The Best E-Mail Ever

...came yesterday morning and it said, "Our English committee met today and we would like for you to join our English faculty at" Home Univ. in MidEast. Hubby got the same offer. Our first year on the market, we've both landed job offers that will provide economic, professional, and cultural benefits we just can't get here in the States.

Education City, Qatar


I'm certainly happy, and I feel much more secure about our family's future knowing that this is a definite option for us. But, I'm scared too. Scared of too many things to list here, and to a large extent, scared of the unknown element. Luckily, my "woo-hoo adventure!" side makes up the bigger part of me, so we're moving forward. Making plans and making long lists of questions to ask. I've even asked H to start making a list of everything she's feeling about the move and any questions she has. The CLA Program Director has an 11-yr old daughter (and 2 younger ones), and he's offered to introduce us to them and let me talk with her about her life in Doha. I told H to think of me as her overseas liason, and I've promised to take lots of pictures for her.

Doha Skyline at Night


Now what to say to my Mom (and stepdad), who are pretty much devastated. Right now my Mom can't even see the economic benefit in this because she's so upset about the idea of her only grandchildren being moved halfway around the world. After a trip to London 10 years ago, she and my dad swore off any future international travel, so they're not even willing to consider the fact that we'd be happy to fly them over to see us. I'm sure they'll come around eventually...I just hope it's sooner rather than later, for everyone's sake, but especially for H, because she's old enough to pick up on tensions between people, and that's not fair to her.