It's 5:00 am… I'm drinking my second cup of coffee, and venturing out of my cocoon. Why was I not writing? A myriad of reasons come to mind… as I try to explain to myself this absence.
Was it a writer's block? In a way, yes! Sure, I was busy, things were hectic on all levels, but even as the crazy pace of it all began to calm down and the pieces started fall into place, I still couldn't bring myself to write. This past weekend I spent almost two days without touching the PC or checking my email… and in case you're wondering, that was unusual.
You get to a point where you start questioning and over-thinking things. How free are we to write whatever we want? (I'm not talking in the political sense of freedom). Why do we confine ourselves within circles and red lines of our own creation? How much of ourselves can we put out there?
I begin to write, but then I pause… some opinions haven't matured enough, and I'm still pondering. But why should that stop me from writing and sharing them? Why worry that people will hold me to it? So what? To me, writing is not an end… it is not the ultimate expression of what you believe; rather, it is a process… a process of exploring one's own mind, of discovering thoughts, of articulating ideas, and of dialogue. Writing is a journey your thoughts take, and not a destination they land in.
After a year and a half of blogging, have I created a certain character for this blog that I don't want to shift from? To what extent can I experiment? How personal can I go? Define 'personal'. Would I rather I was anonymous? What's in a name anyway? Hmmmm… this is Amman, Jordan though; a lot of baggage comes with a name, remember?
A lot of questions remain without answers. Blogging has definitely added so much to my life… I don't think I'd be the same person I've become now had I not trodden this path.
What's life without taking risks?
Is this a risk?
If it is, it is one I choose to take.
So is this a comeback?
Who said I was gone in the first place?
…
I did, didn't I?
I thought this post was going to be about 'busyness' and having too many ideas and wanting to do so much and fast trains and what not…
Oh well…
Monday, September 25, 2006
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Working with 8th-Graders
Imagine getting the chance to run a class of 25 8th graders in a public school, once a week, for ten weeks, and work with them on topics like learning more about themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, how to deal with their surroundings and their society, and introducing to them the concept of volunteerism. And then at the end of the semester, you get them to volunteer with some community program or NGO.
This is something you get to do through a program called INJAZ, which I’m sure many of you are aware of. I started writing an introduction on what INJAZ is all about, but then I figured, right now I just want to tell you about the experience I had yesterday at my first session with 8th-grade girls. So I’ll save the intros and background and yada yada stuff for later :)
As much as I was excited about being a class facilitator, I was quite nervous and not sure what to expect. These are 13 and 14 year-old girls… the age when they start developing an attitude, when they don’t want to listen, when you have to be careful not to come out too preachy!
I arrived at the school – a large public school for girls – and was shown to my class by a teacher. The minute I walked in with her, faces started turning and they started asking “INJAZ? INJAZ??” She didn’t do much introduction, just told them that I’m their Injaz facilitator and that I’ll be coming every other week. Excuse me? I’m supposed to come every Wednesday… where did you get the ‘every other week’ plan?
I found it funny that some girls were busy playing monopoly :) but eventually they put the board away. I started by introducing myself, then asking them what they know about INJAZ, then telling them a bit about the program and their particular course. They were all listening very attentively, and in my head I was like “oh my God oh my God they’re all listening, they’re actually listening!”
I asked them to introduce themselves by saying their name and then sharing something different about themselves, something simple… anything. The first few girls were giggling and confused and didn’t know what to say, but eventually, they started sharing all sorts of things; one girl loves cats, one said she is very curious and loves to know everything, another said she loves going out a lot but her parents make her stay home with her tawjihi sister. Many of them said they love going with their moms shopping, one girl said she loves football but has no one to play with… then most of them started expressing how much they love the Italian team!! Do I blame the guys for what they say about girls and supporting Italy? Well, maybe not!! Eft!
One girl sitting in the corner, with her uniform collar unbuttoned, and her legs up on the chair, sat very quietly and didn’t want to say anything, but then the others told her she should say the truth; that she’s a trouble maker. She nodded in agreement. I told her that she seems like the smart type of trouble maker, because she’s very quiet, so she does it “min ta7t la ta7t”… she just smiled, shrugged it off, and didn’t say anything till the rest of the class. Something about her intrigued me… I don’t know!
