RAMADAN KAREEM

It has been four months since I last wrote in my blog. So much has happened I can't possibly write about it all so I will just touch on the main events.

My daughter Alexandra is now Doctor Jackman. She was married to a wonderful young man on June 2, graduated from the University of Alberta Medical School on June 8, and began her residency in pediatrics on July 1^st. My daughter Charelle will embark on post graduate studies at Queen's University in Kingston in September, working on her Masters and Phd. In Behavioral Neuroscience. My daugher Jordyn survived the challenges of her gap year, growing in wisdom and maturity. She will be starting at the University of Winnipeg in September.

I recently enjoyed six weeks in Canada spending time with family and friends. I watched with love and pride as my eldest daughter and her husband exchanged their wedding vows, and as Alex walked across the stage at her graduation ceremony. I went on a road trip with each of my two youngest daughters – short trips but still very special times. I basked in the warmth of my girls' love and laughter, spent as much time in their company as I could, soaked up the sights, sounds and smells of summer in my native country and eventually, with mixed feelings, boarded a plane to return to Riyadh.

Between leaving my job in Kuwait and starting this job in Saudi I lost four months of work this year, which completely derailed my financial plans but I should be back on track after another year here. I am still working on being away from Canada for another 4 or 5 years, possibly in the Middle East, possibly spending a year or two in the Far East.

I left for Canada at the end of the semester just as exams were starting. It was sad saying goodbye to my students, I'd grown very fond of them, and particularly close to a few of the girls. The happiness and fulfilment I felt in the classroom made up for the restrictions and frustrations I sometimes faced outside it.

Life in Riyadh can sometimes be challenging but it is interesting, the people are generally warm and welcoming, I am meeting and making friends with people from all over the world, and I am learning and growing as I continue this journey I began almost one year ago. I miss my family and friends, I miss my beautiful city by the sea, but I am excited to see where this road I am travelling will take me. I am not ready to turn around yet.