Onions and Values

When I first started this blog, I wrote about how culture is like an onion.  I expressed some of my concerns about the core of the cultural onion and what life may or may not be like.  It really creates a great picture to help explain the many layers of culture...and of people for that matter.

In grade 7, students spend time learning about Human Rights.  It is a tricky subject to teach in a country where Human Rights are not always observed, but, overall, it has been going pretty well.  Students seem to be enjoying themselves and learning something as well.  Plus, some of their questions have been particularly insightful.

The analogy of the onion has become one of the greatest pictures I have used in my teaching.  It keeps coming up over and over again.  The fact that the inner core is the beliefs and values that someone holds very close their hearts is resonating with these students.  Some of them have very interesting core beliefs, and discussing their values has provided some insight to their perspective on the things that are happening in the world and in their lives.

We discussed how difficult it is to change the core of someones beliefs and values.  That even through cultures in the past have tried to fully assimilate people, getting them to change their beliefs is the hardest part.  I showed them a video to help them understand the basics of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Then, when I feel like I am hardly making a difference, one student comes up to me and says, "Ms., this has all changed my perspective...it has changed my core!"

And then a smile grew on my face, the hair on my arms stood up and I realized, that this is why I am a teacher. Moments like that do not happen everyday, but, in an instant I felt successful.  For all the days that I feel defeated, this moment, this one moment made up for them all.

Unexpected Mother's Day

In Egypt, Mother's Day is today...March 21st. I do not know why it is in March, but, it was an unexpected, fairly significant event!  Today, students came in to school, most of them greeted me with, "Happy Mother's Day", some brought gifts of significant value, others brought flowers. But, no matter what, it is always nice to feel appreciated out of the blue. 

My kids knew about this day as well.  Well, maybe they did not know, but, the nursery helped them prepare some pretty stellar and heart warming crafts today.  The poems were very cute and I could not help but smile.

This whole concept of unexpected gratitude and feeling unexpectedly appreciated got me thinking about what I can do to thank those around me and provide them with the unexpected appreciation.  I admit, it was nice to be noticed, and, if I liked it, I am sure that others would like it too!

Too often, unintentionally, I walk around in my little personal bubble. I rush about making lunches, dressing kids, prepping lesson plans for the next day, photocopying, rushing to my supervision duties and other "pressing" issues. I walk around with blinders on, going from one event to another.  I do not think that I am alone on this issue. I think that it has become a part of the North American culture...the "ignore your neighbor and do whatever you can to help yourself succeed", has been damaging to the lives of many and can be a very slippery slope if you start to depend solely on yourself.  We were given family, friends, co-workers and neighbors for a reason!  We need to learn to depend on each other a little more...and in doing so, develop a community of people that you can trust and rely on. There is no shame in that!

Sometimes, it is the unexpected that reminds you that the blinders are up. They tend to sneak up on me...I hardly notice them.  But, they are dangerous and it is always the unexpected that quickly brings me that realization.  So, here is to Mother's Day, and the pleasant reminder that it is the people in your life that matter most; like these little cuties below...

Mother's Day morning...the kiddos had a photo shoot on the balcony.

They would take one picture, trade places, and pose for a new picture, excitedly exclaiming cheese!

The crafts the kids made at nursery. the flower was made with handprints and the leaves with footprints.  The center of the flower were pictures of the kids. Dimples is on the left and Princess is on the right.

"It was not so easy to make a card before three, 

But I want you to see,

Something that was really done by me...

Happy Mother's Day; Mommy!

(Card from Dimples)

My dirty little fingerprints I've left on every wall,

And on the drawers and tabletops, I've really marked them all.

But here are some that won't rub off, I'm giving them to you.

Because I'm thankful to have a mom that's just like you!

(Card from Princess)

Soup?? Who knew...

I am by no means an expert cook.  When we moved to Egypt, I packed up my most beloved cookbook, "The Mennonite Treasury" and exchanged my vast cookbook collection with my sister for her copy of, "Extending the Table".  ``Extending the Table", is a cookbook with recipes from around the world that utilize minimal ingredients to make flavorful and delicious meals. 

While I seldom cook with a recipe with great success, I never really delved into the world of soup.  Perhaps in the back of my mind, making soup was a challenging activity and not something that I was interested in looking into.  In the past I tried to make some soups and every time they were a miserable failure.  So, every time I went to the grocery store, there was always a can of soup or two in my cart. 

Then I moved to Egypt.  The idea of a can of soup does exist here.  But, the cost is ridiculous because all the soup is imported.  Sure, I could go to the store and pick up a can of tomato soup, but I will not pay almost $4 for it.  That is just ridiculous.  So, for the first couple months, we did not eat soup.  The one time I did try and create a chicken noodle soup for the kiddos, it turned into a huge glob of unappetizing food.  I ate it because I cannot waste that much food, but, no one else did, and I did not blame them.