Afterwards, we were supposed to all agree on the rules of conduct. I asked them what rules they think we should have… and one girl asked “no chewing gum”? I told them that I really don’t mind if they chew gum, so long as they don’t use it as jaw-exercise or for balloon-popping competitions. We agreed on some basic points; active listening, not interrupting each other, sticking to the point being discussed, respecting differences in opinions, and respecting each other’s time. Of course it’s easier said than done, because a few minutes later, while discussing a point, girls would be raising their hands and saying “ya miss ya miss” without listening to what was being said the girl whose turn it is.
This was just an introductory session, but next week we’ll be addressing the concept of “expectations”, as well as getting to know ourselves, our different roles, rights, and responsibilities. I gave them an optional assignment, for each one to write a short description of herself, and then to ask her parents, siblings, and friends to write a few lines to describe her. The idea is to see how different people perceive us, and how we perceive ourselves, and if there’s a difference! I also asked them to write what their expectations are from the course, to prepare for discussing expectations.
I realized that 45 minutes once a week is nothing, and that there’s so much that can be done with these girls. I’ve been getting ideas nonstop since yesterday, of what guest speakers to bring, where to take them, how to decorate the bare and unused bulletin boards in the classroom… AND – the idea I’m excited about the most – how to set up a small library in class, and create incentives for reading. Problem is, I’m not sure what the most interesting books for girls this age are. If anyone has any recommendations please tell me. I have a couple of resources that I’m going to check, and I still haven’t had the chance to go to the Amman Book Fair (I have two days left :S ) If you know anyone who’d be interested in donating some good books, let me know. I didn’t check out their school library yet, but anyways, I think I’d like to create something small inside the classroom that can be easier to access. Or perhaps, we can create some kind of a Saturday book club or something.
Oh well, I can get carried away when I start thinking of such ideas… too many ideas too little time is such an annoying dilemma! I do have my hands full right now, but I really hope I will be able to make a difference for these young girls… somehow…
I’ll keep you posted on how the course goes :)
This is something you get to do through a program called INJAZ, which I’m sure many of you are aware of. I started writing an introduction on what INJAZ is all about, but then I figured, right now I just want to tell you about the experience I had yesterday at my first session with 8th-grade girls. So I’ll save the intros and background and yada yada stuff for later :)
As much as I was excited about being a class facilitator, I was quite nervous and not sure what to expect. These are 13 and 14 year-old girls… the age when they start developing an attitude, when they don’t want to listen, when you have to be careful not to come out too preachy!
I arrived at the school – a large public school for girls – and was shown to my class by a teacher. The minute I walked in with her, faces started turning and they started asking “INJAZ? INJAZ??” She didn’t do much introduction, just told them that I’m their Injaz facilitator and that I’ll be coming every other week. Excuse me? I’m supposed to come every Wednesday… where did you get the ‘every other week’ plan?
I found it funny that some girls were busy playing monopoly :) but eventually they put the board away. I started by introducing myself, then asking them what they know about INJAZ, then telling them a bit about the program and their particular course. They were all listening very attentively, and in my head I was like “oh my God oh my God they’re all listening, they’re actually listening!”
I asked them to introduce themselves by saying their name and then sharing something different about themselves, something simple… anything. The first few girls were giggling and confused and didn’t know what to say, but eventually, they started sharing all sorts of things; one girl loves cats, one said she is very curious and loves to know everything, another said she loves going out a lot but her parents make her stay home with her tawjihi sister. Many of them said they love going with their moms shopping, one girl said she loves football but has no one to play with… then most of them started expressing how much they love the Italian team!! Do I blame the guys for what they say about girls and supporting Italy? Well, maybe not!! Eft!
One girl sitting in the corner, with her uniform collar unbuttoned, and her legs up on the chair, sat very quietly and didn’t want to say anything, but then the others told her she should say the truth; that she’s a trouble maker. She nodded in agreement. I told her that she seems like the smart type of trouble maker, because she’s very quiet, so she does it “min ta7t la ta7t”… she just smiled, shrugged it off, and didn’t say anything till the rest of the class. Something about her intrigued me… I don’t know!
