Proof I have Friends :)

It took me a few weeks, but I finally did something that is "Kuwaiti." I toured the Grand Mosque with some of the other teachers from my school. It was such a cool experience, and I am so glad I did it. I learned a lot about the religion of Islam through the experience. I wouldn't say I know everything, but I definitely got some insight. I took as many notes as possible to share with you.

Grand Mosque

This is the Grand Mosque in Kuwait. It is the largest Mosque in Kuwait, and I think the 7th largest in the world (not sure about my memory on that). This Mosque took 7 years to build and cost 14 million KD (Kuwaiti Dinar) which is equivalent to about $48,678,720 US dollars. INSANE. And yes i did that math in my head. The Mosque can hold about 150,000 people (the man who gave us the tour told us that there are that many people in the Mosque at the end of Ramadan and they all break their fast together, pretty awesome). Mosques are also never demolished, for they believe that they do not have the right to tear down a house of God.

When we arrived we were given a hijab to wear (they wrapped it for us). You were given only a hijab if what you were wearing were acceptable. You had to be wearing a long skirt and long sleeves. If you weren't dressed appropriately, they gave you a robe and a hijab. I found that really great that they provided you with the necessary wear, it shows how open they are to visitors and people who do not follow Islam. 

From Left to Right: Anika, Allison, Me, Liz, Camille, and Valeska (proof I haven't been just hanging out by myself - real friends!)

Once the group of people (large group of people) were dressed and ready to enter the Mosque, the man gave us some information we needed prior to entering. First we had to take off our shoes. Second, you enter the Mosque with your right foot (I couldn't hear the significance of this) and you exit the Mosque with your left foot. There is also a phrase you say as you enter the Mosque that when translated means you are asking God permission to enter His house. 

Leaving my shoes outside

He also explained a little bit about the prayer announcements that we hear. He said it starts off repeating "God is Greater." The first prayer announcement is at 4:00 am. The tour guide (man I really wish I remembered his name) said that at 4:00 am when you are in your warm bed it is difficult to get out and pray, and that is why they say "God is Greater" - God is greater than whatever you are doing at that moment. There is also recognition that there is only one Allah, and the announcement is summoning everyone to come to prayer. Islam means to give oneself up to God. They start praying 5 times a day in their early teens. They learn the Quran at 7 and get tested on the Quran in the Mosque. Also, before prayer they wash. There is a routine of washing, the idea is that your body is clean and now you are ready to clean your soul (pray). First you wash your hands, you gargle, wash your face, right arm, left arm, feet, and head. I have also seen my students wash before they go pray during prayer break (one of my students also told me she couldn't go pray because she had nail polish on, there are more things like that, but I don't know all of them)

 The man who gave us the tour and detailed information. He was awesome.

 Materials to build this are from all over the world. The chandelier (you can barely see) weighs one ton, it is made of 18 karat gold from Italy. The glass is from Germany and France. The designs are from Morocco. The middle circle (above) has 99 names of God (ex: nourisher, giver, Allah, etc.)

Unbelievably gorgeous 

The rooms where the children get tested on the Quran

When entering the Mosque, men enter first and are in the first rows. Behind the men are the children. Women are in the back. They stand shoulder to shoulder and face Mecca. There is a prayer leader who reads gospels from the holy Quran. The Quran took 23 years to complete. There is a prayer and a body movement routine they do while they pray (that I tried to video, but faced technical difficulties). 

The Holy Quran 

This is the direction towards Mecca (and towards the prayer leader) you can see the design in the carpet is like a little prayer space for each person (no chairs here).

It was such a unique experience, and a lot to learn and take in. I know I didn't hear everything. Some of us were thinking of going back one day to learn more. It was such a beautiful place. 

Other Updates

Anika, Anne Rose, and myself went to an Expat Dinner event. We joined an Expat group on Facebook where they host different events to get together with other people not from Kuwait and to meet people. We went to the dinner event and met lots of nice people. My favorite part is that it is not other Americans. You meet people from all over. We met people from South Africa, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, and other places I can't remember. It was great to go and we will probably go to more! They had a bowling one, but I decided not to embarrass everyone with my excellent bowling skills. 

 Found out he is our co-worker's roommate!

 Me and Anika photo bombing, prolly my fave pic ever 

New friend Farnoosh! She is from Iran

Things in the classroom are going well. I have had a couple rough days last week, but let's face it - comes with the job. Our Wednesday was a fantastic day though. We played a place value activity; the kids loved it and I thought they were really grasping the material! (notice the word thought) - all is good though. Baby steps. 

 COULD HE BE ANY MORE EXCITED!!!!???? Ha that is Nasser trying to sneak into the picture

Love Ali's body language on the right. He loves it.

Love you all lots,

Leah 

P.S.

MOM FIX YOUR INTERNET

Thursday is the New Friday

In case you haven't heard, Thursday is the new Friday. My work week is Sunday through Thursday. Awesome on Thursday, but so weird going into work on a Sunday. A lot has happened in the three weeks that I have been here (crazy to think about, that is like almost one month)! The first two weeks here were just understanding how the school works, getting settled, and setting up my classroom. I will try my best to explain the school.

