As people visit, they begin to think about things to bring home. Presents for friends, presents for themselves, artworks and memories. Inevitably the conundra (don’t know if this is actually the plural of conundrum…) of packing space and cash outlay rear their ugly heads and people begin “trimming” their list of “must-buys”. Another inevitability is… Continue reading You can never have TOO much
Category: Learning Curve
Disillusionment
The grass always seems greener on the other side of the fence. This adage is often over used, but is also frequently apropos. I am struggling with this phenomenon now, as I was when I first applied for this job. Then – Egypt seemed to have so many more opportunities and so many fewer problems… Continue reading Disillusionment
Releasing fear
I chide myself frequently for the things I fear. They are not the “normal” things like death (mine or loved ones), political instability around me, or even aging. My fears all center around not being able to do things properly (which for me means perfectly). It sounds really egotistical and trite when I write it… Continue reading Releasing fear
More SNIC
As I’m riding home in the cab, in HORRENDOUS traffic, I see a cabbie and his fare out of the cab and standing in the street. They are not fighting, arguing or negotiating. The fare is a nicely dressed man who is placidly watching the cabbie. The cabbie is waving a 50LE note at all… Continue reading More SNIC
Test Anxiety
I think it is a natural reaction. We’ve all experienced test anxiety, whether at 16 for our driver’s license test or at 30 when defending our doctoral thesis. I’ve been “academically oriented” all my life, so testing has been a continual, and anxious, part of my entire life. Yesterday, I was hit squarely with an… Continue reading Test Anxiety
Driving myself nutz
This semester is an exciting and nerve-wracking endeavor. I am (as usual) my own worst enemy. I am teaching 2 classes that I taught last semseter (can you say CAKE WALK?) which, I have to be honest, I am doing little with. channeling Jack: push lever, get food pellet. I worked out the basics for… Continue reading Driving myself nutz
Valley of the Kings – part I
The temples of Luxor and Karnak had exhausted us all, however the Valley of the Kings is one of the main reasons that one visits Luxor. Thus, we all went to bed early (about 9pm), in preparation for going to the Westbank early the next morning. The plan: the boys get up at oh-dark-thirty (about… Continue reading Valley of the Kings – part I
Sometimes life is unfair
I will preface this with – I am an EXTREMELY LUCKY individual. I’ve had opportunities that many people dream about. That being said, I’m currently mourning a missed opportunity. [Whine] For a few years I’ve been restless. I have a great job at HCC with great people, and yet it was not fulfilling my career… Continue reading Sometimes life is unfair
All *my* students are ABOVE AVERAGE
So, in my Scientific Thinking classes, we had our first midterm just before the Eid in October. This was their first big exam with me. This class is part of the core curriculum and is required for graduation. Most students take it in their freshman year. The purpose of the course is to introduce the… Continue reading All *my* students are ABOVE AVERAGE
Madrid and Casablanca
Yes…as many of your astute comments have questioned…we went to Morocco via central Spain. As I’d said, we were on a tour that was sponsored by the Student Programs and Housing office. We were on a tour designed for the undergraduate students. (Read: CHEAP) In order to be cheap, you end up with the most… Continue reading Madrid and Casablanca