Wordless Wednesday

 

Thankful Thursday

Image by MB-One

Wouldn’t it be great if every time you needed a taxi they were lined up and waiting? Since that isn’t reality, I’m thankful for Uber.

Last fall my daughter and I waited and waited and waited on the side of the road for a taxi to take us to a birthday party. Friday afternoon traffic didn’t help and we were the last to arrive. While I was talking with other moms one told me about Uber. I had never heard of it, but downloaded the app and when it was time for the next birthday party I gave it a try.

SOLD!

I love that I can request a car, see the car’s current location, know who is coming (name, car type, and license plate number, as well as star rating), have the car be smoke free and clean, and most importantly not have to be carrying cash.

As I was reading through my blogs I just read this post posted on Saudi Women Driving. It talks about the several apps that are now available in the Kingdom. None of them were there when we left and I am glad to know I will still have connected options upon our return.

In Seattle I am thankful to have a car that I can simply drive myself where I need to be. Overseas that isn’t always an option. Uber is all over the place. Have you used Uber?

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

 

Thankful Thursday

 

I totally feel like we are getting away with something this year. It is nearly May and we are still in 60s and 70s with rain every week or so. “Usually” the weather has turned weeks ago. I would have been in sandals for weeks and the air conditioner would be used on a regular basis. Instead I am checking the forecast to see if I need to wear my rain boots and put my daughter’s rain coat in her bag.

The perfect climate would be in the 70s year round and it doesn’t exist - anywhere. Right now, I will gladly take this feeling of ‘getting away’ with something. This is not how it is ‘supposed’ to be in lovely Lebanon and I have NO complaints!

Wordless Wednesday–Out with the old

 

Tomorrow’s Friday, (as of last night)

No, I haven’t gone off the deep end. (Though with my husband at rehearsals until late every night – for two different productions – anything is possible!) Having had 100 years to plan for this, the ministry just declared Friday to be a day of remembering the Armenian Genocide by closing schools across the country in commemoration.

I am thrilled for the atrocities of one hundred years ago to be acknowledged and some hope of healing and reconciliation for some communities. On top of that, the last minuteness doesn’t surprise me. What it does do is put my classroom into a tailspin.

Friday was already a day off for the elementary school as conferences are scheduled for that day. The conferences have now been moved to Thursday and the students have a four day weekend quickly approaching. They are more wound up than they were before Spring Break!

To be honest, I am having a hard time being geared up to teach today and tomorrow, though we are in the middle of units that I thoroughly enjoy. Unfortunately I am the ‘responsible adult’ in the room and have to keep us both focused and productive.

Wish me luck! (Especially tomorrow, “Friday”.)

Will It Backfire?

We start "Summertime" (aka Daylight Savings) tonight at midnight. I think I have outsmarted the little one's internal clock.

She had a birthday party this afternoon and they were running and dancing for a good long time. She was tired.

Usually we would have come home and had rest time. Naps no longer happen during rest time, but she does recharge. (Yes, she's an introvert.)

Today I cancelled rest and changed the clocks ahead upon arriving home.

I feel about ready to succumb to my scheme as well. Tomorrow morning I expect will be fine. Even if she wakes up 'early' she will play quietly in her room, especially since she didn't get the chance today. Tomorrow night could be a challenge. Come Monday morning, and the need to be up and functioning for school, we'll find out if the plan backfired.

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday

This picture is a slice of many lives. This is such a typical sight in Beirut. I think an entire novel could be made out of the imagined lives that take place in each apartment. What can you dream up?

It’s Friday!

Here in Beirut it is Friday! No, I am not reading my calendar wrong and no, the time difference hasn’t grown exponentially. There is no school tomorrow, therefore it feels like Friday.

The even bigger news is that the holiday tomorrow is a religious holiday recognized by both Christians and Muslims. Yes, it is the ONE thing that is agreed upon by all here in Lebanon. What is the special day? Feast of the Annunciation

For those of you that are still wondering what I am talking about ‘annunciation’ means ‘announcement’. Tomorrow is March 25th, nine months before December 25th. Has the light bulb lit? Tomorrow is the day tradition says the angel Gabriel told Mary she was going to have a baby. Jesus.

The fact that it falls on a Wednesday, the middle of the week more than a week before Spring Break is a wonderful mini-break as we try and hold on for Spring Break itself. I have been looking forward to this week and its two ‘Fridays’ for some time.

