Still Alive and Kickin'

It's been a while but I'm still here. I've left the lap of luxury and settled into Ghayathi, which I recently learned is a very well to do area(it's hard to tell a millionaire's kid they need to work hard at school or even follow the rules, hence there are no LTs teaching here anymore). Though where I am is not so much but hey just like their maids and everyone else, I am imported help...highly educated and qualified but imported help nonetheless. lol

I'm in my apartment which is big enough for me. Seriously, there are teachers here who are jealous of the apartments in Al Ain 'cause they are so big and beautiful...well from what I hear anyway but honestly my two bedroom, two bath, living room, dining room and kitchen are more than enough for 1 person. That's alot of space to clean! lol and the sand gets everywhere 'cause I'm on the ground floor. Well what do I have in my apartment you may ask...I have a stove, fridge, washer/drying combo(oh yea! all in one!)bed and a wardrobe. I'll have furniture as soon as I get a car and feel like spending the money but for now I'm good eating meals on my bed infront of my computer.

Overall, life's good. There is drama as always but it's doesn't directly involve me even though it'll impact my teaching. So until it does I'm staying as far away as possible.

Things I've learned:
-Being female here rocks!
-Being female in an abaya is even better!
-Tears still work...yup I pulled them out on a poor guy lol
-No matter what I've heard about the Arabic folks, all the ones I've met have been very nice.
-Kindergarteners are the best teachers of basic Arabic words and phrases...they're teaching me to count as well as the alphabet. It amuses the adults to no end lol
-A car is NEEDED!!! Where I am is the equivalent to Johnson City Kansas-those who know what I'm talking about feel my pain
-My principal has a good heart and a hot temper...I walk that line very well with her.
-When it's offered, take it...be it a school bus to take me to go shopping in the middle of the school day(yea folks that happened! and I got me a washer/dryer and my Emarites ID) or the many sweets that are shoved at me everyday 'cause I'm "too small" ha!
-People are people...I take 'em as they are not as they pretend to be