Where Did January Go?

The title says it all!  Where did the past month go? It is nearing the end of January. The weather prediction several weeks ago announced that winds from the north would be bringing cold temperatures, especially in the early morning hours. And the prediction was correct. I have had to bundle up on my walks to school over the past several weeks. One morning it was so cold that I wore my Canadian hat.

Chilly Day!

Bundle Up!

Agreed, 9 degrees Celsius is not that cold, but when the country is used to well over 40 in the spring and fall, and 50 in the summer, 9 does seem a little chilly, especially when there is a strong north wind.

The good news is that as we approach the end of the month, yesterday's sandstorm in the early hours blew in warming temperatures,  Today the high was a balmy 18 C. I had to remove my jacket on the way home from school. 

After School Program

 The weather is not the only good news here. The blues hit me hard after the Winter Break in Canada and the US. I was looking ahead to the realization that I would be away from my husband for the next five month and a half months, and the prospect frightened me. I sought advice from several friends and professionals, and then made a plan.

The first was that I offered to work after school two days a week, assisting children with their literacy skills. The three boys and a girl have been delightfully attentive and eager to learn. I look forward to the Sunday and Wednesday hours. 

Shades of Grey- to match the weather

The second step was to take better care of myself. Wednesday was pay day so I took some time out on Friday this past week for a mini-spa day. After several hours of pampering, my smile was genuine and my soul rejuvenated.

This is the only girl who dressed like me on Dress like a Teacher Day- but she nailed it!

Dress down days are a double-edged sword at our school. The children are excited and really make an extra effort to develop the theme for the day. On Dress Like a Teacher Day, many of the girls dressed like our fashionable Library Teacher, while the boys chose either PE (complete with blowing whistles) or the Islamic teacher. I was lucky that one of my darlings, did consider me as her favourite teacher, if only for a day!

A New Circle of Acquaintances

The weekend passed quickly, but I looked forward to an evening with InterNations, a group of ex-pats in Kuwait from many different countries. I believe there were over 200 people from 60 countries represented at the dinner and social event. This is a world wide network of people, and I was impressed with the level of organization. The people attending were not only from various countries, but from all different walks of life. It was an educational and eye-opening experience, and I look forward to future events.

I look forward to 2017. Despite the tumultuous times, I choose to remain optimistic, to stretch, and to grow, through good times and not-so-good times. I found this little quote on Instagram one morning. It spoke volumes to me and has helped me to focus on what is important for becoming better.

2017 will be a better chapter for you if you:

• think positively
• let go of past mistakes
• make new friends
• stay away from toxic people
• use your talents
• don't hold back
• do good deeds
• speak up for yourself 
• know your worth

A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside. -Denis Waitley

Until next time, 

Bee Rich

I will Bee Rich! YES

It's 2017!

Hello There!

It is 7:35 p.m. Kuwait time on January 7, 2017

A month ago I wrote that December was here and so was hubby. Today, December is gone, and so is hubby. Yes. In what seems like an eye blink, January is here, Since the last post, I have been to Canada, visited with our daughter in North Dakota, spent time at home with our son and grandchildren in Ontario, and renewed old acquaintances with friends and families.

Christmas cards were written and read, sent and received, each one representing a continuing relationship from our past. In case you missed it,

Dear Family and Friends- 
It is Christmas Day! 
Clarke and I are resting in Winnipeg today and tomorrow, due to weather forecast of blizzard in Winnipeg and ice rain in Ottawa.
This has given us the opportunity to write to you an update about our year 2016.  
We are aging! Barb turned 60 in February and Clarke 65 in September, the golden age of retirement for him; not so much for Barb. 
For the past three years Barb has taught at a Bilingual School in Kuwait. While not ideal, the job has enabled us to travel a bit more, while continuing to save for our future. Clarke visits Kuwait when it suits him- first year- 4 months, second year- 2 months, and this past year he came for the month before Christmas break. The rest of the fall, spring, and summer months he keeps busy around the neighbourhood, helping friends and neighbours with various projects, and fishing in Little Silver Lake. 
In the summer months we enjoyed living, fishing, swimming, and boating on the lake, as well as socializing with family, friends, and neighbours. 
Our children are grown up! It's fun to get together when we can with Nathan and his two children, MacArthur and Everly, who now live in Cambridge,  and with Sara who is studying for a second Masters degree in North Dakota. 
At this time of the year, we stop and count our blessings, including family, friends, and the joy of the Christmas season which celebrates the humble birth of Jesus. 
We want to share our joy with you this year by wishing you the merriest of Christmases, and the happiest of The New Year 2017. 
With love, 
Barb and Clarke 

When we did not have a written address we sent greetings to our email list. And then there are Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, WhatsApp, and Instagram, which represent a population of cyberspace people.

