Lead up to National Day = Crazy Days in the Classroom!

The trimester is almost complete. Now it is crunch time for grades. In the midst of this stress, the kids are all  wound up in anticipation for the 40th National Day of the UAE. (Honestly, by the sheer volume of expensive cars decorated in Green, Red, Black, and White, I think everyone is excited.) Who wouldn't be? Forty is so young from my American perspective and even younger when I think of the histories of both Europe and Japan. But if rehearsing is what is necessary for the big school assembly on Tuesday, then why am I trying to teach anything new? My students are being pulled, and it is impossible to not hear various rehearsals in the central courtyard. Getting kids to focus when the sound system is on full-blast is not my forte. Oh well, whatever, I am ready to give up.

Lap cat

Fionka may be Fellini. I will take her/him to the vet tomorrow for her/his first check up. But F is happiest when curled up on my arm. Though F may be a wild cat, it taken to me. F likes to walk the never ending hall way of my building, too. While I'm sure F misses the outdoors, I'm not giving F up!

Welcome Fionka!

Yesterday morning, I visited the Al Ain National Museum with my visiting mother. As my mom and I left the building in search of the falaj irrigation system we were told was near the building, we were immediately approached by the kitty pictured above and distracted completely.

Fionka (sounds like Bianca) is now in my home. This tiny bundle of enormous amounts of energy and purr-power will certainly be a happy addition to my life. Now, I just have to take her to the vet to make sure she's healthy.

Fionka is my version of the name that the two Egyptian guards at the museum gate had been calling her. She might have whiskers to rival my US cat, Emma; she is too small to tell yet. However, she certainly the biggest ears of any feline I've ever known! Her head is about the size of a plum!