Be Careful How U Treat Others...

Cuz you never know how it might come back to you… even though it’s been a year since the traumatizing days of working in Al Mawahib Private School I still think about it sometimes. Although I got the ministry out on them and managed to royally piss off Her Highness Um Khadija (or Beverly as she is known to some) – the principal there (remember there are two principals in that school.. Um Khadija who I called MS for Mother Supreme and her husband Malood who I called LG for Lord Gracious) it was pretty funny even though I still wasn’t satisfied. It seriously angers me how they rip parents off over there and get away with telling the lies they tell. I was hoping for the school to crumble. It’s doing so, but not fast enough!

Anywayz, today while waiting in the copy store at uni I got a call from mother. She said one of the boys’ from Mawahib mother called her (my mother had taught the boy in 2nd grade at MPS and I taught him in 3rd grade when I was there) and told her something amusing. This boy is kinda cute but constantly has to have some noise emitting from him while working. Only once in a while could I get him to work quietly for a few minutes of the lesson (I wouldn’t have minded cuz the noise was usually just singing or humming but sometimes it’d really annoy his desk mates). Mother Supreme has managed to piss off/ fire all the English teachers that were there in MPS so now she has none (lol word must have certainly traveled about MS’s notoriety for being one of the most ridiculous principals.. afon allah I don’t think the lady has “mercy” in her vocab. So of course no new English teachers are applying) She has to teach the English classes for all or most of the grades now from 1st to 7th or 6th. Anywayz it seems during yesterday’s class with the 4th graders she wrongfully accused this boy (his name is Omar) of talking during class. This time he claims to be innocent but she was adamant about punishing him. So she sends him home saying he has to write out a punishment lesson (awina! she must think she’s back in UK) in which he has to write “I will not talk in class” 200 times. The boy was really upset about it. He and another boy from his class got that punishment and when he got home he told his mother to deliver this message to Um Khadija: Tell her Omar said he doesn’t like her or her husband at all and he’s not afraid of them. I wasn’t talking in class and she won’t believe me, that’s ok, for every time I had to write it I made dua that she suddenly would die of a heart attack and each time I said it my friends said ameen!

Can you guys imagine? Not only a little boy (he’s only 9 at the most..) but being wrongfully accused so oppressed y3ni and all his little boy friends saying ameen to his dua’s in RAMADAN no less… Heck I’d be scared witless if I were Um Khadija – but then again if I were her I’d be a lot more compassionate about others than she is. She called it on herself though and she has no one else to blame. Omar’s mother said she wouldn’t tell Um Khadija about that but instead was going to tell the owner’s wife (she’s been trying to tell them how corrupt those principals are but they just don’t listen… not like that’d make much difference though cuz the owner is pretty *ahem* it’s the holy month so I won’t go into that…) At any rate you get what you give and that should be a lesson to folks to be careful how they treat others less they find that person making dua against them and it get accepted!

Celebration Time..

As my favorite Freej character Um Khammas would say: “Yalla ya chabab! Barkooli Barkooli!” LOL

After many long hours, employment in the worst school known to mankind (MPS in case any of u guys might miss-guess) and a handful of disappointments, frustration, stress etc. I, El Hazard, have finally FINISHED my project.. And yes I have a big cheesy grin stuck on my face..

In other news, I finally stood up and gave a speech in Speech Comm. (Lol, awina I stood up of my own accord, HA, the teacher realized I hadn’t given any speeches and it was already the third week so he told me to get up there.) I had to speak about something meaningful to me.. a person kept coming to mind but he specifically said he wanted an object. I thought and thought and finally decided that it must be my laptop. Then we had to state reasons why the object is meaningful to us. I thought some more.. “Well, because my grandfather bought it for me.. It signifies my hard work in high school and I chat with meaningful people on it. (I nearly died when I lent it to Maria when her comp was down. She only borrowed it for a day and a night.. not sure I could go on living with out it!) I kept my finger tips pressed together so my hands wouldn’t visibly shake in front of the whole class, I shifted from foot to foot every so often to give the impression that I wasn’t nervous… To tell the truth though my speech was probably the crappiest and was probably filled with more ‘umm’ s than the whole class put together. By the end when the teacher was asking questions I didn’t feel as nervous as when I first stood so maybe that’s a good sign. I definitely feel I might do a bit better the next time I’m called inshallah. (Wishful thinking maybe…)

OOOOOOOOOh I nearly forgot, there is yet another reason for celebration… This post marks my 100th post mark. Yipeeyi Yo Kai Ya......

I really like going to school now (even if I'm all alone) but I still have an undying love for the weekends. I guess in the end my lazy side is just below the surface.

School of Wax Sequel (things I forgot to mention)

I can’t believe I posted that long *** post and totally forgot to write about some really interesting things – all of which happened during exam time. The most interesting being one morning when I walked in (I had begun getting to work at 6:30 am surprisingly there were usually ppl that still beat me there- workaholics..) and found the place basically deserted. Even the math coordinator wasn’t in her office. I decided to stroll down the corridor and see what it felt like to be the only one breathing in the air in the hallway. I was halfway down when I saw a tall figure suddenly step out of one of the classrooms. In the same instant that I got living hell scared outta me I realized it was that psycho grade 2 teacher Khadija. I think she might have gotten a bit startled as well. I heard her open her mouth and in that split second before she spoke the thought: “She is definitely going to yell at me.” Ran through my mind. She instead gave me a proper greeting. It was like OMGWT….?!?! I mean honestly the lady never looks in my direction much less talk to me even when I do greet her in the halls so now why on earth after all these weeks did she finally decide to acknowledge my existence? I sat in the math coordinator’s office trying to figure that one out and came up with the answer that it must have been an attempt to hide the fact that she had all bloody hell scared out of her by my mere walking. I nodded to myself in the office and decided that that was it.

Later that day during a free moment as I lounged in the MC’s office I mentioned it to her and she said something weird was going on with that lady that day. She then told me she had overheard bits of Khadija’s conversation with someone and it sounded as if Khadija was in some sorta trouble with the ministry. Wow I thought, that would be NICE. Wasn’t till days later when the MC was absent that I overhead Khadija getting loud in the hallway. She was clearly upset (angry). She was saying how she didn’t understand how _________ could have reported her to the ministry. She hadn’t done anything wrong and she didn’t deserve that. (like hell u did. Hahaha u SO deserved that and had I known who was the one who did it – I couldn’t hear the name of the person she named- I would have gone out of my way to thank that good person.) It was about the best thing I had heard all week until the day I sat in the control room grading my papers.

The day I was grading the science exams (most days I was in there I was usually accompanied by MS who would be propped up in there with her infamous coke and chocolate bar going through the exams with one of her brats hanging off of her questioning every mark on the exam papers – which is totally against the rules cuz no kids are supposed to be allowed in the control room whether they are brats of the staff or not) MS was also in the control room. She was sitting cattycorner to me. Unnatural dead silence between us, I sure wasn’t about to start small talking with that creature and I assume she felt the same. The KG 2 teacher pops in and starts exercising her mouth. Crafty one. She didn’t think I was paying too much attention I guess. At first she was just warming up. Next thing I knew she was talking about this KG parent that came in and had words with her. She was telling MS how this lady had complained that the school seems to be in really bad shape and that it seemed better last year. She complained about the books (which really are basically mass produced disgustingly put together photocopies of the one book that that tight fisted monkey of an owner actually bought.) The KG teacher went on and on until finally she got to the words from that parent that made my ears pop off and dance. That lady told the KG teacher that she thinks also the administration is the problem and she feels that they aren’t “honest”… JACKPOT!!!!!

KUDOS to the first MPS parent to break free of that cursed spell possessing the minds of all who put their kids in that school. I could barely pretend to be marking exam papers. I stole a glance at her highness. She looked annoyed. She answered something to the affect of “Well yeah unfortunately there are ppl who think that way without being able to give any proofs.” She added some other words to her weak defense (they were so lame I forgot what they were) and in the end there was an exchange between master and loyal servant (unspoken of course sent via invisible waves) sorta like nod of the head u’ve done well type thing with servant drinking it up. It was like dang! I was told the KG teacher was an informer but I had no idea it was like that. So yes MPS is slowly melting like the cheap wax that it is. YEEEEEHAWW!

School of Wax

Wow, didn't even realize myself how long it was since I last posted. For the past couple of weeks my mood had been dragging, add to that the chaos of exam time in MPS and then the students I tutor after school were having exams and needed to study. It was crazy. A normal day was waking up, going to school (with or without breakfast), leaving school and going straight to prince T. He usually took an hour to an hour and a half. Go home in time to find the driver ready to whisk me up to Dubai for another 3-4 hours. Praise the Lord above, they are all great kids. We would actually have a little fun studying - was good for my mood and they didn't find studying for so long boring. By the time I'd fall in the house I only had energy enough to get online for 20mins or so before falling asleep (most times at the computer).

