Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Well, it's been a long while since I've posted. I apologize to those of you who got in the habit of checking in here. You know by now that Cyclone Gonu put a dent in Gus' and my internet usage. I think it's the ethers way of saying, "Amanda, don't be so obsessed with quick communiques & instant information!"

We certainly survived the cyclone with no damage. It wasn't a pleasant experience for us but worse than that the cyclone did billions of dollars of damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure. Even more devastating was the unnecessary loss of lives. The last official report I read said 49 had died due to the storm. The unnoficial count is now between 500 - 1000. These were people who were living close to the wadis (the usually dry riverbeds)in bungalows or shacks.

And now their families - uncles, brothers, cousins - are all laboring long days to put it all back together. The availability of day laborers, mostly from India and Pakistan, is huge. The speed with which water, electricity and highways are being put back together is phenomenal.

Gus and I escaped Muscat for 5 days and nights total on our quest for jobs. We spent 3 nights in a mountain city called Nizwa where we spoke with 3 directors of English programs for 3 different colleges. Each visit was wonderful. There were no appointments set up at specific times yet the directors took us into their offices and chatted with us for an average of 2 hours each. What a wonderful and humane experience. I will never again put up with a 20 minute interview where typical questions are asked without time for discussion! Even my interview at the American International School was like a visit with friends. The director there spent a good hour and a half with us. I am glad he's taken on more the style of the Middle East than to keep the American mentality of the quick, cold interview.

So, Gus and I were offered the job that we most wanted - at the University of Nizwa. We will both be working in the same school, same department. Just like we'd hoped. And we'll be working with a director whom we greatly respect. He is a Tunisian and knows how to bridge the culture of the Western teachers to the culture of our Omani students and their families. We spent a good 2 hours with him and talked like we were old friends. He gave us a good picture of what is expected of us and how best to connect with our students. We are looking forward to our return here on Sept. 1st.

And we are also looking forward to a summer in Bucks County. We miss the cool nights and the smell of green. We'll have all of July and August with family and friends. We'll use much of our time to unclutter our home to make more space for our boys, Aaron and Christopher. They are a Godsend - taking great care of the home and animals on Old Bethlehem Road. I also hope to fly on down to Ft. Lauderdale to spend time with Michela, Ameenah & Zaikiah. Hopefully they will come enjoy a long weekend with us up in PA as well.