Happy Earth Day!

From a Distance our world looks blue and green!

April 22 has become synonymous with Earth Day. A movement that began in 1970 in the United States and then reignited in 1990, is now celebrated world-wide with a focus on the environment.

At school this week I was challenged to find a way to influence and teach the students in my classes about the importance of our natural environment.  In science we have already studied animals and their habitats and energy. For the next two months we are looking beyond the Earth to our solar system.

Earth Day reminds us that we have only one planet in our solar system that can sustain life. If we don't take care of its air, water and soil, all life could cease to exist. It is as simple as that.

As the children worked on their green and blue (and purple and white) earths, I put the song, From a Distance by Bette Midler on the computer.  A favourite of mine in the 1980s, its message creates hope in my heart. I hope you enjoy it, even for one more round.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN4AcFzxtdE

Today the children and teachers at the school are wearing blue and green to celebrate Earth Day, 2015. May your Earth Day be filled with hope and love!

Until next time,


Bee Rich

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words...

I have spent some time this weekend questioning whether or not I am in the right place right now.

I remembered a quotation I heard many years ago, which stated, Bloom Where You are Planted. These simple five words carried me through when I was a young mother living in an isolated neighbourhood. It was shortly after our second child was born. With two children in diapers I was sad, lonely, without a vehicle, and longing for adult companionship. One of my friends gave me a poster with this beautiful message.

Today I looked for images that reflect the sentiment and found the one you see here. This picture touches me on many levels.

The spring flower is the kind that grows wildly around our home in Canada during the summer months. It is also the type of flower that I wore in my hair and carried in my bouquet at our wedding. The weathered board reminds me of our dock beside the lake and the decks that my husband built near our home.

The flower itself growing and thriving despite a not-so-sunny spot and actually persevering through the crack in the board represents resilience and determination.

The flower reminds me also of a book by Dr. Seuss, Daisy Head the Maizie, one that I read to my students every year. It that particular story a daisy grows out of a young girl who is a student in a school, creating  quite a kerfuffle in the school and community.  I use this book to teach children about the importance of accepting differences in others.

Despite a trying and stressful first week back after the Spring Break, I have discovered so many people here who genuinely care. I cannot thank everyone enough for being so thoughtful, understanding, empathetic and kind.

So,  I continue to bloom where I am planted, without regret, apology or negativity,  despite any pitfalls or disappointments that are bound to create doubt in my heart and mind.

Until next time,

Bee Rich

My newest wall creation

Five Days in Awesome Oman!

 I was very fortunate to be able to travel to Oman last week to visit a dear friend from our days in India.  Justine, a French teacher extraordinaire, allowed me to stay are her apartment, fed me a with her fine cooking and introduced me to her new country, her school, her friends and some of her family. All in all, it was a delightful time! These few pictures are highlights. Above you will see the view of an evening stroll along the shore of the Arabian Sea in Muscat.

My host, Justine, although probably exhausted from a recent trip to India, was the perfect person with whom to spend time!  We reminisced about India and compared the Middle East to the sub Asian country. Although the climate is somewhat similar, there are many differences!

The flowers were blooming with colourful beauty around well tended, beautiful homes.

The beaches were clean and calming, allowing for a day of rest and relaxation, not to mention a slight sunburn! The sea was the perfect temperature in which to swim and a combination of the salt water and the gentle waves provided a setting for peaceful meditation.

Trees along the edge of the beach were well tended and bursting in to springtime blooms.

 This table at a beach side rest area had my son's initials engraved.  But I don't believe he carved them! It served as a reminder of my family in Canada.

This beautiful chandelier is in the lobby of Justine's apartment building, providing a classical touch of gold and light on those who enter the building, a former school, converted in to apartments for the staff and her school

Flowers abounded in the gardens surrounding the school; another sure sign of Spring!

This lovely lady, Linda, is Justine's aunt who provided transportation to and from the airport and a wonderful Thursday afternoon jaunt to the souk in Muscat.  We enjoyed each other's company and shared past  international teaching experiences.

Beautiful pottery, too big to purchase and ship home, captured my attention. I love the colours and designs.

 
A sculpture at the edge of the market reminded my of my daughter, who loves dolphins.