Ok, so last month Mother Supreme & Lord Gracious had pissed me off to the point that I had actually made up my mind that I so wasn't going back. I was boiling when I left the school but by bedtime I was calmer and rationalized that I'd at least finish out this month and then leave the school and MS high and dry come exam time. Ha Ha. It was pure torture counting the days left every time I walked through those accursed opaque doors. MS saw to it personally to keep an eye on me throughout the day. She'd come and spy on me no less than twice a day. I was never given a place in any of the staff rooms like the other teachers so I usually just hung out in the prayer room, the near-bookless-miserable-excuse-of-a-library or the math coordinator’s office. No matter where I was I always heard the unmistakable sound of her approach. I always knew her by the sound of her walk and the ruffling of her abaya. Well I gave her plenty to see. Ha, guess she enjoyed seeing me sitting in meditation. If she only knew the things I meditated about bwhahahha.

Before the week was over I had come up with a suitable reward for the MPS administration. I of course was still going to pull an 'Eman' on them only it would have been complete with my personal signature, ::Hohoho::

How things turn out is just....... indescribable. On the 28th of Dec. our final day before the 3eed holiday MS called a staff meeting. By that time I had things already thought through. It was my plan to record that staff meeting. That lady has a habit of saying the dumbest things during those staff meetings I am positive a good portion of the sheemot she spews would and could get her fired by the ministry. Anywayz, recording that meeting was only part of it. I had also started roaming around the school. Roaming roaming as in walking through the girls section and other parts of the school that had nothing to do with me as a boys teacher. I started hanging out in the math coordinator's office (at first it was all to serve my purpose but it turned out I began to like socializing with the coordinator) whenever I had free periods. It was pretty obvious even to my co-workers that MS really REALLY hated me. That lady is really such a joke. Anywayz I used that also. Anytime she'd order me I'd jump and hurry to carry out her royal wishes. Barring that one time I had lost it after she used that uppity tone on me and I returned it back, I had turned into the picture of one of those lost hopeless ppl who only live to take orders from their boss and immediately carryout whatever was demanded in hopes of keeping their job. (she swallowed the bait whole folks judging by her final action). That day I recorded on my mp3 which was hidden under my shayla hanging from its very convenient neck strap. (Lady was nice enough to openly state that the ministry issued some new rule which she was going to directly ignore and then advised us to "lie" if asked about it. PAY DIRT!)

The only thing I didn't get was that psychopath teacher's last name. We were expected to be back in the school on the second of this month (it was technically still 3ed but do u think MS gave a flying pig's eye?) Anywayz since I had said I was going back after December I knew I'd be getting a pretty nasty call from MS demanding to know why I wasn't at work. I SO had an answer ready for her. I had all intentions of telling her I was actually working for the ministry and that they had been receiving complaints about the school. Of course she would have been informed about the ministry having a special department and its sole purpose was to send out the employees of that department to be hired in schools that needed inside investigation. (Can any of u guys imagine how many days worth of sheemot that she herself was guilty of would play through her head in that instant hahaha she would have gone crazy on the spot trying to remember whether or not I was present and was it possible that I had reported already) I'd give her a detailed explanation of why the hell every time she saw me (as she put it) I was always on my laptop. The simple reason being: It was part of my duty from the ministry to write down everything and report it all back to them. I'd tell her that I nearly blew my cover that time I went off on her (u know cuz someone who like wants there job would never speak to their boss like that, it'd fit perfectly with my story of being a ministry employee). I'd leave her to imagine how much info I got between my random unexplainable walks through the school and talks with the other teachers. Crumble she would have! I'd still have brought out my mp3 and let her listen to her own recorded voice as she uttered those punishable words in that staff meeting. And the opportunity would have been definitely taken to tell her at that moment as she listened to her voice in horror and wonders how the heck I managed to record with out her knowing, that I had been recording every staff meeting and every private conversation that ever took place between me, her and LG.. (in one such conversation LG actually openly admitted that he doesn't care about what the ministry rules are and he doesn't care about telling them the truth or not cuz it ain't their business - or so he believes) I think crumble is no longer a suitable adjective here.. something more along the lines of "crushed" like an empty Pepsi can would be more like it. Of course after a bluff like that I planned to back it up by reporting them and the psycho 2nd grade teacher Khadija (who I found out was nicknamed Dracula) to the ministry. Once the ministry got on their case those fools at MPS would have really believed I was a ministry spy. I couldn't help but giggle in bed every night as Jan. 2nd drew nearer and nearer.

Jan. 2nd finally came and I realized 1. as usual the snot owner hadn't bothered paying any of us on time and 2. I still hadn't gotten that Khadija's last name. Ha ha can u imagine trying to report a teacher with only a first name? and it's not like it's a unique name that one would rarely come across so she would have easily gotten away. Not good enough! So Jan. 2nd found me back in MPS with a purpose. The next day we were paid (the 3rd). Mother gave me the raised eyebrow when I got up to go to work. I told her I'd just finish out the week. My boys also needed English and science revision and I kinda felt bad to leave them like that. So till the end of the first week of Jan it was. Mid-way through the week it dawned on me. My plan had a disgusting plot-hole. If I in fact was sent by the ministry then the most important thing to them would be what went on during the half year exams. They would for sure want someone on the inside during that time and it wouldn't make sense that they'd pull me before then. Dammit, and I still hadn't gotten Khadija's last name. Yosh! Till the end of the exams this craziness would have to continue..

I had thought up the perfect no-way-to-go-wrong plan of getting Khadija's last name. I was supposed to catch her in a free moment and tell her about this conversation I had with a lady (All entirely false) Here I whip out my mobile and show her a name (I had made up and written in the night before and wrote in a made up number as well) and tell her I know the lady and in the course of one of our conversations I happen to let slip that I work in MPS. The lady then got excited at mention of the school and told me she has a friend named "Khadija something" (the something would be playing on my real forgetfulness and serve as reason for her to tell me her last name) working in a school but being that Al Mawahib and Al Mawakib private schools both sound the same she gets them confused and isn't quite sure which school her friend works at. At any rate to make a long story short, this fictional lady of my devious creation gives me her number and asks me to kindly pass it on to Khadija "uh..." (here after the uh I'd say she told me the last name but I forgot - thus giving Khadija a second opportunity to tell me her last name if she didn't take the bait the first time) cuz she (my fictional lady) has misplaced her friend Khadija's number.

Guys laugh ur heads off: in the end I never pulled that crazy stunt. I should be ashamed to admit but it's truth and nothing but truth - I couldn't cuz I was way too shy. In the end handicapped by my own limit tsk tsk.

Seemed no one else in the school knew her last name either. She was either "Ms. Khadija the crazy grade 2 teacher" or "Dracula" none of which could be reported to the ministry.

With that exam week started. The first day of exams I was assigned to invigilate grade 5 boys ICT exam. Of course that day I woke up at 7:00 by the time I showered and dressed blah blah blah it was after 7:30 and by the time I finally strolled through the cursed doors into reception it was 8:03 (we are supposed to be there at 7:20 latest). MS wasn't in the reception and didn't seem to realize I had just walked in when she told me I was supposed to be in grade 5 boys.

I get upstairs and find a first grade teacher in the grade 5 room as well. (there were supposed to be 2 teachers in each room) Lady is SUPER nice and she is great with her first grade class. One can observe quite clearly that she loves teaching and loves her kids (even if they can be little hellions at times). Anwayz I went to the back of the classroom as she wrote all necessary info about the exam (like what exam it was, date, what class, number of students absent/ present..) it was when she got to the part about the invigilators and wrote out her name on the board, my jaw dropped. Her name turned out to be “Khadija” also O_O. Can u guys just imagine how horrible that would have been if I went and reported a Khadija and they made a mistake and fired her?! (btw this khadija was also British)

Ten minutes passed before MS came in and said there was a mistake and the other Khadija was meant to be in there with me. (Would u guys believe that there turned out to be 3 khadijas in all?! To make things worse no one referred to them by last names either. Dracula was Khadija 1 and the other two were called Khadija 2 and 3 respectively.)

To make a long story short, it was the worst invigilating with that lady. She yelled at the boys like how she yells at her second graders. She kept telling them how great her second graders are and how if she tells them to write they write and when they are told to be quiet they are quiet. The biggest set of lies. She even had the audacity to call a boy who started laughing stupid. (only reason he was laughing was because of her screaming and harsh words)

Towards the end of the exam she huffed and puffed and swore she wouldn’t be invigilating their class ever again. Seems she went and told that to MS cuz she didn’t have to invigilate in there again. MS put me in there for 3 of their exams – probably cuz she believed Khadija and thought it was really horrible.

The next two days were chaos, I was late on both of them- which resulted in me ending up in LG’s office and having to hear him go on about how it’s not right to be late blah blah blah.

I was seriously dreading the day of my boys English and Science exams. I just had the sneaking suspicion that she made up something complicated. Sure enough that animal did. The English exam was so hard that even the 2 English speakers (an American boy and a British boy) had a tough time with it. Most of the other boys can’t read that great and she made most of the exam having to do with reading. One can’t say that because she’s not their teacher she doesn’t know they can’t read. Firstly, she was their teacher before I was switched to them from KG. She knew their levels. Secondly, the damn school is so cheap that they didn’t even bother buying the kids readers so that they could practice reading. So now how in the hell are the kids supposed to take an exam that relies heavily on reading skills?

As for the Science exam it was the same. Lots of reading in addition to really inappropriate questions. They had to know all the parts of a tooth. Not just basics like root and crown. Hell no. These poor 3rd graders were being forced to study the whole tooth (enamel, dentine, pulp cavity, cement, jaw bone, crown and root) as if they were majoring in dentistry or something.

