The summer and fall 2009

Hello Everyone! It has been awhile since I have updated last. Sorry for this.
Over the summer I worked and went to the beach quite a bit in Rabat. It was wonderful relaxing and hanging out with new friends. I celebrated my birthday with most of my wonderful friends in Morocco and went on a trip or two around Morocco. I also was able to volunteer my time going on a field trip with students south of Marrakesh. It was amazing and sooo exhilarating! I went on a Zip line! This is the longest zip line in all of Africa! Wow!!!! After all these things happened, it was time to leave. Like I said previously, I decided to come back to the U.S., finish my masters, and apply to school, again. I had a goodbye party, some more beach time, took some pictures around Rabat of my favorite places and my two bessst friends, Mounaime and Kristin went to the airport and sent me off back to Seattle.







When I first arrived to Seattle (Seatac), my wonderful sister, Nashika, my nephew, Yeshiah, my aunt and mom were waiting for me. It had been two years since I had seen them and it was great, even though it was wayy past midnight. My aunt and mom rented a limo to make it easier on all of us. Yeahhhh that was a surprise...

Since August, I have been living with my aunt, in the middle of the woods, on Camano Island. In September I finished my masters degree, got confirmation that it was finished and got my transcipts sent to me that I was done. What a relief!!! It took over two years to finish the lonnnnng portfolio. During that time I was able to hang out with my nephew, have him over to get reacquainted with each other, go to parks, go for walks, read together, and watch movies together.








Jobs: I wanted to wait till I finished my masters degreeto look for jobs. But since I needed to apply to Western by the end of October, I waited a little bit more to get serious about jobs. I checked the newspapers and craigslist most days, but nothing really came up. I was also in a dilemma by October since if I got into Western again, I would need a job in Bellingham, not the Everett area. Most of the good jobs I saw were in Snohomish county. I didn't want to get a full-time job and then decide to skip out and start school.

I finally heard back from Woodring, the Education college within Western and then I heard back from Western. I got into both and would start the 5th of January 2010. I registered this week for classes. When I went up to Western last week to discuss waiving some classes and such, one of the advisors told me that the state changed requirements for my degree, Political Science/Social Studies. I must now have an ancient history course; so I registered for one. I also got a C- in Geography during my undergraduate years, so I have to re-take that again, since the state asks for a C or above. I will thus be taking 18 credits this next quarter. Not too bad though, three are education classes, which I LOOOOVEEE.

I ordered some books already, since I am getting a little bit bored. I don't have a job yet and I am currently looking for a part-time easy job up in Bellingham. I am also looking for housing up in Bellingham also, but that is getting confusing. Since I will only be at Western for about a year, I really don't want to buy furniture. I will be leaving the country next January, so furnishing a new room and apartment would be wasting money.

My plans at Western are to get two endorsements, one in Political Science/Social Studies and another in ELL. I may have to take additional classes for the ELL endorsement, but I will have to wait till January to figure that out. From January 2010 to next January 2011, I will be taking classes. I then hope to do my student teaching from January 2011 to June 2011 in another country, maybe somewhere in Europe. After finishing my program in secondary education, my plans are to hopefully find a middle school or junior high school social studies teaching position, or ELL teaching position in an international school abroad. I have looked at many many school websites and would be glad to work in them. I have looked all over, Germany, Italy, France, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt..etc. I could work in Europe, Turkey, places in Africa, or somewhere else. At that point, I would be open to almost anywhere. But as I have researched this and emailed over this, all the schools asked for a teaching certificate. That is why I am going back to Western to get that. Why Western do people ask (such as my family)? Well originally back in 2000, I applied to many schools, got into many schools, but decided that Western Washington University would best suite my needs as a future teacher and runner. Hahaha....funny that those plans changed. I got my degree, but I neither ran at Western nor did I get a teaching degree. But as of current I know that Western had an excellent teaching program and I would be close to my family and friends. That is why I chose Western again. Why don't I get my PhD or another Masters degree? Well on the pay scale, it would be about 4 or 5K more with two or five years of more school, in addition to the certificate program. Another factor for the PhD is that I am not ready to get one, though maybe in the far future. Getting another masters would be pointless since it would cost more than would benefit me (60K!). I don't want to die and still have money to pay the government or schools for loans. I am already in a deep deep hole.

