My Kind of Town

To introduce myself, I created a PowerPoint presentation of the four seasons in Chicago. I figured the students would get a kick out of seeing a blizzard (they did). They were so funny because, of course, as desert children, they want to experience snow. I tried to play Frank Sinatra's "My Kind of Town" as a background ("Teacha, good music."). In an effort to explain that some American cities have their own "anthems", I asked the students if they knew Alicia Keys and/or Jay-Z (he's going to be in concert in Abu Dhabi, November, 2013).  I was trying to connect "My Kind of Town" with Jay-Z's "New York". No connection. They did not know Alicia and only very slightly knew Jay-Z.

So, I asked if they were familiar with American popular music ("o course Teacha" - I figured). Then, one misguided, but beautiful and intelligent young man beamingly expressed his adoration for Mylie Cyrus!!! He went as far back as her Hannah Montana days. I could not hide my incredulity. (Emiratis will someday regret allowing the westerners in.)

You know who the students proudly proclaimed next, right?