A Nebraskan in China: Mall

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

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

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Dubai, Refreshing

Dubai

I went to Dubai for the weekend. Really enjoyed it. I wasn't sure if I would like all the glitz and glam, but I really did. Often on Sundays in our 3A morning meetings, we do a lightning share, which means every student can share something but it must be lighting quick. I usually say, "Describe your weekend in 1 or 2 words." That's what I said today. I shared, "Dubai, refreshing."

Easy Transportation
Dubai's clean reliable Metro is one reasons I give it kudos. It's mostly rode by the approximately 80% foreigners that live in the UA emirate. I'd guess the majority of Dubai's residents are actually Indian. I'd also guesstimate 70% of them are men. Which makes it nice that there are special Women and Children Only metro cars. I like. Metro tickets are reasonably priced, as well. A day pass is equivalent to about 6 US dollars.

A Few Things I Experienced on my Visit

Palm Island
I went to the, man-made, so-big-can-see-from-space, palm tree- shaped, island.

(I did not take this picture.) Atlantis is in the middle at the bottom.

Atlantis
Went to Atlantis, a hotel themed after the mythical underwater city with the same name. My students love Atlantis and talk about it, so I wanted to go see it. They actually stay there, though. During my visit, I wondered, "What is the big deal?" But, if I was to stay there, I would have a sweet room and access to the beach. I wasn't impressed, but if I get more info on how to swim with the dolphins and sea lions there, I might change my tune.

Inside a room. Ditto on not taking this one.

Burj Kalifa
A rode the super fast and smooth elevator up to the tall Burj Kalifa. I had gorgeous weather and I went at 8 am so there were hardly any other visitors. I loved it. The entrance is inside the mall.

The size of the Eiffel tower and other famous land marks in comparison to Burj Kalifa.

Dubai Mall
The world's biggest mall, Dubai Mall has an ice rink and an aquarium. I went to college next to the Mall of America and Kuwait has the whole shmansy (as in fancy-shmansy) mall scene, so not much new there. I went both days before the shops were open though. I really enjoyed wandering and snapping a few shots when it was virtually empty. Except for all the worker and cleaners. I drank my joe and people watched in front of the fountain and the Burj Kalifa.

There's also another mall(I also visited), Mall of the Emirates, with an indoor ski destination, Ski Dubai.

Heritage Village
On the last day, Mary and I, happily, wandered into the Heritage (old city) area. Very picturesque.

Maybe Next Time
Next time I want to explore a bit more of the trendy, Marina area. And I missed the famous evening fountain show at the Dubai mall! Traffic, darn you. I really wanted to experience that. I'd also like to spend some time at one of their clean public beaches. Maybe even skydive! Never done that before. And I wanna see me some flamingos. Maybe next time.