It seems to me that the older I get, the less I anticipate the festive season, yet the more I appreciate the special time with family and friends.

Grandchildren at Upper Canada Village Night Alight

Unique Gift from daughter- see North Dakota, Ontario, Kuwait?

Yes it is Winter in Canada!

 

New Year's Eve Visitor

Now, fast forward almost one week to January 13.

Yes, believe it or not this is my third attempt at writing this blog. I am reminded of my friends Em and Lindsay, who several years ago encouraged me to start writing as a way to communicate with loved ones at home. The Pearl Curriculum and This is It are two of my favourite reads. I believe we all go through phases of writing or non-writing.

Recently I remarked to a friend that blogging was a form of therapy for me. The act of writing down thoughts, ideas, events, and feelings is an act of consolidation that brings about peace of mind. The process of rereading, editing, and finally publishing teaches me what is and is not important to share.

Whether or not I write is dependent on a number of factors, including mood, time available, the number of pictures I have to share, and whether or not the cat is awake and on my computer.

Today, my mood is good, I have time to spare, and I am determined to publish before going to bed, I have many pictures on my phone, and am now trying to move them to the computer so I can share them. (Mission accomplished!)

Three things I have learned over the past month.

1. Remember, but do not dwell on the past. It was what it was.
2. Breathe and enjoy the now. It is what it is. 
3. Anticipate, but don't be anxious about the future. What will be will be.

We also had the opportunity to visit with friends in Brockville and Clarke's sister in Cardinal. What a surprise when we met their cat...and noticed the similarities with my Kuwait cat. Perhaps one day they will meet!

Penney's Cat in Canada

My Kuwait Cat

On New Year's Eve, former neighbours, and good friends, came up to help us ring in the new year. We ate a lovely lamb dinner, talked about our experiences from the last time we had been together, and then everyone crept to bed- almost all of us (except me!) before the magic midnight hour. 

Gathering in the Kitchen to Celebrate the end of 2016

By January 1 it was time to return to Kuwait, to the reality of the rest of the school year. This will be a first for me. My husband will not be coming back to Kuwait. The next time I will see him in person is in mid-June. I am asking myself, how will I cope? 

Time will tell. In the meantime, I am back to teaching, tutoring, swimming, and playing with the cat. Let us see what else 2017 has in store!

Several of the 22 Little People in my Life these Days

Until next time, 

Bee Rich

Hubby's Here, and so is December!

It is rather exciting that just over two weeks ago, my husband arrived in Kuwait from Canada. With him came the much anticipated jar of Kraft peanut butter and a big can of President's Choice West Coast Dark Roast Gourmet Coffee (so much for giving up peanuts and caffeine!).

Anticipation is one of the most glorious of feelings...the anticipation of the arrival of people, certain events, holidays, and other positive experiences often makes my heart sing. Fa la la la la! I am learning to accept such opportunities with gratitude.

It is not anything extraordinary that makes me smile. In fact, even the most mundane of tasks can be joyful when completed with someone you love. Some examples include cooking, washing and drying dishes, and making the bed in the morning.

Our days are simple, yet busy. Awake at 4 am, making the first French press pot of coffee, sipping that first taste of the dark warm fluid, walking to work, meeting up after work, preparing a simple meal, playing with the cat, watching the BBC or French news, and reading in bed, are just a few of the precious moments that occur on any given day.

For me, teaching on a regular basis is also heartwarming. I come home with some stories to share about children, colleagues, meetings, and sometimes even surprises. I had a whole string of positive messages from children and children's parents after the last round of report cards and parent teacher conferences. When problems arise, which often occurs, I feel stronger to face them knowing that I have an friend at home to on which to bounce ideas off.

All this to say that I am absolutely thrilled to be spending the next month in the company of family. Talk about anticipation. At school the countdown is on. A mere eight days of classes (plus another set of report cards!), and then we will be heading to our home in Canada. Shortly after that we will wing our way to North Dakota to spend Christmas with our daughter and her boyfriend.

