Strikes… I can’t escape them

A quick post…

The Teachers Association in Lebanon (Private Sector) is going on Strike for one day tomorrow; from my understanding, the Public System is getting a pay increase and the private sector, who went on strike with the Public System last year, is not getting an increase. Therefore, they are striking. As a foreigner I don’t actually go strike or go to rallies, but I do have a day away from work and am not supposed to do any work from home. lol. I left one strike back home in Vancouver, for a strike here. Ironic!

The big difference here… if we miss a day of work because of Strike, we make it up on a Saturday or on a Pro-D Day. Thankfully, I only have a two class period day tomorrow and I’m done by 10:30am. So even if I have to work on the weekend… it’s still an early day off. So… the big question is… after sleeping in, what should I do?

 

Random Catch-up

I don’t really have a lot to say in this post other than life carries on in Beirut.  It is beautiful in its own way and I am continually amazed at the people that I am meeting here.  I have finally joined a gym at an insane price… I bought a full year membership in order to get the cheapest rate at $115/Month US$ (that is the corporate year long rate… otherwise I could be paying up to $165/month).  But at least its a gym that reminds me of home. Good equipment with sexy people to look at and motivate me while I am working out.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend and evening walks I took when the power went out.

Looking out towards the Mediterranean from the Upper Corniche

Looking out towards the Mediterranean from the Upper Corniche

Looking out towards the Mediterranean at Sunset

Yet another view from the Corniche

Looking North on the Corniche

Art Stairway in Gemmayze

Random street in Gemmayze

Random restaurant that I will be checking out…

Last weekend a bunch of the new foreign hires headed to an area called Gemmayze here in Beirut. It’s the pub/bar/resto lounge area of the city other than Hamra, which is right near where we live. We all piled into a taxi (7 of us in a 4 seater taxi) and headed to Gemmayze. It cost us 20,000LB for a 15min cab ride, which is about $13. It was more than normal… did we get Gringo’d? I think so.  Normally its about 2,000LB/person for a cab right in Beirut. In any case we went to La Rouge and had a great meal. Then we strolled through the streets, which were still a bit quiet because night life in Beirut doesn’t even think about getting started until 10:30pm.  Too late for this old fart.  Seriously, I am in bed so early! Well, sort of.  

Sunday I went to church in Beirut for the first time. It was a little Anglican church called All Saints International Congregation. There were probably just over 80 people 85-90% of whom were expats.  I really appreciated the people and was invited to have lunch next week with the Pastor and his wife along with a few other new people to the area. I think I will call this home for the time I am in Beirut. It’s definitely not like Westside (my church in Vancouver), and I definitely feel like I am singing worship songs that I was singing in the late 80’s (at least when it’s not a traditional liturgical service), but the people are friendly and there is a good sense of community.  The church has two traditional services per month and two more contemporary services. It would be a good stretch for me… My sister would be so proud!

I think the only other thing of note is my students. I LOVE THEM! Especially my first years (6th Grade English). They are a dream! We have had amazing conversations about literature and how often history is reflected in what we read. Their ideas are amazing!  My 5eme class (7th Grade English in the French Bacc. Program) is hilarious but extremely talkative! They definitely try my patience a bit, but in the end I enjoy them very much.  We are still at the beginning of the term and they are still eager to learn. We shall see how things progress into the winter months. Did I say winter months? I meant months that are going to be freezing cold for most of my friends back in North America, but where I will still be walking around with a t-shirt on in December. teehee.

Games Night and a Lazy Sunday

It is a unique challenge when it comes to finding places in Beirut.  You may look at it on a map, have all the directions, and think that you are headed the right way, but when you are confident that you are in the right place, you may still not be able to find what you are looking for. You may realize that perhaps you should be on the next street, or maybe the place you are looking for closed last week, or better yet, though the pictures seem to be quite clear, in all reality the restaurant, store or whatever is really in an obscure place off an alley, up the stairs and around the corner. This is Beirut.  Last night a bunch of us headed off to find a place called Wade.  It’s a popular Lebanese fusion restaurant and bar with a lively seen on the weekends.  Could we find it? No. I think I may need to go wandering later this week and see if I can discover this treasure in Hamra, Beirut.