On Friday, we travelled to a Wadi to hike and swim with Justine's friend, Matt and her aunt and uncle. It was a glorious day!

At first glance I was disappointed that there was no swimming. It was a hot day and we had worn our swimming suits.

However, not too far from the sign we saw people enjoying the beautiful waters.  Although tough on the feet, we managed to pursue the trek and enjoyed the water ourselves.

Later, we stopped for a picnic and a swim in the sea.  Again, the water was luxurious!

After our swim we went to a dam with a park surrounding.  It was time for tea!

As the sun went down, the lights came on with the mountains in the background. 

If you are looking for a fine place to relax, meet wonderfully nice people and learn about the Middle East, Oman is a lovely place to go. I will be forever grateful to Justine and her aunt and uncle for their hospitality.  And, I hope to return another year.


Until next time,


Bee Rich

Thinking of My Parents' First Child today (and most days!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!

Today I am thinking about my eldest sister,  Lynne Ellen, whose birthday is today. To me it is amazing that the birthdates of the members of my family of origin are firmly embedded in my memory. But more importantly, the memories of my life are filled with pleasant and the not-so-pleasant life experiences where my sister was there:

• I am sure our family's menagerie of pets was a direct result of my big sister's love of animals. Their were cats and dogs, ponies and mice, hamsters and guinea pigs, just to name a few
• I know that my love of pop music came from my sister's teenage years and her subscriptions to 16 Magazine, tickets to the Rolling Stones and obsession with the Beatles
• From my sister I learned that going to the lavatory in a restaurant was a pleasant respite from arguments at the table
• I looked forward to having my sister as the babysitter when my parents were out and about on weekend afternoons
• I realized from my sister that one day, age age 16, I would likely learned to drive, and in fact, I learned to drive a standard vehicle under her supervision at the wheel of a 1968 VW beetle
• My sister paved the way as the first child in our family; and I am sure my parents were more lenient with me and my younger siblings than with her and my older brother
• My sister trained to be a nurse in the late 60s and worked the midnight shift for many, many years before moving on to another career; she showed me that it was okay to change jobs during middle life
• In the 70s my sister decided to move away from our town, applied for and earned a job in Florida, and then packed up her car and drove there herself, showing me that adventure and risk taking is what life is about
• In 1979, my sister was my maid of honour at our wedding, and travelled up from Florida to be there for my big day
• 1982 my sister came to New York State to honour our father's life and then, again in 2012 she grieved with my younger sister, aunt and cousins over the death of our mother
• When our first born son arrived, my sister and grandmother created a beautiful baby blanket embroidered with Raggedy Ann and Raggedly Andy, which was passed on to my son when his children were born

I could go on and on and on. We don't stay in touch as often as we could. We don't see one another as much as I would like. We stopped sending Christmas gifts I am not sure how long ago. However, I am truly thankful for that sister, who will always be an inspiration and loving force in our family.

Until next time,

Bee Rich

Looking Forward

Going to Visit this Lady Soon!

Harness the power of today. Seize the blessings of today! Make something happen, enhance your life, make someone laugh, help a friend, love, love. love!

-Steve Maraboli

  Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

So here is a book I would like to read. I wrote the title for this post, which got me thinking about the importance of living in the present, and consequently led me to research an inspirational quote. 

Today was a good day. Easter morning. The sun rose here in the Middle East hot and hazy. It is not a holiday here in Kuwait; however, I am on holidays for the Spring break. I bought some sweets at the sweet shop and delivered them to the security guards at school, then spent some time in my classroom. 

I just got off the computer using Skype to talk to my husband, who is now back in Canada and preparing an Easter dinner for his brothers and sisters. As he was telling me about the menu and the progress of the meal preparation, I thought I smelled freshly baked bread!  It was almost as if the buns in the oven in Maberly Ontario, were calling me home!

I opted to stay in Kuwait for the first few days of the holiday in order to tidy my classroom and prepare for the final semester of the school year. Almost everything is ready now and I am now looking forward to the rest of the holiday.

Justine, a friend and colleague from India, is now working in Oman and has invited me to visit her there. I have heard only positive information about the capital city, Muscat, and the rest of the country. So, just as I travelled from India to Kuwait two years ago, I am travelling from Kuwait to Oman tomorrow morning.  How exciting!

