I'm not entirely sure where the day went, but it's now Tuesday - hump day here in Syria. I am so tired. Perhaps it's because I was caught up in my novel and didn't sleep until 11:30 and was up at 6:00. Perhaps it's because it's report card time and things are just always busy. Perhaps it is because I have parents who stop in to say they are leaving for London and the kids are staying in Syria, but then by the end of the day have changed their minds and could I please get homework together for the next two weeks and send it home at the end of the day! Apparently I don't actually teach during the day - apparently I can just whip such things up (which, I actually can because I've already had 2 preps today and have one more later this afternoon) so I shouldn't complain, but I'm sleepy and a little grouchy, therefore I complain.
Phew - that was a long ramble. As I listen to the hum of my AC in my classroom I have time to reflect on how different life is in Damascus. I don't feel the stress that I felt in Kuwait. I enjoy coming to work. I find that I have students who are eager to learn. Perhaps it's the sense that we have a smaller group of students and a smaller staff. I can really feel like I'm getting to know people. Perhaps it's just because it was the change that I needed. Who knows. At any rate, I am really enjoying my time here.
Yesterday afternoon we had a staff meeting. Teachers rotate hosting the staff meeting. This week it was in my room. I spoke with my principal after the meeting (Re: parents who want to turn my classroom into birthday central and how I can prevent that - especially when said parent is also a colleague). At any rate, Brian commented on the fact that he wanted to host in my room because he was hoping that other teachers would notice that, while there is considerable order to my room, it is also bright, welcoming and inviting. He went on further to say that he and my director have wondered, on more than one occasion, how it is possible that they were lucky enough to hire me - he figured that I would have been snatched up long before the school started hiring. It was a nice vote of confidence and affirmation to the work that I am doing at school.
I'm not sure there is much more to report. I am definitely looking forward to the weekend. It will be one of those weekends in which I don't do much more than get out of bed (or off the couch) to feed myself, drink water and do my workout. I need some down time. I haven't had a weekend to myself for a good long while. I will also need to run to the internet place to pay my bill, but that will take all of an hour.
And on that note, I shall stop my ramblings for this week. Still trying to get pictures up. Not having much luck- sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Hopefully soon you'll have a little more insight into where it is that I am living.
Until next time,
Tylene
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