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.

A Nebraskan Teacher in Kuwait

A Nebraskan Teacher in Kuwait

Was planning to write another post about teacher stuff(this post) and I thought maybe my blog should be called Nebraskan Teacher in Kuwait but when I said it in my head, it sounded like a personal ad.  Which reminded me of Haiti and THIS.

Adjective practice in Beginner's English last summer, in Haiti.

The 3 Little Fishes

Working on irregular plurals in class.  The ones that don't change they found hilarious. "5 sheep?!," one said. Another guessed, "wolfs," when I asked for the plural. Person to people befuddled them and when I went over fish some thought I was lying. That is the reason we spent a week going over how to make plural nouns. My students are adapting classic fairy tales and a couple changed the classic The 3 Little Pigs to The 3 Little Fishes. 

Some of the nouns I picked are rare like oxen, cacti and di (I think I learned the singular form of dice only a few years ago) but I need to stump some of my higher kids sometimes and unbeknownst to them they are being prepped for an I Have Who has activity. 

#IHaveWhoHasLove 

After School Club

We met 7 times. Twice all 4 boys showed up. Twice only 1 student attended. The other three times, 3 came. Low turn out, but I loved Math Game Club.  I hope to do it again next year. It was a great way to learn some new games I can use in class, get to know my students in a different environment and make a little extra cash.  We had our final meeting last week, so I brought out a few of their favorites and this new one. 

Fraction Bump. We used a paperclip/ pencil spinner.

We always play for points and the winner gets to pick the Go Noodle brain break, at the end. You'd think it was a jumbo candy bar they get so excited.  It saves me the money and time of having to buy a prize.

Dominoes War.  We did the addition and subtraction editions.

My least favorite game, Multiplication Twister.  They like it though.

Math Jenga.

Miss Macgyver

Just call me Super Teacher.  My student raised his open hand up to me and looked expectantly at me. Inside was his broken eye glasses. They were missing the pin that holds them together.  I said "George, (names changed to protect the identity of those involved) I don't think I can..." "...just give me a minute." And before students had unpacked their bags and shuffled to Morning Meeting, I had strung a paper clip through, twisted, clipped and yanked out an eraser to safety-fy the sharp ends. Ta-da! All in a day's work of Super Teacher. 

He went the whole day like this.

Super Hero Stance
We actually did just finish up a 3 week "Super Reader" challenge. So we have been doing this attention grabber in class where I yell out, "Super...!" and they respond, "Reader!" and give me a super hero stance.  Then I repeat and they repeat and they change their stance.  Good times.

One lucky Super Reader in every class received a "Super Reader" cape.

The countdowns are on.

Speechless

The time has come. I don't have anything to say. I could tell you about the operatic Verdi Requiem I went to where I almost dozed off in the second row, since it started at my usual bedtime. And how I sat right behind the Danish ambassador. But as much as I know it was good quality, I still don't care for opera, so I can't gush about it. It was pretty cool to see the symphony up close like that though.

I could go on about how I'm really into this Iranian chicken at the moment. How that and my falafel pita sandwiches are just amazing. 

How I spent a lazy Saturday on the beach, reading in the sun. 

How as I write this, I am here and this is happening (I'm actually too lazy today to post the video but the fountain is synchronized to music.)

How I did find a beautiful place to walk that is 40 minutes one way. Now that is actually noteworthy. 

But none of it feels too exciting and all I really do is work, talk about work, think about work and dream about work.

Until next week. Hope everyone is having a wonderful week.

Just Another Week in Kuwait

Walking.

This week's, on foot, exploration led me to this camel. We found him just 15 minutes from the apartments.

We discovered a fairly clean, decent length of walkable beach.  No taxi fare needed, but it did require the crossing of some highly trafficked roads. Another find was a cheap Lebanese restaurant on the route.

Coffee Confusion. 

On a typical 3 am morning, I opened up a new package of coffee and was greeted by a wretched aroma.  I had mistakenly bought coffee infused with cardamon. "No!" I've seen this option at the store and thought sometime I'd like to try it, but I was repelled by the surprising stink.  The odor was so offensive I had to toss it in the large garbage bin outside of my apartment. "No cardamom in my coffee, thank you."

After school, I went to demonstrate my coffee competence at the local super bakala (convenience store). After a much closer examination of labels, I gave my dinar to the shopkeeper. 

The following morning, I opened up to this strange sight. 

Who would have ever guessed you could purchase coffee mixed with partially hydrogenated coffee creamer. "Gross!" But I drank it. Better bad coffee than no coffee, unless it has cardamom in it.

Arab Fund Building.

We took a bus to the Arab Fund building today.

Typical bus in Kuwait. Just like the one I ride to and from school in.

This is where some of the important financial decisions for the region are made. I had coffee with our guide Osama. 

By I had coffee with, I mean he happened to sit down at our table. :)

He was fundamental in the building of this immaculate, beautiful structure. He showed me a photo of himself with President Carter. President Bush(senior) has had dinner at the center, too.

Love how they do that to the trunks.

Arabic Course.

There is only 1 more class left in the Primer Arabic course. It has went by very quickly. I am using some Language apps to practice. Memrize is a favorite.

The visuals they use help my remember the letter names. 

I've been taught how to write, identify, and pronounce all the Arabic letters. I've also been taught several common phrases and the numbers from 1-10. Now to learn it all. Our taxi driver is letting us practice with him. I'm planning to spend some time with the Primer course stuff before I continue on to the Beginners level. 

B-day in Kuwait.

I had a very full B-day in Kuwait. Emails, wall posts, gifts, videos and phone calls galore.