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.