The FANAR

So I found out what this building is today.  It's the FANAR or the Qatar Islamic Cultural Center.  It's a non profit organization that "motivates society to become more informed about Islam."  Fanar is a Qatari word meaning "flourescent floodlight mounted on a high tower."  Which if I'm not mistaken, translates to "lighthouse."  Not sure why they don't just say, "Fanar means lighthouse," but I haven't been "motivated to become more informed about Islam" just yet.  :-)

All joking aside, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the FANAR this morning.  I went with a small group of women to a cultural seminar held there once a month.  Today's topic was "Introduction to life in Qatar."  It was very much like the class ExxonMobil offers to new expats ... a brief overview of the Qatari culture.  I would definitely return for future seminars which include more deails regarding food, clothing, weddings, etc.  They served both traditional Arabic tea and hot sweet tea during the presentation ... both unique, not sure which I preferred.  The Arabic tea was a very different flavor and was very fragrant.  The sweet tea was crazy sweet - like Sonic or Chic-fil-A in Houston, but served hot.  The presentation was given by a young Qatari women who spoke perfect English.  She did a great job introducing Qatar - both the history and the present day Qatar - even the correct pronounciation of Qatar!  :-)  After the presentation, they offered a large spread of snacks and drinks.  I wasn't expecting a free lunch, so it was fantastic all around!

Temperature is coming down (maybe)

Praise the Lord, the temperatures DO fall under 100F in Doha!!!  The high today is only 99!!!  Not to worry, it's back up to triple digits tomorrow, but this is a first double digit day for me since I've been here.  I counted on the calendar and I've been in Doha for 98 days ... each and every one has been 100F or higher.  Looking forward to "winter." 

From the mouth of babes...

Picked up Nicholas today and learned he had a FANTASTC day at school.  The teacher was very pleased to see him start to come out of his shell and he was so proud of himself for building houses for all the animals out of blocks.  We got in the car and he says, "Know how I did it Mommy?  I pwayed."  We're still working on our r's.  :-)  During our bible time this morning, we talked about how when we feel scared or unsure, we can pray, and God will hear us and help us to be brave.  Just when you think your kids never listen to you, they surprise you!  Today was a nice surprise!  He was listening and God did answer his "pwayer".

And from the mouth of Jaden today came ... "Mommy, I really miss our friends back in Texas."  To which I replied, "me too, baby, me too."

Keeee-Ya!

The boys started karate last week ... definitely more excitement over the start of karate than the start of school!!  I think Nicholas was born for Karate.  He is so cute running around practicing all of his punches, blocks, and kicks!!  The karate classes are held on our compound, so it's crazy convenient!  The instructor was especially impressed with Nicholas' attentiveness.  He didn't miss a thing!  Jaden did awesome in the class too!!

Ready for class!

 

First class ... practicing punches 

 

and blocks ... 

 

So excited to get their first "Gi" (Karate Outfit)!

 

 

First week of school

We are officially wrapping up our first week of school.  What a week!  TGITh!  To say the boys were nervous would be an understatement of the century.  Pure fear and trepidation was more like it.  Zero on the excitement level.  I knew it would be hard for the boys after a very secluded summer with little interaction with other kids here.  I expected a lot of separation anxiety, but I didn't expect the effect the stress would have on me.  I was completely ill prepared for the physical toll it had on me.  I feel like I've been run over by a truck!  Migraines that left me barely functional for two days plus neck, shoulder and back pain equal to a rigorous workout where you can barely lift your arms over your head -- all from stress!!

So we kicked off the week with meet the teachers.  We met Nicholas' teacher, Ms. Sonia, on Sunday morning and then we met Jaden's teacher, Ms. Catharine, on Sunday afternoon.  Both teachers are AWESOME!!!  I can't say enough about either one of them!  I am confident the Lord has placed us in the hands of truly fantastic teachers.  The boys enjoyed their time in their classrooms, but they were very much at ease knowing that brother and mom stayed in the room the entire time. 

Jaden started school on Monday.  He wasn't ready to ride the bus and I'm not inclined to force the issue.  Drop off went as expected ... lots of tears, lots of reluctance to say good bye.  There was a new parent orientation immediately after drop off, so I promised to check back on him after the meeting.  By the time the orientation was over, Jaden was settled in his room and reasonably content.  He was happy to see me at the end of the day and was incredibly talkative about his day - a great sign!!  He even made a friend, but couldn't remember her name.

 

Jaden and Ms. Catharine on the first day of school - pre-tears.  :-)

Nicholas ready for his first day of school...

Nicholas didn't start school until Tuesday... I dropped off Jaden first and it went marginally better than day one ... still tears, but no sobbing.  I think it helped knowing that Tuesday's are half days at Jaden's school.  The entire school is dismissed at 12:30 and the teachers work collaboratively every Tuesday afternoon.  Then it was off to Nicholas' school.  As expected, he was reluctant and nervous, but thanks to his lovey and puppy, he was able to hug me goodbye and join the circle without any tears!!  Big success!!!   Immediately following Nicholas' drop off, there was a new parent orientation at his school. By the time it was over, I only had about an hour before I had to go pick up Jaden.  By pick up I was pooped, but Jaden was happy and told me his friend's name is Dennis (a girl).  Nicholas' teacher said he was quiet and reserved, but never cried.  He too made a friend, named Ryan.

