I am humbled

I am humbled. Teachers love to complain, that's just how it is but we really should walk in another person's shoes for a day and then maybe just maybe we would shut our traps up once in a while.
 In AD, we usually don't stay late after school unless there is PD or a staff meeting. Today I decided to stay late to organize some files and put up my bulletin board. I was kind of tired after a very busy day, but stuff needed to get done. When I asked my grade head how late I could stay, he explained that I could stay as late as I wanted because the  non teaching staff lived at school. I think my mouth fell open at that point. I was and still am in shock that some staff LIVE at school. 
 We have an amazing hardworking staff that cleans and keeps the school running in addition to a few tea and coffee guys who basically are like the secretaries/administrative assistants at school. They should be called the superheroes because that is what they really are. I have really enjoyed getting to know one in particular who has a heart if gold. Every day when I arrive, I make sure to say good morning to him and he always has a smile on his face. He is from India. He is usually busy making tea when I arrive so I don't linger very long to talk, as I know he has many tasks to do. He also makes the photocopies and we have had many interesting conversations since I spend a lot of time making copies in the copy room. Yes he has a name but I don't feel comfortable posting everyone's names online so we'll just call him Superman. 
Today he became more than just superman, he became my friend. As I walked back up to my classroom after bus duty, I bumped into him and said that I was staying late. His eyes popped wide open and he asked me if I wanted tea or coffee. It is very rude to decline so I said coffee. I really wasn't looking forward to the strong Arabic coffee, but to my surprise he brought this awesome mocha coffee and we sat down in the classroom to sip the coffee. As we sipped, I explained why I was staying late and he kindly offered to help me. I tried to insist that I was fine but after awhile I gave in and he helped me put up my bulletin board. I was truly thankful. Something I am learning to do, is accept help when it is offered (definitely not something that comes naturally to me).
As I was leaving, I ended up giving him a lift to the ATM because he was getting paid that day and had lost his ATM card. Sadly the superheroes at our school only make 500 Dhs a month. When converted to US dollars, that is a little under 150$. All in all, I admire their strength and let me just say I have never seen them take a sick day. I guess Superman was very thankful because his cousin made me a strawberry smoothie from his restaurant Abu Shaiboob (yes that's it's real name). 

That smoothie sure made my day; so did the coffee and the friendship.

Interesting moments at school today  Sunday January 29th:

1. While playing Dr.Jean's 'rules rap' the kids started to bust some rap/ gangster style moves and dance. It was pretty hilarious to see these 7 year old boys dancing in their kandoras. They know how to get down!!!!!

2. I got whipped with a hutra while breaking up the worst fight ever. Luckily the boys shook hands in the end. Truce I guess?

3. Best morning class ever led to the worst afternoon class of all time.

4. I still want to go back to work tomorrow:)

Interesting moments from Thursday Jan. 26th
1. During the second year of teaching one of my students asked if I slept on my desk....oh my. This year one of my students told me I looked tired and asked me if I slept on the rug in our classroom!

2. A student decided to draw a goatee and mustache on the boy sitting next to him with marker. Long story short, the principal visited our class.

back to blogging

Happy 2012! It’s been a while since I’ve blogged and I’ve got no excuse except to say that I’ve been busy! So much time has passed since my last post, I’m not really sure where to begin. Christmas was fun; I went back to be with Sal and his family who welcomed me graciously into their home and it was fun to see family and friends from my old teaching job and church. A lot of people asked me how Dubai was or Saudi Arabia and I had not even been to those places!  On a more somber note, my Grandma Kay passed away during the holidays and I miss her dearly. She was such a special, kind, and STRONG woman that I will never forget. She was a teacher, a soloist and a fashionista who enjoyed life. We shared a special obsession with butter tarts, and sour cream glazed donuts that no one can really understand. She is also the only person who really complemented me on my driving skills when I had my learners permit and after my parents couldn’t drive with me anymore after a few major fights. One fond memory for me is when she accompanied me to visit Trent University when I was visiting Universities and trying to decide where to apply. My parents had just relocated to NJ and I was a shy, overwhelmed, lost 18 year old who had no clue what to do with my life. My Grandma was there for me during those tough few years and I think I was there for her. During the visit to Trent, the tour guide was very sweet and actually asked my grandma what she planned to major in! She laughed her infamous hearty laugh and said that she wasn’t applying but I knew she was truly flattered by the question.

So now I’m back in Abu Dhabi and loving my life here. I have thrown myself into joining clubs and enjoy dragon boat racing, book clubs and am hoping to take a few cooking classes and my favorite new organic restaurant ‘Jones The Grocer’. I also am truly thankful for the friends I have made here. I spend a lot of time with 2 lovely ladies who are so funny, down to earth, generous, honest, great listeners, and most of all genuine friends. Having a great support network here is vital so it has made life wonderful.

School is going well. It has its good days and its bad days. I lost my voice a week ago from over using it in the classroom and the doctor has told me I need to keep my voice at the same level. I have a hard time with that when I witness another child punch, spit or slap another in the hallway or the classroom. What am I supposed to do? Whisper to them! Ha! As if that would work!!!! The boys really respond well to the reward system I have set up in the classroom. They have to focus and be quiet with their eyes looking at me in order to achieve points for their group. If they achieve enough points then they can use the points to play 10 minutes of basketball at the end of the day.

Today I had my first haircut in Abu Dhabi and it was a really cool experience. I went to the salon that my friend Lindsay went to and had my hair cut and styled by this nice fellow from Syria. He cut hair with FLARE! I mean the way he used the scissors, hair brush and the blowdryer was truly an art form! At one point he was flipping the hair dryer around …..tres cool!

So now its getting late and the school week starts again tomorrow. On the agenda for this week is educating the boys about brushing their teeth. The school nurse asked us to practice singing a song and present during the assembly. It should be fun! We will also learn about fractions and continue practicing the rules and routines of the classroom.