First things first. The Skittles here are different.
Just kidding. I mean, they are a little different (slightly different flavor, identifiable ingredients, softer), but that's not "first things."
I really love my job. I love my girls (all 7-12 that show up out of the 22 that are supposed to). I love being on a real staff of professionals. I love having a curriculum that is about getting my students somewhere other than the next level.
I love Middle Eastern food. I'm going to have to be very careful here. I could live off flat bread, hummus, baba ganoush/muttabul, falafel and olives. None of that is unhealthy (well, maybe the bread), however the fat content is unreal. Also, Saudi's love sugar. So sweets are widely available. I can get German vegan dark chocolate in several stores in Riyadh. Just over 20% of adults in Saudi Arabia are diabetic. Out where I am, the rates are likely much higher. People are heavy and sedentary here and it'd be easy to gain weight.
Luckily, I got in my first run today. The school provides some gym equipment, which is awesome. The treadmill is dinky (you likely couldn't use it if you're much taller than me), but it serves its purpose.
It's coming up on bed time, so I've got to wrap up.
Here's what my daily schedule is like:
7:30-9:10 English (Oral English, Spelling, Activities, book work, etc.)
9:25-11:30 Project Based Learning (it's a vocational school, so these creative projects teach soft skills like leadership and teamwork)
12:15-2:30 English (mostly workbook work)
So, very much unlike my previous jobs, I have the same class all day. After lunch we switch classes with our co-teachers. I like Adrienne's students, too, but I'd rather stick with my girls. I might try to finagle out of the switch.
I've got to get to bed (I'm getting my schedule in order so I'll be able to write more and more often), but here are some quick thoughts on living in Saudi Arabia:
Ian and I are having two totally different experiences. Obviously we have different jobs and live in different cites, but the gender gap is huge. It's really difficult to explain, because it's largely mental. Knowing that there are so many things that you can't do has an effect on you, whether you even want to do those things or not.
Wearing an abaya while walking around gets you feet and legs absolutely filthy. It's terrible.
People don't use toilet paper here, really. They spray off their bums with a bidet hose thing.
Lots of things are forbidden, of course. But did you know that "public" music is one of them? No concerts, no music education, no dances. But, in Riyadh, you'll sometimes here someone blasting their car stereo. It's weird not to use music (or even videos of an kind) in my classroom. You'll also never see a photograph of my girls.
The matawa (religious police) have little power in big cities like Riyadh, but tons of power in an area like mine.
I must get to bed, but be sure to write any questions you have in the comments! I'll answer them soon.