Jesus Loves Osama

The verse below the slogan is Matthew 5:44 - Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

And as a fellow blogger said, the chalk below the picture serves to drive home the point - even though Osama may hate Jesus, Jesus still loves Osama.

This was an advertising campaign by a church in Australia. It caused a lot of controversy, and even Australia's Prime Minister jumped into the fray. Some thought it offensive, others thought it untimely, others still thought it in bad taste.

I, for one, agree with the sign.

Lets Get This Party Started

So guess who supervised his first high school dance last night? Wait, before you start guessing, I'll tell you. It was me.

There is nothing like the torrent of emotions and hormones that spew forth during these parties. The dj arrived sometime around 6:30 to start setting up, and there were many students who had already shown up for the car show earlier in the day, hosted at the school. But eventually, the school filled up with around 300 kids (most of which were not from our school). And thats when the fun began.

It was different than the dances in the states, though. Here, the guys and girls don't really intermix their dancing. It was all guys on the dance floor, grooving to the music. The girls were on the side, watching and sometimes getting their own groove on.

For my part, I was content to watch. I roamed around talking to students, sometimes pretending to be cool. Which is a funny thing - the students don't know what to do with me sometimes. I'm young enough that, under different circumstances, I could be someone that they deem cool enough to emulate. But then, I'm a teacher. So I can see the wheels turning in their heads as the process whether or not to take me seriously.

In the end, they usually don't. And I go back to my corner and dwell on the fact that I'm STILL not one of the cool kids.

Dust Storms

Minnesota has snow storms.

Texas has hurricanes.

We apparently have dust storms.

Well, we haven't really had any dust storms. But I've heard stories. However, in the last week we've had large amounts of dust come over, aparently from Saudi Arabia. Its nothing more than slightly heavy fog. But it coats everything in this annoying dust.

And I know you are asking, "who left their apartment windows open?" Well, let me tell you. My roommates. Though I don't blame them. Its been a habit we've gotten into. But we came back to find all of our possesions clothed in the light brown desert deposits. Gross.

The 1st Week

This has been a week full of "firsts". Firsts embedded in firsts. And thus I have decided that the second week of February will for ever more be dubbed thus: The First Week.

In my first time living over seas, I was driving the first car that I did not pay for, yet drive regularly (except for my parents cars - but those don't count). After driving for two weeks, I had to fill it up at the gas station for the first time. I paid a mere $12 to fill it up - the first time I've spent less than my life savings on gas (though probably due to the fact that, for the first time, my income is actually able to increase my lifesavings fairly significantly). It was the first time I was so greatful to oil-rich countries who provide their residents cheap gas.

However, today I had my first flat tire. Ever. It was the first time I had to replace a tire on my own car, and for the first time, I figured out how to use those stupid little car jacks that come as part of your car.

And now for the finale: On thursday, for the very first time, I went ice-skating. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I lived in WI for 12 years and MN for 4 years without ever having laced up a pair of blades (and who would've thought my first time would not only be overseas, but in a desert country land). I went with the school, so all the teachers and students were there. I've rollar-bladed, so my first time wasn't too bad. It took me a minute or two to get used to, but after a while, I was doing my first cross-overs on ice. During this experience, I threw a snow ball at a student for the first time (I'm such a bad example).

Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures documenting any of these "Firsts". So, and not for the first time, you'll have to take my word that all of this actually did happen. But next time I go ice-skating, I'll take some pictures - for the first time.

PS - my first shout out. Ryan Lang is pretty cool. I talk to him on skype. Also, he has lots of great skills. Like finding girlfriends in China and teaching 5th graders.

And In Other News...

Mickey Mouse Heads for Bahrain

As one of my students said today when I mentioned the article in class - "Where are they going to put it?"

He wasn't joking, either.

Here Are Some Pictures to Wet Your Appetite

But to get the full meal, go to my web album. Link is on the left.

This is an ariel view of the balloon ride we took above the nile valley. It was pretty sweet.

The temple of Hapshetsut, near the valley of the kings. Ruined
















Our hotel building definitely looked British colonial, circa 1940. Well, the equipment was also from 1940. This, my friends, is a working switchboard for incoming phone calls.





















The brains behind our faluca ride on the nile. They guys were pretty cool. The ride was good, too.


















The friend we made while walking around Hapshetsut. He was kind enough to let us take his picture without giving him some baksheesh.