YES! 2011 Did meet me in Abu Dhabi!!!

And it's awesome. I had every intention of a quiet night in but the ladies would hear none of it. I'm glad I gave in to peer pressure this one time. Even as I sit now I can hear the music playing from Yas Bar downstairs. I sooooo want to go down and continue the party but I can't part with the at least $50usd it'll cost to get in. But man it feels so good to know that I'm here and I went out in freakin' Abu Dhabi! I got to show a few people how to move thier hips to Jamacian music. I got to see that lots of the clothing stuff we were told was NOT on point. I mean there were chicks wearing straight hooker dresses. Thing I would not wear in the US let alone here and you know what? They weren't carted off to prison. They weren't even given a second glance...there so much bromance here it's rediculous.

We brought in the New Year at the Yas Island Yatch club bar. It was great. The  people were relaxed and fun. No one grabbed you and there were no "Hey shawty" or "Lemme holla at you"...it was a wonderful experience. We danced for the cooks(sucks to work on New Years Eve) when the played I Got a Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas, which seemed to be the favorite song of the folks partying and working at the bar, and they really seemed to appriciate it. It was an overall fun atmosphere. One teacher even left with a t-shirt from one of the bartenders. He literally threw it at her while(name tag and all) she was dancing and in her own world.

Blessed. That's all I can say. I'm truly Blessed to have made it to another year, to be having this experience and to have all those people(family and friends) that have supported me through this very diffucult process. My goal is to show my thanks this year and all the years moving forward.

Now that's it for real. I'm in my room with PJs back on and it's time for bed...well at least time to try and relax though the music keeps beckoning me...

Malls, Malls and More Malls

Did I mention that Abu Dhabi has loads of malls? Well, it does and it appears that's where people spend thier time. So far I've been to Al Raha Mall, Marina Mall and Al Wahda Mall. Thanks to my friend who's been here a few months I now know which mall is not for those trying to stay on any type of budget-Marina Mall. That is the nice mall-Gucci, Fendi, Valentino, Dior...basically all the really nice name brands.

Today we took the Dh 2 bus ($.54usd-yea you got that right. fifty-four cents) to Marina Mall from our Hotel. Well our goal was Marina Mall but after getting into the city the bus stopped on some random street and we were informed that we needed to exit the bus. We were a bit confused but hey what could we do... We walked around for a bit while the girls took pictures(I'm working on the camera situation). We decided to head to Madinat Zayed Shopping Center, since we had passed it and I had been told it was a great place for cheap stuff. On our way there for the first time I experienced the staring that I've heard so much about. I realized that we were the only group of women on the street...such an odd feeling. Then a man walked by and almost walked into a sign he was staring at us so hard. Other than him the walk was uneventful till we got to the shopping center. There were so many men sitting around chatting in small groups and a group of boys playing football(soccer) out front and the stares started again. It was a bit more intense this time but we kept our sunglasses on and kept it moving. We soon found out why they were staring so intently this time-the center was closed. We forgot it was Friday, their holy day...duh. A cab was needed to head to Marina Mall, which were hoped would be open and was.

Upon arrival we headed straight for the food court. I had some wonderful butter chicken from an Indian place while the ladies had Popeyes. Yup. Popeyes. After refeuling our tanks we decided to see the entire mall. We spent the next 4hours or see just walking the various stores. That mall is so huge yet relatively quiet. I got ideas of things I want to get for birthdays and treats for myself (hint: sparkly rings, earrings and necklaces that are REAL WooHoo!!!). We caught a cab back to the hotel and made plans to meet up to head to a yatch party to ring in the new year but...um I'm tired. I think just being in Abu Dhabi counts as a pretty awesome new years excursion. Next year I'll do something but this year my body is still adjusting...plus a girl's got to conserve her funds till those paychecks become regular. So tonight it'll be Mr. Bear and I listening to my African CD courtesy of Ms. London.

Happy New Year! Welcome 2011

Orientation is when?!?!