On Boxing Day we will return home to await the arrival of our son and grandchildren for a couple of days.

But then, all good things must come to an end. January will see me back in Kuwait for the second semester of school. From January through June, it looks like I will be on my own again, teaching during the day, and hopefully swimming and walking and doing those things that I have not had the opportunity to do since the broken rib incident.

I have determined to enjoy each moment, to treasure the memories made, and to not obsess about the future. What will be will be. Life is good!

Until next time,

Bee Rich

PS  It is rainy season in Kuwait. Thunder and lightning and downpours remind us of a warm Canadian autumn.

And suddenly, it's November

November! Dreaded month in Canada. I remember years ago reading this little poem- revealing the dreariness of the eleventh month of the year.

Living in Kuwait, the month also marks changes,but different ones. There is still plenty of sunshine, barely any rain, many warm days (highs are now in the low 30 degrees C, or between 86-95 F), and definitely no SNOW, And yet, there is a perceptive change in the temperature, wind speed, and length of days.

My focus on the weather occurred a couple of weeks ago while I spent three days at home from work. I watched an abundance of BBC weather reports, checked the Weather Network on my phone, and looked out the window with the cat.

Cat LOVE

In fact, the temperatures have moderated to the point where the air conditioning is not required and the screenless windows can be open. This created one comic moment when an insect came into the flat, much to the delight of the cat. In the light of the television I laughed as said cat went through her hunting postures. I am thinking that the insect escaped out the window, but you never know.

A Shot of October from Canada!

A lot of other events have occurred since the last time I wrote, and I am documenting them here, in  no particular order:

• Report card writing, editing, publishing, and distribution to 22 children
• My first facial at a local spa
• Parent Teacher Conferences with 19 sets of parents- three more next week
• Tutoring, first one, then two, and now three students from grades 4 and 5 up to 6 hours per week
• My first shopping trip for groceries on the bus with  Kathy and MaryBeth, followed by dinner at McDonalds
• A trip to Avenues mall to meet Emily for breakfast at Tim Hortons, followed by some retail therapy
• A walk to the local IHOP at 5 in the morning on the day after the US election, eating a delicious omelette- only to realize that I had left me wallet in the apartment- double the distance! 
• Cutting way back on coffee consumption- headache time
• Attending the 40th birthday party of a colleague who looks 25
• The American election coverage on BBC
• The daily gab with my husband on Skype
• The anticipation of his arrival in Kuwait for the month before Christmas
• An assortment of pictures from the month that was--> 

• 

  Student of the Month- Just One of the 22 

  
  

  

  School Murals showing traditional Kuwaiti dress

  
  

  

  Just one of ten of my thegluekw originals

  
  

  

  Walking to Work

  
  

  

  Newspaper on the morning after the election

  
  

  

  Ronald and Friends

  
  
  
  An artist's impression of the addition at Avenues

Time to Catch a Breath!

True!

If only for a day, I chose to spend most of yesterday in a quiet way. It was a very busy week with teaching for 3.5 days and 1.5 days of Professional Development (PD), as well as the attempt to complete term marking and interim report cards, which go home in November.

After putting in several long days of reading and thinking, writing and editing, listening and processing, I hastened home to a quiet Thursday night. On the way, however, I tripped over an overturned man hole cover, which I notice during the day, but not so much at night. Consequently, I fell down, one foot, two hands on the sidewalk, and ended up facing the opposite direction, on my bottom.

Not a pretty sight. Usually in this situation I would bounce back up, look around to make sure no one was looking, and continue my journey. However the angle of the fall, or the sudden rising of the sidewalk, or the embarrassing final position, left me breathless and in a little pain.

As I took in several breaths to control the emotions and check the seriousness of the situation, a truck stopped and two strangers hopped out to help me up. I was grateful for this show of human kindness. Concerned, they hailed a taxi and I was driven home. In the car I texted my friend Kathy to let her know of the incident.

Thursday Night Trip- This is what caused a fall!  Gotta look down...

By the time I reached the flat, I was in a lot of pain and realized that I had hurt my chest. I did a quick lifeguard check and surmised that while no ribs were out of alignment, they were probably just bruised, I went on the Internet to see what was the best course of action.

