Last weekend, Cassie and I took a much needed trip to Dubai (دبي). Well, we didn't necessarily need to go to Dubai, we just needed to get out of Al Ain (العين). We were planning on meeting Kisha there, but she was sick so it was just me and Cassie. We left Friday afternoon and spent the day there. We drove through a sandstorm!! Yes, a real, true sandstorm. Awesome! Never thought I would experience one of those. Well, ok maybe since I've been here I've been waiting to experience one of those. Kind of like when I first arrived in NC I wanted to experience a hurricane. Now that I've seen a sandstorm and a hurricane I don't think I need to experience them again. So, in a sandstorm the sky gets all dark and sand flies everywhere. It was super windy. Winds up to 120kph (75mph). Cassie did a good job driving by the way! It was weird seeing flying sand; we couldn't see very far in front of us. I don't think Cassie was driving through the worst of it, but nevertheless it was a sandstorm. Signboards (road signs, and building signs) were knocked down and when we arrived in Dubai we could see a lot of evidence of the destruction caused by the storm. There were holes in the "fence" on the Corniche (it's not literally a fence, but I'm not sure what to call it and I can't really describe it in words, other than it's a border between the Corniche - beach walkway - and the road). Even though the sandstorm is over the winds are still terrible (this is one time I wish I wore a sheylah - head covering; I am sick of my hair blowing everywher) and there is a fine layer of sand just about everywhere. Disgusting. I am tired of eating it!
OK back to our trip to Dubai. We stayed at the Intercon!! We needed some luxury! The room was fabulous. Since I am an Ambassador Member we got a free room upgrade. We only had to pay 1350AED for a room that costs 2700AED! It was fabulous! Wonderful view overlooking the city. We could see the Burj in the distance. It was beautiful when the sun was setting. Unfortunately my camera didn't do it much justice, but it was stunning!
When we checked into the hotel there was this really, really tall man outside greeting. I mean really, really tall. He was at least 1 foot and 1/2, if not more, taller than me! I wanted to get my picture taken with him, but my camera was in my bag which was still in the car. Bummer:( I shook his hand and couldn't help but be fascinated by the size of his hand. It was huge! Maybe the width of both of my hands! He was very friendly and allowed many people to take his picture. Just wish I had my camera because by the time I got checked in and got my bag he was gone. We lounged in the hotel for a while and then ventured out to find something to eat.
Driving in Dubai is always an adventure. Even with a GPS we can never find what we're looking for. We drove around for almost 2 hours before we found the restaurant we were looking for. We ate at this super fancy seafood restaurant. It was delicious! I had a fabulous coral salad, stuffed rainbow sea bass, and an autumn spring roll for desert. Yummy!! We would definitely go back. While at the restaurant we got a wonderful view of the aquarium and the fireworks that were being set off because of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). After dinner we walked along the Corniche for a while and then headed back to the hotel.
Trips with Cassie are so much fun! I laugh so much:) At one point when we were trying to get to the Corniche, I thought she said "wifes (I know not a word, but that's what I thought she said) in the roundabout" when she really said "lights in the roundabout". Both are strange, but wifes in the roundabout is weirder (is that a word, or is it more weird??). Anyway I thought we were going to get trapped in the roundabout because of the lights and we missed our "exit" and had to go around again. We were cracking up because we may have actually ended up as wifes in the roundabout as we drove around and around waiting for our future husbands to resuce us!!! Hillarious! OK, maybe you had to be there, but we were hysterical.
We made it back to the hotel and enjoyed the room and shower. The shower was fabulous! I could have stayed in the shower forever:) I did take a picture of that, but someone thinks I go crazy with bathroom pictures (Amy!!). The following morning started with a wonderful breakfast at the Intercon buffet! That was one of the major reasons we chose to stay at the Intercon. We know the breakfast buffet is to die for. Then we went to the Dubai Mall. I didn't buy a single thing, even though it's the DSF. I couldn't find anything that I absolutely needed or even really wanted. I guess that's a good thing, but I was looking for shoes and a new purse. I am not a shopper and I don't like spending huge amounts of money so maybe the Dubai Mall isn't the place for me to shop. Other than the fact that during the DSF there are huge sales. I wanted to go to Global Village, but struck out again. It doesn't open until 4:00 and we needed to head back to Al Ain so we could get ready for the following week at school. Hopefully I will get there before it closes for the year (end of Feb.). I'll just have to make sure to make that happen. So that was my trip to Dubai. A fun filled 1/2 weekend that was muchly needed!
School this week has been pretty good. I had another observation on Tuesday. It didn't go as good as the first one. First of all it was in the afternoon and that's always worse, then there was the fact that I was coming in right after having my morning group so there was no time for me to set up and prepare. I hated for Andrea to see that, but what could I do? It's something I have to deal with every Tuesday. I don't like it, but since I don't have my own room it's a reality. Other than that she said it was good. She liked the lesson and the group activity, so I'm pleased about that.
نهيت مع اللغة العربية (newhetwo ma'a alloograh ala'arabeeah - I am finished with the Arabic language). She introduced verbs today, but not "finished" so I tried this one on my own. I tried making it feminine, personal, and past tense following the rules she gave me, but Google translator says it's "forbidden". I tried. So today was my last "formal class." Not exactly sure what this means. I asked Najwa on Monday if she would consider continuing my classes for the next year so I could work on meeting my goal and be ready to take a language proficiency test next year. She said that she was working on material for a speaking course and to give her time. Then today she said I was "finished with formal classes", but I could always come back, and that "if there were another class" . What am I supposed to make of those? Plus she gave me homework!!! Yes, homework on the last class. Strange. She told me to work with the verbs; make them femimine, past tense, and personal and that we would go over them when I was ready. So I'll work with the verbs and let her know when I've accomplished what she wants me to do. I just wish I knew what her plans were. Because if she isn't able to offer another course I need to sign up for one. I guess if she doesn't get back to me soon I'll have to ask her again.