I felt really bad for them as I sat in that damn control room and marked their exams. More than 3/4s failed in both English and Science. I’m not exactly sure what was the point of all this but in the end those parents were all pretty angry –with due right. I had planned for the 18th to be my last day (was going to quit, everything was now in place). I walked into school that morning and just as I was reaching for my card to clock in the assistant receptionist told me to go see the secretary. I stopped and decided to go to the secretary and clock in after. Had a weird feeling. As I walked in I noticed 2 yellow envelopes on her desk. The official school envelopes. She picked up one and looked inside. She said one of the envelopes was for me and she had to see which one cuz there were no names on the envelopes. When she finally decided which was mine she handed it to me. I had a look at it. The letter read:

We would like to inform you that after serious consideration a decision has been made to terminate your services with the school..

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your work.



The Management


There was a signature at the bottom. Not sure whose, but I suspect it belonged to LG. The wording of the letter sounded like the handiwork of MS especially since my name was spelt how she spells it. The lady has serious problems pronouncing ppl’s names and if that wasn’t bad enough she then spells the names exactly as she pronounces them.

Those ppl though (can’t help but shake my head) they are really pathetic with a capital P. Too pussy to even sign their name to that letter (The Management??) and then had the secretary hand it to me while they hid ::rolls eyes:: The secretary claimed LG wasn’t at school and that he had gone to Libya. Meanwhile his car was parked outside (down the block.. I know his plate number and that was definitely his) and his wife doesn’t drive so tell me how his car got there?? They are both usually loafing in the reception but that day neither was to be seen. Maybe they were expecting a scene from me. I honestly couldn’t control my happiness and I guess I must have sounded a bit too eager when I asked the secretary does the letter me I didn’t have to stay that day. She gave me a look and said yeah that means I can go home. I probably should feel something that I was fired but honestly I have no regrets. They now have to pay me 2 months salary for firing me without notice and the ironic part is I was planning on quitting anywayz. Serves them right.

Hero

No, We cannot see

Who are we, to look to
No, it cannot hear
What is to believe in

And we keep dreamin' of a world
Where all that's good so we were told
We need a hero

And we keep dreamin' of a time
Where good is all that we can find
We need a...
We need a...
Hero

No, We cannot tell
Who's the one to lead us
But you know that we'll be there
Waiting for them to find us

And we keep dreamin' of a world
Where all that's good so we were told
We need a hero!

(clicking the above will take u to an AMV on youtube featuring that song)

Gosh, those reports are/were definitely torture. Seriously. That damn principal doesn't know how lucky she is that I at least take my responsiblities seriously. I am definitely quitting come the end of this month so one would wonder why the hell I'm even bothering to do these god blessed reports. Her Highness would be doubly screwed, what with the midyear exams coming up and having to have those reports to give to the parents with the kids' records and my leaving - right before one of their most hectic times. She needs to be screwed, lord knows she does but I'll leave that honor to someone else. For my part I will feel satisfied leaving that education hole with my sanity and at least knowing that I have "done my duty". Which of course is the only reason I am doing these reports. They were assigned to us this month, I am staying till the end of this month so that I'd get paid for this month therefore I should at least get this month's work done...

Pity I had to be pissed off so early this morning... tried to shrug it off and found myself humming the tune to the above "We Need a Hero". I remembered hearing it back when I watched Power Rangers as a kid (sure I still watch rangers sometimes but they don't use that song anymore). Whenever I'm really pissed one of three songs usually come to mind, that one or the song "Invincible" (another one from rangers back in the day) and sometimes N'syncs' "Bye bye bye". (I don't listen to any of those songs anymore but the words are stuck in my head sorta like the saying: When something is learned while one is young it is as if it is engraved in stone.)

Hmm, I'm not being very clear here... I have some time on me hands at the moment guess I should post about the last straw.

2 weeks ago Her Royal Highness female of MPS called a staff meeting- mandatory attendance of all staff..except the male teachers which is pretty damn screwed. Anyways I had kids in my classroom who's folks were late to pick them up so I remained in the classroom with them until they left. Staff meeting started at 2 and I didn't get up there till 2:30 - that female was still going on strong (it's like My God female what u got to be foaming off at the mouth about when we just had a staff meeting like a week before this one?). No seats so I parked myself on a desk. She was talking her usual sheemot about how the school is doing us a favour (::blink blink::) and how none of us would be hired any place else (it's more like the other way around, if I ever happen to snap a pic of her u'd see why) blah blah blah. Honestly lady if that's ur way of trying to brainwash us into thinking we are unwanted and MPS is being most gracious to us u can go screw ur self somewhere. She finally comes off that subject and repeats all the other stuff from previous meetings. The only thing of any relevance was getting those damn boards in the classrooms decorated- preferably with the kids' work. She said we had a week to get them done. Otherwise we'd have to come in on Saturday and do it. (Saturday is part of the weekend here) Fine whatever lady.

The next week I started trying to get my boys to do a report on their favorite animal. I taught them how to get a pic and put it on the first page and set up the report/booklet thing. None of them did it. Their reason being they didn't know what kind of paper. Honestly all it had to be was plain white paper. I'm pretty sure each of them have printers in their houses and printers use paper don't they? I said fine, I'll bring the paper and we'll do it in the class.

Needless to say I got busy and like completely forgot about bringing any paper. She comes in my class on Thursday afternoon and says I'll be coming in on Saturday to do the board. I said ok. (I don't be giving that female no beef. She tells me to do something I say ok.) I got home and thought about that for a bit. I finally decided like hell I was going in there on Saturday. Hadn't gone for tennis in a while and here was this female thinking I was going to be wasting my time up in that hole. Anywayz, Saturday came and I had a change of mind. Better to get this sheemot over and done with since I had spent most of Friday late into the night getting sheemot to put on the board. I had decided to make the board theme about ants and then the kids were going to write about ants as a creative writing assignment. They so needed practice writing anywayz. So Saturday I was ready to go and put in no more than an hour of valuable time and mother decides she needs the car. Ah well there goes that idea. I decided I'd go later that afternoon since I was supposed to go for tennis that morning. Mother didn't come back with that car till way later and by the time I got home it was after 7pm. Kinda late to be going to that damn school and being alone at night with that pervert so called security guard.

After my shower I decided I'll go so as to keep the peace over at that damn place. Lady told me come in on Saturday so I should come in on Saturday. So I dragged myself out there with my sis and found the place all locked up. Damn guard lives there so I banged on the gate till he came out and opened it. I went in fixed up the board, took me 45 mins. Only prob was my color printer ran out of ink and I couldn't finish printing up some of the really cool pics I had. The result was the board not being finished.

First thing the next morning LG comes in and starts getting on about the board. I told him it wasn't done and he goes on about how it looks so unprofessional blah blah blah as if there is any damn course a person can take anywhere that teaches a person HOW the hell to make a "professional" looking board.

I saw H.R.H a couple of times during the day. She never once mentioned the board. Then after school there was a homework club program going on in my classroom and she was their teacher. She still doesn't say anything about the board. I figured maybe she is upset about it and it'd only be common courtesy to explain that the board really isn't done and that my printer ran out of ink blah blah blah. So I start telling her that and she turns on that snappy tone with me, I wasn't in the mood for trouble so I just let it go. She asked me why didn't I come in on Saturday. I replied that I did come on saturday. She said no I didn't. "!!!!?" I replied I did and that nobody was there. Then she got even huffier and said that the board looks terrible and why didn't I ask the store lady for some paper to cover the brown part of the board. The board theme was supposed to be about ants and I thought it would be cool to leave it brown to give a sorta underground effect. I told her that and she gave me a look as if I had just chalba smacked her in the face or something. She then asks why didn't I come on Saturday morning. I said that she never told me to come on Saturday "morning" she had just said come in on Saturday. (she did say that but then she also sent out a letter that she claimed said morning on it) I said the letter didn't say morning. Least I didn't remember it saying such. She shifted on the spot to super Chalba mode and told me to see her in the office. Snap this female got issues...

I get in the office and she slams the door so that only myself, her and LG are in the room. She immediately starts whinning to LG that I am always arguing with her. A-R-G-U-I-N-G. I ask her to tell me when I have ever argued with her.. then she says if it's not arguing then I am always backtalking to her infront of the kids. OMG like serious WTFBBQSAUCE. Firstly I don't be arguing with her and secondly who the hell does she think she is?!? my mom?? (Praise the Lord above a thousand times over that ain't the case, I would have had to commit suicide the day I was born!) "Backtalking" TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKH. I mean since when did explaining something become 'backtalk' and arguing??? Even mother allows us to explain ourselves. That damn principal must think she's some sorta Mother Supreme or some crazy sheemot like that. I said I was only explaining about the board. She then turns to LG and says "See." as she guestures towards me.