Not to worry though, Beirut is full of treasures and there are any number of restaurants and bars that one can find amazing food, ambiance, and culture.  Or… You may just find yourself in a great little restaurant with great new friends.  This was the case last night when we strolled into Bricks.  Bricks is well known to the foreign hires at International College for it’s Happy Hour. A regular hangout on a Friday after work, many of us go there to relax, decompress and allow the ease of the weekend to wash over us.  This time however, it was our Friday night dinner spot and it was lovely. The playlist on the sound system was an eclectic mix of mid 90’s rock and pop rock with everything from Hootie and the Blowfish to Semisonic and Gin Blossoms.

 

I had the spicy Quinoa Salad and a Mint Julep.  All in all it was an excellent dining experience with great food, drink and conversation all backed by a sweet playlist.

After dinner we headed back to Fadlallah Building (the housing unit for the foreign hires) for a games night hosted by Robby (one of the Elementary School Teachers).  This is the first time that I’ve been in Robby’s apartment and I was impressed by the warm and inviting yellow/orange walls, African Art and most of all his collection of the entire GOLDEN GIRLS series (I’m thinking Robby and I are going to be good friends!).  It was a hilarious night filled with random Newspaper headlines, bad drawings, terrible humming and the acknowledgement that we may not be as smart as we think we are as we played HEADLINES the game and CRANIUM.

Did I mention that one of the other teachers made the best brownies I have ever tasted! AMAZING! I ate three!…

Today has been a lazy Sunday. I woke up late, checked my email, drank a couple cups of coffee and headed to Bou Khalil… one of the local Supermarkets.  One of the things I am still getting use to, other than the scheduled power outages multiple times a day is that everywhere delivers.  Even if you go to the grocery store and get you groceries, they will walk them or scooter them back to where you live.  The grocery baggers don’t get paid; they live on tips.  So, for 3000 Lebanese Pounds (about $2 US), I have a grocery bagger walk my groceries back to the apartment. I always feel so weird and awkward, but it’s a regular thing. Today I tried to help carry one of the bags because I also had purchased a mop and bucket, but the guy insisted on doing it all. Welcome to Lebanon!

Upside Down, Inside Out

Sometimes life gets turned upside down (like when you move to a completely different country, culture and environment) and sometimes your insides can get turned inside out.  Giardia lives inside the intestines of infected humans or other animals. Individuals become infected through ingesting or coming into contact with contaminated food, soil, or water. It is an infection marked by abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea and bouts of watery diarrhea. Ya NOT FUN! I can tell you first hand that it is very unpleasant.  It’s been my companion for the past few days. I couldn’t leave the apartment all day Sunday for fear of exploding unexpectedly.  Thankfully I was able to get some meds from the doctor yesterday and am feeling 100x better.  That being said, I still need to be careful and am being extra wary with what and where I eat. Oh goodness me.  All I can say is I’m glad it happened before classes officially started.  I am also thankful for all the people who have been praying for a quick recovery!

On an even better note, I received my official teaching load.  Like anything it was a bit of a backwards way of finding out. I had to go into the attendance system in order to see when and what I was actually teaching.  Turns out I am only teaching two subjects and then have a couple support blocks. Basically, that means I have 2 big preps and 1 little prep, and my schedule is pretty awesome!  I am done work on Wednesday by 11am and am free to leave unless we have an afternoon faculty meeting. I have a late start on Tuesdays and Fridays and a long lunch on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. LOVE IT!

And the best part…. this is the view from 2 of the three classrooms that I am teaching in.

Thankfully, the students backs are to these windows while I drift off into la la land every time I look out behind them.