That brings us to Day 3.  Jaden's drop off was stressful for him, but no tears.  And he bravely wanted to ride the bus home!!  Yeah!!!  When I met him at the bus stop, he informed me he cried a lot during recess today.  Breaks my heart to share this story ... it's so sad.  Apparently they have indoor recess in the hallways at school until the temps cool down outside.  The very large hallways are set up with several playstations and multiple KG classes play together all at one time.  Jaden's friend Dennis wanted to play with the dolls, but he didn't want to.  He didn't know who or what to play with and there were so many children and so much noise that he just broke down.  He hid under a table and cried until one of the teachers found him.  I don't know how long he was under the table, according to Jaden it was "a medium amount of time."  We talked a lot about feeling scared and unsure and what we can do different next time we feel that way.  I assured him it's very normal and okay to feel like that and also told him that the other kids probably feel the same way.  The teacher also sent me an email explaining what she knew of the situation and the discussion she had with him too.  I know that he will make friends and do really well, but the image of my little man hiding under a table crying through recess is almost more that this momma can take!!  It breaks my heart.

Nicholas doesn't have school on Wednesdays so he was a happy little guy all day yesterday.

Today is our first full day of school for both boys.  Jaden's drop off was still stressful, but no tears.  Nicholas was the same.  I pray they both have a good day ... I could use a minor success before the weekend. 



Gas prices are unbelievable!!

Since I didn't have a driver's license until recently, I never paid much attention to the gas prices here.  Today, I needed to fill up the tank for the first time.  Of course, at the gas station, I had no idea how much I was paying since I'm an ignorant American that can't convert Qatari Riyal per liter to USDL per gallon in my head.  I came home and googled the conversions ... I paid 88 cents / gallon!!!!  Can you believe it???  I'm not sure I was of legal driving age the last time the US saw those prices!!! 

Life in Qatar

A few days ago, it felt rather pleasant outside, so we went out for a game of soccer in the backyard ... followed by a bike ride around the neighborhood.  I couldn't believe how long we lasted outside!  I was curious to know the temperature, so I checked online and it was a balmy 104F!  Really??!!!  This is what pleasant feels like??!!!  Clearly, we've spent a summer in the middle east if 104F feels pleasant!!!

Last Thursday, Ken and I arranged for a babysitter and went out exploring a bit.  First we wandered around the Pearl ... a high end community with a boardwalk ... yachts in the water, hotels and apartments above fancy restaurants and even fancier shops. The only store I recognized was Ferrari and Mazarati - clearly NOT stores we can shop in!  Then we checked out the Souk Waqif - a fun outdoor market area with local wares and restaurants.  We had dinner in an Iraqi Restaurant ... good food - typical middle eastern food with hummous, baba ganouj, flat bread and various grilled meats on a stick. 

Here are some of the yachts docked at the Pearl...

The Zig Zag towers, near the Pearl.  Crazy architecture!

Downtown Doha ... I'll have to find a better angle near the Corniche (fancy street by the water).

This is the Iraqi restaurant where we ate - it was prettier than the picture indicates.  Screens (like the one leaning against the column) are used to give Muslim women privacy while they eat.  They have to remove their Abaya that covers their face in order to eat, but it would be inappropriate for the public to see their face, so the screens are put up for their privacy.

 

I'm going to have to find out what this building is - it was very pretty all lit up at night.

 

 

Then on Saturday, Jaden had his Kindergarten assessment at the American School.  Praise the Lord, we got his official acceptance letter from the school today!!!  Apparently there is a waiting list up the wazzoo for the school, but students from their corporate sponsers (thank you ExxonMobil) get moved to the top of the list.  Since submitting his application back in ~Feb, we've been told there is no guarantee of placement.  I was starting to get nervous with the start of school looming just around the corner!!!  A huge sigh of relief after receiving the official acceptance today!!  I was ill prepared to homeschool!!

After his assessment on Saturday, we took the boys bowling.  It was a huge bowling alley with 32 lanes.  When I tried to order some lunch,  I was told I couldn't take any of the Filipino food out to the lanes.  (The restaurant was separate from where the lanes were, but you could take food to your lanes ... well, anything except the Filipino food).  Of course I had to ask why and the server very politely explained that Qatari people don't like the smell of Filipino food and therefore it can't be taken out to the lanes.  Wow!  It's a huge bowling alley, Qatari people must have exceptionally sensitive noses!! 

Brotherly love at the bowling alley.

 

Jaden got a strike!

 

Nicholas in action!!  We had to be VERY patient as his ball slowly meandered down the lane.  :-)