Here I am

On Tuesday, I arrived safe and sound from my trip to the Middle East.  I was asked to speak at a conference, and that turned into twelve day stint of working in some of the high schools and presenting at a couple of the colleges about our engineering and business programs at our university (both rank very high in the country and our business ranks 24th nationally and internationally and the undergraduate program 11th nationally).   I loved being there and was sort of offered a job working for one of the American universities over there and it pays so much money it makes my head spin thinking that a person can live that high on the hog and get free housing, transportation allowance that is more than my entire budget here, and a ton of money to come home every couple of months and more research money to spend than I would make in two years here...so I am thinking of going back in August to see if I can hang in that really hot weather.  The food was so good and I thought I would have gained weight but not so much; in fact, I lost five pounds.  Go figure.

The bad news is coming home, I had a huge layover in Chicago and picked up what I thought was the flu.   So, I had a runny nose and by the time I got home, a fever.   Friday night, I began to wheeze so Saturday morning, DH forced me to the hospital and they admitted me for a few days of antibiotics and steroids.  I apparently have pneumonia in both lungs and my oxygen saturation was hoovering around 82, now it is up to 92.  I can think again.   

Since I feel so good, I am going to see if the doctor will let me go home Monday instead of Wed.   My poor husband has lived on freezer meals that I cooked before going to the Middle East and while they are healthy and tasty, he was so looking forward to me cooking something good and now, he is back to eating freezer meals.   He messaged me and said, the chili is great!   He has our grandbabies so he cannot stay at the hospital with me, but tomorrow, he will take them back to my daughter and then he can stay here and enjoy hospital food with me.  The kids liked the chili too but he added hotdogs and fritoes to their chili.  Kids love the strangest foods.  

Well, I am up waiting for my updraft and antibiotic but am starting to feel a little weak. 

All you folk**** by the snowstorm, stay safe and warm.   

Good morning Jeannie and welcome back to OFF!!! You are always missed!!

Wow....what an exciting adventure you have had....and so beneficial too!  That is quite an offer they have made. I know you would be quite an asset to their universities!! I am excited for you!!! Keep us updated please.

So sorry you have pneumonia. I can relate as I have had it for at least 5 weeks now. Lucky for me my oxygen stats have been okay so I haven't had to be in the hospital. I wish you the very best! I hope you can go home Monday!!

Hot dogs and Fritoes in chili....can't say I would want that either...especially the hot dogs!!  You are right.....kids do like strange combinations!!!

I hope you stick around and post more often. I love to here your adventures!!

Love you...HUGS....connie d

Welcome back home!!! HUGS!!

Sounds like you had a really great time over there and sounds like you just might be going back again...seems like a great opportunity and right up your alley!!! As for the heat...not sure about that one though!!! Glad that you are feeling better!!!

HUGS

Jeannie, I don't know if you remember a gal who used to be here when we were all newbies, Jodi O. Her husband worked for the State Dept in one of those jobs she couldn't talk about without killing you. We became friends offline and chatted for many years. Sometimes she couldn't even tell me where she was! Anyway, they were very well taken care of, and mostly enjoyed their life in the Middle East. Her health care was beyond great, and even included all of her plastics she could ever need or want.
They've now retired to Arizona and live a very, very comfortable life. You have to admit that at our age building up that retirement fund, whatever way you are able, is very inticeing!
Hope you are up and about super soon. Take care, my friend!

Susan it is so good to hear from you. In less than four years, I could have over a million dollars on just what I earn and not counting the other portions that I can keep if I don't spend.  And, if Kenny works, well, that would hasten our nest egg build up.   I am going to wait and go back in August for a campus visit and see what's up.   If I can tolerate the heat, I'm heading to the middle east.  

 

From what I remember from my conversations with Jody, life there isn't much different than Ar in the summer. You go from you air conditioned house, to the car w/ AC, to the office with a/c. For 250K a year, I could put up with a WHOLE lot, especially if I knew it was temporary and a means to an end.
I'm curious how you will feel about the women's rights issues and their male
dominated traditions?

I think I'm more concerned with the way they treat the immigrate workers who are not professional like domestics, restaraunt help, and construction men.  The women are born into the religion and in Qatar, they are totally pampered but do have to cover.   Hell, in the direct sunlight, I want to cover too plus the men there are very friendly and like to look so I can see why they cover their entire bodies out in public.  And they Qatar is one of those countries where all the people in Qatar are on payroll from the government and oil companies.   So they are all rich and have all kinds of help.   I would teach at an American university and, really, most of the people that I saw when I was there were westerners or immigrants from Asia, Africa, and other countries.   People go there to make money and then leave.   

I think I will like it and so will Kenny.

My dear, I know you well enough to know you'll do your due diligence and make the right decision for yourself. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity that can't be missed. 

 

Do you think they need an American hairdresser/nail tech???

Jeannie,

Having lived with a man who has worked in the Middle East for decades now, I thoroughly understand the lure of the big salaries.  It would be great if your husband can go with you!  I can tell you the temps in the summer are brutal, often around 125F or more!  But like Susan says, there's always AC.  Wish you the best in making your decision.

 

Yes.  They will move our entire household, including cats and move us back.  I will work for American University but the government of Qatar will pay me too.   Huge pay.