Yup that's the first thought that crossed my mind this morning. Correction: the second thought. The first being why is my phone ringing at this unGodly hour(7:40am after abotu 4 hours of sleep)? It was a wonderful LT, let's call her B. She was ringing me to let me know that she had just found out we did indeed have orientation today and it was starting in 15min! I freaked! I had checked my TV for messages all night and received nothing. Whatever, there was no time to consider that. I quickly found an appropriate pair of slacks and a shirt that covered my not so subtle behind lol...both were wrinkled beyond belief. No problem. There's an iron. Ha! Those wrinkles laughed at that sorry excuse of an iron. I added some water directly to the clothes. Why you may ask...well the iron has no steam function. Ironed as quickly as possible, got my morning routine done in record time and raced to the conference room, nearly wipping out along the way.

I arrived 30min late but eh I was just going to sneak in. Well what do you know? Not a soul was in a seat. I met two very nice teachers who informed me that the time had been miscommunicated to us and that our orientation was to start at 9am. After catching my breath I decided the best option was to get some breakfast. I met up with the ladies I have been hanging out with there and we had a nice chuckle about the whole thing.

Now orientation was great. Short, sweet and to the point. We first completed our bank account information, then heard from General Services. The speaker was very amusing and kept us laughing. We were even more please to find that we would be given a salary advance and our furniture allowance in the next few days. I'm not going to look for it till next week Weds. or so. We were also informed that our medical checks would be tomorrow and our School Operations orientation would be Sun or Mon at which time we will find out our placements. So if all goes well we should be in our classrooms a week from Sun and settling into our apartments with a bit of money to spare. Insha Allah. All was done by 1030.

An overall great morning.

The ladies and I then set off for Abu Dhabi city. I did tons of window shopping and got loads of ideas for my place. I know I'll take it slow to make my apartment my home. I keep reminding myself this is not a vacation. This is home for the next two years so I need to make it mine.

Our visit began at Emarites Palace Hotel which is a beautiful place. We were going to see the 11 million dollar Christmas tree but we got there about 11 and they had started taking it down at 9am. Still the hotel was indeed an amazing place. We then hailed two cabs to take us to Marina Mall. Those who shared the cab with me, B. and Z., quickly realized we had stepped into the wrong cab. The driver asked us where we were from. We told him the US. He said the US had good people. We said thanks. Then things got strange. At a stop light he turns to us and says "American girls very sexy and naughty." and stuck out his tongue. Yuck! We tried to correct him but he kept insisting, calling us naughty and sexy, till B. started to take down his cab number and Z.told him that she was going to tell someone. He then started to act appropriately but it was so uncomfortable. Once out of his cab our trip to the mall was like any other girls' day at the mall back home. We visited IKEA, Forever 21, Zara, had lunch at the food court, went to a vitamin shop and Carrfoure-which is like a Target. We did tons of talking and laughed a bit too loud. We noticed our volume whent he men started staring...our cue to quiet down and leave.

After the mall we went furniture shopping. Many of the shops had very large and ornate pieces. Much too fancy for my blood plus the workmanship reminded me of a discount furniture store. Needless to say I'm going to keep looking for apartment furnishings.

Dinner was at the favorite Lebonese restaruant of K. and the food was wonderful(and soooo cheap). We shared but still couldn't finish everything.  Anyway, our post dinner workout as visiting several abaya shops. You know I think I'm going to end up with more abayas than I'll ever need. There were so many beautiful ones. From the simple to the intricately beaded. Then it was back in the cab to head "home".

And that my good people was my day. My highlight? I stayed awake allllll day! Now I need to get some rest 'casue tomorrow is medicals at 8am.

Mr. Bear and I move to the UAE

Yes my good people I have made it safely to Abu Dhabi!!! I'm with a group of about 80 teachers at the Yas Rotana. The hotel is very nice and as soon as I get a camera I'll be posting pics. Anyway, getting here was kinda touch and go. We left during the lovely snowstorm that was hitting the Eastern seaboard of the US but really nothing much was going on at the Dulles airport so our flight was fine. An LT from facebook and I had agreed to meet up at the gate, we then met another one of the ADEC teachers there as well. She said we had the look of Teach Away recruits, wide-eye/eager/happy I'm guessing...either way I've noticed that we all laugh alot. Both ladies were very sweet and we had a nice chat till we had to board.

