Lucky Lady

I had a bit of luck happen on my way back to Iraq from Arizona.  I had completely forgotten about it until today.  Elizabeth and I went to see a movie and in it the characters went to Paris.  I asked Elizabeth if she had ever been to Paris.  I said that I hadn't either, with the exception of the 50 minutes I spent in the airport catching my next flight.  Then there was a shot of the Eiffel Tower and I was reminded of how there have been times in my life that things just work out.  Let me explain.

When I arrived in Paris on my way back to Iraq.  As I mentioned, I had a mere 50 minutes to get to my next flight and could have used a meal of substance.  I was tired and hungry and in a hurry.  I thought, maybe that I would have a spare minute to get a bite to eat near my gate.  I arrived at the gate only to discover they had already started boarding and there weren't any lines-a sure sign that a bite to eat was not to be had.  I got on my plane only to discover a woman in my seat.  It was a window seat.  I believe when I was booking my flight I knew that I wouldn't have much of a chance to see Paris so I had better make the most of it.  This woman seemed very settled so I switched to her seat.  It too was a window seat, on the opposite side of the plane.

We took off and I stared out the window at the City of Love.  I realized that other than the Eiffel Tower, I didn't really know what to look for.  I had forgotten about the Pyramid of the Louvre that also would have been noticeable from the airplane.  I didn't get to see anything special.  It just looked like a pretty typical city from that airplane.  Just when I was about the give up hope, the plane started to turn.  And, we didn't just turn, the plane turned around the Eiffel Tower.  That's right, we made the turn and almost flew completely around it.  You are never going to believe it, but it was on MY side of the plane.  My new side that is.  If I had made a big deal and made the lady switch seats with me, I would have completely missed it.  Instead, not only did I get to catch a glimpse, I got to really check it out.  I am so lucky.  Love, M.

Socks, Socks, Socks-I Love Socks

I started packing today.  I have been putting it off for a couple of reasons.  The first being I don't know where I am going next.  It didn't seem like the best idea to throw the majority of my things into a couple of trunks and send them on a month long journey home when I may need them before that.  The second is that I was having trouble deciding what would go and what would stay.  A lot of trouble.

Today I bit the bullet and started packing it up.  I discovered, that it was easier to make decisions about what would stay and what would go than I had anticipated.  More important to this post than that was the fact that I have over 40 pairs of socks.  Over 40.  I am not quite sure how that happened.  I have dress socks, wool socks, long athletic socks, short athletic socks, funny socks, cute socks, colorful socks, etc.  The icing on the cake is that I primarily only wear one style because of the boots I wear here.  My current boots are a lot lower than my winter/waterproof pair, so I haven't needed to switch it up at all since March.  Oddly enough, I only have one sock that has lost it's better half.   One out of over 40.  Not bad, especially considering I know for a fact that I had a sock get lost for a couple of weeks.  I don't know how, but it turned up in a clean laundry bag 2 weeks after I noticed it missing.  A small miracle perhaps-it was one of my favorites.  It does seem to be a bit much considering the size of my room.  And, I know I didn't pack that many when I first came.  So, at some point I threw a bunch of socks in boxes and had them shipped.  Good grief.  Now you know.  I am a lover of socks.  M.

These are so heavy it is a good thing I am shipping most of them

Fun Week

There has been a shift in the attitude at school.  It wasn't a huge shift, but it was there.  I am sure that not all of my colleagues would agree, but it was true of my class.   They know that next week is our last week.  They are still trying to study so they pass the big exam, but at the same time, aren't super serious about it.  In Room 37, we have had a LOT of laughs this week.  While I am ready to go because it is 190million degrees (yes that is accurate) and the power is less present, I am really going to miss this group.  They have been a lot of fun.  I will tell you about the highlights.  Enjoy.

Discussing the "new" schedule which is 8-12, 3-5.  Me, "What do you guys think about the schedule change?"  Student, "The new schedule is terrible.  We are so tired after lunch."  Me-with a very straight face, "How do you know?  You are never here after lunch."  He looked at me for a minute to see if I was serious.  I was.  He had not been there once.  I raised my eyebrows at him waiting for an answer, he threw his head back and laughed so hard.  "You're right.  I can't come after lunch because I am terribly tired."  I had just taught how to use terribly for emphasis.  It was a minor victory he used it correctly.

I have vacation days and a plane ticket to use so I had been thinking a lot about where in the world I would like to go.  I decided to talk about it in class one day while we were waiting for electricity.  I thought it would be interesting to see what my guys had to say.  I said, "If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go."  Student S, "Easy.  Northern Iraq."  Me, "No.  Anywhere in the world?"  Student S, "Northern Iraq."  Me, "Ok.  Sorry.  I don't think you understand. Imagine that I am very rich.  Super rich.  I have loads of extra money.  You are my favorite student (I looked at the other students and said, "Sorry guys.  But he is." while shrugging my shoulders) and I want to send you and your family on a vacation."  S, "Wow."  Me, "Yep.  I will buy the tickets, pay for a hotel, give you money for all of your food or anything you need and give you a great vacation.  I will give you enough for a week.  No, two weeks.  Oh, let's just make it a month.  Where do you want to go?"  Student K, "Matia, I think you look like Oprah right now."  My eyes got HUGE.  I said, "What?  Have you ever even seen Oprah?"  K, "Oh.  I mean with your money."

"Dogs are as dangerous as cats."  Me, "I didn't know cats were dangerous." Student, "I guess they are."  Also, student, "Breads aren't as salty as fingers."  Me, "Do you eat fingers?"  S, "No."  Me, "Thank goodness.  Why are you comparing bread to fingers?"  S, "I was funny."  Me, "Yes, you were.  This class usually is."

OK.  That's it for now.  I know it is hot everywhere so I hope wherever you are, you are staying cool.  Love, M.

Wrapping Things Up

We are in our final 2-ish weeks here.  We found out the end of May or early June that we would be leaving the end of July.  The government decided to cut our program short.  So, I am looking for a job.  I am also trying not to be completely overwhelmed when I look around my room and see all of the stuff I have accumulated in my room over the past 6 months.  The other day one of my colleagues looked in my room and said, "Matia you have so much stuff.  How did you cram all of this into half of the room (we now have our own CHUs)?"  In surveying the room, I am not really sure.  I am trying to figure out what the plan is next so I know where to send my things...because I am not carrying all of this.

School has been interesting lately.  I have a great group of students right now.  They are a ton of fun and I am going to miss them.  I have also had 4 guys in my class training to be teachers.  It has been a challenge.  I am practicing patience.  It is interesting how much you can learn about your own work when teaching someone else how to do something.

Other than that, there isn't anything new. I will keep you posted on the next step.  Love, M.

Happy Canada Day

Everybody knows that it is almost the 4th of July (I will write more about that later) but it was Canada Day yesterday.  We have several Canadians who teach with us at the school.  Last night, in honor of Canada Day, they threw a party for all of us.  It was great fun.  We had a BBQ and a little Canada Trivia.  The prizes were a People Magazine, Gummy Bears, and a key chain.  Nothing from Canada, but the hosts made due.  It was nice to hang out with our colleagues in a setting outside of the school.  It was a very nice relaxing evening with good food.  In case anyone is wondering, I scored 1-count it-1 point out of about 50.  It seems I don't know much about Canada.  Oh well.  So, this may be a day late, but to all of my Canadian friends, Happy Canada Day.  Love, M.