Looking ahead… I am excited to meet the students and get started with the actual teaching. I am also excited with my first opportunity to travel over the Al-Ahad Holiday weekend (Oct. 3-6).  I am also starting to figure out my plans for Christmas. Pretty sure it’s going to be Turkey… but that could change. Suggestions?

Rooftops, BBQ’s, and Beirut Souks

This is a bit of a random post.  Aside from adjusting to life in Beirut, which has come with odd sleep patterns, random upset stomachs, back soreness, amazing food, great new friends, and an incredibly welcoming community, there has been very little going on.

All the foreign hires are pretty much in the same building. A 7 storey apartment in the Caracas area of Hamra/Ras Beirut.  I am able to run down to Beirut’s version of a seawall kind of like the Malecon in Peurto Vallarta.  It’s a 5km stretch that makes for a solid 10km run to the end and back. The only problem is, that right now, you have to go early in the morning as the sun rises in order not to die from the heat.  I still get home drenched in sweat, but it’s well worth it until I can find a Fitness Facility that is both workable and affordable.  

Every night there is a beautiful sunset that can be seen from the rooftop of our apartment complex and very often you can find a number of the teachers hanging out, sharing food, and drinking a beer up there.  There is rumours of movie nights on the rooftop as well.  I look forward to more evenings with my new friends here in Beirut. 

Yesterday was the big Orientation day for all new staff, not just the Foreign Hires.  We had another tour of the campus but then were also able to go up to Ain Aar Campus on the mountain. It is a beautiful campus that has Pre-K through to 9th Grade students.  As beautiful as it is, it is very remote from the city and I am thankful that I am at the main campus in the city. At the Ain Aar campus we were also treated to a classical Lebanese lunch – very tasty! Very rich in flavour! 

Today is a relax day and a bunch of the new foreign hires went to the Beirut Souks. A market area in downtown Beirut.  Compared to the rest of the city that I have seen, the Souks and most of downtown is like walking into another world. Almost as if walking into parts of Europe and North America combined.  Very modern in some places, very beautiful old architecture in others.  In the Souks you will find stores like Zara, Mac Cosmetics, L’Occitane, a farmers market on Saturday mornings, a very very very nice movie theatre, Starbucks, classy restaurants and a lot more.  

The only real thing on the agenda today besides having visited the Souks this morning is a BBQ at the President of the Schools house.  Apparently it is going to be a real spread and I am looking forward to some good eating, socializing, and relaxation! Then tonight… we may be checking out one of the very “happening” areas of Beirut when it comes to restaurants, nightlife etc. Cheers!

 

 

Little Things

It’s amazing how the little things make for a great day!

I woke up early after having a better sleep than I have experienced the past few nights; only waking up three times all night. I’m not sure if it’s the jet lag or the hard mattress that I am sleeping on that is making sleeping a challenge; the jury is still out on that one. After getting up out of bed, having a great cup of coffee and a few moments in contemplative thought and a shower, I commenced my day.

Today was the New Foreign Hire Orientation Breakfast. We gathered around a conference table and were treated to local breakfast treats, coffee, orange juice and a general orientation to Lebanon, Beirut, International College and the philosophy of the new President of the School. Afterwards we had a quick tour of the school grounds, through all of which I was excited, inspired, and challenged to give the students here an incredible educational year. There were times that I wondered if I should have taken the Elementary contract rather than the Middle School Contract, but then again, I think I may have felt the same if it were the other way around. The great thing is, is that after my contract, I can always change.

After the tour a bunch of the new foreign hires (NFH) went out for lunch at Deek Duke’s. Deek Duke’s is all about fun; it’s simple, honest, energetic, friendly and truly represents the Lebanese culture. The brand mark features “Deek Duke” the figurehead, a fictious character that seeks out new things and experiences; he is a free spirit and a Rooster. The brand language features many quotes, sayings and doodles that relate to the Lebanese culture and history. It was a blast!

