How do you know it's springtime in the desert?

The answer is BABY CAMELS! I have had the super pleasure of seeing a herd of camels with a bunch of new babies frequently on my way to work lately. Baby camels are adorable. I don't have good pictures yet, so hang in there. When we have Nelson's camera next time, we will stop and get some good ones!

To continue where my last post left off, I ended up teaching only one class this semester, a Reading/Writing class of 17 (which usually gives me 12-14 students most days). They are a wonderful group of young men, delightful. It is a unique experience teaching on the men's campus and I am learning so much from them. Although their upbringing and attitudes about everything Muslim are, of course, the same as the women, their attitudes about many other things are varied and sometimes, surprising. Let's just say they keep me on my toes!

As a result of the low registration this semester, I think almost every teacher has ended up with 12 hours (instead of 18) of teaching. This really frees me up to work on the research I am doing. It's also a nice respite. How many jobs in the U.S. will give a worker reduced hours while paying the same salary? I am lucky and blessed indeed!

Nelson is working away at the farrier business although they have not been as appreciative as he would like and is getting disgusted to the point of wanting to quit altogether. I know that is not what he wants, but a few people are worried and perhaps it will improve their attitude about the situation. Stay tuned!

Nelson has also started physiotherapy for his neuropathy and back and he says he is feeling a positive difference. He has an appointment with a couple of new doctors here in Al Khor, the diabetologist (my new diabetes guy, Dr. Hassan) and a podiatrist to keep an eye on those feet. Dr. Hassan started me on Januvia right away because I have been having a difficult time controlling my blood sugars. The least bit of stress shoots it right up (300-400), and a lot of stress spirals it out of control (400-500). I've been happy if I can keep it under 200, which hasn't been often, even with increased insulin! Anyway, the Januvia works differently than other diabetic drugs which either enhance the cell's reception to insulin or make your pancreas kick out more insulin. Januvia does increase insulin output but also reduces the amount of glucose the liver excretes. And if they get out of balance, the insulin stops, thus avoiding hypoglycemic reactions. I haven't had one sugar crash on it yet! Check it out here:
http://www.januvia.com/sitagliptin/januvia/consumer/index.jsp

Anyway, I could never afford the stuff in the U.S., but I will take advantage of it here, for sure! The physiotherapist wants Nelson to get a stationary bike so he can do some extra exercise between visits, and I think we're going to turn the majlis into an exercise/TV room. That way we can watch "House" and get healthy at the same time. :) In any case, my blood sugars on Januvia are coming down to normal. I'm hoping if I add some extra exercise, it will allow me to drop my insulin, too.

So....not much else going on except that I leave for Boston in about 10 days. Then it's home, teach for a couple weeks and then it's Spring Break, during which we plan to travel to Egypt to visit Maryanne Stroud Gabbani and do a little teaching with the tools of the trade (trimming/shoeing) while we're there. I can't wait to ride and to see the Pyramids and just go somewhere NEW! :) I have known Maryanne from Ridecamp (a subscription list for endurance riders at endurance.net) for probably 12 years and this will be our first official "meeting." Who knows? Maybe someday I'll get a job in Cairo and we can ride there every weekend! :)

Keep in touch, my family and friends. It gets us through. Today is 113 days to home. Take care!