First,  Dasman Bilingual School (new name, new logo, read all about it!) has an elementary school, middle school, AND high school all on the same campus. It is a LARGE school, too. I don't know everyone in just the elementary school and I just don't see how I will by the end of the year. Our first all staff day was INSANE since it included the entire campus. So glad that wasn't my first day.  There are six 4th grade classes (and that is one of the smaller grades) and that is just mainstream students there are also two LSU classes (in between mainstream and special education) there is also a vocation and special education school. I am telling you, it is GINORMOUS (wow, that word is recognized by spell check)

My school day is from 7:00-2:05. The bus leaves at 6:00 sharp, so we head down at 5:45. My alarm goes off at 4:30 and 5:00. So gross. Although, my schedule is amazing. I am the homeroom teacher, so technically my classroom is considered my classroom. I teach 21 classes a week (out of a total of 40).  I teach English (reading, writing, grammar, spelling), social studies, science, and math.  I only plan Math (we all share lesson plans), which is a huge time saver. I also co-plan it since it is more intensive than some of the other subjects. My students ALSO learn Arabic, Arabic social studies, art, music, P.E., computer, and Islamic (I think that's all).  During Arabic, Arabic social studies, and Islamic a teacher comes into my classroom and I leave to the break room to grade, plan, or run around trying to find the assistant principal to sign approval and drop off copies. I come back to my class to walk them to any other classes (art, music, P.E., computer).  We also eat lunch in the classroom and then go out for recess where I have recess duty IN THE HEAT (or as my kids say "too much heat miss, too much heat").  The students also have a Prayer Break for twenty minutes in the afternoon. I keep the kids that don't go (they choose), most of my kids go, so the few in my room read and eat a snack if they have one.

My students are adorable. I swear I ALWAYS get the cutest kids. Every year I think my kids are just the most adorable and most hilarious. This mind set will not be good when I have my own kids. There is this one kid, Nasser, that just kills me. I can't look at him without smiling. He says the letter "h" like "etch" - most adorable thing ever. He also tells me how I pronounce his name wrong all the time, and when I do pronounce it right, he says "Miss you said it so well!" - so encouraging. One time I wouldn't let him eat (we were in the middle of math class) and he goes "YOU DON'T LIKE ME!" I laughed, and said "I love you." and he goes "IF YOU LOVED ME, YOU WOULD LET ME EAT." Dramatic little guy. I love him. I also already have like 7 drawings from this girl named Sarah, explaining how much she loves me. I love kids. They love so quickly.

I have trouble figuring out the line between "not following directions" and "not understanding" due to the language barrier.  I am sure I will figure it out.

Not all of the teachers are here yet, which is crazy. The middle school and high school are the most affected by this. My principal just came, but I haven't met her yet. One of the new middle school teachers is from Minnesota (holla back youngin')! She is from Prior Lake (NEAT). She is super nice, obviously. I am sure we will be the best of friends.

The returning teachers have been absolutely AMAZING at including us newbies. They also answer my zillion questions.

My Classroom

Lifestyle in Kuwait

Honestly, I am nowhere near an expert on the lifestyle or culture here, but I will teach you what I have figured out and learned thus far.

1) There are prayer announcements that you can hear throughout the day. I literally found this out yesterday. I don't know how I haven't heard these (totally unobservant), but you can hear someone speaking (in Arabic) about 5 times a day (I think). It is like through outdoor speakers, so I can hear it from inside my apartment.

2) It is disrespectful to show shoulders or knees. Women aren't allowed to swim in public (or it is at least seen as disrespectful), but there are places where you can go and swim (the family apt complex has a pool and there are private beaches where you can pay)

3) It is disrespectful to throw away food. This was good to know, since I eat with my students.

4) Smoking is EVERYWHERE here. People smoke inside. Everywhere. It is SO NOT to my liking.

5) Sisha (or Hookah) is really big here (again with the smoke). We went to a sisha place for our school luncheon. I got a headache. You can also order sisha at the beach. Crazy.

6) Gym Memberships are CRAZY EXPENSIVE. But I decided to get one anyways. A lot of gyms are separated (only male or only female), unless you go to a more westernized type of gym. Yes, I chose a westernized one. It's the Hilton Resort. I can access the beach, swimming pool, gym, a track outside, fitness classes, and a spa. I will be here a lot. I can also wear whatever I want.

7) If you get caught drinking alcohol, you could get deported. I am good without.

8) Not everyone is covered. Some women cover just their hair, and some women cover everything but their eyes. It has a little to do with which religion under Islam they follow and how conservative they are.

9) My students have nannies and drivers.

10) 1KD = $3.51 --> So TRICKY. It makes everything seem so cheap, but in reality, it most definitely is not.

11) There is no dating (so careful when talking about boyfriend, girlfriend, dating - like in reading books in the classroom library). There is only marriage. PDA is limited to hand holding.

12) Also watch worksheets and classwork that has food examples. No pig food.

13) Taxi drivers speak English, but definitely limited. It is interesting every taxi ride trying to communicate. Sometimes it is super easy, sometimes it is really difficult. I think one taxi driver said America had a big problem because all of us in the car (American 25/26 year olds) weren't married. I had trouble following. I just nod.

 My mothership: Starbucks in castle form

The view from Starbucks - the sea, picture doesn't really capture the awesomeness

 Because I know you were wondering how to spell Caribou Coffee in Arabic,

also I have seen FIVE Caribous here.

The complex where I spend my weekends (Starbucks, Caribou, Grocery Store and a Teacher Store are here)

 My elevator. So many mirrors. So I know EXACTLY how good I look after a day of teaching, 110 degree weather, and SAND, SAND, SAND

 The view from my balcony.

Skyping my babe. Oh and mother too.

The Souk (market)

**Important** TWICE I have had to direct the taxi how to get to our apartment complex. #iain'tnotourist #local

I just read what I wrote, pretty random organization.

Love ya!

Leah