The flight to Doha International in Qatar was uneventful...always a good thing. I love flying, mostly 'cause I almost always instantly fall alseep which is what happened on this flight. My neighbor was friendly enough Indian man travling to Mumbai who tried to warn me of some of the problems I might face here based on his experience in Saudi Arabia. I listened politely but like most things in my life, I'll judge for myself. Once in Qatar however I could not find my LTs from Dulles so I began jotting down notes on my computer for this blog and lost all track of time. I would have missed my flight to Abu Dhabi were it not for my strong desire to avoid a most unpleasant fellow who wanted to "befriend" me. In my attempt to avoid him I checked the monitor and saw that my flight was boarding. So I guess I should thank him for coming over lol. Oh and I've never seen so many men...I mean just men. There were very few women in the area where our gate was. Guess it's 'cause so many come to work and leave their families home.

My arrival in Abu Dhabi was very smooth. Our group of 5 LTs were met as soon as we exited the plane. Our passports were collected, visas verified, eyes scanned and we were walked through customs. All went well except for one LT who had had issues on most ever leg of her journey but it was sorted out and she joined the group about 5-10min later. Nirvana greeted us with roses and I was so pleased that I did not have to carry a single peiece of luggage 'cause my bags are HEAVY and I didn't bring half of my shoes! lol We were transported to our hotel where Omar, our Nirvana rep, took care of everything while we were served some delicious juice and got to know each other a bit. Note: all of this was occuring at about 1am. We were tired but wired at the same time. I kept repeating "We're here!" but it didn't seem real. It still doesn't feel real. 5 months of waiting so far has been worth it.

So what have I done thus far one this great adventure?
1-Took a bath. An actual, chill out, time for yourself bath. The best part? I didn't have to clean the tub. It's a small thing but hey it's the little things that make me happy.
2-Communicated with those that I love. Skype, yahoo, facebook-all wonderful things. Oh and the internet at this hotel is FREE! Woohoo. Some hotels cost 1.40/min for access.
3-Engaged in an Emariti pasttime-vising the mall. We went to Al Rhaha Mall. From what I gather it's one of the smaller malls. We looked at some beautiful abayas and some that were umm...a bit less appealing shall we say.

Thanks to the teachers that have come ahead and posted their experience and tips on their blogs and facebook, I had my minibar cleared out and purchased food from Lulu to store in there. We're to be here for a month, according to the front desk clerk and rumor is we won't be paid till the end of Feb so a girl's gotta stretch her dhiram. I'm hoping the pay this is wrong but I've found my old college standby-Cup of Noodles so I'll be alright.

That's Mr. Bear! He's my travel buddy of 23years and yes he was attached to my carry-on. I'm sure I got some strange looks but eh I really couldn't care less.

Merry Christmas/Happy Packing

Merry Christmas to everyone! I'm so happy I got my wish to spend Christmas day with my family. I started packing...well prepacking(read: laundry) yesterday. The prepacking continues this morning. I woke up at 330am, thought it was 7am and continued the laundry. Fun, fun, fun. Now this is not 'cause I have so many things to wash it's just that..well I was bored so I stopped. Then the family got together to watch tv/talk...just be generally loud and fun. So the laundry continues and packing will begin tomorrow.Yup hours before my flight. Man I love my procrastinating personality lol besides I figure people live there. So unless it's medication, whatever I forget I either don't really need or can purchase when I get there.

Anyway, I just wanted to post something before the day really kicks into high gear. Back to the laundry and helpling with the Christmas meal preparation. My goal is to post daily but we'll see how that goes.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

BTW, just read over my Christmas Wish post and I've gotten two out of three! Woohoo

Dec. 26, 2010

That is the date. Yes folks, I have a ticket for Abu Dhabi! I was so happy to get that email. I was busy at a Christmas party for the non-profit I volunteer for when my phone buzzed the most beautiful buzz I've ever heard. I check and it was an itinerary-that did not excite me at all. I've had one of those as we all know. I responded with a confirmation email, like before. Then I received my eticket. My beautiful eticket that I've waited 5months for...it finally came. So my good people I will be boarding Qatar Airways the day after Christmas. My flight is from Dulles to Qatar then to Abu Dhabi. I can't wait!!!

*Note of coolness: I will be meeting up with one of my former students in Abu Dhabi. How awesome is that?

It's looking like 2011 will meet me in Abu Dhabi...