LG looks from her to me and then starts his long lecture about how Mother Supreme is very very experienced in everything having to do with the school and if she says a board is unacceptable that means it is unacceptable and should be changed without any ands, ifs or buts about it. (is it just me or does that seem like the sorta lecture a father would give his kid if kid disrespects mommy....??) He of course doesn't stop there... nope that would have been too gracious of Lord Gracious himself. He has to go on about how if any person doesn't know how to do something in that school they have Mother Supreme who is truly amazing and has knowledge of how to do everything (except run the damn place honestly) blah blah blah and that even he (::blink blink:: he speaks of himself as if he is some high ruling authority that has humbled himself before the all great Mother Supreme) goes to her and asks for "advice and guidance" - I kid u folks not that was the dude's exact words... (all the while Mother Supreme sits there drinking in the praise and holding the face of one who expects and demands such things to be said about her.) He then said MS would have been more than happy to help me if I had come to her and asked her advice on the board (ha ha help me like she has been helping me after throwing me in a 3rd grade class- when I had been hired for KG- without any orientation or anything and then she just automatically expects me to "know" what the hell I'm supposed to be doing??) He adds that if I didn't want to ask her I could have asked my own mother who worked there last year because she had 'excellent' boards ( ::cough cough:: firstly she rarely did a board and when she did it was usually my sis who did it and I was called in to do the actual cutting and labour for getting the board decorated...and even with all of that the boards were pure 'crap' as the math teacher choked out when I told her what LG had said. It was the pure truth folks. Even mother admitted those boards didn't look right and she had told them up front that she wasn't doing any boards cuz she has like zero artistic talent.) Anywayz his lecture began it's ending descend with how if one teacher's work looks exemplary that shines on the whole school and gives the school a good reputation and in the end it's all for the good of the school... (couldn't help but imagine us all as ants at the moment working under MS who would be the Queen female of the nest and it all be for the good of the colony.. ha ha I'd sooner douse the so-called colony in gasoline and set the whole cursed nest aflame!)

They had plenty more sheemot to talk my ear off about but since this was all last week and I don't waste valuable memory space commiting their every word to heart I only remember the last thing being about my beloved Lt. MS had the nerve, the utter NERVE to start in on me being on my laptop during my god blessed free periods. She told LG that everytime she sees me I am on my laptop. ::blink blink:: first of all I never use my laptop during class. I only use it during my free periods and I am NEVER late for my classes. I always make sure I shut down my Lt 10 minutes before my classes and I am usually down there waiting in the hall outside of my classroom for no less than 5 minutes. She then asks me if what I am always doing on my laptop is my school work. I said no. She said then I shouldn't be on it. Just like that. Damn that female plays her role of Mother Supreme to the letter... Of course Daddy LG had to get in on this bit and put in his two cents about how if he were to bring his laptop to school and start working on his own personal business the owner would be very upset (no comment... If I were to comment on that I'd never shut up). Half an hour went by and I was still in there getting my ears lectured off by Mommy and Daddy both as if I had disgraced the family or something.

By the time they finally granted me a royal dismissal I was pissed way the hell off and back. I was told that I was to "get those boards done by the following day" by MS and LG said I could carry on what I was doing as long as I got it done and professional looking by the next day. MS had said that she wanted the whole theme changed so I told LG "I don't see how that is possible since now she wants them changed by tomorrow."

Well that did, Mother Supreme nearly had heart failure from her anger. She said "See! that's what I mean... Who is 'she'?" ::blink blink:: Let's see now, I was talking to LG so the 'she' considering there was only three of us in the room would mean her...duh. Even LG looked a bit lost. I said "You" at the same time LG was mouthing it. MS threw her hands up. She said "You don't ever refer to someone as 'she'! That is rude!" her face was turning red. She was enraged bull angry. LG started to explain to her that in some cultures it isn't rude to say 'she'. Last I checked British and American cultures were more or less the same... I couldn't help but try to explain when I said "Well I was talking to him." that did it. She was going crazy about me refering to them as she and him...some one please tell me so I can "know" what the hell was I supposed to refer to them as if they are sitting right there within slapping distance?? If I had said their names that would have sounded a bit snot nosed, sarcastic and like I was ignoring the fact that either was sitting right there. Lady is just a screwed female. I've deducted that she definitely has ISSUES and you know what..that's perfectly okay cuz I so know how to distance myself from insanity when I see it. There isn't a salary worth enough to get me to stay there under Mother Supreme and put up with her screwed sheemot day in and day out for 5 out of the 7 days of the week (unless of course she issues a royal decree viciously snatching away one of ur weekend days that are reserved for recuperating ur own sanity!). And after being told about all the crap that goes down in that school I still have folks frowning on my decision to quit...

I guess the fact that such decisions being my choice and of course MY LIFE has never occurred to those individuals who think I am being irrational and a spoiled brat because I am quitting. I forgot to mention that MS also talked about my teaching and that the day she observed my class she found my teaching deplorable, reason being because one of the kids who studied in America - where the curriculumn is way the hell stronger than that sheemot she is calling the british system- was sitting for 20 minutes without any work to do. Wanna know why folks? Cuz the kid thanx to our A-M-E-R-I-C-A-N curric is very much independent and can work out all of the classwork with very little help and then still turn around and complete all the homework in a little over 15 minutes. Whereas it takes the other kids the whole 40 minute period to work through the single page of classwork. On top of that I don't have time to return to that kid and give him more advanced work or even just extra work cuz I am pulled in a zillion directions at once helping the weaker kids who can't do a single thing without my help. Like MAJOR clue oh great 'experienced and knowledgeable' Mother Supreme: I need a GOD BLESSED assistant for crying out loud. Doesn't take a Ph.D to know that. It is virtually impossible for one teacher to be at all 17 students' sides at all times during that 40 minute period. (all the other teachers have at least 2 assistants for my same class so why shouldn't I at least get "ONE"??) So because of that she said my teaching is "Terrible and needs a LOT of work". Meanwhile her compatriot who is teaching 2nd grade can get away with cursing the kids (I was sitting outside her classroom when I heard her say: "YOU STUPID BOY OPEN YOUR BOOK!") and using profanity in front of them (like the incident when she called the math teacher a "B!tch" in front of the boys twice and then one of the boys asked what did that word mean.) On several occasions I have heard her tell the boys to "Shut up" in really harsh tones. But yeah that's all allowed and within the realm of professonalism. Hmph! As professional as MS tampering with the grades and giving that boy extra marks out of the air. If that's the meaning of professionalism then I'd prefer to remain a respectable - jobless if need be- human. I so don't need that, any of it.

My God this post is so long I don't even feel like going back and proofreading all of this (I pity u all that have read this far... BW of course...maybe ardab...Sam and Eman...possibly... My apologies you guys but I had to let this steam out!)

And we keep dreaming of a world

A world where good is all we'll find!

We need a hero.........................

Gray

If days could be rated by colors (black, white or gray) I'd rate today: Gray. Wednesdays are usually my worst days and at the same time my second favorites.

Worst days cuz I have to teach 7 out of the 8 periods at school (2 of them science - I truly hate teaching that sub. I'd rather teach them MATH!). Second favorites cuz they are the days before the last day of the week (there might also be some lingering love from when the weekends were Thursday-Friday before they changed them to Friday-Saturday and Wednesday was the day before the weekend).

Today I got to school on time for my 7:40 class (first period). Best part about having that first period class is the fact that most of the kids don't trudge in till 8, 8:30. So the first period gets at least half of the time cut off. I had class 3b1 first. They are a smaller class than 3b2 with only 13 kids to 3b2's 17. There's a nasty bug going around the school and most of the kids have caught it. A couple of days there were only 6 kids in 3b1. Anywayz today 3 were absent so on one side of the classroom there were only 4 kids and on the other side 5 (Damned MPS follows the British Curriculum and part of the curriculum is group learning where they sit in groups of four - four desks pushed together.) Anywayz it was while I was looking at them split up and all talking that I came up with a 'new' way to teach them. It turns out it is easier to get one side of the classroom quiet and focusing at a time than trying to have the whole class's attention. Albeit that means I have to explain and teach each lesson at least twice in one class. I don't mind. It's really a great feeling when you teach something and you actually find that your class has 'gotten' it. I was pleased at the end of the lesson when it appeared that 75% of them had understood and learnt something new today.

Mission accomplished!

3b1's two periods of English were over before I knew it (I was actually enjoying the period.). I immediately have to get to 3b2 to teach them a period before break and then I give them a second period after break. I walked in and had just finished collecting the homework diaries (we have to write the homework in the diaries.. lots of teachers just write the hw on the board and tell the kids to copy it off. Most of the time kids handwriting be so horrible that u can't understand anything from it - pretty damn annoying, and I speak from experience as a private tutor. So to spare whoever has to help those kids with their hw I write it down myself in each diary.) when the principal walks in; diet coke and black notebook in hand. She informs me she is going to "observe" my class and teaching and not to mind her cuz she was just going to sit in the back.

