Well it is that time of year again. I knew that no matter how much time I had off, it would still feel like not enough once this time came. It never does, even though this has been the longest summer break ever. It was never on my bucket list or my intention but I can now say I spent a summer in Qatar. Outside of my husband, I haven’t seen my family face to face in over a year. I haven’t traveled anywhere in over a year. And despite these things, I can’t feel anything but gratitude. The pandemic is still going on but so far my family has maintained their health and so have I. Sadly, many others around the world have not. I still have a job, while others have lost theirs and people who were offered jobs by my company and other international teaching companies, had those offers rescinded. Many people have had to endure pay and benefit cuts. Several people at my job have also been transferred to other schools or have had their positions changed. So far I am still at my school, with the same position and same pay and benefits. But I am not under any misconception that in a moments’ notice something could change. I feel truly blessed.
I find myself finding joy in the little things like finding a spray bottle at the local store and Lysol in the supermarket yesterday for the first time in over 6 months. And just in time to go back to work and around other people. The Fedex man is like my favorite visitor, even though he is just doing his job. I enjoy doing a full face of makeup just to take pictures and clean it off. I like waking up and talking to my plants that I have been taking care of since the Pandemic started. Traveling takes a lot of out of you, so this summer has definitely been restful and I have even found some joy in the weight I have gained. I actually have a little butt now, for real for real!
Things are opening back up here in Qatar and the other day I bought a gym membership for Darryl and I. I want to keep my butt but not my stomach. During this whole quarantine, Darryl enrolled in culinary arts school so he has been cooking up a storm. I have thoroughly enjoyed eating his assignments. Although this summer was spent totally different than what I had in mind, there is no one else I’d rather be quarantined with than my husband. He made it totally bearable.
I started tutoring again about 2 months ago and gained 2 new clients that will continue services once school starts. I will be hustling this year, working to pay off my mortgage and build up my investment. I did an interview with Expat Arrivals a few weeks ago; you can read it here. In the interview, I discuss life here ups and downs. My friends Britney and Quahn have been hustling too. They started their youtube channel. I’ve had time to watch all of their posts about their travels abroad. I even made the cut on their post about Capetown. You can watch it here; be sure to like and subscribe to their channel here.
This school year will be interesting with a shortage of staff and in the midst of a pandemic. I’ll admit, I’m nervous. Kids spread germs like nobody’s business. I’d rather we continued virtual learning but I’m afraid these kids will be so far behind, they’d have to spend years playing catch up and that is so unfair to them. But is it worth lives? I know we have to move on and learn to live with Corona for now, but at what and whose expense? Where do we draw the line between educating our children, and risking our lives?
Teaching Abroad- American Teacher Overseas 