One Week In...

One week of school under our belts. It has taken me this long to get it together enough to finally post these pictures. Between the jet lag and the new villa (another blog post of its own), and Qtel's abominable upload speed, I just couldn't manage this post any sooner.

Anyway - here we are. First (and second and third) day of school pics for all to enjoy:

Kaylie (8th grade), ready and eager for school, riding the bus, first day.

And because I drove the boys to school the first day, I forgot their picture, so had to take Scott's picture (5th grade) the second day.

And then there's John (3rd grade), who finally made it to the bus the third day. Little stinker. I love him so, but that kid never wants to go to school. So I drove him the first two days. How nice to be so much closer to school.

I, the dutiful mother, walked the kids to the bus stop. We are used to having the bus come to our front door, but those days are gone. Buses were there waiting. And that has been the only time so far I have walked them to the bus stop. Instead, I stand outside in my pajamas, tea in hand and watch them walk away, waving and proclaiming my love down the street.

And finally, all is well in the world.

We took a trip, revoltuion be damned.

We saw some kinda cool things...

And we did some kinda cool things...

Where are the pics from Tahir Square, you ask? Apparently we have limits.

A view of Expat Life

Being an expat sometimes means not being in charge of your own housing. Not in Qatar. No choice. And, after 3 years in one villa, we are being moved to another villa. Here's how it works:

1. Show up at a "town hall" meeting. This is a nice euphemism for "villa drawing."

2. WAIT, and wait, and wait for your name to be drawn out of a hat.

3. Proceed to the next table where there is a bowl with only 4 slips of paper left, reach in and voila! Your new home has been determined.

4. Proceed to the compound map where every single person who has drawn before you is still standing, visualizing where your new villa will be, and marvel at the "villa-trading" taking place before your eyes. Realize how many people will be living in the new compound, all of whom WORK FOR THE SAME COMPANY! Wonder how successful you will be at staying out of compound politics.

5. Rejoice in the multicolored hues of your new villa, no sandstone-villas here, and admire the very modern lighting fixtures you will enjoy.

And just like that, you have a new home. Welcome to Qatar.

Not to be Outdone

Her brothers may have won trophies at their "little wooden car race", but this older sister can claim a championship of her own.

Little League Softball for girls of almost all ages, at least 5th through 8th graders. 4 Qatar teams playing each Saturday for fun and bragging rights. And from that, then, a tournament team put together to take to Dubai. 4 teams there - Qatar, two from Dubai, and one from Kuwait.

Qatar got themselves some Champions. Way to go, girls!

(Cuz who says athletes can't also be cute?)

It was a Two-fer!

Pinewood Derby Day for Cub Scouts. We were rookies. Didn't know what to expect. Steve and the boys worked hard on those cars. But were we really ready? Lots of preparataion, "We are here to have fun... It's not about winning... Right?" Right.

But look at my boys, winners, both of them.

:

Summer

Has arrived.

Define Irony

Alanis Morrisette tried (unsucessfully, I might add).

A traffic jam when you're already late
A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break
It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
It's meeting the man of my dreams
And then meeting his beautiful wife
And isn't it ironic...don't you think
A little too ironic...and, yeah, I really do think...

Whatever. Really I would argue that nothing in her song is ironic.

Have you ever had to define irony for you kids? Sarcasm they get. But irony? So when I read this article on the first day of our Spring Break staycation, I knew I had found the perfect, personal example.

HMPH.