I've been SLACK with my blog, I know. I've been either busy or tired and I stopped writing but I'm back! This is my attempt at getting you all caught up.
November:
Since two months ago (SMH) I visited Cairo, Egypt. It was crazy to see THE PYRAMIDS in person. I also went to a famous market, had a boat ride (not a fancy cruise) on the River Nile, and visited a museum. Had I planned better, I would have booked a flight to Luxor to visit Valley of the Kings, but Cairo for three days was perfect. I ate a lot so my binge eating began there and lasted from Thanksgiving (a Friendsgiving with strangers) through my 28th Birthday and until New Years Eve.
December:
At my school, students are given exams starting at grade 4 and upwards. I had to give my students an English exam and mark (grade) them with the other teachers in a Round Robin type of situation. I understand the pros of letting others grade my kids but there are also cons. For example, I know what my kids are trying to say when they write, but another teacher may not and as a result, mark their answer wrong. I just coped with it and kept it moving. I have learned to accept the UAE way and not challenge it.
The kids knew that my Birthday was on Sunday, December 5th because I kept dropping hints. I went to my bad class (they are lowkey my favorite) and I taught them like normal. They are loud and just busy bodies. A student, I've nicknamed her 'Banana', said that she forgot it was my Birthday and would bring me a gift tomorrow. I said okay and kept teaching. Literally, like 10 minutes later, the staff from downstairs comes carrying a cake and balloons. Banana's mother is behind the staff in her abaya (so, I'm intimidated). She hugs me and I cry. The kids start singing to me. I'm a mess. Eyeliner is gone at this point. The mother says that she loves me and all this stuff and leaves. I cut the cake for the kids and we eat. As I'm cleaning up, another knock comes at the door and it's the school staff again with a Pointsetta in a purple flower pot. A student and her mother had that delivered. I had never been treated like that on my Birthday! I also got a rose and some candy. That was a great day!
Two weeks later, I took off to Thailand with some girlfriends. We went to Bangkok, Chaing Mai, Koh Samui, Phukhet, and ended our trip in Bali (Ubud and Seminyak). I caught so many flights during this trip alone that I was OVER the airport! I really enjoyed Bangkok. I played with elephants, lemurs, and a sedated tiger. I zipped lined through trees. I ate AMAZING street food that was prepared with no gloves and it was great! I ate the world's share of banana chips and fresh fruit. I visited temples and floating markets. I saw LadyBoys perform (like a drag show). I saw a ping pong show (women put the ping pongs in there ___ and toss them at you)! Bali was beautiful. It was more chill than Thailand. I para sailed, played with monkeys, biked around an active volcano, and saw many rice fields. I was overjoyed to be back in Dubai because 16 days with a group of women is TOO MUCH. NEVER AGAIN. I have learned my limits. I value my sanity. Everything isn't for everyone.
I was invited to the Dubai Marina to celebrate New Years. We had dinner and then went to a party a few floors up. It was nice. Some random guy kissed me. This seems to be a pattern in Dubai.
January:
New Year, New Me...Forreal. So basically, I lost 5kg, 10 lbs, since returning from Thailand. I just hopped back on MYFitnessPal and started measuring my caloric intake again. I am in two weight loss challenges (one with my sister, and one with teachers here). I have joined Fitness First, a segregated gym-men to the left and women to the right. Both men and women work the desk so its a contradiction to me. I love the gym! It's like a Gold's for women...I miss working out with men though. The crossfit in Dubai didn't workout, but I like where I am. My membership is for 6 months so I am about to be SNATCHED and back to my weight at arrival (125lbs). I'm claiming it! I will be running my second 10K at the end of the month. Its a ladies glow run! Up next is the Dubai Desert Race in March.
Up Next!
February...Singles Awareness Month is upon us! Valentine's Day is not a big deal here...it's not really celebrated BUT, I'm going to spoil myself like I always do! I LOVE ME SOME ME :). I will actually be saving money for the Spring Break (mid-year break) trip. I'll talk about that destination soon.