It's raining etickets...

So it begins...I just checked facebook and saw that at least two people have their tickets to leave Sunday and Monday. A slight sense of panic tightened my chest. Etickets are coming out and I just submitted my paperwork yesterday. Once again...too funny. I'm going to put into practice what I've learned from the last go 'round...I refuse to check my email a million times an hour. Who am I kidding? I'll be checking as frequently as I breathe lol

Stay tuned for the update!

Good Morning Teach Away & ADEC

So I woke up for the third time this morning-the first time is when the UAE wakes up, the second was when my mother needed help moving things in the garage(not fun! it's ccccooold)- to an email from TeachAway. They needed me to submit forms for ADEC to process my visa and eticket. I'm a little surprised 'cause I'd already been sent the forms to complete about two weeks ago and had already submitted them. Well I'm not about to split hairs 'cause A-I really want to go and B-the email said URGENT( a good sign right? well that's how I'm taking it). Anywhoo, I open the forms and laugh. One form that ADEC needs is an application. They need me to reapply for the job I already have a contract for! Too funny. I complete the form and move on to the next one which is the same travel form I submitted two weeks ago. Ya know I feel that I'll be just fine when I get to Abu Dhabi. I've been living on UAE time for the past 4 months and learning how the unspoken culture works. I've learned to take a step back, laugh and figure out how to get what I need/want without offending or taking things too personally.

Is this a good sign? Will 2011 see me in Abu Dhabi??? We shall see...

Cautiously Optimistic

It's December 19th, so many months since I began my journey to the UAE. There is a group of teacher scheduled to leave between the 26th-31st of this month. I could possibly be a part of that group but the initial hope I had all those months ago has faded quite a bit. Although I was told by ADEC to submit a new passport for travel and all would be alright for Dec travel...I don't quite trust it. Unlike this group that's heading over I don't look forward to getting a golden ticket. No, no, no, I've been there. I've had that golden ticket and had it snatched away. At this point I'm looking forward to getting on the plane. When I am sitting in NYC at the Etihad terminal then and only then will I believe that this process is working out as I had hoped and planned so many months ago. I am so happy to be spending the holidays with my family and if I do end up going with the 100 or so teachers leaving in a fortnight, it'll be a great way to close out 2010.

Could 2011 see me in Abu Dhabi? We shall see...

My Christmas Wish(es)

Dear Santa,

I know I haven't written in well over 20 years but this year I have a very special wish list. I've been a very good teacher and would just like to get back into the classroom with my kids so here goes.

1. Spend Christmas with my family
2. Travel in Dec to Abu Dhabi
3. Have a wonderful and rewarding teaching experience for the next 2-4 years in the UAE

Yup that's about all.

Today's Lesson: Thank God for Small Mercies

So this morning I woke up to an email from Fiona, for those who don't know her she's the best thing at ADEC. She was emailing me to check in to see if anyone had contacted me. Sadly I had to inform her I had received nothing as of yet and she's going to check on it for me. She strikes me as someone who really has a heart and understand but with very little power. Just her communication helps though.

Now on to the best part of my day so far: My Mom, niece, nephew and I made breakfast for everyone. Always fun! Also I am slightly hair obsessed and every weekend my niece and I do our little hair treatments. She's only 3(she's counting down till our 4th birthday and telling EVERYONE within earshot what she wants for her birthday lol) but it's our little thing. She gets to be just like Auntie KP-yea that's what my family calls me :-) So after I put her "hat" on so her hair can be deep conditioned she gets to play around. It's Sunday at my folks place so every level of the house has music playing...Gospel on the main level, Country in the basement and whatever my sister is listening to on the top level. My nephew and I shared a couple of dances, well mostly spinning and hopping but it was a blast. Oh did I mention he's 2. These are moments that have helped me through this ridiculously uncertain period and I'll always value. Yup I'm feeling thankful today.

Today's Lesson: Trust and Deceit

"So what have we learned from this? Never walk away from your job till you have your ticket and are on your way to the airport." Yup I just had those words spoken to me by a friend. Now I know she meant no harm but at this point it was all I could do to keep it together so I promptly got off the phone with her. Who needs to hear such a thing? I mean I think I've done a very good job of beating myself up over this entire situation. I'm sure if you look closely you'd be able to see the bruises. Heck you don't even have to look closely, they're huge and glaring!

