Friday, November 25, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving!

I started this blog yesterday (Thanksgiving Day) but forgot to finish it.



So today is Thanksgiving but it's just an ordinary day here in the UAE.  As I prepared to go to work this morning, I logged onto Facebook to see so many friends and family prepping for Thanksgiving Dinner.  This is my first Thanksgiving away from home and I'm missing everything about this day.  Being here has made me appreciate so many things that I've take for granted back home.  Although I'm feeling a little lonely, I'm reminded that I'm not alone here.  In just a few minutes I will celebrate Thanksgiving here with my colleagues.  I'm grateful that most of us live in the same building, so dinner will be held in another teacher's apartment.  Everyone is contributing to the dinner, my contribution is baked ziti, drinks, and a roasted chicken.  I have so much to be thankful for and even though I'm not among family today, I'm grateful that I don't have to spend this day alone.  Besides this is my Abu Dhabi Family and I'm so thankful for each of them.


   

Thursday, November 10, 2016

85 Days Later

Hello All!  I know it's been a minute since I last communicated but you all know me by now :-)  No since in making promises that I probably won't keep, lol.  I can't believe it's been 85 days since I landed in the UAE.  As you know things haven't always been great but they aren't all bad either.  It's like I'm on a roller coaster.  Some days I'm fine and comfortable in my new place and other days I'm longing to be home.  But all in all, I'm loving the ups and downs and glad I've had the opportunity to live abroad.

Since my last blog post I've attended my first music festival and I absolutely loved it.  It was a 90's music festival with local talent and other well known artist/groups.  I mostly attended the festival to see the group Arrested Development.  They did not disappoint!  I'm so glad we attended this event and I'm looking forward to attending more events like this during my time here.  I've also joined an Urban Line Dance class on Wednesdays.  It's a great way to meet other people as well as dance the stress away.  





At the work place
This week we had our first Parent Teacher Conferences and they went extremely well!  Both my parents and I are pleased with the progress students have made.  I'm thankful for my wonderful coworkers who have made this such a great transition.  We also celebrated Flag Day last week and it was very festive, I'm looking forward to the National Day Celebration that will take place in two weeks.  Just four weeks until the end of Term 1 and our holiday break!  I'm debating on whether or not to travel back home for the Holidays. I'll keep you all posted!

Until next time!