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.
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