Mafi Peace & Quiet...

On a typical morning I would get to work at about 6:50.  I’d sign in and head to our English Department office.  I would then check the local news back in Houston, catch up on Facebook and occasionally get a few things copied for class that day. 

 

That routine started to change about 7 weeks ago when our school changed our system of classrooms.  We, the teachers, now have our own classrooms.  The students are no longer stuck in one room all day long.  Now when I get in to work and sign in, I walk to my classroom.  As I walk to my classroom, I hope and pray I don’t have to deal with any students.  I just want to get in my classroom and get things ready in peace and quiet.  Maybe that’s because I know once first period starts, there’s very rarely any peace and quiet.

 

Of course most days – this never happens.  The buses always drop kids off early and so there are almost ALWAYS a few students waiting at the door for me.  They want to put their stuff at their desk.  Sometimes they leave at that point and sometimes they hang around and chat with friends or just watch me. 

 

Today a student from another class comes in and begins chatting with me. Just a few random things here and there as I go about my routine of checking the reports of the severe weather back in Houston.  And my quick scan over the Huffington Post.  And then I realize I’m being rude so I stop reading and engage in a real conversation with Mohammed. 

 

Mohammed is from Syria.  He has lived here since he was three years old.  He has an older brother who is studying in Germany to be a doctor. He has an older sister who is married and lives in Dubai.  He’s an uncle too.  He also has 2 younger sisters.  His family has a farm and a nice large house in Syria.

 

Mohammed’s father moved here to work for this Emirati making the black cords the locals wear on their heads.  His father made this in Syria in addition to working on the farm.  So he moved here to make more money and was given the promises of a vehicle, a nice salary, and a villa for his family.  Two of the three happened.  The villa never happened. Mohammed doesn’t know why and he never speculated about the reasons, even though I already made an assumption in my mind. 

 

 

Mohammed’s father now runs his own shop making the black cord things. 

 

I was asking more about Mohammed’s brother in Germany.  Mohammed told me his brother was studying in Syria to become a doctor.  It is a 5 year program (not sure if that’s the entire program or just the university part minus the residency).  Mohammed’s bother had to leave after the 4^th year because of the unrest in the country.  Mohammed says to me, “Mr. Shawn, can you imagine studying for four years and you almost finish and then you have to leave because of craziness?”  I can’t.  He said his brother then went to Germany where he had to take a year (or maybe two?) to get caught up to the German standards and learn the language and such.  But he’s on track. 

 

Then the bell rings and I think to myself, “Even though I didn’t get peace and quiet, finally I have a good conversation about normal life.  And it’s with a student of all people.”  I grab my keys and my phone and we head out to taboor (morning assembly). As the student who beings the call to start taboor attempts to get the rowdy kids in line with the help of the sports teacher, Mohammed beings to open up more to me.

 

Mohammed tells me how much he misses his brother.  He tells me how close his brother and he were about 5 years ago before he moved away to study.  He tells me how much he misses the talks with his brother.  For a second, I thought Mohammed was getting a little choked up.  If you’ve dealt with people in this region, they do not get emotional with things for the most part – so I was surprised.  I asked Mohammed if he was looking to study abroad when he graduates from KBW (Mohammed wants to be a pilot).  He said he wasn’t sure.  I asked him if he had any plans to work aboard after he finished studying at university. He said he didn’t think he could leave his family. He said he would miss his family too much. 

 

And then I was invested even more in this conversation.

 

I was 100% relating to what he was saying.  I felt like I was looking at myself several years ago – even as far back as high school.  I remember that same feeling my senior year in high school when I just couldn’t fathom actually leaving my parents to go to college.  No way!  And then as an adult and having kids, never in a million years did I think I’d be living 8,200 miles away from home! 

 

I tell Mohammed I felt the same way he did when I was getting to the end of high school. And even as an adult I never thought I’d leave.  But things happened and here I am!  He says, “And Mr. Shawn – you’re going back to America to be with your family!”  I couldn’t help but smile and say, “I sure am!  I can’t wait!” 

