Back to the Grind Stone

All of vacation I don't feel like blogging and then, when things are getting really busy...

Back to the Grind Stone
I'm sure you are familiar with the 'carrying on'; the lighthearted banter that happens among colleagues of all occupations. I guess it's back to the grind stone. Back to real life. I'm not ready, I need a vacation from my vacation, It wasn't long enough. These statements are often accompanied by sighs, and groans.

I may have been participating in a bit of that, following, last week's, 10 day fall break.

But then,...  Saying goodbye, we each head to our individual classrooms. I turn the key and nob simultaneously, opening the door in the way only me and the maids know how to do, I flip on the lights and catch my breath.

Oh.

That's.
Right.

I like this organized, clutter of color. This is my place. Where I get to be silly, stern and sappy all within the matter of seconds. The place I get to choose what kind of a teacher, and human, I am going to be. Everyday. The place where I get to hang out with its tiny, adorable, annoying inhabitants for several hours each day. 

This is the place I'm loved and scowled at, hugged and, ever so often, given looks of defiance. I love this place! I get to love, in this place. We love in this place.

Niece and nephews, you are famous in 3A.

We each decorated a puzzle piece.
We fit together to make a complete classroom community.

We all love to dance in 3A.

Greece

Santorini has been a place I have wanted to see for a few years now. In fact, out of all the amazing places I've been to over the years, it may be one of the few I actually wanted to go to before the opportunity presented itself. That makes it sound like I stumbled into the 27 other countries I've been to and well, that's not completely inaccurate.

I planned this trip. I knew where I wanted to go, so I made the necessary plans to do it. I was willing to go alone. That would have made it my first solo vacation. But in hindsight, I'm thrilled that a friend inquired if I wouldn't mind an accomplice.

Santorini was even more beautiful than I anticipated it to be.

Photo Dump

My signature shot.

I flew through I-STAN-bul. (My dad lives in TriniDAD and his name is prominent in ISTANbul.) 

A Little More about E break

Someone asked me recently if all I do is travel. The answer is no, though, I did return from summer break, turn around and have fall break. The reason our fall break was so early is because our holidays, at school, correlate with holidays on the Islamic calendar. We took our break during Eid Al-Adha. We (teachers and maybe others) sometimes refer to this as E break. The photo below is from last year. Last year the break fell a little later in our school calendar. This year we got 10 days off though.

This Time Around

Where I'm Meant to be

I'm suppose to be here. At least here, in this place where I am pouring out the moments of my days into the complicated, beautiful lives of others. In this case the complex lives of my precious Kuwaiti, Algerian, Egyptian, Lebanese, Saudi, German, American students. #thisislove

Was wonderful to see my students from last year, too. They were my first class, but I can't imagine how I can care this much every year... and keep it together.

Not allowed to post pictures of students, thus the blur, but that is a student made cup of last year's class.

I Wish

My students keep telling me how kind I am. And I keep telling them, "Just wait, it is only the beginning of the school year." And then they hug me. I wish I was kidding.

The Downside

Today at noon recess duty, it was 102 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity of 57%, making the heat index 133 degrees. That is the hottest I've ever experienced here, or anywhere. And my students have PE outside. (I'm glad I don't teach PE.)

Focus on the Positives

In an attempt to nurture and cultivate thanksgiving, because I want to bloom where I am planted, I have been intentionally thinking about the good and lovely things about this gulf nation. 

The following link is to a convicting and spot on post: Expat Hate Culture 

Narrated by a Kuwaiti, this is a thoughtfully honest yet, hopeful video about this nation:

 

Easy Street

Everything is so easy this year. Teaching still requires a great deal of energy (and it's still worth it), but everything about my Kuwait life and workplace is pretty stress-free and effortless this time around. Which, I know, is why many people do end up staying. Work will have its occasional frustrations and you will miss home, but life in Kuwait is pretty comfortable for the Western expat. 

Changes

Now I remember why I got into the habit of laying on the couch for hours every workday evening. This is not the habit, I want to call my life. But, after a long day I don't feel up to making plans and then I sit down and I have the fleeting thought... Must. Change. Some... thing... but my apartment is so cozy and my couch so comfortable...and... that is how it happens. Relaxation and isolation are sometimes only separated by a thin line, though. So, I am making plans when I do have energy. Zumba etc. with workout buddies, new bible study(or two), Arabic lessons and game night have been added to the mix. I'm also hosting the first book club of the year, again. And I'm thinking about a membership to the Hilton resort and tutoring. "I'm thinking about it, but I'm not sure how seriously." That is my new catch phrase. It is quite the useful sentence. In this birth of busyness, I'm investigating if sleep really is overrated. The verdict is still out.

We're not in Kansas Anymore Toto

Went solo via my trustee taxi driver to grab a few groceries last week. Every woman in the quaint mall was in a chador.


No lie. Except for the clerks who were all Filipino. Okay, I saw one other blonde, so in hindsight she must not have had on a head covering, but total Kuwaiti complete with huge sunglasses on, inside the store. And there I was (without sunglasses on inside the mall), being all me, showing calves hair and elbows. People asked me this summer, "Do you get stared at?" and I'd reply... idk, shoulder shrug... "I think I'm used to it now."... but on this mall day, I can confidently say "Yes.", double takes and all. 

