Much to smile about
Hello, friends! My apologies for not reaching out to you in so long. It has been quite a wild ride around here. When I last wrote you, it was on the eve of the new academic year. Since then, there have been decisions made, more questions asked and questions answered, passport stamps planned, and things-places-people discussed.
What I was hoping to be a symmetrical year from the first has spun into something entirely more wonderful than I could have ever imagined. Last year, I found such peace in coming to know myself, coming to define who I am, and knowing the things I am willing to defend, things which I am completely finished, and things which I am willing to compromise.
Hey, it's me. I'm not one for selfies, but this is a good one (ha!)
I was telling a friend the other night how I'm a different person than I was 10 years ago, 5, 2, and even 1 year ago for being here in Qatar. He agreed there is something about this country that brings people together and something that challenges them and changes them along the way. I like this version of me and I think I'm going to keep her for awhile. I like myself, and that's the first in a long time I can say that. This academic year, I've realized how every part of my life has led me to be sitting right here - with a smile.
And there's much to smile about these days.
Hanging out around town:
View of Aspire Park from Torch Tower and Feeding Camels in Souq Wakif
I was trusted to lead the new teacher orientation team with an amazing group of friends behind me to support all efforts. Navigating a city I truly love with such ease and adventure experiences. It was a task unlike any other I ever led. It was a privilege and a huge undertaking to be trusted with this role, and it has moulded a part of me professionally.
I've have also been asked to be the team lead for specialist teachers (Art, Phys Ed, IT, Library, Music) and while this presents a challenging set of leadership tasks, I'm honored to work with my amazing teammates and continue to build the strength of our specialists team. As our school expands, it is exciting to be part of the development process and leading this team of experts has moulded a part of me professionally as well as personally (in becoming even more organized and efficient and learned).
I was featured in the GAAQ Raptor Report Newsletter!
At this point, I am reminded of a conversation I had with Himself two weeks before that fateful April Day, where he told me he understood how my life was going to continue without him and one day I might find something or someone else and it was ok to move ahead and feel something exciting again. I told him I'd never forget him... but at that point, though I didn't understand all of what was happening, I promised him one day I'd be ok. He smiled at me, tears in both our eyes, and said go, live, love, and do what is best for me.
Pearl Monument and City Skyline from MIA Park
I'm at that point now where I'm flying on. I am excited to see what my employer asks of me next. They always seem to know the exact thing I need to grow a bit more and fly ahead. Excited to meet people I haven't yet met and ideas that haven't yet been sent my way. Flying ahead - flying on.
The GAAQ mascot is a Raptor.
Raptor: (Latin - rapere: seize or capture)
Bird of prey (carnivorous) with three distinct features: (1) hooked, sharped edged beak, (2) curved, sharp talon claws or feet, (3) keen eyesight.
A bird. Flying on. Doing the things.
Speaking of smiles, I want to tell you about a friend I met at an open mic night last academic year. Anonymity what it is here on the blog, I'm excited to share with you a quick story about Les Paul.
Crazy talented, inspirational and creative teacher, musician, philosopher, artist, dancer, and origami crafter.
The other night while chatting about family, life, careers, inner happiness and living our best lives, studying the craft, and "the day when you were reborn" finding your muse and organizing life around the muse which keeps you creating what you're meant to create -
he asked me for a piece of paper...
began folding...
and while telling me that no matter what, The Arts are the expression of our souls, and we should always rejoice in doing what no other mammal really can do - which is smile...
made me this orizuru (origami crane) with moveable wings...
and I flew into his smile a little bit more...
He's a really nice smile, if I do say so myself.
The symbolism of the crane represents the red-crowned "Honorable Lord Crane", whose wings carry souls to paradise. The children's book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes tells the legend of folding one thousand cranes to have a wish granted. Souls to paradise, hmmm.
Thanks, Les Paul, for this crane... for letting me see one of my wishes granted... and for the second nice conversation evening. I'm looking forward to the next... I like what you have to say about life and living... and flying... and because every time I talk to you, I learn a little bit more about things I didn't know also.
The crane also reminds me of my favorite song:
which has become my go-to as I sort out where and when and what I'm supposed to be doing. Asking for a directional sign. Where and when and how am I supposed to fly.... but the lyrics remind me that maybe you're just supposed to fly. No exact destination defined.. just fly.
"Just a flock of birds, hovering above, into smoke I'm turned, rise following them up, one minute they arrive, next you know they're gone... and maybe one day I'll come fly with you."
It will be a busy but happy and smiling October here, with work lesson plans and readings and music writing. Beach parties, concerts, rooftop views, quirky dinners, a week of fall break in Doha enjoying my favorite restaurants and beaches - which I haven't had time since mid-August with all this exciting work stuff - and hanging out with all these good people, in good places, with good things to discuss.
like smiling...
Because I like smiling, I like how Qatar makes me smile, and I'm excited to see where all this smiling takes me next.... where else will I fly and who will fly with me? No clue just yet, because sometimes my wings get tired, and I enjoy a rest in the nest - but I know wherever life keeps taking me, whoever life keeps sending me, I'm going to go and meet them with a big smile.
Sláinte.
If you're up for more listening: check out this song, and some of his other work, which is pretty tuneful!
It don't matter what they say I will be there Let those voices fade away I will be there