Hello From Doha!

Hi Everyone!

I thought I'd sign on and send everyone an update.

I've been in Doha a full two weeks (and two days) already! I can't believe how quickly time is going. I feel like I just arrived! But I am sooo happy to say that Jeroen is flying here this Thursday (3 days!) We are so happy that he is coming out here. Please keep us in your prayers and pray that Jeroen can find a job here! The plan is that as soon as he gets here he'll start applying as Food and Beverage Manager (or something similar) and will be able to get a work visa. If he isn't able to find a job right away, he can extend his visitor's visa for a maximum of two months. At that point, we will have to take a weekend trip somewhere (Bahrain, Dubai...) and then he can come right back for two more months! We are hopeful that he will find something quickly though.

The job here is good so far. It is completely different than Albania! Money was such a problem in Albania because the government was so poor but here it is all about glamour and glitz! If the Emir (king or whatever) doesn't think something is big enough we tear it down and try again!)

So far I am enjoying Doha! It is also SO different from Albania! All of the groceries seem to be imported from either the states or England so I am seeing a ton of familiar items. Also the malls are very glamorous and have all of the stores you would find in the states! There's even a Hallmark here!

It's bizarre because every sign is in Arabic AND English! So there is no problem getting around because I just look under what looks like scribbling (Arabic) and there it is in my native language! Also, everyone speaks English! Only 20% of the people here are natives and the other 80% are people working here (mainly Filipinos!) So when you're walking through a store all of the announcements are in English and the workings stocking the shelves are speaking English to each other! It is so strange...

Oh, and the best part...I rented a Honda Civic with a 30 Liter gas tank and filled up the other day (it was bone dry) and I spent $7! Gas is incredibly cheap! (I guess it makes up for the importation fee on the groceries!)

So life here is good so far! I promise to get out this weekend and take photos!

Love you all!

Shannon

PS Here's a virtual shot of the Emiri's private terminal! It's pretty incredible. There will be an automatic red carpet that will meet him at the plane (it will be air conditioned even though it wont be covered). And there are tunnels below so the band that greets him can disappear once they are finished playing so they wont be in the photos of the Emiri arriving!