Saturday, September 10, 2016

Making the Best of It

Well I survived the first 7 days of school!  Although it's only been 7 days, it feels so much more longer.  I'm officially off for 9 days due to the celebration of Eid Mubarak.  I'm going to take this time to regroup and hopefully visit other emirates of the UAE.  Yesterday, I attended church with another teacher who lives in my building.  We work for the same company but different schools.  Anyway, I enjoyed the services, it was well needed.  I have good and bad days here.  It's a mixture of missing home, teaching a new grade, and just getting use to how things are run here.  

If I'm being all the way honest, I was contemplating coming home during the winter break and never returning.  I've heard that several families have already returned home for a number of reasons and I can totally understand.  Yet, I was reminded that I prayed for this opportunity and He granted my request.  Things won't always run smoothly but it doesn't mean I need to throw in the towel.  I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity and I promise to make the best of it.

Until Next Time

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Day 17

Hello All!  I finally have Internet and I should be able to update more frequently.  It was hard living without the Internet but I made it.  Lol!  I've been in Abu Dhabi for 17 days now, and I'm adjusting quite well.  

After a delayed opening of my school, we finally received the green light to begin school on Wednesday, August 31st (3 days ago).  I love my new students and their parents.  My students are from Hungary, India, Yemen, Pakistan, US, Jordan, Malaysia, Canada and of course UAE.  I have 19 kids on my roster, but only half showed up.  I probably won't meet all of my students until after the Eid Holiday which is coming up soon.  So we'll be in school for 7 days before we have our first break.  During that time I plan to go to Dubai.   

I'm debating on whether or not to rent a car.  My goal was to get to know the area first then rent a car my second year here.  But having a car would be so much easier for me.  I like the area I'm in and can easily access a cab to just about anywhere, but those taxi cabs add up.  So the question still remains...

Here are a few videos of my new neighborhood. Enjoy!