A New Era at Al Ezza School

I realize now that my MacBook Pro can edit faces, so here is a picture of my girls with their traditional dresses on.

     Last Thursday no girls showed up for school due to the Eid holiday, but teachers took the time to work in their classrooms and also to socialize as teachers do on workdays.  Right around lunch time the "Man Bell" rang at our school to indicate there were male visitors.  Nobody answered the door, and I was right there, so I looked and saw some very official men.  I went into the English Teacher's workroom and told my Head of Faculty that there were some men here, and then I went out to greet them.  As I shook their hands I realized that this was H.E. Dr. Mugheer, head of the Abu Dhabi Schools.  He asked me and the other Licensed English Teachers a lot of questions and for the most part we tried to keep it very positive.  Then our principal, Miss Sheikha came out and they met.  
     About 20 minutes later we were called to an all faculty meeting with Dr. Mugheer.  He brought an English translator so we could all understand what he said.  He gave all teachers an opportunity to ask questions, and many good questions were asked.  The Arabic teachers asked questions like why were they being replaced with English teachers who did not understand their culture and their religion.  They asked about what would happen if they could not learn English.  He reassured them that there would be jobs for all of them, even if some had to be transferred.  According to the translator the teachers expressed that they were happy with us, but they knew of some schools where the English speaking teachers were not easy to work with and were not demonstrating good Islamic values as role models for the children.  Then one of the English teachers got up to ask a question.  She got very emotional and said that she came here to learn about the culture but had not been given the opportunity to do so.  While I may or may not agree with her (after all, we were not trying too hard to be social with the Arabic teachers just as much as they avoided us) I do feel she had a point.  Unfortunately the Arabic teachers were quite upset that this issue was brought up in front of the "Big Cheese".  
     After leaving our meeting we stood around to chat and as we did so we saw the furniture being removed from our English planning room.  We were then each assigned to an Arabic planning room where we would eat lunch and spend our planning time if not in our rooms.  There were 2-3 teachers assigned to each Arabic room.
     Sunday, upon our return, I was nervous, but I entered the Arabic room for lunch.  The two other teachers assigned to our room decided to eat in their classrooms, but I was determined to brave the fire.  My one Arabic "friend", Miss Alia, was in that room.  She's always been friendly and helpful towards me.  As I arrived they greeted me warmly and invited me to take off my shoes and sit on the rug to share their Arabic food and ginger tea.  They asked me many questions in English, how many children did I have?  What did I teach in America?  How long was I a teacher?  They were amazed that this was my 24th year as a teacher.  The lunch conversation was 90% Arabic, 10 % English.  I survived.  
     Monday rolled around and it was lunch day 2.  Again, the other teachers chose not to join us in the Arabic room, but I was not going to shy away.  I brought pictures of my kids and my house in America.  I also had made Oatmeal cookies to share with them.  GOOD MOVE!  They asked me question after question and told me I was different from other English teachers.  I was interested in learning about them and they appreciated it.  Then the 5th grade science teacher invited ME to go with them to the Abu Dhabi Science Festival on a field trip.  We were allowed to send 30 girls and they gave 5 spots for my girls to fill.  I was so happy that I got tears in my eyes, but I think that made them even happier with me.  Monday the conversation was 70% Arabic and 30% English.  
      Tuesday the other two English teachers joined us and we all chatted and shared food.  The ginger tea was made from freshly ground ginger and it is a new favorite.  Wednesday the Arabic teachers bought each of us a Kandora, a traditional dress to wear.  So, of course on Thursday we wore them.  I even found a Shayla (head scarf) to match.  
     This was a draining week, but I have to say I've acquired about 20 new Arabic words and have found favor with the Arabic teachers.  Life is hard but good!

1st Trip to Dubai

      Many of you have already seen my pictures from Dubai, but I’ll repost for those of you who do not visit Facebook or who don’t have me listed as a friend (shame on you!).  Ashley and I decided on Sunday of Eid break to go to Dubai to let me see if for the first time and to do some shopping! For those of you who don’t know, Ashley is my UAEBFF and my church buddy.  She keeps me young!  We originally were going to Dubai to use tickets we got for the Ice Lounge, but we could not get reservations because it was full.   So, we will return on Dec. 2 to get into the Christmas spirit while freezing our  _ _ _ _ _ off!

