Monday, August 31, 2009

Thoughts on a lecture

One of my goals during Ramadan is to make good use of my time. Decreasing my time on the Internet and cutting out T.V. has made more time to listen to lectures and read one of the many books I purchased and then shipped home from Kuwait. I watched a lecture the other day where a non-Muslim woman expressed her thoughts on Islam. I thought the scholar did an excellent job responding to the question and found myself amused by how I was able to relate to both the person asking the question and the scholar giving the answer.

The woman wrote in to the Deen Show (a very popular T.V. show in Muslim countries and one I used to watch in Kuwait) saying that she couldn’t understand how people could be Muslim.. That there seemed to be too many restrictions and it was “boring”.

Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness from Allah) I can remember feeling the same way when I first started learning about Islam. The scholar explained that there are two main reasons why people fail to enter Islam. Doubts and desires. It wasn’t that I doubted the religion because everything I read and learned made sense. It was my desires that got in the way. For me it was giving up bikinis, my running shorts, and the idea of having to be covered up while on the beach that held me back and made me doubt if I could ever become Muslim. Looking back on that now, I feel incredibly silly. I also feel ashamed to think that I had used clothing as an excuse.

There is a beautiful hadith (saying of the Prophet peace be upon him) in which he said: "Every Deen has an innate character. The character of Islam is modesty." (narrated by Abu Dawood) I now realize that Muslims, both men and women, cover their bodies as a way to express humility. Once we have acknowledged that there is a higher power and our time spent here on Earth is a test and a time to submit to Him, how could one not be humble? One of the most profound things I noticed after deciding to wear hijab was how it impacted other parts of my life. It was as if placing the piece of cloth over my head helped me focus on my speech, interactions with men, how I deal with my family, spend my time and whether or not my actions will count for or against me on the Day of Judgment.

The scholar went on to say that the overall problem with the woman’s question is that she was looking at Islam from the point of view of, “what can I get out of it?” or “how will it serve me?” He goes on to explain that the fundamental question in Islam is, “how do I serve Allah?” He went on to say that once you come to that realization, that our purpose here on Earth isn’t to obey our desires but rather to submit and work to please our Creator, you are showered with benefits and favors that you could not have imagined.

Alhamdulillah (All Praise is due to Allah), this is what I am experiencing now and have been since taking my shahada (statement of faith in One God and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Messenger). The scholar went on to explain that one of the best benefits Islam provides is a sense of peace in your heart. If you know my mother, then you’ve most likely heard her reference the meaning of my name… Rebecca means peacemaker. I’ve always avoided confrontation and looked to be a people pleaser and I’ll admit that those qualities still hold true. However, it is the peace I experience when in sujood (a position in the prayer when one is closest to the ground), hearing the athan (call to prayer), feeling an instant bond with a stranger who also wears hijab, hearing someone say “Asalaam alaikum” (the greeting exchanged between Muslims meaning peace be onto you and) as they pass by on the street and taking that first sip of water and bite of a date after fasting that makes me grateful that I was given the opportunity to exchange my worldly desires for a more peaceful purpose.

Click here if you’re interested in watching the lecture for yourself

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Ramadan Mubarak!


“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint...Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting...”
(Al-Qur’an 2:183,185).

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the month in which Allah revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and intimate relations with their spouse during the daylight hours of the blessed month. It is a time for Muslims to contemplate on their belief and increase their faith by actively increasing in worship, prayer and reciting the Qur'an. It is an opportunity for spiritual as well as physical purification.


This year marks my third Ramadan. Looking back on the previous years, each month was uniquely different from the other.

The first time I decided to observe Ramadan was during my senior year at UConn, when I had first begun learning about Islam. I didn’t understand how someone could deny themselves food or water for an entire day, and repeat this process throughout an entire month. I remember having to explain to my fellow CAs why I wouldn’t be joining them for meals in the dining hall and why I wasn’t taking part in snack time during my education classes. I remember dreading the sound of my alarm early in the morning and wondering if I really wanted to eat a bowl of cereal when it was still dark outside. I can also remember the excitement as I counted down the minutes until I could break my fast. What I remember most clearly about my first Ramadan was that while I had been able to fast for the entire month, I felt that I was missing another important piece.

I spent my second Ramadan in Kuwait. Being that Kuwait is a Muslim country, I was surrounded by people who were fasting and celebrating this blessed month. I was invited to share iftar, the meal eaten while breaking fast, with coworkers and friends and was able to experience the sense of community that this month elicits. I remember being incredibly motivated; rushing home from school and jumping into bed to read my English translation of the Quran, keeping a journal of how many prayers I prayed, listening to Islamic lectures and sending emails to my parents and sister in an attempt to explain my faith and experience. At night I walked to the mosque next to my apartment for isha (one of the five obligatory prayers) and taraveeh. Taraveeh are extra prayers that are held only during the month of Ramadan. Each night, 1/30th of the Quran is recited so that one can hear the Quran in its entirety by the end of the special month. I remember the mosques being filled with people, so much so that by the end of the month, the Great Mosque in Kuwait City had to close the surrounding streets to make space for people to pray. Ramadan in Kuwait was incredible. It was a great introduction to living in a Muslim country and helped me feel more connected to Islam.

Today marks the second week of my third Ramadan. I am again back to being a minority, watching as people eat and drink in their cars or at the table next to me during my Farmington teacher orientation. I am again met with questions as to how someone is able to not eat or drink for a month and not die from it. Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah) being back in a non-Muslim country gives me the opportunity to do dawah, to teach about Islam and my Muslims observe this special month. Most of my efforts with teaching have been focused on my parents who have decided to experience this month with me.

We set our alarms for 4:15 AM and meet downstairs in our pajamas to eat suhoor, the meal one eats before sunrise. My mom’s plate is always unique; sometimes its black bean soup and scrambled tofu while other days she has salad and leftover salmon from the night before. My dad has stayed consistent with his piece of bread and peanut butter and has now added a bowl of oatmeal. My meal falls somewhere between.