As for teaching at an International school, there are many benefits that a teacher could have. I should be able to start out with a salary of over 45K (I know, a teaching salary sucks), housing and round trip air tickets included, and many other additional bonuses. This is my ideal situation at this point in time. Butttt...it could always change. It depends on how I feel the school situation and the atmosphere at these types of schools. I was a tutor back in Morocco for the Argentine's son and oooohhh man, was he spoiled. It was pretty hard for the boy to sit down and concentrate on his homework and his parents would get him almost anything he wanted. He would make me do a lot of his work. I know that many of the students will be like this at the international schools, but I am hoping that there are many that will be enjoyable to teach. I will keep myself open and be non-judgemental about this.

I will try to be more consistent, but alas, I am lazy, right now.

Crazy May

Well sorry that I haven't been updating for awhile. I just had a very crazy month of May. We had a very awesome Mawazine music festival that starred Kylie Minogue, Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder. I also went to several other concerts such as Cheb Khaled, Enrio Morricone, and this Brazialian singer that I forgot his name. It was such a great week and a half, full of people and beautiful music. The only thing that was sad, though, was the stampede I heard about the next day in Hay Nhada, where 17 people died. It kind of made the ending of Mawazine a bit sad. But I will say that the Stevie Wonder concert was the best concert I have ever been to. Oh and I didn't have to pay to go to any of these concerts.







I also traveled to Germany again. This time it was for my best friend's wedding in beautiful Wippra, located in the Harz mountains in East Germany. I was able to relax a great deal and talk with my best friend and hang out with her daughter. I honestly love Germany and would love to live there for awhile....



















I have made my decision for next year (though I have not bought my ticket). I AM COMING HOME! I will be apply to Western again and will start the teaching certificate program for secondary education. I want to work for international schools abroad, but I have found that all of the require a teaching certificate. That is the only thing I don't have! grrr.... So I will go back to the Ham' and live there for maybe a year. I am also thinking for the first four months, from September to December of living in Everett with my sister and then starting in January at Western. Ahhh going back to school again....

My time here in Morocco has been wonderful, enriching and baffling. I have loved and disliked many things in Morocco. But I feel this would happen in almost any country. The people in Morocco has welcomed me into their homes and I have felt immense gratitude for this. I will update later on what I have learned in Morocco, after I have had time to consume all of it.

Well I hope everyone else out there is having a great summer. I will soon be heading to the beaches since the weather here has turned into hot sultry beach weather... Bring on the sunscreen!

Spring Break 2009

So my good friends, Kristin and Mounaime and I traveled to Larache, which is on the coast and in North Morocco. It was only for two days, but those two days were sunny and beautiful. It was great to get a way from Rabat and the pollution. It is beautiful up there and it was interesting to see the archetiture up there, with its Spanish, Portuegese, Moroccan style. Here are some of the pictures there.

Some of my favorite stories and poems from my childhood

SARAH CYNTHIA SYLVIA STOUT
WOULD NOT TAKE THE GARBAGE OUT

Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout
Would not take the garbage out!
She'd scour the pots and scrape the pans,
Candy the yams and spice the hams,
And though her daddy would scream and shout,
She simply would not take the garbage out.
And so it piled up to the ceilings:
Coffee grounds, potato peelings,
Brown bananas, rotten peas,
Chunks of sour cottage cheese.
It filled the can, it covered the floor,
It cracked the window and blocked the door
With bacon rinds and chicken bones,
Drippy ends of ice cream cones,
Prune pits, peach pits, orange peel,
Gloppy glumps of cold oatmeal,
Pizza crusts and withered greens,
Soggy beans and tangerines,
Crusts of black burned buttered toast,
Gristly bits of beefy roasts. . .
The garbage rolled on down the hall,
It raised the roof, it broke the wall. . .
Greasy napkins, cookie crumbs,
Globs of gooey bubble gum,
Cellophane from green baloney,
Rubbery blubbery macaroni,
Peanut butter, caked and dry,
Curdled milk and crusts of pie,
Moldy melons, dried-up mustard,
Eggshells mixed with lemon custard,
Cold french fried and rancid meat,
Yellow lumps of Cream of Wheat.
At last the garbage reached so high
That it finally touched the sky.
And all the neighbors moved away,
And none of her friends would come to play.
And finally Sarah Cynthia Stout said,
"OK, I'll take the garbage out!"
But then, of course, it was too late. . .
The garbage reached across the state,
From New York to the Golden Gate.
And there, in the garbage she did hate,
Poor Sarah met an awful fate,
That I cannot now relate
Because the hour is much too late.
But children, remember Sarah Stout
And always take the garbage out!

Shel Silverstein, 1974

Abiyoyo
by Pete Seeger
My all time favorite book.