Even my daughter declared it to be Friday this morning. For her that means that tomorrow morning, after practicing piano, she gets to use the iPad time she has used by being ready on time so far this week. She came to this conclusion herself and I agreed. Today is Friday after all.

The Sky Is Falling

On a beautiful sunny day I am walking down the sidewalk in Beirut when, one step in front of me, a tissue falls from sky. 

I don't even pause to look up and I don't, for even a nanosecond, wonder what has happened. I know the sky is not falling. I am not Chicken Little. I live in Beirut. In Beirut people think absolutely nothing of disposing of something the exact moment they are finished with it, no matter where they are.

Yes, this means garbage is tossed off balconies, out of windows of homes and cars. People toss things as they walk down the street or into the sea. It doesn't really matter what it is. If they are finished with it, it is discarded. At. That. Exact. Moment. Most often are wrappers, cigarettes, plastic water bottles, apple cores, etc.

Trying to raise a child, let alone encourage students to be environmentally conscious is a huge challenge. But at least they don't worry the sky is falling.

What a cake!

I spoke briefly about Teachers’ Day in this post. In addition to the entire country taking a day off school my students brought me delicious dark chocolate (and a few other gifts, but that’s my favorite!)

School also throws a party for any teacher who wants to go. They have us RSVP and then find a venue to accommodate the number of people expected. This year it was a lovely time with good food, delightful company, open bar, and lots of dancing.

The celebrations didn’t end there. Today there was a catered luncheon for elementary teachers. Parents covered our classes while we ate at linen covered tables with fresh flowers and real china. The food was a range from Indian to Chicken Caesar Salad with huge slices of parmesan. The heavenly hour was capped off with this cake.

I couldn’t make this stuff up.

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday

 

 

 

This tattoo shop recently opened along our route home from school. Since we walk along the sidewalk in front I hadn't seen the sign. Today I happened to cross the street nearby and couldn't help laughing. Do you really think the tattoos are available for deliver?!

It's Late!

I just walked in the door from Lady's Night and head to get ready for bed when I realize I haven't sliced yet today and it is 11:56.

Uh-oh

Of course the computer isn't on and takes three minutes to boot. Now I'm not going to make it for sure without playing the time zone shuffle.

Uh-oh

This morning wasn't laid back morning as we basically had to get up like it was a school morning to be at church in order to head for the Family Service Day. We successfully packed loads of food for refugees with Heart For Lebanon. (Enough for 46 families for six months!)

Family friends had asked if we could have their daughter all day today and tomorrow morning so my afternoon 'game' was off too with two girls in the house. I still managed to get my Saturday chores accomplished, everyone fed, and out the door for my anticipated evening of girl fun.

Here I am begging for forgiveness as it is now 12:04. (And I can't remember the last time I was up past ten!)

Uh-oh

Cars, Rebar, and Other Neighborhood Hazards

I just got back from taking something to a friend's house. She lives about seven or eight blocks away. As I was walking there I realized that this is a dangerous neighborhood! Why? Here's what I encountered.

I saw a small Kia that had gobbled up nine people. Nine. No joke! The driver plus someone in the passenger seat, but also two kids up front. One was on the passenger's lap and one was squatting above the gear shift. The back had three grown ups and two school aged children (whose necks were crooked as their heads were pushed against the ceiling). "Phew!" I thought to myself, as the car was obviously satiated and wouldn't be trying to gobble me up as well!

Next I came across three bars of rebar sticking up, vertically, out of the middle of the sidewalk. Each piece was several inches tall and someone had put large rocks in the midst in hopes that passerbies wouldn't be seriously injured. Being early evening there was still enough light to notice the peril before I was paralyzed.

In the block before my destination there was a car starting out of a building's garage. They were waiting to back onto the street. The building's concierge was on the street to stop traffic, once it had moved enough to create a gap. (Friday night traffic in Hamra is horrible!) The driver had just made eye contact with me as I was about to step behind his car, as he was blocking the sidewalk. I had taken two steps after his looking away when he began to back up into me! I slammed my hand down on his trunk, shaking my head and rolling my eyes as I kept walking.

This is place keeps you on your toes!

Wordless Wednesday

 

Wordless Wednesday–Cats Over A Hot Water Pipe

Wordless Wednesday

If you are dying to know, look here.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Wordless Wednesday–Not Duct Tape