Currently August

It's now August and my end of summer is rapidly approaching.  What the heck happened to July?  I think I blinked and missed it because now it's time to join Farley for her Currently party.

Listening

The TV is off for once (so I could concentrate on my work) and most everyone is asleep.  This leaves no noises except the usual house noises (AC, ceiling fan) and the ever noisy fridge ice maker/water dispenser.

Loving

Right this moment I'm enjoying the peace and (mostly) quiet.  I like these late night moments when the baby is sleeping and I can relax and have my mommy time to do what I want to do.

Thinking

Monday is rapidly approaching and I will be very busy tomorrow.  Not only is Monday the HUGE TPT back to school sale but it is my daughter's first birthday.  She is growing up so fast.  I have things to do to get ready for her birthday but also things to do for the TPT sale.  I have a major product overhaul that is so so so close to being finished and ready to upload to the site.  This product is the whole reason why it's 2:50 am and I'm still awake.  Which I'll regret tomorrow when the baby wakes me up. ;)

Wanting

I'm wanting to savor those precious life moments.  I'm here in the States still getting in some nice time visiting my family (plus baby girl's birthday coming up) so it's reminding me to take time and just enjoy life.  

Needing

Sleep.  See Thinking for why.

BTS RAK

I must admit it took me a bit to figure out what RAK stands for...anyone else out there the same?  I'm starting a brand spanking new school this coming year.  As far as I know there are no staff mailboxes (so far that's a common trend over there).  My first week BTS will be a full week of professional development.  Ugh.  Because you know I'll be sitting there in meetings having a panic attack of all the things I could be getting done in my room if only I were allowed into my room. 

Anyway, I'm getting off topic.  I am thinking some kind of small note with a candy attached would be a nice idea - like "Have a sweet year."  I think I even have some little individually wrapped heart candies I can use stashed at home...

Well, I'm off to bed.  Stay tuned for a blog post with a tour of my new school coming up within the week.  If you're not following me through Bloglovin you should consider it so you don't miss a post. I am planning on a classroom tour post once I'm actually back in the country and can decorate my room.  That will not be until the end of August which is why you get a school tour to tide you over until then. It seems my late night too tired to sleep rambling has started.  I better go and turn off the computer!

Assess Me!

Today I'm linking up with The Tattooed Teacher for a fun assessment linky. I'm having fun learning some quirky things about my fellow bloggers. So here's mine...

Do I talk to myself?  

All the time! I was doing it today in a parking lot and a woman came up to me to ask directions (brave soul).  It took me a minute to pull myself from my crazy conversation to understand what she was asking.

Is your television on?

My TV is always on.  I usually like the background noise and work well that way but lately I'm finding it hard to concentrate and get things done.  This leads me to muting the TV a lot so I can get something accomplished - or I'll pause it if I'm using the Roku.

Do you have your wisdom teeth?

I don't.  I got all 4 pulled years ago and it was super duper painful. I remember the bottom ones were impacted so he actually broke them up to get them out.  When I got home and had some faculties I was in such pain that I thought my jaw had broken. It was not fun.  Not fun at all.

Do you wear glasses?

Yes, unfortunately (since Junior High).  I recently bought a new pair but hate wearing them.  I'm hoping after I get them adjusted tomorrow I'll like them better.

Do you live in the state you were born in?

I was born in South Dakota (I have such great memories of that state!).  Now I don't even live in the same country.  Small town girl turned world traveler.  :)

That's my assessment for the week!  Did I pass?  Head over to the Tattooed Teacher to take your test. Or to read some other assessments for a good time.  

Currently July

Hello July!  It took you long enough to get here.  I just wish you weren't so hot.  But now that you are here it means it's time for Currently with Farley.

Listening

To the sounds of my neighbors moving...oh the life of an expat!  Summertime and end of the school year means that what seems like thousands of teachers finish their 2 year contracts and head back home.  So every July it's crazy mass moving going on over here.  My neighbors have been making noises since yesterday.  That sound of metal dropping on tile noise?  I can so live without it.  Finish already!  My hubby and I are hoping praying are new neighbors are a bit more considerate and take their conversations out of the hallway where everything echoes.  Has the Middle East never heard of carpets?  Or sound proofing?

Loving

My trip back home to the States is in 4 days!  To say I've been homesick this year would be an understatement.  I finished my 2 year contract and extended it for a 3rd year (that was this year) so all year I was thinking "I'm supposed to be done and home now."  But when contract extensions came out I was pregnant and couldn't travel home anyway so I just said I'll do another year.  Then this year I signed up for another year again...there are so many good reasons to stay I just couldn't go home yet. As much as I miss my family.  And bacon.  And easy trips to grocery stores that carry my food that I love.