Now there are things about Lebanon that are probably common in most countries outside of North America and Western Europe. Yesterday all of the NFH’s went to the airport to validate and clear our shipments through customs. We were there for at least 3-4hrs waiting. Waiting. Waiting…. After what seemed like an eternity, the guy that was handling our clearance took two of the five of us away. The rest of us waited. Waited. Waited. Upon their return, all they knew was that they stood in a hallway and waited. Waited. Waited… I think you are getting the point. Anyways, after what seemed a very long time we were all escorted into a tiny office where there were already 5 other men, two of who were in military uniform. As you can imagine, this whole experience was very interesting and since everyone around us was talking in Arabic, we had no idea what was happening. After about 10minutes, the man behind the desk asked us if our shipment’s were only personal items etc. They were. He signed some papers and sent all of us out. We followed our clearance guy out of the office, down the hall, and down the stairs to the entrance. In the stairwell, he handed over our passports to someone else and said they still needed them. Now, I don’t know about you, but when I am in a foreign country, I usually don’t feel great about having my passport handed at random to some guy in a stairwell. Needless to say, yesterday left me and a few others a little uneasy.

This all leads back to today and how little things can make a day great. Water service arrived today! My big jugs for my  apartment arrived and I no longer have to purchase water from the store (did I mention we can’t drink the water from the  tap? Yup… not a good idea!). Not only did the water arrive, but my  shipment arrived too! My 5 boxes of personal affects  arrived and I was  able to unpack and really move in. I decorated, put up some pictures,  and made the apartment few a little  more like home. It feels good. Oh…  and I have my passport back in hand.

PS… If you want to be added to my fridge… mail me a picture! My  address again is:

Ryan Lee  C/O International College

P.O. Box 113 – 5373 Hamra, Bliss Street, Beirut, Lebanon

The first 38hrs…

Delays.  That could be the theme of my travels to Beirut.  My first flight out of Vancouver had mechanical issues and we had to wait for the next British Airways flight to arrive in order to embark on this epic journey.  Needless to say, after a brief but entertaining overnight stay in London, and another 2hr delay at the gate in London, I made it to Beirut.

It was with a nervous anticipation that I stepped off the plane and into the Beirut airport. As I made my way through to customs I was unsure of what to expect. I’m not sure if it was because my passport was Canadian or if it was because the customs agent wasn’t sure of the English translation, but I ended up doing most of my processing in French. PTL I speak enough French. I made it through easily enough and after paying my $37 USD for my VISA “stamp” I was on my way. I stepped out of the airport into intense humidity and was instantly glistening from sweat. I was greeted by my driver, Roger, who had my name card, and found him to be very informative as we drove through the busy streets from the airport to Hamra (the region of Beirut where I live and where the school is located). The apartment complex is apparently at the end of a very popular area with great restaurants and night-life. It definitely showed because there were people everywhere! Can I just say that I never want to drive in Beirut! I imagine driving here is much like driving in many other parts of the world. Scooters passing between cars constantly, no real lanes to speak up, people using their hazards when they slow down but for what reason exactly I am totally not sure, and drivers constantly speeding up for 20 meters only to come to a sudden stop behind another car as they dodge in and out of double parked cars and slower, less ambitious drivers. It’s kind of fun to be a passenger, but I think I will abstain from driving here.

Upon arriving at the apartment I was greeted by the buildings concierge – Kamal. He is a very nice man. He showed me through 3 locked gates that finally came to the elevator, so I think I’m in a pretty secure building. Unfortunately, I am a new teacher and my apartment is located on the second floor, so no spectacular views for me, but the apartment is well furnished and comfortable. It is a two-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom apartment with a decent sized kitchen, living area and a great front hallway. Kamal showed me every intricate detail of the apartment in his broken English and was insistent on making sure I was ok and that everything in the apartment was good for me. The apartment is huge for one person. It echoes. It’s definitely set up to be a gathering place for friends and family so I look forward to hosting visitors once I am settled into the school year. Now the trick is to make it feel as homey as possible.

