What Represents American Culture?

Last weekend, we spent a night in Dubai so that we could go to the Global Village and the malls.  Global Village is like a big flea market with areas representing various countries.  I have to say that America's section was the most disappointing, which made me really think, "What is exclusive to America?  What defines our culture?"  America is such a melting pot, I really don't think we have very much culture of our own.  But anyway, the American section was full of random items like t-shirts and hair steamers.  We had no special food, no traditional outfits, nothing.  One part of the American section sold t-shirts and souvenirs from London.  Now, I have been away for about 7 months. Is there something I missed while being over here?  Has London moved to America? SMH.

Africa was my favorite section of the entire Global Village.  I love the  rich culture and traditions that were represented.

Of course I went to heritage corner to learn about the UAE heritage.  While there, I met this guy.  This selfie almost went wrong because he got a little too close to my head when he moved.  Yikes!

Took this strictly for Samedy, my Asian brother.  He wants the world to know that not all Asians are Chinese.

This week has been the slowest week ever.  In teacher world it gets like this when a break is approaching.  Tomorrow is the last day with the students.  Sunday-Thursday we will have professional development, and then spring break begins.  I am traveling to Zanzibar.  I can't wait!

I have to say that favor isn't fair and these folks in the UAE are not playing with this oil money.  This is what I see on just a regular day in the cities (Abu Dhabia and Dubai):

I cannot leave a post without an update about my kids.  Someone taught them (probably me) to ask "What this in English?" and they are out of control with it.  They walk around all day asking me what things are in English and then repeat the word.  And they act so much like me that it gets annoying.  It is hard being around little versions of you.  I am going to be in trouble when I have kids of my own.  My students don't allow me to say anything in Arabic anymore (not that I know too many words anyway).  But, if I say an Arabic word, they correct me in English and tell me "Habla Neshwa (my coteacher) Arabic, Ms. LaTwya English."  Hahahahaha.  


Note to my friends and family.......I DO NOT LIVE IN DUBAI.  People keep trying to visit me in Dubai.  I live in Abu Dhabi.  More specifically, I live in the western region of Abu Dhabi in Beda Zayed.  I am almost three hours from Dubai.  So, when you visit me in Dubai, please keep in mind that I actually live quite a ways from there and will have to actually make plans to spend time with you.  Not that anyone has actually visited me, but a lot of people say they want to come to Dubai.  SMH.  Just like people swear Atlanta is all of Georgia, they swear Dubai is the entire UAE.  It is only one Emirate out of seven....and it happens to be one in which I do not live.  Love y'all.  You better get on these cheap flights that keep coming up if you plan on coming for real.

Brain Dump

I've got to dump my brain, so this post is going to be all over the place:

-We went on a field trip earlier this week up through some sand that led to something like a barn.  However there were only some cows, one horse, and some chickens. The kids ran around the place in no kind of order.  My children chased a rooster that had gotten out of the fence.  SMH.  Enough about that field trip.

-The weather at bootcamp last night was really strange.  Wind was blowing hard and it started to get really dark and foggy.  There were predictions of rain which totally shuts the desert down.  However, when I woke up this morning the weather was clear with sand spread everywhere.  What a tease!  I thought I would at least be delayed for work.  Disclaimer: It's not that I do not like going but those four-year-olds really make me tired.  We haven't had any breaks this trimester other than fog days. They need to put naps back in school or something.  Geesh.

-Every English Medium Teacher (EMT) AKA those of us from other countries that teach English put in for a transfer except three of us.  That means 6 new EMTs at the KG school next year.  They are putting in transfers because they have done their two years out west and would like to live in the city. I started to put in a transfer although I cannot move to the city until my contract is up.  I was going to put in a transfer to a school closer to where I live because the hour commute drives me crazy.  However, I have to weigh out all of my options.  1.  I only plan on being here one more year to finish my contract.  I may decide to do two more years but I doubt it.  So why switch schools?  2.  I know what goes on and what is expected at my school.  Why learn another school for one more year?  Hmmmm.  Decisions, decisions.