Eating suhoor in the morning and then breaking our fast together at night has been such a beautiful experience. We no longer sit in front of the television, since it hasn’t been turned on in the last week. We sit in front of our food and make dua, or personal supplications and prayers, and then eat while enjoying each other’s company.



One of the benefits of Ramadan is being able to thank Allah more sincerely for things that we quite often take for granted; food, water, family. That being said, thank you Allah for making me one who has access to food and water whenever I need or want it. Thank you for continuing to shower me with Your blessings and giving me opportunities where I can become more firm in this deen. And thank you for blessing me with a beautiful family, who has embraced my reversion to Islam with a tremendous amount of support.


For more beautiful pictures of Ramadan

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

April 1st + 9/10 year old boys = one long day and lots of fake laughs

Happy April Fools Day.

I had actually forgotten about this holiday and didn't think that it was celebrated here in Kuwait. Well, I was wrong. Starting right after the first morning bell, before anyone was able to stuff their bags into lockers, I had my first joke of the day. First of many.. way too many. But really, what else can you expect from a classroom of eight 9 and 10 year old boys?

"Miss, last night a tornado came and took my house away!"
"Oh no!"
"Juuuuuust kidding, April Fools!"

A few minutes later...
"Miss, we got into a car accident this morning on the way to school."
"Oh no. I hope no one got hurt."
"April Fools. Haha I got you!"

As the jokes continued throughout the day my reactions got better and better. They loved seeing me react and put my hand on my chest or hearing my gasps of fake disbelief. One student however, knew he crossed the line and quickly pulled it back.

"Miss, I'm not sure how I know this but your nephew is really hurt."
"What?"
"I'm sorry. It's April Fools. And that wasn't funny."

I can't remember all of the jokes. There were just too many. They were all verbal tricks, luckily no one jumped out or hid anything around the classroom. I was told that there would be an alien attack tonight and that a huge sandstorm was coming. I was also told that the Ministry of Education canceled school tomorrow which meant that we didn't need to come in. If I have any empty desks tomorrow I think it'll be safe to say that they used that trick on their parents as well.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Teacher moment

My students struggle with the words were and where. Yesterday, while standing in the front of my classroom I wrote both of the words on the board. I then asked my students to point to the word 'where'. When only two out of my eight correctly answered I asked my class to be quiet so we could have some thinking silence. I then had a teacher moment.

I turned back to the board and made the h in where darker. As my students watched, I began asking how the two words looked different. One of them explained that where has an h and were are all small letters. I then made the connection that the w in where can't see the rest of the word because h is a tall letter and blocks its way. I then had them hold their hand up to the forehead, pretend to look around for the rest of the word and say, "hmmm, now where can it be?"

Today I gave a pop quiz during spelling and included these two words. My students correctly spelled the two. One student who struggles with spelling got really excited after spelling the word and when asked how he remembered the difference he mimicked my hand to forehead motion and said that the w can't see where the rest of the word is because the h is blocking his way.

I was so proud of him and proud of myself for finding a way for my students to remember the difference. It's an incredible feeling, watching my students learn and knowing that I have something to do with their progress.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

More student work

I'm not sure if my readers (aka parents and sister) find these posts at all interesting but I can't help myself. I've noticed that on the nights when I don't have tutoring I will sometimes go from 3 PM until 6:30 AM without talking, the time I get off the bus to the time I get back on. Well, that's not always the case when I bring my students' journals home to correct. As you can see, they write what they are thinking and don't try and sugar coat their feelings. Their entries usually make me laugh and comment out loud, which then makes me feel like a weirdo for having such a great time when no one else around.

Side note: I cannot remember why my students were so fascinated with ice but for some odd reason we must have been talking about it because as you'll see it popped up in several of their letters.


Dear, M, Rebecca
How you live on ice and it so big? And is brocken? And Is to cold and next to your house a kyte and you can go out?

br friend,
I like my frends thay likes me. I like soccer, backit ball. I am a good boy and my frend is good olso. Thay no how to hlp me.


Dear Ms. Rebecca,
Thank you for celebrating My birthday party Ms. Rebecca, But they didn't gave me presents just beacuse Ms. L don't let them bring presents for me but It's was the best birthday party ever.
Love,
H

Dear Ms. Rebecca
Yesterday I have fun in H's birthday and he brang sanwichs, Juices and the cake and it pictured like a shark. is there ice land in america?

Dear Ms Rebecca,
Thank you for celeberating my birthday Ms. Rebecca. I am an ogre.

On one day there was a dragon. He was furious. He did bad things. He didn't let anyone come to his house. He bluw fire on the town and he blew our bank. He blow the place where we have breakfast and he blow dire on the obat. The people threw fire at him. All the people hated him. He cried and he went home. He asked his mom, "why do people hate me?" "Because you are blowing a building where people work in." He went back to the town and fixed the building and he said sorry to everyone and everyone liked him.

And one quote for good measure:
(After completing a lesson on prefixes)
S: miss can you move my face I'm being quiet.
R: This is talking out which is the opposite of being quiet.
S: Oh... I'm being un-quiet.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Like mother, like daughter

In honor of the “most special day of the whole year” (my mother’s birthday), this post is for her.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Like father, like son”. What about “Like mother, like daughter”? I’ve recently discovered that I have inherited many of my mother’s mannerisms, several of which I still tease her about.

The first one that I have just recently noticed occurs when I am in the kitchen. While growing up, both of my parents shared in cooking dinner. I can remember my father being a pro-chef at Hamburger Helper Stronganoff and pasta with meat sauce and my mom going through her various food phases, sometimes trying to pass off portabella mushrooms or veggie burgers as beef hamburgers and other times bringing home a treat like Burger King. Regardless of what my mom was cooking, I can remember how she would always have a dish towel draped over one of her shoulders; making it easy for her to wipe her hands in between stirring soup, chopping vegetables or doing dishes. I haven’t done much cooking here in Kuwait, but not because I don’t know how to. I enjoy cooking but have a hard time spending a lot of time and effort making a nice meal for just me. However, when I am in my kitchen adding some lemon or garlic to a bowl of hummus or cutting up an apple to eat with some peanut butter, you can almost always find me with a towel draped over my shoulder.

