Serendipity

I meant to write in this blog about leaving the United Arab Emirates for almost a year now, I left in December 2021, after nearly 8 years. I plan to return one day, the people and the culture really suit me. It's very international, more so than NYC. There are drawbacks, but in general I felt the work I did there had a lot of value and I connected with a lot of people I never would have met in the US. Erik wanted me to join him in the United States, so I stayed in Florida for about 8 months. We travelled and I was a substitute teacher. I feel lucky on the timing that I was offered a few really good jobs, but the best offer was again abroad, in Guangzhou China. I have a new blog about my experiences in China, you can follow here: https://gzjournal.blogspot.com/ The hyperlink isn't working, but find me @GZjournal on Blogspot, or https://www.instagram.com/gz_melanie Other than connecting with some of my family during this time, a good thing about being in the US was that Erik and I finally hiked the Grand Canyon. He ended up on crutches on our previous attempt in 2013. This time we did a down and back in one day, which was very difficult, but it was an amazing adventure. The desert landscapes of the United Arab Emirates are similar to the cosmic feeling of the biggest wadi in the world. Also going in April with the flowers blooming gave that fresh feeling of hiking in the UAE mountains after a rain. I feel that I am always very lucky, because the week after we did our hike there was a very bad Noro virus outbreak and many people who were in the Grand Canyon became very ill.

I will probably blog here again because I have so many wonderful memories from the Arab Gulf region. Snorkeling in Oman, dancing all night at clubs in Dubai, eating at posh restaurants that are unlike any other in the world. I will share my old memories and update when I go for a visit in the future. For now, check me out in Guangzhou!

Pronto Italia

Next week my mom and I will meet up in Rome for a tour around the country, up to Venice and Florence, then down to Naples. A driving tour, where we plan to eat and shop our way around the country. Mom has never been, although this trip was first planned in 2019, for spring 2020. The hotels in Florence and Naples were rebooked, using vouchers. I just checked the weather and it looks great! Temperatures around 50-60 F / 10-15 C. Mom and I have our PCR swab tests scheduled. She is paying $175 for her quick test, whereas mine in the UAE costs only 150 AED/ $40. People in Dubai complain that ours is too expensive. I hope we will be able to eat, drink, and stay sante. (Healthy) Stay tuned for updates next week!

Shown in the picture is Erik and me having drinks in Venice. I am having an affagado espresso and he is having an Aperol Spritz. A Spritz is an Italian wine-based cocktail, commonly served as an aperitif in Northeast Italy. It consists of prosecco, digestive bitters and soda water.

Map of Visited Countries

 I have recently distributed a couple of my coveted maps, the world surf map, to a Humanities professor who has surfed all over the world, and I gave my world map to a favorite student who has always enjoyed chatting about travel and world events. Intersting, the map has Israel censored with white out, that country is now welcome to the UAE. It made me realized I would like to update my travel map, presented below is one of the tools that shows visited countries. Amcharts.com is pretty cool. Nice way to reflect on experiences, and dream of new places to go.

The format is a little wonky, but you get the picture.

Create your own visited countries map or check out the JavaScript Charts.

Post Trump Stress Disorder the new PTSD

I would tweet this, ironically, but I left all social media as a resolution for the new year. Only my blog left to share my voice with the world, these important and very deep thoughts... 

Image from the Guardian newspaper

I am lucky enough to have a handful of friends and family in their 60's and 70's who have progressive liberal ways of thinking, so I tend to become a liberal granny by osmosis... TWICE in the past week my mom, and then my friend Vicky, told me they are still recovering for what Trump did. I feel like they are discussing a personal attack, but they are referring to the reign of his presidency and the aftermath the world is dealing with. I will call this PTSD, referring to the T word, Trump. I was listening to each of these ladies on a phone call and I realized the venom that was being espoused was not for a property vandal or a current politician, but the legacy of Trump which lives on. Perhaps they need to "live in the now" or maybe I don't read enough news to be angry, but I'm concerned for the health of well-informed older people. I would like to find a solution to help my people overcome the trauma of the Trump era.

As Obama had to answer for the Bush legacy, Biden is dealing with disasters started by Trump, such as the plan for an abrupt withdrawal from Afghanistan. Who stands to benefit from this disaster? 

Wellness at Yoga House

 I love the recent music video for Solar Power where Lorde takes a satirical jab at wellness gurus, it's a groovy song and I love this mellow album. That said, I am a bit embarrassed that I regularly read Goop and have been participating in yoga for exercise, nearly religiously lately. I figure this blog post is to inform my readers and passers-by that Yoga House in Dubai is open for business and it's a fantastic experience. I was hesitant, but since myself and most people in Dubai now are vaccinated and boosted, we can probably exercise safely again. Masks are required everywhere, but you can take them off once safely distanced on the mats.

in the posh locker room

Business Bay area, Hilton is neighbors
with the iconic JW Marriott Marquis

Lobby of Hilton al Habtoor,
host of Yoga House in Business Bay

Let me tell you about this good intro deal, at the time of writing, for 550 AED you can get a 10 class package good at any of the three locations, or you can participate online. I prefer the Hilton Al Habtoor location, it has a luxurious ambiance. Full access to the hot tub, sauna, and jacuzzi. Let's get back to ommmmmmmm!