 

And thinking it was over at this point, Mohammed couldn’t just stop there!  He says, “Won’t you miss the friends and relationships you have made here?”  I told him that I sure would.  I was explaining to him that so many teachers left their lives back home and started this new journey and all we had was each other to relate to and share the frustrations with.  It becomes so easy to connect with others – especially when you’re all in the same boat. And even more when you’re in the boat and you feel like it’s sinking!  HA! 

 

Mohammed asks if I have a job. I explain to him that Jennifer and I both have jobs back in our same school district.  I know he has no clue what I meant by district. But he says, “That’s good!”  He then asks, “In a good school?”  I just said, “In a real school where students, for the most part, listen and behave. And that’s partly because there are real consequences for students who misbehave.”  He laughs.  He laughs because he understands what I’m really saying beyond just some words coming out of my mouth.  And maybe he understands partly because earlier in the morning he asked me if I would “learn” (they’re always confusing learn and teach!) him in grade 11.  I responded with a, “Noooooo – no, no, no! I’m going back to America!”

 

Then it was that awkward moment for Mohammed, not me, when he wasn’t sure how to end the conversation and get into his class line. I just said, “Thanks for talking Mohammed!”  He replies, “I will see you tomorrow morning, Mr. Shawn.” 

 

There goes the peace and quiet I look for each morning. 

 

Stay Tuned...

The Staring Contest

One the hardest things to get used to are the stares.  The stares from various people from various walks of life.  Typically it’s not the Western folks who just stare and glare as you walk by.  It’s the others.  The locals, the laborers, the nannies, the children, and others who I’m not even sure what category they fit in. 

Even just walking to your car from the grocery store you will encounter so many people that just stare at you.  And they stare at you even when you stare back at them.  It’s like a staring contest!  It seems that if you stare at them and then make a comment to them, they’ll stop. 

A few weeks ago we were visiting a friend in Abu Dhabi.  We stopped in the supermarket (every mall has one of the two popular chains here – LuLu or Carrefour) and went to the car.  We were putting our bags away and just chatting.  These guys (they were car washers.  They have these mobile car washers in all the mall parking garages) just stared at us for minutes until our friend said in a rather aggressive and frustrating tone, “Excuse me – what the ($*# are you looking at?”  Of course then he looked away embarrassed. And he should have. 

I know that if were the only western people here, then we’d get a few stares.  But there are so many, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, that staring shouldn’t be an issue at this point!  They’ve seen many people from all over the world.  And yet the staring persists.  It’s creepy!

In our complex, there are labor workers busy digging up the water pipes to replace some fittings that are breaking because they’re too small.  So for days now we’ve had these workers out digging.  When we leave our house, they just stare until we drive away.  We come back – and they’re staring until we go inside.  This morning I said, “Hello!” and he just kept staring!  It’s like – REALLY?!?!?!  You’ve seen us for days now – stop staring!  I was able to even discreetly snap a few pics because I know if I just walked outside they’d  stare at me. 

 

So this weekend I got to really thinking, “Why do they stare so much?”  I think there are several things that might perplex these people who have a serious staring problem. 

(1)    They’re shocked we have two kids and no nanny.  So many people have nannies here that they wonder how we’re surviving without one.  They might wonder how to get two kids through a grocery store with no nanny to help, and how we go out to eat without a nanny to tend to our children.

 

(2)    When we’re leaving the grocery store – maybe they wonder how we manage to actually get our groceries to our car without any help.  So many people here, locals and expats from all nations, have the baggers carry their groceries out to the car.  And we’re talking anything from a huge basket full to a bag or two.  I know it’s hard to believe – but we’ve seen MANY people, male and female, who are walking 10 feet ahead of the bagger who is carrying their two bags to their car.  And I’m sure those from Western nations did not act like this back home. 

 

(3)    I suppose they rarely see people with tattoos.  And since I have two – one on each leg – I guess they wonder how, why I have them.   But I also know if I was wearing jeans, they’d still stare.