Tikki Tikki Tembo
A Chinese Folktale



Where the wild things are



Peter and the Wolf





Love you forever

Festival Mawazine 2009

Last year I had the chance to see two people who have been my idols at the 2008 Mawazine festival. One was George Benson,"nothings gonna change my love for you" and "On Broadway"

The second and best one was Whitney Houston. I have loved Whitney's songs since I was a very little girl. She was amazing. So going to this concert was a dream for me. I will say that it was a small disappointment since her voice was not the same, but I still love her songs. She has an amazing voice and her range is one of the best.
There were other great performances, such as Juanes and a Japanese band and so many other wonderful performances.

This year, it seems the line-up is amazing! First it will start off with Kylie Minogue, who is an Australian Singer who sings "Locomotion", "I just can't get you out of my head", "love at first sight," and" Come into my world". The second will be (and I will have to rush to get there) Alicia Keys. I love her songs. I use a great number of her songs in the class, such as "If I ain't got you," "Fallin," "No one," "Karma" and "When you love someone". Amazing voice! My students always remind me that I share my name with her and always ask, "Is your name like Alicia Keys?"


The third person whom I am way too excited to see is, STEVIE WONDER! I love, love his songs, just like Whitney Houstons'. There are soo many I have sung, both in the classroom and on my windows media player. I love his classics and his modern songs. Here are a few songs: "I just called to say I love you," "Part time lover," "Superstition," "For once in my life," "Overjoyed," "Loves in need of love today," "Always," "That's what friends are for," "Isn't she lovely," "Ribbon in the sky" and "My Cherie Amour". But I know those are just a few and not all what he will do. But let me just say I am very very excited to see him and all the wonderful concerts that will be apart of Mawazine. The date of it is May 15th, Friday till the 23rd, Saturday, 2009. Here is the link to find out information about the festival: http://www.festivalmawazine.ma/en/program.html

Ode to Germany

First off I want to say, I LOVE GERMANY! Ok, I had to get it out. Tonight I went out to dinner with my good friends at TGI Fridays in Agdal. Wonderful food, though very loud music. But what was great was the wonderful company (lots and lots of Germans). For most people who know me, I went to Germany in 05/06 and loved it; I mean really really loved it. What is even more wonderful is finding other people here in Morocco who also have the love for this wonderful country. We had decided (my fellow friends I work with) to start a German club, but alas we are lazy. Ok, back to tonight. When I was introduced to people at the dinner table, I noticed there were quite a bit of Germans. And so I just had to say and put my two cents about my love for that country, their people and food. They were surprised that we all loved Germany, since most of us who loved Germany at the table were American. But let me tell you why I love Germany so much:
1) The food
2) Explicit RULES that are told and known
3) Recycling
4) the language
5) the wonderful, friendly people
6) the bathrooms and awesome showers
7) Liborius Gymnasium
8)Tierparks
9)AUTOBAHN
10) Weihnachten
11) the beaches
12) It is next to my ancestry country
13) food again
14) VWs
15) Being there during the World Cup and seeing German pride
16) Berlin, Leipzig
17) the easy transportation system
18) parks, parks, parks
19) BIKE LANEs
20) So many wonderful people
21) Gluewine (sp?)
22) my best friend
23) Castles
24) Shieken
25) the freakin awesome, though difficult language
26) freedom
27) shaking hands, not kissing cheeks
28) heat
29) compose garbage
30) Stict but now wonderful German teacher
and 31) wonderful, smart and cute Richard


there is a hell of a lot more, but this is it so far what I love... Ich liebe Deutschland und muss sehr bald zurück.

