Oh the spurt of energy travelling provides

Ciao! Ciao!

Back in sandland, from a wonderfully amazing week in Rome and Southern Italy. with two of the best people in the world, Lisa and Steph. The greatest thing was that I have a long, long list of blogs to do from the trip. I should type them up given the absentmindedness that often plagues me.

Some of the upcoming topics will be.

0) the Amalfi coast: Positano, the walk of the Gods, Sorrento and more...

1) my retirement to 2 hours north of New York city, as a cheese farmer, or maybe Oregon (because they have better wine)

2) on being scared of ending up alone when 30, but having to have faith and understand that one has absolutely no control over the forces of fate.

3) On Italian culture, why it's amazing, why I like the Spaniards a little better then the Italians, why they never get fat, and why charm is potentially the best character trait anyone or anything can have

4) On the reason to have traveling friends that are like vitamin supplements...

5) About how as Kristen would say people come into your life "for a reason, season or a lifetime" nonetheless, how there's some that you can't let go of and how they haunt, make you smile or reminisce at odd times.....

but for today, I will just talk about the Rome part of the trip.

It all started on a train ride into Rome with Pat and Becky, and a funny phone call from a boy I met in Beirut three months ago, strange outside energy that would inevitably define the trip.

I showed up to my hotel after being ripped off by a taxi driver, (one thing that can ultimately ruin an experience in most countries is being ripped off in general, but taxis are ridiculously notorious for it.) Our hotel located in an embassy neighborhood near Borghese park, was cute, traditional Italian, 2 story room, very cozy with lovely chocolate croissants and espresso served each morning for breakfast.

Then, I couldn't check in, so I scurried onto public transport and into town to do some photo work, independently. I love taking photos but can be a bit of an annoying nutter when with people, so it was good to have the day to myself to wander. Roma is a gorgeous city and it was truly alive on Easter weekend. Colorful and cultural people in all the piazzas, and live music being played on accordians, pianos, wind pipes, among other instruments, the sun was pouring down onto the city giving a golden glow to everyone out on the town. The best part of Rome for me was not the people or shopping, it was the ability to get lost and then easily found again and to turn down every street and there be some incredible historical landmark there, such as the Pantheon or the Colusseum or Piazza Navuno or whatever it was. There were buildings of extraordinary measures, often built solely for the sake of being built.

So, after wandering, I got a little restless and parked myself in the sun on the steps of a chapel for awhile, got totally lost in the moment and my tacky chick lit book and then succumbed to my angry stomach sending "feed me" growls.

Followed by a gorgeous lunch of a greek salad, Pinot Grigio and tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms, I headed back to the hotel for a shower, power nap and to catch up with the ladies. So great to see Steph and Lisa, friends from Dubai, and of course, my old friend from college, Katie Woodcock. Good friends are truly medicinal and the effect is instantaneous. You know how it's going to feel to see them and have them around, and quite often it's better then you remembered.

For the next two days, we ate, drank and were merry in an ode to the pope or not... but we had fun and I cannot wait until next summer in South America for a wine and dine, hike and all reunion and maybe, we will get even farther with the locals with my improved Spanish.

More over the next few days about the subjects above.

Ciao bella!

On food and religion and what truly nourishes us

When I wake up late on the weekends, hungover or peacefully rested (the latter being less frequent as a 29 year old), I am always hungry. The first thing on my mind is what am I going to eat? What is my body craving? What is going to satisfy me? Will I cook? Will I order? Will I call a friend to go for a meal? Do I want grease? Or Asian? What is going to comfort me? What is going to nourish me?

And on this particular morning, an unusual well-rested wake up at 10 am on a Saturday; no bags under my eyes; refreshed and alive, I had a foreign craving for Bacon.. I don't even eat pork that often. First of all, as good as it tastes, it seems to be my tummy's arch nemesis. And then, there is also the fact, that I currently live in a Muslim country, so I have to go to a special grocery store to get it.

So, I made the trip to the special grocery store, Choitrams, to be exact, and it got me thinking about food and the religious restraints people put on what one can eat and not eat. Particularly, because food is one of the only things that truly nourishes us all the time, and also universally nourishes us. Everyone needs it to survive, just like water and air... where as religion, education, art and more can be truly nourishing to people, but scientifically, we would not die if we did not have them.

Therefore, I guess my question is to the Jains, Hindus, Muslims, Catholics, and many other religious groups who put limitations on what people can eat as they practice or during particular is why put restrictions on what someone can eat, when it gives us life, energy and the ability to carry on and practice religion, get an education, discuss and make art, and more. Shouldn't food be like numbers, something we all just kind of accept and agree on?

I understand that there are an indefinite number of justifications for why certain religions don't eat certain foods, but again, scientifically, I think that listening to your body important (within reason) and satisfying cravings (again, everything in moderation) is a healthy way of living your life...