Peace and Blessings!
November:
Since two months ago (SMH) I visited Cairo, Egypt. It was crazy to see THE PYRAMIDS in person. I also went to a famous market, had a boat ride (not a fancy cruise) on the River Nile, and visited a museum. Had I planned better, I would have booked a flight to Luxor to visit Valley of the Kings, but Cairo for three days was perfect. I ate a lot so my binge eating began there and lasted from Thanksgiving (a Friendsgiving with strangers) through my 28th Birthday and until New Years Eve.
December:
At my school, students are given exams starting at grade 4 and upwards. I had to give my students an English exam and mark (grade) them with the other teachers in a Round Robin type of situation. I understand the pros of letting others grade my kids but there are also cons. For example, I know what my kids are trying to say when they write, but another teacher may not and as a result, mark their answer wrong. I just coped with it and kept it moving. I have learned to accept the UAE way and not challenge it.
The kids knew that my Birthday was on Sunday, December 5th because I kept dropping hints. I went to my bad class (they are lowkey my favorite) and I taught them like normal. They are loud and just busy bodies. A student, I've nicknamed her 'Banana', said that she forgot it was my Birthday and would bring me a gift tomorrow. I said okay and kept teaching. Literally, like 10 minutes later, the staff from downstairs comes carrying a cake and balloons. Banana's mother is behind the staff in her abaya (so, I'm intimidated). She hugs me and I cry. The kids start singing to me. I'm a mess. Eyeliner is gone at this point. The mother says that she loves me and all this stuff and leaves. I cut the cake for the kids and we eat. As I'm cleaning up, another knock comes at the door and it's the school staff again with a Pointsetta in a purple flower pot. A student and her mother had that delivered. I had never been treated like that on my Birthday! I also got a rose and some candy. That was a great day!
Two weeks later, I took off to Thailand with some girlfriends. We went to Bangkok, Chaing Mai, Koh Samui, Phukhet, and ended our trip in Bali (Ubud and Seminyak). I caught so many flights during this trip alone that I was OVER the airport! I really enjoyed Bangkok. I played with elephants, lemurs, and a sedated tiger. I zipped lined through trees. I ate AMAZING street food that was prepared with no gloves and it was great! I ate the world's share of banana chips and fresh fruit. I visited temples and floating markets. I saw LadyBoys perform (like a drag show). I saw a ping pong show (women put the ping pongs in there ___ and toss them at you)! Bali was beautiful. It was more chill than Thailand. I para sailed, played with monkeys, biked around an active volcano, and saw many rice fields. I was overjoyed to be back in Dubai because 16 days with a group of women is TOO MUCH. NEVER AGAIN. I have learned my limits. I value my sanity. Everything isn't for everyone.
I was invited to the Dubai Marina to celebrate New Years. We had dinner and then went to a party a few floors up. It was nice. Some random guy kissed me. This seems to be a pattern in Dubai.
January:
New Year, New Me...Forreal. So basically, I lost 5kg, 10 lbs, since returning from Thailand. I just hopped back on MYFitnessPal and started measuring my caloric intake again. I am in two weight loss challenges (one with my sister, and one with teachers here). I have joined Fitness First, a segregated gym-men to the left and women to the right. Both men and women work the desk so its a contradiction to me. I love the gym! It's like a Gold's for women...I miss working out with men though. The crossfit in Dubai didn't workout, but I like where I am. My membership is for 6 months so I am about to be SNATCHED and back to my weight at arrival (125lbs). I'm claiming it! I will be running my second 10K at the end of the month. Its a ladies glow run! Up next is the Dubai Desert Race in March.
Up Next!
February...Singles Awareness Month is upon us! Valentine's Day is not a big deal here...it's not really celebrated BUT, I'm going to spoil myself like I always do! I LOVE ME SOME ME :). I will actually be saving money for the Spring Break (mid-year break) trip. I'll talk about that destination soon.
Peace and Blessings!
