First, let me say, if you haven't yet read "The Kite Runner", go to the nearest library or book store and get a copy. Its a phenomenal book (though my literature-savy friends don't seem to get as excited about it as I do).
ANYWAY.
Last weekend, I was able to sleep at my apartment. Amazing.
Now, let me explain this. I had paid for my first month's rent on the 1st of September. And I didn't start sleeping in my apartment till two weeks later. So that was about $250 gone. Maybe not wasted (I was still able to move some furniture in), but certainly not used the way I would like it.
The main problem was that my fridge wasn't up to par (see previous post) and I had no matress. Its just too hot to try and keep food without a refridgerator - and I certainly wasn't going to sleep on the tile floor.
But now, I'm actually staying here. I still have a few things to get - like living room furniture, another a/c, and a few kitchen items. Minor things.
The neighborhood is nice. Its downtown, and I'm right across the street from a mosque. I thought at first that the calls to prayer might wake me, but even with the loud speakers so close, they don't even phase me. I've walked around the neighborhood a little bit, trying to get a feel for what's in the area, what's with in walking distance, etc. Fortunately, I can get about everything I need within a five minute walk, except for meats and cheeses.
Well, I COULD get those... but there are just some things I'd rather not leave to chance.
Some day, when I have a camera that can take pictures, I'll take some of the apartment and put them up. All the women who read this can give me decorating tips.
That's all for now. School is going well. I've enjoyed the students so far. This next week, we start a research project with one class, and another finance project with another class. fun stuff.
Sep 22, 2007
Sep 11, 2007
The Velcro Fridge
Desparate times call for desparate measures.
I've been TRYING to move into my apartment for almost two weeks now, but I just can't seem to get my act together. I have no mattress yet, and, until today, my fridge was of no help.
You see, my fridge door doesn't close. I'm not really sure why, either. There was nothing blocking the doorway, and it didn't seem as if the hinges were bent. The only problem I could see was a small plastic piece broken from the bottom that SEEMED to be the latch for the door.
But of course, who really knows.
After searching for a replacement peice, I finally gave up and started looking for other options.
And now, industrial velcro forms a handle that latches my refridgerator door shut.
Tacky, maybe. But certainly effective.
I've been TRYING to move into my apartment for almost two weeks now, but I just can't seem to get my act together. I have no mattress yet, and, until today, my fridge was of no help.
You see, my fridge door doesn't close. I'm not really sure why, either. There was nothing blocking the doorway, and it didn't seem as if the hinges were bent. The only problem I could see was a small plastic piece broken from the bottom that SEEMED to be the latch for the door.
But of course, who really knows.
After searching for a replacement peice, I finally gave up and started looking for other options.
And now, industrial velcro forms a handle that latches my refridgerator door shut.
Tacky, maybe. But certainly effective.
Aug 31, 2007
Good News Bad News
Its August 31st, and I've been back in Bahrain for over a week now. 9 days in fact. During that time a lot has happened. Both good and bad. Here's a the run down.
Bad news: Apartments have become scarce and expensive in Bahrain (at least ones within my budget).
Good news: I found an decent apartment for a good price. And I signed the least on Wednesday night.
Bad news: Its oppressively hot and ridiculously humid.
Good news: It's less hot and humid than it was at this time last year.
Good news: School starts in less than 36 hours. The first shining faces of eager students walk through the doors at 7am Sunday morning!
Bad news: I don't feel so hot. Hopefully I will feel better by Sunday morning.
Good news: all of my stuff is in Bahrain.
Bad news: a bulk of my belongings (including a bed and desk) are stored in an apartment on the other side of the island, and the tenant has not returned to Bahrain yet (and there is a good chance he isn't going to return at all). So I have to figure out how to get into the apartment and get my stuff. Legally.
Bad news: I am the only male teaching high school.
Good news: we'll see how this one ends up translating into good news. I'm sure it will.
Bad news: I had $1000 of bank fraud on my bank account, and I spent the whole summer getting the bank to get their act together.
Good news: They DID get their act together, and they finally refunded me all of my money.
Bad news: I don't own a car.
Good/Neutral news: A friend is letting me borrow his car until he comes back next week (but I have to give it back when he returns).
That neutral threw you for a loop didn't it.
Anyway, that's all the important news for now. I'll try to be better about updating this as the year goes on.
Don't forget to write!
Bad news: Apartments have become scarce and expensive in Bahrain (at least ones within my budget).
Good news: I found an decent apartment for a good price. And I signed the least on Wednesday night.
Bad news: Its oppressively hot and ridiculously humid.
Good news: It's less hot and humid than it was at this time last year.
Good news: School starts in less than 36 hours. The first shining faces of eager students walk through the doors at 7am Sunday morning!