On what makes a good teacher

To be honest, doubts have been zooming around like summer fireflies as to whether or not teaching is my permanent career, nevertheless, the best thing about doing what I do is that the good days, come in good hours, good moments, through parents, colleagues, students, former students, moments in the hallway etc.

This week, I had a student come up to me and at the ripe age of 9, say "thank you for recommending tutoring, I think it's already helping." Of course, she was British, what other 9-year old kids are this articulate.

I think you'd be surprised. 2 weeks ago, my students polished off some personal essays with extravagant writing that far surpassed my expectations. I have always prided myself in how I teach writing, but this year, they were magnificent. There are a few stars in the sky that are always brightly shining, but most of them came out to stay and light up the world and themselves for awhile; hopefully permanently. With thesis statements like "Islamic studies should be optional; " "Friends are important" and "Education is better now then in the past" and quotes written in their conclusions from Steve Jobs, The Beatles and Anais Nin, I think you can see where I am going with this. Being a part of watching the world gain that intelligence and knowing that you helped push this future intelligentsia in the right direction, it's almost as if you get a constant pat on the back.

Another colleague recently told me that "While your classroom management is quite an interesting set-up, I wish I knew my kids half as well as you do." And, this is the brilliant thing of small, international schools and being a well-traveled, wild being... With exercises like the dance of the week, personalized incentives for rewards and funky nicknames like "Sassy McGee" and "Sassafrass" to name a few, I get it. Knowing your students and what makes them laugh, work and inspired is a constant battle with a growing 9 year old... It's a constant battle with adults but the amount of new information we take in as kids makes it even more of a ride to keep them on top of it and sassy for a lack of better words.

Finally, to round up the day... A parent gave me a compliment tonight that was one of the best I have ever received. When I asked her about placement for her son next year, what kind of teacher she would want him to be with. She replied with illuminated eyes and a big smile "One like you, you're the first teacher that has gotten through to him. You push him and know when to stop. You find creative ways to do it and you make him laugh and his wit increases because of you."

To all my good teachers, I salute you.... because I wouldn't be here without your laughter, compassion and belief in me...

I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework. ~Lily Tomlin as "Edith Ann"

Oh, Spain I miss you.

Dancing tonight, shaking and loosing control of my body, I was secretly hoping that I am not the only ridiculous let loose dancing queen in Venezuela.

Last night, at 2Many Djs, the energy was different. More European. Am I making the right decision going to South America? Freaking out a bit at 1:40 on a Friday evening.

I watched Vicky Cristina, saw Andrea's pics and was all the sudden aching to be back there, to the point, that I would pick up my stuff, my suitcases, sell my art and just go...

God, that city, it's not even like my life was perfect there, it's just magical. Being able to walk out or run out into such a vivacious, perfect weathered place, was immaculate. There is absolutely no other way to describe it. Spain, I heart you, I miss you, and Buddha, in my next life, please make me Spanish, rich or poor, for better or worse.

And, I guess I just am freaking out in other ways. Reading literature, the new Elizabeth Gilbert book "Committed" that questions and challenges my beliefs on relationships. I like it, non-fiction can be tedious but she writes with such raw honesty that it's pleasant and easy to follow. Nevertheless, the whole 1.5 year relationship I have involved myself in is being evaluated alongside the reading journey. It's not that it's bad but it's that it's messed up, in so many good and bad ways.

I have pushed away for such a long time and now, that I am getting more of what I need now, I am actually pulling away from it because I don't want to get hurt, I don't want to have to much faith and I don't want to fall. And unfortunately, it's come to a part, that I could do that if I wanted to.

Oy, life! I love you but you truly do intrigue and torture simultaneously.

Hasta pronto! xoxo

Another fast-paced February

Wow! February flew by and yet, the Boston trip seems like ages ago.

With all the races and ridiculousness, I am happy to say that there are only a few more months to go before summer vacation and I am looking forward to the laziness of the upcoming one.

Made pumpkin, sweet potato and banana curry tonight. I don't know what I am going to do when I leave this place as far as access to food. I walk into the grocery store and can get any kind of spice for less than a $1 no matter where in the world it's from. I can get fresh herbs such as mint, coriander, dill, carraway, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme and amazing roots like ginger, bulb vegetables like lemongrass, etc. And none of it is in a jar or watered down, it's all relatively fresh. On one hand, it's been on an airplane for however long to get here, but it's beautiful given that trip it's made. I look forward to cooking in Venezuela and think that while I might have to send a box of spices from here to there before I leave, the produce quality will be overall higher. Yes, I am a cooking nerd, but if I get bored over the summer, I decided a good way to potentially make a quick buck would be to do some catering.

Other then that, I am looking forward to March, a few good shows. 2ManyDjs next weekend, Paulo Nutini is the following weekend, St. Patrick's day celebrations, fun times.

