Hamad Al Fuzia Museum for Antiques
Last October I had the opportunity to pay a visit to the Hamad Al Fuzia Museum for Antiques. The owner of this collection of family antiques has them displayed in the basement of his home and is happy to arrange personal tours. He had a story for every object on display and it was very interesting to hear him weave the stories of old Kuwait as he described the relics and antiques from his families' past.
Hamad's lovely granddaughters posing in their National Day attire in front of a hand carved antique door commonly found in Kuwait at the turn of the nineteenth century.
A very unique museum.
Take a peak into the wedding chamber!
Expat Kent Ewing
Last fall I had a conversation with Kent Ewing who was beginning his second year at UAS. Kent is one of the high school English teachers here on our staff. In addition to teaching at UAS, he is also a free lance journalist for the Hong Kong Free Press.
Kent grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. Kent decided that he didn't want to spend the rest of his life in the Midwest, so when he graduated from high school, he enrolled in Northeastern University in Boston, where he majored in journalism and English. He graduated in 1978 and was hired at Fryeburg Academy in Freyburg, Maine. In 1981 he received his MA in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin. In 1986, Ken decided he wanted to take a different direction in his life and accepted a position teaching English at the International School of Kenya. He found more than adventure in his new life in Kenya. It was in Kenya that he was introduced to the love of his life, Mary. She was working for an international organization in Nairobi. They met at a wedding of mutual friends and it wasn't long before they decided that marriage would be in their future.
In 1990 the couple decided it was time to experience life in another part of the world, so they set off for Hong Kong where Kent taught English at Hong Kong International School. Soon after they arrived in Hong Kong, they discovered that they were going to be parents. Their son, Scott, was born in 1991 and daughter, Jackie soon followed in 1993.
In 2014, with both offspring out of the nest, Kent and Mary decided it was time to make another move. Kent found a position here at UAS, hoping his wife could also obtain a visa. Before that could happen, Mary was offered an a opportunity to become an administrator at a new school in Hong Kong that was just opening its doors. They decided that this was an opportunity she should take, so for now, they are living apart. They spend Christmas and summers together and save their future. They will one day retire in Kenya where they are building a home in the beautiful coastal city of Mombasa. Sounds like plan well worth waiting for!
UAS Singers
UAS Singers getting ready to sing with the UAS band
I organized UAS Singers when I started teaching at Universal American School in 2013. I work with these energetic fourth graders every Sunday after school in the fall preparing for the Christmas shows we do with the high school band. Every group has their own personality and this group was no exception. It is fun to work with children who love to sing and a joy to watch their progress from shaky beginnings in the fall to confident performers by December.
They love to mug for the camera!
'Sing Galing Duo'
Hedy Menendez and I were two of four judges for the Sing Galing Duo contest
Here I am being presented with my certificate of appreciation from the Philipine ambassador and his wife. No event is complete without a certificate!
Among the more unusual things I've been asked to do in this country was a request to judge a vocal duet contest organized by Pinoy Arabia FM - advertised as the "most listened to internet based community service radio station catering to Filipinos in Kuwait, the Middle East and across the globe." By the way, only 31% of the approximately thirty million people who live in Kuwait are Kuwaiti. According to the latest census figures, Filipinos comprise 4.4% of the population coming in third after after India and Egypt. They play a vital role in the service and hospitality industry and many Filipinos are employed as nurses in private and public hospitals. They work very hard here in Kuwait so as to provide for their loved ones and families back home.
News clipping that appeared in the Kuwait Times
Music plays an important part of the culture in the Philippines, which is why these
local talent contests are so popular. We had sixteen couples to judge. We rated them based on vocal quality (30%), blending and coordination (40%), consistency and vibrancy (40%), dynamics (10%), and showmanship (10%). It was very entertaining to watch all these couples compete. Like any contest, some contestants were outstanding and some could use a little more work. But they all were winners in the "give it your all" category and I give them all major respect for their performances. There is a lot of musical talent talent in the Filipino community and I was honored to be asked to judge the 2016 'Sing Galing Duo.'
The winning couple received 500 KD and a two way ticket home to the Pholipines from Philipine Airlines
