Another Fun One...

Hard to believe we’re 3 weeks into the semester and only have about 10 to go until the break!  Can’t wait!  This week had lots of interesting moments to share!

To start with – one day this week I’m teaching one of my 9^th grade classes (the worst of the two!) and finally we’re into our reading with those who wanted to read/learn sitting all in the front huddled up near me and the security guard flings open the door and says, “hallas!” When the kids hear this “hallas” (finish in Arabic) they immediately go wild and like a caged animals set free – jump up, grab their stuff, and run out of the room!  I was just standing there stacking the stories up wondering what the hell just happened. Well as I walk to the English office, I realize my class was the last class heading to buses.  When I finally found out what was going on – we were getting out early because there was a staff lunch we were having.  And apparently there was a text message sent the previous night telling us that we would dismiss early.  But the message was in Arabic.  And I didn’t even get the message.  And shame on my coworkers for not telling me! 

So we go to lunch after prayer time for the staff and the principal talks (in all Arabic of course!) and I’m not even sure what he was talking about.  I gathered from another teacher that he was just telling us what a good year we’re having and thanks for the hard work and then another coworker called some names and some gifts were handed out.  They are apparently getting moved (or maybe moved already?) and then it was grub time.  We sat in groups around a platter that had basmati rice and lamb.  I recognized the lamb – like lamb chops.  And I’m not normally into trying other foods but have since wanted to try more.  So I dug in with my spoon and of course used my right hand only as eating with the left hand it considered unclean.  Then a coworker of mine told me I don’t have to use a spoon that I can use my hands.  He never used a utensil except to eat the yogurt thing with some rice in it.  I never did try the yogurt.  So we chowed down for 30 minutes or so and then had some awesome dessert.  They had the dessert because someone’s wife gave birth to a baby.  Any special occasion like this is a cause for dessert of some sort!  It was all an experience!

The following day we were given two pieces of cake from an English colleague whose son was accepting into a dentistry school.  So again – more dessert to celebrate!  And boy was it good!

This week had many other learning experiences for me!  One student was bringing up stories we were reading one day and I went to collect it from him using my left hand – not thinking – and he was sure to remind me that we are not to use the left hand for anything.  So I am trying to keep that in mind when I use my hands.  Even yesterday when I was handing my papers over to the Emirates Identity Authority to get my official ID card and I made sure I used my right hand!  Didn’t matter that I needed to empty all the stuff on my right arm and holding in my hand just so I could use that hand! 

I have also learned some more interesting things about the military.  I think this is accurate but with some translation issues you never know.  Apparently you have to serve in the military if you are an Emirati male.  One student told me they do two years of “sports” and then two years of “studying.”  So I’m not really sure what happens except the kids will wear their uniforms once a week.  I am not sure where some sort of “military” training comes into play. 

This week has had its moment of insanity!  I picked up my passport and now I’m officially a resident of the UAE!  Which also meant that I needed to hurry and get my Emirates ID card and then my driver’s license.  What an experience!  Things here are typically more complicated than we’re used to and its nuts because we are still not used to it!  So I had to get my driver’s license translated into Arabic and the translation had to be from a “legal” translator.  Not just some typing shop which there are so many around!  So I finally find where the legal translator is.  We brought our new family member, Angela, with us.  We all copied our license so that was one step done prior to getting to the translators office.  OH NO!  When we arrive I realize I left the actual license at home next to the printer and of course he wants to see the original license to verify it’s a real copy.  I can’t blame him either!  So Angela did hers and I came back home – picked up another neighbor – and off we go to get ours done this time.  Well we show up and he would do it except the typing shop a few doors down is closed now and they won’t be able to type it.  So we would have to go back the following day.  So the next day we do that.  And luckily it all goes smoothly and it was actually translated correctly.  We ran into a couple who was on their third try to get the correct translation!  This reminded me that someone always has it worse!  So this trip took about 2 hours to get it accomplished. 

The following day Angela and I head to the Emirates ID and DMV to get the next step of this accomplished.  Jennifer can’t do hers yet because she does not have her passport back yet (should be back in Al Ain Sunday, inshallah!).  We wait two hours at the Emirates ID place.  Would have been quicker except that some Emirati woman and some male friend/companion/family member just walk in and sit down.  And low and behold – typical here – they just get helped right away – never mind that there were four others waiting.  Finally we get through and then we have to go to separate places for fingerprinting and picture – and they separate at this point to a ladies waiting and male waiting.  I was number 90 and they were on 88.  BUT then they all of a sudden have some meeting so I just wait some more.  Finally it was complete.  And you can’t smile for your picture – mouth HAS to be closed.  Funny!  Then we drive to the DMV office and it takes 15 minutes and I walk out with my actual license.  So now I’m 100% legal here!  Next week we get to do it all over again for Jennifer! 

