Culture is a Four-Letter Word

Thursday was my class's much anticipated Culture Day Celebration. We had been studying different cultures of the world. From America to China to Europe, we traveled all over the place in class and learned quite a bit about different cultures and their traditions. I tiptoed around the religion section and pretty much told them to ask their parents or Islam teacher any questions related to religion. The staff has been very clearly informed that we are not to talk about religion with the kids.....at all! Funny, though, the mother of one of my students told me that her daughter loves having me as her teacher, "Even though you are a Christian." Can you imagine someone telling you that? What if the table was turned? I often have to remind myself of where I am and with whom I am speaking.

Back to the party........the kids brought in food for the party. To this group, culture means FOOD. My goodness! We had a feast for about 100 people. The home cooked food was amazing. These mothers really went all out. The mothers here are very competitive. I know they were trying to outdo each other with the food they sent. It was fine by me, because I enjoyed every bite! I couldn't stop eating the sweets. The guilt I felt afterwards was horrible! I, of course, brought in an American dish. I thought and thought about what I could make. Then it hit me. What's the most American food out there that 8-year-olds love? Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, of course! My kids see me eating it everyday for lunch and always ask about it. Now was their chance to try it. I had Scott bring home some Wonder white bread, Jiffy peanut butter & Welch's strawberry jelly. I made a dozen sandwiches, cut them in quarters, and placed them in a tin tray. The kids gobbled them up. They LOVED them! What was more amazing was that the secretaries & school counselor popped in (they can smell food a mile away) and asked about the sandwiches. I explained what they were and how popular they are in the US with kids & adults. After some lip pursing and chin crunching they decided to give them a try. They went "nuts" over them! Now I know what to take to any potluck I'm invited to over here. Can't get easier than PB&J.

Benny is doing fine! He has been "swimming" three more times since his video debut. I guess we could say that he is a little more comfortable in the water. He still has to be carried in by Scott. We have tried everything we can think of to get him in on his own. Oh well! The good news is that now he knows how to swim towards the steps to get out instead of clinging to the side of pool. Poor guy! Scott has been doing a great job with the chicken.

Scott & I are well. We are starting to boil. Much of our time is spent indoors now. It's just too miserable out. Luckily, there are these great malls and super centers to spend the day in. I love grocery shopping in the super centers. They bring food in from all around the world. The cookie and cracker choices are so interesting. We'll miss having these unique treats. The frozen appetizer style food is also so good. We get a lot of Middle-Eastern stuff as well as some Indian. The restaurant choices here are plentiful. There's everything form TGI Friday's, McDonald's, KFC, BK, and Subway to amazing Middle-Eastern, Persian, and Turkish restaurants. We, of course, eat at the latter. We can't get enough of this stuff. Who would eat at BK when you can have lamb kabobs with amazing sides?

The Military Working Dogs here wear special booties so that their pads don't blister when they walk in this heat. It was recommended that we get some for Benny. We ordered him a set. We'll be trying them out soon. Scott put one on Benny the other day and he was running around on 3 legs. He wouldn't put that paw down. He looked like a fool! I hope it works out. I think about all the stray dogs I see here everyday. It's so sad. Now that it's so hot, I feel horrible when I see them. They must be so thirsty! I hate that they treat dogs like this here! I hope Benny realizes how lucky he is, that fatso!