Whirlwind

How do you define a whirlwind?

Your first trip home in a year.

We have had appointments - doctor's, dentists, hair, eyes, nails...

In less than two weeks I have gained five pounds. We have had breakfasts, coffees, lunches, drinks and dinners - with different people - nearly every day.

We had a family filled first weekend, wonderful food and wine catching up with my parents. We have caught up with old friends and we held the return of Friday FUNday. We have celebrated birthdays (some on time, some late) and we have realized just how much can happen in one year.

There have been friends where we pick up right where we left off and others were the distance is starting to leave a frosty hole between us. Deep down I have a nagging sense of "I've missed this. I've missed you." I also realize how much I have missed.

Other expats told us that we will go back and nothing will have changed. Everyone will be doing the same old thing. In some ways, I guess that's true. But similarly, it isn't like our life is much different. In fact, to be honest, we are doing the same old thing too - just in a different country.

I think life is made up of the little moments and not of the major events. It hurts to miss the "little things" with our friends - when they apply for a new job, go on first dates, take part in a festival, pick up a new hobby, move houses and so on. I miss it all. I don't regret the choice we are making, but I am more aware now of the costs (dare I say "opportunity costs") of our decisions.

I am going to soak it all in while I can.

My Home & Native Land

About a week ago, I was talking with a rather senior person in my office. I was speaking fondly of an old colleague of mine back home who had the left the company and I was personally sad to see her go. He asked why she left and I told him that at the time, the activity level wasn't going to provide her with the professional opportunties/challenges she was looking for. He responded, "but she could have moved with the group, she should not have left". I responded with, "she has a young daughter, she doesn't want to leave, not yet anyway". Insert a look of disbelief here. Then he responded, dripping with a bit of arrogance and a splash of disdain, "of course, Canadians don't want to leave do they? They would rather just stay where they are."

Well, sir, let me explain. He's never been to my hometown , to AB or Canada.

Professionally, for those of us in natural resources, we have conventional oil/gas exploration and we also have a variety of unconventional - shale gas, heavy oil, oilsands and lots of H2S challenges. Pick your professional challenge and opportunity to grow. We have some amazing experts and technology happening.

Outside of that - a vibrant city that is growing. Creativity, green iniatives and a spirit of entrepreneurship and a strong Western heritage. Space. Healthcare (albeit challenging at times), education, a variety of post-secondary options. So many golf courses you can trip over them. Sky. Mountains. Water. Multi-culturalism - I learned about Ramadan in elementary school, not the first time I came to the Middle East.

Freedom and opportunity. Here, I meet at least one person a month who are actively trying to move to Canada. People from less fortunate backgrounds often tell me that I am lucky. Lucky to be Canadian. And you know what? I am lucky.

Of course not all Canadians want to stay where they are. I meet Canadians every day travelling the world, working abroad. We are all enjoying ourselves, learning and experiencing. But every Canadian I meet - we all know we come from a pretty kick a** place.

I didn't bother enlighting my colleague. I will wait until he sees it for himself!

The History of English

I wish YouTube wasn't blocked at work....(click to view)

The History of English in Ten Minutes (courtesy of the Open University)

How do you measure a year?

525,600 minutes,
525,600 moments so dear.
525,600 minutes.
How do you measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets,
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, a year in the life?

-"Seasons of Love" from RENT

One year. I can't believe it. Yesterday was 365 days since we landed in Doha. I can still remember the fear, the exhaustion and the way the air felt when we stepped out of the airplane door and started down the steps. The smell of hot and of humid sand. I still vividly remember the "Oh my God. What are we doing" feelings. The trepidation at Customs. The rows of fully veiled ladies sitting waiting for husbands and luggage to arrive.

It was one year and 365 days today when I walked into the office for the first time. The woman meeting me was late. I was on my own in her office. I had a cup of tea. I couldn't concentrate- I was so tired and thirsty. I met so many people, I didn’t even have time to form any first impressions. I wonder what they thought of me.

One year of work has flown by. One year later, it still doesn't feel comfortable. I am still learning. I still have a lot to do.

I have been saving all our pictures in a folder titled “Doha Life – Y1. Yesterday I made the “Y2” file. It floored me. In our personal life, we have come a long way. Big C and I together have learned a lot about each other. We have each had some battles – on our own and together – but we have overcome. We have met some amazing and extraordinary people. The majority have been incredible and people who I hope become lifelong friends. There are a few things I wish hadn’t happened…but I don’t want to dwell on those. It isn’t healthy.

But really, where did the year go?

Happy Doha-versary to Us.

Ramadan Kareem to All.