Sailing at Mussanah

Sailing Camp at Mussanah for Bear...CHECK!

A lovely couple of days away at the Millenium Resort in Mussanah. It was really quiet, there were only a couple of families (us being one) and a few individuals, plus a week-long training course contingent. A few military bods were at the pool but that was it. There was never more than five people at the pool when I was there.

There were two infinity pools plus a long one. The pools and sunloungers looked out on to the Gulf of Oman and I thought it was the BEST! I love being near the sea, it puts me in such a good space. I read and relaxed and thought and listened to music.

 Anyway, the MAIN reason we were there was obviously not to still my state of mind or remind myself what relaxing is about! Bear had a two day sailing course to reach her Level 1 dinghy sailing certificate. She had a great time and loved it, she really took to it.

The details on Omansail's website about the sailing facilities is geared very much to Omanis. But this really was to to establish a well-trained, fit and able national team. Just reading from their school history page on their site, it was a pretty rigourous selection and training prodecure but they have had some great competitions. From their site;

Our sailing programmes introduce young Omanis to the sport, sometimes for the first time. Sailing - even at a very basic level - combines physical exercise, mental stimulation and teamwork to provide increased self-confidence.

But it goes on to offer a great point and justification why the programme was originally for Omanis, and I think this is the best reason;

Then by creating a renaissance in Oman's maritime heritage, and giving the youth real practical experience of it, we are reconnecting the young to their own history in a much more direct way than a history lesson ever could.

I love this attitude. I've always said that what appeals greatly to me about Oman, is that the country has been allowed to maintain its identity, which fundamentally is still deep-rooted in its history. It's great they are doing all they can to maintain it.

Anyway, I digress. Bear was taking part in the summer sailing camp that was happening over June and July. 35/OR for a 2-day course. And we got a great deal on the hotel too with no need to use the Entertainer vouchers!

Bear was with three other kids, with one instructor, Caroline. On the second day I took some photos and videos. Her first run out after lunch was not great at all! She is uncannily (some may say scarily/worryingly) like me. She was making a run out around the safety boat but it just was not working. Caroline would throw words of encouragement and instruction out to her and Bear would frantically cry back "I'M TRYING!!" and "IT'S NOT WORKING!!" She came back in crying tears of anger. I gave her the 'you're only learning' talk, not realising what the issue had been. All it took was for Caroline to call her over and tell her gently that the rudder wasn't down fully... So that's why it was so hard to tiller the dinghy! Poor thing!

So she's loving learning to sail and Pops went out with BH for 40 minutes and enjoyed it more that he thought so more sailing holidays on the cards, it seems!

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New things to the summer list though:

• Alter campervan curtains.
• Redo camper wheelcover.

School holiday to-do list UPDATE

• Update the children's photo diary. Oops...Pops was 6 months in his last photo :-/
• Write my Mum a letter...handwritten, stamped and EVERYTHING!
• Mussanah - sailing camp for Bear
• Out on the boat
• Adventure Zone
• Rainforest Cafe
• Qurm Natural Park
• 'My Book and Me' (see next post)
• Ice Skating
• A mountain camp
• Dubai to see Mad Murphy and family

'My Book and me'

We finally made it out to see the new book centre/library in Al Khuwair, The directions in 'Y' were pretty good although upon reaching the destination (eventually) I realised it was in Al Khuwair tower, the block with the red writing that I see every time I'm on the highway. So a quick little detour around the streets eventually got us there. (I saw a new home furnishings place incidentally whilst driving around that area. I haven't been for a good, unplanned explore for ages; might have to put that on the to-do list!).

My Book and Me is on the first floor above the medical centre. The library was lovely. Really clean, clear and modern, a nice feeling as you walk in. There were some cute little knick-knacks around and I LOVED the inspirational wall (see photo below). The kids spotted the fish tank straight away. Although Bear made a beeline for the Jeremy Strong books within the first minute. We were the only ones at this time (late morning). There was a little play area with lots of children’s books, Arabic and English. A coffee shop (be careful on the timing…we wanted a cappuccino but the milk had not been sent up!). Plenty of older children’s books, a mix of non-fiction reference books and some fiction for purchase (I checked one price quickly and it was a lot more reasonable that Borders used to be).

I spy Einstein and Curie and Darwin(?). I feel I should recognise more!

 

 

We settled for half an hour, having a flick through a few books. Bear managed to read half a book in that time so we have to go back for her to finish it!

I asked for membership details and it was a lot more than I expected but it would depend on what you wanted to get out of it. There are three levels according to the services you would use.

1. The top level gives you 20% discount on purchases, 50% off courses (half have already been and gone in June so I’m hoping they will release a further schedule) and book loan of a week (I’m assuming 7 days…it doesn’t say).
2. The second level gives 10% discount on purchases, 35% discount on workshops and borrowing time of 3 days.
3. The third level is just a book loan for 3 days.

