American International School of Kuwait -Science Fair

AIS had its sixth grade science fair on Thursday, April 29th 2010. The topics of their science projects included: testing for the best battery, which stain remover was most effective, different soils for different plants, fingerprinting, to the strongest type of bridges. Here are a few pictures from that day.

Research Skills at AIS

Well, this year's research skills class for 6th graders is almost finished. I had the privilege of working with four sections of sixth graders and they have been wonderful. I'll certainly miss them next year.
About four years ago my principal had asked me to create a research-skills program for the students in our middle school. At the time, students were lacking in many of the skills needed to conduct research projects accurately and independently. I created a curriculum based on "The Big 6" program by Micheal Eisenberg and Robert Berkowitz. Students are learning how to paraphrase information, write a works cited, how to use note cards as well as an outline. From the outline we have written essays, created power points, posters and speeches. Here are some pictures of my students' posters that they recently created. What a terrific bunch they are.

Frost - Amygdala

I just heard this group in a rooftop bar in Istanbul. I find the song to be dreamy, sexy, and irresistible. One of my new favs...

Why I am so Thankful of Kuwait and AIS

1.Spending two years with Missy and the trips that we took together when we were both single… Turkey, Thailand and Cambodia
2.Leaving behind a nine-year relationship in New York that was going nowhere. Being on my own for a year helped me gain my confidence & self-esteem back again. I didn’t know that I lost them until I came here.
3.Meeting the love of my life, David. He is one of the grand surprises that I experienced throughout my time here. Thank you Alex for bringing him over. I will always be in indebted to you for that.
4.Being a part of the PEAK and NESA workshops, both as a participant and presenter. I am sure that my involvement in these helped me to become the kind of teacher I am today.
5.Getting training in the MYP Advanced Language A program in Amsterdam. This workshop helped to solidify many things for me as a teacher at a MYP school. Once again, it helped to make me a stronger, more confident teacher.
6.Having extra money to pay off debt from home. If I was still home, I would be paying off my student loan until the day I die. Credit cards would also be a part of my life style back home too-along with paying off the bill of course!
7.Getting the chance to travel around the world to many wonderful and exotic places. Looking back at my time in Kuwait I realized those trips really helped to define each year I was here and helped to shape who I am today.
8.My apartment! It will be difficult to pack up my lovely place and maybe that is why I keep putting it off. June will be a very bittersweet time when I have to say goodbye to it! I really enjoyed not only the doubles building but even my single girl’s apartment! Also, walking to school every day has been an added bonus that has eliminated much stress from my life.
9.Speaking of stress, my anxiety levels have certainly gone down since coming to Kuwait for many reasons:
• not as many bills to pay as back home
• walk to work
• having a maid
• less family issues to deal with (crazy grandmother, etc)
• no snow or cold weather
• sun always shines
• get to work with people with common interest
• still have many of the conveniences of home
• more prep time at school than back at home
10.Some remarkable memories have occurred over here during my eight years which include:
• getting engaged in Cambodia
• being evacuated in 2003 –sent back home to the states for 6 weeks
• having amazing mentors as principals: Denise and Chris
• survived tsunami in Asia 2004 (Raleigh Beach)
• going on a local TV show to talk about our tsunami experiences
• finally getting to see the Giza pyramids and Nile River
• went on first hot air balloon ride
• rented house in Lombok with a salt-water in-ground pool
• snorkeling in the Maldives
• riding over sand dunes in the Dubai desert and watching belly dancing
• Running in a 10K race in Dubai; Dave running a marathon
• Dave winning the KSAA basketball championship in Kuwait twice; once for U-14
Boys and the other for JV Boys (JV Boys-1st banner ever in 1st place!)
• Going on a tandem paraglide in Southern Turkey at 7,500 feet
11. Meeting some wonderful and special people who will remain a part of my life always. I have learned so much through them and in turn, I have learned more about myself.

I am sure there are many other memories and I may continue to add to this list. Basically, Kuwait has been very good to me and I am so thankful for making the decision to come here in 2002. Taking that leap of faith really worked for me.

Something's Gotta Give

I was watching my favorite movie again tonight. I've seen it now about 10 times but it never gets old for me. My favorite character of course is "Eric Berry" played by Diane Keaton. She is just marvelous. Her independence, strength, and honesty-just remarkable.She makes getting older inspiring and I thank her for it.

8:00 AM Storm in Kuwait

The weather continues to be interesting here in Kuwait... At 7:30 AM on Saturday morning, I noticed the apartment getting increasingly dark. Then, I went to look at the window and saw we were in the process of a getting a major storm. The wind was whipping around, garbage cans blowing down the road and things blowing off the roofs. Eventually, it went from dark to black. Above I have attached pictures of this storm, which is probably the worst I have seen in my eight years here. Well, nothing like leaving Kuwait with a bang!

Backpacking Through India???

I was looking at my Facebook pages the other day and noticed an ad for traveling in India.... backpacking in particular. The part that struck me was the pictures they showed as you see above. The ad said, "Backpacking through India...Why not?" After looking at the pictures,I had to laugh.
Back in 1998 my sister and I did go on a backpacking trip through parts of France and Italy. As much fun as that trip was, I think I have hung up my backpack for good. Maybe its because my older self is now "built for comfort and not speed" more. Maybe I have come to believe that a vacation is just that... a vacation where one can spend time relaxating and enjoying the moment in preparation for the next long stretch of work. Even going on tours (something I thought I would never do) actually excite me more than they used to after going on one in Egypt.
Which is why after looking at that picture of a million people jammed on a train in India, I don't have any inkling to backpacking again, or travel in India for that matter. Maybe someday if I really develop the urge to see India, I will have to go on a well-designed tour; hopefully eliminating some of the pitfalls and headaches that I would have if I traveled on my own.
I realize that not everyone who goes to India goes by train. But, if these pictures are any indication of what can be expected, I will pass for now. I think I would have a heart attack if I was dropped down in the middle of that. If the outside of the train is like that then what is the inside like? I just stare at the photos in awe, shock and wonder. But I guess, most than anything else, the pictures make me appreciate what I have.