Hope I have an exciting food, teaching or exploration post next. Potentially, hitting up Corsica for spring break, wherever it is, I know Steph, Lisa and I will have a blast.

A new move

So, after a whirlwind, overstimulating weekend at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I have a new destination.

Caracas, Venezuela.

And though, the decision was tough, it was between Johannesburg, Shanghai and Caracas. I wanted Munich, mainly for the PYP training, but I realized that when a door closes another opens and it truly has for Spanish, for introducing Asian food to a different part of the world, for traveling adventures and so much more.

It is potentially a way to reconnect with old friends in the US and also to have new adventures with friends that I have collected over my years abroad. There are endless possibilities.

On top of that, I restored a lot of faith in self and my profession. From current and former heads to discussion of what I have been doing over the last two years and how much it has taught me and how much I can talk about what I do and make connections and see multiple perspectives. It just reiterated that I am good at what I do and that I do it for a reason and that it does actually stimulate me and challenge me to be funnier and smarter.

So, now, I guess I have to make a list of things to do before I leave Dubai, including go to Jordan, go up in the Burj Dubai and so much more.

And then, a list of stuff to take care of before Dubai and summer plans. My life actually might extend past the next 6 months. Ha. I was so nervous when I was flying back from Beirut because I couldn't see what my future held after this fair and couldn't make any plans and now, there's hope and possibility and I love it.

Entonces, no puedo esperar estar en America de Sud. Necesito mas estudiar espanol en proximos meces.

Besitos y abrazos!

Dubai, On Top of the World. Really?

As I said some prayers to myself, for my family, to the world tonight. I couldn't help having Dubai on the top of my head. Living here and watching the spectacle that happened last night with the Burj Khalifa might be part of history. On the other hand, there is a good chance that it could be a faded history amidst a ghost town within the next 20 years.

As I laid in bed, I thought to myself, God, Buddha, Allah, Mohammad, whoever/ whatever is out there, give this country a chance to prove itself; and then I thought again, why should it? Last night, watching Dubai One Tv station, I saw an Emirati woman bragging about all the wonderful youthful Emiratis who were contributing to the wonderful future of Dubai and the UAE. And yet, when she was asked by the reporter to give a specific example, she circled around the question and could not cite a specific case, person or change.

At the end of the day, this country with it's money and reputation has the ability to do so much for the world, and yet it's constant aim is to what? Make itself the centre of attention. How about spending that money on supporting some of the people who have turned your country into what it is today? If we're speaking of the Burj Khalifa in particular, the thousands of construction workers from India, Nepal, Burma and Bangladesh that worked night and day on the project over the last 5 years. Where is their thank you? And, God only knows if there were people that died in the construction of the amazonian structure, how about a memorial, a song, an offering, something to show that these people were a part of this amazing architectural endeavor. What about providing education for them after they've worked 12 hours on a skyscraper or providing them with a stipend to get education in their home country after they have served their 3 years in Dubai (which almost sounds like a prison service when you put it that way?)

Working at a local international school here in Dubai, there are a number of newly implemented accreditation systems instituted by the Dubai Ministry of Education. These accreditation systems are so that schools can be monitored and regulated to make sure that they are successful learning centers and developing institutions. The Arab schools continue to struggle to pass these inspections and the international schools do repeatedly well. I know, why don't you hire more international teachers to train Arab teachers, or better yet, organize a collaborative initiative that brings together these two different cultures of educators and have them take part in some life-long learning.

At the end of the day, the entire economy is dependent on the real estate economy in Dubai. Without property development, there is no need for doctors, lawyers, sales, teachers, etc. , what will happen if the property market goes bust? What will happen when everything is finished?

How will this country ultimately attract people to live in after they have finished building the dream? Particularly, when they are downright taking advantage of the people who are "actually building the dream."

I recently spoke with a student of mine's parent who is Pakistani. I asked him whether or not his family had been affected by the recent crisis and whether they would be staying on in Dubai. He replied with great honesty.

"Well, we have not been directly affected by this crisis, however, every year, I think about going home. This country takes, takes, takes and doesn't owe you anything. You live in the US for 7 years and you get citizenship. You live in Canada for 3 years and they give you citizenship. You build this country from scratch to something and they send you home or ...."

We foreigners are here because you brought us here and whether or not you'd like to admit it; go ahead, take away the Philipinos, Indian workers, Lebanese bankers, American School teachers, British engineers, and many others and your city will crumble.

So, here's to the Burj Khalifa and all it's splendour, but in actuality, there are so many other things to be proud of here in Dubai. Oh, Dubai, you have created a world full of different cultures that sustains with no common language and no common history. You have brought a number of races together to work at creating a city that is not theirs and never will be. Are you really on top of the world?