It was that summer after my first year at the faculty of art. It was such a boring school year as I learnt nothing, nothing new was added to my knowledge. My school must have done a wonderful job, but there was nothing new for me except for one single phrase by a great professor, “Live your life, don’t just exit it.” This bit of living my life pushed me to explore more options. I should work if I need new sunglasses, I could ask my father, who would pay eventually, but earning them was something different. My schooling background and faculty qualified me to work as an assistant teacher at an international nursery. This of course was a source of pride; I could easily work just by my school’s reputation. Yet, my first work was devastating; I found out that I was qualified for nothing, but to obey rules, which turned out to be not included in the job description. I went to work at the exact time and I was formally dressed in high-heals, of course this was my first mistake, formal and kids obviously don’t mix. There was a morning session in the open air where everyone danced to the music. I tried to dance with the limited moves I could do with this wrong choice. The teacher I had to assist was British. She did not like me nor did I as she thought I was not up to her standards and I was offended, “How could she treat me like that, if only she knew me, my school and my family.” I guess my second mistake was to take everyone with me to work, my family background even colonialism, racism, segregation, everything but me who is willing to work. I made silly mistakes because I thought that colonial teacher should thank her heaven for sending me as her assistant. I failed in controlling the class in her absence and dislocated the color purple. I’m very thankful to those kids who gave me the purple crayon which I could not find, and gave the teacher other colors for 2 consecutive times. My lunch break was at a different time and a different place than that of the class teachers; I sat alone eating the very tasty food. I thought I had two options: either to quit and forget the new sunglasses, or to hold on. I decided to hold on but with certain resolutions; I need to be humble. I need to learn every day one new thing. I want to be a class teacher. After two month of that summer job, I got my sunglasses, and my first job experience that left a mark till now.
By: Dr. Nihad Fottouh
EDITOR: Nada Zeyada