 

(4)    Many of the locals stare too!  Maybe because we’re not in their traditional dress and they wonder how we live in western clothing.  Maybe the women have envy that Jennifer doesn’t have to cover her entire body including her hair. There is a comic I saw one time that does make us see their side of the clothing issue (even though we don’t wear provocative clothing).

 

(5)    Our story.  And everyone else’s story.  Maybe the stares are just them figuring out our story they’re making up as they walk us walk by.  I’ve been known to make up a pretty awesome story about people, but I can do it without staring too long at them and continuing to stare even when they’re staring and me and I stare at them. 

 

(6)    Maybe it’s just normal in their home country/culture to just stare….

 

Regardless of why they stare, it gets so annoying.  I’ve started just staring back and so many times they still just stare at you.  It’s creepy.  We were walking about of the mall several weeks ago and there was a very cheesy fashion show going on.  And there were men, single men in their groups, using their phones to film the show.  Really??? It’s not New York fashion week or anything. 

I said to Jennifer the other day, “One thing I will not miss when we are home are the STARES!”

 

WARNING: More Positives Than Usual!

 

It’s hard to believe it’s already May!  WOW!  While most of the time it feels as though the minutes and seconds just take forever to tick by, the last few months have been super quick.

 

What is very odd to me, is how normal things have been lately.  I am convinced that they only seem normal because we know we’re leaving in TWO MONTHS. 

 

It’s our third week back from Spring Break and we’re counting the days until the students stop showing up.  Can’t wait!

 

Speaking of Spring Break – we had an awesome vacation!  Last year when we first got here, we saw an article on the Maldives and the pictures were amazing.  We said we wanted to go there but never really thought we would. Well – we did!  We spent a few days in Singapore, a few days in Kuala Lumpur, and then several days in the Maldives. 

 

In Singapore we had the chance to go and visit Pastor Rodney and his wife Sasha.  Rodney was the pastor of the church Jennifer grew up in when she moved to Alief.  Rodney married us, baptized me, and dedicated our children.  Even though we were in Singapore at his current church, it felt like we were at home!  And it wasn’t just any Sunday – it was EASTER!  It was great being there and listening to him preach.  After church we headed to Universal Studios. We had a blast there!  The kids rode a few roller coasters (after much coercing and bribing with money to spend at the souvineer shop!) and really enjoyed it!  This was our first taste of any themepark this size!  And it’s not really that big.  We also went to the Night Safari and the Singapore Zoo.  Their zoo is the best zoo I’ve been to.  Not because of the animals they have – but the way it’s designed.  There aren’t cages!  Most of the habitats are surrounded by a moat like thing and so you have no fences to get in the way of pitures and it feels so natural.  Our last day there we met Rodney and Sasha for lunch and to catch up on life.  We got to share our struggles about living aborad and dealing with all the troubles that come along with that – including losing family members.  It was great to catch up! After lunch we headed to China Town and did a little shopping and checked out the temple there.  Singapore is a great country – so clean – and everyone is friendly!  I could live there!

 

After Singapore we flew to Kuala Lumpur.  KL was, overall, dirty and nothing really attracted us. We stayed in a good area of town, near the Petronas Towers.  That area is very nice.  We spent one day at a water park and enjoyed the cool water in such a warm and humid place!  Caralyn wore me out riding all of the water slides!  We went to the movies, a bird park, went up to the observation deck of the Petronas Towers, and went to the Petronas Science Center.  While we weren’t fond of KL, we did enjoy our time there! 