I am looking forward to seeing Justine, learning about her school and touring with a friend of another friend, who happens to be a driver there. It will be an adventure, I am sure. The temperature there has been much warmer than here, and I hope to acclimatize for the upcoming hot temperatures in Kuwait which are predicted for the end of April and May. 

The Flag of Oman

 Wishing you health and love, until next time, 

Bee Rich

Wishing You Well at Easter and Beyond...

New Growth in the Date Palm

As well as being ecstatic that Spring Break is here at last, I am pretty excited about a new program that may be being implemented at our school next year. I attended an information session a few weeks ago about "Conscious Discipline". One of our staff members had just returned from a conference in Florida and shared her passion for the program' philosophy.  Always willing to learn about new strategies for working with children, I was impressed by its simplicity and common sense approach.

Conscious Discipline is based on studies of brain states and helps teachers and children to become aware of their emotions when dealing with problems. There are seven core capacities which are developed in the individual and emphasized. I believe these might be key components to any human relationship, thus its relevance. These parts of the program are taught within the concept of a school family:

• composure
• assertiveness
• encouragement
• choices
• empathy
• positive intent
• consequences

This is just the beginning of a new way of looking at teaching and I am thankful that I have had this brief introduction, even if it is late in my teaching career. 

One of the behaviours that teachers adopt is the concept of wishing others well. For example, when a child is absent from class, the teacher and students take a moment to wish that child well. 

At this time of the year, when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, I would like to wish you well and a Happy Easter. 

Until next time, 

Bee Rich

PS  I took a walk this morning, Good Friday, along the pathway close to our apartment. At 6 a.m. it was pretty quiet, except for the obvious bursting forth of Spring.  

Looking down the walking path

Looking up the walking path

Hollyhocks right outside the apartment building

More hollyhocks

Flowers by the highway

Flowers along the walking path

Spring is here!

Close ups of Spring flowers

How I love thee, Fridays!

To me, Friday is the perfect day in Kuwait. Not only is it the Islamic holy day, it is a day off from school, the promise of hope for the weekend, and the day I go to Avenues with my good friend and shopping guru, Em Kat!

We meet at 9 or 9: 30 a.m., hail a taxi and head to the Grand Avenues, which is the closest entrance to the I-HOP- yes, there is an International House of Pancakes in Kuwait. For months we have kept to the same routine, but suddenly last week Em says, "Let's go to Tim's."

Starbucks VS

  

Timmy's-  Where would you go?

So, sure enough, we went to the only Tim Horton's coffee shop at the Avenues (I believe there may be at least 12 Starbucks). I enjoyed their breakfast sandwich made with a white egg, cheese, lettuce and tomato all on a toasted multigrain bagel, much lighter fare than the I-HOP spinach omelet.

Picture of a BIG Mall!

This morning we sat "outside" looking over the mall, eating our sandwiches, drinking our tea and coffee, and watching the people. Talk about an international scene. But at the heart of it was that lovely first and second cup of Canadian Timmy's...without a line up, wait time,or drive through. Pure R and R, interesting conversation and the companionship of a sweet friend.

Later we shop for a few items, more after a payday, always looking for sale items. Suddenly a text comes in on Em's phone and we are invited back to Tim's for meeting and greeting mutual friends; Linds and Phil and their two darling daughters are enjoying a late breakfast. We chit chat, sharing highlights of our week, and then we are off to walk and complete our shopping trip, maybe bumping in to other people, especially on those crowded mornings.

The morning turns in to an early afternoon and before heading back to our apartments, we stop for a taste of my newest addiction- Pinkberry. You get a lovely bowl of flavoured frozen yogurt (with as many as four toppings if you are so inclined) and another great place to people watch, as it is at one of the main entrances to the mall, close to IKEA.

Delicioso!

It is never a problem to get another cab for the trip back to Hawally, and for a few KD, it is well worth the trip.

Back at the apartment I will now spend the rest of the afternoon reading, writing, marking school work, cooking for the upcoming week, watching a good movie, and/or surfing the Internet.

I still miss my husband and family in Canada; however I am very thankful for this Kuwait family!

Fridays are lovely!

Until next time,

Bee Rich

IKEA Kitchen- a girl can dream can't she?!