I am a person and I did a thing.

I applied to and was accepted for an International Teaching opportunity!

I’m going to Qatar. It’s in the Middle East.

For two academic years.

To teach music at an American Academy.

Answers to your other questions:

A few months ago while on a holiday, it felt like a good idea, and seemed like the right idea for this time in my life so I applied not knowing where in the world I would get to share my teaching talents. I was hopeful for just being accepted into a program and wow, look at me now.

Yes, I know what I’m doing. I’ve done quite a bit of research on this opportunity.

No, I don’t know anyone else there. However, I have made several friends during this application process who will be teaching in the region, so there will be friends nearby! I do have a teacher friend who inspired me to think a little farther outside the box, but nope, I don’t know anyone there.

You know how much I love to travel and always talk about seeing the world.

Yes, I will come home to see you. I’ll take photos so you won’t be lonely. The school uses a trimester system so there’s breaks and holidays.... but “holiday” is often used for “vacation” and “vacation” means “travel” and there’s lots of places to see.

Well, I’m looking into the technology and banking and wifi and all that stuff as the time goes along. Doha is the capital city and will be my new home for a bit. It is quite the up and coming area. Very modern actually. Not surprising to me. Trendy. Think of futuristic city living architecture and this is it. (Infrastructure is in the works....there’s Uber there.)

Camels and tent hotels do exist. Sand dune camping is a thing. I’m on it.

I’ll be in a school sponsored housing accommodation (they hint at having a rooftop pool, I saw photos, I concur). Other teachers will be living in my building too. I’ve spoken with a few of my new colleagues and they seem as adventurous as I am and as passionate about teaching as I am too.

I will have a salary, benefits, and all the other things people have in their career. This is just a really cool career choice for me.

Because I can right now. Carpe Diem and all that stuff.

My awesome current employer approved a two year leave of absence so I can take part in this opportunity, so props to them for believing in me and believing in this experience.

Of course I’ll be safe. There’s lots of things to do there and worst case scenario is that if none of the nine coffee shops in Doha I am following on instagram are decent, I’ll hang at my posh apartment, go to the mall or movies, picnic at Aspire Park, meet the running club there for a jog, take a yoga class, or hang at the Corniche and be your pen pal. I’ll send photos of the two Catholic Churches I found!

Yes it’s The Middle East but it’s the capital city of Qatar. Many expats and international experiences exist there. Cultural exchange.

The currency is Qatari Rial. One is worth about 25 United States cents.

No, I can wear anything I’d like, but you know I’m quite modest anyway.

Aw, thanks. I will miss you too.

This is of course all pending the final approval of some documents that I’m trying to send to the Embassies for verification.

I am currently 9th in line at the post office to mail my official credentials to Washington DC for attesting. The documents will be sent to Embassies and verified and have a nice little journey through officiating officially the official documents officially. I can’t stop thinking it’s quite Monty Python-esque.

Terribly exciting and adventuresome. Even in this process of being 7th in line now at my favorite post office ever.

I’ll keep ya posted on the officially official officialling.

Find me on Instagram if you haven’t and come along for the journey!

5th in line.

There’s hope.

Sláinte.