Caustically Optimistic

I have applied to teach in Bahrain, as well as several other places overseas. I grew up an expatriate – perhaps being one as an adult would not be so bad. The only kink in my plan so far has been my mother and Godmother getting behind this plan to teach overseas. Except Bahrain, which was not attractive until they said, “no one would visit you in Bahrain.” The Bahrain job pays handsomely, but it is in Bahrain, and while money is not everything in life, distance counts for a great deal all on its own.

My cousin, my Godmother’s daughter, is a teenager who travels the globe (a hard-knocked life) and she could not travel to Bahrain unaccompanied – or really at all – forming the basis for my Godmother’s opposition. My mother’s major concern is that I will give into my sister’s request for a burqua – because my sister would think nothing of slipping on a burqua and running errands. It would be the logical conclusion to slipping a hooded sweatshirt over pajamas. Some people see the repression of women in the garment; my sister sees liberation.

I am not sure I will get any of these jobs – but as always, we at Spritopias are Caustically Optimistic, Voltaire may have had the best of all possible worlds I strive for the most absurd of all possible worlds. I am hopeful that I will not only land on my feet, but land in a very strange and foreign place.

Expatriatism – a word I just dubya’d up on my own - seems attractive in light of my new goal of becoming more Hemmingway. Right now, all I have going for me is being outfitted with clothing from Abercrombie & Fitch as well as Brook’s Brothers, and the habit of carrying around notebook and pen in my pocket to record ideas and observations. One of the jobs I applied for is teaching at an American school in Cuba – which I have set my heart on because it would be very Hemmingway. What I really need is someone to break my heart so that I can write that pain into my work making it New York Times Best Seller. Well, I need that, and a drinking problem.

Comments

[j]

You should totally and completely go overseas.

[golfwidow]

I agree you should travel, but I wish you wouldn't become more Hemingway. I like you and I don't like Hemingway. That is all. Carry on.

[l'empress]

A burqa, huh? Tell your sister that, back in the middle ages when I was in college, we just put a trench coat over everything. Not only did it cover us up, a trench coat is a lot easier to find than a burqa. *** Oh, yes, I nearly forgot. (I did forget on the right day.) Hope you had a very happy birthday.

[liz]

Sounds like fun. My dream before marriage and kids was to teach English at an American school in France. I loved that thought. Much cooler than teaching French in America.

[Alex Vance]

Bahrain?!
Weren't you voted "Most likely to be the target of a Fatwa" in college?

[Paula]

Isn't Michael Jackson living in Bahrain right now. Bahrain is the Pearl capital of the world. Promise Mom and Godmum some 1st class pears and maybe they'll feel differently. Regarding Burqua's, I have often thought the same thing as you sister, and I believe Arab women do as well, from what I hear. Foremost and Finally, you don't want the drinking problem, trust me..been there..done that.

[Alex Vance]

You won't even make it into the country. You won't be able to resist ordering the Kosher meal on Emirates Airways.

[Margaret]

You are the ultimate in adventurous! I am excited for you and hope it works out. I can hardly wait to read the posts from far away places.

[Terri]

Couldn't you just teach in Alaska? We need good teachers and most people consider us another country. :)