV fixed 4 days after schedule ....or have the taxi come to our doorstep 2 hours after we have called for one.

Their well-known word: "Ishallah --- God willing" determines every situation. It's good they believe in the sovereignty of God and that all things are in His hands! It's also worthwhile to note that the Qataris are such hospitable people --- they want to say "yes" to all your requests and even if it's actually a "no" from the start, they are covered by the unwillingness of God!!!

Perhaps we are used to living by the clock, by countless activities that fill our day, by numbers and statistics that show our fruitfulness and usefulness.

But here I am, experiencing TIME like never before. There's time now to spend on people, on leisure, on rest and reflection. Some people may be bored and lonely, but I am discovering my private self and my husband of 30 years in this desert land.

Inshallah --- we'll be here for a while.