End of the Year but not the end of Kuwait

Well, the end of the year came and went and I survived Kuwait and all of the American stereotypes, fears and propaganda that had been whispered in my ear before I left the states.  I had an amazing year filled with adventure, education, new encounters, and travel.  A lot of very rewarding work filled my days and gave me valuable lessons and experiences that will benefit me in my future endeavors. I worked along side coworkers that valued me as a person and were grateful for my knowledge of the English language and the position I held.  I worked with people and children that wanted what I had to offer and knew how to show their appreciation with love and respect.  I was asked to head up the Math Bowl Competition because they had faith that I would give it all I had and make it a success.  I was put on a committee with a team of leaders that worked tirelessly on accreditation. I was a part of the graduation committee that planned and organized an amazing 5th grade graduation ceremony.  I was asked to join the events planning committee.  I was even asked to lend my vocalistic style to an International Day event where I sang a solo in front of the school.  I was interviewed twice about why I like Kuwait and what I was doing there.  I was thanked time and time again by parents for the great job they thought I was doing. I was missed when I was out sick or on leave.  My birthday wasn't forgotten in the mad rush of daily life and on top of all of this, I was asked to return next year with a raise among other great benefits.  My answer was a resounding YES I will return as I accepted their offer with a roundtrip plane ticket to the states for summer vacation and a very nice summer vacation check.

In and Out

Well readers, I have been her for a little over 7 months and I have absolutely NO complaints.  Anything that I could have complained about I have gotten use to and is no longer and issue for me.  The one thing that I continually tell myself is that I am here in Kuwait for a specific purpose and nothing or no one except the Lord will deter me from that purpose.  Friends made have come and gone but the True friends that were suppose to remain, the ones that I have made have been with me and me with them for this entire ride. This includes friends back home in the States.  I am not saying that there was any type of battle or misunderstandings, I am simply saying that some people come into your life for a season and once that season has ended, sometimes so do the friendships. This is a lesson I learned long ago so I am not surprised, hurt or disappointed.  I pray that all of them past and present continue to thrive and be blessed. As for me, I am still very happy with my life and all who remain in it.  So now on to the more interesting stuff.  I haven't been blogging because I am living a very busy life of teaching, shopping, camping, traveling, lesson planning and eating in no particular order.
If I didn't mention it in my early posts, I teach a grade of 5th grade boys.  They are everything one would expect them to be at this age; rambunctious, mischievous and oh my word can they talk!  I actually think they are more talkative that any girl I've ever met.  But I love them all just as I would any other child that has been entrusted in my care.  I am a part of the Events Planning Committee and it keeps me busy with the yearly events to be carried out throughout the year.  The first set of photos you will see is a few of my boys celebrating International Day.  I chose to represent Jamaica.  I even taught them a song.  Another event we hosted was Book Week in Kuwait.  We were Snow White and the Seven (16) Dwarfs.  We then had National Day in Kuwait where my boys discussed buildings located in Kuwait and their architectural styles as well as the designers.  They were amazing! We've had a spelling bee and a clean Kuwait Day.  As I stated before, I've been a busy bee no pun intended I really have been. I sat as a bee judge.
When I am not judging Spelling Bees, encouraging my 5th graders to talk about architecture or dressing up as Snow White then I am shopping or eating out with my wonderful friends that started this journey with me.  We all teach at different schools but manage to hang out at least 2 to 3 times a month.  We have held each other up in time of crisis, given advice, talked on another off of ledges, and basically provided loving moral and spiritual and sometimes physical support.  I am a strong woman but I don't know what I would have done without some of them during my grandmother's passing (we'll get to that in another post).  Love you ladies to the moon and back.  The pictures will show McKeeta (Mamakeeta), Octavia (Lady), Pauline (Leenie), Samantha (Sam), Minnette, and Katrice.  We all stated this together back in the US.  I have also added a few pictures of my other desert family members that I have met along the way.  Noreen, Rasha, Zanib, Safaa, and a few others I've gotten close to.  It's all about holding one another up in good times and bad.  With this experience, you are either in or out.