Human Rights Exhibition

For the past five weeks, Adam's grade 10 class has been examining human rights. Specifically they have been looking at human rights in WWII. In addition to studying case studies in class, each student was assigned an independent research project about a human rights case after WWII.

Instead of having students sit down to take a test to see if they had memorized the information, Adam and his teaching team asked students to reflect on what they had learned. Each student was asked to choose a medium of their choice and use that medium to express their reaction towards the information that they had learned.

Last week the students gathered to present their reaction pieces. As far as we know, this was the first ever human rights exhibition ever hosted by the school. The work that students created was incredibly impressive and showcased a wide variety of talent. It is amazing what young people can create when given some freedom.

Below is a sampling of some of the work that was displayed.

The Exhibition was a hive of activity.

Freedom Isn't Free

As we were researching running races in the PNW for the summer season we saw that our favorite running shop in Bellingham had started a new program -- stop by the shop and pick up a FREE Fairhaven Runners shirt.  Then, wear the shirt in 3 races, submit a photo and your time and receive $15 store credit.  We were very pumped to participate in this, represent our hometown running store around the world, and earn some running shoe credit while doing so.  An email to family, a sister who shared our story with the store employees ("No, you see ... they live in Kuwait and there is nothing to do there but run.  My sister has to have the t-shirt not the tank because showing shoulders is a sin.  No -- they cannot celebrate good races with a nice, cold beer for that is a sin, too.  No -- no one really knows why they chose to move to this country but by-god, they want a free shirt"), and a lot of coordination from our Mom and viola -- free running shirts secured.

The catch:  the cost to ship said shirts to Kuwait via FedEx $98 USD.  Yup, our "free shirts" just put us in the hole a whole lot of dinero.  In fact, even with running the races and collecting our store credit, we still are spending $68 in free advertising for our little, local running shop.  Fairhaven Runners ... you owe us!!

We (Maria) literally collected the last two shirts in the store for us.  Repping Fairhaven Runners in the middle east? Man, it was meant to be.

We are proud to report that we tested our gear on a 20k this weekend and it worked perfectly (little bits of chaffing not counted)!

Hurricane Abdulaziz

Ever since we landed in Kuwait we have heard "Be ready for March -- sandstorm season."  We did not spend too much time thinking about "sandstorm season" nor what that meant.  Now, all of a sudden, it is March and we are fully realizing that we have entered the season that gets so much hype in the middle east -- the sky is a continued orange color, there is always a wind blowing, and the booger count has greatly increased.

Last week we set out on a Friday morning for a nice 12 mile run.  It was an "out and back" along the gulf that we have run many times before.  This time we noticed that the wind seemed a little stronger than usual and the gulf which is usually calm and tranquil had actual waves.  As we reached the turn-around point, we were fully engulfed in what Adam named "Hurricane Abdulaziz."  The wind was so strong that no matter how much we pushed forward, we made very little progress.  We often looked like cartoon characters with our legs spinning and no forward progress made.  We also received a sand-blasting with each gust of wind.  At times, the sand was so strong and painful we had to turn our backs into it until it passed.  And, we had 6 miles to go running into this wind.

By the time we got home, exhausted and yet very proud of surviving the storm, we got to laughing.  Our bodies were covered in sand and dirt and we were digging grime out of our hair for days.  We guess we now understand the concept of sandstorms and how to check for them before heading out on long runs.

Adam's face was black from the dust and sweat.  Good thing he was not wearing his contacts because we have heard horror stories of contacts + dust.

No, no.  That's not a tan.  That's a dirt line from after taking off the socks.

Once again, Heidi wishes her legs were nice and brown but more from sun than dirt.

Every part of our bodies were dirt crusted.  You should have seen the eye boogers that kept popping up for the next few days.  Classy!

Goodbye Dubai

We know you have anxiously been awaiting a post detailing our third and final day in Dubai.  On the edges of your seats ... biting your nails ... staying awake at night with anticipation.  Well, to satisfy your desires and help you sleep like a baby ...

What we did -- a photo journey through our last full day in Dubai.

The first stop (after a large cup of coffee at a little local joint called Starbucks) -- The Dubai Grande Mosque.  So pretty.  So clean.

Stop 2:  The Lime Tree -- a cafe that serves delicious, healthy, organic breakfasts.  They have something like it in Kuwait -- er, wait ... Nope.  That's just McDonalds.

@Stop2 -- Adam enjoying his breakfast and huge french press of real coffee.

Stop 3:  Emirates Mall to check out Ski Dubai.  It was going to be a "to do" till we saw the price.  "To Don't."

Looking at Ski Dubai through the window.  It looked cold in there, Pop.

Stop 4: Now consuming some delicious Indonesian noodles.  Do you see  theme?  Consumption, consumption, consumption.

Stop #5:  Checking out a 3 story waterfall inside a mall. 

Stop #6:  Back to our hotel for dinner and to try to consume the remainder of our duty free purchase.  Hey, that stuff was not making it home with us.  Whiskey-ginger time.

Shotzee.

Do we really have to go back to Kuwait?!?

Dubai -- Part Deux

Our trip to Dubai recap continues ...  The second day of our trip was just as great as the first.  We tried to make the most of the city and enjoy a mix of tourist sites, indulge in culinary delights and marvel at the parts of Dubai that are so vastly different from our home just an hour flight away.

The highlights of day two in DXB included:

1)  A long, beautiful run in a park about 1.5k from our hotel.  While in the park we marveled at the greenery, the fact that there were garbage cans and that YES ... they were actually used, and that it was actually quiet and peaceful.  Imagine!

2) Taking the public metro to a replica of historic Dubai to enjoy a delicious lunch and stop in at an art studio which is a non-profit that works with adults with disabilities.  We were able to sit and visit with many amazing adult artists who felt valued, appreciated, and like they were making a difference in the art scene.  (Note -- we did get grilled on our Harry Potter and Twilight knowledge by a fabulous young man with Autism named Alex.  We are proud to say that as fast as Alex could ask trivia questions, we were able to answer them.  Nailed it)!

3) Taking an evening walk back through aforementioned park in the evening just to get out and move in nature without cars running you down, people throwing garbage out said cars at you, or without dodging hundreds of feral cats.

4)  Enjoying a happy hour in a hotel bar (that's where you can legally buy alcohol in Dubai -- in hotels) while watching soccer and smiling over our $15 pint o' beer.

5)  Heading back to our hotel to enjoy pizza and Yahtzee in our hotel room.  Before falling into bed at the ripe hour of nearly 10:30 pm.  Hey ... old habits die hard.

Part of the "historic" Dubai.  It is a recreated city representing what old Dubai would have looked like.

Delicious lunch at a vegetarian restaurant.  We were surprised that ancient Emiratis were vegetarians.  (Lie).

A method for cooling homes.  It is still used in some buildings today.

Commence mock-photo shoot.  We just could not get over the feeling we were on some large movie set.

Lunch in the courtyard of an old villa.  So beautiful and relaxing and some of the coolest bathrooms we have ever seen.

Adam's photo shoot.

Enjoying a cocktail (and some map reading) on our hotel balcony.

Walking through the park.  Adam made friends with this large cat.

Heidi marveling at all the clean, green grass with no litter nor used needles just lying around.

Another friend Adam made.  Everyone cool hangs out in Dubai parks.

This beer was legit -- not bootlegged in a large 21L water bottle with "near beer" and yeast.

Keepin' it classy -- Papa John's pizza and salad in our hotel.  It was about one of the only options we could actually afford.  Dubai is costly.

... and delicious German chocolate cake from Magnolia Bakery.  Perfect way to end day 2.