I’m not exactly sure when my mom started to change out her old pots and pans to her new pride and joy – Emeril cookware. She loves food and loves cooking, and let me tell you, she also loves these pots and pans. In order to take care of her cookware she makes sure that anyone who uses these pans cleans them right away and always uses Bar Keepers Friend so that they stay looking sparkly and brand new. I used to sigh loudly after offering to help clean up and seeing the number of dishes my mother had created (this, by the way, is one characteristic I have not adopted). I also knew that if I chose to skimp on the scrubbing or conveniently “forget” to use Bar Keepers Friend that she would make a comment to let me know she was on to me. This past August, a few days before leaving for Kuwait, my mom surprised me with a beautiful Emeril frying and sauce pan. I used the sauce pan during my first week to heat some water for tea but have barely touched it since. I couldn’t stand the sight of water drops and seeing the copper ring on the bottom of the pan a dull brown instead of the bright and shiny color I have grown so accustomed to. Pathetic..

The older I get, the more people comment and say how much I look like my mom. Despite my cousin Rachel who is the spitting image of my mother at her age, I can see some of the similarities that we share in our faces. We hold the same smile, which stays on our face for the majority of the day. Of course there are times when we cry, another commonality which runs through the blood of the Minors, but for the most part we are seen by others and asked, “Do you ever stop smiling?” We also have the ability to entertain children with our noses – “Wow, it’s so long. Hey you look like Rudolph”, after forgetting to put on sunscreen… I’m not getting into it, sensitive subject.

We also have the habit of not being able to stop talking about food. “Oh wow! This is sooo good. Mmmm.” In no way are we quiet eaters but that’s what makes it fun going out to eat with her, most of the time :)

I know there are countless of other qualities that we share, many of which I adopted without realizing and have now become engrained in who I am. We both chose to go into care-taker professions, love having our feet rubbed and can’t get enough of St. John and the ocean. She’s the best mother in the whole world. And I hope that this short post serves as a small reminder as to how much I love her. Happy birthday Mommy.

Monday, February 16, 2009

One more

S1: Oh man my leg really itches.
S2: Haha, I bet you have turkey pox.

Kids say.. I've lost count

When recognizing the picture on a cover of a book this students says, "Hey!! That's Obama! I know him."

S:I'm a tiger.. rarrrr

S:Ms. Rebecca. PePere is like a chili's name.
R: You mean PePere, like my grandfather?
S: Yes. Only it doesn't sound like grandfather, it sounds like a chili.

S: I like to walk upside down in school.

S: Ms. Rebecca is a teacher and Ms. Rana is a sentence (instead of assistant)

S: (Looks at the clock. It is 10:15 AM)Uhhh oh.
R: What's wrong?
S: I forgot to brush my teeth today.

S: Where does Obama live?
R: In the White House. That's where the president of the United States lives.
S: Miss, I think you could be president.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Arab Fund Building


A few weeks ago three of the FSIS Social Committee members arranged a visit to the Arab Fund Building. While I have to admit it sounded kind of boring at the start, I found myself completely amazed by the architecture and structure of the building. The Arab Fund Building is located just outside Kuwait City in Shuwaik, and uses a combination of modern architectural techniques with traditional artisan crafts. We were told that the building cost about 160 million dollars. Construction was put on hold during the Iraqi invasion and 20 million dollars of goods were taken from the building, increasing the overall cost.

The building was completed in 1994, and is home to four major Arab organizations: the Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development, OAPEC (Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries), the Inter-Arab Investment Guarantee Corporation and the Arab Maritime Petroleum Transport Company. Four incredibly wealthy Arab organizations.

The social committee was able to get a group of 12 teachers to go and (almost) everyone left extremely pleased with the experience. I found our tour guide to be insulting and was disappointed in how he represented Islam to a group of mostly non-Muslims. I forgot to bring my camera but was fortunate enough to borrow pictures from someone else.

Click here for the entire album online.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Dust storm


I’ve heard about dust storms and seen pictures; however, it is a completely different experience living in one. Last night after cooking some halal turkey bacon I opened my kitchen window about a quarter of an inch to let out some of the cooking smell. Exhausted from my day of teaching and tutoring, I forgot to close it. Big mistake

Shortly after 6 this morning, I stepped into the kitchen to get a glass of juice and pack some snacks to bring to school. As my bare foot touched the ground I immediately remembered my mistake. I quickly glanced and saw the open window. Despite being open just a fraction of an inch my entire kitchen is covered in dust. I left footprints on the floor, walking from the door to the fridge. My once-clean dishes in the strainer are now the color of sand, along with my stove, sink, refrigerator and all of my cooking utensils and shelves. I even found a layer of dust inside my kitchen trash can.

I should have cleaned it up right then but didn’t want to get dust on my black pants before work. (The layer of dust is there as I sit writing this...) The air is unbelievably heavy. I’m not sure I’ve taken a full deep breath all day. While walking into school I noticed a trail of footprints I was leaving behind, reminding me of the first snow of the season when I was back in Connecticut this past December. The maids and guards all wore medical masks and worked hard to sweep/spray the dust away before the students came.

My students were excited. Some complained about not being able to breathe and kept running to the window, asking where the hospital building went as it disappeared from view. At one point I turned off the light when leaving the room and noticed just how dark it was when I came back; there was no sun today. Rather there was just a tan sky, full of lots of sand.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Why I sleep so well at night

Scene: Room 103 at FSIS. The bell rings. I finish filling out my two behavior charts and attempt to get my students settled for a lesson that I am trying to teach…. I can’t even remember what subject anymore. And here is why.

