bettina without borders

I’m sitting here waiting for friends to arrive so that we can float and sip in the pool.  It’s been a busy weekend.  My last day of work was Friday, and Aaron graduated same day.  We feasted and went to see the latest X-men movie, which was fun.  On Saturday we went up north to camp and watch the meteor shower.  While we didn’t see anything amazing in the heavens we did manage to have way too good a time — came home absolutely exhausted.  Since today is Memorial Day, it’s still a normal day off.  Tomorrow, however, begins the work week, and I get to do absolutely nothing if I wanted to.  Right now I’m sooooo looking forward to some down time, although there won’t be much of it.  Kaylene and I have a trip planned to D.C., then Joe and I will visit Kyle in Colorado, and, well, you know there’s the whole planning to move to the Middle East thing.  But, TODAY I get all wrinkly in the pool.  Amen to time off!

  Two of my monsters.  Kyle was lost in the crowd.  I’ll post more about him after the Colorado visit.  I’m sure there will be some great pics there!

And, here’s the latest blog posted for Teach UAE (I truly do feel like I’m living in parallel worlds — my Arizona now and my Abu Dhabi tomorrow):  http://teachuae.com/this-is-what-its-all-about/

The above photo and my  following post was first published on Teach UAE Magazine’s blog at http://teachuae.com/think-theyll-notice-im-little-different/

But I’m too lazy to write another blog post, so I’m posting below.  The only thing I have to add is I’ve been so caught up with my upcoming move that I haven’t done a whole lot for another big event in my life — my son’s graduation.  So, I’m busy with that right now.  Okay here’s the blog:

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I’m closing out the school year like I always do. While I’m going through the motions, I am not the same person I was just a few months ago.  I love this time of year.  There’s Mother’s Day, my birthday, the last day of work, and woo hoo, the first day of summer break.  It’s normally all about celebrating me and my much-needed free time.

Up until this weekend I’ve totally been my yee-haw-it’s-almost-over self, but then it hit me that oh wow, this is the beginning of my goodbyes.

My first adios came from my tax accountant when I emailed him to see if I could still use his services while overseas.  His response was:  “You’ll have to get someone else.  It’s been nice talking to you.”

I joked about how I just got dumped and that I’d be looking for a new accountant with a brand new, more expensive calculator.  But, just like that, the guy whose been whipping out my refunds is gone.

Then I spent the weekend rummaging through old photos with my daughter. My youngest will graduate next weekend, and, of course, we were looking for the humiliating baby shots to show off to his buddies. A few days ago, I was boasting about how much living I’m going to do without having to worry about my children.  Now, I miss the little buggers.  For the first time ever I got nostalgic over loaded diapers and bulky strollers.

Luckily, before I could get misty eyed, my daughter opened the wedding album.

“OMG you were so skinny,”she says. “You’re anorexic compared to the way you are now.”

I kindly reminded her that she has my figure and that she too will one day have my current physique.  That shut her up and got me back to appreciating my upcoming kid-less life.

The exclamation point to the new me came early Monday morning when I went to a meeting about how this year’s data is being used to mold next year’s activities.  I didn’t have to go but I wanted to (which is so unlike me). I almost cried at the test results being shared. Not because they were poor grades, but because I realized that I won’t be there to help out with next year’s objectives.

Hello? I’m getting choked up over numbers and objectives.

The good news is I’m pretty sure there will be plenty of data for me to blubber about and get attached to in Abu Dhabi!  I also sense that I’ll be my old chipper self-planning for next year’s summer break. Until then, I’m trying to fit into my old world while anticipating the new.

I’m also getting lazy on you guys (whomever you may be).  Below is a post on the blog I write for Teach UAE magazine. This way I meet my weekly posting goal here, and I once again share how crazy I’m going over this whole change-my-world thing.  Three more weeks left of work here, and then it’s get ready for the big move — IF I don’t go legit insane.  Oh, and the reason for my odd ailment fears is that when I land in the UAE I will be tested and x-rayed for an assortment of diseases. If I show evidence of having had, or currently have, any of them I’ll be sent back home. 