I think it's time to admit that I've been taken for a ride. Gave up everything and am left with nothing. Wait. No. That's a lie. I've been left with tons of debt, anxiety, loads of sleepless nights, tons of "be patient/we're working on it/there's a classroom for you/visa processing" emails, it's going to work out sentiments from supportive people and a big pill I now must swallow. So I guess this experience has given me a lot...of things I never wanted nor needed. My life now and as it was a year ago before Teach Away and ADEC stepped into it was not perfect but I was doing very well for my age...now, now it's a struggle. This weekend I move out of my home. I would cry if I had any tears worth wasting. I think I'll save the ones I have left for more important things.

Guess I titled this blog correctly 'cause TeachAway & ADEC have taught me a lesson I shall not soon forgetn and I'm learning what it is to be completely without. My capacity for empathy surely will be increased by this.

'Round and 'Round We Go

So my last post revealed that my visa was denied by the UAE or was it...hmmmm??? Well after a week of multiple emails to everyone associated with this process pleading for clarification-just clarification on my status- I finally heard back. It appears there was an issue, what the issue was I have not been told nor do I expect to be, with my visa application and it's being addressed. So...I should, note: SHOULD, be heading over SHORTLY. I'm keeping the words in red at the forefront of my mind...the UAE definition anyway. We shall see...

The Madness of it all

Patient and Flexible, patient and flexible....I think I've been more than patient and flexible. I was given an itinerary to told to pack my things for a flight on Sunday Oct 17! I was so happy I cried. This limbo my life has been in since August was coming to an end. Ha! Should have known better. Hours before I was to leave, after being reassured that everything was ok and that the last batch of visas were coming over from ADEC, I was informed that I would not be going. My visa was denied. Yup. After everything I had been through, after being told everything was just fine, after being told to pack up, after inquiring about my case specifically and being told AGAIN everything was fine...I am told by Nirvana that my visa is denied. I lost it. The tears flowed. I've never felt so broken. In true Kuawogai form however, that did not last long. Within an hour I was emailing and calling everyone I could. Nothing. No reply.

The good news is that I was finally able to sleep. It was final. It was done. I knew what was happening with my life. I had no job at least I knew.

Then brings Monday morning. I wake to an email from the LT network telling me that my visa is being processed and to expect my ticket "momentarily". Ha! That a good one. Knowing what I know now, I emailed asking for clarity. Was Nirvana misinformed? If I have received an answer then the sky is a lovely shade of purple year round. This situation is beyond ridiculous. Feels like a cosmic joke that has been played on me. I was angry but that's just wasted energy. So now I move forward. Hoping for word but knowing the chances are slim. Guess it just wasn't meant to be....ugh!

A Good Day

So today is a good day. After weeks of receiving emails using words like "should" and "patient" and "soon"(each of these words have become the bane of my existence) we have received an email with tentative travel dates. I am so elated it's unreal. I screamed and squealed like a small child, a three year old child to be exact(channeling Ms. Haven). Now I think I will stop lying to myself about packing up my house and actually get to the business of putting everything in it's proper place...after all by the 8th of October I could very well be on a plane jetting off into the next chapter of my life. I can't wait! The funny thing about it is that I actually sent off applications today. I need to get my backup plan in motion and take control of what I could. I'm hopeful that this happens and no more setbacks pop up but "in the land of sand and dune" to borrow a quote from Yanna nothing is for certain...except salat. My next entry will be from Abu Dhabi! Now I need to get a very good camera...

Big news??? Perhaps...