-There are speed cameras along the roads here.  Those speed cameras are the devil.  Speeding tickets go directly to the rental company and are deducted from your account along with your monthly rental.  I just got a car in January, and if I get one more bill like the one from last month I will  be returning the car and back to catching rides.  If I speed like the fines I pay, I don't deserve to drive.  I hope America never gets those stupid speeding cameras.  LOL.

-An old college classmate contacted me because she was here.  She was able to get one of those Etihad "mistake" tickets at Christmas time.  It is so hard to see people that come here because I live so far out.  However, after work I met with her and her friend for dinner.  It felt good to see someone from home and to catch up.

-We have been doing this cooking rotation thing.  On my turn I always cook quesadillas or tacos or some other Mexican type dish (yes I know, super easy, no effort).  I tried to think of something different but nothing comes to mind.  Plus, these dishes are what I like to eat all of the time.  Upon trying to research new recipes I came to the realization that I cannot force myself to like cooking.  I just don't like it.  It is a burden to me.  People always want me to learn or tell me how easy it is.  I just really have no interest in cooking or anything else in the kitchen.  Even the grocery store annoys me to be honest.  *Shrugs*

-I don't speak Arabic but I am pretty sure one of the bus moms tried to hook me up with her son today.  She asked if I was married by gesturing to my ring finger.  Then, she showed me a picture on her phone.  At first I thought she was trying to say it was her husband but then realized he looked really young.  Then another bus mom who is also a parent of one of my students said, "Teacha, like me and Ahmad, same same" indicating that the person in the picture was the lady's son.  Upon closer look I realized her son might be all of twenty, if that.  LOL.  She probably thinks I am way younger than I am.  It doesn't help that I am not married because marriage happens early here.  Sorry miss, but where I am from that would make me a cougar.  I am too old for your son.

Never a Dull Moment in the Desert

Of course a lot has gone on since the last post.  There is never a dull moment in the desert....

Went to see the youngin, August Alsina, one weekend.  Now on one hand I think that I was a bit too old to be going to a club to see him.  On the other hand, I don't care because I had a ball and I actually got to see an old friend from GT.  Turns out he was working with August.  I am all the way across the world running into my GT family......amazing (ooops, didn't take a pic).

Last week my school tried to put everything they could in one week.  We had "Sports Days" (we call it field day in America) Sunday - Tuesday.  Wednesday was some sort of heritage day in the park.  Thursday was "Red Day" in which children rotated from class to class doing activities pertaining the the color red.  I would recommend spreading some of that out throughout the month next time, but clearly no one asked my opinion.

Children received gifts after finishing the last day.

One of my student's baba (father) works for the sports complex that hosted our sporting events.  Of course, he is a football (soccer) coach.  

My co-teacher always participates in the games and sometimes cheats so that our kids can win. Hahaha.

This isn't my child but he harasses me like he is.  He runs up to me, taps me, and then holds his hands by his head while saying, "Nani nani mani."  Hahaha.  I call him "Captain" because he has this captain uniform that he often wears to school.  Captain Hamdan!

Turns out holding up three fingers in a picture is not a mistake like I thought.  It actually means something.  The sheik of Dubai started it.  I will get back to you on what it means.  I actually forgot.  But, the peace sign + a thumb is not a mistake.

Red Day Shenanigans.......Yes I have on a red Kandura dress.  No, I am not required to dress like that everyday.  Some schools have their teachers cover in black abayas but we were what we want as long as we are covered.

Parents sent "red" treats (watermelons, strawberries, candy wrapped in red paper)

Red Day Balloon Toss.......not the best idea I ever had with a bunch of 4-year-olds

After the exhausting week at school, I went to Dubai for the 3C Sports Yacht Party.  We had a blast.  I'll just let a few pictures tell the story.

After the yacht party, we spent the night in Dubai and went to the mall the next day.  I thought the malls in Abu Dhabi were overwhelming but they have nothing on the malls in Dubai.  The highlight of the whole trip to Dubai was IHOP.  You read it right.....IHOP.  I live in an area where the only restaurants are KFC, Pizza King, Burger Hut, Starbucks, and Popeyes.  Therefore, when I go to the city or a place like Dubai, it does not take much to excite me.