1. Today in the class I teach, the subject of the evils of alcohol came up. I took the opportunity to tell my students (all Muslim, but not all Arab) that I have never had a drink of alcohol, ever. They were super impressed and actually burst into spontaneous applause. I love telling Muslims that I don't drink alcohol or have sex before marriage. It feels good to break down Christian stereotypes.
2. Also in class, in a discussion about whether people at AUS look for a potential spouse among their classmates, the subject of bride kidnapping somehow came up. One of my students is from Dagestan and he casually remarked that when he was in ninth grade, a 14-year-old girl was kidnapped from his class at school. As in, he was sitting in class with her, and some people came in and kidnapped her right then and there. As a teacher in the UAE, I have to be careful about passing judgment (or perceived judgment) on the religious or traditional practices of my students, so it was one of those times when I had to paste on a smile and make a comment about how cultural differences sure are fascinating!!! And really, they are.
3. Someone is messing with me. Yesterday I wrote about how strangely Australia is portrayed in its literature and today I got an email from a person at a university in Australia. It appears that Other Bridget is now studying at James Cook University in Queensland and someone sent her a message about a professional project. Here's an excerpt of the email I received:
"I have put the gelli baff with the laptop and the key is in the second drawer of the workstation you normally sit at. I ran out of time therefore I will make the snot at home and email you my thoughts about it, I hope that is ok with you."
Discussion questions: what is a "gelli baff"? And what possible alternate meaning have Australians given to "snot"?
2. Also in class, in a discussion about whether people at AUS look for a potential spouse among their classmates, the subject of bride kidnapping somehow came up. One of my students is from Dagestan and he casually remarked that when he was in ninth grade, a 14-year-old girl was kidnapped from his class at school. As in, he was sitting in class with her, and some people came in and kidnapped her right then and there. As a teacher in the UAE, I have to be careful about passing judgment (or perceived judgment) on the religious or traditional practices of my students, so it was one of those times when I had to paste on a smile and make a comment about how cultural differences sure are fascinating!!! And really, they are.
3. Someone is messing with me. Yesterday I wrote about how strangely Australia is portrayed in its literature and today I got an email from a person at a university in Australia. It appears that Other Bridget is now studying at James Cook University in Queensland and someone sent her a message about a professional project. Here's an excerpt of the email I received:
"I have put the gelli baff with the laptop and the key is in the second drawer of the workstation you normally sit at. I ran out of time therefore I will make the snot at home and email you my thoughts about it, I hope that is ok with you."
Discussion questions: what is a "gelli baff"? And what possible alternate meaning have Australians given to "snot"?