Doha 2: The Revenge

I know the title makes no sense in this blog because if you go through my very small archive, you won't be able to retrieve an article with the title Doha or Doha 1 anywhere, but let me explain.

I went to Doha, Qatar for the first time at the end of 2008 to work there as a production assistant at Al Jazeera Children Channel. It was the first job I nailed after graduation. I had studied Audiovisual and Cinematic direction and it took me around 9 months before I found this position. I was thrilled about it, although it meant that I would have to move away, leave my country, my family and friends.

I was happy in Qatar then. I had a great job, very nice friends, a boss I got along with, and most of all, I felt independent for the first time in my life. I had both personal and financial independence, I felt stable and secure. Nothing beats the feeling of having your very own apartment.

I had a bright future ahead of me in the channel. I was going to great places - career wise - in my mind. I saw it all becoming true. I saw the raise I would be getting very soon. I saw the car I was going to buy when I got the raise. I saw the beautiful house in Beirut I would own as soon as I had saved enough. 

It all came crumbling down on me a few months after I had joined the channel. My residency permit got refused. Why you may ask? I couldn't possibly tell you, because hard as I had tried to find out the reason behind this shocking piece of news, I wasn't able to get a straightforward honest answer from anyone. 

It has been almost 3 months now since I have last had a job in Lebanon, and desperate as I am, I decided to accept an offer I got to work as a production coordinator in Al Kaas TV in Doha. 

I can't help but worry: what if my permit doesn't get accepted this time as well? What if I am still as unlucky as I was back in 2008? Because honestly, my luck has barely changed in every other area. 

It would be delightful if it works out for me this time around. There is nothing I want more in the world right now. This will make everything else seem easy in comparison. Fingers crossed for a longer and merrier stay in Doha this time.