We awoke from an INCREDIBLY cold night’s sleep to see the sun rising over the dunes. It is true what “they” say about the desert – there is little in the atmosphere in the way of moisture to block one’s view of the stars, but that lack of moisture also allows the heat to escape… Continue reading Black and White Desert
Desert Thanksgiving
For most of my life, Thanksgiving has been about family and food – preferrably LOTS of both. In Seattle, the family portion of it has been my “local” family. Either way, there has always been lots of food and lots of love. This year, all my versions of family are far away from me. Moving… Continue reading Desert Thanksgiving
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
Marrakech! – part 2
The second day in Marrakech was sunny and warm(ish). It was what we’d *expected* for October in Morocco. The group had a “plan” for the day, which Jack and I promptly blew off! In reality, the tour organizers had stopped asking us if we were going to join in on the planned activities by this… Continue reading Marrakech! – part 2
Marrakech! – part 1
THIS is what I “dreamed” Morocco would be like. Colorful, exotic, old, beautiful. The busride to Marrakech was rather awful – it seemed like THOUSANDS of flies in the bus! I was killing flies for the entire 4 hour ride! Smarmy tour-guy had us stop at a roadside cafeteria/craft market for some food on the… Continue reading Marrakech! – part 1
Sorry for the hiatus
Between our server getting updated, and the crunch time of 2nd midterms, and the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, it has been a blur here. I just looked back at my last post, and it was a LONG time ago. I’ve got a bunch of stuff cooking, so now that I’ve gotten my head above water again… Continue reading Sorry for the hiatus
Sun girl, surf girl –> HAPPY girl
One of the biology classes had a field trip to Ayn Souhkna today. That is a blink on the road along the Gulf of Suez, leading to Hergadah. There were 9 students, an instructor (colleague from AUC), another instructor, our department custodian (a great cook), Jack and myself. We left Cairo at oh-dark-thirty and were… Continue reading Sun girl, surf girl –> HAPPY girl
OY – It got COLD here!
This is half tongue-in-cheek and half honest. The first few days of November have been REALLY COLD for Cairo. It has been breezy, and the daytime high temp has only reached 15 or 16C!!! For all the Metric-phobic, that is 59 to 61F. Yes, I can hear all of you remarking, “She’s GOT to be… Continue reading OY – It got COLD here!
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