It's not OK

I went to breakfast with a few guys, most of whom I did not know.  I met one guy from the UK who is a teacher.  He was explaining to me about gesters we all make with our hands.  While explaining this, a South African man across from us is talking and his hands are gestering all over the place.  Eventually the SAfrican man puts his hands down to listen.  UK Charles, teaches adults locally and begins explaining that the gester for OK is rude.  Basically, it's calling someone an asshole.  OK, I'm intrigued now so I'm actually paying attention.  The, talk to the hand, gester is "crap" in your face.
To gester someone to come to you or, come here...not OK.
My wife, Jamie, uses the thumbs up gester a lot at school.  I believe I gave some Emirate kid the thumbs up yesterday after throwing his ball back.  Thumbs up?  Not OK.  So, I threw the ball back and gestered for him to shove it up his...
I laughed knowing Jamie does this everyday with her students.  She constantly tells me to stop using gesters while I drive; all kinds, not just the universal sign of ill will (finger).  Charles tells me a friend of his was arrested recently for waving off a guy in public. So I am pretty much resolved to stick with using my horn now.  No more gesters.
It worthy of death to convert a Muslim to Christianity.  It is wothy of lashings and jail for a Christian to have religious conversation with a Muslim.  Which brings me to Abdulcarter.  He had his family of  four including his wife covered head-to-toe at the pool.  Muslim women will not permitted to swim in front of other men.  They watch, in 100 degree weather.  Jamie noticed them praying when the prayer sounded throughout the city from all the mosque.  Abudulcarter swims up to me and asked the dreaded question I did not feel comfortable answering in this country...what do you do?  "Homeschool dad."  What did you do back home?  "Oh, well, a minister." Like a minister of defense?  "No, pastor, in a church."  I've never sounded so bummed about what I did.  Oh, he says, you are religious?  Jail, lashings, deportation, all these things rushing through my mind but I jump right in...you know me.  "I don't call it religious, just trying hard to be a follower of Jesus."  Crap did I just say that?  Ultimately, we had an interesting conversation.  I learned a bit about Syria, his family there, and the war. But honestly, I have never been so nervous in a conversation!  He wanted to know where my place of worship was etc...so many predjuce thoughts running though my head!  Then I did something not OK, I introduced him to Jamie.  Haha, well culturally that is not proper.  Nor can i ask about his wife.  Jamie knew this better than me and did not make eye contact as she was taught.  That's when I realized; silly me still learning.  But overall, I'm looking forward to meeting him again.  I loved watching my daughter play peacefully with my Syrian friends daughter.  Who knows where this leads. - jeff

Spring Break

Yes it has been wonderful! I don't think I've looked so forward to a break ever before. Of course most of you are saying you got 2 weeks which is plenty long enough, but I'll gently remind you that we will not have any more days off between now & the end of school. School ends for teachers here on July 4th. Fitting right? Independence Day for the USA and for me teaching-ha! Ha! I guess I should have paragraphs in this blog right?!
I have done a lot this spring break and have enjoyed it. We went to the top of the mountain (are you as surprised as I that they have mountains in the desert?), Jabeel Hafeet. It is beautiful at the top of the mountain. We took great pictures also. This is one of those things where you see how amazing God really is. There is a hotel at the top also & let me just say wow! At the bottom of the mountain is a picnic area of sorts with lots of green grass. Along with the green grass is a warm springs where kids can play. It truly is an amazing find.
We went to Dubai to experience the beach. The kids loved the beach and we found awesome sea shells.  After we left the beach, we went to the palm island  where we had dinner at a very nice restaurant. The dinner came from our neighbor and friend who visited us this week. A big thanks to him! (I was more excited about the oatmeal pies he brought from home though).   When we were in Dubai we went to two different malls, the Dubai Mall and the Mall of Emirates.  When they do malls here, they really do malls here. They have a place to ski indoors with snow along with other great things. Of course I love malls and shopping!
We went to Abu Dhabi.  We toured the Grand Mosque.  This is the only mosque you are allowed in if you are not Muslim. It was very grand! I must have really wanted to see that if I was willing to be covered head (literally) to toe.  The building is so amazing, it looks fake in pictures. After leaving the Grand Mosque we went to the Emirates Palace which is a hotel you can tour and take pictures of. Wow!! Everything here is grand and wow.  I don't think they ever build with small in mind:0)
The last big thing we did was a desert safari. Let me just say, interesting. I'm not sure if I have another word for it. We went sand dune bashing (is this what it is called?). Jeff busted his tail bone, I hit my head on the roof of the SUV and Brooklin slammed into the side and hurt her arm.  After getting out and trying not to throw up, the girls got to ride a camel-priceless! They will always remember that I hope. We saw a belly dancer during dinner. It was good, but I don't feel so bad about how my tummy looks anymore if you get what I'm saying.
Spring is only a few days from ending and that is kinda sad, but what a great time. I am resting these last few days, but stressing a little as I learn to drive. Finally have a license and am driving for the first time in about 2 or 3 months. Yay me!  Have enjoyed myself and I can say, if you ever have the chance to visit the UAE you should!! It's a great place with lots to do and see.  So come on over. If you need a place to stay....
-Jamie