I’m fuzzy on the date, maybe four years ago? If not, definitely three. The setting: a beautiful winters day here in Qatar, at a quaint school fete. There was bunting, cakes and jams, and a crowd of people snaking their way through the stalls. I had G and the children with me, we’d divided to conquer, he had two children and I had the others. As we shuffled shoulder to shoulder, I ran into a familiar face, a woman I’d met through an acquaintance a few weeks earlier. She was new in town and I wondered how she was going. She was a very cool operator, a pursed smile, a little aloof. She introduced me to her friend, a journalist with a local magazine.
“What do you do here Kirsty?” her friend asked
I didn’t want to say that I really had no idea what I was doing in Doha. That returning to the office with a child who was finishing school at 12.30 was proving to be problematic. So I shared the only glimmer of hope I had to staying sane while attempting to make a dollar.
“I’ve started a blog – I’ve picked up some freelance work – it’s called 4 kids, 20 suitcases and a beagle”
Just as I finished my sentence, from the corner of my eye, I caught the tail end of an eye roll accompanied by a slight head shake and a gentle mocking giggle. There was no doubt that my new acquaintance thought both me and my blog were a bit of a joke.
“Are you a trained journalist?” her friend asked
“No”
“Did you write before you came to Doha?”
“No – well, only business proposals and tender submissions”
“Oh well – keep practicing!”
We stood awkwardly for a moment admiring the sausage rolls until I made a hasty retreat. Whatever confidence I’d had in my writing ability was left somewhere around the sausage rolls and hand made jewellery.
Writing is like that. One day you think you’re terrible, the next day you’re sure it’s worse than terrible – diabolical. On a good day you might settle with the idea that yes, that one piece was okay – until you realise you’ve put the apostrophe in the wrong place and written aisle instead of isle. The problem with writing is it’s so bloody public, every error, every faux pas, every typo. Not once in my professional life in HR did a girlfriend comment on my interview style or something I’d missed on a job specification. I got to learn how to do those things with a much smaller and impersonal audience.
It’s been five years. It was five years ago today that we landed in Doha. Five years ago that I arrived with Lizzie 9, Annie 7, Fred 6 and Henry 3. Five years ago we stepped foot in what is now the ‘old’ airport, without a friend to call or an idea of what we’d let ourselves in for. Oh sure we kind of knew, we’d travelled before, lived in much hairier places – but Doha has been a complete surprise for G and I. It has changed dramatically while we’ve been here; new buildings, new schools, new rules – we have bacon!
One thing has stayed the same throughout our time here – this blog.
On the night that I arrived in Doha I sent my cousin an email, she’d began blogging earlier. I can’t remember the exact words but the gist was “How do you start a blog?”. She told me the platform she used, and gave me a push to get started.
After the children were asleep I sat on the top of the bed, propped up by pillows with G by my side and wrote this – “it’s asking for a name?” I looked towards G for inspiration. He suggested a few things, nothing seemed right. I looked over at the bodies lined up next to each other, counted the suitcases around the room and typed in 4 kids, 20 suitcases and a beagle. I had no idea that that blog post would turn into 1,000 blog posts, that I was about to learn about widgets, plugins, links, and tags. I had no idea that it would turn into a community, that I would eventually be paid to write, that I’d attend blog conferences, become incredible friends offline with readers and others bloggers. That I would happily sit giggling away in the bleachers at softball reading comments about sports snacks and cut up oranges and who in the hell brings bento boxes for half time snack?
This blog has been the biggest gift that Doha has given me. I’m on my way to a meeting with my fellow co-founder of BloggingME this morning. We have so many exciting things happening at the moment in our blogging community here in Doha. I am passionate about blogging, about writing, about what an online profile can do for someone who’s having to leave the workforce temporarily. I have two regularly paid advertisers in my sidebar, a sponsor for our video series, a regular writing gig with a magazine and a series of sponsored posts. I think I can now hold my head up and say, wait for it, ‘I’m a writer’.
So yeah, it turns out the woman at the fete handed out some good advice. I kept practicing. I’m still here.
And I just wanted to say thank you, I wanted to to say thank you for still being here with me.