Student 1: “Miss why did I earn a middle face?”

Me: “I saw that you were not being as quiet as I know you can. A middle face means it was just ok, this period let’s see some great effort so we can end our day with a smiley face.”

Student 1: (Grumbles under his breath) “Ugh I hate school.”

Me: “Alright boys, eyes up front, let’s see who can earn our first star for showing me that they are ready to learn.”

Student 2: “Rarrrrr.” (He makes pouncing motions which causes the boys around him laugh, therefore, prompting him to continue.)

Me: “Student 2, please sit quietly so that we can begin.”

Student 2: “But Miss, I’m a tiger… Rarrrr”

Me: Sigh, “It would be nice if you could be a student for this lesson.. ooh how about a quiet one?”

Ms. Rana snickers.

I turn my attention back to Student 1 and notice he is scowling at his hand.

Student 1: “I want to go see the principal. My hand hurts. Look, you hurt me and I want to tell.”

Me: “Student 1, I didn’t touch your hand. If you hand is hurt you can certainly go visit our school nurse. A principal doesn’t know how to fix your hand.”

Student 1: “Maybe I wouldn’t have to go see the principal if you changed my middle face to a smiley one.”

Me: “Alright boys. Wow! I see that Student 3 is sitting quietly, he is facing the board and giving me a thumbs up showing me without using his words that he is ready.”

Student 4: “HAHAHA the eagle used the desert bathroom!!!” (Something one of my students decided to write into one of his free write stories last week that my classroom of 9 years old found hilarious)

Me: “Student 4, we are no longer going to talk about the desert bathroom. I should only hear comments that are appropriate and at this moment I shouldn’t hear any talking at all.”

Student 4: “Why can’t we ever talk? It’s always shhhh! REVENGE! YOU TELL ME ONE MORE TIME TO SHHH AND IT’S REVENGE.”

Me: “Oh class, I see people who are using a voice that is much too loud for our classroom. Remember if you want to say something you should let me know by raising your hand.”

Student 4: “REVENGE! IT IS STARTING NOW. IT’S GOING TO START AT HOME AND COME BACK WITH ME TOMORROW. REVENGE!”

Student 2: “Revenge!” (Followed by another tiger pouncing motion)

Student 5: “Miss, Student 6 won’t stop trying to pull my hat off. I got a haircut and I don’t want to show anyone.”

Student 7: “Miss my head hurts.”

Me: “Mine too..”

Monday, February 9, 2009

Music to my ears.. sort of

I just remembered a few of the questions I was asked today and forgot to post below..

Q: Miss why are you going back to America?
A: I miss my family very much. It is just a little too lonely living by myself here.

Q: Will you teach in America?
A: InshAllah I'll get a job and teach there, yes.

Q: Will you get married?
A: InshAllah. I hope to.

Q: If you marry a Kuwaiti, does that mean that you could live here and teach at Fawzia Sultan again? Oooh can you teach 5th grade?
A: You boys would want me for another year? (I directed this question to my "I hate you" student and watched as he silently nodded his head yes.)

It was safe to say that at that moment I was speechless. I also had a huge smile on my face.

Q & A

In an attempt to teach how to ask questions and the common words we use: who, what, when, where, why, how… I allowed my students to create a list of questions for me. See below for their very entertaining list, as well as my answers.

Q: Where do you live?
A: Al Muthana Street.. right down the road from the Boat Mall

Q: Do you like to play video games?
A: I wasn’t allowed to have video games when I was little. (gasps of horror) But I used to like to play Mario Kart at my friend’s house.

Q: Do you like chocolate?
A: I LOVE chocolate!

Q: You have seen a bear or deer?
A: Have I seen a bear or a deer? Yes, I have. In America my house is surrounded by woods and forests and I get to see lots of animals like turkeys, coyotes, bobcats and deer. My neighbor saw a bear and sent a picture of it to us.

Q: What your sister work?
Q: My sister (interrupted with: “she lives in Japan!”)… yes she lives in Japan. (another interruption: “is she married?”).. yes she is married. (again: “did she marry a Japanese man?”) No my sister married an American but he works in Japan. And my sister works as a mommy to my niece Brenna and Anthony. It is a very busy job but she’s wonderful at it. (The boys sit quiet, somewhat disappointed while Ms. Rana appreciated my comment)

Q: When you go to America can you call us?
A: Aw, that is a great idea. I will have to buy a phone card because it can be very expensive to call long distance.

Q: You feeling good or bad?
A: Another way we can ask that question is, how are you feeling? I am good thank you but my toe is hurt. (I closed the kitchen door on it last night)

Q: You like to go to the mosque?
A: Yes, I sure do.

Q: You like to be a Muslim or no?
A: I am very happy being Muslim.

Q: Do you like me?... I like you. (from my student who shouts, “I hate you!”)
A: Umm, no. I don’t like you. I love you all so much.

Q: What car do you drive?
A: I have a Honda Accord back home. Even if I had it here in Kuwait I don’t think I would drive it.

Q: Where do you work?
A: You should know the answer to that question silly – Fawzia Sultan

Q: Is your dad doing fine?
A: What a great question, yes he is. I got to talk to him on the computer last night.

Q: How is your child?
A: Do you mean, ‘do you have a child?’. “No.” Oh, well I don’t have a child yet so I can’t really answer that question. (Sighhhhhhh – from the student, not me)

Q: Do your father have a gun?
A: No my father does not have a gun.

Q: Do you have a DVD player in your car?
A: No. (I neglected to leave out that my car also doesn’t have power windows or locks)

Q: Ms. Rebecca was born in 1987.
A: That is called a statement, not a question. Can we fix it to become a question?
Q: When was Ms. Rebecca born?
A: I was born in 1984. (Student then says, "Aww man, runs back to his desk to change the year.)

