Abdullah Gul University, Corruption, EFL Teacher Blog, Living overseas, Turkey, World Traveller - RetiredLeave a comment

USA = Turkey?

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

Turkey’s Government & Education As an applicant to the European Union, EU, Turkey receives billions of euros. One respected and energetic colleague in Gaziantep managed a program that took students to France for a few weeks. The students lived with French families and learned French culture, sponsored by an EU educational exchange program. EU cuts Turkey funding after ‘democratic deterioration’ | News | Al .. A newspaper in Turkey reported that Turkey broke international sanctions against Iran. Turkey illegally bought oil from Iran. The government avoided a paper trail by paying in gold bars. A feeling of boastful cunning seemed … Continue reading USA = Turkey?

Asia, EFL Teacher Blog, English Teacher, ELL, ESL, EFL, Living in Arabia, Living overseas, Portugal, Women's Issues, World Traveller - Retired2 Comments

Top 10 Foreign Delights by countries lived in

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

(All photos are mine except for the Bali postcard and above UAE holiday card) 1.  CANADA – 2 years     Stanley Park, Vancouver http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park.aspx Two years of happiness. Fantastic opportunity to write and receive feedback on my writing in … Continue reading Top 10 Foreign Delights by countries lived in

EFL Teacher Blog, English Teacher, ELL, ESL, EFL, Living in Arabia, Living overseas, World Traveller - Retired1 Comment

Top 10 Wonderful Realities about Teaching English Overseas

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

Asian students are wonderful. They are quiet and respectful. They also study and learn. Arabic countries are superior to Asian countries in regards to housing, culture and food. In the Arabic countries of the UAE and Oman, the weather is superb. Al Ain in the UAE was like spring every day for five months. Sandals 24/7/365 was fantastic. Yearly round-trip tickets home or to other vacation hot spots were enjoyable, such as a Christmas week in Ubud, a painting-haven in Bail. No USA income taxes. Nearly 99% of teachers make less than $99,000 a year, the cut off mark for … Continue reading Top 10 Wonderful Realities about Teaching English Overseas

EFL Teacher BlogLeave a comment

Why the Holy Roman Catholic Church Should be Abolished

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

Pedophilia Institutionalized, encouraged exploitation of children and the uneducated. Unnatural beliefs inflicted on masses The “Holy Family” as a family of virgins is not normal or possible because human/animal nature demands procreation through sex. Ex-cathedra speaking leader (despot) Stating when the leader (pope) spoke as if he himself were God, and thus whatever is said is true and must be obeyed. Corruption of human nature The forgiving of sins (wrongdoing) at the point of death allows the sinner instant access to heaven. Promise that the bad will be punished by hell and the good rewarded by heaven as a fairy tale … Continue reading Why the Holy Roman Catholic Church Should be Abolished

English Teacher, ELL, ESL, EFL, Living in Arabia4 Comments

How Living in Arabia Changed Me

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

Gulf countries are not just desert and oil. Two years in Saudi Arabia, two in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), one in Egypt and 11 in Oman, total 16 years. How did I change? Attitudes towards clothing, money, health, food, socializing, and religion. First, clothing. Nowadays I prefer the comfort of loose clothing, mandatory in Arabia. It allows air to flow between skin, cloth and the outside heat while being modest. Jeans were too hot. Westerners insulting Arabs as ‘ragheads’ should look in the mirror: Baseball caps and hoodies. Payday in Saudi Arabia (1984-1986) – cash. Then I wired it … Continue reading How Living in Arabia Changed Me

EFL Teacher Blog, FaceliftLeave a comment

My Facelift at 54 Years Old, 2004

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

When I was about seven or eight in the 1950s, I told my mom and six sisters that when I get old, “I’m having a facelift!” They laughed. I insisted. I was dreaming of an impossible luxury. I thought by the time I needed one, science would offer a new way to do it, and do it cheaper. Norman Mailer had two deep thought lines over his nose, often hidden with glasses. However, on a woman, walking down a street, even with glasses, men ordered me to smile. Customs officers ordered my luggage inspected. Students feared angering me. Overseas job … Continue reading My Facelift at 54 Years Old, 2004

EFL Teacher Blog, Health - DiabetesLeave a comment

Diabetes – The Body’s Civil War

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

“I’d rather die than have my leg chopped off!” my mother boomed. She was 60. Her leg was gangrened from diabetes. When it was amputated, she didn’t die. For the next nine years, she refused a wheelchair, refused to exercise, and refused to inject herself with insulin. She dominated the living room and her husband of nearly 40 years from her hospitalized bed. In her late fifties, around 1970, my mother’s moods had radically swung from sudden angry outbursts to demands to immediately eat. My older sisters thought her erratic behavior presaged another nervous breakdown. She was later diagnosed diabetic. Before … Continue reading Diabetes – The Body’s Civil War