A day of rest

Yesterday was the first day I had a chance to breathe. After only going to sleep after 1 am, I slept in until 9 am. Russ went in to school to get started on some work. I first met with Mira, who will help us with cleaning. She will come in once a week to clean the floors, windows, dust and do all the ironing. This will cost USD 500 a month, which I think is definitely well worth it.

I feel obliged to mention the cost of things. Kuwait is an extraordinarily expensive country. Yet, because we are not paying for rent, insurance, utilities, and largely transportation, it seems like an affordable place to live.

Later in the morning, I went with my new friend Maria to the Hilton to check out their workout facility and spa. They also have private access to the beach. Unbelievable opulence. It is close to our house but it is also extremely expensive to buy a membership which I think we will pass on for now.

We are looking to join a gym. Another option is the men's only facility two blocks away from our apartment. That would be a good choice for Russ and much cheaper than the Hilton. We just discovered that the Annex (small apartment building for singles outside of our complex but closeby) has stairs with air conditioning, so that is one cardio option. We also found a more pleasant paved place to work - there is a loop around our building that equals a quarter of a mile, so we can do laps. I would be happy to stick with these options as I like to be more outside than in when working out. There is also our pool which we have been in every night (when the temperatures are still 105 degrees). Rumor is that one of the teachers knows how to teach water aerobics so that would be good, but we can also do some resistance training on our own.

I did a load of laundry yesterday and could not get the water to drain. Turned out there was a blockage of lint and sludge. It was disgusting to clean out as it spewed all over the laundry room, but now things are running smoothly. I really do not like hanging things to dry inside, but don't have much a choice. Some of the other teachers are buying dryers.

The apartment is looking more settled and I will post photos to this blog soon. Cannot wait for Mira to clean the floors so we can lay the carpets down.

We have met some current teachers who live in our building. Harvey and Nancy are our mentors and they have been great, along with their three boys. They have a car so we stocked up on groceries, and Harvey helped with the washing machine fiasco. They are keen brewers. They buy cases of non-alcoholic beer, then add bread yeast and sugar before bottling, and then drinking in about a month. to let it ferment. They also make sherry.

Last night, we went with a science colleague of Russ' - Jeff from Manitoba Canada - to eat out. There were many people celebrating the Eid, so the restaurants were advertising specials. We ended up going for sushi which was excellent. The fish was high quality, which is exactly what you want when you are eating it raw. You also pay for that, which we did, about USD 35 each. This was not a fancy place, just the price to pay for eating out well here.

Today, I came in to work to get some things done. Much like at home, it is hard to get anything done without interruption. I am starting from scratch on many things, and having to learn what the process is here in other areas. I love my new co-worker Nancy. Originally from Lebanon, she works also as a guidance counselor in the high school. Our office is with the principal and assistant principal, which is very different for me (good and bad cops all together). Hope it is not a micro-managing situation, although I like both of them a great deal. There are two other guidance counselors - one for middle school and another for elementary - but I never see them because they are in their own wings of the school.

We will stay home tomorrow and maybe the next day to enjoy the down time before all faculty returns on Sunday.