My Bedroom

Front balcony (I have two)

Guest Bedroom

Living room

Living room from the front hall

Kitchen

 

One really nice surprise, as I walked into the kitchen, the building committee and my mentor left me some staples to get through the first few days and I think there is more in my fridge here than I have ever had in Vancouver. There were a few things in the welcome basket and fridge that I am going to need to figure out how to use or exactly what they are. Has anyone ever heard of Labneh Goat Roll? I think they are cheese balls in olive oil or something… or what about Halawa? I have no idea what that is… it looks kind of like hummus but does not smell like hummus… Time to get foodie adventurous!

Oh, and PTL the apartment has air conditioning!!! I don’t think I would be able to survive if it didn’t. It’s HOT! I have full cable and even as I am typing this out have VH1 on in the background, the water pressure is good and I am already feeling at home, but Beirut is not without it’s quirks. Sudden power outages occur every once in a while at random; I can’t flush toilet paper etc. down the toilet and there are garbage cans in each of the washrooms for used paper; and there are three different types of power outlets in the apartment… hopefully I don’t blow a circuit. EEK!

All in all, the first 38 hours have been filled with some curve balls, but still… I’m feeling great. Today I love Beirut. Hopefully that continues. Time will tell.

 

Standing on the Edge

I’m standing on the edge.  I am literally on the edge of the beginning of a new adventure; in many ways I feel like I am on a mountain cliff with a 360 degree view, seeing all that is behind me and straining to see what is ahead.  It fills me with excitement, but most recently it has filled me with a small amount of apprehension.  I know that what is ahead will be amazing, but I also know, that it is going to be very different, that I WILL experience culture shock, and that there will be times where I am at the bottom of the implementation dip.  I know that this is where growth happens.  These dips happen, and will continue to happen as you experience new things, try new methods, and attempt new ideas.

Standing on the edge can be dizzying. Over the last few days I have consciously been aware of my brain not functioning as well as I would like, in fact, it has been quite frazzled. I’ve felt almost dizzy with emotion.  I’m forgetting the things I reminded myself not to forget, I’ve made lists and then forgotten where I put the lists. I’ve repeated the same tasks over and over again ensuring that I did do what I thought I did.  All of that said, I think I am at a point where I am just about ready to head off on this crazy journey. All I need to do is finish my laundry, finish the final packing, and get myself to the airport and on a plane (hopefully the right plane…lol).

As I stand on this edge I want to say thank you to all of my friends and family who have come out and said goodbye, who have sent emails, texts and cards wishing me well. I feel so blessed by all of you.  On a selfish side note: If you feel like sending actual post…

My new mailing address in Beirut is:

Ryan Lee

C/O: International College Beirut

P.O. Box 113-5373 Hamra

Bliss Street; Beirut, Lebanon

Adventure Awaits

Tired of the Education system and situation in British Columbia, and being bounced to and from as a new teacher I have decided to spend the next year or two on a teaching adventure.

August 28th brings the beginning of this new adventure. I will be heading into the craziness that is the Middle East. Beirut, Lebanon being my final destination. I have accepted a full time teaching position at the International College of Beirut. (http://www.ic.edu.lb/)

I am both excited and nervous at this new chapter in my teaching career. It comes at a time when I have become very comfortable in almost all of the areas of my life. My family is close by, my friends are amazing, and I feel well situated in the communities I have worked hard to be a part of. Everything but work seems to be exactly how I would want it to be. Even work wasn’t that bad. I have had amazing opportunities to have temporary contracts at two different schools (Summit Middle and Rochester Elementary). BUT, it’s time for something different; at least in the interim while things settle in BC.

I will be teaching mostly English classes to 6th and 7th graders. The school consists of a large population of expats, diplomats and a few local Lebanese. I am excited to have a full time position for the whole year and am hopeful for the opportunities that will bring!

