I can hardly believe that it is September 15th and I have been in the UAE for 5 weeks. I would love to say that time has flown, but really it just languishes here and it seems as though I have lived here forever. I need to get a bit better about writing and plan to write at least weekly from here on out. I have had some great blog post ideas but they have floated away into the ether.
Yesterday was the first day of school. It was mostly unremarkable as many students were absent or busy doing things other than coming to class. I will be teaching high school girls, probably 11th and 12th grade, although that may change. The girls I met yesterday were very sweet and kind. I know some of it is the novelty of having a western teacher and that may change as they deal with us daily. The schedule is reminiscent of the one I had at my former middle school were we see the girls on a rotating basis. I will see each of my 3 classes a total of 8 times throughout the week. (Still haven't seen exactly how it works yet!)
I really do like it here a lot. It is different yet similar. I think that is where people get confused. The amenities are much like they are in the west but the standard for public behavior is more conservative and the young'uns sometimes forget that part, particularly those who teach girls. We are an influence on the culture whether we mean to be or not and it is easy to not notice who is watching, especially when they are covered. I have always been conscious of my public behavior, even more now than before.
Soon K will be here and it will be a little less quiet in my apartment. Currently I have opted to not have a television and I find that quite freeing. We will see if it lasts.
