Third Quarter

 

Happy National Liberation Day!

The week of February 26, Kuwait celebrates not one, but two national holidays:  National Day and Independence Day. National Day celebrates the independence of Kuwait from Great Britain in 1961.

Liberation Day celebrates the libertion of Kuwait from seven months of Iraqui occupation.

These bulletin boards really add to the excitement in the air.

The Arabic staff put on a very beautiful program celebrating the rich heritage of Kuwait.

I really missed the holiday lights at Christmas this year, I think they were saving all the glitz for their National Day clelbrations.

Linda Young and myself dressing up Kuwaiti style

Fellow Expats

Some of my readers have expressed an interest in the people I work with here in Kuwait.  One truth I have all come to know in the world of overseas teaching is that we all have our own personal reasons for working our craft so far away from home.  Some people may even say we are all a little off-balance.  But then I will let you be the judge of that!  I shared my own story in my first blog.  If you are curious to learn more of my personal journey, you can scroll down and read about it.  Today I would like to introduce you to my dear friend, Linda Young.  This is also her first year at Universal American School.  She is an interventionist at the middle school level.  She spent the last school year in Beijing, China and the year before that she was in Laos.  She is a "kiwi" which is another way of telling you she is from New Zealand.  She spent most of her professional years as a classroom teacher and interventionist which is what we call special education teachers in the states.

She grew up in a small town where there was a smattering of cultures from all over the world.  Her mother was a celtic from England and her father was part native Maori.  She learned sword dancing as a child while at the same time experiencing the music and traditions of the native Maori population.  What a juxtaposition of cultures!  As a young mother, she spent a period of time living on an island devoid of the luxury of electricity while at the same time teaching in a small rural school and also serving as principal.  Instead of spending a quiet retirement in her cozy little subtropical paradise, she decided to step out into the world and experience firsthand some of those wonderful cultures she caught a glimpse of as a child.  I have a feeling that Kuwait won't be her last stop!

A Letter Writing Campaign

One morning a kindergarten class came to my door with a letter they took the time to write to me.  Apparently, they were practicing their letter writing skills and chose me as a recipient of one of their first attempts at composing a friendly letter.  I was, of course, very honored to be recieve their first letter.

I have always tried to take the time to answer my mail, although I believe letter writing is becoming a lost art nowdays.  

So I answered their letter because it really did touch my heart.  The last day of school before winter break, their teacher gave them a choice over coming to music or watching a movie.  They chose to see what Mrs. Kluever had up her sleeve that day.  I never thought I could be more popular than Frosty the Snowman!

Mrs. Kluever's Music Chair

I've always wanted a nice tall chair for my music room.  At the beginning of the school year our school principal gave all of the elementary teachers a sum of money to be spent on supplies for our classrooms.  Sorry to say, I can't remember the exact sum, but it was enough to get a lot of things I needed to spruce up my new room.  I seached from one end of the city to the other and finally found the perfect chair my budget would allow.

It was very comfortable and just the right height, but something was missing......

It needed a little flair!  So I put my sewing skils to work and created a cover to fit over the back.  All my little first graders had to touch it as they filed by one day....

I'm always scheming to find ways to entice my students to enter the classroom quietly.  Sometimes if they are extra quiet coming in, ONE person who is VERY, VERY well mannered will have the honor of sitting in my special chair for the day.  I don't give up my chair to just anyone!

Camping in the Desert

When I told my 2nd lieutenant daughter in the army who is no stranger to camping that her mother would be camping in the desert, I could almost hear the disbelief in her voice as we messaged back and forth that day.  OK, this is camping Kuwaiti style.  But I had her going there awhile!  It was a day trip and I was very relieved to discover that we had nice, clean bathrooms with nicely flushing toilets and an abundance of toilet paper which is always a plus around here!

I had henna applied to my hand.  It's a temporary tattoo popular in Arab cultures.  It is done at times of celebrations and holidays.  Young brides will get them on their wedding day.  They tell me it lasts about a week.

I had another chance to saddle up on a camel.  I decided to forgo the opportunity.  I thought the camels looked a little tired of hauling us around on their backs that day.

Anyway, who needs a camel when I can see the desert in style on an ATV?  I have never been on an ATV in my life, so I made sure I really listened to directions!

I managed to get back in one piece.  This is about the flattest ground you will ever see in God's country.  You might think Nebraska or parts of South Dakota are flat, but those places have nothing over the Kuwaiti desert!

We had a lovely catered buffet.  The deserts are always so fancy and beautifully presented.

Kuwait is known for thier beautiful cakes and pastries.

Believe me, they taste as good as they look!

There has to be SOMETHING healthy once in a while!

You can only do so much to create a look of elegance in the desert...

At the camp there was a tent where we could try on Arabic clothing.  Here I am dressed as a typical Muslim woman you would see out in the streets about anywhere in the Middle East.  I'm pretty sure you won't see me covered in black any time soon, but it is always interesting to step into someone else's world.

A Magical Morning

One day I got birthday invitation for one of my fellow teachers here at the apartments.  I thought that was pretty nice until I read the time:  6:00 AM, Friday morning!   Our work week is Sunday through Thursday, so it wasn't the day that threw me for a loup, I like to sleep in on Fridays.  Oh well, I did go that morning.  I don't often turn down invitations around here.  You never know what life may have in store for you in this crazy little corner of the world.  What I didn't mention was that the party was on the roof and it wasn't particularly warm morning in January!  But I am so glad I went that day.  It wasn't so much a celebration of a birthday, as it was a celebration of hope and friendship as we shared bits and pieces of our lives.

If anyone ever invites you to a birthday party on a roof, don't turn it down, even if its 6:00 am.  You

might discover some amazing people right in your own backyard!

My good friend Ashyana.  Good Morning, Kuwait, from high atop the Hawally Hillton!

As always, I cherish your notes and emails from across the world.  I love hearing bits and pieces from home.  You are never far from my thoughts.  I'm marking off the days on my calendar.  121 days...

Blessings,

Charlotte