Oh just one more

So last night it was a friends birthday and she had found this Mexican restaurant.  So a small group of us go together and had really amazing Mexican food in Kuwait.  It is literally this whole-in-the-wall place (seats maybe 12).  But the best part was, while we were eating the owner comes up to us to ask how things were and to tell us not to worry but that the building next door was on fire.  So of course we ran outside to check it out.  Sure enough there was smoke coming out of one of the apartments.  Soon enough the whole area was outside checking it out and the fire engine, police, and paramedics arrived too.  Funny cause the paramedics took a way a person from a car, but otherwise I think everyone else as fine.

An exciting night in Kuwait!

And that's it for now

So I really think that is all that has happened recently.

Today has been the first day in a while where I just can't wait to get out of this country.  Spring break is in a week and my parents are coming to visit.  We are off to Dubai while they are here too.

But I can't help but dream about being back in Europe for the summer.  Really really can't wait.

Observations

Being officially observed is one of my greatest worries as a teacher.  It stresses me out.  In the past I have had observations that were amazing, but I also spent the last two years just being criticized and put down for how I teach.  So I didn't know what to expect when I was signing up to be observed.  I chose a math lesson that I felt the students would catch on to easily and that would be easy enough to also have observed.  The lesson contained management of space, behavior management, time, management . . all the things that for the past years I have been told I don't know how to do.  After all the books I have read and videos I have watched and people I have talked to I felt that possibly I wasn't as bad at it as certain people in the past thought.

So in my eyes the lesson went well.  My kids were awesome, the lesson pace was good, and it didn't fall apart.  In my eyes it was a great lesson.  A few days later, as per requirement, I met with my director to see what she thought.  Gosh were my nerves going crazy.  She starts the meeting with the following comment, "You have such a nice class."  I let go a deep breath and relaxed instantly because all she had to say was that it was an awesome lesson and she applauded me in already knowing what I would change and didn't really need to give me anything to work on.  She has been known to rip people apart and have people re-do their observation so I was pretty much flying the rest of the day after this meeting.

It is SO nice to finally be at a school were I am recognized as a teacher who knows what she is doing.  Love my school in the past but nothing feels better than being here with people who support me.

Arab Fund Building

One of the many teachers that I teach Grade 4 with is a huge fan of Kuwait and knows about all the cool places to see.  She arranged a trip for a small group of us to see the Arab Fund Building.  I honestly had no idea what this trip was going to be like.  Many other trips that I have gone with have kind of been a let down but this one really was the total opposite.  I don't even think I can explain it in words so pictures will do the job for me.  A building filled with amazing art from the past.

Birthday in the Desert + a names day

Probably not the most exciting birthday of my life but it was a fun relaxing day.  I had spent the day just watching movies and just taking the day to hang out at home.  In the evening I had invited a few friends to go to a restaurant called "Chocolate Bar" for some sweets.  It was a decently great way to spend my birthday.  My students did surprise me at school with a cake, candles and a bunch of small gifts.  That was actually the best part.  I have cute kids!

Names day was pretty much non-existent because no one else knows about them here.  I do miss celebrating my names day in Latvia.  Its pretty much bigger than you actual birthday.

Interactive white Boards . . . boards of the future

So way back in December everyone at school was offered the chance to send in a request to have an interactive white board in their class.  There were given qualities that you would have to meet and it had to be in written format.  So I wrote  a request, not sure if I would be chosen seeing that it is my first year here.  At the time I had just finished writing my request and had just e mailed it home so that I could read it later and also to my mom so that she could help me fix up my writing (28 years old and still having my mom proof my writing . . AWESOME!) when in walks my principal and asks if I had thought about applying.  This already put the hope in my mind.

Well upon arrival back I got news that I was chosen to have the board.  In February it finally arrived.  Combined with my excitement for it and my kids excitement about it we just couldn't contain ourselves that day.  Since then we have been learning together about how to use it and really putting it to great use.

It has also seriously upped my teaching.  I have noticed that I spend way more time planning and to be honest I really think about how I present it to the class.  The kids have loved every moment of it and every lesson is exciting because they want to get up and use it too.  It has been such an amazing addition to the class and so much fun to work with!

The long awaited updates!

So from the beginning I warned you that I am not a writer and that blog updates my be spars (at least I think I warned you about that, if not be warned!)  For as little as Kuwait has to offer to do a few things have happened since my last post.  And the above posts will be my attempt to update about everything that has happened since January.