I found a moment when the internet's on! I have to be an opportunist, and pretty persistant, to find a time when the internet in my flat actually works. Also, the water was out all of yesterday in my apartment block. But, it's finally Thursday. This week has gone pretty fast, and it's been rather … Continue reading So. This is a Different Culture.
Month: September 2012
Hi all, My apartment's internet has been out for a few days (it goes on and off, just like our electricity. It's usually on within a few hours, though.), which is the reason for the dearth of posts. I'm doing well, thinking a lot about...things. I'll update soon. Cheers, Rachel
IT'S SO COOL. Watching scribbles turn into symbols is one of the best, giddiest, most empowering experiences. First, it all looks like swish-curlycue-swish-dot-dot-swish-swish. Then you learn one letter and you suddenly see it everywhere. And then you learn more, and you realize that they link up just like cursive, and some of the letters look … Continue reading I’m Learning How to Read (again)
I love to celebrate. I'm mad for birthdays, holidays, the ends and beginnings of things. But it doesn't have to be a big occasion. I love celebrating the little things, like the end of the work week. Which here is on THURSDAY. All the staff at the school have been frustrated and put through the … Continue reading Little Celebrations
The perfect British remedy for a day of teaching Kurdish children. I really don't know why anyone would feel the need for liquor after a hard day's work. Hobnobs and English breakfast tea is just so damn comforting. Add a bootleg copy of X-Men and you've got yourself a party.
This job is NOT getting ANY easier. Some days just...decide to be better than others. But sure enough, my class's true colors come out eventually and then it's mayhem. My supervisors keep giving me vague advice about 10 minute lessons, enthusiasm, keeping calm, hang in there, plan your lessons thoroughly, plan, plan, plan. But what … Continue reading False Alarm
58 (bootleg) movies for 11 hizar. That's about $10.
If you've been following the international news recently, you know that there have been widespread protests against U.S. institutions in Muslim nations. These protests, often violent, are allegedly in response to an anti-Islam video posted on the internet by some idiot who seems to be the very embodiment of sketchiness. Although there have been protests … Continue reading Anti-Islam Video
If you talk to someone for long enough, their prejudices come out. Last night, some of us went out to dinner with some local friends. Although it's enjoyable, conversations with them are complicated. This is because: 1) They're mostly men. I have to be very careful what I talk about. I'm young, single, American, and … Continue reading Kurds vs Turks vs Arabs vs Jews
Man, I feel young here. It's unnerving how perceptions can flip so rapidly. This time last year, I felt like I'd completely outgrown Whitman. I knew the town, I knew the nooks and crannies of campus, I had my friend group which consisted mostly of graduates. I was pretty bored of Whitman. And now, here, … Continue reading Oh, You’re Just a BABY!
In Mutual Weirdness 