Afterwards, we were supposed to all agree on the rules of conduct. I asked them what rules they think we should have… and one girl asked “no chewing gum”? I told them that I really don’t mind if they chew gum, so long as they don’t use it as jaw-exercise or for balloon-popping competitions. We agreed on some basic points; active listening, not interrupting each other, sticking to the point being discussed, respecting differences in opinions, and respecting each other’s time. Of course it’s easier said than done, because a few minutes later, while discussing a point, girls would be raising their hands and saying “ya miss ya miss” without listening to what was being said the girl whose turn it is.
This was just an introductory session, but next week we’ll be addressing the concept of “expectations”, as well as getting to know ourselves, our different roles, rights, and responsibilities. I gave them an optional assignment, for each one to write a short description of herself, and then to ask her parents, siblings, and friends to write a few lines to describe her. The idea is to see how different people perceive us, and how we perceive ourselves, and if there’s a difference! I also asked them to write what their expectations are from the course, to prepare for discussing expectations.
I realized that 45 minutes once a week is nothing, and that there’s so much that can be done with these girls. I’ve been getting ideas nonstop since yesterday, of what guest speakers to bring, where to take them, how to decorate the bare and unused bulletin boards in the classroom… AND – the idea I’m excited about the most – how to set up a small library in class, and create incentives for reading. Problem is, I’m not sure what the most interesting books for girls this age are. If anyone has any recommendations please tell me. I have a couple of resources that I’m going to check, and I still haven’t had the chance to go to the Amman Book Fair (I have two days left :S ) If you know anyone who’d be interested in donating some good books, let me know. I didn’t check out their school library yet, but anyways, I think I’d like to create something small inside the classroom that can be easier to access. Or perhaps, we can create some kind of a Saturday book club or something.
Oh well, I can get carried away when I start thinking of such ideas… too many ideas too little time is such an annoying dilemma! I do have my hands full right now, but I really hope I will be able to make a difference for these young girls… somehow…
I’ll keep you posted on how the course goes :)
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Refreshingly Different Theatre Performance in Amman
Today is your last chance to watch the play "Murdering Antigone" at the Haya Cultural Center, at 7:30 PM.
I went last week to the first show, with no idea what to expect. I even took the risk of telling some friends to come join ;) They did… and it was definitely worth it!
It's originally a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles in 441 BC, with later modern-day adaptations introduced by Jean Anouilh and Bertolt Brecht after World War II. Actually, the myth of Antigone has had so many retakes and adaptations in the last century, reinvented each time with a different spirit and a different take on the characters. At the center of Sophocles' play is a struggle between personal beliefs (or what society perceives as the higher moral codes) and the rule of law – the need to enforce power, and what rulers assume to be in the best interest of society.
The re-take that's being performed here in Amman by a small group of Jordanians and expatriates, and produced by the Barium Mines Theatre Company, is superbly directed. The characters are very real, visceral and not at all what you'd expect from a bunch with names like Creon, Haemon, and Antigone! One of the great things about it is that while it's not a direct metaphor to the political situation anywhere, you can project it on today's world, and have many different, rich, and thought-provoking interpretations for it.
Apart from being a little bit too long, I highly recommend you see it. Again, the directing was really creative and brilliant, blending the ancient Greek tragedy into a modern-day courtroom drama/suspense. And I must say I totally loved the character of Creon… great performance there.
Actually it was one of those things that I realized I enjoyed so much not when I stepped out of the Haya Cultural Center's theatre, but the next morning when I woke up and started thinking about it :)
Anyways, I won't blabber much longer, and I have no intention of attempting to explain what the actual story is about. Tonight is the last show, 7:30 pm, Haya Cultural Center in Shmeisani, tickets are for 3 JDs.
Oh, and one last thing, I read in JO that the Barium Mines Theatre Company in Amman operates a theatre salon, where young people can gather to read, write, and discuss plays. It says that their future contemplated projects include the performance of an original English play by Salon participants and maybe even a play in Arabic. Interested? I'll try to find out some more. Or try asking Fedaykin.
