Mr & Mrs Webber have arrived home - amazingly. We had a lovely party in the UK, though a little chaotic to get set up apparently. We also ran out of time to do our slideshow which means we carted around our projector around the world for no reason...oy. Everyone around us was sick, and between that and the traveling I didn't really stand a chance. SO now I'm sick too. Rory was, but seems to have thwarted any major affects. Getting on another plane with a head cold made the pain so much worse. I had to actually take a sick day today, which is almost unheard of for me.

We barely made our plane out of London because we got stuck in so much road works and traffic on the way out. I'm so proud I managed to drive in and out of Heathrow airport - that place is nuts....and I still sometimes try to get into the 'wrong' side of the car when I'm over there. Or bash my fingers into the window reaching for the gears, when they are on the left as well. Nonetheless, I think I've qualified as a world driver now.

So, back in Doha we just picked up keys for our 2 bedroom apartment - YAY! I'm supposed to have one anyway as part of my contract, but there are lots of promises made that get broken here, and that was one of em. So, now that I'm a married woman, they HAD to give me a 2 bedroom (which is like 3 times the size of my one bedroom).

In other words, we now have a BED for people to sleep in - so if you have ANY desire in seeing the world outside your backyard, particularly experiencing the middle east, this would be the time to do it. Hotels are very expensive around here and there are no motel 6 type dos. Even if you use it as a 2 day layover on the way to someplace else.....and I think we might try to plan a group stay at Rory's aunt's place in Indonesia next year. That would be tre fun!

Anyway, sooner that later because before you know it, 2 more years will pass and we'll be on our way to somewhere. Nothing sounds worse that opportunity as it whizzes past your head.

When we're back in our time zone and the 3rd party is over, we'll get a few shots posted from the big affair :)

Ciao, Mrs. Webber

Just wanted to send our wishes for a great Halloween Party! Rory and I REALLY REALLY wanted to be there - had costumes and everything! But..the day has been hectic and still many things to take care of that we just can't make it all happen. Very sorry (even had snacks to bring!!!) and are so bummed we can't make it. Please share photos!!!! See ya'll tomorrow :)

then....





now....





They are doing sound check right now. They actually sound pretty good for being old fogies!

I guess it's nice to have your office next to one of doha's only concert venues..not that they ever get much music around here. It's free and relaxing while I work :)

A big giant bunch of em!




You are amazing (e:Rory)!

If you're attending the wedding, just wanted to make sure ya'll know that costumes are welcomed at the reception!!! There will be a few young people present so no hookers please :)

Get excited!

Oh and a shout out to (e:Metalpeter) - you really are one of the most sincere and genuine guys I've had the pleasure of knowing.

I've been sick for a few days now. Multiple symptoms which actually feel like 3 distinct illnesses that just happen to be at the same time. The trifecta of sick. I mean, if I had to get sick, at least let it be now BEFORE we get to USA for the wedding!

Rory has been away in Turkey all week so I'm looking forward to his return this evening :)

That's all.

Finally getting to take my Eid break this week! Technically we were out of the office last week but I was still on duty. I had a doozie of a call Friday night. It almost makes me laugh because it sounds so rediculous to us as westerners, to say I had to show up and spend 2.5 hours investigating and interviewing students who decided to mix gender in one of the apartments. Over here it's such a serious offense and people are freaked out about getting deported. I'm thinking, then was it actually worth risking deportation just to hang out? I mean yes, it blows big fat goats that we can't be 'who we are' over here - but we are guests of another country, and like it or not we need to abide by their laws. I guess I traded regular alcohol infractions for major cultural clashes. At least (I don't THINK) Qatar does not participate in stoning women for 'tainting' themselves by being the presence of guys without a chaperon. Having grown up with freedom it makes it hard to enforce things like this, I almost feel like a brainwashed Nazi. This is one of the hardest parts of being an expat - when your core values are judged and infringed upon on a regular basis by a school of thought that you simply cannot identify with.

SO...got lots of wedding stuff done while Rory was also off last week. Namely settling the ceremony. I think we found the right words that 'sound like us', and the music as well. Not traditional, but not so far off it would scare the older generations. :)

At last, Ramadan is officially over with tomorrow's dawn. My students will start sleeping better, eating better, and we'll all not suffer from dehydration is this desert heat. Most exciting of all, it's Eid break. A free week off work to catch up on a massive list of 'to do's' at home and a myriad of wedding details. It couldn't have come at a better time really.

I attended a program by one of my CDAs to celebrate the arrival of Eid and had 2 of my students henna my hands. We're thinking about having a henna artist at the wedding as a tribute to where we met.

Have a good one peeps!

!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I hope it's full of surprises! Wish I could be there to help celebrate.

I'm curious for a little input. If you were planning a party...and at this party you wanted certain things..and those certain things cost money...and you're willing to pay that money because you want to be happy...and you invite people to your party because you want them to join you in your happiness...

1. Would you get a little upset if someone said, "I'm not coming to the pre-party event but I'll pop by the party for a little bit as long as I can also bring my kid" (who was not invited).

2. How would you respond to such a statement?