Link to Yoga House

SNL first global Live Stream on YouTube

Last month I visited my parents in Virginia when St. Vincent was the musical guest of Saturday Night Live, unfortunately we were all asleep before 11:00p.m. and this show starts at 11:30p.m. This live sketch comedy show has been a family favorite for my entire life, mom watched it live before we were born. It was sad to miss an opportunity to watch a full show as it was being performed. 

I was just speaking on the phone to my mom and bro, complaining that I wanted to watch Elon Musk host, but as usual, was going to miss it. We talked about VPN's and such, but I figured I would not be able to see it, so oh well, I'll catch the skits on YouTube later.

Behold! This morning I got a notification that the *first* global livestream was starting on YouTube so I managed to watch as I was getting ready for work! Even better is when SNL was having a commercial break, I heard some nice jazz music instead of commercials. My brother in the US said he didn't want to sit through commercials so he will watch it later too. For the first time, I got the benefit of SNL --LIVE! 

Now, let's hope that we can someday score audience tickets... We've stood in live enough over the years.. Let's see!

Stock up your blessings with Sadqa

Ramadan is here and for non-Muslims in the Muslim world we delicately walk through the holy month. I will occasionally fast for a whole day, or usually a partial day, and join friends for the sunset Iftar meal. Eating a date and sipping water with people feels very refreshing, especially in the warm month of May. This year I was introduced to the giving event of Sadqa. 

Although it's better to give anonymously, posting on a blog which no one reads feels pretty safe! I knew about the Muslim charitable giving called Zakat:

"Zakat is the compulsory giving of a set proportion of one's wealth to charity. It is regarded as a type of worship and of self-purification. Zakat is the third Pillar of Islam."

"Sadaqah or Sadqah (Arabic: صدقة‎, Urdu: صدقہ‎, "charity", "benevolence", plural ṣadaqāt صدقات) in the modern context has come to signify "voluntary charity". According to the Quran, the word means voluntary offering, whose amount is at the will of the "benefactor".

This year I did Sadqa during Ramadan, and although I won't say what my giving was, I feel good about having finally made a contribution after living here so long. I am fairly superstitious and am happy to have been able to participate in something that brings good to the world. I had the encouragement and support of some friends, and am thankful for everything this Ramadan has brought me. I'm especially thankful for the good friends who break the fast with me and invite me into the homes of their families. Because of the kindness I have always experienced from my Muslim friends, I will always look for ways to help people in small or large ways. It is a blessing to feed someone who is hungry, and it makes you feel good. I hope to give Sadqa every Ramadan. 

Eid is near and I wish the very best to the good people who deserve this holiday.

Jameel Arts Center Dubai

 I visited the Jameel on Saturday to see my friends exhibit near the library, very cool graphic novels on display. https://jameelartscentre.org/whats-on/library-circles-david-hirsch/ Mostly Arabic language, impressive array, and beautifully illustrated. I always love the Jameel and this visit was just as interesting.

I saw an exhibit that seemed like a forthcoming coffee table book about data, media, privacy, or some combination. Will buy the book and see what it is in print form..."Age of You" is the exhibit title, "The Extreme Self" is the book title. 

I will need to return because I had just entered the first floor where Iraqi artist Hiwa K. has a multimedia exhibit, but it was closing time. I have a lot of interest in Sulaymaniyah Iraq, where this artist has connections, there is the American University of Sulaymaniyah, which I hear is a great place. https://jameelartscentre.org/whats-on/hiwa-k-do-you-remember-what-you-are-burning/

Expo 2020 Sustainability Pavilion Premier

 The first world Expo was held in London in 1851. Since then there have been over 35 of these events, sometimes called Expo, World Exposition, Great Exhibition, or World's Fair. It is an exhibit from nations all over the world, convening in one place to see and be seen. 

The United Arab Emirates intended to host Expo in Dubai in 2020, instead we will host in 2021. The premier is beginning now, with the Sustainability Pavilion open, and tickets available from the Expo website: https://www.expo2020dubai.com/en/pavilions-premiere Tickets are 25 AED for people under 60, about $7, and free for people above 60 years old.

"Terra" is the name of the Sustainability Pavilion and the cool Earth-themed exhibit halls were a blend of innovative marvels and learning experiences. Sharing a few snapshots to give a hint of what to expect.