My first thought was "Crap a surprise observation." She immediately walked out saying she was going to get a chair. *Quick Breather* While El Hazard reassures self. "It's not that bad.. My class back in the old school was observed by the principal. Compared to that time I have much more experience now and I command a hell of alot more respect then I had over the 19 in that class back then. I can -and will- do this!" ::invisible punches thrown in the air signifying my readiness::

Principal walks back in with a chair and perches on it in the back of the class. "Damn, those eyes are on me...that pen is writing about me!" I tell the boys to take out their english textbooks. "Chillax... u've done this before..." Boys were having trouble getting them books open to the page (even though I wrote which book, the unit number and the page number on the board). I had to help a couple of boys get the right page- they would have gotten it on their own but I was itching to get started and get my mind off of the eyes in back... Those eyes that were watching intently observing all and leaving nothing un-noted. "That's right! I came up with a new improved way of teaching this morning, time to unleash it on this class." So I did just that. I became so engrossed in teaching that I was able to almost totally block out the fact I was being observed. "YOSH!" Then one boy came to me from the other side of the class and asked to go to the bathroom. Letting the kids out to the bathroom had already been banned by that same principal twice in staff meetings. I so don't think that is right to deny a kid the use of the bathroom especially if they really gotta go. I usually ask though if they are going for water or to actually go for the bathroom. Once they say bathroom (and even though they can be little devils at times they are pretty honest when it comes to saying whether they are going to the bathroom or just to drink water. One boy actually said he was going to do both. lol) I let them go.

So once that kid came up to me and asked "Teacher can I go to the bathroom?" I felt those eyes zero in. She was waiting intently for my answer. Should I forbid him cuz she *did* forbid the bathroom after all..? I looked at the boy. He looked like he needed to use the bathroom. "Hell, any other time I let them go to the bathroom and what kind of hypocrite would I be if I refuse him now just cuz her highness is sitting in the class?!" ..... "Go" was my two letter permission grant. I wish I could have seen her face when she heard me grant it. "That's it, just like that, carry on as if she isn't in the room.. she's here to *observe* how I teach a class not how I can perform." With that any nervousness that might have been hiding was immediately banished. Praise the Lord above, my voice didn't shake while I was reading and I managed to effect my normal tone.

Once they are all busily working away I sit at the teacher's desk and write in their home work diaries. I proceeded to the desk and gave them my back while I stood and began to write. "What are you doing? You know you don't write homework leaning over the desk with ur back to the class. She's here to observe not watch a performance!" *nod nod* as I circle the desk and sit as I always do. I start to write. One book done. Two books done. Three. Fo- "Teacher! What is number 6?" I move to get up and then remember mid-way up that at that point I tell the boys to bring their books to me at the front and I help them out while I still write in the HW diaries. "Bring the book let me see it." The boy brings it. He barely finishes before 2 other boys announce they have finished the first assignment. "Bring your books" I quickly check over their work and assign them the next assignment. They trot off happily back to their desks. It continues on like that till the bell rings for break time. A few still haven't had their work checked but it is done. I announce to the class to leave their notebooks on my desk and they can go out for break. "I did it! I did it! I made it through the observation doing everything I usually do even down to letting them leave the books for checking while they go to break."

Praise the Lord I had come up with an improved way to teach that morning. After break the principal reappeared for observation round 2. (Can I just say praise the Lord again that it wasn't a science period she was observing?) Second period english went basically as the first one had gone- with the exception of 2 boys going to the bathroom instead of just one. I had also forgotten to put my phone on silent and of course mother had to call. As my phone rung in the middle of the lesson I hesitated for half second wondering should I pick it up. Any other time I answer it and just tell whoever I am in the middle of class and get off with the quickness "She's here to observe not watch a performance..." Decision made. Phone answered. Mother dispersed of quickly and back to the lesson. I'm sure I earned her highness's royal frown cuz she hates cell phones anyways. At least I had/have no feelings of guilt for being hypocritical and sucking up to her expectations.

I had thought that they would have kicked us out on another field trip (the third in one week). Turned out it was 6th grade that was going on the trip. I left my Laptop home cuz it really is quite heavy to lug around with the rest of the junk I add in the bag along with it. I had made the mistake of bringing it on Monday not realizing there was a field trip that day and ended up lugging it around for 3 hours. Between Monday and today I somehow managed to strain my neck and shoulder muscles pretty good. (Sternocleidomastoideus is the name of that muscle.) Hurts like hell to turn my head, move my neck or right arm even slightly.. Dammit, I have pretty good breaks tomorrow and I want my Lt. Guess I'll have to carry it on my left shoulder. (I'll have to invest in a proper Lt bag so I have the option of carrying it brief case style in times like these)

Ok so that was my school part of the day that helped contribute to today scoring a "Gray". I finally got the virus protection for my Lt today from the new electronic store, Emax, here in Sharjah. Means I can finally download from mininova again...well until I run out of space on my Lt. Something which is fast approaching as I only have 1.96 GBs on the general hard drive and the back up drive space I've been using as well is down to 4.35GBs from 25 GBs.

I'm almost sure there is something else that made this a gray day... can't remember what it was now. I think I'll go get a hot shower and give my neck a massage.

THANK GOD TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY BEFORE THE WEEKEND!

(I am so ready for it)

The downsides of being a teacher:

It's time like these that makes one regret having to be associated with the individual or in this case individuals responsible for such a mess....

I didn't think it was appropriate to take the kids on a field trip to the airport in the first place. It's not like the place is an airplane museum where one can say ok they'll see many differnet types of planes and learn about the history of planes and flying blah blah blah. No this was an "airport" and ha not just any airport but the busiest one in the U.A.E.

I thought myself lucky to have escaped going with 3B1 (there are two grade 3 classes, I teach english and science to both) on Wednesday. I should have known better since I'd been having a streak of ironic luck all this week. Then as soon as I walked in on Thursday the principal asks me if I could go with 3B2 (u know the kind of question that it is expected of u to answer yes. I wasn't in the mood to find out what might have happened if I refused.).

The kids were really excited. It was nice to see, but I knew I'd regret it. We were given a tour of most of the airport (no special behind the scenes places just a normal walk around the airport and simple Q & A about planes). My shoulder wanted to drop off (I hadn't been expecting to go on that trip and I had brought my laptop to school. I need not say I sure wasn't going to be leaving my precious Lt in that cursed place!) and the kids were complaining hunger by the time the tour was over. So we took them to the Mc Donalds inside the airport. Big mistake.

Firstly it was in a small food court that had Mc Donalds and some high class cafe. The tables and seats near the Mc Donalds were full. Only some seats and tables on the side of Mc D but infront of the cafe were available. We sat the kids there and collected extra chairs from tables that only had one or two ppl seated at them. The teachers in that school always prefer to collect the kids money and ask them what they want as opposed to splitting up the kids- like say 4 or 5 kids per teacher - and letting each kid order what they want. Their way, those teachers always end up forgetting who ordered what and how much money was given to them by whom and the change. In other words food time is bedlam. They left me to watch all the kids (I think it was 12 or 14 kids) while they did the ordering - which was fine with me cuz I wanted no parts of forgetting orders, the right change and so on.

Anyways their first trip they came back with one lone tray with 2 kids meals and placed it on the already crowded table (12 kids seated around a table that was no bigger than a student's school desk, and a few kids brought their lunch boxes and had them on the table. Some had dropped their jackets on the table.). So two kids got and the other kids were getting uppity cuz they wanted theirs also. Darn kids meals came with toys of course so all the kids wanted to play with those two toys and next thing we all new the whole tray with fries and their drinks went crashing to the floor (The tray got kicked all the way under the table by the time I took that pic). All eyes from the surrounding tables turned. Frowns and disapproving looks were bestowed upon us (the other teachers were at the Mc D ordering so the kids and I were graced with it all). It was one of those moments when one sends very sincere mental pleas to the ground begging it to open up... I think we stayed there all of 15 minutes and when we were leaving that's when the clean up staff finally noticed the mess and began to clean it up.

E-M-B-A-R-R-A-S-I-N-G

Something to think about

December ’83 the date of sail
And sail it did 23 no fail
‘Tis vast sea around from prow to tail
No direction decided, no deeds to scale
By Divine Fate this won’t prevail
To exist and do nothing will not avail

I have found my “direction”
And can but hope for perfection
To teach with perfection my newfound obsession
The sea unappealing in such a profession
I truly feel ill when I see such aggression
The way of some teachers is only ‘suppression’
No good can come from suchlike transgressions

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Translation of the poem is below in blue

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The things that go down in Al Mawahib Private School are just appalling. At the moment one teacher in particular stands out just dripping “evil” all over the school. Her name is Khadijah. I’m not sure what her last name is but if I knew it I’d post it here as well. I hope one day she stumbles across this blog and reads about how her own atrocities have found their way to the net, a blog no less were the amount of eyes that will read about her are unlimited. Ha ha. Maybe I’ll drop her a note with this address saying she might want to go have a look at a certain post. ::evil grins::

Anywayz the lady is British and believes she is God’s gift to mankind. She treats the kids like pieces of unwanted garbage and worse. Gives new meaning to the word “snob” as she is too good to return a greeting (I made the mistake of trying to be friendly in the hall a couple of times as I passed her and she totally gave me the upturned nose.)

She is the English and Science teacher for grade 2 at the school. Whenever I am going to my class or even sometimes I am standing in my classroom with the door closed, I hear that lady yelling – and not just raised voice cuz they are making too much noise, yelling yelling like a donkey screaming or the devil bellowing – at those poor kids. I cringe when I hear her voice and I know full well she can’t do anything to me. I can only imagine what those kids must feel. They don’t have the luxury of knowing that she can’t touch them or do anything to them cuz she does DO and she DOES do more than just touch. She took one boy, hit him in the head with a book, slapped him in the face, grabbed him and told him she’d “kill” him…. I don’t know what the reason for that was but I am damn sure there is no reason EVER to do that to any kid much less a student. The kid’s parents came in and the lady swore and denied everything. Two other boys saw her do it. They were called to testify and she swore they were lying. Even had the nerve to call God as her witness.

