The Trees

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tuesday, October 30, 2012

They dwarf the monorail tracks...

Yesterday I rode in on the train from the airport and the first thing that struck me was the trees. They are gorgeous, tall, and beautifully taken care of. But it's the height of these trees that seems particularly amazing for urban trees--they are enormous! These trees add a wonderfully refreshing and graceful air to a very built up urban environment.

Nice job, KL!

The Food

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Monday, October 29, 2012

This first evening in KL was my chance to get out and try some local food. I ended up with an "Arab-style" chapati, filled with chicken and accompanied by a curry dipping sauce. It was divine. Besides learning lots at my conference this week, I intend to sample as much local food as I can...

The Layover

Doha, Qatar

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Currently experiencing a seemingly endless six-hour layover in the Doha International Airport. A nice latte and a new book downloaded to my Kindle (The Patron Saint of Liars) have helped to pass the time. But what's really fascinating about this place is the constant buzz of languages, none of which seem familiar to me. It really is quite the flow of humanity--but where to and from whence, I have no clear idea...

Amman Children's Museum

In the cockpit

Amman, Jordan
Saturday, October 27, 2012

Friends visiting from Sweden helped us discover the Amman Children's Museum today. What a great place! All kinds of great science-y toys, exhibits, things and places to climb on and in. In short, hours of good fun--and educational, too. Don't miss it!

Eid Mubarak!

The sacrificial sheep...

Madaba, Jordan
Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Tomorrow begins our vacation for Eid al Adha, or "Feast of the Sacrifice." Today was one of those days when no one quite wants to be in school, but we got through it--and enjoyed a wonderfully decorated cake in the dining hall to mark the occasion.

Here's Wikipedia on Eid al Adha...

Eid mubarak!

Story time

Madaba, Jordan
Sunday, October 7, 2012

We're spending a lot of time at home these days, but Frank and A manage to keep busy when I am doing school work. Here's their latest effort at group-storytelling.

Love the illustrations...

Knotty problems

Madaba, Jordan
Friday, October 5, 2012

Last week I assigned my geometry class a "knotty" project involving Mobïus strips. They turned in their projects this week, and at least several students did some really interesting work.

I have come to realize that my morning jogs, though not long in time or distance, give me the best chance I have during the week to think through my own knotty problems--usually ones which involve teaching concepts my students find either difficult or "boring."

Just like Escher's ants on the Mobïus strip, I'm out there on the infinite loop, trying to make sense of it all--

The last of the Russian yeast

...from Russia to Mongolia to Jordan...

Madaba, Jordan
Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Three years in Mongolia turned me into a food hoarder. When we left Mongolia in June I found myself packing up the six packets of Russian yeast that I still had left in the fridge. Here in Jordan, we have at last worked through the Russian yeast, and I am ready to start looking for a local product. (Though I'll confess to still having a jar of American stuff in the fridge to buy me some time.)