One-Track Mind

School isn't finished, but this teacher (Me) is done!

Many school districts across the country are officially on summer break.  As for me and the lovely school districts in NJ, school is still in session.  I have 10 school days left, before the year is officially over.  School isn't finished, however I'm so done!  I can't seem to concentrate on anything but my plans of moving to Abu Dhabi.  I can't seem to get enough of all things UAE.  Lol!  I'm constantly on the Facebook groups, refreshing the browser every so often for new updates.  If I'm not on Facebook then I searching for teacher blogs on UAE and even videos on YouTube.  I can't get enough!  I'm so excited, I really don't know what do with myself!

I still haven't begun selling or packing things up.  I did go shopping last week for clothing, just purchased maxi style dresses, slacks, and tops; all things that I could wear to work.  We don't have to wear traditional Islamic clothing to school.  The dress code is conservative and professional with absolutely no denim.  It's really not much different than what I'm use to wearing.  I can't seem to pack anything until I get confirmation of my departure date.  I don't want to part with my car, I love my Kia Soul!  I've thought of shipping it over but it's just too costly.  My dad has mentioned that he wanted to purchase a newer car for my mother so I think he may just take over the payments or pay off the balance.  Hopefully, I'll come to a conclusion soon, it'll be one less thing I need to do.

I'm hoping to receive an email from the HR Department of my new school.  I was told that I would receive an email to begin planning my departure towards the end of the school term.  Their term ends on the 23rd, a day before my school.  I'm hoping to get a direct a flight to Abu Dhabi.  My closest airport is in Philadelphia and I know that they do not have direct flights.  If I leave from Philly, I'm guessing I will fly to Qatar, then Abu Dhabi. Another scenario would be to fly from Philly to Boston to Abu Dhabi or Philly to Chicago to Abu Dhabi.  But if I request to leave from JFK in NY, I can have a direct flight.  You see what I mean when I say I can't concentrate on anything else.  Lol!  No one told me these things, I just figured this would be the scenario after searching for airlines with a direct flight to Abu Dhabi.  You're dealing with a person who has a one track mind!  

You've heard me say this before, but I'm so ready to begin this journey.  In my research of finding out when people received their golden tickets (airline ticket) last year, many people received word immediately after the conclusion of Ramadan.  I believe the earliest date that I saw was July 9th.  This year Ramadan ends on July 5th, I hoping to receive my ticket that same week.

Well that's it for now, until next time!

There Aren't Any Guarantees

So there I was minding my own business, when I saw a post come up in my Facebook news feed.  One post in particular stated that all offers were rescinded for August starts.  Of course this post sent off alarms for everyone, including people like myself who were hired to work in private schools.  Everyone wants to know what's going on and exactly who is being affected and why?  Well it seems as if there were a surplus of teachers hired, than what was actually needed.  Many of the people affected were teachers of English who will teach middle and high school students.  As a result of the large number of hires, many contracts were rescinded leaving people without a job for the next school year.  Keep in mind, many people have already sold their homes and resigned from their current jobs.   There are also numerous teachers who were hired to start in January but pushed back to begin in August, now there is a possibility that they may not go at all.  This is very unfortunate because the process to teach abroad can be costly.  I'm single and going over by myself, I've spent about $700 (including passport) with authenticating my documents and postage fees.  People with families have spent much more than me, so you can imagine what is going through their minds right about now.

All of this reminds me that even though I signed a contract and was promised a job, there are no guarantees.  This is the number one reason why I haven't told many people about my big move.  But that didn't stop my family from telling others.  Every week I'm getting asked about my pending departure date, to which I have no definitive answer.  I won't know anything until my visa is processed, until then my departure date is around August 17th.  My school stated that licensing will begin soon to begin processing visas, once my visa is processed then I will be in the clear to move and work in Abu Dhabi.  Until I receive this confirmation, there aren't any guarantees.  

Still Waiting

So after 7 weeks, I finally received an update from my school.  It wasn't the update that I was looking for but just hearing from HR is good.  But the email just asked for me to send a few items that I've already sent.  I'm hoping and praying that everything is fine with my paperwork.  I would hate for them to discover a problem now, when they've had it for nearly three months...

Speak It!