How is this for being a few pegs shy of normal?  I’m an obnoxiously happy camper today because I had a freckle (okay it’s an age spot) removed from my scalp.  I’ve had this for at least 10 years, but all of a sudden I’m panicked that it’s cancerous.  It wasn’t but the doctor offered to freeze it off anyway.  The poor guy tried to keep from going cross-eyed over my prattle of potential ailments because it seems I was worried about a lot more.

“I had chicken pox in my thirties.  I was told (or maybe I read it online) it could’ve scarred my lungs.  Could that be mistaken for TB scarring?”  Before he could answer, I blurted out my next fear, “I had the first set of hepatitis shots when I went to Ghana, is that going to give me a false positive?”  His eyes go big when I say, “I’d know if I had syphilis, right?”  And now that I think about it he may have thought I did because doesn’t syphilis eventually cause you to go insane?

After advising me to breathe and to explain what was really bothering me, I told him that I’m afraid.  I’ve quit my job of 10 years and with it will go my insurance.  I have until May 31st before my American benefits run out. What worries me the most, though, is going to Abu Dhabi in August only to get sent back because of some unknown illness —- with no job and no health insurance.

The doctor calms me down by reminding me of how healthy I am (my kids have seen him way more than I have in the 12 years we’ve been going there), and then he tells me what he can do to help me out.  He throws in some extra tests to be done with my blood work, gives me my second round of hepatitis shots (apparently my blood work will show that I have the antibodies not the disease), and offers to do a TB test (which I declined because I had one done a few years ago at work).

“Relax.  You’re going on a fantastic adventure,” he says.  “Now let’s get that spot removed for you.”

As the nitrogen crackled away, I almost cried tears of relief.  It’s going to be okay.  I’m really going, and nothing freaky is going to deport me.  Yes, the enormity of my upcoming move sometimes overshadows my excitement over it, but it is all going to work out.  Now I can go back to obsessing over what I’m packing, what I’ll be teaching, where I’ll be living. Too bad the doctor can’t cure me of those worries.

Flew into San Antonio for the weekend to play with some friends.  Of course we had a wonderful time.  Bummer I won’t be able to go next year, but Joe is going and will raise a margarita or two for me.  We flew home late last night, and I’m exhausted.  Too tired to work or write really, but I’m at work and writing in here to, hopefully, perk/wake me up.  I’ve too much to do!  And, it’s not working, so I’ll just post a link to my latest blog entry at Teach UAE magazine — it’s all about how much fun I’m having shopping this year (and, yes, I am wearing one of my new maxi dresses today):

http://teachuae.com/?p=592

I just finished cleaning up and getting the house ready for Easter.  Because I’m not going to be here next year I asked the family what they’d like for dinner this year.  So, instead of ham we’re having crab legs and steak — they obviously haven’t considered the fact that I’m still on my American salary!  It’s beautiful outside, so I can’t wait for Kaylene and Kelly to get here, so that we can begin the egg coloring and feasting.  I would complain about having to work tomorrow, but next year I’ll be working on Easter, so I’ll shush on that.  I have nothing much to add for this week’s news other than I truly am cherishing every minute I have.  Knowing that I will be far away from my loved ones is a gift because it’s making my time with them that much more special.  On the flip side of it all when I’m ticked at the lazy buggers for not picking up after themselves I cling to the fact that in a few months it’ll be just me and my pristine apartment. I’m not a religious person, but I surely am grateful for the blessed life I’ve been given.  If anyone is reading this it’s my hope that you too are enjoying the joys and love in your life.  I think any god in any religion would agree that’s a pretty damned good way to celebrate any holiday.  So Happy Whatever You Worship day!

