A Look Back

Day 4: Look at the 5th post you ever wrote on this blog. In hindsight, what do you think about your frame of mind and your writing?

My 5th post occurred on August 21, 2010. I had been living in Morocco for about a week. Reading all of those early posts actually makes me giggle a bit. I was so in awe of everything, it seems. Which is good I guess. With it being my first international travel of any sort, it shows that I was paying attention and trying to learn and take it all in. 

My frame of mind was clearly one of inquiry, interest, and a lot of naivety. But also that of an informant of sorts. I was writing my blog for an audience of people who would likely never travel to a place even remotely like Morocco. This included friends, family, friends of my family, etc. So it was sort of like my little version of helping or allowing others to 'live vicariously...'.  I think that comes out in my early blogs. It definitely shifted a bit later on and I think that when the newness wore off for me, my blogging tapered off as well. I found myself just DOing it, living it. It became my home, and my 'normal' from day to day, so the purpose for writing changed.

The 5th post was actually about couscous. It is a very traditional dish in Morocco - kind of like the 'Sunday Roast' was in the midwest (or at least Iowa. Or maybe that was just my family?). I wrote  all about how they traditionally eat it with their hands, rolling the meat and vegetables into the couscous, etc. I took pictures at different stages.
I remember that evening and how 'interesting' everything seemed to me. It was all so different, and I wanted to learn as much as I could.

 It's funny how being in this international gig for even just a couple of years changes you. While I'm still interested in things like this, I think the shock and awe has definitely worn off some. Now things like that are more just something to take in stride - still a learning experience, but not as awe-inspiring maybe? I think the funniest part of the blog is that I said it was 'delicious' at the end. I ate couscous several times after that and decided I'm really not a big fan. I guess it's not just perceptions that change. ;-)

Day 3: An Object that makes me feel at Home

Photo Post- An object that makes me feel at home...

Cheating a bit, and threw 2 things into the photo. Piggy & Iowa Sweatpants. I honestly could have taken a picture of 'Facebook'', 'Viber', and 'Skype'. Those are the three things that connect me with home most often. But, in terms of actual objects, these are it.

With the directions indicating a 'photo post', I will limit my words:  COMFORT, IOWA, HOME, LOVE.

Day 2 - I'm Still Here!

"Not all those who wander, are lost." - JRR Tolkein

Was I lost? I don't think "lost" is the feeling I had when I decided to go to that freezing cold job fair in Waterloo, Iowa. But, in hindsight, maybe I was a bit lost - in my soul. Maybe I needed to wander to find some pieces of me that I didn't even realize existed. When people ask me what made me start teaching abroad, my answer is "I was bored with my life." Although let me be clear - "bored" does NOT mean that I didn't have TONS of really awesome friends to do fun things with - because I did. You, my people - my friends, you are NOT boring. But I think I realized I just needed more. Everyone else's lives seemed to be moving forward in other ways - new boyfriends, husbands, kids. My path was leading me forward in a different way. Some soul searching and overhearing a random conversation at our adult Kickball league (one of those 'not boring' activities with friends) led me to that job fair, and ultimately, to Morocco. 

Was I lost? I still don't think so. But I do think I was found. I think I rediscovered some things in myself, and discovered some that I never knew were there.

I found more bravery and courage than I knew I had in getting on that plane the very first time. This, after bawling my eyes out in my car after saying goodbye to my softball girls (that I coached) and fellow coaches/friends -  knowing that their lives were moving on without me just like mine was going to move on without them; realizing things were never going to be the same.

I found emotions I didn't think I had (see the aforementioned paragraph about me bawling my eyes out). More tears were shed during goodbyes with family and friends than I had probably shed in 5 years prior.

I found new friends. Lifelong friends. Friends who I know were meant to come into my life because I can no longer imagine my life without them in it. Friends who accepted my naivety in the big new world I was discovering and made the small-town gal from Iowa realize she had worldly thoughts and funny quips and stories to contribute as well.

I found different cultures, new ideas, different religions and/or beliefs, different attitudes, new ways of doing things (good and bad), different ways to travel and explore- and many ways to get lost in those travels. :)

Most importantly, I think I found Me again. Or I found a new version of me that I know needs to continue to evolve and experience. Life is all about the experiences, no matter where they are. I cherish them all, whether they be stateside with the friends and family who gave me the support and encouragement to take this all on, or the ones that are yet to come with people I have yet to meet.

Have I been wandering? Definitely. Was I lost? Not entirely. But if I was, then I'm sure happy to have encountered all of the other 'Lost' friends who are out here doing some version of the same thing I am.

A few of my fellow 'wanderers'...

Abby...currently wandering in Serbia. :)

Allen and Jens - I can't keep up with them!

Mel, continuing to navigate the waters in Casablanca

Papa Jim and Sweet Lu - now back home in Seattle

With Jocylene - maybe the biggest Wanderer I know! :)

Hopefully visiting Jenny at her German digs soon!

One of my all-time favorite spots, Oualidia Morocco. With some pretty fabulous peeps.

So many photos and memories - not enough time to post them all. I'm blessed.

Well - Hellllooooo there readers!

Try not to be too shocked that I'm writing here again. (And consequently, don't be shocked if it goes back on hiatus after a while.) A friend of mine posted one of those blogging calendars on facebook. So, since I haven't written in forever (over a year actually), and haven't posted anything from Bahrain, I'm going to give it a try.



This is the aforementioned blogging calendar.

         Day 1: The view from where I write.

If taken literally, this is the view from where I write. On my bed (unkempt, as always), in my bedroom (we have nice digs here, to say the least), with my companion, "Piggy", keeping me company (Pillow Pets are da Bomb!)

But, for those of you who followed my adventures through Morocco, well - I'm not there anymore! This comes to you from the tiny island of Bahrain, located just across a little Causeway from Saudi Arabia, surrounded by the Arabian Sea. Narrow that down further, and I can tell you that Bahrain basically consists of one big city - Al Manamah. I don't live in the city, per say. I'm a Bahraini suburb dweller of sorts, living in a gated compound called Riffa Views. In the lovely Riffa Views, is the school where I spend my days...

Front entrance of the school

With some of my students; celebrating National Day at school.

 ...and where students like to be goofy, just like they do in the U.S....



In my classroom. I really have 12
students, but 3 were gone and one
joined the school after Christmas break.

 ...and where sometimes things like this take place to demonstrate local culture.






There's also this lil golf course about a 2 minute drive from my house called the Royal Golf Club. It's a challenge, to say the least! The back 9 holes are lit, so available for night play when it's hot.

 





If I take the microscope off even more, the view from where I write is a big sandbox of sorts. It's very 'tan'. Not a lot of green. People here are friendly, and it helps that most everyone speaks English. Life here is much easier in comparison to Casablanca. But there was a lot of fun to be had in that craziness of Casablanca as well.

So, that's my view for now. Can't share everything, as I haven't looked ahead on that calendar of topics for the month. I better not share everything on Day 1. Although with my blogging track record, who knows if there will be a Day 2.  ;)