And you can get monthly or 6-monthly memberships for these levels. A daily pass for adults is 5 rials with internet usage and 3 rials for children. Family packages are 12 rials for 3-4 people and 22 rials for 5-8 people.

Day passes seemed more appealing to me as I don’t think we’d get the benefit of the workshops. However, if we planned well enough I’m sure we could find something that was of interest to the kids. Having said that, the lowest age the children’s workshops were open to was 7 years old. So nothing for Pops. Which is fine, Bear would like to do something on her own, I’m sure.

So yes, we’d go back as I know my own children love books and a library and decent bookshops are what we are lacking here in Muscat. They would happily sit for an hour and read, and so allowing me to read and have a coffee too!

New book centre in Al Khuwair

Just back from Shatti...brunch at D'arcy's (haven't done that in over a year!), a shop in Nick and Friends sale and an ice cream at Gelato for the kids - a lovely Friday. BH is still up Jebel Shams somewhere.

I am definitely in holiday-mode now, it doesn't feel like a Friday as I don't have that heavy feeling that I have to plan for the week ahead. Happy Days! Also planning a get-together for tomorrow before friends head off.

Anyway, the main reason for this post is an article I found in the latest copy of 'Y' magazine.

The article that grabbed my attention was about 'My Book and Me'. Initially I thought that it was a new book shop (much needed here in Muscat) but in actual fact it's a library of sorts catering to adults and children. It's located in Al Khuwair, not far from the ice rink apparently.

What appealed to us - the fact it is a much needed source of books for the kids aside - was that it is described as an educational centre that offeres a range of activities and programmes, not just reading, to all ages. One-day and week-courses are on offer too plus plans to set up a book club too. Like it. I really hope it works. It's based on day-passes or membership packages...I hope this is accessible to everyone.

Mrs. S. and I are going to check it out tomorrow hopefully.

School holiday to-do list

In no particular order:

• Out on the boat
• Adventure Zone
• Rainforest Cafe
• Qurm Natural Park
• 'My Book and Me' (see next post)
• Ice Skating
• A mountain camp
• Dubai to see Mad Murphy and family

That's all I've got so far...any school holiday tips greatly welcomed!

English Girl in Oman has had a look at offers in hotels around the region...maybe I'll be treated to a night away!

End of the school year...

Well, that's it. The school year is done. My, I'm exhausted. There were tears and laughter on the last few days as expected. More so when the parents came to give us gifts and cards on Monday.

These children have crawled into my heart and so have their parents. Through my own experience as a parent I see that some class families click and some just don't. This was a class that really did work. And the parents were wonderful. I think having a small class compared to the average of the UK helps as you can really have the time to get to know the child and the family. I've had the few where I sometimes wonder if the maid did everything for them, even the homework and listening to them read. But this term saw a turnaround and a new attitude from the parents...it was brilliant to feel that we had managed to convince them that it WAS a good and vital thing to be a part of their child's education.

These were my gifts. My TA (gorgeous lady, complete star, held me together many times) received similar:

I actually could not read this when I received it...the tears were too close!

A herbal thai massage! YESSSSSS!

Lovely bouquet from work

This was a very special and personal gift from
one of the children's parents.

It's all been about the play and the fun in the last few days so we finished up with some art and craft based (loosely!) on Georgia O'Keefe's flower collage and art.

Even my TA did a piece ready for the new class next year. I will miss her....she's been writing the new teacher's name on all the resources... and I can't stop myself from wondering if I'm leaving too soon...but things happen for a reason. And my own kids were the main reason I am leaving.

So now it's officially the school holidays. Pops has claimed he's bored already. BH has disappeared off up Jebel shams this weekend. I'm trying to start preparing for being an art teacher (so excited!) in the hope of avoiding becoming bored. Friends are starting to jet off for the summer :-(

It's going to be a long one, methinks.

James Rizzi

I am LOVING the prospect of being an art teacher. I am starting to discover some great art and art teaching blogs and sites.

One I was recommended for my Art and Crafts after-school club was Deep Space Sparkle. From here, so far, we have emulated Eric Carle and my neeeeeew favourite, James Rizzi who sadly died last year.

(from the Guardian)

The Heart of The Big Apple 2008

Take the A Train to Harlem 1989

It was so successful that I'm going to do it again in my own class as an end of term activity. I had super fun prepping the paints, mixing the colours and getting the right watery consistency. And it was just as much fun watching the children design their piece, figure out how thick to draw the lines (pretty thick!) and shout out "Miss! The paint doesn't like the oil pastel! It's falling off!" A science lesson too!

This 9 year old girl has a clear talent for art. I wonder...I hope...

I have some very big shoes to fill in my new school...the previous two art teachers were fabulous; the corridors were always alive with colour and texture...things I've strived for in my current class. But maybe it's becasue I have been a class teacher and my attentions need to be divided in so many ways. I can't just focus on one thing - whereas I will be able to from September. Insha'Allah, as they say here.

Does anyone have any tips for newbie art teachers setting out?