Today we drove our original rental back to Abu Dhabi and we’re now renting from the guy whose family owns the kids’ school.  He had a better deal and great AC!  If we can only get a new car from him that doesn’t smell like smoke and has clean seats!  But that’s another story!  But today I filled up the new car and it was only $18 (US dollars)!  WOW!  We also went to IKEA and bought some more furniture items – like desks, a table for the kids, and some book shelves.  And once we finally got home and getting kids ready for bed – Caralyn’s 2^nd tooth came out!  It’s been about 4 days since she noticed it was loose.  So she’s super excited about the tooth fairy coming to visit her.  And Cole was not excited at all!  She’s now two up on him!  When she showed him the other night he put his finger on his teeth to check his and said, “What in the world!!!”  I’m sure he’ll be very upset when she goes to spend her money tomorrow at LuLu’s! 

My schedule is changing at school again!  This is now the 7^th timetable change!  Inshallah we’ll get to a point where it all stays the same!  But I never complain and just go with the flow and roll with the punches. 

Some new Arabic words: (Phonetically spelled of course)

Feel – elephant

Chai – tea (go figure!)

Kaslan – lazy (need to use this one a lot now!)

Jennifer and some ladies went out shopping tonight after we got back from Abu Dhabi.  They went to some furniture district and Jennifer bought a 7 seater they call it here.  It’s a 3 seater sofa, a 2 seater love seat, and two one seater chairs.  We’re putting the chairs downstairs near the little area by the steps, and the other two pieces up in the loft area.  Not sure it’ll get much use but it’s NOT a “no touch room” either.  Maybe one day the kids will be comfortable to go upstairs alone and watch movies and play their leapsters up there.

 The kids are doing well in school – academically speaking!  Cole’s having some difficulty with staying in his seat and following directions.  But he has a teacher who seems to have lots of patience and Cole really likes her so it’ll all work out!  Caralyn really likes her new teacher – Ms. Emily – and even wants to go and say hi to her at church.  But she’s still having issues crying at times.  I can’t figure out if Caralyn doesn’t want to change subjects when she’s having fun and doing well or what the deal is. Ms. Emily did say that Caralyn is one of the better writers in the class and she has no academic worries about her so that is good too!  But here we did move across the world, and she’s at a new school, and she actually has a structured day from 7:30 to 2:50 – not just a four hour pre-k day anymore!  And she loves doing her spelling words!  Well not writing them the first day she gets them but once she knows them she loves practicing!  And she’s even keeping up with Cole and he is not always beating her either!  And in math – I noticed today – when we were adding some numbers she was much quicker than he was.  Cole better watch out!  It’s on now!  And Caralyn loves it too! 

It has been a week of firsts for me(Jennifer).   Since we had two cars for this week, I drove to my school and to get the kids at their school.  I survived all the crazy round-a-bouts and the other crazy drivers.  There is a group of teachers at school that have invited some of us to join them during our lunch break.  We share cheese croissants, eggs, water, wafers, and coffee with them.  One even put some incense on me in the morning.  They shared their personal lives too-one of the other first grade teachers told us that she is her husband’s third wife.  WOW!  I know my mouth dropped.  The Islamic teacher told me that she would have us over to her farm when the weather gets cooler.  She has camels, goats, cows, dogs, and chickens.  I hope she remembers that she invited us.  We would all love that.  Thursday afternoon I went on a hunt for bikes.  I spent two and a half hours driving around and going in and out of bazars that did not sell bikes or scooters.  Surprisingly the kids were good.  They even got some candy from a man at an Indian clothing store.  Friday night, I went and bought furniture at a hole in the wall place.  Very much like a flea market.  Glad two other ladies were with me.  Ready to relax the day before we have to start this adventure all over again.

Pics from Jennifer's School:

Other pics:

another loose one!

My 9th graders (the good class!) wanted me to do this!  They loved it!

Some game - they write fruits on paper and the first one to collect all 5 of the same one wins.  They pass one to the right until someone wins.  Some Engligh writing practice!

Yolanda, Jennifer, and Angela @ Al Ain Rugby Club

My residence visa - can't rotate the pic for some reason!  just turn your head!

