Hicks, Hipsters, Hijabs, and Hibachis

A few weeks ago something very exciting happened in 2F (my classroom).  A little lizard was discovered on one of the chairs.  It took everything in me to remain calm but I safely trapped it under a mug while 20 sets of wide eyes stared at me.  Then we proceeded to walk outside and let it go in the sand.  It's never too early to model compassion! directly outside my classroom windows

Two weeks, 10 hours, and 480 QR later, I have finally gotten my Qatari Driver’s License.  The process began with a theory test in which you can only miss 2 questions.  Luckily that is all I missed, although the wording on the test and the pictures were quite confusing.  Honestly I think I might volunteer to help them with the English translation.  Then the following week a bunch of us went back to the driving school/testing center to take the road test.  Unfortunately we were turned away since only 3 people from our group could take the test that day.  Why you might ask?  Who really knows, but that is just the way things are here.  Different from one day to the next.  Don’t let me forget to mention that I had to get up at 4:45 am both of these days and prepare sub plans just in case I wouldn’t make it back to school on time. the "Bin" Girls who tested today Needless to say, when we went to try the road test today (waking up at 4:3...

...you have red flag recess every day since it is above 37 degrees (celsius) ...class is interrupted by a lizard crawling on a chair ...you put on sunglasses to walk to the Upper Elementary School, even though it is through a covered breezeway and 100 meters away ...you find sand in your classroom library, I am talking in the books people ...you talked about a snowstorm today and a handful of kids gave you blank stares All of these things and more are just part of the fun of living and teaching somewhere new.  While it is overwhelming to learn how to do new things at home, school, and more it is still a great time.  Everyone at school has been so helpful with carpooling and making sure we are taken care of but we just have to go to so many places to find things. Someone said it best yesterday:  "This is a city where everything takes place indoors." So I am going to have to explore inside more for sure, and in the meantime I am going to take advantag...

Like my favorite friend Jimmy Fallon always points out there are pros and cons to every situation.  I have been in Doha only 2 short weeks but so far here is my opinion on the pros and cons of Doha Desert Life. Pro:  I am brushing up on my metric measurements Con:  I lifted 10 kilo weights at the gym, and paid for it the next day :( Pro:  I don't have to walk up four flights of stairs just to get to my apartment. Con:  Gonna have to find a new way to shape those calves Pro: I don't eat vegan sweets whenever I want Con: I can't really eat anything whenever I want since it is too hot to walk in my neighborhood Pro: I don't have a TV to sit down in front of and be lazy Con:  I have no idea what has happened at the end of True Blood and Masters of Sex Pro: I am learning military time Con: I can't seem to set my alarm for the correct time Pro:  I only have an 11 minute commute to work Con: Gonna have to find some other time...

My computer says it is Monday August 18th 5:09AM.  I woke up today at 4 and decided to get up and be productive.  Luckily I went to bed at 9pm the night before so I still got about 7 hours of sleep.  Not too bad considering we have major cat lag in my house.  Turns out animals get jet lagged too, so Maddie has been waking me up at 2am wanting breakfast.  Today we were able to stretch it to 4 so I guess that is progress (or pro-gress as the Canadians here pronounce it).  I don’t think it helps that both of the cats hide in cabinets when I am gone so they are completely thrown off with no sunlight, but I imagine it is kind of scary being a 10lb animal and flying halfway across the world to a new place. While I have only been here for 3 full days it feels like much longer for sure!  All of the teachers who live in my building are wonderful and since we take the shuttle/school bus back and forth to work we get to see each other often.  There many...

Dear NYC, What can I say?  These past three years have been wonderful.  Each day has made me love you more.  Your twinkling lights and crowded streets make me feel like I am always part of something.  Sure there has been some not-so-fun times.  The frustration of losing my keys, having to have apartment locks changed shows just what happens when you are absentminded in the city. You have shown me how to live in the bubble of exorbitant prices, yet quickly forget when the newest restaurant or clothing boutique opens.  Oh how I will miss those boutiques!  I now know how to be lazy while being extremely active, it is quite fun.  To live in a world without Seamless and Fresh Direct are things I don't even want to think about. I have grown accustomed to jogging up 4 flights of stairs, arms full, with out having to catch my breath.  A proud accomplishment I do not want to lose.  Sure I will miss the connivence of stepping outside my doo...

....my short time in NYC