A funny thing happened in class today. I was writing the English translation of a phrase and I started to write in Arabic; well not using the Arabic script but from right to left!! Oh my gosh! I couldn't believe it. I didn't know what to do. I stared at the word I wrote (I) on the right side of the paper and didn't know how to continue. She laughed at me and said that was a good thing! I am now thinking Arabic!
One more day and then it's the weekend:)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Parents
I had surprise parent visitors in my classroom today. Well, not really a surprise because I knew they were coming, but I didn't find out until today.
At our meeting on Tuesday I told Salha to tell the parents that they could come and watch me teach science if they don't think I'm teaching. Well, she took me seriously (I was totally serious anyway) and invited parents. Only I didn't know about it until this morning. Andrea came into my room during 2nd period and told me that parents were coming today to see science. Yikes! First of all, I don't teach science on Thursday. We have game day the last period of both classes on Thursday, and that's when I usually teach science. I told her this, but there was nothing I could do about it. It ended up being ok because the parents were coming to my class during period 5, not 6, so I just cancelled math for the afternoon and did science instead. Luckily we didn't get everything accomplished that I had wanted to yesterday, so I had something planned to do. It would have been terrible if I didn't have anything planned. We talked about animal habitats and what animals live in different habitats, then I had the girls sort pictures of animals into their habitat, then they played a matching game. The parents (about 6 moms) got to see the girls involved, using English, and learning science without using a worksheet!!! They were very pleased. I think the school is trying to inform the parents about the New School Model and the new way of teaching. This is a great thing, I just would have liked a little more notice. Say a day maybe!
I got my first official Emirati greeting this afternoon! The Emirati women greet by giving cheek kisses. I was really touched by this. One student's mom came up to me this afternoon and greeted me in Arabic with the cheek kisses. I was able to understand her greeting and respond appropriately (I'm really good at greetings:), but the thing that surprised me the most was the kisses. They just made me feel welcome and like I belong here. Very nice. It's little things like that, that make the whole ordeal worth it.
I totally forgot to write about my first "nose kiss." The men and children greet each other by bumping noses. It's really cute to see the kids do it, but kind of weird to see grown men bump noses. Anyway it's a really affectionate gesture and I got my first one last week from a student. The funny thing is I had no idea what she wanted to do. She took my hand and told me to bend down. I thought she wanted a proper hug, so I gave her a hug. She said "No, watch" and proceeded to show me with another student. After she showed me what she wanted I gave her a "nose kiss". Very touching.
I have been forcing myself to use more Arabic at school. I practice with the girls though. So, I make a few mistakes and they laugh, but they correct me. I told one girl to put her homework in my desk (fe miktabee), instead of on my desk (ala miktabee). This would be fine if my desk had drawers, but it doesn't so they laughed. I asked the girls where their homework was (in English since I don't know homework in Arabic; kind of weird I probably should know that word), but I could ask them if it was on (I figured it out) my desk or at your home (ala miktabee or fe baytookey). OK or is an English word in that sort of sentence, but they got the meaning. One girl told me she loved me and I replied in Arabic, but incorrectly. I said "toohebo ante" which should translate literally into I love you, but she said I should say "toohebick ante" which I think literally means I love your you. I'll have to ask about that. I was also able to tell them you have a test on Monday "andookey emteehan yom al oothnayn", and that got a barrage of Arabic sentences followed by "gooley" (say). It was funny! See I can speak!!! Kind of encouraging! I just have to make myself practice more with adults. I did greet Ousha today in Arabic, but like I said I am really good at greetings. They're easy and one of the very first things I learned. Plus I practice them daily so it's like second nature to greet someone in Arabic. That's what everything else has to become; like second nature. Eventually I'll get there.
Like I said, it's the little things that make being here fun and exciting and worth all the hassels. It's the girls' laughter, their learning, them telling me they love me, the hugs, the kisses, the smiles, the kindness of parents and other teachers (especially the Emirati ones), the way the girls try sooooo hard to convey their thoughts in English/Arabic mix, and the "good luck" and high five from Salha today when she told me parents were coming. Even though my job is stressful and frustrating at times, I have to focus on these moments and I will survive and enjoy this time.
At our meeting on Tuesday I told Salha to tell the parents that they could come and watch me teach science if they don't think I'm teaching. Well, she took me seriously (I was totally serious anyway) and invited parents. Only I didn't know about it until this morning. Andrea came into my room during 2nd period and told me that parents were coming today to see science. Yikes! First of all, I don't teach science on Thursday. We have game day the last period of both classes on Thursday, and that's when I usually teach science. I told her this, but there was nothing I could do about it. It ended up being ok because the parents were coming to my class during period 5, not 6, so I just cancelled math for the afternoon and did science instead. Luckily we didn't get everything accomplished that I had wanted to yesterday, so I had something planned to do. It would have been terrible if I didn't have anything planned. We talked about animal habitats and what animals live in different habitats, then I had the girls sort pictures of animals into their habitat, then they played a matching game. The parents (about 6 moms) got to see the girls involved, using English, and learning science without using a worksheet!!! They were very pleased. I think the school is trying to inform the parents about the New School Model and the new way of teaching. This is a great thing, I just would have liked a little more notice. Say a day maybe!