Ice- rest- NSAIDs. Check-check-check. So yesterday was a day to "take care" and so I did.

So folks, the above was written almost a week ago and lots has transpired since. I did spend much of last weekend resting and icing and taking pain medication. On Sunday, I went back to work, exhausted, because despite resting, I did not sleep well, and it was very painful even trying to get out of bed.

So while at work, I decided that I had better take a day and get to the doctor. After school I had an x-ray and it was determined that my sixth rib on my right side was indeed fractured. Boo-hoo! Consequently, it meant that I could have taken three to five days off work, However, with pain medication the pain is like a "stitch" in my side, and rather than be in pain at home alone, I would rather be a work with the children....in pain nonetheless.

Sunday afternoon class picture selfie...

Tuesday Afternoon Staff Silly Picture

So I went back to work on Tuesday, determined to do my best, by following up on lessons, assessment, communication, and yard duty, And it wasn't too bad. On Thursday it was Mixed-up Dress Day...

Thursday Mixed up Dress Day...fun times

I can walk, but not run or skip or hop or jump or dance. I can sit but not for long. I can stand all day. Deep breathing exercises are recommended to avoid pneumonia. Shoulder blade pinches are also done to stretch out the muscles that may be damaged.

But I cannot go swimming! Egad!  All this year, until bronchitis hit, I was faithfully swimming lengths and feeling really great. Unfortunately now, I have to take a break from my favourite recreational form of exercise. Woe is me...

No to be discouraged, this weekend I am planning to walk a lot (but don't overdo it, was the advice from the doctor) without tripping or falling. Inshallah! I also have a couple of tutoring jobs lined up, need to tidy the apartment, shop for groceries, and complete a bit of school work.

Yes the weekend is looming ahead. That means, I must get off this computer and get moving. Wishing you all a happy Halloween Weekend!

Until next time,

Bee Rich

PS  October 31, 2016 is a significant day in my married life.  It was 40 years ago Halloween night that I met my future husband for the first time. And the rest is history!

Candlelight - Triumph over darkness
and a symbol of love, hope, peace, courage, 

My 365th Blog Post!

So a lot can happen in two weeks. Two weekends ago I was feeling better that I have felt in a very long time. I was swimming regularly, enjoying the occasional coffee out, and spending time with friends.

Swimming is Fun!

Drinking Lattes is Fun

And Sharpening a class set of coloured pencils is Fun...

Last weekend I spent Friday in bed with what I thought was a sinus headache. I missed a Thanksgiving dinner because I felt awful. I looked after myself and woke up Saturday feeling much better, ready to take on the day with a swim at the pool, a walk to the school, a day in the classroom, and an hour and a half of tutoring.

I thought I had fought a good fight in the battle for health. I felt sad that I had missed the Thanksgiving dinner and thought I would invite some of the neighbours in our building to my place for a potluck. An invitation was sent over WhatsApp, with favourable results, so I went ahead and planned a Monday night event.

On Sunday after school I went to the local grocery store and picked up supplies.Sunday night was spent preparing roast chicken, stuffing, and sweet potatoes.

By Monday morning, I was feeling ICK! Rather than cancel the dinner, I thought, full steam ahead and came home after school to tidy up the apartment and complete that dinner preparations.

It was a lovely time, No less than eight friends ventured in with various eats and treats and we spend a lovely evening together, simply celebrating the Canadian Thanksgiving. It was great to get together. By 8 everyone had left, and by 10 the dishes were done, food put away, and apartment tidied.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving from Kuwait!

Somewhere around Tuesday I was beginning to feel unwell. So unwell, that I did not go swimming, barely made it to school, but carried on, because that is what teachers do.

Then on Wednesday morning, it really hit me. During the first class, I raised my voice and started a coughing spell that wouldn't stop; in fact, I couldn't get my breath (wheeze, wheeze, wheeze) and asked a student to run and get the nurse. Meanwhile I went out to the hallway, still coughing and choking, when a colleague walked by, realized the situation, and took over this children.

I ran to the nurse's office, saying "I can't breathe."  It was a scary situation. Fortunately the nurses on staff are well trained and had the equipment to deal with my crisis. Needless to say it created quite a stir among the cleaning staff (whom I had run by) and the administration (whom were alerted). I was told to go home, go the the doctor, and take Thursday off.

