Happy New Year. It's hard to believe we're almost two weeks into the new year and I haven't written since before the break. Bad blogger! I do hope that this week's latest joys finds each of you well and rested following Winter Break. I know that I am ready for another long weekend...sadly I have a while to wait. I think the countdown on my classweb site says 45 days. Thankfully, I'll have a different sort of getaway in just a few weeks when I head to Boston for the ISS international teaching job fair.
People keep asking, "Where do you want to go?" It's a hard question to answer. I won't have a good understanding of what's really out there until I get to Boston. I have applied, as I told you previously, to a few different schools. Boston will be a good experience, although quite intense, I'm told. I have my resume and cover letter finished. Need to work on a philosophy of education as well as a portfolio. It will be a busy few weeks, but I know that things will work out as they are meant to! I have a great province to return to if another year internationally doesn't work out.
Recent weeks in school have seen the usual "after the break" sort of things. It's amazing how quickly those little gaffers "forget" our procedures. However, they are right back into the swing of things. Students are particularily fond of getting to sing the "Sneaker song" as they call it. I had been playing my iPod in the background while they were working one day and the "Sneaker song" came on. The children really like it...for those of you who don't live in Kuwait, you might know it as "You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift. I must admit it is a catchy tune, but even my love for the "repeat" key has worn thin. It does make me smile as they start to sing out the bridge, though. Maybe it's worth it!
I'm happy to report that my voice is still holding steady. My return to Kuwait saw the return of sinus troubles. Meh, only five months left, right! It's amazing how much difference an environment change can make. Perhaps my new teaching position will take me to the green glory of Scotland or the strange, but beautiful Dubai. Regardless of where I choose to go (see, positive thinking...I'm hoping for more than one job offer), I am sure that it will be a great experience. Despite all the frustrations, Kuwait has been that...a great experience. I've also been told it's a "hardship post". Apparently international schools are quite impressed when you stick out such a post for 2 years, and don't break contract half way through.
Oh, I guess I'd best talk about the time in Dubai with mom and Mike. It was a blast. We had such a good time. From our fantastic hotel (Tylene's pick) to fun in the snow park on Christmas day (yes...snow in the desert) to the desert safari and camel rides...I opted out of the ride...I guess when you see camels and live in the desert on a regular basis such adventures seem somewhat mundane. HOWEVER, it wasn't mundane...it was great fun for Mike and mom! I'm so glad they took the plunge.
Another part of the desert safari was the dune bashing. Now, Mike and mom thoroughly enjoyed that experience. Don't get me wrong...it was fun, but there's something about feeling as though the vehicle you're in is about to roll and you're going to topple over and roll down the sand dune that makes the whole experience a little daunting. Michael noticed that I spent the entire time clutching the "holy sh*t" handle. Perhaps it's true. Perhaps I was a little white knuckled. Would I do it again? Probably...it was sort of fun!
The snow park in the Mall of the Emarites was also a blast. We'd tried to just be able to go into the park without winter gear, but they insisted. That didn't stop Mike from shedding his coat and getting a few pictures in his Rider's jersey and shorts. I too wore my "Western Division Champs" shirt that day. It was very entertaining when some random stranger came up to Mike and I and asked if we learned how to count yet. It turned out that he too was a Saskatchewanian all the way from Fort Qu'appelle. Another die hard Rider fan, who was at the game that sad sad day. What a small world we live in.
Back to the snow park. It was a good time...posing for pictures. It's true...I was cold...but, just for the record, so were Mike and mom. They were glad, in retrospect, that they made us wear coats and boats. Grover even made a few appearances in Dubai. Next time I go to Dubai, I will check out the ski part of the park...not that I ski, but it might be fun!
Walks along the river, bus tours of the city, trips to Atlantis: all part of our time in Dubai. For me, I was glad to have family around for the holidays. Would have loved the whole family to be there, but a girl's gotta take what a girl gets.
As for this past week...I took a long walk on the beach last night. It has taken all the romance out of it for me. Allow me to explain. On Sunday, I did pump class...a high intensity weight thingy. There was a lunge track that went on for EVER. I was fortunate (not) to have one of the trainers come and ensure that I do the WHOLE lunge track (which, for the record, I don't ever do...I just pretend to lunge...they're hard work) At any rate, Monday my legs were KILLING me. On Tuesday, I was supposed to head back to the gym for Attack class...fun fun fun. However, my legs hurt worse than they did on Monday, so I figured a good compromise would be to walk for an hour on the tredmill.
When I arrived at the gym, there wasn't a free tredmill in sight. So one of the trainers (who is also the hubby of one of the teachers at the school) suggested I go walk on the beach. He said that I'd get a much better work out...work muscles that often get forgotten. He even suggested walking barefoot...that would help strenghten muscles in my feet (did you know you have muscles in your feet???)
So he walked me out to the beach, showed me my walking parameters and set me out on my walking time. I walked for about 50 minutes (felt like 500). That was 22 times back and forth through the sand. When I was done, I was about ready to drop dead...but still had to make my way all the way back to the club...that involved two flights of stairs. Luckily, Angela and Rob loaned me their vehicle, so I didn't have to walk home in the end.
The moral of the story...long walks on the beach are only fun if there is no sand to walk through. Therefore, long walks on the boardwalk are the way to go. Long walks on the beach are lots and lots and lots of work :)
With that, I will sign off. Have a wonderful day/week/however long until I write again.
I guess that sort of catches you up on the most recent adventures. I will try to be more diligent in my writing this year. Life just sort of gets away on ya.
Tylene
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