I got my first official Emirati greeting this afternoon! The Emirati women greet by giving cheek kisses. I was really touched by this. One student's mom came up to me this afternoon and greeted me in Arabic with the cheek kisses. I was able to understand her greeting and respond appropriately (I'm really good at greetings:), but the thing that surprised me the most was the kisses. They just made me feel welcome and like I belong here. Very nice. It's little things like that, that make the whole ordeal worth it.
I totally forgot to write about my first "nose kiss." The men and children greet each other by bumping noses. It's really cute to see the kids do it, but kind of weird to see grown men bump noses. Anyway it's a really affectionate gesture and I got my first one last week from a student. The funny thing is I had no idea what she wanted to do. She took my hand and told me to bend down. I thought she wanted a proper hug, so I gave her a hug. She said "No, watch" and proceeded to show me with another student. After she showed me what she wanted I gave her a "nose kiss". Very touching.
I have been forcing myself to use more Arabic at school. I practice with the girls though. So, I make a few mistakes and they laugh, but they correct me. I told one girl to put her homework in my desk (fe miktabee), instead of on my desk (ala miktabee). This would be fine if my desk had drawers, but it doesn't so they laughed. I asked the girls where their homework was (in English since I don't know homework in Arabic; kind of weird I probably should know that word), but I could ask them if it was on (I figured it out) my desk or at your home (ala miktabee or fe baytookey). OK or is an English word in that sort of sentence, but they got the meaning. One girl told me she loved me and I replied in Arabic, but incorrectly. I said "toohebo ante" which should translate literally into I love you, but she said I should say "toohebick ante" which I think literally means I love your you. I'll have to ask about that. I was also able to tell them you have a test on Monday "andookey emteehan yom al oothnayn", and that got a barrage of Arabic sentences followed by "gooley" (say). It was funny! See I can speak!!! Kind of encouraging! I just have to make myself practice more with adults. I did greet Ousha today in Arabic, but like I said I am really good at greetings. They're easy and one of the very first things I learned. Plus I practice them daily so it's like second nature to greet someone in Arabic. That's what everything else has to become; like second nature. Eventually I'll get there.
Like I said, it's the little things that make being here fun and exciting and worth all the hassels. It's the girls' laughter, their learning, them telling me they love me, the hugs, the kisses, the smiles, the kindness of parents and other teachers (especially the Emirati ones), the way the girls try sooooo hard to convey their thoughts in English/Arabic mix, and the "good luck" and high five from Salha today when she told me parents were coming. Even though my job is stressful and frustrating at times, I have to focus on these moments and I will survive and enjoy this time.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Not me
So, I found out this afternoon, as I was leaving, that the meeting yesterday had nothing to do with me!!! What a relief! Evidently it was for one teacher only, but they decided to include all the LTs. I could have been spared a lot of stress and anger if I had known that the meeting wasn't aimed at me. I'm not sure how the other LT knew that, but that's not the issue here. The issue is that I don't have to worry. Back to normal (whatever that is!!:)
Today was not my last day of Arabic. We did not get everything accomplished so I am going back next week. Today Najwa's daughter came and we talked in English/Arabic mix. It was nice! I could understand her when she spoke slowly. I had to ask her to repeat herself many times, but at least I was able to understand and answer in partial Arabic. I was very proud of myself!! Najwa was proud of me too! Then, she made me read. Horror! Plus she wanted me to read with her daughter in the room. I was terrified. I knew that I wouldn't be as good or confident as I am when I am reading at home. She told me that she would only stop me when she couldn't understand what I was saying. I struggled through the first page and amazingly she didn't stop me too much! When I got to the end of the first page she asked if I was tired and I was! It wears you out! So, she said I could stop and I would finish on Monday. She said the reading was good, not perfect, but good. Her daughter gave me a 7 out of 10. I think she was being way too nice!!! She is still pushing conversation and practicing on my own, so I'm just going to have to do it.
I'm pretty sure I'm headed to Dubai this weekend!!! Yeah! Time to get out and do something!
Today was not my last day of Arabic. We did not get everything accomplished so I am going back next week. Today Najwa's daughter came and we talked in English/Arabic mix. It was nice! I could understand her when she spoke slowly. I had to ask her to repeat herself many times, but at least I was able to understand and answer in partial Arabic. I was very proud of myself!! Najwa was proud of me too! Then, she made me read. Horror! Plus she wanted me to read with her daughter in the room. I was terrified. I knew that I wouldn't be as good or confident as I am when I am reading at home. She told me that she would only stop me when she couldn't understand what I was saying. I struggled through the first page and amazingly she didn't stop me too much! When I got to the end of the first page she asked if I was tired and I was! It wears you out! So, she said I could stop and I would finish on Monday. She said the reading was good, not perfect, but good. Her daughter gave me a 7 out of 10. I think she was being way too nice!!! She is still pushing conversation and practicing on my own, so I'm just going to have to do it.