I went last week to the first show, with no idea what to expect. I even took the risk of telling some friends to come join ;) They did… and it was definitely worth it!
It's originally a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles in 441 BC, with later modern-day adaptations introduced by Jean Anouilh and Bertolt Brecht after World War II. Actually, the myth of Antigone has had so many retakes and adaptations in the last century, reinvented each time with a different spirit and a different take on the characters. At the center of Sophocles' play is a struggle between personal beliefs (or what society perceives as the higher moral codes) and the rule of law – the need to enforce power, and what rulers assume to be in the best interest of society.
The re-take that's being performed here in Amman by a small group of Jordanians and expatriates, and produced by the Barium Mines Theatre Company, is superbly directed. The characters are very real, visceral and not at all what you'd expect from a bunch with names like Creon, Haemon, and Antigone! One of the great things about it is that while it's not a direct metaphor to the political situation anywhere, you can project it on today's world, and have many different, rich, and thought-provoking interpretations for it.Apart from being a little bit too long, I highly recommend you see it. Again, the directing was really creative and brilliant, blending the ancient Greek tragedy into a modern-day courtroom drama/suspense. And I must say I totally loved the character of Creon… great performance there.
Actually it was one of those things that I realized I enjoyed so much not when I stepped out of the Haya Cultural Center's theatre, but the next morning when I woke up and started thinking about it :)
Anyways, I won't blabber much longer, and I have no intention of attempting to explain what the actual story is about. Tonight is the last show, 7:30 pm, Haya Cultural Center in Shmeisani, tickets are for 3 JDs.
Oh, and one last thing, I read in JO that the Barium Mines Theatre Company in Amman operates a theatre salon, where young people can gather to read, write, and discuss plays. It says that their future contemplated projects include the performance of an original English play by Salon participants and maybe even a play in Arabic. Interested? I'll try to find out some more. Or try asking Fedaykin.
Friday, September 08, 2006
On Being a Teacher
This is one person whose blog you HAVE to check!
Mariam's Very First Classroom
Mariam's Very First Classroom
Stories, thoughts, and adventures of a first-time Grade 4 science teacher who is, well, pretty much clueless- but means well! really!;)
I met Mariam towards the end of my first year at University when I started writing for the student newspaper (which no one knew existed, but never mind!). She was the English section editor back then, and a student of Biology. She has an amazing writing style that is so genuine and so much fun. She's one of those people who make others happy just by being. She radiates positive energy everywhere she goes. She's a huge fan of the outdoors… running, camping, and hiking, and she has a deep passion for Jordan. Back in 2005 she participated in the one-month adventure: Al-Sabila, which I wrote about in On Campus magazine later.
Those of you who are Tawjihi graduates would know Al Sabila because that was the first chapter of our English language book… but do check out this version here (click for full size), especially that Mariam was the key person in the article, sharing her experience and thoughts.
Now, Mariam is in Kuwait, teaching Science to fourth graders. She started a blog to document and share the experience of her very first classroom, and seriously, it's so inspiring. I mean, I just wish our schools had more teachers like that.
Don't worry I won't go into another ramble about Education… not now at least. I'll just leave you with one of the posters that Mariam has in her classroom, and let you check out the rest of what her blog holds…
Friday, September 01, 2006
The Duke's Diwan
Last week I took a friend of mine downtown. I passed by Abu Ali's, bought a couple of books, had a short chit chat, and then he asked me whether or not I showed my friend the Duke's Diwan…
It was a few months ago that I first visited the Diwan, also upon Abu Ali's recommendation, and remembered that I had read a very interesting article about it a couple of years ago.
The Diwan is one of downtown's oldest well-preserved stone houses. Built in 1924, by the late Abdel Rahman Madi, it was leased to the government back then and used as the Central Post Office, and then in 1948 and for the next fifty years, it became the venue of Haifa Hotel.
