first year being away with our beloved family is the most difficult year, every occassion you missed especially christmas and new year is really depressing. just the thought of being alone and celebrating such occassions with new found friend here will make you even more sad, thinking that you'ved been deprived of the enjoyment if you are with the whole family. the only reward we get, after wiping the tears and overcome the loneliness, is the thought that our family back home is having a more comfortable life. "salamat kuya/ate" sa pinadala mo, "tnx tito sa pang tf ko", "anak salamat sa allowance na binigay mo", "dad salamat sa laptop, love you!". these are the heartwarming words that relieved us, to keep us going. its good enough these days that we can easily talk/chat/videochat with our family back home without spending much. just keep in touch with your family more often and everything will be easier. i'll be completing my 10 years here in qatar by next week, and still hoping to be here till 2022 fifa world cup...lol