I'm pretty sure I'm headed to Dubai this weekend!!! Yeah! Time to get out and do something!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Not teaching
That's what our LT meeting was about today. Supposedly we're not teaching, because we don't send home worksheets. I took particular offense to this meeting, because it seemed to be directed at me. I teach! I spend way too much time getting prepared because the school has no resources. I have to do all my prep work at home and I do teach. No, I don't do worksheets all the time because there are other ways to learn and teach. That's what I'm here for. I'm here to bring change, and help them see that that you don't always have to teach out of a book or a worksheet. We do hands on acitivities, discussions, and partner and group work. Nothing is going to change the way the parents think. They want worksheets, so that's what I'm going to have to do. I am going to have to put together a homework packet (that the girls won't do, their nanny will do it for them or they just won't do it) to send home every week with the homework note (that I supposedly don't send home). We were told that the homework note, the one that I do send home but was told that I don't, is to go out on Thursday with activities and lessons for the following week. There is no way that can happen. I just don't know what I will be teaching the following week on Thursday, plus I can't get all the lovely worksheets together since we don't have the Internet at school. And I have to have common planning time with Ashley, since she teaches 3rd grade and we have to pretty much be doing the same thing. Our only common planning time is on Thursday, so it just can't happen. And I told them that. I had to speak up at this meeting. I couldn't take being told that I don't teach and I have to do more work. I had to describe what we do in the classroom, and I told Salha (the teacher I share a room with, who was translating that I don't teach) that she should know that I teach since she sees the evidence all over the room. I don't think I am here to teach, I think I am here to please the parents. I just don't know how much more I can take. One more meeting like this might be about all I can handle.
Tomorrow is my last Arabic class:( I can't believe that it's over. I am so not ready for it to end. Now it will be totally up to me to continue practicing and using the language. And since I don't speak it, it's going to be gone. I am going to have to make myself get over this fear of not speaking perfect or correctly and just practice.
Sorry this is not a very well written entry, it's just that I'm very frustrated and angry.
Tomorrow is my last Arabic class:( I can't believe that it's over. I am so not ready for it to end. Now it will be totally up to me to continue practicing and using the language. And since I don't speak it, it's going to be gone. I am going to have to make myself get over this fear of not speaking perfect or correctly and just practice.
Sorry this is not a very well written entry, it's just that I'm very frustrated and angry.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Rainy weekend and observation
Well, the week with no consequences seemed to go ok. I really didn't change much, other than a lot more waiting. I shouldn't have gotten so worked up over the meeting last week. I haven't heard any complaints directed at me. Hopefully the meeting wasn't because of something I did.
Things are pretty much the same in the classroom. Other than the fact that my 3/2 class has been really loud lately and not listening. Weird, because they were my good class. My 3/1 class has been much better though. What about that?! Seems a shame that when one is good the other isn't. Not sure what caused the change and we've tried talking about it (in both classes), but they have a hard time with those thought provoking questions. They just don't know enough English to answer them, or understand them. I'm not complaining about 3/1's behavior, I'd just like to know what caused the change to help them better monitor their own behavior, and maybe use that in 3/2 now. I ended up taking away 3/2's reading center because they are just so loud during guided reading. Hopefully they'll get it back next week. I hate taking away books and center activities, but that's about all I have. Maybe I could leave the books, but take away the center and the games. At least that way they could read when they are finished with an assignment. That's an idea. The only issue with that is that they will have to go back to the bookshelf to get the book, which could cause talking as well. I'll have to think about that.
It pretty much rained all weekend! Which is a good thing, other than it ruined my plans. I had planned to go to Hili Archeological Park and to the Hili Oasis, but those are outdoor activities. Oh well. It was nice to have the rain. It was actually in the upper 50s over the weekend. Cold!!! I made chili (which I totally ruined and had to throw away). Evidently the chili powder here is a lot more potent than at home. It was wayyyyyyy too spicy. And, I like my chili a little spicy. My lips were burning all night and I only had 1 spoonful. It was a great night for chili and I was all excited. Oh well, I ended up having brocolli and cheese soup; which was really good. Since Sat. was another chilly and rainy day I decided to make chicken noodle soup (hoping that I didn't ruin that recipe). It was delicious! I have some in the freezer and a whole bunch left over in the fridge. I'll be eating chicken noodle soup for a while:)
I had an observation today. I wasn't that worried about the lesson, it was the behavior that I was more concerned about. It was first period, which is 3/1. Sunday's are usually very good days so I shouldn't have been worried. It went really well! Both the principal and Andrea thought it was a great lesson and loved the fact that I was able to work with a small group for guided reading. The principal commented on how pleased she was at the girls' ability to talk and answer questions about what was read. She was impressed that they could answer in complete sentences. She also likes how I talk to them. She said I am very calm, quiet, and easy to understand. That's the same thing the guy said in my interview. I guess that means she doesn't hear me yelling at them to "SIT DOWN!" all the time. She also commented on the fact that even though the girls have good speaking and listening skills their reading is not so good. She was glad that I was working on reading, but she said she wanted more. I told her that I did too. But, what can I do in 40 minutes a day? We're working on it, and it will improve. I have to say that right now I think that their thinking is a bit more important; the reading will come when they know more words in English. We will continue to work on reading and I am confident they will get it.
