Day 217 - Keeping Secrets

Image of a secretary by Vin Crosbie, via Flickr.com

I learned the origin of the term secretary from Gloria - one who keeps secrets. Gloria did so much more than keep records, file documents, record minutes, and manage correspondence, the tasks I had previously associated with secretaries.

Gloria was unflappable. I received a phone call one day from a person who called to say that she would be unable to attend the reception at the ambassador's residence. Getting those invited to RSVP was a challenge, complicated further by various accents and invitation lists that weren't always alphabetized. In this case, it sounded like the caller's name was Jaxson, someone who was not on the ambassador's list of favorite people. She had been one of those enthusiastic about the idea of an American School opening in Doha until she understood the students might include non-Americans and naturalized Americans, like the ambassador.

I scanned the list of invitees to see if the ambassador had changed his mind about including Jaxson and her husband, but their names were not on the copy of the list I had. I wasn't too worried about not catching the name because we didn't rely on the numbers of those who confirmed they would attend. But I was curious, so I went up to Gloria's office, told her about the call, and asked if she had an additional list of those invited. The ambassador heard me say that I thought the person who called with her regret was Jaxson. He walked to Gloria's desk and told her to call Jaxson to tell her that she had not been invited to the event. He wanted there to be no misunderstanding. He didn't leave Gloria's desk until she had completed the call.

Gloria was unflappable.

Gloria had a series of colorful phrases that kept conversation lively. Alex's nationality and personality made him one of her prime targets. Gloria's usual characterization of him was that he wasn't wrapped too tight. That expression conjured up a lot of images for me, from Alex in a straight jacket to Alex in a caftan that needs a belt. Others Gloria described as not being the sharpest knife in the drawer or having an elevator that didn't make it to the top floor or being a few cards short of a full deck.

Image of chocolate mousse by abakedcreation, via Flickr.com

Gloria and I also spent a lot of time checking out restaurants in Doha. Because liquor was not served, the final bill was never outrageous, but the food was, in the best possible way. During Ramadan, the big three hotels, the Sheraton, the Ramada, and the Gulf, all served buffets at sundown, for iftar or breaking of the fast. During the rest of the year, the big three served Friday morning breakfast buffets. Gloria and I used our many opportunities at these meals in search of the best chocolate mousse. Hard as we tried, we just couldn't agree on which one was best. So what else could we do but keep up the search.

Gloria stayed on in Doha nearly five years after I left. I don't think she ever stopped searching.