In 2001 Mamdouh Bisharat, "the Duke of Mukhaibeh" – a title bestowed upon him by the Late King Hussein in recognition of his services to the community – leased the house from the Madi family and decided to look after it and open it up to visitors. He wanted it to be a place that brings together heritage, culture, and art, and stand as a reminder of Amman's beautiful authenticity. He keeps old books, magazines, and photographs. The place is also used for exhibitions, book signings, and other cultural gatherings, and is open for any group who would like to go, sit, and have a good conversation.
Its side balcony is right over the old Habibah, and you can see the people standing there in the alley enjoying a hot yummy knafeh.
I had been there a couple of times before, but when my friend and I went up this time, we were pleasantly surprised to see the old man himself there. He came and greeted us, introduced us to an Algerian photographer who was working on a photo essay for a book about Jordan, and then insisted that we stay and join him for knafeh and a cup of tea.
It was truly wonderful to sit there on the balcony overlooking downtown's busy King Faisal street, sip tea, and listen to him talk about his passion for this part of town, for discovering and learning something new everyday, and for appreciating the richness of Jordan. "Have you ever been to Um Al Rassas?" he asked me, and I said "No, but I've heard that it's a beautiful place!"
"See!" He exclaimed, "there are plenty of amazing places young people here don't know about!! They just go to the same cafes and do the same things and just don't know what they're missing!"
He then told us the story behind the clock standing on his balcony facing the street…
"You see those two clocks there in the middle of the street," he said, pointing…
"One was placed by the Municipality, and the other donated by Samsung. Both have stopped functioning God knows when, and no one has bothered to fix them. That's why I decided to set up this clock here on the balcony."
We had an interesting conversation with him and Farida – the Algerian journalist, before thanking him and going on our way… for our planned coffee in Balat Al Rasheed.
Here are some more pictures of the Diwan, some taken during that lovely evening, and some from previous visits (the date is wrong though!). Click to view large size.
It was a few months ago that I first visited the Diwan, also upon Abu Ali's recommendation, and remembered that I had read a very interesting article about it a couple of years ago.
The Diwan is one of downtown's oldest well-preserved stone houses. Built in 1924, by the late Abdel Rahman Madi, it was leased to the government back then and used as the Central Post Office, and then in 1948 and for the next fifty years, it became the venue of Haifa Hotel.
In 2001 Mamdouh Bisharat, "the Duke of Mukhaibeh" – a title bestowed upon him by the Late King Hussein in recognition of his services to the community – leased the house from the Madi family and decided to look after it and open it up to visitors. He wanted it to be a place that brings together heritage, culture, and art, and stand as a reminder of Amman's beautiful authenticity. He keeps old books, magazines, and photographs. The place is also used for exhibitions, book signings, and other cultural gatherings, and is open for any group who would like to go, sit, and have a good conversation.
Its side balcony is right over the old Habibah, and you can see the people standing there in the alley enjoying a hot yummy knafeh.
I had been there a couple of times before, but when my friend and I went up this time, we were pleasantly surprised to see the old man himself there. He came and greeted us, introduced us to an Algerian photographer who was working on a photo essay for a book about Jordan, and then insisted that we stay and join him for knafeh and a cup of tea.
It was truly wonderful to sit there on the balcony overlooking downtown's busy King Faisal street, sip tea, and listen to him talk about his passion for this part of town, for discovering and learning something new everyday, and for appreciating the richness of Jordan. "Have you ever been to Um Al Rassas?" he asked me, and I said "No, but I've heard that it's a beautiful place!"
"See!" He exclaimed, "there are plenty of amazing places young people here don't know about!! They just go to the same cafes and do the same things and just don't know what they're missing!"
He then told us the story behind the clock standing on his balcony facing the street…
"You see those two clocks there in the middle of the street," he said, pointing…
"One was placed by the Municipality, and the other donated by Samsung. Both have stopped functioning God knows when, and no one has bothered to fix them. That's why I decided to set up this clock here on the balcony."
We had an interesting conversation with him and Farida – the Algerian journalist, before thanking him and going on our way… for our planned coffee in Balat Al Rasheed.
Here are some more pictures of the Diwan, some taken during that lovely evening, and some from previous visits (the date is wrong though!). Click to view large size.
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