Back to Loving....

I am going to Vegas again this year. Which in itself is not exciting because I usually fly into Vegas every time I go home and my family and I have been many times.  The exciting part is that I'm going to be a part of the TpT Sellers Conference.  That has me beyond excited.  I'm working hard this year at building my store and this little blog.  Because I love it.  Because creating on the computer makes me happy.  When I finish a product (or sometimes while I'm still working on one) I'll just sit back and look at it and smile, proud of myself.  Please tell me I'm not alone here!

Thinking

I have tons to do before my trip!  I'm getting stressed out and my eczema is flaring up. Stress!  My to do lists have to do lists.  I can't even focus and wrap my head around all the things I want and should accomplish before I take off in 4 days.  I did get a few things done yesterday.  I bought some fruit purees for the plane for baby girl, ordered new glasses (hopefully ready on Monday), joined the world of smartphones (after 3 years of downgrading and not having one), and picked up my residency renewal visa from my employer.  At least the visa thing is crossed off my list.  Now I just need that pesky ID to be done...

Wanting

A relaxing vacation.  

This is something only other expats truly understand.  (Sorry guys but it's true).  Whenever you travel home, it's called a vacation but it's really not a vacation.  Since you might be home only once a year you have no choice but to do hundreds of little things when you are home that are just too difficult to get done from overseas.  Well, I haven't mastered that yet.  

For me this includes:

Finding an accountant

Visiting the bank and my mortgage guy

Mailing my taxes (yes I know it's July...)

Going to the SS office (not looking forward to that)

Visiting the teaching certification office (ditto to above)

Contacting my old superintendent

Paperwork for my hubby

I'm sure I'm forgetting something...but you get the idea.  I wouldn't do these things on a true vacation but they have to be done when I'm home.  There's just no way around it.  So I'll use my 3 days in Vegas to relax and chill, hang out with new bloggy buddies and fellow TpTers, plus spending time with my mom and sister who have graciously agreed to attend this crazy event (well, hide in the hotel room while I attend) so I have a babysitter for my 11-month old.  If you see all of us, say hi!

Needing

A super sonic jet plane to fly me home.  Seriously, it's 18 hrs 45 min flight time with a 3 hr 45 min layover in Zurich.  This makes it a total trip time of 22 hrs 30 min if no delays.  Unfortunately it'll just be me and baby girl.  With her flying on my lap.  Not really looking forward to it.  That's a long time with an 11 month old who grabs at everything (including my hair and glasses).  I fly on Wednesday and get in Vegas on Wednesday.  Crazy!  Then we do it all over again to come back. But at least that's in August.

All Star

I'm stealing this one from my friend Amy at Teaching in Blue Jeans.  I am a procrastinator. I would have loved to say I'm all all star organizer.  Or list maker.  I do love lists.  But the problem is I write lists and never check them off.  At least not all the way.  I hate cleaning and putting away the laundry. It drives my husband crazy.  I'm last minute Susan over here.  Really.  I just ordered my business cards for the conference a couple days ago.  They are supposed to arrive the day before.  Fingers crossed!

Make sure you head over to Farley and read all about the other Currentlys.  And follow me on Instagram where I'm linking up with A Dab of Glue Will Do for 50% off Fridays all summer long. Here's this Friday's treat (click on the picture to find the product):

Survival Tips For Your First Ramadan

So you are about to experience your first Ramadan.  You may have heard lots of stories and are starting to feel a little anxious and worried. While your routine may change during these thirty days, I have some tips to make the experience a smooth and hopefully memorable one.

1. Cover Up

Throughout the year this is important but it is especially important during Ramadan. When in public you  should take care to cover up. This is not the time to show off your cute new tank top. In general it's best to cover from your wrists to your ankles.  During Ramadan people are more likely to be offended by your dress and won't hesitate to make a complaint. So be more conservative than usual.

2. Keep the Peace

Ramadan is meant to be a time of quiet reflection. Be mindful of your noise levels whether at home or in your car. My neighbors love to have conversations in the hallways (the tiled and echoing hallways) so I plan to  make a note to gently remind them that my husband is in observance of the holiday. Also know that loud music or even TV can be cause for the police to intervene.

6. Keep It Under Wraps

Yes all the rumors are true. Virtually the whole country does not eat from sunrise to sunset so you will not be either. Well, not in public. Think of it this way: the whole country is on a diet and you want to have a big ol' piece of chocolate cake with hot fudge and vanilla ice cream. Would you eat it in front of everybody or would you feel self conscious and eat it when no one is looking? It's the same during Ramadan. They are not eating and they don't want to see you eating either.