The joy of reading

Most of my friends know how much I love to read. My wonderful mother instilled in me at an early age the love of reading. I am grateful to her for this because it has opened up the world to me. I never knew how much reading has meant to me until I lost the ability to have English books around me. This happened in Germany and it is still happening in Morocco. There are a couple places in Rabat to find English books, but since I really wanted to read a certain number of books, I could not find it. I really wanted to start reading the Harry Potter series, so when I went to Germany last year I bought the first one. Well, just like everyone told me I would, I loved it! So I searched all over Rabat and I could not find one in English. I found them in French of course, but my French is still very basic.
Over this past weekend I was able to go to the last day of a book fair held in Casablanca and let me tell you, I was overwhelmed with the amount of books there. It has been almost two years since I have been in the U.S. and any U.S. big bookstore. So for me, this was a lot to see in a few hours. I went with two of my wonderful colleagues and we walked and walked around. What I found astonishing was the amount of people there. For me, who has learned that there are a large portion of Moroccans who do not like to read or don't have a chance to enjoy the joy of reading, it contradicted to what I had learned. Many, many of my students have told me that they don't like to read. Few have said they do, and so for me, this was very interesting. There were so many kids running around and mothers and fathers showing books to their kids. It made me very happy to see kids enjoying the sights of books. But of course, like everywhere else, I got harassed. It was disgusting to be harassed inside a bookstore. And it wasn't just once, it was multiple times within the three hours we were walking around the fair.
But back to the subject. I found the next four books of the Harry Potter series, though a bit expensive. I was also able to buy for the Moroccan/Japanese baby, a couple of English children's books that I knew he would love. I also bought a book in Classical Arabic, the same one in French and another book in French. I am happy to say I was stimulated exhausted after going to it, and I hope to be that way soon again.
Just as a side note, I gave the children's books to the Moroccan/Japanese baby and he loved it! He was making all these sounds like, ahhhhhh and ohhhhh! And then he said, girraafeee, liona and other such animals. And he started taking two of the books with him and reading them by himself. It made my heart warm inside to see a little boy enjoy sitting down to read.

Amazing Kids

Being abroad has given me insight on how children are raised outside of my country. It is both interesting and fascinating to view all the different ways a child is raised. What is even more astonishing for myself is to be one of those people to help in a child's education. Before 2004, I never even wanted to hold a baby or touch one. I was very afraid that I would hurt one or make it cry. But with the wonderful addition of my nephew into my family, I was able to conquer my fears. It was so amazing to be the person to educate and give the very basic needs to a baby. I learned so much from him about raising a child and what you need in order to be a good parent.

Going to Germany was also another education for me. There I saw a mother and a father who were deeply involved in their medical jobs, take a great amount of care in their child. Though they had a huge amount of money to spend on their kid and not a lot of time to spend with him, I saw his mother spend every minute she could with him and spend her money on long lasting toys and not plastic ones. She also didn't allow for him to watch t.v. or see films in his first two years. He was able to act like a normal boy, playing outside with his little pool and sandbox. Inside he had wooden toys, horses, music, art supplies and massive amounts of books to play with. At night, every night, she, her husband or I would read him a book that he would choose. The mother gave him the freedom to choose a lot of things and the freedom for him to act like a normal two year old boy. But she cared deeply for his education and for his well-being. His understanding of a second language was amazing. When I first started working there, he knew how to sign(sign language) very basic things due to the fact he had not started to speak, like meat, drink, and more. As the months progressed his understanding of English was amazing. He understood most of what I asked him. When I left, he was only speaking German at the time, but when I last visited him last May 2008, he was speaking both English and German. He is now five years old.

Now I am speaking to a Japanese/Moroccan little boy who is 1.8 months old, in English. He is starting to speak some Japanese words, along with some English ones. His fathers speaks to him in French and Arabic, while his mother talks to him in Japanese. They also speak to him in English along with myself coming once a week to talk to him in English. It is amazing to see the progress he is making. He is now able to say elephant, giraffe, hippo, apple and many other animals and fruits. Oh and my name, but it sounds like a-we-sha.

What I find sad is that in the U.S. there are not a lot of programs where kids are introduced to a second or third language. I have seen how amazing it is and how much it helps kids development when they learn another language before they hit puberty. Many of my students now in my intermediate classes have been through the Child, Juniors, and Beginning program starting when they were six, seven or eight. They are amazing at English, both in speaking, listening and writing. And what is even more amazing, is that it is probably their third, fourth or even fifth language. How many people in the U.S. can say that they knew at least four languages before the age of 13? I feel that this would be such a huge advantage for the U.S. both in international relations, but also in the mental development of a child. I know that whenever I have a child I definitely will pay for them to learn another language. I have seen that it works and I know that it will open the world to a child.

How events can be marked by comics

These two comics depict how I felt over the past week.

Reflections of this year so far............

What have I learned this year?
*If I offend anyone, I am sorry. My intent was to express how I feel and what I have seen, not to hurt anyone in this process.