In another incident she called the Math teacher a “B!tch” in front of the whole 2nd Grade class. The math teacher stood in shock not believing what came out of that lady’s mouth and she then said “Yeah, u heard me I called u a B!tch.” At that moment one of the students asked: “Teacher what means B****?”

Lucky for the math teacher that there was an assistant teacher in the classroom and not just the kids. The administration always prefers to look the other way whenever the math teacher and Khadijah have fights. This time since the math teacher had a witness Khadijah was forced to apologize. She claimed that that language had “just slipped out”. Now I ask, how in blue hell does profanity just ‘slip out’ in the presence of a classroom full of little 2nd graders?

Yesterday I was supposed to go on a trip with my kids (I refer to my students as my kids) to the airport (We went and they embarrassed royal hell outta me). The principal said we were going to leave as soon as all the kids got there so it made no sense for me to trudge up those stairs to hangout in the forsaken musala. I sat down in the hall on an extra desk that had been pulled out of one of the classrooms. The desk was cattycorner to the grade 2 classroom. The door was sprawling open so I could hear Khadijah clearly. My ears hurt from the sound of her voice and I felt my blood warming up on its way to boiling. Hearing how she was speaking to those kids was angering me. Why the hell was she being allowed to continue teaching those kids? I was moments away from going to the principal and asking her what the hell was up with that (sure I know they are so damn desperate for teachers that they’d probably hire a twice convicted murderer if one came to apply. But that’s their fault that they are desperate, if they were decent and straight people great teachers would come running.) Just as I was rehearsing what I’d say and was really of full intention to go and say it, the principal walks by sees some kid and gives him a tongue lashing that rivaled those of Khadijah’s. It was like Damn, that’s why Khadijah is allowed to do such things cuz the principal is no different. The only thing she probably wouldn’t do is let profanity slip out in front of a class of kids – actually I take that back. If situation is right then I wouldn’t put it past her.

It was then while I was sitting there imagining all the ways those kids must be traumatized day in and day out 5 days a week by Her Highness Khadijah, that I decided I want to be a teacher. (lol I know I’m a teacher now, what I mean was to choose that as a career.) I know that my becoming a teacher won’t help all the kids who have horrible teachers but knowing that I at least was a good teacher for the kids I do teach and that I made a difference (I hope) for those few would make me happy.


1. My birth date.
2. I’ve now lived 23 years.
3. There are so many places (goals) a person can choose from.
4. And yet I haven’t decided on a goal or purpose to work towards/for, and haven’t accomplished anything of significance in all of this time.
5. It was fate that found me sitting in the hall yesterday and after hearing that lady with her class I finally decided what I wanted to do.
6. It’s impossible to live without any goal whatsoever (sure there are probably people who can live like that but it’s unsettling when u think about it. Makes me feel worthless.)

7. Sitting in that hall I made my decision and now have a ‘direction’ or goal to work towards.
8. Of course with anything a person does they want to do it the best they can or to the best of their abilities.
9. I will aim for being an excellent teacher.
10. Teaching isn’t fun when u have students who don’t wanna learn or the administration of the school is dishonest and twisted (MPS isn’t the only school that has a corrupted principal who sees nothing wrong with changing the grades on exam results!)
11. I feel really badly for those kids in grade 2.
12. That teacher isn’t the only one who is rough with kids. If you don’t make it interesting for the kids and squash out the things they deem important of course they are going to get bored and misbehave etc.
13. Those kids will probably be traumatized for life…

Inshalla they’ll get (the kids I mean…not that damn school, I hope that school crumbles by the time those kids reach grade 3) an amazing teacher in grade 3 and continue to have great teachers and hopefully they’ll forget about their second grade year.

The twisted world we live in..

Yesterday was parent-teachers' meeting at that education hole Al Mawahib Private School. Attendance of every living creature employed in that place was mandatory.

I had to go in in the morning for regular classes and all. Wasn't feeling great in the morning and by the end of the first to periods I knew there was no way I could make it till the end of the day without going home. So with 2 periods left ahead of me that wouldn't have started before another hour or so I called my mom to come get me. Didn't make sense to kill myself over a couple of classes and then still not come to the PTM (that would have spelt certain destruction of the world as we know it). I went to go sign-out my time card (it was only 11 something) all the cards were gone - a measure taken to make sure nobody clocks out and abandons ship before exactly 2:10. AS IF. I went to the receptionist who was in the middle of an intense conversation on the school phone. She looked a little annoyed that I wouldn't just see her on the phone and leave her alone. Brat, she's not much older than me. She finally decided to raise an eyebrow at me and ask me what I wanted. I told her that I was leaving cuz I wasn't feeling well and that she could inform Her Royal Highness the principal of that fact. She said for me to go tell her that myself. Kid, believe me it would have been easier for me to do that then have to deal with ya but obviously as I know u must know she's in a meeting with a bunch of parents (no less than 30 to be exact upstairs in the big room they call the hall.). Like hell I was going to go in there and interrupt her 5 mins of glory time to tell her I was sick. Receptionist brat told me then I had to seek out His Royal Highness LG and ask him to grant me his royal approval (actually asking wouldn't have been befitting enough, I would have to "beg" his royal approval). I pointed out that HRH wasn't in his office at the moment and where the hell was I supposed to find him. She claimed in grade 5 teaching the kids science (I feel for those kids. I'd rather sit through triple back to back periods of advanced math than have a single science period taught by that guy.)

Well that meant go upstairs (again) and search for him (I knew that him being in one central place like that would have been just too easy) and sure enough HRH wasn't in the 5 grade classroom. The teacher in there said he didn't know where he was. So it was back downstairs and down the long hall. I contemplated throwing up in one of those in wall fountain things they have water filtered out the bathroom for the kids to drink. Felt too dizzy to get down to that thing anyways so I just continued on. By the time I reached the end of the hall there HRH was just coming down the stairs with a class of boys. I was just starting to tell him I was going home and he breezed by saying wait a sec cuz he was very busy. I followed him and he politely ignored me till he went into this small storage room with the boys and yelled a bit about some missing juice. When he finally came out he was like could I make this quick cuz he had a class to get to. (Damn him! This was going to be quick alright.) I informed him that I was going home cuz I wasn't feeling well. That damn fool had the nerve to tell me I couldn't cuz of the PTM.

!!!! That guy didn't know how close I was to choking the life out of him with that hideous tie he was wearing... I gave him a look. He must have felt the poisonous daggers I was shooting at him with that look cuz he immediately started stuttering and saying I had to ask his wife and that I also had to be back for the PTM. I told him I would "probably" back for the precious PTM and as for asking his wife she was up in a meeting. Seriously that guy really is lacking in an IQ, I think it's like non-existant with him. He replied that there is no 'probably' that i was coming back and that he wanted to hear that it was a 'sure thing'. *Blink Blink* my head was spinning and I was feeling waves of heat washing over me and this king of the apes was telling me I had to say for sure I was coming back to some meeting?! Maybe he would have liked if they brought my dead corpse back and propped me up at that damn desk just so it could be said that all the teachers were "present". I told him whatever and that "inshalla I'll see" (noticed that everybody without exception hates to hear me say that LOL.) He gave me a look that was probably supposed to be some sort of threat - come or die. "Like I really care I'm probably going to die anywayz." He was turning to leave, clearly pissed, and said I had to check with his wife.

Honestly and I kid u folks not, the whole adminstration over there lacks basic intelligence. U can't do a damn thing in that place without everyone knowing much less attend a meeting with that many parents. How in the hell was it that this animal was telling me ask his wife knowing bloody well she was in a meeting?! I informed him of that fact and he just shrugged and walked off as if to say that's my prob.

My head throbbed at the thought of having to climb the stairs again. I grabbed the rail but just couldn't go. Two parents came down, followed by another then another. The meeting must be over! Praise the Lord. The P.E. teacher was on her way upstairs so I told her to tell the principal to come down.

I waited right there at the foot of the stairs as more parents passed but no principal. I wondered if that P.E. teacher actually told her. I suspect she didn't or the principal was up there running her mouth. I waited at least a good 10 mins before a voice said: What the hell are u doing?! U r sick and instead of going home u'r waiting around like a dog waiting obediently for its master....

!!!! Realization!!!! Big time. I turned and walked out into the reception right past the brat who looked up but was smart enough not to say anything and right past that pervert security guard who can't mind his own business to save his worthless life. He was asking the receptionist was it ok for me to be leaving like that. I didn't hear her reply. I was already out the door.

I was thoroughly pissed with myself. What was I doing waiting around like that. After telling the receptionist I should have just walked out then. In the car my mom asked me did I tell the principal I was leaving. I couldn't help but laugh. I said she'd probably be calling any minute to chew me out in her chalba tone for not waiting to receive her royal permission. Screw her. If she called she was going to get what she had coming to her and I was going to use the last of my strength giving it to her. And I really couldn't care less if she fired me for it or not.

