It's getting hot out here...

The temperature has dramatically increased in the last week or two. Suddenly, it's just plain HOT. At 6am, it's 31 Celsius. By the afternoon it's almost unbearable to be outside. We are all getting tired and I have noticed that one litre of water now lasts me less than half the day whereas before it would last the entire day.

On Friday when my friend and I went back to the car after being in the air conditioned indoors, I felt that hot dry wind of the oven door opening. Yes, I thought to myself, it's getting to be time to go home. The problem is that the indoors is overly air conditioned so the moment I step from one climate to the other, I go into shock. I am still able to go for 20-30 minute walks in the evening without profusely sweating, so I suppose that's good.

Other things on my mind lately:

My ear is still a bit messed up from SCUBA diving, though much better than it was. As soon as I have time, I will get it checked thoroughly.

Aussies, Canadians, Kiwis and English say "pardon". Americans say "wha?" I find this rude, especially because one of my friends says it almost everytime I say something and she is not on the same train of thought. Either that or I have picked up whispering and mumbling since moving to Kuwait.

Speaking of whispering, that is definitely not a part of the Kuwaiti culture. You can be somewhere that is totally silent, like a small art gallery that my friend and I visited one day. Then some Kuwaitis walk in and the room fills with exaggerated sounds of conversation. Speech is always full volume and often sounds agitated. It is a bizarre energy.

I feel the year has been a successful one for me. I have worked hard, grown as a person and as a teacher. I have learned to step out of my comfort zone, to say the least. Of course, I have found new comfort zones within my life here but am still constantly forced to move out of them. Sometimes it's hard to believe I was once a shy little girl afraid to say anything for fear of being laughed at.

Although the school year ends soon, there seems to be an unending list of things to do before leaving for the summer. It now seems unbelievable that I am actually going to be in Saskatchewan in just weeks. I cannot even imagine how my lungs will cope with all the oxygen. And it will feel pleasantly cool, even if daytime highs hit the 30s.

I have made plans to go to Italy in July, then Eastern Europe in August before returning back "home to Kuwait" for work. So much to look forward to, isn't there?

love and happy thoughts...

A Band Odyssey

Greetings all!

I am back in the swing of things. Last week was the year end band concert (Spring 2006: A Band Odyssey) and I normally do not boast but my kids ROCKED! They played so well, and though not everything was perfect, there were many things that came together just in time for the performance. I was on an adrenaline high for two days afterwards. Then, for the first time in years, I had that post RCM piano exam feeling, where you have spent all of your conscious and subconscious energy thinking and working towards a musical goal and feel immense relief when you achieve the goal. It truly was an odyssey, as has been this school year and this journey. Now that my major performance is over, I am left feeling a little empty though I have no shortage of other work to do.

There is not much else going on. I have been working, hanging out, going to yoga classes, trying to keep on top of things at work and trying to stay present (I will be home in 3 weeks!!!)

I will write again when feeling more inspired to be interesting or witty.

til then...20 days and I'll be halfway there.

Under the Sea

I had a pretty amazing weekend. It was fun and busy and even somewhat relaxing.
Wednesday I just hung out with friends after work, then went to bed fairly early as I had to go SCUBA diving in the morning.

Thursday and Friday mornings, I got on a motorboat with some friends, a few diving instructors and some other practicing divers. We headed away from the city and out on the waters. We did some practice dives and skill practice on the surface and under water.

We saw beautiful tropical fish, some coral and a sting ray under the water. It was lovely and amazing. As we were boating back on Thursday, we stopped for awhile to watch a pod of dolphins swimming in the gulf water. It was a moment of peaceful beauty. One of the divemasters who was along to assist us said they have not seen dolphins for about a year.

I am now a certified SCUBA diver. I never thought about diving before, but I quite like it. I like being in the water and I like nature so it does seem like a good fit. Today, I am definitely feeling the effects. My arms and shoulders are sunburnt quite badly (I can feel heat radiating off of me). My feet are scuffed up from the fins and my left ear canal is inflamed from the pressure. It hurts quite a bit and I can barely hear from that ear but the doctor on campus gave me some ear drops so hopefully it will clear up in a few days. Fortunately my eardrum is not damaged so I have the consolation of knowing it could be worse.

Last night I went to some friends' for dinner: delicious eggplant parmesan and spagetti. Super yummy!

And now it's 6 weeks until home time...hurray for June 16th.

lots of love,
Ramona