Never assume that one person knows what you are thinking.
Never date someone you cannot have a basic conversation with.
Open your mind to new food, learning about new religions, style of dress, new customs, but you don’t have to tolerate harassment or someone trying to tell you how to dress or how you say something.
Give everyone a second chance.
Don’t always rely on first impressions, especially if it is concerning students.
Don’t take everything personal.
Students will love you if you smile, know what you are talking about and if don’t control them.
A smile goes along way.
Always try to laugh and make jokes, but don’t expect students to laugh back.
Moroccans are so far the most hospitable culture I have seen; they will do anything for anyone and welcome anyone and anything into their homes, no matter how much money they have.
One day you will have to let people go, and things go. Don’t get too attached to things.
Traveling alone sucks.
My eye likes something, but my stomach always doesn’t.
Police and politicians are one of the most corrupt professions I have seen anywhere in the world.
What works with one group may not work with another group.
I hate ambiguity and hypocrisy, but I know I fall short of doing these at times.
Language is not the only means for communication; it just helps.
There are times when you should say no to sugar.
In order to stop illegal selling of CDs, DVDs, and illegal copying, the government in Morocco should provide more jobs for people. But I do love going into the medina and buying a brand new movie for ten Ds.
I wasn’t born into the period of activism like my mother, but at times I wish I had been to see how a group of people came together for a common cause and then to defeat injustices. What I have seen in Morocco regarding the struggle of the unemployed graduates (PhDs) has been quite shocking. Women wearing the headscarf, kids, men, and teenagers, any and all nationalities are getting beaten by men who are probably only young adults. These men don’t care where you are from or what language you speak, they will beat you with their black stick if you are in the way. But what I find more fascinating, for those who are beaten and are put in the hospital, they will come back and start their fight again, after their hospital stay.
You can make friends with almost anyone.
Listening to a perfect song can cure depression, sadness and homesickness.
Air conditioning is a wonderful invention, but living by the ocean is even better.
It takes only but two seconds to throw something away, but it will take two minutes for the garbage men to pick up trash that people throw on the ground.
If someone smells of B.O., it may be that they just don’t know about deodorant or that they just don’t have the money to buy it.
The U.S. is the most privileged country and people there are spoiled. We should never, never complain about wanting something or not having anything to eat. If someone does, make them go around certain places in Morocco where people are living under paper roofs and have no electricity. I have realized that I have been lucky enough to have been born in the U.S. It does not make me better than someone else, it just makes me lucky and I should be thankful for that. When I talk to my students about education in the U.S. or the freedom that we have, they are amazed by it. We can be at the fence of the White house and say the most offensive word against the president, but Moroccans cannot even sit down at a café without thinking that someone is hearing what they are saying and worrying that they will be put in jail.
Moroccans are smart; almost every Moroccan knows two or more languages, point blank.
I miss not having to worry that the gas will run out and I won’t have hot water in the morning. I truly miss not having an oven.
You can eat with your hands with almost anything.
Cockroaches are the nastiest bugs on earth. Why are they here?
I can’t spell worth a damn if I don’t have spell check.
Even on the ugliest, worst hair day, day, I can still feel beautiful.
I hate hot weather and I miss the rain. I miss the mountains, but I love the desert.
One of the most powerful religious acts I have seen in my life has been going past the main royal Mosque in Rabat on Fridays at 12:30, now 1:30. All the men bow down in unison, all over the street. Everyone stops what he or she is doing, and goes to prayer. It is powerful.
No one is perfect.
Sometimes when teaching English grammar, you just need to shrug your shoulders and say, “American English is a horrible language, whoever made up the rules is a very cruel teacher who is laughing at all the teachers now that are teaching it.”
Sometimes you can’t explain it.
Having a fuaxpod or iPod is wonderful, especially to ignore nasty men who try to say to you, “Ce va?”
I admire anyone who knows more than five languages fluently.
I miss English books.
I can find almost any movie or songs in the Medina, for only a dollar.
Diane Larson Freemen is a genius; her books for English grammar are like the bible is for religious people.
If you teach something more than six times, you will become an expert, but always expect something new.
Try music in class, it helps.
I love teaching about history and politics.
Tolerance in all cultures will help heal ignorance and hatred, if people want it.
You can try to make students try to learn from each other, but that doesn’t mean they will accept it or like it.
You have to know your students, the history of education and their language to fully help students learn.
I love teaching, but I have realized I also love helping people realize their dreams, goals and aspirations. I am like all the women in my family.
