It feels like it’s been about 400 years since my last blog post. Well, I exaggerate. It’s been 6 months.
Insert crickets chirping and desert dust balls blowing across the screen.
The past 6 months have felt like a blur – a lot has happened, so blog posts have been sidelined for a bit.
So, with a glass of champagne in hand (sans alcohol currently– more on that in a bit), it’s time for an update.
Not long after my last post we packed the suitcases again and boarded Qatar Airways, this time headed to Australia for a holiday to see family and friends predominantly in Melbourne.
I also spent a week in Brisbane in the middle of our holiday, mainly to spend a week in the office while in Australia (I’ve been working remotely since being overseas) but also to catch up with some friends who live in the sunny state.
Staying at the Crystalbrook Vincent for a night before I flew back to Melbourne, I finally joined in on my friend Katie’s Friday run group. Katie is the founder of Club KT. If you’re a runner in Brisbane – or even if you’re not – make sure you connect with Katie. Her run group is honestly, the coolest.
Returning to Doha, we settled back into life in the desert and soon welcomed J’s parents, who came over for a 10-day visit.
Having family here for a visit we got to play tourists a little more than normal, which was a lot of fun.
It’s amazing how much sightseeing you don’t do when you’re actually living in another country rather than just there on holiday. Regular routine hits no matter where you’re living.
There were afternoons and evenings spent by the pool, kayaking and paddle boarding, sightseeing among city attractions, visiting museums – the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar –, wondering through Souq Waqif, eating out at some of the best restaurants, Friday Brunch at Spice Market and more
My favourite was spending the night in the desert. We did four-wheel drive sand dune bashing, swam in the ocean, experienced the desert at night (although, the night sky wasn’t quite as spectacular as I thought it would be *sigh*) and rode camels.
The night in the desert was honestly the best – an experience I’d highly recommend for anyone visiting this part of the world.
Ten days with J’s parents went by way too quickly and we were soon saying aur revoir as they boarded their Uber to head to the airport to begin their journey back home to France.
And shortly after they left, J and I got some super exciting and life changing news, which brings me back to my ‘sans alcohol’ champagne mention.
J and I found out we’re expecting!
It’s been quite the ride so far – no one tells you how tough T1 is. But we’re absolutely over the moon.
MORNING sickness?! Ah, pah-lease! More like ALL DAY sickness. And the FATIGUE. WOW! Not to mention the taste changes (at one point mine were changing every second day), and the enhanced smell sensitivity – I feel like a bloodhound. I’m in T2 now, which I’ve been told is the honeymoon trimester. So, I’m making the most of feeling a bit more alive again.
The wild ride aside, J and I are both beyond excited – the happiest season. We cannot wait for bébé to arrive at end of November.
In an amongst all of that (plus work as well), I also completed my final trimester of my master’s degree over the last few months.
That’s right, I’m now officially a MASTER!
So, I’ve now completed a Master of Communication majoring in journalism, with a distinction average. Pretty chuffed!
With EVERY assignment submission I was all like, ‘I just want to pass’, and with almost all assignments I either received a distinction or high distinction (with a couple of credits thrown in the mix for good measure! *Can’t be too greedy*).
Looking back, it amazes me how I was able to get through all of that while battling through the all-day nausea, unbelievable fatigue, migraines (I also had a cluster of migraines at one point) and other body changes.
Women are amazing!
And so are supportive men.
The last few months have been made A LOT easier with J’s mind-blowing support. That man is incredible and has, so far, been right by my side every step of the way.
So, raising that glass of sans alcohol champagne, here’s to all the amazing women and supportive men, to kicking goals, and to the next few months as we head towards the end of November.
And here’s to writing more regularly.
Life is an incredible journey and I’m here for it.
x G.
editor, journalist, digital content creator with a background in nutrition & dietetics.
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