Bad news: I don't feel so hot. Hopefully I will feel better by Sunday morning.
Good news: all of my stuff is in Bahrain.
Bad news: a bulk of my belongings (including a bed and desk) are stored in an apartment on the other side of the island, and the tenant has not returned to Bahrain yet (and there is a good chance he isn't going to return at all). So I have to figure out how to get into the apartment and get my stuff. Legally.
Bad news: I am the only male teaching high school.
Good news: we'll see how this one ends up translating into good news. I'm sure it will.
Bad news: I had $1000 of bank fraud on my bank account, and I spent the whole summer getting the bank to get their act together.
Good news: They DID get their act together, and they finally refunded me all of my money.
Bad news: I don't own a car.
Good/Neutral news: A friend is letting me borrow his car until he comes back next week (but I have to give it back when he returns).
That neutral threw you for a loop didn't it.
Anyway, that's all the important news for now. I'll try to be better about updating this as the year goes on.
Don't forget to write!
Aug 18, 2007
Strike Three May Be Coming
I have dodged death this summer - multiple times.
Encounter 1
While in Wisconsin, I went white-water rafting with my friend Lindsay. Now, if you know mountainous regions of Wisconsin, you know that there will be some difficult and dangerous rivers. We spent four hours braving the intense rapids and tumbling over waterfalls.
And "intense" I mean "sad". In all reality, we drifted peacefully (ie. boringly) along the river. Of those four hours, about 15 minutes of that was spent on "rapids" and waterfalls. Another 15 minutes was spent stuck on rocks that.
I did bruise my foot going over the last waterfall (once Lindsay and I finally got ourselves unstuck from the rocks). So I'll call that my first close encounter with death.
Encounter 2
Last weekend I visited my friends Amos and Meredith Anderson in Arkansas. Amos and I went hiking on Saturday morning in the sticks of Arkansas (and when we talk about the sticks of Arkansas, we know its out there). We had intended to go early enough to beat the midday heat.
But we didn't. And it was 110 degrees outside.
And we hiked for 2 hours.
We also had their dog with us, a black lab, who drank most of Amos' water. And Amos in turn drank mine. We quickly used up our already small water supply.
I like to tell people I'm almost died from dehydration and heat exhaustion.
Encounter 3 (maybe)
I am currently in Houston, with Hurricane Dean possibly on the way. As I write this, The Weather Channel is saying that "This is a very intense hurricane" and that it's heading towards Jamaica. The hurricane may or may not make it far enough north to affect Houston - we'll know by Monday.
The concern also regards my flight on Tuesday. On Tuesday afternoon, I fly back to Bahrain for another year of fun in the sun and teaching. But will my flight be able to leave? If it does, will the plane be sucked into the hurricane and be thrown off course? Will I be stranded on a mysterious island where monsters chase and a secret organization harasses me and the people I am stranded with?
Hopefully I'm not out after three strikes.
Encounter 1
While in Wisconsin, I went white-water rafting with my friend Lindsay. Now, if you know mountainous regions of Wisconsin, you know that there will be some difficult and dangerous rivers. We spent four hours braving the intense rapids and tumbling over waterfalls.
And "intense" I mean "sad". In all reality, we drifted peacefully (ie. boringly) along the river. Of those four hours, about 15 minutes of that was spent on "rapids" and waterfalls. Another 15 minutes was spent stuck on rocks that.
I did bruise my foot going over the last waterfall (once Lindsay and I finally got ourselves unstuck from the rocks). So I'll call that my first close encounter with death.
Encounter 2
Last weekend I visited my friends Amos and Meredith Anderson in Arkansas. Amos and I went hiking on Saturday morning in the sticks of Arkansas (and when we talk about the sticks of Arkansas, we know its out there). We had intended to go early enough to beat the midday heat.
But we didn't. And it was 110 degrees outside.
And we hiked for 2 hours.
We also had their dog with us, a black lab, who drank most of Amos' water. And Amos in turn drank mine. We quickly used up our already small water supply.
I like to tell people I'm almost died from dehydration and heat exhaustion.
Encounter 3 (maybe)
I am currently in Houston, with Hurricane Dean possibly on the way. As I write this, The Weather Channel is saying that "This is a very intense hurricane" and that it's heading towards Jamaica. The hurricane may or may not make it far enough north to affect Houston - we'll know by Monday.
The concern also regards my flight on Tuesday. On Tuesday afternoon, I fly back to Bahrain for another year of fun in the sun and teaching. But will my flight be able to leave? If it does, will the plane be sucked into the hurricane and be thrown off course? Will I be stranded on a mysterious island where monsters chase and a secret organization harasses me and the people I am stranded with?
Hopefully I'm not out after three strikes.
