I actually started this entry a couple of weeks ago. It took a few moments for me to realize just exactly what I was writing about…

I went into Aspetar to get my MRI and the receptionist told me there’d be a delay. He apologized, explaining that the clinic had tried unsuccessfully to call me twice to inform me. Based on my Canadian Healthcare experiences, I was expecting him to tell me weeks or months. The answer, it turns out, was 2 hours!

He was shocked to see me smiling at the news. I also have to give them all kinds of props and credit for this level of service and professionalism. I wish we could get the same in Canada. Unfortunately our healthcare workers are overloaded, and under such circumstances everyone pays the price.

Anyways, I waited, got my MRI, later today I’m getting the results. Right now, I’m in a random little restaurant on Airport Rd. waiting for some breakfast. Mmmm spring rolls and Pepsi. Not exactly eating healthy in the desert. That’ll be a resolution for next year, right now I’m hungry and this is the only game in town within walking distance.

Another semester is done at the college. This officially puts me two thirds into my current contract. I wish I could say Qatar has grown on me like Korea, but it hasn’t. That is not to say that I dislike the place, I’m simply indifferent. A large part of that is the MA work, I spend most of my time these days reading at the college or in my hotel room. And generally most days that’s the size of the country, a few classrooms where I teach, a couple of rooms where I study.

That’s not to say the glass is half empty. I’m very well paid, especially for an EFL instructor. I also get good vacation time and benefits. And most importantly, I enjoy teaching. I will never be a fan of the political/administrative side of the job but I can certainly tolerate it. Better to bend than to break.