But, I have been very experimental here in Egypt.  Although I only cook Egyptian meals occasionally, I do try and use the ingredients that Egyptians use most.  Beans, lentils, rice and fresh veggies.  Some days are more successful than others, and, occasionally the kids look at the food and push it away, but, they are developing more diverse palates. Especially Princess; Dimples still only eats what he likes.  It is a challenge in and of itself.

But, a couple months ago I discovered some soup recipes that seemed simple enough to make.  Low and behold, I discovered how simple it is to make soup!  Chop up your veggies, throw in some broth and tada!  You have soup.  Plus, Princess loves to help chop up the veggies and toss them in the pot.  With her new found desire to be a "cook" when she gets big, I am in no way going to discourage her.  Plus, since she has been helping prepare the food, she has been more interested in eating it.  (This was a key hint I got from Guy Fieri on his Food Network show, "Guy's Big Bite"...and yes, I do get Food Network here in Egypt.  In High Def no less!) 

In the past couple months, I have experimented with multiple different recipes, changing them as I see fit.  All of them taste better than anything out of a can, and, is substantially healthier than anything in a can.

The other things that boggles my mind is the amount of North American recipes that call for
 "can of _____ soup".  I understand that in the North American culture there is not much "time" to make your soup from scratch for a recipe that calls for the soup...but, it can be made the day before!  And, it is so easy!  I have to admit that many of my go to recipes from the past included these soups.  But, now, knowing the simplicity of soup, it will be bypassed for sure!

The health benefits of soup are incredible and such an easy way to get your veggies in for the day.  So, give soup a try.  Any veggie can become a base for a soup!  It is a gloriously healthy lunch for our family.  Here are is our favorite...

Venezuelan Pumpkin Soup 

1 tbsp margarine
2 cloves garlic
1/8 cup chopped onion

Melt the butter and sautee the onion and garlic until translucent.

Add 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

Add 5 cups cubed pumpkin.  Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until pumpkin is easily mashed with a fork.  Move to a blender or food processor to puree.  Add milk or more water to desired consistency.

What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up

When you were in elementary school, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a doctor...or a dentist.  When I was really young I was determined to be both.  Doctor by day, Dentist by night.  Or the other way around it did not matter.  When I got older I was going to be an Orthopedic Surgeon...until I took Grade 11 Physics.  Then I had no idea what I was going to do or what I was going to be...a teacher was not at the top of my list...more like the bottom.  So how did I become a teacher...

When I was in grade 3, my teacher told my mom that I would be a teacher one day.  Something about grasping new material quickly and then turning around to teach my classmates.  During summer holidays, I played school with my reluctant siblings.  I was always the teacher, they were the students.  When I was 19 I moved to Europe and taught EAL...but I was still not going to be a teacher.  But, as time elapsed, it was quite evident that a teacher was what I was supposed to be.  There is no doubt in my mind now.  It is truly where I am supposed to be.

When Hubby was a little boy he wanted to be a Policeman.  He was going to save the world from all the criminals and bad people out there.  He is not a Policeman, although sometimes he thinks he is at school.  He does enforce rules and regulations at school.  But, he too, has been called to the teaching profession.

The reason I am asking the question, what did you want to be when you grew up, is simply because we have recently had this discussion with Princess.  Her class at school has spent the past month discussing jobs people do.  To complete the unit, they had a show and tell day where they had to come prepared to share what they wanted to be when the grow up.

So, I asked Princess what she wanted to be.  Her answer did not surprise me.  My little three year old looked me straight in the eyes and emphatically stated that she was going to be a cook, just like Auntie.

My sister is a Chef.  Since she was a little girl, she has always liked cooking.  I remember her taking cooking classes and being invited to enjoy a meal that her little group created.  It was breakfast, pancakes, bacon and eggs.  It is something I have always remembered.  She certainly did go on to become a chef.  She is excellent at her job, is extremely creative and her food is always delicious.

My sister watched Princess a couple days a week since she was only 2 months old.  As Princess got older, Auntie worked with her in the kitchen.  I have countless pictures of Princess with flour in her hair, a rolling pin in her hands and a huge smile on her face.  Being in the kitchen is where she likes to be.

Now that we live in Egypt, Princess still likes to help in the kitchen.  She is a wonderful asset, although, our gas powered stove worries me a little bit, but she is determined to help.  

So, Princess wants to be a cook when she grows up.  I packed her school bag with a pink mixing bowl, a whisk and a spatula.  I also sent along a box of cake mix, hoping that the school would let her class make it.  Sure enough, the class ventured down to the kitchen where Princess did her Show and Tell.  They baked the cake and then returned later and her classmates iced the cake.  It was precious.  She really go to show what she wants to do.