That lady might have an ounce worth of smarts in that head of hers after all cuz she didn't call. I went home and rested a couple of hours cursing myself for losing my medicine and not buying a new package in all this time. We were supposed to be in place by 4:45. It was 4:50 when I walked in. Both LG and Her Royal Highness were in the reception neither said anything (not even to ask how was I or was I feeling better. Ha ha, not that u expect that kind of thing from those two..). The principal turned around and greeted me and told me everything was upstairs. That was it. I dared ask her "Where upstairs?" got two word reply : the hall.

Got upstairs to the hall and found a bunch of desks all around lining the walls. Each with a name on them. Great! I'll have to walk around till I come across my name - or something that looks remotely close since screwing my name seems to be something famously done by the world over. I decided to go right since "one can't go wrong if they go right..." lol. Lucky me I found my desk, 3 desks down from where I was standing on the right- and my name, surprise surprise was actually spelt right. I sat. The other teachers all seemed to have eyes on me. I guess I strike them as a weirdo cuz I never socialize with any of them. (once in a while I chat with the math teacher - that's cuz I knew her from last year and she gets a kick out of hearing me describe things in that school- and those chats never last more then 5 mins and that's usually only once a month or twice in a month. other than that I only greet teachers, as is custom, when I pass them on my way into the classroom after their period is over.) Anywayz, looking around I notice I'm the only one with a totally empty desk - except for my name. Not totally surprising, I'm probably the most looked down upon teacher (as far as the administration is concerned) in the whole school...actually second most looked down upon, so yeah it didn't surprise me that I didn't have the kids' exams or results or grade book of any kind.

After some time the principal finally brings up two sheets with the exam results of both classes I teach. (every one else had mark books and other things on their desks)

While I'm waiting for these 'parents' to show up I decide to have a look at the results. I know that lady ain't straight when it comes to final results and all but I was in no way expecting to see what I did. In one of the classes I have this boy. He's been a prob since 2nd grade when my mom had him. He doesn't write jack smack in the class unless someone gives him undivided attention or u tell him he isn't going out for breaktime and he ain't going to buy any 'food' either. With such dire consequences over his head he gets it together and slowly puts some digusting writing on his paper. I honestly don't know what the kid's prob is but his cousin in the other class that I teach is only a notch better than he is. One might begin to wonder if they are mentally challenged but that isn't the case cuz they miraculously start writing when there is some dire consequence placed above them. The cousin I'll refer to as H.R. and the first boy i'll refer to as M.K. Anywayz H.R's father came to the school a few weeks ago and I told him how his son spends most of classtime talking and laughing and not thinking about his work. His father said he is working with him on that as well as his handwriting (H.R's handwriting is like trying to solve hieroglyphics). His father told him, infront of me, that if he didn't improve he was going to "break" him. At any rate he's back to his old self, only writing if I make him stay in during break time. The result is most of the time his class work ain't done. Better than his cousin M.K. whose classwork is never done and neither is his homework. I have to believe M.K's parents don't look inside of his homework diary - ever. And even though M.K. is in the 3rd grade he can't read a lick.

Anywayz it was a while since I did the grades for everything so I don't remember everything but I do remember that I gave M.K. well deserved 'zeros' for classwork which is never done and homework which doesn't seem to exist to him nor his parents or anyone else back in his place. As for the exams there were English, divided into reading, spelling, comprehension and a general exam. And there was a Science exam. Both subjects got their final results from the exams, classwork and homework. On M.K's general english exam he got a 4 and 1/2 from 35. His spelling exam he got zero from 10, his reading exam was zero from 10 and his comprehension was a 3 or 4 from 16. Homework and classwork were straight zeros also. but yet his final mark on that result paper infront of me said M.K. got a 42 in English! How in blue hell I ask??? 4 and 1/2 plus 3 or even if we say 4 only makes 8 and 1/2. So like how in the hell did this guy get a double digit end result?! I look over at his science mark and near crumble the paper in rage. 66. What the hell is that??! I recall him getting a 5 from 70 on that exam. That is a pretty damn big typo from 5 to 66?!?! neither class work nor homework is ever done for that kid so where the hell did she drag 61 marks from to slap on to his lone 5?

She had been throwing a fit that I gave one boy who usually has average marks a zero in comprehension cuz he couldn't answer any of those damn hard questions SHE had put on their comprehension exams. She asked me what did I think his parents were going to say to their son getting a zero. I replied that they were going to think the truth which was that there son needs more help in understanding english. That is the truth. I can't tell u folks how many times I have to explain simple intructions to that kid so he could turn around the same second and say 'Teacher I don't know." The principal didn't want to hear that and of course got pissed she said if I see the kid is like that then I need to take him out of the class during another period and 'help' him with the exam. I had given each of those kids a more or less one on one with those exams cuz she really did put some pretty damn hard questions on it. I told her I did everything short of actually telling them the answers for every last one of those kids and even some of the smart kids called out the answers when I was explaining the questions for the kids who claimed not to understand. Even after hearing the answers called out they still whined they didn't know. So what could I do? I told that lady all of that and she just looked at me. I said what, do u expect me to "tell" them the answers? (I think she was near exploding at that point). She went on about how if I see weak kids like that I should help them and that's my job blah blah blah. I gave him a one on one and he still didn't get her exam. I told her give him a one on one herself and see what she gets out of him. At that point she just stormed off. I figured than that she was going to screw with the marks- but I never expected her to stoop this low.

I sat at my desk and endured severe chills praying that I'd see M.K.'s parents so I could tell them how their son does absolutely nothing in both english and science classes. Of course they'd ask how did he get his marks and that would be where I screw that darn school to hell. They never came, instead I got a bunch of other angry parents. I felt bad for them. One lady was going on about her son getting a 76 in english, she wanted to know why. I had no idea cuz I had no exams infront of me or anything else. Only those pathetic two papers. I told her I didn't make up those exams and that it all came from the principal. She read between the lines as did the other angry parents so I foresee that principal is going to have a couple of very angry parents down her throat in the very near future....

Serves her right. Twisted female.

Why am I not surprised..

Thanx to BW I had a marvelous time last night. So marvelous that I wondered if it might be possible to stretch the smile that was cemented on my face through to the weekend. Ha ha, no such luck.

Yesterday was surprisingly good with a few small exceptions. (Namely when I lost my temper and was nearly late - as in missed Al Safi sing last night late - to get to the event at BW's university). School wasn't too bad, my boys didn't give me too much grief- even when I made the ones who had punishments serve their sentances, they served them quietly, no questions asked. (When they misbehave in class I take away their break. 1 day no break for minding other kid's business. 2 days for not having the proper text book out and open to the page after I have told them what book and what page. 1 week for poking a fellow classmate with any object, usually pencils. 2 weeks for repeated talking and disrupting the class. 1 month for really persistant devils that have already earned 2 weeks for disrupting the class. I gave one boy 3 months straight away for trying to choke the life out of his classmate. True the victim of the choking had been laughing at the offender after I sentenced him to 1 month for breaking another boy's pencil and throwing the pieces across the room hitting another kid in the process. But I was in the classroom and that was reason enough not to even attempt such a deed with me right there. The laughing boy who got choked was handed a 1 week sentence.)

Yesterday, I left an individual with the phone numbers to the university I am interested in attending and told her to find out what my diploma needs exactly to be recognized. She actually called (surprise surprise) and the head guy said I didn't need anything, not even to take the Toefl exam (which I had thought was necessary for anyone planning to attend university over here regardless of what their first language was/ is). He told her he wanted her to fax my transcript and diploma so he could have a look at them. I hadn't left those with her so that would have to wait for today. Was very pleased with that progress though.

I had thought that BW's university was really really far, like nearly an hour away from my house far. Somehow I managed to get there in a little over 20 mins, searching for the parking lot and parking time included. (We wont talk about how it was possible to get there in 20 mins) I was very happy I actually found the place and had time to pray and all before Al Safi sung. (there were other munshids -nasheed singers- there but as you guys probably guessed already Al Safi was the most important one IMO)

Today though....

I was beyond exhausted (This is when I remember I have medicine sitting on the table in my room, totally forgotten.)My knee was killing me. School was a "dog". My boys must have noted my tiredness and decided it was high time they performed. And performed they did. Got me fired up. Dumb thing to do. I was tired, not speechless. I handed out some pretty legendary sentences today. In class 3b1, One boy got 4 months, 3 boys got 3 months and a couple got 2 week sentences for not having there books open and to the right page after I had said what book and page 5 times already. My prince is in that class and even he nearly got a 2 week sentence. He must have noticed how tired I was cuz he announced to the class that I was fasting and that it was "haram" to make me talk so much. A few boys decided to behave. One hardhead wasn't happy until I gave him an indefinite break ban. They haven't started serving their break bans in 3b1 yet (I forgot to go get them on the days I didn't have them before break) so they don't realize I am seriously going to keep them for the duration of their sentences. Class 3b2 on the other hand realized today just how serious Ms. El Hazard is/ was. They served their terms today with much complaining and questions as to why they couldn't go to break. One boy announced that he'd die if he had to serve his full 2 month break. Said 60 days without a break would kill him. I replied that was a good thing (ha one less troublemaker in my class). Even the owners son was made to stay in today (it was his second day of his 2 month sentence). Kid only today realized that he has 2 months. Somehow he thought yesterday was a one day thing. ha ha. If those boys learned nothing else today, at least they learnt that from hence forth they will take my sentences seriously and behave in class - well during my periods with them at least. I happened to walk in during the math teacher's period with them and found them all on the carpet, shoes off, classroom a wreck playing some kind of pile up game. I stood in the doorway for a full minute giving them the "What is this? tell me so I can know?" stare. They saw me and started to dissolve back into their seats. Even the math teacher looked as if she wanted to dissolve into hiding. I mean hello? I'm supposed to be the "underqualified" teacher there and during my class those kids wouldn't even entertain such an idea much less carry it out while I'm standing there in the middle of class. I informed them that they had less than a min to straighten out that classroom and get their shoes on their feet otherwise the whole class would be serving a very long 3 months together. (and I assure you guys, break ban doesn't just mean they aren't going out to play. No break means that aside from not going out to break, they will be given 5 mins to eat and the rest of the glorious break time will be taken doing the filthiest classwork assignment I can think of. They hate putting columns of words into alphabetical order, so of course we usually do that.) Let me tell you guys, I never knew those lazy 3rd graders could clean and get in their seats so fast!

