Contradictions

I am so fed up.  I'm tired of regulations that make no sense and policies that contradict themselves.  Here's part of our language policy that we "reviewed" on Tuesday during our "professional" development. 

1. All students who enter ENS take an entrance exam and they will not be admitted if they are more than 2 years below grade level.
1. OK fine with that.  But if that's the case, how did Mohamed, Shaikha, and Kahdija end up in my class (4th grade) without knowing all their letters of the alphabet and how to read?  Yes, I understand that when they entered they may not have been that low, but I'd venture to say they probably were, and in reality it's a bit tricky to say how far below grade level a kindergartner is.
2. All students must be performing on grade level standards based on the MAP test.
1. Well, how is that possible if you are admitting students who are 2 years below grade level?  How am I supposed to get a student who is performing on a 2nd grade level to pass a 4th grade American test?  Yes, I know they can show growth, but 2 years of growth in 1 year.  Not impossible, but highly unlikely especially for language learners who rarely use the language outside of school.

I talked to the principal about the differentiation vs. grade 4 American standards that we must grade by and he told me we have to grade according to the standards.  When is this country going to get it figured out that these students are not native English speakers and they should not be taught, or graded, as such?

In other news I went shopping yesterday!  I was totally bored with my wardrobe and it took me 20 minutes (maybe a slight exaggeration) one morning to figure out what to wear.  So I bought a few new tops and skirts and I'll be getting rid of some old stuff.  Made me feel better!  Plus I got lots of compliments on the new top that I wore today.

My plans for the summer are in the works.  I'll most likely be going to Vegas and The Grand Canyon with my parents and Amy the first week of July.  I've never been to either place so I'm looking forward to it.  We're thinking of going to see Cirque du Soleil while we're in Vegas!  Interestingly enough, the show that I saw in Dubai isn't playing in Vegas so I won't have to see a repeat show (although I definitely would, it was that good;).  Then Amy and I are planning on taking Alexa and Mason to MI Adventure and Ludington the first weekend in Aug.  I've never been to MI Adventure and I love Ludington so I'm looking forward to this trip.  Once those dates get finalized I can begin planning my trip to NC.  I'll be home for nearly 2 months, but I'm sure it'll fly by.

Spring Break Take 2

Well, actually it's more like take 4!

My plans are finally truly actually finalized!  Tickets are bought, so there will be no more changing.  Where am I going you may ask?  India?  Greece?  Turkey?  Nope.  I am headed to Lebanon!  What happened to India?  Well the tickets went up, way up, according to Padmini and she just couldn't afford them for her family.  So, why Lebanon?  For starters it's a place that I definitely wanted to visit while I was over here (as are Turkey, India, and Greece).  So what made me settle on Lebanon?  In reality it just came down to price.  Etihad was having a great deal on flying to Beirut so I checked it out in comparison to Greece.  I was just a bit hesitant going to India by myself and Padmini mentioned that we'd plan the trip again in November, when ticket prices are lower, we can do more actual planning, and the temperatures are lower.  I found out that I could spend a week in Lebanon (flight, tours, and hotel) for just 1,000 dirhams more than the flight to Greece.  I could have gone to Greece and just spent a few days in Athens, but if I'm going to go to Greece I'm going to see some other islands and that just wasn't feasible.  So I'm off to Lebanon April 2nd!  Now don't worry.  Yes, it's by Syria and yes there have been some warnings, but I did my homework and everything that I read says that it's very safe.  Just stay away from the Syrian border.  OK.  Beirut is even safe.  Well I guess as safe as it can be for a middle eastern capital city. 

My hotel will be in downtown Beirut near all the shops, but I will be doing a lot of traveling.  I'll actually only be in Beirut for 2 days.  That's fine with me.  Lebanon has a lot more to offer than just Beirut.  Plus Beirut is known for its night atmosphere and partying really isn't my thing.  I'll check out the shops, restaurants, and cafes, but I'll stay away from the clubs.  Honestly after all I have planned I probably wouldn't have time even if I wanted to.

The weather in Lebanon is supposed to be perfect in April; upper 60s to mid 70s!  I may even need a sweater, especially in the mornings and evenings.  I'll take one just in case!  It will be a nice break from the upper 80s to mid 90s that we've been experiencing here. 

My itinerary

1. Arrive in Beirut April 2nd around 3:30, check in to Queen's Suite hotel, and then do some sight seeing in Beirut.
2. Tour to Cedars of Lebanon, Kozhaya, and Besharreh leaves Beirut around 7:45am and returns around 5pm.
3. Tour to Tyre, Sidon, and Maghdouche leaves Beirut around 7:45 am and returns around 5pm.
4. Historical Beirut walking tour leaves the hotel around 7:45 and returns around 12.  If the weather is nice I'll head to the beach in the afternoon.
5. Tour to Byblos, Jeita Grotto, and Harissa leaves Beirut around 7:45 and returns around 5pm.
6. This is my free day!  Not sure what I'll do.  Maybe the beach.   Maybe just sit in a cafe and read a book.  Maybe some more sightseeing in Beirut.  We'll see!
7. Leave Beirut April 8 around 11:00am

Once back in Al Ain I'll probably spend a lot of time at the pool.  Gotta enjoy sitting out in the sun before it gets too hot to do that.

82 degrees at 7:10