Author: Tara
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Myths
The age-old question arises againCan men and women really be friends?Almost all of my friends are menDoes it mean there is always somethng there in the end? I have new people in my lifeSome are female, most are maleYet, I already get the question to cause me strife“What’s going on with you two?” comes up…
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Alone
I am aloneFor the first time in my lifeBefore, I was a childThen I became a wife Now, I am aloneLiving in a new placeWhere there is only meAnd no one knows my face Sometimes I feel very aloneWondering if I’ve made a mistake,Am I out of my mind?Is my future really mine to make?…
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Moving back to my blog!
At last the internet has been connected at home! So, I will be slowly updating my regular website with photos of my apartment and activities. Now that “Home” is in Abu Dhabi, I will return this blog to updates on my travels. However, I may still put some bits and pieces here about settling in…
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ZOO: Teaching Moments 2
I have a special needs student in my class. She has physical trouble getting around the school, but intellectually she is quite adept. From day one, she has interrupted me while I was speaking to tell me that she didn’t have a handout since she hadn’t been to the first classes, or that she had…
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Settling in…
I know that I should be updating more. Some have asked for pictures and some have wondered what has happened to me. I’m here, but I still don’t have internet at home, thus it is difficult to update my usual blog. My fingers are crossed for the internet to be connected some time this week,…
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ZOO: Classroom Moments 1
Cultural Observation: Negotiations are done loudly and with great expression until finally a coin is tossed to determine a winner. My students have begun working on group projects this afternoon. I have given them a rare period to begin working. One of the tasks is to determine a country to focus on, but no group…
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ZOO: Teaching Moments 1
Issue 1: 5-minutes = late for both two hour sessions On Day 1, we discussed as a class the rule for coming in late to class. Instead of having a break half-way between the two 1-hour sessions, we go for 90-minutes straight. This means that the rule for being allowed 5-minutes to be late applies…
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Abu Dhabi: A week complete
Eventually I will have to stop counting the time that has passed and truly accept that this is where I live but I still am adjusting. Life isn't truly settled until I have Internet access at home (to come in a few days!) and more furniture. The good news is that my material life is…
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Abu Dhabi: Days 4 & 5
I'm not sure if it is more stressful to settle in to an apartment, start a new job with very little knowledge of the course, or walk around at night as a single woman with streets filled with only men. Votes? The past two days have been filled with information about classes. It has definitely…
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Abu Dhabi: Orientation Days 1 ~ 3
It is hard to believe that three days have already passed since leaving Japan and arriving in Abu Dhabi. The days have been a blur with information overload, shopping until dropping (literally) and adjustments mentally, physically and emotionally to a new culture and place. The best part of the whole situation at the moment is…
