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Granola to Go

Thursday, February 21, 2008

the move

I realize the trouble with this post is I have not taken pictures yet so I cannot illustrate..but here goes.

The owner of our school has invested in new buildings for us so we have been moving to our new apartments over the last couple weeks. These buildings have been under construction for the last two years and I wasn't sure (until December) the move would ever really happen during my tenure. Anyhow, we were allowed two free days to move so I took mine yesterday and today, thus extending my Kuwait National Day holiday by 2 days.

The new digs are nice- big studio windows and a great layout with the kitchen opening to the living room. I have a sea view, well, when there is no sandstorm. We are a good 15 minute hike from the sea but the location is okay. I am sitting at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf right now (it's my favourite coffee shop in Kuwait). The drive is just a few minutes.

The best part of the apartments is the directions. It's a developing area. "Get off the highway (freeway) at the 211. Go down the road and take the roundabout at 360. Go back up the street until the residential road, tun right, then turn left and drive across the desert for 2 minutes and you're in front of the building." That's right, I have to off road through a huge sand area with makeshift roads. Fun times.

Last week I got back from this incredible arts festival. The festivals are always great but this one was special. The band students were so focussed and the new directors are fantastic and there was this incredible energy the whole weekend. The performance was one of those moments of "Aaaah! THIS is why we learn music and love it enough to teach it." Thinking about it still gives me goosebumps. Here are a couple photos- my 6 band students and a candid of most of our student delegation. Nice.




I will try to update with pictures of the apartments in the next couple days.

I am off to India on Saturday for 5 days, thanks be. Cannot wait to have no responsibilities except to walk, read, tan, shop and enjoy a drink. Thankfully my friend David invited me to the US Embassy happy hour tonight. Yesssss! Let the good times begin.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

slightly disturbing self discovery and some good things

I woke up this morning in time to go for a walk before going in to work. I am helping with the Middle School play as set design leader. I am working with a small group of lovely kids. The play was written by one of our teachers and is called Abdullah and the Wolf. Abdullah, a Kuwaiti boy, sets off to kill a wolf to prove to his older brothers that he is tough. On his way, he encounters Little Red Riding Hood and Peter who are also looking to kill the wolf. THey encounter a variety of characters- Ali Baba, a Jedi Knight, Three Little Pigs, Three Musketeers and others. It's a fun piece.

As for my slightly disturbing self discovery, as I was getting dressed, I realized I have become high maintenance. I changed several times, even though it's a weekend and it doesn't matter, I wished I had bought a pair of shoes I saw a few weeks ago, and fussed over the placement of the clip in my hair. Have I become superficial? Not really, but certainly higher maintenance in this and other aspects. Oh well.

Good things:

Greta and David, along with friends and family, welcomed Julia Maude Pauline Yakimoski into the world this week. So cute and small.

My friends returned Season 4 of Corner Gas to me.

I had some colleagues over for nachos and drinks after the ES concert the other day. It was really nice.

I went to my walking partner's place for pancakes yesterday morning. We cancelled walking due to a sandstorm.

I subbed during all my prep periods last week and though it nearly drove me insane, I taught 20 out of 20 classes (usually it's 15/20) and made and extra 50KD, which is pretty good.

I've been practicing tai chi, qigong and yoga regularly with my friend Sandi. It's great!

I get to go to the Arts Festival this Thursday. Hurray for great colleagues, great music and good social times. Cannot wait.

Three of my girlfriends and I are going to Kerala (India) for 5 days in February. Cannot wait for the beach and some cheap shopping. The funny part is each of the girls are my friends but they are not friends with eachother. It will be nice.

I got some clothes made and some altered at the tailor. It was inexpensive and looks great. I cannot wait ot wear my brown suit on Thursday when we travel.

And that's about all for now. Life is good. Busy as always.