U.A.E. Day 309 : Maybe I've arrived

When I was teaching at JP Stevens in Texas, I met a woman who made a strong impression on me.  She was really good at her job and kind to me when not many people were.  She had recently finalized her divorce and had just, at the end of the academic year, purchased her first couch.  She was so proud and her emotion just stayed with me.  Today, after 10 months or so of being in U.A.E., my 2 book cases have arrived.  Maybe, just maybe, I have too.  :D

U.A.E. Day 304: a bit sick...

My department had this waiting on my desk the day I returned to work.  Amazing support and people.  I am blessed.

My coworker's sons brought me their teddy bear in the hospital because he helps everyone sleep when they don't feel well.  So sweet, made me tear up.  

U.A.E. Day 299: Turkish Day

I co-sponsor the Turkish Club at my campus.  It's rad. A whole group of girls who LOVE Turkey!  In order to honor Turkey, we had a festival on May 19th, which is the Turkish Youth & Sports Holiday in Turkey.  Perfect!  

I made, with some help from indulgent colleagues, the colorful Turkish/English banners that span the entry. It is hard to tell, but the letters, of course, are outlined with fabulous glitter glue.   

Exhibits in the hall included Turkish language, Turkish arts, and crafts Turkish folk dance, Turkish music, Turkish TV, Turkish food, Turkish coffee, Turkish sweets, Turkish tourism, and Turkish heritage/history.  It was a smashing success!

The Turkish version of River Dance- set a world record for the most steps in a single minute.  

The posters were made by me and my co-sponsor, but the work, the sales, and the excitement was all managed by the students.  Well done!

They handmade the flags!

U.A.E. Day 299: D.I.Y. & Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse

I taught a unit last week about D.I.Y. projects.  This week I taught a unit about recycling, reusing, and reducing.  To make a learning-by-doing challenge for my students, I combined these ideas by asking them to collect used water bottles from all over campus and repurpose them into cute pencil holders to give to each of the professors in my department.  

One student gets ready...

Magic Mini Books to give advice about reducing, reusing, and recycling.  

I love that she uses our example from our project in her book!  

We had fun.  :D

U.A.E. Day 291: Sometimes they get it

Someone did their homework today.  Always a nice surprise.  :D