Q: How did Ms. Rebecca become Muslim?
A: Oh, now this is a good question. I was going to college and worked with some people who were Muslim and I saw that they were very kind and good people so I started asking a lot of questions. I wanted to know why they weren’t eating during Ramadan and why they would have to leave meetings or activities when it was time to pray. I began learning about Islam and asking questions and realized that it was right.

This question started a whole new conversation and questions such as:
Q: Ooh so you used to have hair?
A: I still have hair, I just keep it covered under the hijab.

Q: Did you used to eat pork? What does it taste like?
A: I used to eat it, I never really liked it all that much.

Q: Were your parents upset when you became Muslim?
A: No my family has been very wonderful.

Q: What religion are your parents? Are they Christian? You know, you need to teach them about Islam Ms. Rebecca.
A: You're right, I sure do. They have been very good about listening to me talk about Islam, inshAllah someday they'll learn and feel the same way about it too.

Which was a segue back to their list of questions:

Q: What is your mom’s name?
A: Ann

Q: Who is your bodyguard?
A: Hmm, I don’t have a bodyguard.

Q: What is your pin code?
A: Pin code! For the ATM? Ohh, now that is secret!

Q: Do you have a tank?
A: A tank? Like a military tank? (shakes head to indicate yes). No, I don’t.

Q: What is your father’s name?
A: Mark

Q: Did you cry when you saw your parents?
A: Yes when I went home in December and got to my airport and got off the plane and saw my father I did start crying. I was so excited to see him. I missed my family very much.

Q: How many times did you eat from a fast food restaurant?
A: Oh let’s see… Not too many. I can’t think of an exact number for you.

Q: Do you like to play soccer?
A: It can be fun. Once my toe gets better I’ll bring my shoes and play with you during lunch.

Q: Why did you become a teacher?
A: I became a teacher because I love kids and learning. Being a teacher let’s me do both.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Tutoring

I am currently tutoring for three different families. Although it makes for a very busy week, I am really enjoying it.

Sundays and Tuesdays are by far my busiest days. I leave my apartment at 6:30 AM, spend the next 7 hours with my eight boys and then have from 2 until 3:45 to work in my classroom. The elementary department is currently revising our IEP assessments for the end of the year which is a huge task. We compare the old assessment with the new curriculum to ensure that the questions align with the goals and check for any errors. I have been assigned Grade 2 assessments for Reading, Writing and Math.

In addition to working on the assessments, I print off weekly outlines for the K family – two boys; one in grade 4 and the other in grade 2. All of their homework is organized online which is very convenient. I am able to access their grades, make sure they don’t have any missing homework and can get a hold of their assignments, upcoming projects and spelling words. This allows me to create spelling games and worksheets for the boys to help them prepare for any tests of quizzes later in the week.

At 3:45 my taxi picks me up and then drops me off in Qortuba, one of the wealthiest areas of Kuwait. I then let myself inside the beautiful house and spend the next hour working with both boys. I am always brought a nice snack and am bombarded with questions about America, my students and other aspects of my life. Today the topic of interest was why I’m not married. I told them that I’m still young which prompted the youngest one to give me a look. Curious, I asked him how old he thought I was. He replied, “umm 32. Yeah, 32.” When I told him I am 24 he nearly fell to the floor.

They are really wonderful boys who absolutely love stickers as well as the praise I hand out. Today I was given a bouncy ball as a special present for being the “most super teacher ever”. It’s amazing how much these boys love the word searches and other spelling games I bring them. I was told last week that when their family went to visit a friend who just had a baby, one of the boys suggested they name their daughter Rebecca. How sweet is that?

I stay with the K family for an hour (three times a week) and then meet my taxi outside.

I am then dropped off for my second tutoring job with the N family. Their home is right outside Kuwait City in Shamiya, another wealthy area and another incredible house. This boy is also in grade 4. We are currently working on math. Today we learned about fractions and dabbled in some division. Another very sweet boy, who apparently really enjoys the time we spend together. While talking with his mother last night she informed me that she had offered to take him out shopping and that she could cancel my session with him. His response was, “No that’s ok Mom. Ms. Rebecca is lots of fun. Maybe we can go another time.”

I told him today how proud I was and that I had shared this with his mom. He already knew I had told her and had received a gift because of it. Now, perhaps you will have the same reaction I did. I was expecting a DVD, new soccer ball, scooter or some other toy that 10 year olds like to play with. Guess again… this is Kuwait, I really need to keep reminding myself. This little boy got a plasma tv. (Is your jaw on the ground? Mine sure was.)

Again, during my one hour tutoring session I am always brought a nice tray of biscuits and crackers in addition to some coffee. I have a hard time finding something to complain about. Sure, it makes for a few 12 hour days but the children I work with are all really great.

Sundays and Tuesdays I get back to my apartment around 6:45 PM, just in time to drop my things and head to the masjid next door for isha prayer. Mondays will begin getting busy next week as my third family will be back from vacation. I work with their three children for two hours, from 4-6 and will then be off to Shamiya from 7-8. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are a mix of the families and depend on who has a test coming up and so on.

I have to say one of my strengths is time management. I am able to use my planning periods in school to get my lesson plans ready for the upcoming week, finish my other assigned work and even have some time to sit and learn Arabic from Ms. Rana. While I am really looking forward to moving home and being close to my family and friends, I have to admit that I am really happy right now and am thoroughly enjoying my busy life in Kuwait.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Oh no! I'm snowed in...

For the most part my students have done a really great job of transitioning back into our school routine. I have to admit that I was nervous and wasn’t sure how they would do with being away from “strict” Ms. Rebecca and our classroom expectations. For all their hard work, I decided to reward them with a surprise of hot chocolate. I was able to incorporate it into a lesson by doing the following. I gave each student a paper with the picture below and asked them to write a story as if they were there. After we finished brainstorming some winter words on the board, they got to work and I walked around and handed out hot chocolate.



