Today was the first day of school. I think we had a grand total of 13-16 kids show up(that's in the entire school). They'll trickle in I'm told. The monther's and nannies were actually very good about leaving the kids to mingle and get accustomed to the teachers. My class was made up largely of returning kids so our transition was very smooth...that is once we were allowed into the classrooms. We spent the first hour and a half in the assembly room letting the kids play. By the time we went to breakfast at 9am one of my kids asked when we're going to start studying. She was ready! My kinda girl! lol Once in the room all my fears about how my co-teacher Aida would be on the first day(she is the biggest softy in the school) were put to rest. We tag teamed very well. Everything was done in Arabic and English. Though I am going to have to make her come to the front of the room or take the lead more 'cause she's following my lead, which she's supposed to do, but there are things that need to be presented in their mother tongue first then followed up with their second language. We'll work it out. All in all it was a great day.
I must say that when I woke up this morning on 9/11 and put on my abaya for work, for the first time in a decade this day did not hold great sadness. I was eager. I was happy. For the first time on 9/11 I didn't relive the moment those planes changed my world and the terror I felt knowing my sister and mother were flying from the east coast home to Kansas. You know that day 10 years ago I had a faint awareness of the middle east and of Arabic people. Today, I looked into the eyes of children, mothers and a few father, teachers and administrators, Muslim and Christian-we were all excited and/or scared. It was the first day of Kindergarten. I've looked at those same eyes in the US, seen and felt those same first day emotions. We're not so different. On 9/11 a decade ago the Arabic world came into crashing into my world with violence and fear. Today I recieved a beautiful abaya from the two ladies I worked with. I have no idea why but I love it. Today the Arabic world is a part of my world, with all it's kindness, focus on family and flaws.
I must say that when I woke up this morning on 9/11 and put on my abaya for work, for the first time in a decade this day did not hold great sadness. I was eager. I was happy. For the first time on 9/11 I didn't relive the moment those planes changed my world and the terror I felt knowing my sister and mother were flying from the east coast home to Kansas. You know that day 10 years ago I had a faint awareness of the middle east and of Arabic people. Today, I looked into the eyes of children, mothers and a few father, teachers and administrators, Muslim and Christian-we were all excited and/or scared. It was the first day of Kindergarten. I've looked at those same eyes in the US, seen and felt those same first day emotions. We're not so different. On 9/11 a decade ago the Arabic world came into crashing into my world with violence and fear. Today I recieved a beautiful abaya from the two ladies I worked with. I have no idea why but I love it. Today the Arabic world is a part of my world, with all it's kindness, focus on family and flaws.
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