So the wait continues. We have been given a piece of almost dried toast and some water in the form of a piece of information. Apparently 402 tickets will be sent out today leaving on Wednesday through Sat! Absolutely crazy. Well it's good news since I finally started some kind of packing today. My closet is nearly empty and I have two suitcases open on the floor with stuff actually in them. Amazing I know....yea I'm a bit of a procrastinator. I hope for the best but am not too shocked when it doesn't happen. Well I'll get back to packing and obsessively checking my email for a ticket 'cause we now have to confirm immediately upon receipt. This adventure is going to be one for the books...I can feel it in my bones. I will post again soon. Insha'Allah it'll be about my trip to the airport or at least having a ticket. Till then this song keeps me sane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA

And the Waiting Continues

So the weekend when I was supposed to depart at the latest has arrived but I have neither a visa nor a ticket. It's a strange feeling...I have a mixture of relief and anxiety. On the one hand my finely honed procrastination skills have been very active, in that I have yet to do any substantial packing for this move so YAY! However, there are moments when I feel like a huge practical joke is being played on me. I've quit my job, told almost everyone I know of this move at the end of August and yet here I still am. No ticket, no sign of a move before perhaps the second week of September. I am not alone in this however and that is one of the many saving graces in this process. I also have to thank my parents, particularly my Dad, for raising me to understand that just because things are done a certain way here in the US of A that does not mean the rest of the world operates on the same schedule. This also helps me to rest a bit easier...which is difficult for a person such as me who enjoys time lines and being in or believing that I am in control. I also must remember that this is Ramadan and things will move even more slowly than usual. Also my nerd sensibilities have had me reading gulfnews.com and I have come to understand that in the UAE there are thousand of people applying for visas at this time. "You are not the only one who wants entry into this nation" I must remind myself. I know that as badly as I want to begin this journey I will miss so many people here when it does begin, so I'm going to try and take as many deep cleansing breaths as possible, try to relax, let my sister shop in my closet till her heart's content, watch my PopPop and Haven grow and learn about the world around them, lay in my parents' house whenever I feel like it and just enjoy the life I have here.

Wishin' and Hopin' and Thinkin' and Prayin'

So I have come to the realization that the this adventure, though greatly desired, is taking a major toll on my psychi and body. I've never been one who likes change...at least that's what I've always said yet looking back at the choices I've made over the past 6 years I've done nothing but constantly change. I've moved so many times I've stopped counting. I've gone from spending every other Sat at the salon to ensure that every strand on my head is bone straight to embrassing every nape, coil and curl I was born with. I've had surgery and medications that have forced me to change the way I live my life. I've gone from stary-eyed young married woman to bruised divorce. I've changed the population of students taught from small town kids, to inner-city kids to middle class kids all with crazy parents of varying degrees. So really thought I was prepared for the space between...the change. I'm beginning to see my control oriented side rear it's ugly head. Yes! I am very excited about this new venture but what I've come to realize in the past few weeks is that with all the changes I've gone through the past few years I've always had some type of control. That wonderful notion kept me calm. It allowed me to sleep at night confident in whatever it was I was doing. This change however is a whole different animal. This animal is as slow as molasses in January.This animal is quiet yet causes me to lose sleep nightly. I know I know this is something I wanted, applied for, flew to Atlanta to get but now that I have it don't know if I can take it. I want to say that I trust that everything will turn out fine but I cannot. I am a realist and though I pray for the best I plan for the worst but in this case I am unable to do even that. I know of only one cure for this anxiety I feel but am powerless to administer it thus here is sit wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin', plannin' and dream my ticket will come...

The Adventure Shall Soon Commence

So welcome to my blog. I'm a bit late to the party but until now I had nothing worth blogging about. So what has changed? Well...a lot has changed! In a few days I will celebrate my 28th year of life then a few weeks later I will change my  world as I know it. Yup, I'm leaving the good ol' USA for the unknown wonders of the UAE or the United Arab Emirates! The Gulf. The place where so many fear and wonder about. The desert where the average temps can run 113 or more. A place where women are asked to cover the natural curves bestowed up them by God and heritage. A place where I will now not a soul. And I can't wait!

Why undertake such a move some wonder...the truth is I have always had the itch to travel-that's a lie to LIVE abroad. I want to be completely immersed in a culture that is not my own. I want to know what it's like to be surrounded by a language that is in no way similar to my native tongue. I want to know what it's like on the other side. I want to explore and test my ability to adapt. I want to give of myself in ways I didn't know I could. I want to teach without walls. I want to know how others do things and why(why-the question of every good Lutheran).

I have been blessed with a wonderful set of parents who have equipped me for this journey through life. I have also been blessed with siblings who give unwavering...a well somewhat wavering support :)

Well I'm waiting for that "golden ticket" as it's come to be called among some and enjoying the time I have left with my loved ones.