When the rain is down then the wind had make a snow in earth to Antarctica, Antartc ocean and Antnic ocean and It can catch trees and houses and forests. And beachs and liquids and picnics can make it cold until ten degrees and one hundred thousand ice in a earth and igloos make a house very cold! Next seals and walruses can warm that inside in there body have hot warm that is in until tewent digrees when he's warming hot and cold. Next penguins can make baby penguins when mother penguin must eat food can baby penguins must there body is growing. And me I am a ice fishing and my fishing brothers is H and A and A were going at my igloo house cooking Barbie qu and drink hot chocolate then we go fishing then to ride we go at another igloo house at Antarcica Portland to see K, S T and Z and all of us ride at my snow dogs and we go at the porltand hotel and manager room tell us three room me h and a in room one a z and s in room two k and t put sleeping bags in room one on the floor and we sleep at night next week then we go down stairs eating breakfast then ms. Rebecca and ms Rana see us eating breakfast and they eat breakfast like the same and ms rebecca and ms rana took room three.

Antarctica but I can wait for my friends to come later. and then, A came to Antarctica and he was lost. I came to him then, He smiled. So we played together like snow fighting, later, we saw polar bears and we saw S and A so the four of us ride polar bears and then we saw T alone. We let him ride a polar bear and we played racing. We won together and we found ms. Rebecca and Ms. Rana. And then, we found an igloo and we stayed and drink hot chocolate with marsh mellows together. We found Z and S and K so we drinked together happily ever after.

Snow bird conot (cannot) fly and snow man conot (cannot) walk and reindeer conut (cannot) fly. Hot chocolate is not an ice. Polar bear can swim and bild a house. A mamooth is strong elephant if I go there I will bring some of the snow and the snow is very cold and I will do igloo. The killer whale can swim in the cold water.

I see snow bird, ice, iced and snow, windy, freezing, glacier and I drink hot chocolate. I not happy. I am ok. I not ok. I am sad, I want my mommy I see a taxsy I say stop I get in sid the car I say go go I told him go to my home. I go home I opne the heter and the fiyer and I coll the taxsy and I say than the you.

Antarctica I have to survive and eat fish there is no cars I have to walk it will take a long time I’m going to have to clime without sliping il have to make an igloo I have to serch for food. Stoped and saw a bus that said Antarctic bus I got on it and it went strate home to my mom and dads hotel I get to get of the bus and I cried mom and dad why did you leav me alone my said said I sorry I will never leave you again my dad and mom hugied me and they gave me hot choclate

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Kids say the darndest things - Part 3

I realize that a majority of my posts center around my students. When I started blogging, I wanted to be able to share my experiences of living and working in Kuwait. Most of my time is spent in school and if I am not physically there, chances are I am lesson planning or thinking of my students. That being said, here goes another round of comments I was able to remember and write down to share.

S: I changed my birthday.
R: Really? Why is that?
S: I don't like having my birthday during Ramadan. We didn't get to have a party.
R: You know, we could have a belated birthday party for you so that you don't have to go through the trouble of changing your birthday.
S: Sigh.. I like the party idea but I think I still want to change my birthday.

Does that whale have chicken pox?

Hey those fish are doing the romance dance. - this was said while watching a movie about ocean animals during a scene when two fish were chasing eachother.

I want a new family.

R: If you come to America and visit Connecticut let me know so we can visit.
S: Really? What if you are busy in the summer?
R: I teach summer school but that is only a few hours everyday.
S: Miss, you need to take a break. Teach, teach, teach. (shakes head at me)

Miss, how do sharks... you know. Go to the bathroom?

S: Why aren't you a student?
R: I'm too old. And I've already been in 4th grade.
S: Did you go to university?
R: Yes. Why do you wish I was a student?
S: (long pause) You could be my partner.
*This conversation was with the student who often tells me he hates me and wishes I would go back to America.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Synonyms and Sentences

Yesterday during Speech and Occupational Therapy class, I strategically chose to accompany one of my students who was struggling to have a good day. Let’s just say, my presence was far from welcome. During a planning session earlier in the week, I had shared withe the Speech teacher that we were working on synonyms and had a particular group of students who could benefit from additional practice. Synonyms. It seemed like an innocent enough lesson, or so I thought.

After having students read a set of words and find its synonym pair on the table, they got an opportunity to create sentences. These are the two that stuck out from the lesson.

Word: thrilled

“I’m thrilled when I don’t have (a very dramatic look is thrown in my direction) HER as a teacher.”

Word: glad

“I glad that last year I had good teacher” (followed by the same look)

It is safe to say that this coming Sunday when I have my first formal observation in the classroom by administration, I have chosen to have students simply think of words with prefixes rather than create sentences.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Learning about Letters

Yes, right now my class is learning about letters. Not the ones in the alphabet, but rather the components of a friendly letter and how to write them. For homework, I assigned students to write to a classmate and these were the responses I received.

Dear A
How are my freind? I want to tell you abaut my holiday, I had a lot of fun, I want to the camp and play with my father and my brother in the bicekel and we play a soccer game. I hop that you injoy your holiday two. Your freind, K

Dear K, I like your hand writing and I am your best friend I like to play with you beacuse you are my pal and I like to be your partner I could be your helper I will make you siprise Goodbye

Dear S,
Where have you been? we missed you yesterday. Why were you absent? Are you sick or have a fever? I hope to see you today. Get well soon my friend. From Z

Dear T,
you are cool at the soccer and in math and good dancer and you always try your best and he always tell me bad words but I dont. And I see you feel bad when you take bad grades but I know you are trying yourbest and go to pepeoles houses. And come to my house and we play vidia games and I like the way you prtacte his self and legen to you mother but I don't like the way you hit me. And you everytime listen to his father and be rites his name and you plays with me only a little. - A

A is a good boy. A nose Math. A likes funny thinks. A likes writhing. A likes Art. A is a good lorner.

