She's back!

After a long summer at the Cattery, our cat Muppy is very happy to be reunited with us! And we are enjoying her company also. Muppy spent the summer in her own little air-conditioned condo with a window looking over the dog kennel and a small door to her own play space.

She has taken a few days to re-adjust to our home -- sharing her space with the four of us. She came back to us as healthy as we left her and just as vocal! She is a bit more cuddly than before though -- a change we are happy to have!  After Muppy's back leg was amputated in March she became more mellow and has continued to be a more cuddly cat. She even will let Max rub her belly now!! This is an amazing accomplishment for Max -- she mostly used to chase him upstairs and bite his heels.

Comings and Goings

At the end of every summer we return overseas to work and leave our families and friends in Nova Scotia. We have done it enough that "The Last Day" now has its own traditions. The Selig family gets together for a meal -- sometimes a turkey dinner but this year pizza -- then takes a final family photo. This process can be great fun and is usually full of laughs.

After the photo we load all our luggage into a vehicle (or two). Then we spend a last few minutes reminiscing about the summer's activities. The hardest part, of course, is when it is time for hugs and goodbyes. In our travels we have met many people that have no relationships with children, siblings, or parents. We no longer dread the goodbyes, but welcome the tears as a reminder of how blessed we are to have a close family.

Returning to Doha also has its traditions: managing the luggage in taxis, putting batteries back in the cars, getting a few groceries to survive the first day, unpacking clothing and special new items. This week our transition was made easier because of our housekeeper, Vergie. She had made us Filipino pancet (noodles) and bought the few groceries we needed. She had washed our vehicles and tidied the house ready for our return. Then she helped with putting away clothing and re-organizing cupboards.

25 Years!

On July 23 Tim and Lisa celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary. It was a milestone to remember and the whole family celebrated!

The Wedding Party in 2013

The extended Selig family

The extended Chute family

The Selig family, the Chute family, and Wedding Attendants from 25 years ago all gathered at White Point Beach Lodge for an evening of feasting and sharing stories. It was foggy and rainy but we had a cozy time in the Ocean Lodge -- playing cards and roasting marshmallows for S'mores.

Friends

One of the joys of being back in Nova Scotia is the opportunity to visit with good friends. Even though we left the town of Truro 5 years ago, the people there continue to be a great support for us as a family. We love being able to visit those friends and tell them how much they still mean to us. We shared a delicious meal with several couples that we still consider close friends despite the time and the miles that separate us.

In Truro we also had an exciting adventure of getting stuck in a new elevator. We were rescued after 20 minutes and Lisa was so impressed by the Fireman that she asked for a photo!

Tim and Lisa also traveled to PEI to spend a week relaxing while Max and Simon went to Mount Traber Camp. It was a glorious week! The weather and the company was perfect! We had an extended visit with dear friends, the Slysz's. We shared several meals and several lazy afternoons with them -- strolling the beach, exploring Victoria, sitting at their cabin, hanging out in their beautiful new home. It was a special time that we usually don't have with them.

We also had a short visit with our friend Natasha, who has recently moved to PEI following the death of her husband and our beloved friend, Lynn. We miss him so much and it was good to spend some time with her in this new season of her life.

July 1st Celebrations

July 1st is a time for celebrating! As often as possible we try to be back in Canada by July 1st to celebrate Canada Day. It is also Lisa's parents Anniversary! We usually have a family gathering to celebrate these events and also our Chute family return to Nova Scotia. A great social time!

 

Brett's Grad

We were thrilled this year to arrive home in Nova Scotia in time for some of Brett's graduation activities. Brett is Lisa's brother, Todd's daughter and she graduated last week from Bridgewater Junior/Senior High School. Tim and Lisa graduated from the same school a mere 30 years ago!

Traditions surrounding high school graduation have changed a lot in 30 years and are also different from the traditions that we experience at Qatar Academy. For example, Prom is now a whole day event, not just a dance. We enjoyed watching the grad class and their dates have photos taken at the town park. How beautiful! There is no Prom in Qatar but the students do have a formal "Leaver's Dinner" for the students leaving grade 12.

Brett received several monetary awards at the graduation ceremony.  She graduated with Honours and an average of 92.2% We are very proud of her and her silver "B" (for maintaining an honours average through all three years of high school). Brett also received several school awards for Community Service, Dedication and Commitment, Leadership and Longevity and also she was selected the MVP for Scironment (an environmental science club). Brett will be attending the Nova Scotia Community College Lunenburg campus in September taking the Community Disability Support program.

Graduation ceremony in Qatar

This year the Grade 12 Graduation from Qatar Academy took place at Al Shaqab Equestrian Centre. A large platform was constructed in the shape of the QA logo. In such a large arena it was hard to get a "cozy" feeling. Tim sat on the platform with the other Senior School administrators. He was so far away we had a hard time recognizing him. There were 94 graduates from the IB program. The graduates are attending Universities all over the world.

The event was made even more special by the appearance of the Emir! He sat in the front row beaming at the graduates. He turned around to watch the graduates' processional with a big smile on his face.

Tim and other administrators giving awards

Graduation ceremonies in Qatar are very similar to those happening this week in Canada. There are awards given for highest subject marks (although these are trophies not money), the valedictorian speaks, the guest speaker is a former student of QA, and there is a reception afterward for families and friends. However the service tends to be much shorter and much more formal.