Oman mon amour

We have just returned from a trip to Oman. I have fallen in love! What an amazing country! We were based in Muscat. We went on a day trip to Nizwa, spent a day on the beach, went on a dolphin watching trip, walked the souq and simply enjoyed the people and the place. It is a Muslim country that brings the history of Cordoba (Spain) to mind as a harmonious respectful space of coexistence.
For a quick view of the city of Muscat, take the Big Bus Tour. It is a bit on the pricey side but is worth every riyal :) We went on it twice. The first time, I took pictures whilst on the second trip, I sat back and listened to the narrator.

Back to blogging.
It has been a long time since I posted my last blog. I am still living my adventure in Saudi Arabia. I will be coming back home (Spain) in summer 2014 to go back to my job as an Official School of Languages Teacher. In the mean time, I would like to recall ideas, adventures, situations, comments, visions, shades of this fascinatingly ultimate cultural experience.

On driving 

I love it when Canada is in the news!

As an expat Canadian, I love it when Canada is in the news. Check this out, weren't we "Canadians" ahead of things way back when... it just goes to show you what shaped us into what we are today!
"Ancient city of Canada discovered"

Another eyebrow raising story!

How unfair can the world get? While millions of people are dying of hunger, others can afford to pay $450 for a pizza. 

No further comment needed, is there!

Vancouver restaurant!

Let's watch the universe!

This morning I woke up to a wonderful surprise. Like most mornings, I get my cup of coffee, switch on the computer, go through the news and then, get down to work. This morning, I discovered a new site which is amazing, I love space. Have a look a "slooh". Hey Spanish people, it's direct from the Canary Islands Observatory, how cool is that!

Globalization in the environment

I read somewhere along the line that what happened in one part of the world affected the rest of the world sooner or later, for better or worse (usually for worse, i.e. the economic crisis), now take a look at this piece of news: Tsunami effects
There's some proof!

Amazing story!

True life is more often than not more astounding than the best of fiction stories. A "dog" saved a baby's life!!!!! Click here and read the whole story!

Horrifying. How can human beings do this to each other?

I could not believe my eyes and ears. What a terrible situation to have to go through! The worst part is many people will never know what truly happened!

It's Earth Day again!

We should look after our planet a lot better than we do, amongst other reasons, because no matter how poor we are it, is the one thing that each and everyone of us who has a child will leave him or her as an inheritance. 
If the following images break your heart, start today, don't just think about it, contribute with your little bit now matter how insignificant you may think it is, throw rubbish away where it should be thrown, don't just leave it lying around. Turn your lights off when you don't need them. Watch your heating and air-conditioning. There are so many things we can do! Water is so precious, just think about what a world without water would be like!

"Take action!" I like the slogan click on "Earth Day" and start your contribution now by reading and looking around the page, have fun reading :)

Accident spills coins on Highway 11

Millions of Canadian dollars in coins were spilled on Highway 11 last month. Read the full article by clicking on the picture. Then, find out what a "loonie and toonie" are:

Loonies and Toonies are the Canadian names of one and two dollar coins. They receive the name from the image on the coin.

Titanic anniversary news

There are many questions still being asked about whether or not the "Titanic" tragedy could have been solved. We now have a 3D version of the movie too. What do you think? Please, leave us a comment.
Anniversary news:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765568780/Events-around-the-world-mark-Titanic-centenary.html
3D Titanic:
http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a376572/titanic-3d-breaks-box-office-records.html

On why Spain is striking today.

I think many people have had enough, our space has been invaded, we are looking around and we can see that the rich are getting richer, they get the protection they've always gotten, the run-of-the-mill-average household is having to struggle to make ends meet. 
I can understand that people take the streets, what I will never understand is the right to freedom of thought and action. Let me do what I see fit, have I invaded your space? No! Never! Then, let me do as I think I should.
I'm very angry at the powers that be, nevertheless I have a responsibility, I WILL NOT give that responsibility to anyone nor will I pretend it isn't mine. 
The world is in for another revolution, the masses are more than the few who pull the strings, it's a shame the masses haven't seen the light yet and reached a consensus and some organization. I'm hopeful someday in the not too distant future we will see the light together, we will see that the planet, life, the universe belongs to everyone in the way each one of us wants to live it, let me be and I shall let you be, hurt me and I will defend myself.
I struggle to be an educator but my surroundings are making it even more difficult...

Atrocity takes yet another woman's life!

It is another sad day for women:
http://news.yahoo.com/prominent-pakistani-acid-victim-commits-suicide-063149605.html
Today we weep with you and for you, you will live on in our hearts. Thank you for your courage and your example....if only the doer suffered your pain!

It is a week of celebrations, both in Spain and elsewhere...

Spain has celebrated its Constitution.
http://www.enotes.com/topic/Spanish_Constitution_of_1812




It has also celebrated Father's Day.




The Queen has celebrated her Jubilee.





America has celebrated Chocolate week.




Ireland has celebrated St. Patrick's Day.





...and... we are ALL celebrating the beginning of S P R I N G....

Daylight Saving Time

Clocks change in Spain on March 25. The time goes forward an hour which means that at 2am it will be 3am. Look at this study: http://shine.yahoo.com/getup/daylight-saving-time-health-risks-231500229.html
Does the clock change affect you?
Please leave us your comment.

March and April are job market months for education...

We are coming to the months in which job hunting starts for teachers for 2012 - 2013. This is an article which will help you at your interview, too.

Happy Andalusia Day!

For those of you who are "between jobs"

This expression is one of the many wonders of the "politically correct" English language which bring its students more than a few headaches. The meaning is, in fact, to be unemployed but since that isn't something we talk about, not even in this day and age...

In any case, some people are "between jobs" or even part of the lucky ones who are considering a career change or career improvement, whichever may be your case, beware of the "job interview" and bear the following tips in mind. Good luck with your endeavors!

Interview questions designed to trick you.

A world of "all sorts"....

The world is used to women doing all sorts to keep a beautiful figure, young-looking face and body... This rule no longer applies to women only, in the past 10 to 15 years men and boys have been submitting to a wide variety of practices to equal the once thought of as "female" debt with society that made them keep themselves beautiful. In a world where hunger is a daily companion to 925 million people, there are people who starve themselves in order to be in line with the current "stay slim" fashion trend.
In a world where women implant to improve curves, other women must implant due to cancer. 
Such is our world, and this news item just reinforces the fact that some people were born lucky, others, well, they deal with their hand as best they can and yet others are never happy with what they have...

The Oscars

On Sunday, February the 26th at 7pm (ET = Eastern Time and midnight Spanish time according to this time converter), Hollywood will roll out its red carpet once again to host the 84th Oscar celebration. 
Who will be the big winners this year?
Have you got a preference?
Are you interested in the Oscars, at all?
Do you know of any actors or actresses that have refused prizes?


Talking about refusals, did you know about the Razzies? If you didn't, check the link out. It is very amusing as it is an Oscar antithesis.


There are other awards too, such as the BAFTA or the Golden Globe Awards. Spain also has its own award in the San Sebastian Film Festival, oh, and we mustn't forget the Cannes Film Festival, must we?


Do you know of any others? If I've forgotten any, please leave a comment and let us know.


Have a great day! See you later, oh, please remember our class may be a little late today as we are presenting the brand new EOI Antequera Student Association at 6pm. We aren't as famous as the Oscars but I'm sure we can do many wonderfully exciting things if we all pitch in!