Some funny things have happened since I arrived. Not only has Telstra come in for the kill( even though I have a Kuwaiti SIM and number now), but have already been pulled over by the police.
No I do not exaggerate.. only a little! Driving in the cab( there were three of us and the driver) and the flashing lights behind meant we were pinpointed! Driver's stuff checked and Lee, as he was in the front , had to produce his papers too. We women were ignored and just sat! Apparently it has become more of a thing- people are randomly pulled over/stopped in the street and they must produce their papers. I carry mine with me at all times. At this stage, we only have photocopies of passports and work visas.Soon we will have our Civil IDs which must be on us all the time.
Are you surprised, given the position of Kuwait? I have no problem with this at all.
Today I have had a few cab rides some purposefully and others accidentally! This morning I brunched at the Movenpick Hotel with the Kuwaiti Canadian cohort- teachers, embassy folk, Shell workers and others. I existed as an honorary Canadian. Beautiful position , right on the beach and it was good to get back to being by the water, so I now know that Kuwait is more that sand! There I will have the opportunity for sailing,kayaking etc..... So I travelled there in a cab. When I finished I wanted to go to the Marina Mall so I could get a printer(easier to print at home as we all know what wifi school printers do).... and because it was called to the hotel it was 3 KD..... off to the mall. Got the printer and took it home... another cab ride.....
Noone told me I needed a USB cable( no wonder it was so cheap)...................... back I went to the mall in a cab, clutching printer under arm. They were really nice back at the mall and told me that I had to purchase the cable separately. Being sensible I upgraded to a WiFi printer.... another cab ride home. By this time it was after three. I had paid a fortune in cab fare.... 1KD = 4 AUD approximately....
Finally I got to work on writing the Environmental STudies Elective for Years 11/12. Thank you Australian Curriculum. I will be teaching 4 classes of Biology and the Env. Sc. Not sure how many lessons but will be ok as we do 50 minute lessons.. and have seven per day... I nearly squealed with delight, then remembered that I do not squeal! School begins at 7 for us and 7.30 for the students. We finish at 2.30 with various breaks. . On Sunday, first day, we have parent orientation where the parents will come in and meet us and we will give them course outlines, modes of assessments and weightings for assessments. It is pretty structured- the American way! Testing is major form of assessment.....
So
I am trying to work .
Take a look at my morning....
Very pink Australian
No I do not exaggerate.. only a little! Driving in the cab( there were three of us and the driver) and the flashing lights behind meant we were pinpointed! Driver's stuff checked and Lee, as he was in the front , had to produce his papers too. We women were ignored and just sat! Apparently it has become more of a thing- people are randomly pulled over/stopped in the street and they must produce their papers. I carry mine with me at all times. At this stage, we only have photocopies of passports and work visas.Soon we will have our Civil IDs which must be on us all the time.
Are you surprised, given the position of Kuwait? I have no problem with this at all.
Today I have had a few cab rides some purposefully and others accidentally! This morning I brunched at the Movenpick Hotel with the Kuwaiti Canadian cohort- teachers, embassy folk, Shell workers and others. I existed as an honorary Canadian. Beautiful position , right on the beach and it was good to get back to being by the water, so I now know that Kuwait is more that sand! There I will have the opportunity for sailing,kayaking etc..... So I travelled there in a cab. When I finished I wanted to go to the Marina Mall so I could get a printer(easier to print at home as we all know what wifi school printers do).... and because it was called to the hotel it was 3 KD..... off to the mall. Got the printer and took it home... another cab ride.....
Noone told me I needed a USB cable( no wonder it was so cheap)...................... back I went to the mall in a cab, clutching printer under arm. They were really nice back at the mall and told me that I had to purchase the cable separately. Being sensible I upgraded to a WiFi printer.... another cab ride home. By this time it was after three. I had paid a fortune in cab fare.... 1KD = 4 AUD approximately....
Finally I got to work on writing the Environmental STudies Elective for Years 11/12. Thank you Australian Curriculum. I will be teaching 4 classes of Biology and the Env. Sc. Not sure how many lessons but will be ok as we do 50 minute lessons.. and have seven per day... I nearly squealed with delight, then remembered that I do not squeal! School begins at 7 for us and 7.30 for the students. We finish at 2.30 with various breaks. . On Sunday, first day, we have parent orientation where the parents will come in and meet us and we will give them course outlines, modes of assessments and weightings for assessments. It is pretty structured- the American way! Testing is major form of assessment.....
So
I am trying to work .
Take a look at my morning....
This is all most interesting to read Liz. I'm sure you will really enjoy getting into the classroom to begin practical teaching. Meeting the parents/families of the students will be so interesting too I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteWow Liz! I am finally catching up with all your news - for some reason I could not work out how to find your blog but then Mel told me today to read it through FB and I realised I didn't have it set to following you - all rectified now! Fascinating to read what is happening and see pics of your new life! Can't wait for your next instalments - we are missing you at Jackson X
ReplyDeleteJust wrote a big message but not sure if it came through! Anyway - wonderful to hear and see all your news and looking forward to future instalments! Miss you at Jackson X
ReplyDelete