Keep checking in to see how the adventure unfolds!

Ups and Downs, Vacations and Reflection

Do you know why I like to travel? I think its because it gives me plenty of time to think. I know that a lot of people enjoy the opportunity to explore, meet new people and try new things, and those things are all an enjoyable aspect of travelling, but the part I like most is the calming affect it has on my soul. I live a busy life; I’m probably overcommitted and have my hands in one too many pots, but I like it that way. There is only one problem: I forget to stop, take time to reflect, and enjoy the moment. I also find my life with overwhelmed with things to do and stop being the man that I want to be – physically, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. Travelling allows me to refocus, realign and readjust my life. Even if it’s a short trip to Arizona for the weekend like the one I am taking today. I have spent almost six hours in travel time and through that six hours I have already felt my mind slowing down and my conscious mind becoming more reflective. What is it that I want my life to look like? How can I change what I am doing to allow myself to be more who I want to be?

When I started this school year, I was worried that there wouldn’t be enough work and that I would be struggling to survive. I was fortunate enough to be requested into a position as a Teacher on Call that went for 20 days. In the district I work for, once you reach twenty days you automatically role over into contract. It was great, but busy. I dove right into teaching, planning, and working alongside colleagues and students that I cared a lot for. I volunteered, made myself available to help, and felt like things were going really well. Then boom, my contract was pulled and within twenty-four hours I was back on the rotation as a Teacher on Call. Here is the issue: I also work in a district that lays off a lot of teachers each year. Those that are not hired back into contract position at the beginning of September are placed on the Teacher on Call as Priority TOC’s (meaning they get the first call-outs except for requests). They are also supposed to be guaranteed any contracts that come available. So, despite the fact that I worked in a classroom for 20 days, rolled into contract, and then worked another week, my contract was pulled because there was a Recall/Priority Teacher that was qualified for the position I was in. So Monday morning I was told that they would be starting Tuesday morning and that I was out of luck.

I am thankful that I have been blessed with good relationships within the school and so have been requested every day since. I am also blessed that I had a mini work-vacation over the next weekend and a bit so that I could get away – and here I am at the beginning of that mini work-vacation. Thankful that I can have the time to reflect on all that has happened over the past 30 days. Some would be angry at the situation, some would be indignant. However, even though I am a little frustrated, I’m more frustrated for the students then for myself. As much as I grew attached to my students – and yes I will always think of them as my students – I know that they are attached to me as well. It frustrates me that we are always talking about doing what’s best for the students, but in this scenario, was this really the case? I have my doubts, in fact, I don’t believe it was at all. Students need continuity, they need structure, and they need consistent guidance and guidelines. Changing teachers on them at the beginning of November does none of that. Certainly, many of the students will adjust and be fine, but there are a handful, likely those that are already at risk in the classroom, that are going to suffer. It is for those students that I am most concerned, it is for those students that I am most frustrated.

What can I do? I have done what I think is best. Because I am at the school regularly as a Teacher on Call, and because I believe that I worked hard to make the transition for the new teacher as easy as possible, I will continue to avail myself to that new teacher to assist her in any way I can. I know the students and their quirks, where they are struggling, and what they need, because I’ve been there with them – it is this type of information that I can pass on to the new teacher in the position. I am also thankful that she is willing and wanting of knowledge I have gained – this demonstrates that she cares about these kids too. It demonstrates that she wants what’s best for them, and if I can’t be their teacher, then in this situation I think we can work together for the benefit of these kids despite what the board might do.

I love teaching! If anything, I have learnt that I care deeply about what I do as an educator. I love creating a space that is safe, facilitates exploration and allows for students to question, learn and develop as members of a community. I may have entered into this career later than most, but I think I entered at the perfect timing in my life. I was ready for the ups and downs; I was ready for the joy and the frustrations. That being said, I can’t wait to have my own class and be done with this whole lay off- recall deal!