Living Abroad

This week had me reflecting a lot about living overseas. There are so many things I have learned from living in a different country with a different culture than what I have grown up with in Chicago. However, there are so many ways in which things are similar too. The people here are much more hands on, hugging and kissing people when meeting more frequently, walking with arms around each other, sitting with arms around friends and more. It is really nice to see such outward signs of friendship and love. I am still constantly amazed at the generosity as well of the people in this country too. Today ordering a Saj at the place by school I only had a 100,000 ($75) and Feras, the owner, didn't have change since it was early in the morning. He was prepared to say just pay me next time no problem. I can't even imagine this happening in Chicago.

There was a moment this weekend where Ryan and I were a little homesick as well. This comes and goes of course, but with the Superbowl on Sunday we reminisced about all the Superbowl parties from before. We always went to Ryan's friend Jake and Kelly's house and all of us got together with great snacks and some watched the game, others the commercials and most importantly half time show. I sent them a text yesterday to find out about what snacks they were serving. However, when hearing about the blizzard going through Chicago, and the trouble my friends were having getting to their Superbowl parties, while sitting in a t-shirt and jeans here, I quickly got over my homesickness. I do not miss that snow and cold!

We had a great weekend, starting on Thursday at Jai for dinner with Nick, Margaret, Gretchen and Mike. Jai is the Asian take out place with only a round table in the kitchen so you are the only ones who are there eating while the food is being prepared next to you. The food was delicious and sitting at a big round table like that makes it seem like a big family meal, and these people have so quickly become my family over here. Friday Ryan and Mike had basketball games and Saturday there were two Football (Soccer) games that we attended. Our Varsity is ready for the championship game of the League Ryan started this year next week after demolishing the big rival IC, the school we face and share the road with. Saturday night we did a progressive dinner in a building where some teachers live, where we started at the ground floor, and worked our way up eating appetizers, dinner, and dessert on the different levels. It was a great time with lots of different food and people all over.

We are heading to the Pyramids this weekend! I am so excited. A group of us are flying out Saturday morning and coming back Monday. We don't have school on Monday, so it is a great way to spend the long weekend. The flight is only an hour long so it is nice and easy to get there. We have been talking to a lot of people here who have lived there before, so we have the inside scoop on where to go. Right after Ryan heads to Cyprus for the big conference football tournament, with jv and varsity boys and girls playing. We are going to be busy the next few weekends, we realized that the two of us won't both be in Beirut, without guests on a weekend until after Spring break, and then only for 2 weekends before week without walls. So crazy and fun!

Friends in Beirut

Last weekend I went to a few wineries with Gretchen. We were back in the Bekaa Valley and it was beautiful. The best part of going to the three wineries were that the colors were all changing for fall. It was great because it hasn't really felt like fall here because it is still 80 degrees and up here, which is great. I haven't been in this weather in November ever, and I am enjoying it! But, it was great that we were able to go to this beautiful setting with gorgeous fall colors and seeing some pumpkins, and we even got to take a hayride/tractor ride through one of the vineyards. Below are some of the beautiful pictures from the wineries. The first few are from Kefraya, which was this gorgeous vineyard and restaurant. We were able to enjoy a open bbq and so much food that is was insane. We met some people visiting from France and a few local Lebanese. Lunch was delicious of course, and there was of course so much food. The last two are from Domaine des Tourelles which was interesting when they showed us the whole process of making the wine.

This weekend we had another long weekend. Friday we had a professional development day that was broken up into three sessions. Teachers from our school signed up to present, and we were able to decide the sessions we wanted to go to. I attended two great sessions from my colleagues, and then I presented in the third session about using technology in the classroom. Backing up a little bit, Wednesday at school I did our schools mini-triathlon run by our PE department that took place in the Mediterranean Sea and along the Corniche. It was so much fun to see the students actively competing in the triathlon. Also, I took fourth, which was great since I was competing against some of my own students. 

Yesterday,we started the day out with a great run. Next Sunday is the Beirut Marathon, and I will be running in it, so we looked at part of the route. Along the way there were easily 50 Porsches cruising up and down the Corniche. There are so many nice cars here is is unreal. Also, we passed a store that had the Christmas decorations out already, made me feel angry, just like at home! 
 After the run, we had been invited to our neighbor Jamil's family's home for brunch. They live in the building next to us. His parents have a beautiful house on the 8th floor with a great view of the entire sea. We had a nice chat and ate some delicious food. Once again proving just how hospitable the people here are. This is the view from their place, you can see how there is a lot of construction happening here as well.

 After brunch this little guy was walking his pet monkey by our house. No joke. Apparently it is legal here? 

 Later that evening we had a nice girls night out, talking about mothers with some of the women I work with. In the picture you will see Margaret, Carolyn, Jesse, Jane and Gretchen. It was wonderful being with these inspiring women from all over the country, with all of their different life experiences. We bought some roses from the sweet older lady who walks around selling roses as well.

 

 Forgot to mention on Saturday we had a soccer game at school. Here is a picture from that game. I love the bright blue shutters on this house on the picture above.
One final picture is this porsche with one of the billions of cats here sitting on it. You can see the paw prints all over it. How mad is this owner going to be!
Today we have off (again) for the Islamic New Year. We have dinner tonight with the architect who is designing some building improvements for the school.  I'm heading off to Spin Tabata here in a few minutes, and then hopefully Ryan and I are walking downtown to the Souks today. Things here are really settling in, and the time is flying by so quickly. I can't believe in a month and a half we will be home for Christmas. November is going to go by fast, we only have four day weeks because there are so many holidays this month. It has been a great 3 months here.