One of the things you read about, and that we should all worry about, is running.  Some people end up in schools/communities they cannot adapt to.  Not everyone wants you there, and we all know how much any of us hates to be alienated.  Some folk run.  They leave everything there and just go home without notice.  This is not what any of us wants to do, but some of us end up doing it.  I wrote a blog about it for Teach UAE magazine.  I’ll post the link in just a second, but I do want to stress first that my intent was not to bastardize runners.  It’s just my thoughts on it and my big move.   I don’t intend on breaking my contract because it does hurt more than just myself, but I’m not in the situation any runner has been in, so I am not speaking for or about them, just about how I process and prepare based on what I know of the whole thing.  make sense?

Here’s the link:  http://teachuae.com/?p=552

I’m only posting because, for some reason, when I created this blog I set a weekly posting goal for myself.  I guess I was hoping this would force me to keep on blogging once I’m an Abu Dhabian (well residence wise), but it’s kind of a pain while I’m still here in the U.S. But, you see, I hate not meeting my goals, so here we go.

I’m going to call this the limbo phase because there is nothing else (on my end) that needs to be done.  Now, we wait until July or August when we attend a webinar and receive our tickets and visas.  And, it’s not entirely true that I don’t need to do anything else.  I have plenty.  I have to take the English for Arabic speakers online course (a freebie thanks to TeachAway & Toronto University), get my financials in order (close some accounts, get the money transfer codes, let them know I’ll be overseas, etc.), finish up dental/medical checkups (before U.S. insurance runs out), buy supplies and pack.

Packing is a big topic of discussion amongst we newbies.  I plan on bringing just the two check-in bags and two carryons.  I’m packing a duffel with my hiking boots and some winter clothes (for traveling to cooler climates) for Joe to bring over when he visits in November.  WHAT I’m actually putting in the two bags I’m bringing remains the big question.  I’m not freaking out over school supplies because I can’t worry about what I can’t control.  I’m loading up a thumb drive with as much as I can, and then figuring it out as I go along over there.  I am debating whether or not to buy a portable projector, but I think I’ll just have to wait and see.  If I need one badly enough I’ll have Joe bring one over too — poor guy doesn’t yet realize he’s gonna be my pack camel.

I should be planning my east-coast road trip right now, but my heart isn’t in it as much as it should be.  I am just ready to end this school year and move already.  I type this knowing full and well that I also want to spend plenty of time with my family, but it’s hard to do when I am so excited about where I’ll be in a few months.  August isn’t that far off, but it feels like forever from now.

okay, so most of the views on my little blog come from the U.S., but whalla I hit the magical number today.  I also got an email from TeachAway telling me that my immigration documents have been sent to Abu Dhabi.  How exciting is that?  Thinking about that makes my heart pitter patter a bit faster, but it’s all good, I was brought back down to life.  Minutes later I got another email from them reminding me to actually apply for a job if I wanted to work overseas.  Huh?  Apparently, that’s just a robo email, but I had a mini oh-shit moment.

Spring break is over, and I’m pooped — and it’s only my lunch break right now.

I’m too busy to stalk blogs and online articles right now, but wow I have just two months left of teaching here, and then a few more months until I’m in Abu Dhabbi.  It’s sort of blowing me away.  This is really real…

It’s already Thursday!  My spring break is going by way too quickly.  I’ve slowed down to enjoy living my current life, and yet that is flying by.  I’ve hiked, I’ve cleaned house, I’ve had new carpeting put down in the bedrooms (looks like a brand-new house), and I’ve met up with old friends and new (met some Phoenix Abu Dhabi peeps — we’re all excited and overwhelmed at the same time).

The worst of work is pretty much finished — yearbook and IB assessments are completed.  So, when I go back next week it’s all about the down slope.  I think the best thing for me to do right now is just take it all in.  Enjoy everything I’m doing now, which is stuff I’ve been doing for years, and see it for the goodness that it is.  It’s a gift to have what you thought was mundane brought to a magical level.

I didn’t get to do the Sedona hike — my sons have other plans (if only they’d spend a little more time enjoying what time they have left with me, but they’re young and at that point where it’s alllll about their friends) — but that’s okay because I’ve truly been appreciating my own backyard and the hike I’ve taken soooo many times.  I’m posting some pics of my now for when I get homesick tomorrow.

Click here for what I see today — and, yes, I’m so incredibly grateful