Dear S,
I am really going to be your best friend in the whole universe, but the others like me too because I am going to my house and even though I am going to invite you to my new house. Your friend, H

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Student Responses to a Creative Writing Prompt

Ms. Rebecca just announced that her students are going to get a class pet.

What animal would you want to choose?
Why do you think that animal would make a good class pet?
What would the students and teacher need to do to take care of this animal?


We started by brainstorming possible class pets and then separated them into two columns: Realistic (ones that make sense) and Peculiar (a word that comes up very often in Roald Dahl books, therefore, a word that I get asked the meaning to every time I start our afternoon reading). Their responses were pretty great, take a look.

Realistic:

hamster: i like the hamster because he is a good pet because we can whatch them run around and he is so safe and they dont bite and beacuse they are so small and they dont take a lot of smace in the classroom and they like exercise.

i will take a hamster as a realistic animal. i love hamsters because they are fuzze, soft and cute. Feed him, play with him, make him sleep, let him wake up by himself and take care of him.

I do not like rabbit. hamesters let pepole laugh. the chiks is fast. the mise is stink becouse it goes in the garbage. the lady bug is very red. turtles can swim and bite and have a litel hose. the fish is very smoll and then we can watch them. the butterfly his wings is very colry.

hamsters do not bite and they can't hit and they eat good and nice and the hamster cages can slide and hamster wheel can take exercise and good training that they can get good running that he get strangths and speeds hold a lot of hierd muscles that he get very stronger!

Peculiar:

I like dragon because it can fly me to my house and birn the lodyes. dogs because is strong and gardy.

a gorilla: i like the gorilla becose they are so strang. the gorilla sits on ms. Rebeccas desk who will take him home.

i will bring a grizzly bear as a really bad peculiar animal. let him play with me and my class mates a game called hide and seek, paper sciss or rock and race.

dogs can get bones or biscit bones for dogs and peoples hold leash ropes. dogs follow for the people that he can take in a banks or restaurants or the bisness works and taking home then dogs cans stay at doghouses so that he can not get very sick.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Walk a day in my shoes

Keep in mind, as we are going through my day that today was the first day I didn’t wear flats. Rather I thought my heavier black pants and up to the knee boots would keep me warm in this cold Kuwaiti winter.

4:50 AM: First alarm goes off. Sets alarm for 4:54 (again with my timing, 4:55 makes me feel too rushed and 4:52 is just too little)

4:54 AM: Rolls out of bed and stumbles into the kitchen. De-shells a hardboiled egg, drinks some water, decides against making porridge (mind you the brown rice and barley are already cooked but at this early in the morning adding oats to the grains with some water in a pot seemed like too much work). Makes a protein shake instead.

5:10 AM: Goes into the bathroom to do wudu and get ready for tahujjud.

5:20 AM: Athan goes off next door, prays fajr. Plops back into bed.

6:02 AM: Alarm number two (three if you count my 4 minute snooze) goes off. Roll over and shut it off, drag myself out of bed wondering if I dosed off in the thirty minutes after fajr. Turns off alarm number three that will go off in another five minutes.Get dressed (outfit was already picked out), checks bag to make sure I’m not missing anything, puts on black pants which is the first time in about a month of wearing pants to school since my long skirt shopping spree back in late October. Heads out the door.

6:28 AM: First one to board our mini teacher “bus” aka van. Studies note cards on the way to school and chimes in sporadically to the conversation going on between the three other teachers on the bus.

6:45 AM: Arrive at school. Decides against going to the mailroom and instead heads up to my classroom to see if my heater was turned on.

6:47 AM: Smiles because my maid Ms. Chandra is wonderful and turned on the heater. I turn on the computer, open my school email as well as gmail to check both accounts.

6:55 AM: Visit from administration to go over a parent meeting and update me with current student status.

7:00 AM: Fill out math meeting board – problem of the day, pattern and so on. Forget to change January 5, 2009 to January 6, 2009 on the front whiteboard. Write the morning work assignment on the board.

7:10 AM: Sit down at my desk to write a thank you card for one of my co-workers. Chat with Ms. Rana and tidy up my desk.

7:20 AM: Bell rings. Prop door open to greet my students. Ask about their evenings and mornings. Remind them what they need to bring to class.

7:25 AM: Second bell rings. Remind students that they should be in their seats and starting their morning work. Go around passing out stickers for students on task. Am reminded that today is January 6, 2009 and not January 5, 2009.

7:40 AM: Get started with math meeting. Call on students, hand out positive reinforcement left and right like it’s my job… oh wait.

8:00 AM: Pass out individual whiteboards and markers for a math review activity game.

8:20 AM: Bell rings. Students go to Arabic. I sit and enjoy the quiet classroom. Respond to several school emails. Go through my TBD list on my desk. Smile while crossing out each accomplished task.

9:01 AM: Bell rings. Students have PE. I continue on my TBD list and watch the clock so I’m not late picking my students up (unfortunately and I figured out the reason why a few hours later, I’ve been late getting them). I leave my classroom 4 minutes early so I’m not late. Bell rings when I’m half way to the gym. I run through the hall. See one of my students arguing with the PE teacher and give a mini lecture about how we need to be respectful to all adults.

9:41 AM: Break. Grab my coat and walk my students outside to the playground. Go around looking at their lunches, adding to the very interesting conversations that go on between 9-10 year old boys.

10:02 AM: Bell rings. We have Occupational therapy. I sit at the table and supervise a small group. Demonstrate how to write the “tricky” letters in cursive on the board. Watch as a cat walks past the door, going down the hallway inside our school. Leave the class 5 minutes early to go up to the room and tidy up.

10:45 AM: Am supposed to be teaching Science. Instead we celebrate one student’s birthday. While waiting for the food to arrive, I entertain the students with some spelling review. The food arrives, enough to feed the entire elementary school. We sing Happy Birthday. I pass out cake and pastries and set some aside for my iftar.
11:28 AM: Have students continue working on spelling. Get a compliment about how one student really likes the Spelling packet I put together.

