tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34759951.post3296811507586922468..comments2023-10-23T08:31:00.528-07:00Comments on AcadeMama: Doha Diaries, no 2AcadeMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510282285225998011noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34759951.post-15405251279629365882009-11-10T04:54:37.788-08:002009-11-10T04:54:37.788-08:00Everything you are experiencing is SO normal, and ...Everything you are experiencing is SO normal, and the discouragement and feeling overwhelmed, even Hannah's unhappiness, this is all . . . normal. The weather is getting better and better, time for families to get out and walk, visit Fort Zubara, the beaches, have a little fun exploring. Doha is truly a sweet place, and it won't be long before you start feeling more at home.Intlxpatrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006170014488459730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34759951.post-66207120297306956402009-10-08T01:56:50.750-07:002009-10-08T01:56:50.750-07:00M and Jennie are both onto something, I think. FW...M and Jennie are both onto something, I think. FWIW, last fall was really hard for us once the shine of "we're living abroad! We're having an adventure!" wore off. It was really hard on our romantic life, so kudos to you for planning to prioritize that as best you can. The second year is much better (so far).kenandbellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01177649795946525140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34759951.post-18934286181868042112009-10-07T08:58:07.910-07:002009-10-07T08:58:07.910-07:00This is the hardest part, AcadeMama. Everything y...This is the hardest part, AcadeMama. Everything you describe is part of the normal adjustment curve, and it will get better. Hang in there. Hard as it is to believe now, someday you will be so accustomed to your life there that returning home to the US will put you through another wave of culture shock.Jenniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00295313334259235591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34759951.post-58659704347889273212009-10-05T06:08:33.003-07:002009-10-05T06:08:33.003-07:00I understand a lot of what you're feeling--esp...I understand a lot of what you're feeling--especially the feelings of isolation. Although my experience of living abroad hasn't involved as much culture shock as yours, I have felt a lot of isolation--both academic and social. At our age, it is just hard to make friends. I also have (or had) very little connection to the university before this year. No one in Women's Studies has their degree in English, so I had very little in common with them academically (in fact, most of them are philosophers). Now that I'm teaching in English, I had hoped I would meet more people, but there hasn't been much opportunity for socialization. I've met a few people, but not many. I have made friends with one of Wild Man's friend's mothers, but we don't see each other that often. It's hard, plain and simple. Unfortunately, I don't think this is a symptom of living where you live. I do think a lot of it has to do with our age and position in life.<br /><br />I also understand not having any time for yourself. I would totally encourage to take a day off to hang with Hubby. C and I have made a practice of doing that once a month, and although other friends have criticized us for using the time Wild Man is in daycare to have lunch or go to a movie, I believe it is absolutely necessary. We rarely (as in once every 6 months) hire a babysitter, so we need that time for us. <br /><br />Hang in there. It will get better.Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18353657968740060474noreply@blogger.com