My first semester at AUI is almost over.

Finals are done.  The grades are in.  I'm just waiting to do the final "deliberation" where all the faculty gather to determine the fate of border line pass/fail students.  It is a hold over from the old French education system.  I hope it's tomorrow.  I'm ready for a break. I will fly to Germany on Monday and meet Doris in Frankfurt.  She had to leave today so she could take care of some business before Germany shuts down for Christmas.  I won't know until the beginning of next semester whether or not I will have a teaching gig.  They have to see what the enrollment is before they will know if they need me.  I would prefer to teach but I can find ways to amuse myself if it doesn't work out.  I find myself strangely comfortable with the uncertainty of work and life in Morocco.  To quit my job in Tallahassee and move here has been a very, very good experience. To be here with Doris is to live the "dream".  It's almost sinful to be this happy.

SANTA CLAUS, THE NEW WORLD ORDER!

In Rabat, the capital of Morocco, the city is covered in Christmas trees and in a coffee shops full of women wearing hijabs, they are playing Christmas music.  This is a Muslim country with almost zero Christian population.  Welcome to World War Christmas where the commercialization of Christmas has turned it into the international secular holiday. Ho, Ho, Ho! Santa Claus rules the world, at least for all the shopping days before Christmas. Bow down and be afraid! Be very afraid! Santa Claus, the new world order. Pax Kringle.

In Familia with Elfriede!

In Familia with Elfriede - an elegant Lady.

Meandering thoughts from Morocco

I'm on my own this weekend.  Doris is off to Oxford to give a lecture and hang with her buds.  I'm wrapping up the semester.  Next week is the last day of classes and then finals.  It has been an interesting semester.  I have to admit that I'm looking forward to the break.  I won't know whether or not I'll be teaching next semester or not until January.  It will depend on how many students enroll at the Language Center.  If I don't get a teaching gig at AUI, I can either look for a teaching job at the American Language Center in Fes or Meknes or just enjoy being retired for awhile.

Later this month we will be in Germany.  Christmas in Bad Soden with family and a visit with friends in Berlin.  It's always fun spending time with our friends, Norbert and Gertrude, in Berlin.  They have this huge old house and there is always lots of good food, wine and beer with great conversations.   We will then meet with some friends, Howard and Marla, in Frankfurt; they are flying in from the States.  We will spend a few days together in the Black Forest in Bavaria at the "spa" for a little post-holiday indulgence and hanging with friends. It will also be a sad time since this will be our first Christmas without Elfriede. She is greatly missed.