Pasadena to Doha???

Who would have thought that this little girl from Pasadena Texas that used to dig for crawdeds in the ditches would end up living in the Middle East listening to Muslim prayer calls 5 times a day? I did not plan this! When I was a little girl all I dreamed about was having the nicest husband in the entire world, and a pretty wedding dress.

After that, it was all destiny. I do remember thinking about I would be 40 in the year 2000 and wondering where I would be and how many kids I would have and it all seemed eons away, I was probably ten then.


HELLO 2009!!!

I have been doing a little soul searching lately, realizing there is so much you can live without, and a few simple things that truly make me really happy...

I can live without more than half of my worldly possessions, familiar places, a home to call my own, almost all of my family, and most of my friends. It is not easy but I am doing it. It is a somewhat simpler life here, there are days I am relieved by not having so much to do and so many choices daily, and other days I just want a home again filled with my family, friends and things. Ashlynn thinks I'm BI-POLAR!!! Imagine that!

I adore Trapp candles lit during the day (but you can't buy them here), the touch of my husband, chocolate, giant trees, Ashlynn saying "Thanks Mom" in the morning for her breakfast even if is just cereal, an email from one of my kids or an old friend and freshly planted flowers. All of which are very simple pleasures. All of which are some of the really important things to me. Notice I didn't say fancy cars, money or diamonds.

I crave a great picnic. I love a homemade tuna fish sandwich with Jalapenos outside anywhere in the world that has sunshine and a view and a good friend or two. Not a 5 star hotel restaurant in some exotic location. A good picnic in Doha is hard to come by. The weather is cooler now so be looking for picnic shots in the near future.

I have been trying to find things I am thankful for and keep those grateful thoughts constantly in my head, it is not easy to do here in Doha, especially while missing my three children or driving. In a split instant I become a RAVING LUNATIC CUSSING PHYSCO MENOPAUSAL MOM WITH SUPER HUMAN POWERS DRIVING A 3 TON TANK!!!. BEWARE all white Land Cruisers on AL WAAB Drive! DO NOT JACK WITH ME! Oh my blood pressure is rising just typing these words. It is time for a vacation and I just returned from one.

OK, calm down, back to the simple things in life...
Therapy, Gratitude Therapy... Keeping my mind off all the bad stuff. Traffic being way up on the list.

The expat world is hard at times although it seems so extravagant from the other side. My friend just put her son on a plane back to the states and she knows she won't see him for 6 months. Too many of us can feel her pain. Although I wouldn't trade the experiences we have had to have stayed in Pasadena Texas for 30 years. The world is bigger now. I am the same Sherry Cogbill, but I am a brighter person for the knowledge that I have gained from living in different cultures. And I think I have shared my adventures with some people that genuinely were interested and learned right along with me.

I am not saying my friends who never left Pasadena Texas are any different, I still love them all the same. I just received my South Houston High School 1979 - 30 year reunion invite. THIRTY years! SHeesh... I still feel 18 on occasion, with the 48 yr old body and face. I can't go, it is in September. You know how all the women go sike themselves up on crash diets to try and look like they did 30 years before, maybe I should try that just for fun...

On days when you are dwelling on the past, or negative thoughts which we all get caught up with now and then and can't shake, when you are searching for good things to do or think about, I have a suggestion.

Sit down and write a list of 5 things every morning that you are thankful for in a pretty book. Keep this special book near you. Most days my gratitude journal is of the mundane yet simple pleasures like lit smelly candles, and a baby's smile. It awakens your soul to realize it is not all about the fame, fortune, new dress, popularity, social status, car you drive, Prada handbag, or house you have or even where you live.
It forces you to recognise and be happy with what you've got!

It reminds us to keep the simple good stuff close to our heart.
Therapy ~ Gratitude Therapy!