I need to see the world, but I am worried that by seeing the world, I won’t see what I love the most: my family, friends and my future family.
I am scared of marriage. I am scared of all my friends getting married and me being alone.
I admire activist who make change.
My religious beliefs have been challenged and affirmed many times.
I AM AN AMERICAN WHO HAS A CULTURE and anyone who thinks differently is too stupid to realize that.
Americans have a way different family structure than Moroccans. Great Aunts, Step, half, in-laws, second cousins, twins, triplets, etc. I love teaching my family tree in class because my students are amazed at seeing such a diverse family.
I love cats and I want to beat the shit out of anyone who kicks cats in the streets and I appreciate anyone who takes the times to feed the homeless cats.
Nothing is trash for certain people. Never throw away day old bread or scraps of bread; someone could use that for their breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Countries where you can recycle are lucky.
I don’t like Monarchy systems.
Where do our taxes really go?
Working for an elite school does not appeal to me.
Pictures, TVs, and videos open up the world to people.
You can learn a language from just songs and talking to yourself in the mirror.
Moroccan weddings are crazy, but beautiful.
I love teaching American slang, but I love even more teaching the word, ditto to students.
A hole in the ground is a much cleaner way to go to the bathroom, but I prefer European toilets.
Riding a bike, driving in a car, walking down the street, going in a taxi or riding on a bus in Morocco will probably take ten years off your life, and you should pray to see the next day.
Emission controls for cars are for the privileged.
I am the upper middle class in Morocco, while in the U.S. I would be the lower lower class. Makes you think about priorities.
I love sharpies and multi-colored paper.
Parks are wonderful and should be implemented everywhere so that kids don’t have to play in the street and have to worry every minute that some car will come along and hit them.
I hate smoke and people who blow it in your face. It should be abolished everywhere.
Men can sell underwear and bras and not blush.
All you have to do is smile and point at something to get it.
If you get good service, pay for it and go back.
If you get great food, pay for it and go back.
Saying hello to someone in Morocco is complicated. How many kisses should I give someone on the cheek if I know him or her and I am meeting him or her again?
We are extremely lucky about health care and dental in the U.S. A perfect smile can do wonders for someone’s appearance.
It is cheap to travel in Morocco.
Women in Morocco dress far better than Americans do. Just sit for ten minutes on Mohammed V and you will see what I am talking about.
Sometimes women like cooking, cleaning, taking care of the kids and doing everything for their husbands. I am not one of them; I want it 50/50.
Try and speak your students language, they will love you that much more for you trying.
I love maps, but I hate traveling around mountains.
The Sahara desert is a wondrous place.
Everyone looks Moroccan.
Don’t eat or drink on the street during Ramadan, it is just flat plain rude.
Give sometimes five Ds (dirham) to a person on the street; it takes a lot for those people to beg.
I miss greenish things.
I love telling my students about my state and the coffee addictions we have there.
Always study the grammar tense before teaching it. You can ad-lib activities, but you can’t ad-lib grammar.
Form-Meaning-Use is a wonderful concept.
I am a U.S. citizen, not Brazilian, not Moroccan, not Spanish, not English, and defiantly not Canadian. Everyone mistakes me for being Moroccan. (But it is not a bad thing).
I love going to a hairdresser who knows how to manage my hair. I love being in a country where I can go to a store and someone knows what to do with my hair or what product is good for my hair. Don’t reject their advice.
The Internet is a wonderful invention.
Everything in life is by trial and error.
I don’t have to have answers right now.
Use other people as resources.
You don’t have to speak the same language when playing card games.
Don’t have regrets in life. Life is short, have fun, try everything, eat what you want and maybe you will die happy. Live a little.
Men are complicated.
I like to sit and think.
I love going to the ocean and thinking, I am blessed to live less than five minutes away.
Having someone to talk to at night after work, or having someone just listen to you is the best cure for anything. Listening, not hearing, is wonderful.
Mint tea will relax you, but 30 minutes later it will make you go crazy. Damn too much sugar.
Don’t try to be a vegan outside the U.S.
If a Moroccan mother says, “kuhl, kuhl,” keep on eating until you burst. Don’t hurt her feelings. Its like taking candy away from a baby.
Moroccans know the cure for anything; really, just ask any of them.
I love to cuddle, but that doesn’t mean that I want you to coddle me when I am sleeping.
I miss basic PDA.
The U.S. is crazy with acronyms.
People look to the U.S. as a land of freedom and see it as a means of survival and would do almost anything to get there. Or at least to Spain.
I have been scrub everywhere, and it wasn’t a pleasant feeling.
Cok-a is not good for the stomach, but it does wonders to kill other bad things in your stomach. Femti?
It is amazing seeing a little boy speak two languages at four years old.
I miss my nephew, beezzaf.