 

Outside the Sustainability Pavilion.

pictured left to right: me, David Hirsch, national service volunteer, Expo employee Suhaila (Zayed University Environmental Science alumni) and another Expo employee.

Guest lecture on Information Literacy for Annai Fathima College of Arts and Science, Faculty Development Program

Information literacy is important for today’s learners, it promotes problem solving approaches and critical thinking skills. Creative problem solving is essential to life-long learning, being able to ask questions and seek answers on their own is key to student development. To independently find information, form opinions, evaluate sources, and make decisions will create successful learners, effective contributors, confident individuals, and responsible citizens. Ultimately students need to be able to identify what is real and relevant not just for classroom learning, but for everyday life and work.

Join librarian Melanie Wood for a 30-minute session on integrating Information Literacy skills into your classroom teaching and assignments. Melanie has been a librarian at the public library, community college, and university for over 20 years. She enjoys sharing her curiosity with others and will give you new ways to develop in your students a desire for seeking accurate information.

Register via Zoom to join us on Saturday February 20, at 11:30a.m.-12:00p.m. IST

You are invited to a Zoom webinar. 

When: Feb 20, 2021 11:30 AM Mumbai, Kolkata, New Delhi 

Topic: Guest lecture on Information Literacy for AFC faculty

Register in advance for this webinar:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

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Emirates Natural History Group, Al Ain Chapter and Information Literacy Network of the GCC

In March 2020 we all scrapped our calendars and invented a new format for our days. Hopefully most of us were safe and sound, I'm sorry for friends, family, and other readers that experienced personal or professional loss. Especially those in NYC who were feeling trapped and scared, or folks like my parents who are still feeling isolated and don't know when they can return to a free lifestyle. We can only hope that people will find ways to stay safe and earn a living.
In Dubai we have had relatively low numbers compared to the region and the world. There are very strict rules in place and they have been effective to keep the general population out of trouble. I have found it quite interesting to move my "Library Instruction" sessions online, to LibGuides, video tutorials, screenshare meetings with students, or visits to the online classroom.
Professionally, the Information Literacy Network of the Gulf Cooperation Council (ILN GCC) has perhaps become more engaging to the librarians of the Gulf region by moving events to Zoom instead of in-person. Although my Professional Development Chair partner, Asmaa Asim and I had been plotting and planning the April 2020 Spring Symposium for over 8 months, we were invigorated to find the interest of our ILN GCC members were just as strong, perhaps more interested, to attend online, since we were all working at home anyway. The flexibility produced several hour-long sessions that enlightened us about Maker Spaces at our neighbors libraries, and new tools and tricks such as Pear Deck. The communication among colleagues has saved our sanity! My term as the Chair of the ILN GCC will soon end, but watch for more events announced on the blog, join the list-serv to stay in touch: https://iln-gulf.org/
Another cool organization, that I am happy to become a part of recently, is the Emirates Natural History Group, Al Ain Chapter. This group formed over 40 years ago and has been providing educational programming for expats and locals over the many years, with hikes, lectures, and opportunities to learn about the environment of the UAE. The lectures are now open to everyone, all around the world. Check the Instagram page to find out how to register for these events:
https://www.instagram.com/enhg.alain/

Enjoy your class!

I was just speaking to a professor I work with here at my university library, as he walked away I said "enjoy your class!" Of course this farewell was just a nicety, but I am making the assumption that he enjoys teaching and that the experience of spending 80 minutes with his students will be enjoyable for either party...
My question is: should teaching and learning be fun? I really feel like it should be, I enjoy learning and I enjoy teaching; my experience training students on how to use library resources and delivering sessions that create information-literate life-long learners is piece by piece successful...  while also being kind of a comedy routine... I feel like it's interesting enough to search for things you are curious about, hopefully the fancy tools the university provides for learning are engaging to use... So why not make it a fun party? That is probably really "American" or "millennial" or whatever the heck...
I need to read up on some of the authors who are famous for thinking and writing about education. It's time to update my "teaching philosophy." Jonathan Kozol is on my list.. I have read some Temple Grandin, that is not so much about mainstream education... But why is education still "mainstream" anyway?
Now to address the double entendre in the title of this blog post: class. "Enjoy your class..." It is very elitist to get a 4 year degree in the arts or humanities. I definitely believe in and support vocational education, I worked at a community college and also a culinary college, my husband is a skilled tradesman working in construction. I hope that all educational paths lead to gainful employment and a healthy and happy life. So, what am I getting at? I wish that education or career training was accessible to all people despite financial situations or family support. Many places in the US have experimented with merit-based or sliding scale tuition fees, when can that start again? The world is sliding close to rock bottom, when we rebound and make a unified effort to survival on this planet, perhaps we can make living, eating, and getting on with a decent life an option for every single person. Maybe learning will be enjoyable too? Why schlep?
In conclusion, I hope that people will all consider themselves life-long learners and be open to teaching and learning even "informally" through various types of personal development and community enrichment opportunities. Even if you create it yourself, with a book club or an interest group. My warning is, if you don't try to improve yourself and others around you we are going to be living in the movie Idiocracy and watering our food crops with gatorade.