Speaking of reading, my Arabic reading is down to 21 minutes!!! I am pretty sure that I am going to have to read to her now. I don't want to do that. 21 minutes in my apartment by myself is a lot less painful than 21 minutes reading to her will be. The conversation is difficult. It's not been the whole 2 hours, only 1 hour; which is good. Even though 1 hour is still a lot. I say something and then she corrects me than tells me to continue or say something else (she says it in Arabic of course, but I can pretty much guess what she wants me to do). It's very difficult, but it's a skill that I have to learn. She is very patient, which is great because sometimes I am not all that patient. I was able to have a very, very, very brief conversation with another teacher at work on Thursday. I asked her her name (ma smooki), where she is from (min ayena ante), where she lives (min baytooki), what her job is (matha tamaleen), and how many children she has (Kam adaufal (not sure on this word, it has a letter that doesn't have an English equivalent, but that's my best try at pronouncing it and spelling it) andooki ). She understood me!!! She laughed at me (if that tells you anything about my pronounciation), but she was able to understand me. (Najwa doesn't like transliterations, but I thought I would include them so you could "read" what I was able to say:)
Oh yeah, I got my hair cut and highlighted last week. It looks really good. The highlights are very subtle, but I like it.
So, not much going on, but I get yelled at if I don't update this thing weekly! Hope you enjoy! Time for bed:)
Things are pretty much the same in the classroom. Other than the fact that my 3/2 class has been really loud lately and not listening. Weird, because they were my good class. My 3/1 class has been much better though. What about that?! Seems a shame that when one is good the other isn't. Not sure what caused the change and we've tried talking about it (in both classes), but they have a hard time with those thought provoking questions. They just don't know enough English to answer them, or understand them. I'm not complaining about 3/1's behavior, I'd just like to know what caused the change to help them better monitor their own behavior, and maybe use that in 3/2 now. I ended up taking away 3/2's reading center because they are just so loud during guided reading. Hopefully they'll get it back next week. I hate taking away books and center activities, but that's about all I have. Maybe I could leave the books, but take away the center and the games. At least that way they could read when they are finished with an assignment. That's an idea. The only issue with that is that they will have to go back to the bookshelf to get the book, which could cause talking as well. I'll have to think about that.
It pretty much rained all weekend! Which is a good thing, other than it ruined my plans. I had planned to go to Hili Archeological Park and to the Hili Oasis, but those are outdoor activities. Oh well. It was nice to have the rain. It was actually in the upper 50s over the weekend. Cold!!! I made chili (which I totally ruined and had to throw away). Evidently the chili powder here is a lot more potent than at home. It was wayyyyyyy too spicy. And, I like my chili a little spicy. My lips were burning all night and I only had 1 spoonful. It was a great night for chili and I was all excited. Oh well, I ended up having brocolli and cheese soup; which was really good. Since Sat. was another chilly and rainy day I decided to make chicken noodle soup (hoping that I didn't ruin that recipe). It was delicious! I have some in the freezer and a whole bunch left over in the fridge. I'll be eating chicken noodle soup for a while:)
I had an observation today. I wasn't that worried about the lesson, it was the behavior that I was more concerned about. It was first period, which is 3/1. Sunday's are usually very good days so I shouldn't have been worried. It went really well! Both the principal and Andrea thought it was a great lesson and loved the fact that I was able to work with a small group for guided reading. The principal commented on how pleased she was at the girls' ability to talk and answer questions about what was read. She was impressed that they could answer in complete sentences. She also likes how I talk to them. She said I am very calm, quiet, and easy to understand. That's the same thing the guy said in my interview. I guess that means she doesn't hear me yelling at them to "SIT DOWN!" all the time. She also commented on the fact that even though the girls have good speaking and listening skills their reading is not so good. She was glad that I was working on reading, but she said she wanted more. I told her that I did too. But, what can I do in 40 minutes a day? We're working on it, and it will improve. I have to say that right now I think that their thinking is a bit more important; the reading will come when they know more words in English. We will continue to work on reading and I am confident they will get it.
Speaking of reading, my Arabic reading is down to 21 minutes!!! I am pretty sure that I am going to have to read to her now. I don't want to do that. 21 minutes in my apartment by myself is a lot less painful than 21 minutes reading to her will be. The conversation is difficult. It's not been the whole 2 hours, only 1 hour; which is good. Even though 1 hour is still a lot. I say something and then she corrects me than tells me to continue or say something else (she says it in Arabic of course, but I can pretty much guess what she wants me to do). It's very difficult, but it's a skill that I have to learn. She is very patient, which is great because sometimes I am not all that patient. I was able to have a very, very, very brief conversation with another teacher at work on Thursday. I asked her her name (ma smooki), where she is from (min ayena ante), where she lives (min baytooki), what her job is (matha tamaleen), and how many children she has (Kam adaufal (not sure on this word, it has a letter that doesn't have an English equivalent, but that's my best try at pronouncing it and spelling it) andooki ). She understood me!!! She laughed at me (if that tells you anything about my pronounciation), but she was able to understand me. (Najwa doesn't like transliterations, but I thought I would include them so you could "read" what I was able to say:)
Oh yeah, I got my hair cut and highlighted last week. It looks really good. The highlights are very subtle, but I like it.
So, not much going on, but I get yelled at if I don't update this thing weekly! Hope you enjoy! Time for bed:)
Friday, January 14, 2011
Update
So, I am getting hounded by my mother to update my blog. It's been a while because not much has been happening. But I will fill you in on my life in the UAE.
School
It's been two weeks since vacation and I have a very long time to go until I get another break. We have a break in Feb. for the Prophet's birthday, but it's only one day in the middle of the week. The next long break comes at the end of March.
