One week down – 10 to go until the next break! This week brought on some interesting things. Started out rough for me being so homesick and dreading being back in these classrooms here. Each day I would have a few hours of blah just going through the motions of being here and teaching. And then I’d get to my 11th graders – and life was immediately better! So few of them have shown up this week it’s been a breeze dealing with that group. Sunday we got out early. Monday only 5 of my 11th graders showed up. Of course all of my 9th graders showed up all week! Then Tuesday and Wednesday there was less than 10 kids. And come Thursday only two were there and they were going home after period 2. And my one 9th grade class was nowhere to be found. Not sure where they went or what they were doing but a few of them did tell me they were going on some school trip to see some sort of police stuff. So I’ll have to find out tomorrow what their trip was all about. I am guessing it was to what used to be called the Heritage Village where they talk about various customs in the UAE and they do have a lot on the police and armed services. Jennifer’s class went on Wednesday to the same exhibit.
This weekend we just hung out and enjoyed being outside and playing. The kids love just riding bikes, and playing with all their friends. Next weekend we’re going to either go bowling or ice skating. Something new for us here in the UAE! Later in the month we’re going to spend a weekend in Dubai and take advantage of the Dubai Sales – where apparently the whole emirate of Dubai has massive sales. This month long sale thing was set up by the government or something. We’re also going to enjoy the beach that weekend too! Since it’s warming up, the water should be perfect.
The weather here is starting to feel warm. We’re having lows around 60 and highs around 80. And we think 80 feels hot in the sun – we are dreading the April, May, and June weather.
One thing that has been VERY different for us is the morning prayer call. Since last Thursday it has been SO loud! Thursday it woke quite a few people up. Then this morning – around 5:15 – it was so loud we thought the guy was at the foot of our bed. We asked our local guy and he isn’t sure why it’s so loud now – but we all think they must have upgraded their broadcasting speakers or something. Not something you want to wake up to – especially when 30 minutes later the alarm goes off!
I am finally out of my homesick funk - for the most part. I was telling someone that I felt like I was a menopausal woman who was refusing hormone replacement therapy. And of course minus the hot flashes. But now that the week has finished and we're in a routine it's better. I do have to pay attention to how much negativity I let myself get sucked into because I know that doesn't help. I read an article this week on dealing with homesickness (there are LOTS of folks who are homesick here - those who went home for Christmas and those who did not!) one of the things was staying positive. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the complaining about work, America (I work with two Americans who are determined to never go back and so sometimes they get on their soap box and they can't understand why we will go back to our same city and stay in our profession, and even go back to the same schools we left. But we all came here for different reasons and such), and life in general. So there were a few times I put on headphones and just listened to music to keep away from the whine-fest! So I think if we get out more and experience more things, we'll be in great shape! And let's go ahead and throw an INSHALLAH on that too! Or as one of my co-workers says, "that's under inshallah regulations!"
Here are some random photos:
It was a winter wonderland at Al Ain Mall.
These photos below are from this small area where the kids can ride these ATV style indoor cars - and they have a track to follow. The kids loved it. It was all about a competition for Cole. Caralyn, at one point, decided to go the wrong way - in attempts to beat her brother I think. And of course - Cole had to wear his Ben 10 shirt today!
We went to this store in Al Ain Mall - Heritage Traditions - and they had these camel napkin rings. We couldn't pass them up. It'll be cool to have them on our table when we move back to the states.
Cute photo of Cole!
We tried camel milk today! It isn't nasty but it's not something I'd keep drinking. It tastes different than milk. Caralyn was ready to try it - Cole - not so much.
He finally gave in at some point and took a small taste.
Just a cool photo of our American breakfast I made this morning. Grands flaky biscuits (with jelly we brought from home - grape jelly - we can't find any here), applewood smoked bacon (that costs us $9 for 10 slices!), and eggs for Jenn.
When we were cleaning out something Jennifer found this newspaper and she assumed I was keeping it for some reason and it was all in Arabic. Well I thumbed through it and couldn't realize why I would have kept it except when I saw this editorial cartoon. No caption really needed - it speaks for itself, right?
Stay Tuned...
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