Learning outside the classroom at Louvre Abu Dhabi with colleague Nekeyla

Warner Brothers World Abu Dhabi

This week marked the opening of an awesome new amusement park in Abu Dhabi. Warner Brothers World is an indoor amusement park featuring rides and attractions from shows such as the Flintstones, Batman, Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry, and of course Looney Toons.

There are six immersive lands—meaning you enter into Warner Brothers Plaza, then you should start in either Metropolis or Bedrock, because it is set up circularly, You won’t miss anything if you work your way through in a circle. My group started with Metropolis and meandered through each of the others (Gotham City, Cartoon Junction, ending with Bedrock.)

Prepare for this, starts with a hall of mirrors, ends with a slide.

These rides are like nothing else! The best I went on were Riddler Revolution and Jokers Funhouse, these are the stars! Such unique and creative experiences, you cannot miss these. I also went on the Flintstones Bedrock Adventure (a log ride type experience), Scooby Doo Museum of Mysteries, and Ani-Mayhem (an Animaniacs themed ride.)

Riddler Revolution was fantastic.

Some of the rides really required more sporty clothing, I felt nervous seeing traditional dress on moving mechanical rides... More exciting! LOL

The park opens at 10:00a.m. and we didn’t arrive until 4:00p.m. The rides stop running at 8:00p.m. so we were destined to not get on every ride we wanted, plus it was a very busy day. I would suggest going earlier in the day to get the most of your ticket. You can also map out your “must-rides” ahead of time to not spend time in a line for something that isn’t a priority. You could always make a second sweep of the lands if there is more time after your top choices. Here is the list of rides, you could decide what is your "most desired." https://www.wbworldabudhabi.com/en/rides

I invested in a Founders Annual pass because I know I will be going back a few times this year. Many of my friends have been excited about this for some time, as we saw it being built and developed. When I saw the offer for an annual pass I was definitely down for that, there are many benefits such as free parking and a discount at all the shops and restaurants.

It’s good to have things to look forward to in life, other than work.  On my next visit I will definitely redo Jokers Funhouse and the Riddler Revolution. I am hoping to try Green Lantern: Galactic Odyssey, The Jetsons Cosmic Orbiter, Batman: Knight Flight, Scarecrow Scare Raid, if there is time the Fast and Furry-ous, Justice League: Warworld Attacks.

Selfie in the hall of mirrors in Jokers Fun House

Join me in Abu Dhabi, I will be your WB World host!

Hanging loose in the UAE

Annual blog entry LOL. Thursday is the last working day of the week in Dubai, Friday is the holy day and most people are off work. Something I’ve been doing this summer nearly every Thursday evening, when I’m in Dubai, is to go to the beach near my house.

The developed beachfront area, which is closest to my apartment is called. La Mer, which means "the sea" in French. it was recently re-developed by a company called Meraas, but my friend Ginger SIlvera calls it L.A. Mer, because it reminds her so much of her home, Los Angeles. I also feel the California vibe… she busted up laughing when we saw the hookah bar/ café called Smoky Beach… Just funny.

A tree that looks like a Gremlin, that California flavor.

Parking is also a chore, I tend to take a taxi on a busy beach day, or park on the street far away and walk to La Mer. La Merde!

The fancy facilities are a recent upgrade in the past year; there are now changing rooms, bathrooms and showers. Not to mention a huge variety of shops and restaurants. You want a string bikini with rhinestone dollar sign$ on the top? Buy this classy souvenir at La Mer… For a reasonable price, you can also rent a beach chair, towel, or a cabana. Of course there are a lot of private beach clubs with similar cabana offerings, which are even more luxurious, but it's nice to be in the real world sometimes. La Mer reflects the actual population of Dubai, in fact there seem to be even more Emirati families there than other places.

Swimming from 5:00 to 7:00 PM as the sunsets in the evening is really chill. It’s not so crowded during the summer and I really enjoy the atmosphere. There’s even a water park in La Mer called Laguna Beach, like the natural park on the California coast. La Mer really has a laid back California vibe, that’s why Dr. Silvera calls it L.A. Mer! Emirati’s do like California, it’s the favorite destination for education abroad, and I hear that a lot of students like to stay on the West Coast and irritate their parents by not returning to the UAE…

I like to just swim for a while and reflect on my day. I had a really deep thought tonight and I’ll conclude with this: Iggy Azalea and Paris Hilton are pretty much the same person, except for their upbringing and ass. Otherwise, it’s difficult to tell them apart… Like California and Dubai?  THE END.

Go to the beach straight from work!!!!