The Verows @ UAE!: Eid Mubarak!!!

FLEXIBILITY – the word we were told repeatedly to practice and embrace. Well Jennifer and I definitely have. I am typically one who wants to be organized and have everything planned out. I want to expect what I expect and typically in the US with teaching – it was normal and expected. Of course as with any teaching job there were those days when things went awry but it keeps us on our feet and makes us better educators. So where was I on flexibility? Oh yea – so we’ve known from the beginning that next week was the Eid Al Adha break. And the school calendar showed the holiday was Friday through Tuesday. We expected a three day break form school! But as we neared closed and closer to the break lots of local teachers (and when we say local we mean two things – (1) any of the Arabic ex-pats that are from Syria, Tunisia, Palestine, Egypt, etc. or (2) an actual Emirati teacher. There are very few Emirati male teachers – something they are trying to work on getting more in the profession) were telling us that just wait and see, we’ll probably have the entire week off. So the hype started last week. There was even an article in the Gulf News (if you are curious – they have rather good stories and info – go to gulfnews.com) saying that Eid would start on one day and then the government offices (including schools) would have off the entire week. Then a few days later another article appeared in The National (which is a UAE newspaper) saying it was only for the 5 days including the weekend and that school would be in session for the last two days of the week.

Starting on Monday kids were saying they wouldn’t be there on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. So Wednesday rolls around and our morning assembly there didn’t seem to be that many kids missing. The principal gets on the microphone (in Arabic of course) and tells the students that they would be dismissing early – after period 6 that day. And the cheers started! So we go on about our usual business and my third period class (9^th graders) have a field trip to Bawadi Mall. A field trip to the mall – to do what? Go to the movies and play games. Free time! Then I go to 5^th (11 grade) period and I had two students. The previous day I only had 8 in the class. I have 27 total on my roster. So I just sit and chat with one of the kids and show him some photos of my kids. He tells me about his family and how he is a twin and his twin brother was killed in a car accident here in Al Ain four or five years ago. Then I attempt to go to 6^th period which was a 9^th grade class and there was one student. I asked him where the class was and he tells me that the History teacher just told the class to go home. What? We can do that? So then after some chaos in the hallway I learn that they kids in cycle 2 (which is grades 6-9) were told they could leave after period 5. And of course I was never told any of that – but of course I didn’t complain of an early – or earlier – release. Jennifer’s school had a full day – no early release! Apparently it’s up to the principal to do as they wish!

Coming to work Thursday was interesting. We were excited because we’ve heard from so many folks that students wouldn’t show up even though technically school was in session! As we pull up to the school there is a bus pulling in with less than 10 kids. There are probably 30 kids outside the gates just hanging out – not even in their kandoras. A few run up to the car to hand in their projects to one of the LT’s I bring to work. Hilarious. They said they were told they couldn’t come in the building. We get into our department office and just hang out. At some point there was a text message sent that we had a professional development session on how to use a Smartboard – which is of course would be in Arabic. So we are not required to go. Then the security guard and some other staff member bring around this huge platter of dates and chocolates for all of us to take a few! EID MUBARAK! So we just hung out and surfed the internet and then left around 9 am! No complaints here!

Once we decide to leave – we notice the gates are locked and there is a dune buggy and some SUV. Then the police show up. We are assuming they were just hanging out doing donuts in the parking lot. Of course nothing happens….

So getting our early was great for us since the kids still had school until 3! We went and had lunch just the two of us and walked around the mall. It was very nice!

We’re almost done with the complicated residency process! We have the kids’ residency entry permits stamped and now just to bring them back to get typed up in Arabic and then within a few days of that they’ll have their residency stickers put into their passports and then HALLAS – no more paperwork!

We have noticed around town this week that they have been busy hanging lights (like Christmas lights) on all the trees on the main streets. I’m guessing when Eid officially starts, that they town will look like Christmas! Pictures to come soon! All the families have been out shopping for various gifts, getting new kandoras and abayas, and other clothes, haircuts, and as always – new henna!

Jennifer’s school even had some Eid festivities on Thursday. They had stations set up to resemble various aspects of the Hajj (the pilgrimage to Mecca) and other important things that I guess are “holy” to Muslims like the Zam Zam water – which is a where Abraham’s son, Ishmael, was a young boy and very thirsty and there was no water and he kept kicking the ground and miraculously water appeared – viewed a gift by God. Many Muslims will go to this site to drink the water while making their Hajj to Mecca. At Mecca there is the Kabba which is believed to be built by Abraham and Ishmael. This is what Muslims face to pray regardless of where they live in the world. There is also some black stone that Muslims believe was sent from the angels to Abraham. Mohammed is also believed to have kissed the stone so many Muslims, if they are given the chance, will also kiss the stone. Someone told Jennifer it’s dangerous to do since you risk being trampled on.

The make-shift one at Jennifer's school!

A picture of the REAL Kabba

So we’re hanging out Al Ain during this Eid and just resting. It’s nice to really have nothing to do. We will go to the zoo this week and check out the mountain. There is some hot spring at the mountain that we’ll also check out. Look for pics in a few days.

Awesome picture. The security guard at the kids' school asked, "you're taking pictures of the flowers?" I said, "yes...these will make for an awesome picture!" No response from him.

Beetle - one of the many bugs we've recently seen here...this was a rather large beetle! Texas sized!

A student brings me this pass around 11:30 and I told him, "While I don't read Arabic, I'm sure this might no be a 'real' pass. Or either it's real and you just wasted more time before coming back to class!" Turns out it was a real pass. Who knew...

The Halloween costume that keeps on giving...the fake watch - he snuck it in his backpack despite his mother telling him it better not be at school. When we got there to pick him up he was at the restroom and then in the hall showing some friends his watch and when we saw us, he tried to hide it. Smart kids

So we're getting back into some better eating (inshallah!) and exercising. I've started running with a neighbor - we speed walk/run/job for 2 miles every day. Jennifer is doing her speed walking with a neighbor too. So we might get back where we were a few months ago. However - I'm still fitting into my new pants!

no caption needed...

Caralyn is adapting to the culture here - eating with her hands. And she's even doing it with the "right" hand - no left hand eating here as that hand is seen as unclean. Even taking a paper from a student - it is best to do it with the right hand. Many will even remind me, "no teacher - right one."