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...