I thought the girls would have forgotten a lot of English and classroom routines over the long break, but they didn't! We settled back into the routine very easily and I even started guided reading! Now, there's no way I am able to do it like at home, but it's something. I am able to meet with one group a day for about 10-15 minutes. Not much at all, but it has to be better than nothing. Amazingly the girls are doing very well with the process. I added a reading corner to both rooms and that's what they do when they're finished with their assignment so I can work with a small group. We still have to work on talking quietly and not bothering me when I'm in a group, but I had to work on those back home as well.
This week was a very emotional and stressful week at school. It started out fine, but by the time Mon. came around things had changed, and it wasn't the kids. We have professional development everyday after school for an hour and Andrea has been talking to the principal to let us have Wed. off so we can plan in our rooms. She had not been having any success, so I told her that I would ask the principal. My reasoning was that if she wants quality teachers and quality lessons and activities, she should give us time to prepare that. I was all set to do just that on Tues. morning, but Andrea told us during our PD that she had talked to the principal and she gave us Wed. for planning. She then told us that the reason she gave us Wed. was because she told her that I was going to leave if I didn't get Wed. for planning! I never said such a thing, nor would I ever do that! I was furious and very worried because who knows what the principal thinks of me now. I told her that she shouldn't have said that and I was very mad. So I was planning on talking to the principal on Tues. about not having planning on Wed. and that conversation needed to be changed to clear up what Andrea caused. Well, it turns out that Andrea was only joking, only she didn't tell me until she called at 9:00pm. What a horrible joke! It was not funny at all, and I told her that.
Tues. was ok, and then came Wed. the day that we're supposed to be able to plan after school. Andrea tells us during lunch that we have an emergency meeting during 4th period. Well, I have class during 4th period so the meeting was changed to after school. It was a meeting for just the LTs. The assistant principal, social workers, and 2 other English speaking Arabic teachers were there. We were informed that there have been parent complaints about our treatment of the students. Let me say that our treatment is not bad at all. We may send a child back to her seat if she can't sit and listen during the lesson, we may send a child to another classroom if she is being totally disruprive, we may have a child stand for time out for a couple of minutes, or we may make a child wait for 5 mintues in the classroom before heading to breakfast/break. No big deal and things that would be done anywhere with no problem at all. Well, evidently that's not ok here. So, we were told that we are no longer allowed to punish the children in any way at all. There are to be no consequences! We are only allowed to use positive reinforcement (which by the way I totally agree with, but sometimes consequences are necessary). This is a direct quote here "Get the girls to love you, when they love you they will do what you want them to do". What nonsense is that?! I love my parents, but I'm sure that I didn't always do what they wanted me to do. I can honestly say that Wed. I was so ready to leave. I just could not take it anymore. Stupidity and the fact that the children and parents have more control than I do. Oh yeah, the Arabic teachers are willing to help us by giving us some words that the girls know which will help them listen to us. Come on! They know sit down, be quiet, stop talking, and no. We're not asking them to do ridiculous things in English, just to listen. So, now we're all terrified to do anything. So, I'm just going to wait. Wait for them to stop talking. Wait for them to listen. Wait for them to do their assignment. If the principal comes in while I'm waiting, I'm just going to explain that I cannot teach while they are talking and there is nothing I can do so I must wait for them to be ready to learn. We'll see how much I cover next week.
Arabic
She liked my paragraph! There were plenty of mistakes, but she said that it was good. The mistakes were mostly in making the nouns and adjectives agree. I think I have that now. So, now she's making me read. She gave me this article from a 5th grade book. It's about computers and it's 1 3/4 pages long. She wants me to read it and not worry about understanding. No problem, other than the fact that it took me 55 minutes to read it the first time! I was horrified! That's a long time. That was a week ago and I have gotten my time down to 31 minutes! When I get to 15 minutes, I have to read it to her. Not sure if I'll ever get there, I'm having a hard time breaking the 1/2 hour mark. I've been right around 1/2 an hour for the last 3 days.
She also told me that I need to work on conversation. I know this. So, for the next couple of classes that's all that we're going to do. All Arabic for 2 hours!!!! Scary! I don't think I know enough to have a 2 hour conversation with someone. I have a hard enough time having a 2 hour conversation in English! It will be simple conversation, but still. 2 hours in Arabic and she talks so fast that it's difficult to understand her. Hopefully a lot of the time will be spent with me figuring out what to say and how to say it and her correcting my pronounciation!! Lots of thinking!
Other stuff
Really not much else has been going on. I've been pretty much working and studying. I go out with Susan and Cassie on Thurs. for dinner. Last week we went to Family Restaurant and both Susan and I got sick. No more Family Restaurant for us:( Sad:( Cassie and I tried to go to a movie last Thurs, but I got sick as soon as we got to the mall so we turned around and came home. It was Papa Johns this week and again we tried to go to a movie, but nothing interesting was playing. We wanted to see the animated one about the turtles, but the last showing was at 6pm and it was after 9 when we finished eating and chatting. Fridays are usually spent with church then cleaning and laundry. Nothing too exciting! Safeer came to clean today!!! I was so happy:) He comes once a month and really cleans the place. I touch up the other 3 weeks, but he mops and scrubs. I pay him 200dhs, which I don't think is too bad for a thorough cleaning. I try to get out on Saturdays and do something interesting, but it hasn't happened. I may head to an oasis tomorrow and just walk around.
It is winter in the UAE! Yes, winter! I made beef stew for dinner tonight (thanks mom!). It was delicious! And, I didn't have to share the dumplings or meat with anyone!!! That was the best part. I also made tea
(شاي shai), (thanks Najwa!) today. I don't like tea, but her tea is delicious. She uses fresh sage and she gave me some on Wed. so I had to buy a teapot and try to make it. Now, it didn't taste like hers, but it was pretty good. I have to experiment with the right amount of tea, sugar, and sage.