Dinner @ Rugby Club - Hamour fish

Did she have fun at the Rugby Club or what?

Did he have fun at the Rugby Club or what?

Sass!  She loved her dress from The Colaks!  And she picked out the necklace and earrings!

Lost another tooth!

love...for the time being...

Love It!

The Fun Continues...

And The Fun Continues …

More fun times!!!  It’s so interesting how every day is so different – and with the same kids!  I am used to some consistency as far as what students will typically act up, test the limits, or even do the right thing all the time.  Here – you never know!  Today in another teacher’s class  a student (or maybe multiple ones) poured water all over the table and I’m not sure if It was before the class started and so he put his papers and stuff down on the wet table or if they poured water on the table after he set his stuff down.  Either way – mushkila!  TROUBLE!  I haven’t had experiences like this yet and hopefully they’ll stay away from me. 

Today (Thursday) I’ve actually had a decent day (not to jinx myself or anything!).  We’ve done some learning and it’s been rewarding.  It was fascinating to actually see kids underlining key words they didn’t know and – are you ready for this – actually ASK for the meaning and examples!  And without being told to ask!  WOW!  The text was about 3 grade levels below and they struggled reading it independently.  Finally I read out loud and had to remind myself constantly (and the kids reminded me at beginning) to read SLOW – schway schway!  It was a “small book” reading and had to pages on one single page – and we only read one single page.  That was it!  But we worked with lots of words and examples.  I just might have to teach 12 graders when I get back to the states!  Inshallah!

However there have been some awkward moments where I had to really think about how I was going to respond.  The other day a group of kids (all from Sudan) were talking and would not be quiet!  One student said to me, “It’s always the black people – it’s all about them!”  I was shocked.  I never thought I would hear something like that said over here – and that’s what I told him!  Then he said, “Oh – I can say that because I’m black too.”  So I had a quick talk about how inappropriate that comment was.  Crazy!

We went to the Rugby Club and that was interesting too!  At some point a guy walks up and asks who the parents of “this boy” are.  And can you guess who “this boy” was????? COLE!!!!  I knew something was up the way Cole was trying to hide behind a chair and was all of a sudden soooo shy!  Well he and two other boys were pushing this girl.  And when they were asked who was pushing her down and why they all just blamed each other.  Well the guy who was asking who “the boy” was happened to be the girl’s father.  So we walked out and talked about it and Cole had to apologize to her.  And he actually got him a pouty lip and was on the verge of tears!  I don’t think he ever expected the father to actually come and get us!  But he apologized and then acted like nothing was wrong and started talking to the girl like they were new friends.  It was cute and hopefully Cole will learn that not everyone will just tolerate rough play!  And I doubt he meant any harm to her.  Later at the Rugby Club Cole ran into a friend (Sophia) from school.  Caralyn immediately started playing with her and they had the best time.  She even sat with them to eat dinner. They live in the Village too!  Apparently Cole asked her to marry him already too!  Kids…

Caralyn started her new class last Thursday and she still cried at some point.  So hopefully with time she will get comfortable and enjoy it.  A neighbor is also in this class and they love to play together so that should help.  They did some buddy reading and she was better.  She’s just so shy and sensitive!  OF course not at home!  But she was VERY excited to see her new teacher – Miss Emily – at church on Friday! 

Some Photos:

Interesting shoe display at Al Jimi Mall. 
We went to lunch at Chili's with some friend at the mall after church! 

Our church - each week a different group leads worship.  Love the music too!

Some DAMN CUTE KIDS!

I guess objects in the UAE are closer than they appear.
If that is not what is says - then we don't need to know it!

CC, Bogie (nick names), and the kids.  They all love each other! 
The live across the brick road! 
This is who they ride to school with.

Chili's salsa - NOTHING like it!  So glad it's the same here as in the states!

When you ask a kid name something yellow - they might say egg yolk!
NOT HERE!  If you said orange - then they might say yolk!
Quite interesting the yolks are different colors.  More like a yellow/orange color here!
(wonder if it's because they're more "natural" than we're used to?)

Cole's spelling test.  Lovely handwriting, right? 
And not sure they he did not use lined paper.
And the one he missed - a - really? 
I think he was erasing the capital to write it lowercase and ran out of time?

Caralyn and her new "headband"! 

Stay Tuned…

Week 2 ...

Well we’re deep into week 2 at school and it is quite interesting.  I’m beginning to feel like this blog is my therapy!  Not that this whole situation is so chaotic and out of control that I really need therapy but it gives me a place to vent and tell my story.  Sort of like coming home and comparing our days with other LT’s and their schools.  Sometimes this makes me appreciate my school even though there are quite a few things that I wish I could change.  Therapy I tell you!

