A New Year and how to continue our new start...

If I had to sum up the year 2009 for us I would say it was a really tough year with lots of difficulties and changes that has ended with lots of positives.  I don't want to dwell on the things that were tough.  A lot of what was tough is a lot better now or no longer an issue for us and more importantly God has taught us a number of things during those tough times about us all and our relationship with Him.

Now onto 2010... I think you could say our family motto for this year is to try, try, try.  We are living in a unique part of the world which means we get to do lots of things we wouldn't have the opportunity to do elsewhere.  At the moment we are enjoying the sun, its glorious heat (which I know in 4 months time I will be moaning about), our crystal clear blue skies and water.  Hopefully you will have noticed the new blog theme, I think it accurately portrays where we are living in the moment; barren flat desert, palm trees, blue skies and blue water. 

So what have we tried so far 1 week into the new year?  Well last night, curtsey of Iain's school we got to attend the Qatar Tennis Open, for free!  This is now the first ranking event of the year on the ATP Tour and it was a very good evening.  We got to see Federer and Nadal win their respective matches quickly and in style.  We had good seats and I got some good photos of Federer.  In fact Michael and Iain will also be going to the semi finals on Friday, curtsey of Iain's school.  They are very excited.

Last weekend we did a lot of driving around the city, exploring new parts.  Well one of our goals for the day was to find the camel souq.  We succeeded and spent some time driving around seeing thousands of camels in all stages of life.  I say driving because the smell was completely overwhelming.  The boys really enjoyed it and on occasion were able to get out and get up close to the camels and also to the massive sheep market we found.  If you wanted to buy a camel or a sheep you just walked up and choose and then if it was a camel it was put into a trailer but the sheep were mostly for eating so they were carried over the road to the slaughter house and you just needed to wait while everything was done for you and the meat brought out all packaged nicely. 

Coming up I will be trying out a new hair salon, always a very scary moment for me as I don't like trying new salons, once I have found someone I stick with them for ages, but needs must in this case and my hair needs cutting!  Also I am planning on spending a day at a spa soon, Michael bought me some vouchers for Christmas to Sharq Village & Spa.  Michael showed me where it was last weekend and we went inside to have a look around and one of the consultants gave me a tour and it looks fantastic!  I promise a post about that day.  During the tour it made me think of three dear friends in England with whom I have had a few spa days/weekends with, and I thought that it would be the perfect place for a girly weekend away (Claire, June, Lizanne)!!

Personally, I have joined the women's bible study at our church.  Today was the welcome morning and study kickoff.  We will be working through Priscilla Shirer's One in a million.  I am looking forward to working though this study, I have the impression it will be rigorous and challenging.  I am also really looking forward to getting to know the women at our church here in Doha.  Some of you will already know this, but making friends here in Doha has been hard and slow but now that the holidays are over and people are typically in town until the summer exodus it should get better.  

At the end of the month we will be travelling to Scotland for my mother-in-laws 70th birthday!  We are really looking forward to seeing the whole Litster family, especially Michael as it has been over a year since he has seen his brothers.  We will up in the Highlands for 4 days then Edinburgh for 3.  It will be freezing cold but really nice to have  a break.   My wonderful sisters-in-laws are currently raiding their closets for Iain and Arran's winter wardrobe. Bring on 2010 the year of try, try, try!