Well at our school, you have to have a doctor's note to take either day surrounding the weekend off. My doctor diagnosed mile bronchitis, prescribed medications, but did not offer a sick note, nor did I remember to ask for one.

I returned home, determined to settle down, take my medications, and return to work on Thursday. And yes, although it was difficult, I did manage to make it through the day, teaching the boys and girls about kindness, caring, and encouragement.

Nebulizer Parts

R and R -

However, I learned a few very important lessons. If you are going to teach, you have to remain healthy. To remain healthy, you have to have down time. Finally, no one is going to thank you if you come to work sick, and you are going to create challenges for others.

So I have spent this weekend, locked up in my apartment, taking the prescribed medication, looking after myself, and starting planning for the week. I also watched two movies, read the rest of Jane Eyre, and focused on relaxing. Thankfully, I am breathing easy now!

Until next time,

Bee Rich

Friends, Family, and Fun Times

Thumbs up for Friends and Family!

About 212 days ago I started a daily Gratitude post on Facebook. My plan is to continue to give thanks for the big and little things in life for 365 days. This habit has made a difference in my life. Not only am I feeling more thankful in my heart and head, I am feeling better about life.

I recently found this acrostic poem on line. It describes one of the most precious relationships we can have in our lives- that of a true friend. I feel very fortunate because in my life I have made personal connections with several true friends.

But what is even more exciting is that some of these true friends are also part of my family. My husband, children, grandchildren, sisters, brother, cousins, second cousins, in-laws... I count as friends and an important part of my life. For them, I am grateful for their consistent care, communication, and encouragement

What I want to share with you today is a story about some very special friends that came into my life in September 2008. They reached out to my husband and me shortly after we landed in Egypt to begin our international teaching career. I will never ever forget that first formal phone call, "Hello Ms. Barbara; you and Mr. Clarke are cordially invited to the ELK Lodge for tea." And the rest is history.

ELK Lodge was the flat of Emily, Lindsay and Kelly- who had established their home sweet Canadian home away from home in Ma'adi, Cairo, Egypt. Fortunately, we accepted that invitation and many others that year, and it was lovely being called Mama and Papa Cairo.

Unfortunately, at the end of that school year, Emily left the school and the country to go to Vietnam. Fortunately, she never lost touch. An Internet guru, she was a master at blogging, Facebook-ing and emailing. She knows how to keep in touch with her friends!

We stayed on another year in Cairo, and spent some great times with Lindsay, and later Phil, to whom she was married in June of 2010. At that point, Clarke and I headed to another school in Saint Maarten, while Lindsay and Phil took jobs in Kuwait. Like her bff, Emily, Lindsay is a blogger, Facebook friend, e-mailer, and encourager from afar. We even received Christmas cards from Kuwait from both of them that Christmas.

In the summer of 2011 we hosted a reunion for the Egypt people, mainly because we missed our Cairo family so much. And sure enough, it was like we had never been apart. Lots of laughs and plenty of reminiscing was at hand.It was there that I learned that Emily was now also heading to Kuwait. How exciting.

Lindsay and Phil

  A year later Clarke and I were  teaching in Bangalore, India, and I flew to Kuwait for a catch up visit. One look at the school had me interested but it wasn't until 2015-16 that Lindsay and Emily encouraged me to apply for a vacancy at their school. Now in my third year at the same school, they are both teaching at a different international school in Kuwait. The best part is that we are still in touch and I frequently visit their living accommodations across town.

Lindsay and Phil and Nory

 I am proud of my adopted daughters. They are both bloggers, entrepreneurs, and social facilitators, who have made a huge difference in their community. I am thankful I remain part of their large "Kuwait family," It is indeed a privilege to spend time with the them and their families.Together, they celebrate successes, bear burdens, tell stories, and live life to the fullest. It is an honour to know and love them.

Nory and Emily and Lindsay and Jet

It is the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend (already!) here in Kuwait. I was invited to their residence for a community potluck dinner to celebrate the season, and even bought some American grown spuds for the occasion. After a busy week I woke up with a headache and upset stomach, and decided to stay put, so as not to pass around any germs. However, as I write, I can well imagine a gathering of wonderful people, sharing food, fun, laughter, care and kind words.

Lindsay and Emily- I look forward to your Thanksgiving blog posts!

Until next time, 

Bee Rich