My car is ok. I love being able to drive, but I can't find anything without help from Freida (GPS) or Ashley (we work together and I drive while she directs:). I am still planning on buying a used one. Najwa's son and Cindy from church are helping me find a relatively cheap one that is in good condition. Najwa is so funny! Her son showed me a car the other day and she didn't approve of the car. She told me I could do better and she wanted me to have a better safer car! I have 2 moms in the UAE!!! It's sweet:)
Najwa and I spent one evening after class discussing Islam. I asked for her to explain her religion to me since as a Christian I really don't know much and I feel like I should since I am living here. She is very knowledgeable about Islam and Christianity and very passionate about Islam. The biggest difference is the fact that Muslims don't believe in the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all being God; there being 1 God, yet 3 different forms). I must admit that is very difficult to explain, so unfortunately I didn't say anything. I just listened. They also don't believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He was crucified and rose from the dead. She gave me a booklet to read, which I am reading now and I will go back and read again and find evidence in the Bible that proves what I believe.
I guess that's about it. I am going to go read and hopefully get under 1/2 an hour!!
School
It's been two weeks since vacation and I have a very long time to go until I get another break. We have a break in Feb. for the Prophet's birthday, but it's only one day in the middle of the week. The next long break comes at the end of March.
I thought the girls would have forgotten a lot of English and classroom routines over the long break, but they didn't! We settled back into the routine very easily and I even started guided reading! Now, there's no way I am able to do it like at home, but it's something. I am able to meet with one group a day for about 10-15 minutes. Not much at all, but it has to be better than nothing. Amazingly the girls are doing very well with the process. I added a reading corner to both rooms and that's what they do when they're finished with their assignment so I can work with a small group. We still have to work on talking quietly and not bothering me when I'm in a group, but I had to work on those back home as well.
This week was a very emotional and stressful week at school. It started out fine, but by the time Mon. came around things had changed, and it wasn't the kids. We have professional development everyday after school for an hour and Andrea has been talking to the principal to let us have Wed. off so we can plan in our rooms. She had not been having any success, so I told her that I would ask the principal. My reasoning was that if she wants quality teachers and quality lessons and activities, she should give us time to prepare that. I was all set to do just that on Tues. morning, but Andrea told us during our PD that she had talked to the principal and she gave us Wed. for planning. She then told us that the reason she gave us Wed. was because she told her that I was going to leave if I didn't get Wed. for planning! I never said such a thing, nor would I ever do that! I was furious and very worried because who knows what the principal thinks of me now. I told her that she shouldn't have said that and I was very mad. So I was planning on talking to the principal on Tues. about not having planning on Wed. and that conversation needed to be changed to clear up what Andrea caused. Well, it turns out that Andrea was only joking, only she didn't tell me until she called at 9:00pm. What a horrible joke! It was not funny at all, and I told her that.
Tues. was ok, and then came Wed. the day that we're supposed to be able to plan after school. Andrea tells us during lunch that we have an emergency meeting during 4th period. Well, I have class during 4th period so the meeting was changed to after school. It was a meeting for just the LTs. The assistant principal, social workers, and 2 other English speaking Arabic teachers were there. We were informed that there have been parent complaints about our treatment of the students. Let me say that our treatment is not bad at all. We may send a child back to her seat if she can't sit and listen during the lesson, we may send a child to another classroom if she is being totally disruprive, we may have a child stand for time out for a couple of minutes, or we may make a child wait for 5 mintues in the classroom before heading to breakfast/break. No big deal and things that would be done anywhere with no problem at all. Well, evidently that's not ok here. So, we were told that we are no longer allowed to punish the children in any way at all. There are to be no consequences! We are only allowed to use positive reinforcement (which by the way I totally agree with, but sometimes consequences are necessary). This is a direct quote here "Get the girls to love you, when they love you they will do what you want them to do". What nonsense is that?! I love my parents, but I'm sure that I didn't always do what they wanted me to do. I can honestly say that Wed. I was so ready to leave. I just could not take it anymore. Stupidity and the fact that the children and parents have more control than I do. Oh yeah, the Arabic teachers are willing to help us by giving us some words that the girls know which will help them listen to us. Come on! They know sit down, be quiet, stop talking, and no. We're not asking them to do ridiculous things in English, just to listen. So, now we're all terrified to do anything. So, I'm just going to wait. Wait for them to stop talking. Wait for them to listen. Wait for them to do their assignment. If the principal comes in while I'm waiting, I'm just going to explain that I cannot teach while they are talking and there is nothing I can do so I must wait for them to be ready to learn. We'll see how much I cover next week.
Arabic
She liked my paragraph! There were plenty of mistakes, but she said that it was good. The mistakes were mostly in making the nouns and adjectives agree. I think I have that now. So, now she's making me read. She gave me this article from a 5th grade book. It's about computers and it's 1 3/4 pages long. She wants me to read it and not worry about understanding. No problem, other than the fact that it took me 55 minutes to read it the first time! I was horrified! That's a long time. That was a week ago and I have gotten my time down to 31 minutes! When I get to 15 minutes, I have to read it to her. Not sure if I'll ever get there, I'm having a hard time breaking the 1/2 hour mark. I've been right around 1/2 an hour for the last 3 days.
