The Post With No Title

The most exciting news for us this week is, after almost a full two months in relentless heat, we had our first beer on Wednesday night. We went to a nice couple's house for dinner and they had beer!!!! We tried to act casually about it but I think they were a bit suspicious when they brought it out and we started giggling like school girls. We were slightly excited and man did it taste good, even if it was American beer, with ice.

We've had a crazy week and have been working a lot. There are more classes now and because the owners decided not to hire another teacher for the moment we are working overtime. We dont really mind this since we don't have too much else to do. Besides teaching the school is in a desperate state for some organization which we have been doing as well. Alex volunteered and has been appointed Director of Studies which doesn't change his role that much since we were doing a Director of Studies job between us anyways.

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned or not but Alex has started teaching the military. I have to say I'm pretty envious. Everyday a man in army fatigues arrives at the school asking for Mr.Alex and he gets escorted to the base. His lessons are comprised of things like the military alphabet, ALPHA, BRAVO, CHARLIE etc, and vocabulary like combat, rifle, tank. Pretty impressive I think. I suggested to him that if any students answer incorrectly he should yell at them at make them do pushups, but I don't think he's taken my advice. Ohh, the ideas I have for teaching the military are endless. Come to think of it, it's probably better for everyone that I'm not teaching it.

My other entertainment here on a regular basis is the Alex Fan Club. Some of you may not have known that there was an Alex fan club or that it extends all the way to Iraq but it does indeed! So far there are two members. Remember these things are about quality not quantity. Anyways member number one is Indonesian Andy. She lives with Dr. Kamal's family in Erbil so she does not see Alex all too often but when she does she makes up for it. She shows Alex plenty of affection and is often after his attention which Alex really really loves, especially when he's trying to get work done! She's taken to calling herself his number two. (She's been kind enough to leave the number one spot for me for the time being at least)

The second member of the club, currently shooting for presidential status is Aus, the maintenance man. On his first day of work Alex helped him with some English and he's been smitten ever since. Aus has taken to following Alex around, buying he and Alex matching shirts, and my personal favourite, grabbing Alex's hand for just a tad longer than needed which I have to admit is the norm here. It's common to see two men walking down the street holding hands. Bit of a cultural difference. Ahh, I had to smile the other day when Alex was working on the computer and Aus came behind him and gave Alex and nice masssage!! Alex being the kind patient man he is deals with his fan club very well but is slightly starting to squirm at times. Of course I do not encourage this behaviour and get no enjoyment from it at all.

Well that's about it for now really. I hope everyone's having a good summer. We miss you all and think of you often. Glastonbury weekend was difficult and we hope everyone who went had a blast. Big hugs!

Istanbul in August anyone??

Love
A and A