 

The highlight of our trip was the Maldives!  You always see amazing pictures of beach resorts and they look awesome. Well – the Maldives is no different!  I’ve never been in such clear water!  Such great white sandy beaches.  We had our own beachside villa.  We walked out in the morning, after breakfast, and walked in the water.  No farther than 10 feet out – there was coral and amazing fish to watch.  We enjoyed snorkeling!  Well – most of us!  Caralyn would look for a few minutes and then just hang out on her float while we keep looking.  We saw some great fish – including the trigger fish which are apparently aggressive – and the last day we even saw an eel!  WOW!  The weather was awesome (no rain – except our last)…well hot and humid but we knew it would be!  While the food wasn’t the best food we’ve ever had, we enjoyed it.  Jennifer loved the reef fish.  Our last night we had the best Wagyu beef steak!  There’s nothing more relaxing than a nice pool and beautiful beaches. We had too much fun!  The only downside was the cost.  It’s so damn expensive in the Maldives!  A coke is $6USD!  And not some two liter bottle – we’re talking a 20oz soda!  But trip of a lifetime – and we enjoyed every dollar spent! 

 

Coming back to reality is never easy and this time was no different.  I tried to stay positive – reminding myself this is our last trimester here and we’ll be home.  And there are many positives…surprising, I know!

 

At my school we FINALLY got our own classroom. 4 months before the end and we change all the rooms and the way our days operate!  It’s been so much better.  I can sit in a quiet room and read the news, do some planning, play a game on my phone, stare out the window, and whatever else I want – and it’s all in silence!  Silence is golden!  And I can lock my door!  I was able to make a bare room that has bored me for two years something more inviting for kids.  Assigned seats are my best friend – and my students HATE them!  Daily I have to address it with a few. But such is life! 

 

We’re busy making sure we get all the things done we planned to do.  Swimming with the dolphins at Atlantis and Ski Dubai are our two big things we’ve always wanted to do but never have!  We finally made it Ski Dubai last weekend.  We had a blast playing in the snow for several hours.  However, the end part of thawing out and changing was not fun for Cole!  He was miserable!  He didn’t even want to change into pants and a short sleeve shirt!  But we all enjoyed the experience!  We didn’t see but did all the tube rides and rode the ski lift to the top and back down.  It’s hard to imagine this place is in the middle of the desert!  And it’s huge inside!  The day after Ski Dubai we went to Jonathan’s birthday party at iPilot where each kid got to do the pilot simulator.  A real pilot simulator.  And his cool cake!  (He’s been reminding me to post this cake picture so it’ll show up when he Goggles it!)
 

Jonathan and his cake!

 

 

As we near the end – the dreading checkout is upon us.  Leaving here is not like a normal job (nothing here has ever been “normal”).  There are like 8 signatures, several clearance letters, and turning in the final paperwork and then the waiting game for the payout.  And when we get the payout – we’re O-U-T! 

 

The preparations for heading home (aside from the hoop jumping checkout) are in full swing!  We have our shipping company lined up to send items home we can’t live without!  And the most important part of this repatriation is a J-O-B!  And thank God – we BOTH have a job lined up!  We’re heading back to Alief ISD.  Jennifer’s going to be teaching 5^th grade math/science at Youens Elementary.  I’m going back to my old school – Miller – to teach 6^th grade reading/language arts.  I can’t wait!  I feel like I’m just going to pick up where I left off – back home!   I hear the Chris Daughtry song, I’m Going Home, playing in my head!!!!  That feeling when we walk off that plane on July 12^th will be the best feeling.  And that feeling is something I can taste – yet it seems so far away some days. 

 

Here are some photos from our Spring Break trip!!!

 

Pastor Rodney

(not the clearest but I felt awkward taking pics in church!)

amazing fire breathing at the Singapore Night Safari

Pastor Rodney and Mrs. Sasha!

China Town

At the aquarium in KL we saw an Asian small-clawed otter.  The kids loved them!  They imitate them often!

PETRONAS Towers

The PETRONAS science center

Cole met some friends!  They're from Australia and live in China. 

Caralyn and her owls!

Cole loved this part of his trip!!!

 

A Chinese Temple - in KL - built in 1939

Diva!

AMAZING!

View from our beach-side villa

Like a magazine pic!  beautiful!

The dark areas are the coral - this is probably 10 feet from the beach - awesome snorkeling!

The pool

Adorable!!!

 

Seeing these photos makes me miss the Maldives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Stay Tuned…