Oh yeah, I should probably write about all those protests... Or lack there of. I know some happened here in Kuwait, but were stopped early. I'll tell ya though, it's not wise to make an entire culture or group angry. Understand it, then put forth and educated opinion. During one of our weekly staff meetings, our superintendent ensured us that we will be fine. No worries though, I feel safe here and if there is ever a time when I am unsure, then I just say I'm from Canada. I've got enough friends here from Canada that I could get by. Eh? :D
I think I mentioned that Kuwait is 55% expats. There's another contradiction. I am an expat, so in the majority in that category, BUT I am defiantly in the minority when it comes to race. It's a very different perspective. I am white, and I am in the minority. I can't tell everyone's intent, but, a lot of people seem curious mostly. There are a few who seem angry or unwelcoming, but in general, people are just curious. I've met several people here who are unbelievably kind, and some who are not so kind.
Anyways, I wanted to write an update about my weekend as well! A few of us from our school went to the British Embassy on Friday night. It was so much fun, I truly loved every single second of it. I felt just simply content all evening. They served dinner, and it was fancy because it was a masquerade ball. It was fun to get all dressed up and ready to go out. Then, we got to order drinks. I'm talking real drinks from real bottles. It was fantastic. I could feel myself coming back to sanity even after the first taste. We danced the night away and met a ton of teachers from other schools there.
Today is the start of week 6 of teaching. I woke up this morning so excited that it is a three day week with the kids. I am ready to have a break. We will have professional development those days on the PYP programme, and IB learner profiles, but no kids. I am also excited to get the training on what we are teaching and hopefully get a better understanding of it. Each team, or grade levels have PYP meetings as well as the PD (professional development) days, and ours it tomorrow from 8- 11. It's three hours long. They bring in supply teachers for us, so we will have to write sub plans during those times. There are some days where I feel like I am finally getting the management down, and then others where I feel like I've never taught a day in my life. Some of the students are so challenging, but I just love it. I love teaching all subjects, but I think my favorite thing to do is read with them and writing. Some of my students are so creative.
Tomorrow, I will go with some friends to see if I can begin playing in their Jazz Band. I am so excited to play music for fun again. I am also thinking of playing drop in ball hockey on Thursdays. On Friday's, I will be starting up with gaelic football. It's like a mix between volleyball, soccer, and basketball. I hope it's fun. Anyways, the people who are in it are awesome. We already booked a flight to Bahrain in November. This is when the gaelic football team has their tournament. It is a good thing to be involved with because they are very social. So, even if I decide not to play in the tournament, it's still going to be a blast. It's fun because we will play with other people from different schools. In two weekends from now, a bunch of us are going out into the desert. Some will be playing paintball and some will be going for the BBQ and camping. That's me... BBQ and camping! Can't wait! :D I have been contacting people for scuba diving, but haven't gotten a hold of anyone yet. We are trying to decide what we will do over EID. There is talk that the break might be extended because it falls on Thursday and then the weekend. It's all up to what the ministry decides. Two flights booked makes me pretty excited. One for Bahrain, and one to Connecticut over winter break. It's so nice to have friends that love traveling as much as I do!
I found this poem on one of my friends Facebook page. She is in Indonesia right now teaching! I thought it was an excellent description of "why."
Hope everyone else had a great weekend! Mas salama!
I think I mentioned that Kuwait is 55% expats. There's another contradiction. I am an expat, so in the majority in that category, BUT I am defiantly in the minority when it comes to race. It's a very different perspective. I am white, and I am in the minority. I can't tell everyone's intent, but, a lot of people seem curious mostly. There are a few who seem angry or unwelcoming, but in general, people are just curious. I've met several people here who are unbelievably kind, and some who are not so kind.
Anyways, I wanted to write an update about my weekend as well! A few of us from our school went to the British Embassy on Friday night. It was so much fun, I truly loved every single second of it. I felt just simply content all evening. They served dinner, and it was fancy because it was a masquerade ball. It was fun to get all dressed up and ready to go out. Then, we got to order drinks. I'm talking real drinks from real bottles. It was fantastic. I could feel myself coming back to sanity even after the first taste. We danced the night away and met a ton of teachers from other schools there.