During my break between periods, the receptionist came to me with the bloody contract. She stood there while I took my time reading it and I finally asked her was she waiting for me to sign the darn thing or something. She said yeah to sign it right then and there and give it to her. I handed it back to her and said I'll take care of signing it after classes. (very business sounding looooooooool) She consented and left me in peace. Phew! I so wasn't signing that thing till somethings were straightened out.

After class on my way out the school I made a detour to LG's royal throne room. He had someone inside with him but immediately told me to sit. I prefer to stand - especially around individuals of his class. I didn't see the need to sit anywayz, I was only going to ask him about my check for September (here we are on the 12th of October already and he's been promising me all week that I'd get paid the next day). He insisted I sit. So after the person that was there left I conceded and sat. I had a feeling LG had some long prepared excuse as to why I wasn't getting paid again (which meant I'd get nothing over the weekend either and would have to wait till sunday- if even then).

I asked him was my check ready (the excuse for it being late last week was that they had spelt my name wrong and had to fix it..::blink blink::, 1. I never told them how to spell my name in the first place so they had nothing to check that up against to decide they needed to fix anything, 2. how long does it take to write another check with the correct name?) he said, and I quote: "Sister let me tell you what happened with the check.." Oh God, here it comes, an explantion so purely stupid that it literally reeks with LG's ignorance. He claimed the accountant (who he had been telling me all week was the one responsible for my check not being done. Claimed the accountant hadn't come in that day - same excuse every day this week) is now in Makka. ::mental command:: eyebrow u may rise, and don't worry to come down anytime soon. He then claimed the accountant is supposed to come back tomorrow (Friday). Firstly, let me just say that there is no damn accountant in that school - the accountant is that no good owner- and even if i didn't already know that, that school is so retarded when it comes to employees taking time off, even if they are on death's-doorstep-sick, that if an accountant were to be so unreliable and virtually never there (cuz they've been pulling that sheemot about the accountant not being there or unavailable since last year) they would have fired his sorry tail a long time ago! LG doesn't realize that I know that the accountant is like non-existant. (maybe I'll inform him about that on Monday when I decide to stroll in - I am so going to take care of my own business on Sunday and I couldn't care less if they get pissed about that or not!)

So after LG claimed I'd get paid on Friday I said fine I'll come in on Saturday to pick up the check. Uneasy smile shining off of his face. He tried to tell me no no, give the guy some time and I'd surely get paid Sunday. (That's what he told me last weekend only the excuse was that they forgot to make the check. He must pick up some sorta of ignorance waves off of me or something. I mean seriously it's just excuse after excuse.) I told him well if that were the case then I'll just wait till after I get my check before I do any signing of any contract. I got up. LG started protesting that the check and signing the contract have nothing to do with each other. Ha, they have lots to do with each other. If I sign that damn paper I am officially (well, before the Lord anywayz) required to fulfill it's terms, which include something that translates to no quitting or resigning till July. I sign that bloody contract and they are free to pay me whenever they feel like getting around to it. If they make me wait too long though, the only thing I'll be signing is a finished resignation letter. (I might finish it tonight in preparation...) So after I informed LG of my plan to sign whenever they get around to paying me (it's only fair that if I have to wait then they should wait as well) I said salam gave him the raised handed goodbye, japanese style as I proceeded to walk out. Lol. He stared in disbelief before calling me back. He was pissed now. Awina! He claimed he hadn't finished talking and told me I could go. I retorted that I ::had:: finished talking and said my salam therefore I had all right to leave. Wallah! awina I need LG to tell me when I can and can't go. I pray to the Lord that I'll never find myself married to anything close to LG's level of stupidity! I am not one for outright rudeness and since his highness was sure to claim I was rude if I continued out the door after he called me back I decided to stay. He looked really shocked when I told him that bit about saying salam and that i had nothing more to say. He swallowed it and moved back onto the contract. What didn't this animal understand about I wasn't signing that contract? I was exhausted and dizzy and badly wanted to be on my way home and here was this creature aggravating my wretched soul. Ok LG, you asked for it! So I started on him about why I was still getting "KG starting salary" as he called it when he hired me as a "KG teacher". (The guy is the perfect candidate, worthy of being someone's research subject for a psychology project.) He now claims he never said that. God, oh God. I had to hear him recount how gracious he's being and that he didn't do the same for the rest of the assistant teachers. ::mental command:: eyebrow you'll have to stay up there awhile longer, much longer most likely (if one counts the time an eyebrow must stay raised for the duration it takes the effect of such stupidity that has spilt out of some creature's lips to wear off.)

He claimed that technically since he is telling the ministry I am hired as an assistant teacher I should be getting assistant teacher salary. He said even though I am a teacher in the school and I'm recognized as a teacher by him and the rest of the ppl in that school that is not the case with the ministry. And I quote his exact words : "But I don't care about those guys in the ministry. I hired you as a teacher so you are a teacher here." Translation if u didn't get what this means : He can lie to the ministry and say I am hired as an assistant when in fact I am a teacher, because he couldn't careless about their rules.

::Blink blink:: LG? Do you have any idea what you just admitted to??? That's openly admitted proof that he lies and has no problem with it when it suits him!

He then lied and said that plenty of teachers started out with that same salary (which he had refered to before when he first hired me as KG starting salary). He said even my mom who worked in that school last year started with that same salary. Ever wonder what might happen if a person blinks too much in the space of a minute?

Needless to say LG was lying. He even had the nerve to continue on with his lie saying that this year all the teachers who came back got 'handsome' raises of a thousand dirhams. Maybe I should inform him that when the 'handsome raises' were announced, even though I hadn't been hired yet, I was in the school helping my friend decorate a board. The 'handsome raises' were only 500 dirhams not one thousand.. The guy is a chronic liar.

After what seemed like forever, LG finally did appear to have finished running his damn mouth. Maybe it was because by that time his wife was at the door with some other teacher and I guessed he didn't want that lady to hear any of those lies he was stringing together. Either way I was SAVED! I think he really did have lots more to say though but I saw my chance and knew he didn't want to make a scene, so I told him I'd give it thought and get back to him on the signing on Sunday -read between the lines LG: get back to you on the signing (( if )) my check is ready...

I finally left that place and was riding home with the individual I left to fax my papers. I asked were they faxed. I get "no" in reply. She had called me earlier in the school and asked about a fax cover sheet. I said I didn't have any already printed so she was going to have to print one off the computer. She claimed she didn't know where to print one from (she's printed fax cover sheets off the comp plenty of times.) She started asking for a specific cover sheet. I told her it was on the computer in the living room and anywayz she didn't need that specific one, any cover sheet would do. She said ok.

In the car though, when I asked her about it she tells me she couldn't do it cuz she didn't have a cover sheet. What the...? Did I not tell her where to get one from?? She claims she recalled the cover sheet (back to this cursed specific cover sheet) being on a disk and she had no idea where that disk might be. I just stare at her for a while. I could feel my temper boiling up. I had to clamp a chain on it to keep it from breaking loose. What I couldn't understand was why the heck she was so hell bent on that specific cover sheet. I told her it didn't matter what cover sheet she used as long as it said "Attention: Mr. whatever-his-name-was". She could have even used a blank sheet of printer paper and written that herself on the paper. It's not like this was a job or something that needed the utmost in formalities in order to make a good impression, it's only a university meaning they will probably look at my grades on that bloody transcript before they look at some cover sheet which will probably be left right there where it rolled out of the fax machine! I was angry. When this individual doesn't feel like doing something she never just says she doesn't feel like doing it, she just comes up with all these really stupid, baseless excuses as to why she can't do it. At times like that if one doesn't place everything in her hand or practically spell out every step in directions you can expect to end up doing it yourself. Somehow I managed not to explode, after all it was only a matter of going home and faxing the papers myself, right?

I'm glad tomorrow is the weekend. I usually waste the weekend sleeping until 3 sometimes 4 in the afternoon. This weekend will definitely be different though. (inshalla) I think I'll even give that filthy room of mine a good cleaning, haven't looked at it in weeks and if any of you guys were to see what it looked like at the moment you'd probably consider your eyes defiled for the remainder of your lives!

I'll have to work on my project as well. My time is running out!

I think I'll go take a shower now and then hunt down the nail cutter, cuz my nails are like "witch-long" at the moment... YUCKY!