She also told me that I need to work on conversation. I know this. So, for the next couple of classes that's all that we're going to do. All Arabic for 2 hours!!!! Scary! I don't think I know enough to have a 2 hour conversation with someone. I have a hard enough time having a 2 hour conversation in English! It will be simple conversation, but still. 2 hours in Arabic and she talks so fast that it's difficult to understand her. Hopefully a lot of the time will be spent with me figuring out what to say and how to say it and her correcting my pronounciation!! Lots of thinking!
Other stuff
Really not much else has been going on. I've been pretty much working and studying. I go out with Susan and Cassie on Thurs. for dinner. Last week we went to Family Restaurant and both Susan and I got sick. No more Family Restaurant for us:( Sad:( Cassie and I tried to go to a movie last Thurs, but I got sick as soon as we got to the mall so we turned around and came home. It was Papa Johns this week and again we tried to go to a movie, but nothing interesting was playing. We wanted to see the animated one about the turtles, but the last showing was at 6pm and it was after 9 when we finished eating and chatting. Fridays are usually spent with church then cleaning and laundry. Nothing too exciting! Safeer came to clean today!!! I was so happy:) He comes once a month and really cleans the place. I touch up the other 3 weeks, but he mops and scrubs. I pay him 200dhs, which I don't think is too bad for a thorough cleaning. I try to get out on Saturdays and do something interesting, but it hasn't happened. I may head to an oasis tomorrow and just walk around.
It is winter in the UAE! Yes, winter! I made beef stew for dinner tonight (thanks mom!). It was delicious! And, I didn't have to share the dumplings or meat with anyone!!! That was the best part. I also made tea
(شاي shai), (thanks Najwa!) today. I don't like tea, but her tea is delicious. She uses fresh sage and she gave me some on Wed. so I had to buy a teapot and try to make it. Now, it didn't taste like hers, but it was pretty good. I have to experiment with the right amount of tea, sugar, and sage.
My car is ok. I love being able to drive, but I can't find anything without help from Freida (GPS) or Ashley (we work together and I drive while she directs:). I am still planning on buying a used one. Najwa's son and Cindy from church are helping me find a relatively cheap one that is in good condition. Najwa is so funny! Her son showed me a car the other day and she didn't approve of the car. She told me I could do better and she wanted me to have a better safer car! I have 2 moms in the UAE!!! It's sweet:)
Najwa and I spent one evening after class discussing Islam. I asked for her to explain her religion to me since as a Christian I really don't know much and I feel like I should since I am living here. She is very knowledgeable about Islam and Christianity and very passionate about Islam. The biggest difference is the fact that Muslims don't believe in the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all being God; there being 1 God, yet 3 different forms). I must admit that is very difficult to explain, so unfortunately I didn't say anything. I just listened. They also don't believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He was crucified and rose from the dead. She gave me a booklet to read, which I am reading now and I will go back and read again and find evidence in the Bible that proves what I believe.
I guess that's about it. I am going to go read and hopefully get under 1/2 an hour!!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Homework
My homework for Arabic was to write a paragraph. Here is my attempt.
Read from right to left this says:
My name is Sara and I am from America. I am tall and I have green eyes and brown hair. I have one brother and two sisters and two cats in America. I am a teacher and a student in Abu Dhabi. I have a big house and a small, new, car and it is white and clean. I am not rich and I am not poor. I miss America and my father and my mother and my brother and my sisters.
I am pretty sure that there are mistakes in spelling and agreement with nouns and adjectives, Arabic adjectives have to agree in number and gender with their nouns, so since I am female all adjectives need to be feminine in gender. It's a difficult rule to apply. Then there's the one where the adjectives have to agree in number, so if I want to say I have green eyes I really have to say I have eyes greens (since adjectives come after nouns). It's weird and I forget that one more often, then making adjectives agree in gender. Despite the fact that I know there are mistakes, I think it's a pretty good paragraph.
So I guess you could say I'm making progress! I think I would be doing much better if I never had to speak the language! I am working on my pronounciation and speaking and reading faster, but it's hard.
اسمي سارة و انا من امريكاة انا طويلة و عندي عينان اخضرتان و شعر بني عندي اخ و اختان و قطتان في امريكاة انا مدريسة و طالبة في ابو ظبي عندي بيت كبير و سيارة جديدة و صغيرة وهي ابيضة و نظيفة ابا لا غنية و انا لا فقيرة اشتقت ل امريكاة و ابي و امي و اخي و اختاني
Read from right to left this says:
My name is Sara and I am from America. I am tall and I have green eyes and brown hair. I have one brother and two sisters and two cats in America. I am a teacher and a student in Abu Dhabi. I have a big house and a small, new, car and it is white and clean. I am not rich and I am not poor. I miss America and my father and my mother and my brother and my sisters.
I am pretty sure that there are mistakes in spelling and agreement with nouns and adjectives, Arabic adjectives have to agree in number and gender with their nouns, so since I am female all adjectives need to be feminine in gender. It's a difficult rule to apply. Then there's the one where the adjectives have to agree in number, so if I want to say I have green eyes I really have to say I have eyes greens (since adjectives come after nouns). It's weird and I forget that one more often, then making adjectives agree in gender. Despite the fact that I know there are mistakes, I think it's a pretty good paragraph.
So I guess you could say I'm making progress! I think I would be doing much better if I never had to speak the language! I am working on my pronounciation and speaking and reading faster, but it's hard.
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