Thank you. xx
Kirsty, I am a ‘trained’ journalist, and I would give my eye teeth to write as beautifully as you do! It was what you were meant to do! So glad that snotty comment didn’t put you off. Congrats on five fabulous years. I love your blog x
What an interesting story! I think blog is one of the best inventions ever for expats to support each other and keep themselves involved with what they love. You’re one of the most famous expat bloggers. You’re a great writer and you inspire many people out there, I’m sure!
Kirsty, I’m still here. I have so little time, these days, to blog, or to read other people’s blogs, much less comment. You and your blog and your writing have appealed to me since day dot. Hence I am still here, reading the cream that rises to the top. Xx
Sometimes the oddest comments hold the most truth.
How rude and condescending of s stranget to say that. Yet, what great advice. Guess its in tje tone of how its said and the nonverbal signs accompanying it.
Practise does make perfect.
You’re pretty good to us – and a huge inspiration t those of us new to blogging. We might be a trend or pasding phase but even with a small following, we can make a difference.
Congratulations!
X
Great advice, I think I’ll keep practising some more too, sometimes life gets busy and the bog takes a back seat, must remember to practice more regularly. Thanks 🙂
Kristy – I’m on my 4th foreign assignment and I’m tired, so tired… BUT I recently discovered your blog and it lifts me up; I love the “authentic voice” that you bring to your writing.
I’m glad Miss Snotty-Pants didn’t discourage you and that you continue to speak your truth, with is often our truth as well. Thanks
“which is” … see? a typo!
I follow many blogs but yours is one of the few I always read. Thanks for hanging in there and giving your readers something to look forward to. Congratulations on 5 years of blogging!
Congrats! I think blogging is the only thing I am REALLY good at. And I’m not even good at it, I just love it. Here’s to the next 5 and then 5 more and all that x
I was a expat Nurse living in Saudi Arabia for 10 years. Reading your blog is wonderful. I reminds me of my time in the Desert- the problems, the joys, the fun, the whole nine yards. You manage to encapsulate all the joys of being and ex-pat – and the wonderful bonus of meeting and making new friends for life. I know my email list is heavily filled with notes from my friends who are now back in their home countries all over the world.. Thank you.
Just wanted to say that I enjoy your writing so much – you just make sense. I’m glad you kept at your blog and I hope you continue to entertain and inform. Thanks. x
Congratulations! I stumbled on your blog a few years ago by way of some one else’s blog. I was hooked! Thank you for all your adventures!
I write for a living also and know what it’s like to be very ‘exposed’ with your work. Please have no doubt that you a wonderful writer. I have been following your blog since you began all those years ago and I do so because you always leave your readers laughing, crying, thinking, or often all three at once. So glad you didn’t let someone else’s insecurities define you!
Oh Bex, biggest compliment ever. Thank you! xx
Hahahaha! 🙂 so glad it’s not just me. x
Yes, but you take the BEST photos!
I love that we met through blogging and have stayed in contact. Thanks Lucy xx
Thank you xx
I agree, blogging is fantastic for expats – I wish I had a record from when we began our travels. x
Thanks Vicki! I’m so glad you stumbled over here. xx
It’s amazing that we still do it isn’t it? Every time we write we put ourselves up for criticism – I do love it though, couldn’t imagine a week going by without writing now.
Thanks Beth xx
There’s three blogs that I check into each morning, no matter where I am or what I’m doing. You’re one of those three. I listen to your podcast and talk about you to my husband like we’re old friends “You know?! The people who moved from Sydney to the pretty white house!” I’ll say when he looks confused about wtf I’m talking about 🙂
Thanks Darlene, its wouldn’t be there same here without you xx
Thank you so much Robin. I love that you’ve kept in contact with all your old friends – there’s something about those expat friendships isn’t there. xx
Thanks it’s great to get feedback, I’m never quite sure whether anyone even looks at them other than close friends and family and they have to say nice things! Lol just noticed my spelling mistake… “Bog”
Yep – I always check in on BabyMac, Mrs Woog, Edens and YOURS! So you are in fine company, I think. Snotty people are what put me off starting and the fact that you guys do it so naturally and I would labour over ever word! I’m quite confident IRL but I’ve only just had the gumption to even start to comment on blogs!
Kirsty, your blog is the only way I get by email to be sure I don’t miss it in the clutter of my feedly. Thank you for continuing – you are a light in an often dark tunnel.
Thank you so much Hannelene, I needed your comment today. xx