So life outside of teaching is normal and routine.  Our kids are enjoying it quite a bit!  They love all their new friends and want nothing more than going outside and running around and playing.  But of course when all good things come to an end – and we have to come inside at night (after the streetlights come on mind you!) to bathe and get ready for bed – it’s sometimes hysteria!  It typically can go one of three ways.  1) They stop playing – clean up any toys if there are any and walk home with us.  2) They all of a sudden lose their hearing at the exact time they hear us tell them it’s time to go home and just keep on going with what they were doing.  3) Something overcomes them and they remember what a 2 yr old acts like and they fall out and can’t seem to do anything but whine!  And I’m sure you can guess what number we see most!  It’s actually a combo of 2 and 3!  But it’s V-E-R-Y comforting to know that here were have moved 8,200 miles from home and our children have LOTS of kids to play with and enjoy the friends they have made here.  It’s going to be hard for them to leave them when our journey is complete – but we’ll worry about that later!

Now life inside of teaching – is more interesting than I could have imagined!  There is one class where a few students are STILL talking about my lenses as if my eyes are not real! One student even brought his own “fake” lenses to show me that you can get fake blue ones – as if mine are actually not real. I think (through some very rough speaking) that they think I wear my glasses just to cover up the fact that I wear contact lenses!  Hilarious! 

Attendance – it’s crazy.  There’s always students absent and what is even more hilarious is one period I’ll have all 28 kids and then the next period I have them – in the same day mind you – there’s only 22 of them.  And if I have them say 2^nd period – only 25 will be there but then when I have the same class at 4^th period there’s 28 of them.  I asked a few today when we couldn’t ever get quiet enough to actually listen why attendance is such a problem.  They said, “Teacher – it’s hard to be at school and stay all 9 periods.”  Nuts!

Teaching here has its challenges – and it’s one of those things you just have to experience!  We had our rough days in Alief for sure but nothing like this.  When you start fussing at kids about their behavior they immediately start just talking Arabic and claim they don’t know any English.  But I learned how to say trouble in Arabic Moshkila (moosh-ka-la).  And if they’re “really” bad you just say Moshkila Gabir (Ga-beer).  So this morning I pulled out kid out of class and was fussing at him and used my new Arabic phrase and told him he was going to report to the social worker at the start of 2^nd period and he immediately started his “sorry teacher – no more – hallas” and wanted to shake my hand.  And sure enough (not sure he ever did see the social worker) he was fine when I had my class later.  Same class – different kid – called him out after class and when they heard me calling his name they all went silent.  So I feel like they know I’m serious!  But time will tell!

I have had several moments where I just shake my head and laugh. Yesterday I walked into class during the prayer break and there were a group of kids playing poker or spades – never did find the truth out.  And when the break was over and class was ready to start one of the card players asked me if he could go pray.  I was like wait – you played cards when it was time for you to pray and now you want to skip class to go and pray.  He just said “you’re right” and went back to his seat. 

Today the seniors had a break from working and after they taught me some Arabic one kids was asking me what’s the word in English for close and he mentioned like he was zipping up a jacket.  I knew he was just trying to get me to say ZIP!  I didn’t fall for it but later realized that my zipper was down – and he was probably just trying to tell me to zip my pants!  HA HA HA! 

And another kid was asking me today about prom.  He knew so many stereotypical things about prom like getting dressed up, going with a girl (they wanted a HUGE discussion on this!), and riding in a limousine.  I asked if they had that here which I knew they didn’t.  He just said, “OH –NO – NO WAY!”  I asked him where he heard so many things about prom and he said movies and TV shows.  Then he added “and isn’t that where most kids lose their virginity!” This was where I used the infamous phrase we were told so many times to use from current LT’s, “that is not an appropriate thing to talk about.” 

The kids line up every morning for assembly where they sing the national anthem, recite the Qaran, and some other things which I don't know since it's all in Arabic!

One of my classes!

Rubbage - they call it rubbage, we call it garbage!  Old furniture and such.  We have new desks this year!

Jennifer’s enjoying her school and she really likes her co-workers.  She also likes her Arabic partner which is awesome here.  We know LT’s who have Arabic partners who want nothing to do with them so she’s thankful for that! 