Many of the kids in her class came demonstrating that they wanted to be doctors.  Probably half the class came with stethoscopes, but Princess brought a mixing bowl and a whisk.  She is passionate about the kitchen.  We will see where that leads.  At the very least she will be cooking for her family in the future and I can help prepare her for that. 

Sometimes it is beneficial to look back and see yourself through your own childlike eyes.  The world was your oyster...you had the potential to be whatever you wanted to be.  So, what did you want to be when you grew up?  Do you do what you wanted to do when you were a child? 

Deep down, I know that I am.  I think I always knew I would be a teacher.  My sister always wanted to cook...perhaps Princess will follow in her footsteps.  Destined for food greatness.

Ready to start her show and tell.

Mixing with her teacher Ms. Marwa. 

Pouring the batter into the pan.

Icing the cake with her friend Judy after it was baked.

Crazy Month of Sickness

Oh the adventures we have had over the past couple of weeks.  

It all began in the middle of January when a streak of illness and injury flew through our house.  Mostly, the illnesses hit me.  They ranged from flu, to cold, to eczema to bronchitis and laryngitis.  Hubby hurt his back after our most recent move and he walked really slow and funny for about a week.  Princess had a cold, an eye infection, an ear infection and a crazy allergic reaction to a medication that turned her upper body completely red with white dots.  Dimples walked away with a slight allergy to the environment, most notably the increased sand and dust in the air. 

It was Princess' crazy allergic reaction that frightened us the most.  It was almost instantaneous.  From the moment I noticed the first red spot until her body was covered with red, was at most a 10 minute time period.  We had no idea what was happening, although, we hoped it was a reaction to something.  Within minutes we had a doctor on the phone and she reassured us that it was most likely an allergic reaction...but, just in case, keep Dimples and Princess separated in case it was chicken pox.

I did not have the energy for chicken pox.  Still being sick myself, I took Princess to the doctor in downtown 6th of October.  This journey was the first one I had been on by myself since we came to Egypt.  Every time we go out, we all go together.  This was new.  The driver knew where we were going, I did not.  It was about a 25 minute drive to get to the doctor and when we stopped I had no idea where we were or where to go.

This area was much different then where we live in the suburbs.  This was downtown.  There were donkey carts with fruit and bread on the side of the road, and there were sheep lounging in the sunlight.  People were bustling around the nearby Mosque and I stood staring at the tremendous amount of infrastructure, not even knowing the name of the clinic.

Then, the driver jumped out and decided to take Princess and I to the clinic.  This was reassuring because I would have never found it.  When we found the elevator and went upstairs, I was in for a pleasant surprise.

The doctor was lovely, the office looked just like a doctors office back home and, the doctor let Princess play with the stethoscope and orthoscope.  She heard her heart beat and listened to herself breathe, she looked in my ears, took my temperature and used a tongue depressor to check me out.  She played doctor for real and she was fascinated.

The doctor did a full work up on Princess confirming that the rash was a drug reaction.  The previous doctor had prescribed the same medicine for Princess and I.  I was fine with it, she was not.  It was not dangerous, but, bananas, strawberries, chocolate and dairy made the rash worse.  That explained why it would come and go.  She would be covered in rash, and ten minutes later it would be gone.  Bizarre.  She told us about a different medicine that would help the rash and the ear infection...

When we left we had to pay for our visit, despite having an insurance card.  That was a surprise.  It was only 10 dollars, but still.  I am used to walking in and walking out.

Over the past couple weeks, with all the sickness in our house, we have had more medicines and prescriptions in our house than I can ever recall having in my life.  Most of them were herbal remedies or creams, but some of them were antibiotics.

The pharmacy experience is also different here.  If I need something, and I know a prescription I want, all I have to do is call the pharmacy, order it, and then shortly after the phone call the prescription arrives at the house.  It is pretty glorious to have the medicine just show up, and usually, it comes faster than if we were to leave our house to go to the pharmacy.

I think that we are finally all on the mend from our various illnesses.  My voice is still hoarse and I cough occasionally.  The medication certainly helped.  Princess is better, Dimples has no more eye infection and Hubby played basketball against the students on Thursday, his back seems to be normal again.

Teaching has been particularly challenging.  Through the whole bronchitis and laryngitis ordeal, I only missed one day of teaching.  I cannot project the way I normally would and have had to resort to creative methods to catch the students attention.  It has worked, but by the end of the day, the old voice box is exhausted.

I am ready to have a healthy family again.  It was really hard to recover from a respiratory illness amongst the sandstorms and excessive smog that permeated the air throughout the duration of my illness. 

The weather should be getting warmer, and with that, we will be healthy and ready to spend our days outside on the balcony enjoying the heat.  It should be warmer already, but, the weather has decided to drop to 9 degrees recently.  I am okay with passing on the cooler weather and ready to enjoy the mid 20 degree heat that should be coming our way in the next week or so.  And, I am really hoping for high 20's in April when Grandma and Auntie come for a visit!