Burj Khlifa, Dubai

      So, we started the day at 8 a.m., got gas and then stopped by Starbucks.  I had my first ever “London Fog” which was Earl Grey tea made with steamed milk.  It was delicious!  Not a big fan of Starbucks, as I don’t really drink coffee, but London Fog I can do!  Then we were on the road to Dubai!  One hour later, almost to the minute we hit the town.  You drive through 120 km or so of desert and then it just pops up out of nowhere.  I expected the Burj Khlifa to be the first thing I saw, as it is the current tallest building in the world (I think it still is) but I saw many other buildings before I saw the Burj! 

Entrance To BIG Roundabout

Mall of the Emirates

This is Ashley!

     We entered town and Ashley informs me that we are about to enter the biggest roundabout in the UAE, maybe even the world (not!).  Glad she waited to tell me because roundabouts here have their own set of rules and they make me very nervous!  Well, in Dubai the roundabouts have traffic lights and that makes all the difference in the world!  With Ashley’s expert guidance we hit The Mall of the Emirates.  We saw the PF Changs in the picture, and then did a bit of shopping.  I bought a music bead for my Pandora Bracelet and ordered a CAMEL!!!  They hope to have it in in time for our next big trip, Dec. 2.  We also saw the ski village in the picture.

Ski Area in Mall of the Emirates

     Next we were off to Dubai Mall where I was meeting some friends I first met in Abu Dhabi upon my arrival.  We met at the Texas Roadhouse and I had the first steak during my stay here in Abu Dhabi.  Yum!  After hitting a few more stores (Bath and Body Works!!!!!)  we were then off to find Ikea in Festival City Mall.  I needed a desk and heard they had Christmas items, as well.  Got desk, got Christmas items!  Now it was time to go home.  Thanks for a fun day, Ashley!

Eid Mubarak!

Today is the first day of Eid Al Adha, a holiday celebrated here for 4 days.  Here is a really good link that tells you what and why Muslims celebrate:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/31/eid-al-adha-2011-dates-customs_n_1028563.html

Home made cookies and a chocolate treat on a stick

 At school on Thursday, our last day before the Eid Al Adha break we had a special assembly.  During the assembly gifts and candy were handed out to the teachers, and the children were thrown candy, piñata style.  Here is a picture of two of the sweet treats I received.  The little boy decoration depicts how the men dress for the Hajj.  The candy on a stick with Arabic says something like, "Blessings be upon you this Eid and always".






When we went to class there were only 5 kids in my class (4-3) and about 11 kids in the other class (4-4).  My arabic teacher suggested we combine them and I teach them in the morning 3 periods and she'd take them in the afternoon.  I thought that was  a really nice gesture as I was sure

Our Class Eid Al Adha Party

they would be totally wild after lunch break.  So I started the morning with puzzles on animals found in the Qur'an and a multiplication coloring sheet.  Keep it easy and fun, right?  Well, I had no party planned because we were told no parties.  All of the sudden, about 30 minutes before lunch one of my girls whipped out two large containers, both still somehow piping hot. One had a macaroni dish and the other had small fritter type nuggets.  She proudly informed me that she and her older sister made these at home and they were for the class.  I told her we had no plates, spoons, napkins . . . she stared at me oddly.  She said, "No need spoon Miss Mary, we share".  The photo shows our classroom party - they all sit around the pots and share.  Of course each girl only used her right hand.  After about half of each pot was gone the girls looked at me and said, "Miss Mary, why you no eat?  You must eat!"  So, do you think I did?  If you say yes, you are right.  It is rude not to accept food if offered.  So I dug my right hand in, grabbed a bit and ate.  It was GOOD!

Finally I opened the gift, which was given to me by the Islamic Education teachers.  Can you guess what it was?  If you guessed a copy of the Qur'an, a book about understanding Islam and a Pashmina scarf to cover my head, you are correct.  A very thoughtful gift, but will it be awkward when I don't convert?  I sure hope not.

Now I'm ready for a break after lunch, and the announcement was made that because there were so few girls in school they were going home.  I am pretty sure my Arabic teacher, who volunteered to take the girls in the afternoon knew that would happen.  Oh well, at least I got the joy of a feast with my girls.  In the next few days I will have an extra long weekend, so I will take a trip to Dubai and one to Oman.  Look for posts and pictures about each.