Cole & Caralyn are doing good in school.  It’s funny that we’re not spending time at home practicing our spelling words for the week’s test!  They are enjoying spelling them correctly!  Soon they will be sad that their parents are teachers and push school sooooo much!  Cole has had an issue or two – nothing extremely serious – not sitting in his seat and cutting his pants.  He even tried to use his backpack to cover it up as if his parents would never find out!  Luckily another staff member mentioned it to Jennifer.  Caralyn has had some days where she gets upset in class.  And she’s good at the sympathy card.  When we asked her at home about it she said that her teacher yells a lot in class.  Definitely not a good thing for her – so she’s being moved to another class tomorrow.  And not Cole’s class!  I think she’d rather be in his class but that is not happening!  We’re actually excited for her to be in the new class. 

There are several things that always happen here that just irritate us!  Like how Emirati people can’t wait in a line like the rest of us!  At the kids’ school there was a line of probably 10 parents paying for the uniform and books and this one woman and her four kids just walked right in the room and sat down like she was “entitled” to just cut the line!  But we’re only here to change the schools not the culture!  And yesterday we stopped at the book store and were in line to pay when a young kid, probably 15 or 16, comes in to buy more minutes for his mobile phone (lots of pre-paid phones here!) and just went right to the cashier and EVEN MADE EYE CONTACT WITH US!  When the person in front of us left we put our stuff down and the other guy already started talking to her as if we weren’t there.  The cashier even looked at us and said, “Is it okay that I do his first”.  We just told her “well we were here first”.  She did his anyway.  I’m guessing she was intimidated by him.  And this is why we have to cut people off at grocery stores and barge our way through too!  Our kids will come back to America and forget what it was like to wait in a line!  But it also matches with the way they drive double the speed limit and flash their lights for you go get over so they can have the lane.  They even cut the line at the copier at the school!  I sort of am experiencing what it’s like to feel 2^nd class!  But nothing like today in my meeting when I asked if we needed more chairs for the table and another teacher said, “we need 2 but he’ll get them – pointing to the maintenance worker”.  REALLY?  Are you serious?  Really? 

Here are some new Arabic words.  The senior group (my favorite ones!) love teaching me new words and I even created a t-chart with the English word and the Arabic word spelled in English.  They have a hard time but it also gives them some phonics practice! 

        WHY – lesh or laish

                                TOUBLE  – moshkila

                                EXPLAIN – yashrah

                                STAND – oaf

                                GOOD AFTERNOON – sabh al ker

                                SLEEP – nome (rhymes with home!)

                                TWIN – twam

                                ONE – wahed

                                TWO – etneen

                                THREE – talata

                                FOUR – arbaa

                                FIVE – khamsa

The evidence - Cole's cutting the pants incident!  I think he should still have to wear them! 

Jennifer's laundry - more suds than clothes!  HA!

Caralyn and Davin coloring! 

FRIENDS!!!!

This and That...

Well we've been here a month!  Hard to believe!  It was nice to have the weekend to just chill out.  School was quite interesting the first week.  With very little organization we just go with the flow!  It's a mentality change where we aren't "go getters" on our own.  There is only so much we can do within our classroom.  But we're adjusting and enoying life here. 

The kids really love all the new friends they have here!  Our routine has been dinner around 5:30, then we go outside to play and then around 7:15ish bath and bed! 

While teaching here is exhausting, we're slowly (shway - shway) making a difference.  It feels good to be here and see the kids so friendly and warm - even though they have issues being quiet and listening!  It's just something you can't explain - you just have to experience it!

Here are some photos!

Cole & Rowan (he lives across from us!) at the Rugby Club in Al Ain

Some Figi Dance group practicing their dance. 

Caralyn @ The Rugby Club

Playground @ The Rugby Club

Outside seating

Cole playing soccer - he ran into a friend from school - Mahmoud. 

The FAM! @ The Rugby Club

Cole - munching on his feet while watching his Ben 10 movie!

Brings me back to my childhood - ice cube trays! 
I remember having to do this as a kid and you better not
be the one who took the last few cubes without emptying the others. 

Our AC units - every room has one!
They work awesome too!

The kids curtains! 
A blanket we used to have in the living room.
Hey - it works!  Soon we'll get real curtains.

Ready for bed!

Water heater - each bathroom has one!

Ventilation?  Every bathroom has one.
And the kitchen has one.

My homemade curtains!  Just a sheet I sewed - by hand!
I wanted to cover the kitchen windows so we
didn't see into our neighbors kitchen.

No silverware drawer!  We have a silverware tree!
Not something we'd normally have but afterall
no one thought we'd ever move to the UAE!