Let the Packing Begin!

Since my last post, I've begun packing and I'm extremely proud of myself.  I quickly learned that trying to fit everything in four suitcases wasn't a good idea.  My school offers a shipping relocation allowance for approximately $800 for singles.  And since I don't want to struggle with 6+ pieces of luggage at the airport, I've decided to take them up on the offer.  So far I've packed four boxes and one large suitcase.  My school requires three quotes for shipping, so tomorrow I will need to go to three different places to get pricing and send to HR.  I'm still waiting on my eTicket and Visa, as well as my housing.  Hopefully I'll get this information sometime this week. 

Until Next Time!

Any Day Now

Just 24 days before I board a plane to Abu Dhabi!  I'm still waiting on my eTicket and visa to make it official.  On Tuesday, I emailed the person in charge of booking our flights only to find out that she's on vacation and won't return until Wednesday, July 27th.  So I'll have to wait another week or so before I get my ticket.  Like I said in my last post, it could take a week or two weeks before I get my ticket but I'm scheduled to arrive in Abu Dhabi on August 17th.

On another note, I purchased a new luggage set along with a rolling duffel bag and packing cubes.  I still haven't gotten any closer to actually filling them, but I'll do it soon. I've been glued to Facebook today, as teachers are beginning to arrive in Abu Dhabi.  It's so exciting seeing their updates as they travel from their various countries to their new home in UAE.  I can't wait to be one of them, updating everyone on my new journey.  Any day now, I'll receive that email with my golden ticket!  

Until next time! 

A Lesson in Patience

The Public Holidays are officially over in the UAE and I'm expecting my flight itinerary any day now.  I was expecting to get my eTicket during the week of June 19th but that day has come and gone and we're now in the month of July.  Last week we received an email from HR informing us that we will receive our itineraries this week.  I woke up several times during the night, early Sunday and Monday mornings to check my email, but still no itinerary. Last night I turned my phone and tablet off so that I wouldn't be tempted to check my email during the night.  If there's anything I've learned during this process, I've learned that you need a great deal of patience and faith to make it through.  I know my ticket is on the way, so I just need to be patient.  It might come this week or even two weeks from now, but I have faith that it's on the way! Besides while I'm waiting, there are a ton of things that I can and should be doing.

Until next time... 

Patiently Waiting

So I finally managed to take my luggage out of the closet.  Lol!  I don't know where I'm going with it because it's way too small for this journey.  I'd rather have two large suitcases that will fit all of my belongings, than to bring over 4 small overstuffed bags.  I received an email update from my school informing us of that the HR department was closed and will reopen on Sunday, July 11th.  We were also informed that we will receive our flight itineraries during this week as well.  I'm hoping it comes on Sunday.  Housing is still being worked out and we will receive it by the end of July.  It's really getting real!  I don't know what I'll do when I finally receive my flight itinerary and tickets; shout, scream, run, dance, cry, or maybe do all the above

Until Next Time...    

Just Checking In...

Just checking in with you all!  It's the last day of the month and 47 days until I touch down in Abu Dhabi.  Yesterday, I received my official welcome letter from my new principal and I'm excited because it included all of the new staff names and addresses.  My plan is to write an introduction email to everyone so that I can begin getting to know everyone.  I'm still waiting on my flight itinerary and housing information.  We were told we would receive this information within a week of confirming but we still haven't.  I'm not going to stress about it because I know it's coming, I just would like to have it in my hand.  

About two days ago, teachers who are going to teach in the public schools, begin receiving their flight details. Some teachers will arrive in Abu Dhabi as early as July 21st. Although I have a little more time than these teachers, I still freak out when I realize how much time I have left.  I still have yet to begin packing, I honestly don't even know where to begin.  I guess I can start by removing my suitcases from the closet.  Hey that's a start right?

Until next time...

End of a Chapter

The Security Team and Facilities Manager gave the staff the "red carpet" treatment.

Well the 2015-2016 school year came to a close on Friday, June 24th.  With the end of the school year, came the end of a chapter with my job.  I've worked at my school for 9 years, and although I'm sad to leave, I'm also excited to start a new chapter.  My first five years I was an Instructional Assistant for kindergarten and the last four years, I taught third grade.  I'm truly going to miss my VCS Family!  I hope and pray my next school family will be just as awesome.

By the way, we're still awaiting confirmation for our flights and living arrangements.  Hopefully, we'll hear something soon.

Until next time!

The Long Awaited Email

It finally came!  The email that I've waited for since April 12th has finally arrived.  I was awakened from my sleep at around 5:00 am, and since I had nothing better to do, I decided to check my email.  Lol!  Well I checked my email and there it was, the subject read Flight Booking - details to be confirmed to xxxxxxxx by Wednesday 15 June 12 noon Abu Dhabi time.  I had to reread the email to make sure I was reading correctly.  I just wrote a blog post last evening about awaiting flight details and just a few hours later I received the news.  Things are really getting real!  My school is planning flights for Wednesday, August 17th!  I've decided not to stress about the departure city and direct flights versus connecting flights.  They've already informed us that there aren't any guarantees that we'll have a direct flight.  I'm just grateful that it's a flight that I don't have to pay for.

The email also informed us that our accommodations are in the final stages; we will receive information as soon as everything is confirmed.  So it looks like everything is falling into place.  I just have to wait for my visa to be processed and then I'm officially headed to Abu Dhabi!!!!!!!!!!