Start carrying your water bottle in a bag. Have kids? Keep their snacks there too. It is against the law to be seen eating or drinking in public during Ramadan. Even if you are in your car. As gross as it sounds, if you really need a drink or snack and you are in public, it's best to find a restroom stall to lock yourself in. Or wait until you get home. This includes your children.

4. Plan Ahead

During Ramadan many shops will close or change their hours. The malls will be open but most stores will not. Your favorite delivery places will not be answering their phones and it will feel like the town's on lock down and you're a prisoner. Most people will spend the day sleeping. After sunset and Iftar the town will come to life and most businesses will have late evening hours.  Life will return to normal - in the evenings at least.

For these reasons it's best to plan your meals and food shop before Ramadan starts. Once Ramadan begins (this year it will be on Thursday) you might want to wait to do your shopping until just before Iftar (around 4 pm - 6 pm).  There will most likely be no crowds because they will all be preparing their meal for the night.  Be careful not to go too close to Iftar because traffic will be a nightmare and most accidents happen at this time.  While you can still count on having a nice restaurant dinner in the evening, if you don't like crowds it's best to avoid dining after Iftar.  Also remember just because the restaurant is open, they will not be serving food until the proper time (Iftar and sunrise) so be prepared to be seated and then wait.

5. Join In

There is something quite special about being a non-Muslim in a Muslim country during this holy month. Seeing an entire country coming together for prayer and practice is motivational. Even if you are not religious, it can be a powerful experience. So join in! Grab a friend and go to one of the many Iftar buffets. Then just sit back and observe. Try not to be first in line at the buffet. Remember you are competing with people who haven't had food or water all day!

Ramadan only happens once in a year.  Yes, it can be an inconvenience but with the right attitude and some pre-planning it can be a memorable and enjoyable experience for you.  Looking for some more information?  Check out this great article here that talks all about the history and meaning of Ramadan.  Also look at this for more tips and laws during Ramadan.

Note:  Picture sources are from my personal photos of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi - definitely a must-see place to tour!

Tips to a Kindergarten Teacher From a Kindergarten Teacher

Mary from Sharing Kindergarten is hosting a great linky to get your ideas flowing and ready for back to school.  Even if you just finished and are enjoying the summer, or, like me, are still in school (waa-waa) you might be able to find a new tip or two from veteran and new teachers.

I am just finishing my first year in kindergarten (which is actually pre-k) but I have 7 years of first grade under my belt.  Kinder is a unique grade to teach but I did manage to learn a few things and gather some tips for you.

1.  Celebrate the small moments like they are BIG moments.

This year in your class might be the first time they have ever been in a structured school environment.  So they need lots of positive reinforcement.  Yes, Common Core is breathing down your neck and you. must. get. these. kids. reading.  But take a moment each day and celebrate those tiny successes.

Did they find their name for the first time?  Give them a certificate for reading their name.  Did they write their name independently (or attempted to and it looks like it could be a name).  Give them their own glittery pencil.  Did they comfort a crying friend who was told they couldn't play? Reward them with a smelly (a flavored lip balm rolled onto the back of their hand).

Reward the small stepping stones and they will reach for the stars for you.



2.  Show them your love of books.

There are many amazing read alouds out there in the world.  Show your students how much you love books by reading to them.  Make time each day to read a favorite book.

Laugh at the funny parts.  Cry when it's sad.  Read the great parts again and again.  Make silly voices for the characters.  Make sound effects.

Make it fun.

SHOW those kiddos how enjoyable sharing a book can be.  They will remember these moments and learn to love their own favorites (which in kindergarten happen to be all of your favorites).

3. Academics comes second.

Gasp!!!  What???  It's true.

Academics comes second.  First should be caring for the needs of your students.  This usually means meeting their emotional and social needs first.  In my experience, if students are not comfortable and happy they will not be learning anyway.  No matter how many hours you spent prepping that lesson and cute-sifying those anchor charts.

So reward those small moments and milestones. Hug them often.  Love them.  Laugh with them. The academics will come soon enough.

4.  Model it.  Model it.  Then model it again.

Oh this one is so true.  You will model procedures and center activities until you are dreaming of them in your sleep.  Then a little kiddo will totally do something out of order and you will wonder why do I bother...

Relax.  This is all part of teaching kindergarten. You will get used to it.  Maybe.













I hope you found some great advice.  Make sure to check out the other blogs for some more helpful tips.