It is amazing to not have too many things imported. It is great to know when things are in season and not have any chemicals added to it. I know when mandarins are in season, when melons are in season, and when apples are in season. The sweetest thing in the wintertime is to peal a mandarin orange; it takes just like candy.
Mosquitoes are everywhere, you can’t hide from them, but you can kill them.
You can hear almost any language in Marrakesh, and you can find any guide in Marrakesh that will speak your language. It is incredible.
Let people tell you what they know about Americans, just listen to them, then try to teach them about the reality. Don’t get mad; just realize they didn’t know anything differently because the media portrays a distorted image of the American life and people.
Even with limited resources, someone can make beautiful music or paintings.
The saddest thing to hear and see is a kid begging for food, or asking, “ein dirham, shukran!”
I love going into a Moroccan home and knowing that I will be treated with kindness no matter what I look like, and I don’t even have to say a word and I will be presented with an abundance of food, no matter how much money they have.
Outside looks are deceiving in Morocco; you should never judge a house or apartment by the outside. I have done this and I have been wrong. I have gone into a very dirty looking apartment on the outside, but in the inside, it is like a palace.
Ice skating, skating and bowling are privileges I miss.
Sunsets and sunrises in Morocco are beautiful, no matter if you are in the desert, the mountains or by the ocean.
I really don’t know English that well.
I miss summer camps.
Trying to learn two languages at once is difficult. But to have people tell you everyday of your life telling you need to learn Arabic when you are trying to get basic French is annoying. I know I should learn Arabic, but I am not that smart to do two freakin languages at once. I am not European or Moroccan; I am an American who knows only one language fluently, while most of my friends know at least three languages fluently. Have patience with me and eventually I will know basic Arabic, but don’t tell me this everyday!
Make impulsive decisions; sometimes they turn out for the best.
Don’t plan everything in life, leave some to chance.
I love to procrastinate.
Life is not just about making money; it is about living out your dreams and passions.
Money buys food and shelter, but not love.
Sometimes you have to teach what students should have already known.
Know the difference between have knowing someone and have known someone.
I hate cell phones in class; I need to make it a rule to have a black box like Molly has said. I don’t care who is calling, you can call back later. If it is an emergency, then leave the damn class and don’t come back. But if you answer that phone, there is no big emergency and so you shouldn’t have answered it. If it is, LEAVE!
Make it a firm rule to not eat in class.
Make it also a firm rule for the students to not call you teacher. I am a teacher, but I am not just a teacher. I do have a name.
The French or Moroccan education system is flawed. U.S. education has a long way to improve, but I know I respected and respect my teachers a lot more and I know my teachers respected me a lot more. I am a teacher and a native speaker of English. I may not know everything about English grammar and sometimes I may say something incorrectly, but I know English and never, never underestimate me and undermined my authority as a teacher. I feel at times such huge disrespect as a teacher if I don’t know everything. We are all human. Not one person knows how to pronounce everything, not one person knows the rules for every little piece of grammar. If I asked you the same question about your language, you better know the answer, if not, don’t assume I know everything about mine. I may teach it, but I am not a genius. Respect your teacher, or don’t come to the school. Respecting your teacher is like respecting your parents. Treat your teachers like you would treat your parents. Live the Golden Rule.
Don’t come to the ALC if you just want grammar. The ALC is the AMERICAN LANUAGE CENTER, not just a place to learn grammar. It is a place to learn customs of the U.S. and many other English speaking places. We teach about grammar, speaking skills, reading skills, writing skills and listening skills. Accept this fact and you will do fine.
Not everything is about the customer. Sometimes it is about the seller.
Don’t clap your hand or snap your fingers to get a waiter’s attention. That is just plain rude and lazy. Get your ass up and pay your own damn bill.
I find it sometimes cute to see weaknesses in strong men; it shows that they are human.
Not one person has all the answers. But don’t assume that if I go to you with many questions you know everything about me and that you can read what I will do next. I do have some tricks sometimes and I am mysterious.
If you want to learn a language, don’t live with people who know that language and don’t hang out with friends who can speak that language.
I am a very lazy person.
Don’t assume that if I am quite, I am depressed or something is wrong. It may be because I don’t understand what you are saying and don’t want to be rude and always ask for translation, or I just could be day dreaming about something or someone.
I love that in Morocco, anyone can smile at a kid or baby, or talk to or touch a kid and not have to worry that that person is thinking dirty thoughts about them.
Morocco is in Africa.
Just because someone has an Arab name doesn’t make him or her a terrorist.
Its not the religion that makes people bad, it’s the people the make them bad.
I love men who love children. It is my weakness.