12:08 PM aka Lunch: Pray zuhr, walk to the library to get the projector. Forget about a farewell luncheon for one of the FSIS staff members in the staff lounge until Ms. Rana asks where I was.

12:36 PM: Bell rings. I pick up my students from the playground, supervise as they get their Islamic studies books and send them on their way. Spend the next 40 minutes in a parent teacher meeting going over progress and behaviors of concerns.

1:16 PM - Last period: Struggle with the projector. Finally get it to work. Go through the questions and answers to a reading guide I created for the story Horrible Harry and the Ant Invasion. Am asked “where do you want to die?” Don’t know how to respond. Lose track of time and have to rush through showing my pictures of my break in Connecticut. Get my students packed up and ready for home and send them out the door.

2:05 PM: Clean up my classroom. Wipe down the whiteboard and math meeting board, change the order of our line for tomorrow and the class schedule, condense the leftover food from the celebration into two boxes and walk around to the elementary teachers to share. Condense again, wheel the projector to the library and leave the leftovers. Realize the wall clock in my classroom is 5 minutes slow. Check my email once more, turn off computer, turn off heater. Call my taxi to remind him to pick me up at 3:45 at my apartment. Turn off the lights. Lock the door.

2:45 PM: Pray asr in the school prayer room.

2:57 PM: Am the second one to board our mini teacher “bus” aka van. Studies note cards on the way to school and chimes in sporadically to the conversation going on between the three other teachers on the bus.

3:15 PM: Get to my apartment. Set my bag down, take out the things I won’t need for the afternoon. Make a snack to bring to tutoring – humus and a cucumber. Put away the extra food I brought home in the freezer and the fridge. Brush my teeth. Sit down for five minutes to check my sister’s blog. Get a missed call on my cell phone, taxi is waiting outside.

3:45 PM: Get in the taxi and stare out the window. Watch a car try to bypass a traffic jam by taking his SUV over a curb and driving down the sidewalk area. See a sign that says “Speeding: the short way to death or prison”. See another one that says, “Speeding can lead to death”. Peak over at the speedometer of the taxi.

4:02 PM: Let myself in through the front gate, notice the family I tutor has a swimming pool on a lower level of their front lawn area. Let myself in through the front door, find a maid and ask her to get the boys.

4:10 PM: Get settled and start helping the older boy write a fictional story about soccer players in Spain. Explain why Spain should be written with a capital S and how a capital S is the same thing as a big S and that a lowercase s is the same as a small s.

4:20 PM: Am brought a plate with three juice boxes and two grilled cheese sandwiches (again, on white bread). I thank the maid and put it to the side for when I break my fast.

4:55 PM: The oldest boy brings me some dessert his mom just made and asks me to try it. I explain that I’m fasting and will eat it in 10 minutes when I break my fast. He runs to tell his mom I’m fasting. She comes in and asks if I would like some dates and lebnen (yogurt drink) to break my fast with. I thank her and say yes.

4:59 PM: Maid brings in the dates, water and lebnen.

5:05 PM: Athan goes off down the street, I chow down on the dates. Try the dessert and eat the grilled cheese sandwich. Am brought a prayer rug and prayer clothes (one big piece of material with space to cover my head, except my face) and am pointed in the correct direction. I give the youngest boy directions to complete his math homework and pray maghrib.

5:25 PM: Call my taxi and ask to be picked up 15 minutes later than our original time. Work on science homework with the youngest and praise the oldest one for being so creative on his Arabic project.

5:50 PM: Read with the oldest child from a Scooby Doo book. Gather my belongings, make plans to see them the following day.

6:15 PM: Missed call, taxi is waiting. Head outside. Get in the taxi and give the address for the AWARE center.

6:30 PM: Arrive at the AWARE center, sit down in the lobby and open to a random page in the middle of Twilight, the book I finished while traveling to Kuwait. Catch myself smiling and getting giddy while reading. Feel silly. Text Marisol to see where she is.

6:55 PM: Marisol arrives, we make our way downstairs to the lecture area and catch up on school stuff.

7:15 PM: Lecture about Kuwaiti Marriages. Learn about how marriages have changed in Kuwaiti culture from the past to the present. Found out that if a Kuwaiti marries another Kuwaiti the government gives them a 4,000 KD (16,00 USD) wedding gift and will help them with rent if they need assistance.

8:35 PM: Lecture and discussion is over. Marisol calls her taxi company, we stand and chit chat with a woman from South Africa until she gets a missed call. Taxi is waiting.

8:38 PM: Get in the taxi. Taxi driver remembers the name of my street while I struggle to get it off the tip of my tongue.

8:50 PM: Get to my apartment. Finally, take off my boots! (No no, this post doesn’t stop here.. but we’re almost done) Change out of my work clothes. Repack my bag for tomorrow. Grab some water, eat my humus and cucumber. Sit on my bed, going through various websites and articles while I snack.

9:15 PM: Brush my teeth, do wudu, get ready for bed.

9:20 PM: Remember I brought cake home that is sitting on my counter. Wonder if it’s worth brushing my teeth again just for a little taste.

9:23 PM: Brush my teeth again. Get ready to pray isha and witr.

10 PM: Climb into bed. Wonder if I have anything interesting enough to write a post about. Wonder what I should wear tomorrow. Ask myself, do I really want to spend another 12 hours in those shoes? Think of the quote, “You don’t know unless you’ve walked a mile in someone’s shoes”. Wonder how many miles I walked today. Come up with this (not so) brilliant idea for this post. Spend the next 43 minutes writing, all the while wondering how many people I lost throughout the way. (By the way, I’m interested if anyone managed to make it to the end, leave me a comment and let me know).

10:44 PM: Decide to stop typing. Wonder why I didn’t just go to bed at 10.

11:09 PM: Finish editing this post. Know that my sister, the English and creative writing major will immediately pick up on all my mistakes.

Decide to stop typing.

Wonder why I didn’t just go to bed at 10.