One month home!

Hello all!
I can't believe we have been back in Qatar for a whole month already! So much has happened in such a short time! We visited the villa this week and they are hard at work installing ACs, appliances and literally cleaning and polishing everything. I am very impressed that the workers are actually cleaning the window tracks and screens and buffing the floors with a buffing machine! It was hard to wait but nothing much happens during Ramadan and even less during the Eid holidays that follow!

There has been another recent development, only this week. We had a phone call from friends that the Qatar Equestrian Federation is in desperate need of a head farrier and had not been able to acquire someone to their satisfaction. They have someone in contention, but he was asking for more money and benefits than the QEF is willing to give. So.....Nelson went to the person in charge, a British vet who was recently hired into a position that is "Horse Welfare" or something like that. I'm not sure. To make a long story short, they talked and we went back with a job proposal and are hoping to hear in a few days. We have heard next week or next month for so long from the track, that it's hard to believe that any kind of decision could truly be forthcoming that quickly. But I have always believed that nothing would happen at all until after Ramadan and the Eid holidays. So, perhaps something WILL happen. This job would be even better, fewer horses and men to manage, thus less stress, with the opportunity for Nelson to pass on his knowledge and expertise and make a decent living at it. It would be a 50 km commute for him, but most of it is highway driving, so not so bad all in all. We probably won't hear anything until next week, but that's not too bad when you consider how long we have waited for the track to give us some kind of answer! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers or cross your fingers or send positive vibes our way or whatever you do for good luck and fortune!

In addition to all of the above hoopla, I started teaching this week. I have a delightful group of girls in both of my classes, some who are so bright and intelligent! I have had some wonderful conversations with some of them and am so anxious and happy to be their teacher. This semester I feel so much more confident and secure in myself and my teaching abilities. I can't help but wonder if part of that is that I am feeling better physically. I know the sarcoidosis symptoms have improved. I lost a little weight over the summer, became more fit and still feel fresh from that, although I am still battling some jet lag....maybe not jet lag, but trying to catch up. I have been slow to catch up on enough sleep regularly. I now have to teach myself to get to bed earlier so I can get up at 5:00 a.m. and be in the classroom at 8 a.m.

One more awesome thing that happened this week: we found the Al Khor Riding Stable and met its owner/instructor, Emad. He is absolutely awesome. He is Kuwaiti/Californian. No wonder I couldn't place his accent! He is one of the most intelligent and capable horsemen I have met here yet. We have many of the same philosophies about training, feeding, riding, working with horses in general. His board is not cheap, but not much more than others I know of and MUCH, MUCH nicer. His facility is beautifully laid out, with open air stalls with ceiling fans, AC stalls for horses in distress, turn outs, a huge arena with a giant sprinkler to keep the dust down....now, if we can just find a way to get Hattan. Even if Nelson doesn't get the job, the money we will save by sharing expenses with Nettie would cover his board....and if nothing else works out presently, I can still afford to go take jumping or dressage lessons with him. We are soooooo excited!!!

So, that's the update for today. Nelson is chopping up some veggies to make dinner and I have a function for a friend to attend to later. I can't publicly state what it is as it is a surprise. :) PLEASE keep in touch.