When I logged onto my Facebook account today, it showed my memories of this day.  I made this post two years ago and I'm so excited that things are coming into fruition.  I'm reminded that if you want things to happen, sometimes you have to speak it into existence.  I have 29 school days and approximately 3 months left before I end my year at one school, and begin a new school and grade, in Abu Dhabi, UAE.  I'm still in disbelief that it's actually happening.  

Every so often, I ask myself "Why now", or "Why didn't I do this sooner?"  I remember when I was graduating from college, Norwegian Cruise Line was recruiting at my school.  I loved the idea of traveling and thought this would be my opportunity to do so.  I really wanted to do it, but I let fear get in the way.  Fast forward to summer 2015, here is when I begin toying with idea of teaching abroad.  I told very few people of my initial plans, I believe subconsciously, I wanted someone to talk me out of it.  Surprisingly, everyone I told was very supportive of the idea.  I still can't believe that I'm actually doing this, being that I'm an introvert and I've never traveled anywhere by myself. Then I reminded that traveling the world has been a dream of mine, now that the opportunity has presented itself I cannot let it pass me by.  

I'm so ready for my journey to begin!

Until Next time...

Too Much Information

So I've told you all about the many Facebook groups I've joined.  These groups can be very helpful, with newbies and veterans alike, sharing their stories of excitements and disappointments.  I often enjoy going on these pages, and they're one of the reasons why I log onto Facebook everyday.  But then there are days when too much information is shared and it leaves one doubtful that they may not make to the UAE.

So today, just like everyday I browsed the groups to read the new posts.  When I check the posts, I'm always looking and hoping that someone is headed to my school.  I've met one person so far and we've been a great support to each other.  Anyway, there was one post that stood out and had several people, including myself, wondering if we would be granted visas.  A young lady shared her story of applying to schools in Abu Dhabi and how she and her husband were turned down because they both have a masters degree in education.  I know you're probably wondering why this is an issue.  Apparently there's a new law and teachers must have a bachelors in education in order to teach in the UAE.  Unlike the U.S., a masters degree in education is not enough.  I'm not sure how true this is but it caused quite a stir.  Like many others in the group, my bachelors degree is not in education, so it left me a little shaken.  I did read somewhere that secondary teachers must hold a bachelors degree in the subject they want to teach, so maybe this "new rule" is only for those teachers.  

Whatever the case may be, I've decided that I'm not going to worry about it or lose sleep. I don't think I've come this far in the game to be turned around now.  Sometimes when we're doing things out of the norm, I think we subconsciously look for things to go wrong.  You all know how much I've prayed and fasted on this opportunity, so I believe this news is just a distraction.  I'm going to keep pushing forward and staying positive.  

Until Next Time...  

The Seven Emirates of United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Since the name of my blog is My Journey to UAE, it's only right if I share with you videos of this marvelous place.  Most people have never even heard of UAE or more specifically Abu Dhabi, I only learned of it in the summer of 2015.  Dubai is also recent to me, I learned about it maybe 5 years ago and it has been on my bucket list ever since.

And the Wait Continues...

On Monday, there was much excitement going on with one of my Facebook Groups I'm a member of.  Some people received word that their visa applications were submitted and now on to processing, others spoke about packing, and duffle bags vs. suit cases, and etc.  Of course reading the posts left me excited and even more impatient.  I made a promise that I wouldn't contact the HR Department of my school until three weeks after submitting my documents.  Well thanks to FB, I didn't even make it to two weeks (a day short).  On Tuesday morning, I emailed HR just to get a an update.  Long story short, my paper work is being processed and the next update won't be until after the end of the current term which is slated to end on June 23rd.  Towards the end of the term, they will contact me so that they can begin finalizing booking my flight.  If all goes well I'll be heading out around August 17th!  As stated before, the school is brand new and is currently still undergoing construction.  I'm hoping and praying that the school will be finished in time so that staff and students can begin the school year. 

I really don't know what I'm going to do with myself from now until then.  I would like to hear some concrete news, I feel as though I can't move forward until I have that confirmation.  But in the meantime, I guess I should began making my "To Do" List.  I saw a cute luggage set from Heys but now I'm not sure if I should go with suitcases or duffle bags...       


Until Next Time..