A beautiful smile from a man can do wonders for the heart.
We really do party at American universities.
Even the strangest accidents can happen anywhere, right Bella?
No one knows you better than yourself. But you can open yourself up to people so that they can know you better. No one is the same, but talking to someone will help you feel like there is someone who can understand you more. You can have compassion towards someone and listen to his or her troubles. Sometimes I like knowing you don’t come from a sane family since mine isn’t.
I can understand about Islam, but don’t assume I will become a Muslim. Just because I am here in Morocco and learning Arabic doesn’t mean I want to become a Muslim. I love religions, but that doesn’t mean I want to convert. I respect your religion so respect that I want to learn, not convert.
The prayer call in an Arab country is powerful, yet kind of annoying.
If someone is cleaning their apartment, wait till at least 10 o’ clock, especially on the weekends.
Just say no to kids playing basketball in your apartment, especially at 8:30 in the morning.
If you don’t want to hear my music, don’t blast your music.
I love a sparkly apartment.
I miss playing basketball, but I miss more the freedom to walk down the street at 10pm.
Don’t assume, Moroccan men, that when I am at the beach reading a book, and listening to music and I am alone, that I need your company. Don’t assume every woman needs a man by her side. Not every woman needs a man.
I like the smell of men, especially when they wear cologne, but please don’t go heavy on it, or you will repeal women.
Women can do the same things as men, but that does not mean men, we don’t like to be treated like a woman. I love it when a man open doors for me. The act of chivalry is wonderful. But I know I am a walking contradiction. But who isn’t?
Love is a strong word. Unless you know the weight of it, the meaning of it and the consequences or what will happen when you say it, DON’T USE IT.
You don’t have to be Casanova to attract women, and please don’t be too obvious, woman like to play the game too. We like a little bit of a mystery. But don’t be too mysterious or we will be confused and angry.
Women and men can be just friends, but let me tell you, it is hard. I recommend being friends with unattractive men or women. Friends can be just friends, but please make it clear from the start or else one person will get hurt eventually.
I will get up in the morning if I have something to do. I don’t like it, but it is possible.
The sweetest voice to hear is your mothers.
Sometimes when I am lonely, I think of my family. But after I get a call from my family I realize that I really didn’t want to know everything. Sometimes things are better left unsaid.
I like to be a walking contradiction, I want to know things, but when I know things, I really didn’t want to know it.
My name is A-Le-Sha, not Aicha, or Alicia. Get it right please and I will try to get yours right, safi.
I think if I am here for much longer, I will get used to crossing the street by dodging cars, buses and motorbikes. Who needs crosswalks? All you have to do is look both ways and pray no one will hit you.
I know my lungs have suffered here, too many smokers, too much exhaustion from buses and not enough trees. If my lungs haven’t suffered yet, I know at least my eyes have.
I think my Moroccan students think I am a walking pharmacy.
I miss plain white bread, cream of wheat, pancakes, bacon, waffles, big fat juicy hamburgers, not knowing what-is-in-it-hot-dogs, ranch Doritos, American marshmallows and raspberry Italian sodas.
I love mint tea, rif with honey, couscous, tagjia, beinets, wonderful chocolates cakes, some chocolate pastry thingy, fanta orange, mars bars, xobz, and this special bread with holes in it.
I can survive in Moroccan without cooking, but I don’t want to so I am learning how to be inventive with cooking. BUT that doesn’t mean I like it. I like to bake.
If I am a woman, don’t assume I know how to cook or clean, but don’t put me in the category of women who do not know how to fix a car or fish or caring how to do “men” jobs.
I give a mean dirty look.
Watch out for my temper. When I get mad, I get really mad. It takes a lot to piss me off.
If you make plans, stick to it, if not, give me a call.
I miss talking on the phone for hours and not having to worry that I have run out of dirhams and it will cut me off.
Banks are shrewd in Morocco. They know only the rich can really get it.
If I am fat, or say I look pregnant, don’t ask me if I like to work out. Do you want me to say something rude about your appearance? But I have realized it is a question about caring, not about trying to be offensive. It is also acceptable and appreciated in many cultures that women should be “healthy” looking rather than skinny. It is a sign of wealth. I don’t know which one I like better, but I just want to be liked for whom I am inside, not always by what I look like on the outside.
Don’t assume that if I wear a skirt or look nice, that it is for a man or I want to get laid. Sometimes girls just like dressing up and looking nice. We like to feel pretty.
If I wear shorts, don’t whistle at me or make comments to me. It is hot and I sweat.
It is nice to hear compliments, but if you say too many, I will think you are being fake and insincere.
And always remember that it is not just your parents who influence you, it is the media, your teachers, your friends, your neighborhood and your country that influences who you are today. But don’t always believe what they say. Find out for yourself if it is true. Ask questions, always, but don’t assume there will be answers.

-Alesha