Bless the U.S.

Hello all!

I am feeling physically better but mentally exhausted. Always so many details and processes to learn in a new place. Concerts are coming right up. The band concert is one week from today, on my birthday. How nice, at least I have plans.

Last evening was Happy Hour at the American Embassy. We had to sign up in advance at school as they know better than to let in random people. After handing in my newly acquired Civil ID and walking through the security check, we were shown in to "the back". We were shown around by a parent of some students at the school.

As we walked into the happy hour area, I felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity. Country music was blaring, fresh popcorn sat in an oil popper beside the door, and a full bar was open and set up like any small town North American one. The moment of recognition took my breath away. As the evening progressed and the majority of people in attendance were teachers from my school and parents of students, I thought I could easily be in Tisdale. Drinks and food were cheap and good. It was dark but still plenty warm enough to sit outside and enjoy the fully grown palm trees and the grass. As my friend Katie put it, "This is so civilized."

I have no other news. I have been busy with work. I judged at a debate and speech tournament (known here as FORENSICS) last weekend. This weekend we have a teacher conference. I desparately need a break since I have been at school every single day (including weekends) except one over the last three weeks.

And on that note, I must stop wasting time and get to work.
All the best, my friends.

Relative humidity

Today the air is so thick with humidity that breathing is nearly impossible. It's so bizarre for an arid country to be so humid. I figured it would storm last night and didn't, and it still hasn't rained today. Hoping for a brilliant thunderstorm tonight. That would be a treat.

I've come down with the flu bug for the last couple days. Three of the four music teachers have the same symptoms. I should have stayed home from school yesterday but I'm a sucker for punishment and forced myself to work anyway because I have so much to do.

Last night my friend Caroline brought me some Sprite (ginger ale is hard to find here). It made me feel a little better. Actually, today I feel much better. I think I was functioning at about 40% yesterday and today about 75%, so that's an improvement.

Things are really starting to wind up for me and I'm feeling the pressure of everything building up. Arg! I just have to stay focussed for another month, get heaps of work done, and then I can enjoy India for Winter Break.

As you can see, life can be pretty mundane here, too. Work, home, sleep, eat, shop, paperwork, etc. That's adulthood, I suppose. But in exciting news, the phone bill for my apartment was finally paid (it wasn't my bill) so soon I'll be getting internet hook up at home. Excellent!

Keep well and warm.

TGI...W?

This has been the longest week ever. Sometimes you just have those tiresome weeks where everyone is a bit down or exhausted and overwhelmed. So that was this week for me. I think it's because it started with a day of Parent-Teacher conferences.

I helped supervise a field trip to the Scientific Centre on Monday. That was fun as it's a cool place. We mainly visited the aquarium part where we saw sharks, rays, coral, alligators and other assorted marine life. Outside the Scientific Centre is a lovely spot in Kuwait. There's a long corniche (walking path next to the water), a decent view of the Kuwait Towers and there was a lovely breeze as the waves crashed in to the shore that morning. Sometimes I really love the scenery here.

Today I have a new surge of energy- possibly because- thank goodness it's WEDNESDAY. Remember that Thursday and Friday are the weekend days here in the Muslim world. I am so very happy about the weekend. I have no certain plans but am jsut excited to relax and take some time to myself.

My friend Jenna and I have planned a tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwich, hot chocolate and movie night for tonight. You see, life isn't so different in Kuwait. If I were in Tisdale, the evening may have included a trip to the Curling Lounge after school, now that it's the season. I miss those times.

It's pouring rain today. It has been rainy all week but today is a verifiable downpour and glorious thunderstorm. It's actually quite amazing. The school yard is flooded in some areas and I am grateful to have brought my waterproof jacket with me to Kuwait.

Well, I'm off to get some work done and enjoy the sound of the rain.

Time flies...

Ramadan is finally over. The last week of the holy month started to grate on my nerves. Trying to go anywhere after 7:15pm at minimum doubled your travel time. It is quite frustrating when you're trying to run errands or go for coffee. And not being able to go for coffee until after 5:15PM and not being able to go for lunch is a bit of a drag.

Eid was fabulous, however. Two friends and I went to Oman and had the best time. At least four times a day I declared something "the most amazing thing I've ever seen". I like Kuwait well enough yet it's so polluted. Kuwait smells of garbage, sewage and oil refinery. People do not pick up their trash here. Kuwait is noisy and people are aggressive and impatient and not overly friendly. Because so few Kuwaitis work in the public sector, they are nearly impossible to meet. Oman is a huge contrast to the lifestyle here. The Omanis work in all sorts of jobs and don't farm the less desirable jobs out as slave labour to the immigrant workers. Omanis are friendly, hospitable and welcoming.

The Landscape
Oman is on the southern part of the Arabian peninsula. It has all types of terrain, from beautiful beaches with sands of silk to rugged mountains and flat desert land. There are wadis, temporary river beds, which are insanely gorgeous. These bodies of water that occur in valleys are lovely shades of green and are placid gathering places for tourists and locals alike. Sand dunes are another prominent feature of Oman. The sands are incredibly soft and inviting to the touch of the hands and feet.

The sky...I have missed the sky of home so much. The air in Oman is fresh and clean, the skies blue and the nights unlike anything I've seen before. The sky was so full of stars that every space was filled with twinkling lights. It was so gorgeous it nearly brought tears to my eyes. One night, we were at the beach observing the turtles hatching. The water was host to phosphorescent plankton that settled on the shoreline as the tide rolled in. The sky and the earth glowed in splendour. The sky seemed to have let its extra stars move down to the water and the sand. As the warm waves crashed into the shore I decided it was the most beautiful night I have ever seen.

I also was able to hold a newborn turtle in my hands and release it into the glowing sea. It was a precious moment.

I could go on forever about the quiet, peaceful beauty of Oman. I felt so healthy, so alive, so grateful for every moment.

We saw camels on the roadside, goats everywhere from roadsides and mountains to towns atop staircases and cars. We saw a few donkeys, too. A guide from the deset dune camp was showing us his village, explaining about the fort and the tribes and history of the people when a white dove flew overhead. Like so many other moments on the trip, it took my breath away.

I am not sure if Oman would have been such a treat if not for living in Kuwait, but I highly recommend it as a travel experience. Plenty of adventures to be had and so many kind and friendly people. I could go on forever about those 4 days... I will describe our desert camping experience in another update as it's time for me to go.

Please keep well and keep me updated. You are often on my mind and are dearly missed. Keep breathing the clean air and enjoying the night skies.