What a busy last couple of weeks! Holy crap. Trying to get approximately 500 students preregistered in at least 2 classes as the only academic advisor in the school is lots of fun. Then trying to get through the drop deadline (q-drops, if you saw it on Facebook) AND lifting holds for the 40 or so who didn't bother to come in for advising and trying to placate those who don't like the classes they were assigned...
I had my first student yell at me on Sunday. He didn't like that he didn't get his way (I get the feeling that this was a new thing) and didn't get resolution immediately, but I held my ground, even though my heart was pounding and I was absolutely quaking. Not from fear, but I hate being yelled at. I told him repeatedly that he could take care of the issue during his registration time later this week- and guess what, he came back yesterday, was much nicer, and he was able to get the class he wanted. I've had a few others that were less than pleased when I told them no, I don't think it's something they have heard from the advising office prior to now. New sheriff in town...
Random: One of the radio stations here has a "Country hour" on Mondays, from 4:30-5:30pm, and we happened to catch it on the way home that day. This week's show was all about Willie. Yes, please... I was singin' along all happy, then they went and played "(Mamas) Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" and I. LOST. IT. Ugly cry. Caught my poor husband way off guard! It just brought back SO many memories of my dad and uncle, both guitar players, pickin' and grinnin' and singin'. I love it here, but I don't think I had admitted to myself just quite how homesick I am for Texas. Fortunately, we are going home in 5 days! Not that I am counting or anything... but I am ready for family and friends, to see my dogs, for Whataburger and Mexican food and bluebonnets and wide Texas skies. I've never lived outside the great state until January, and no matter where I am it's always going to be home to me. We've been building a stash of souvenirs for everyone, we are gonna need a giant bag to get it all home... Thomas also has a pretty extensive list of things to bring back to Doha with us, topped by Polish sausage (beef, of course) and Kraft mac and cheese (hard to find and expensive when we do.) I've also done some online shopping and it's all waiting for me at Mom and Dad's house. I am so ready to be there, I really need to learn how to Apparate and just skip the flight bit altogether...
We have gotten approved for Global Entry fast track for US Customs, and we have the Qatar version of that called E-Gate. So hopefully that will make things a little smoother along the way. We have our passports, our residency cards, our exit permits, I guess at some point we should pack stuff... I would honestly go with nothing just so I can hug my mom and dad again. Skype has been such a blessing, we talk on Sundays for at least an hour. I don't know that I would have made it this long without it. If you stop to think about it, it is pretty impressive that I can say something and they can see it and hear it 8,000 miles away!
We are continuing our weekly 10K treks to Ric's on weekend mornings, we feel pretty good about eating the giant breakfast burrito (we do share it) once we do that. It's steadily getting warmer, though, and before too long it'll be too hot to do that. Guess I will have to get my arse up to the gym and get on the treadmill instead... This week as we walked along the Corniche we came across a movie set, neat to see- they were filming a dhow in the bay, first one I've seen with sail raised. Made for a pretty picture on a sunny day.
Otherwise things are puttering along here, get up, go to work, come home, eat, sleep, repeat. It's a pleasant routine- I do like my job, even when it's stressful, our friends here are wonderful and lots of fun, and I genuinely like our life. I am happy to be here (and I realize typing this that it sounds like I'm trying to convince myself!), I just miss my people, that's all. But I get to see them soon! Keeping me going...
GOD BLESS TEXAS.
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