Today is the start of week 6 of teaching. I woke up this morning so excited that it is a three day week with the kids. I am ready to have a break. We will have professional development those days on the PYP programme, and IB learner profiles, but no kids. I am also excited to get the training on what we are teaching and hopefully get a better understanding of it. Each team, or grade levels have PYP meetings as well as the PD (professional development) days, and ours it tomorrow from 8- 11. It's three hours long. They bring in supply teachers for us, so we will have to write sub plans during those times. There are some days where I feel like I am finally getting the management down, and then others where I feel like I've never taught a day in my life. Some of the students are so challenging, but I just love it. I love teaching all subjects, but I think my favorite thing to do is read with them and writing. Some of my students are so creative.
Tomorrow, I will go with some friends to see if I can begin playing in their Jazz Band. I am so excited to play music for fun again. I am also thinking of playing drop in ball hockey on Thursdays. On Friday's, I will be starting up with gaelic football. It's like a mix between volleyball, soccer, and basketball. I hope it's fun. Anyways, the people who are in it are awesome. We already booked a flight to Bahrain in November. This is when the gaelic football team has their tournament. It is a good thing to be involved with because they are very social. So, even if I decide not to play in the tournament, it's still going to be a blast. It's fun because we will play with other people from different schools. In two weekends from now, a bunch of us are going out into the desert. Some will be playing paintball and some will be going for the BBQ and camping. That's me... BBQ and camping! Can't wait! :D I have been contacting people for scuba diving, but haven't gotten a hold of anyone yet. We are trying to decide what we will do over EID. There is talk that the break might be extended because it falls on Thursday and then the weekend. It's all up to what the ministry decides. Two flights booked makes me pretty excited. One for Bahrain, and one to Connecticut over winter break. It's so nice to have friends that love traveling as much as I do!
I found this poem on one of my friends Facebook page. She is in Indonesia right now teaching! I thought it was an excellent description of "why."
"'Why do you do it?' friends often ask, perplexed,
Brows raised, minds sorely vexed.
'The world out there is dangerous!
Aren't you scared? Why do this?
You need steady work, a house, two cars!
You have only a motorbike, and sleep under stars!'
Dear friend, if you must ask, you cannot know
This curiosity that drives me so.
To you it is hidden; in me rises unbidden!
But one day the world I'll have ridden
By iron steed, then perhaps this need
Will have vanished, finally vanquished!
That day will find me on deathbed,
With no regrets for the life I led.
Will you be able to say the same?
Or will you despair a life worn plain?
I will stake my Himalayan memories
Against your estate of a thousand trees.
Pit my Thai sunset
Against your private jet.
Weigh my horse rides at sunrise
To your Italian suits and ties.
I'll rejoice in friends before I go,
Not the figures of my stock portfolio.
And, amazingly, there are more like me;
They reject slavery, and are truly free.
They took the chance we all had,
And honestly it makes me sad
That you didn't.
You thought you couldn't...
What?
Live without the luxuries
Of all our modern amenities?
You choose the bonds of mortgage, but claim to be free,
Wasting a lifetime absorbed by TV.
Why watch it? but live it!
One life's all you get!
Don't put off 'til morrow and continue to borrow
The lives of strangers; 'tis the greatest of dangers
To the soul
Which grows old
Before its time.
Hercules, Columbus,
Guevara, Odysseus,
Champlain, Agamemnon,
The list goes on...
What have they in common?
Regardless man or god,
The soil of continents they trod,
Not in search of gold but adventure!
Not growing old 'cause they ventured
Far from safety; but far be it from me
To Judge
The pitiless pity us
With souls black pitted
Pray! save it for those less spirited.
For us... our horizons are unlimited.
-- James Richmond
Hope everyone else had a great weekend! Mas salama!