My Other Job as an Ethnographic Researcher
Some things stand out afresh after being out of a culture for a while. Like, for example, having the Islamic call to prayer soundtrack coming from dueling mosques during your, Friday morning, sermon. The one you listen to with 15 other people in the unmarked basement of someone's home. 

The moments after I arrived back in Kuwait I tried to muster up all my ethnography skills, but, again... jet lag. Here is all I got.

Observations recorded from my flight from Frankfurt to Kuwait and while I was waiting by the baggage carousel in Kuwait:

After a prolonged absence, it seems good to take note of obvious cultural observations again.

-That's right. Not everyone speak English. 

-It's hot in Kuwait.

-Taxis are expensive.
- Oh yeah, Kuwait is on the gulf. Sweet.Water.Pretty.

-Teachers are so friendly. Reconnected with some in the airports.

-People here are kinda chubby.

-And kinda pushy.

-There is, very often, a strong woody smell of Arab cologne.

I think I'll keep my day job. ;)

A Day in the Life of this Expat Teacher: A Typical Friday
Lunch, after church.



And (grocery) shopping.

You know, just pushing my own grocery cart in front of a Jimmy Choo.


Our Friday morning taxi driver.

Coming Soon

Athens and Santorini, with friend from Hungary.

#cancrosssantorinioffbucketlist

Spontaneously decided to take a short trip to Jordan, with travel buddies, over Islamic New Year.

#wearesospontaneous

Getting Settled Into Kuwait, Year 2

My New Digs

They told me, but I just didn't believe them.  It cant be that bad, I mused. Well... dust, everywhere. It coated everything. I had to sweep up little piles, vacuum and mop multiple times and still... dust. I was slipping and sliding in my house shoes (inside flip flops).

I am in a new larger (but not too big), 11th story apartment.  It isn't perfect, but I love it.

Above is a short (30 second) video that covers a wider scope than I posted on Facebook (to me FB peeps), but from the same window.

View from my living-room window.

Things are now organized and clean enough to relax.

The kitchen is just off the living-room.

Master bath to the left and hallway to living room, etc. to the right.

Fun clock purchase I forgot I got, right before I left for the summer. 

View from kitchen window. The gulf is the distance, but the smog/dust/whatnot is making it hard to see that. 

So, this happened: I had been considering a maid to clean my windows, because they have dust storms here and I have amazingly grand windows, but I was still on the fence about it. And then I spend countless hours cleaning the tiled floors of my 6 rooms. And then she, a maid, came to my door and the words just came out of my mouth, "Yes, I would like you to come once a week." 

Wherever you are be all There.

I recently reflected: as busy as I am getting my classroom ready, commencing my grad classes and trying to tackle that aforementioned dust... I still find myself checking out this world clock a lot.




I almost feel disloyal being happy here. I had such a fulfilling summer. Any lack of connection I felt living in the Middle East last year, was met and exceeded through my sum, sum, summertime. I was sad to leave. And I am sad I'm not there. I was, and am, however, hopeful for this year here. 

It's pretty exciting reconnecting. Saying (and meaning) "It's great to see you!" and hugging people you are truly happy to see. Doing this over and over, does something to you. Sharing happy and adventurous (we are all world travelers!) summer stories with Kuwait-made friends, and acquaintances you realize you really like, does... something. The commonality of coming together with other child and knowledge lovers to gear up for another school year does ... something... something good. 

My Kuwait faves.

Looking expectantly forward to blooming where I'm planted, during year 2.

Sum, Sum Summertime.

I'm having a hard time organizing my words of late. Let's blame it on jet lag. I have woke up at 3:30 am every morning since returning to the sand box. Regardless of when I go to sleep and if I take, or skip, my beloved naps.

So, instead of many words I am going to do another photo dump of sorts. 

-Today summertime.

-Tomorrow new-apartment/excited-to-be-back-stuff.

I already blogged about beautiful Budapest and Rome so I'll take off from there. 

California

California born, though not so-much raised, I do have a special connection with the place. My dad now lives in vacation paradise, so I am the lucky recipient of free room and board in this breathtaking location:

California allotted me much time for beauty hunting(above) and reflection(below). Here is a little scroll through some of the latter.

Colorado
Today was kinda representative of life...Who am I to see and experience so much beauty. Mom you were right, "Life is not fair." I don't deserve such goodness and beauty. Overwhelmed. God you are the best artist!

-Reflections as I drove through Colorado. After spending 2 weeks in California, a month in Nebraska, a week in Hungary and 3 days in Rome. #cannotbeleivethisismylife

Nebraska

I once said everyone needs to move away to see how much people love and appreciate them. But I am there again. Feeling blessed.

#internationalteachersmoveawayeveryyear

I need to go back to Kuwait so I stop spending so much money! I left with one large suitcase and I returned with 2 large suitcases and a carry-on. I think I bought 3 of every health and beauty product and clothing article I may not be able to get in Kuwait.

-My thoughts as I weighed, re-arranged and had to take things out of my overweight suitcases. 

#whathappenedtogetrichfastwantless

#whathappenedtolivesimplysoothrescansimplylive

I also brought back puzzles and games. Game nights, here I come!

Carried this heavy book around all summer and have yet to open it.  School starts here September 2nd.

Our state motto is "The Good Life". And that is true. A good life made up of good people and beautiful landscapes.

Describe Nebraska in one word? 
"All I got is, home."

Today was summertime.

Tomorrow will be new-apartment/excited-to-be-back-in-Kuwait-stuff.