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Well happy anniversary to my relationship with WordPress and my Abu Dhabi obsession…
I popped in here to share my great local shopping experience, and then saw the wordpress notification that today is our anniversary. Wow this time last year I was posting my ramblings about this thing I thought I might do, and today I shopped for fish and veggies with the locals of Al Ain. What a difference a year makes! So souq (or is it souk?) shopping is my new fave. Not gonna lie I was a little (okay a lot) intimidated at first, but no need to sweat it. The vendors are there to sell, and we’re all there to buy, so it’s all good. I mean I’ve done the touristy ones, but this was real-world-get-what-you need shopping. There’s an indoor souk near my flat, and they have tons of vegetables and fruits. I didn’t have my camera with me and didn’t think to whip out my phone, but the fruit baskets/trays were HUGE and beautiful. Shannan, my souk-shopping sister, and I just walked around this one and asked questions about fruits/veggies we weren’t sure about, but we were just stopping in this time because we were headed downtown to the official fish/veggie place (you can also buy hunks of mutton, spices, honey and other eating essentials). Next weekend, i’m popping over to the one nearby to see if their prices are as good. I wasn’t expecting the market we went to to be busy, but it was. Luckily, Shannan steered me to a parking deck versus having to drive through where the locals were parking, so we made it there stress free and the car dent free. We were a little shy at first, but then dove in. My first purchase was ONE dirham. ONE DIRHAM (that’s 27 cents in American money). I was like dude, did I hear you wrong? You see when you buy produce at the supermarkets it’s expensive, and the shit doesn’t even look all that good. I spent around 50 dirham ($15.61) today, and I bought a bunch of fresh veggies and fruits and shrimp. Shannan was brave and ordered some red snapper and tilapia — and they cleaned it for her too. I get that maybe I’m just a little too excited over our shopping spree, but I felt kinda Anthony Bourdainish because you know we’re buying from the street, mixing with the flies and folk. And it was fun. Love the lil fish guy Shannan bought her fish from, and the guy who cleaned my shrimp. I’ll come back just to buy from them again. It wasn’t all Middle Eastern, a Canadian lady (another teacher transplant) taught us how to pick and then peel new mangoes, so we’re going to be market pros in no time. Even better we begin our Arabic lessons on Monday, so before long we’ll be bartering and bantering with the best of them —- although the prices are so low I don’t really feel right asking for lower. I finally remembered to whip out my phone and take some pics. I suck taking pics with the phone but here you go. 
Anyone got a taste for baby shark? 
my shrimp getting beheaded (thank god) and cleaned 
looks like I ‘cleaned’ this guy’s head. The one sitting down was my guy. 
my shrimps (not shrimp) were bought here Yeah I get it looks gross like that, but it’s gonna taste good with my salad and coconut rice (why didn’t I buy saffron from the spice guy?) tonight! So, I’m happy and content. Tomorrow I see my students again. The last time I taught an actual class was November 26, so let’s see how rusty I am. It’s a good thing I’m loading up with fresh vitamins and minerals tonight — I might need it. And if the girls are a little too excited and wear me down, I’ll just keep daydreaming about my berry bush drink at the Rotanna pool, which is just a few roundabouts away from my flat — the weekend is just a few more days away… 
To my American buds I hope you’ll continue enjoying your weekend, and to my UAE buds best of luck tomorrow. I’ll see you Thursday night or Friday. Inshallah! p.s. I didn’t tell you my fog story on the day I drove Joe to the airport (yes I miss him), but those of you on Facebook got to read it. My friend Suzanne lives in Abu Dhabi and has to deal with the fog. In Al Ain we don’t get much fog, so it’s not something I deal with frequently, but it IS absolutely crazy scary — worthy of any Stephen King novel. Here’s Suzanne’s words about what it’s like driving in it. http://suzannainthesand.com/2015/01/09/under-the-weather/
Tis the season to be thankful
Happy Thanksgiving from my kitchen to yours!
While my friends and family back home were sleeping, my new friends/family over here and I celebrated our Thanksgiving. Um, and then much later while we were still celebrating, you guys back home were smelling your turkey roasting in the oven. And, now, while some of you are doing your Black Friday shopping we are all sacked out on the couch being thankful for not having to go out in public.
Of course I miss my home now, but I’m also very lucky for a few things:
1. I live in a small apartment complex where I’ve become friends with my neighbors. Three of us just left our doors open while the party migrated from one place to the next. Photos will tell more of the story in a bit. Another one of our neighbors runs a take out service, so we ordered our turkey and some sides from them, which was awesome.
2. Some of my Abu Dhabi friends made the trip to spend the holiday with us, so I got to also enjoy more time with them.
3. National Day is next week. It’s a major holiday over here, and the town is lit up with green, red and white lights, so while the lights coincide with the country’s flag colors, they also give a festive feel. Emirates are in good spirits; we expats are in good spirits; Mother Nature with her nice temperatures is in good spirits. It’s a good time to be here.
4. The school term is winding down. All I have left to do now is grade papers, proctor exams and prep for January. The girls are happy; I’m happy.
Sooo, while I didn’t get to taste my daughter’s first turkey — she and Kelley made Thanksgiving dinner for Joe and Aaron — and I didn’t get to feast with my family, I’m not depressed. I’m really, really grateful for this because now is the time I could see me getting horribly homesick. So thank you to everyone involved for helping keep this a happy time of year for me!
I had to work on Thanksgiving, but only until noon. In celebration of National Day, the school had an outdoor party for the girls. There was music and traditional dancing, food and the girls showing off arts and crafts. They also got to wear makeup, jewelry and their pretty dresses. It was so nice to have fun with them and their families. I also got to laugh with fellow Arabic teachers when the girls swarmed over me to braid my hair, henna my hands (with a traditional design versus the flowery kinds we see now — love the sentiment, but the flowery ones are more to my liking), and rub saffron oil on my face.
the henna continues to darken on my hand. This was hours later during dinner. Um, my nails are brown.
I was nervous about the saffron oil because I really didn’t want to walk around for several weeks with an orange stripe on my face, but whew! It wiped off. The women use saffron oil for its scent and because it’s good for the skin. They used to make their own saffron and henna pastes. 
My girls looking pretty in their jewels and dresses. I wish I could show you their beautiful, happy faces, but I can’t. Just know that they melt my heart when they’re having fun. Hahaha they almost melt my temper when they’re not, but we’re on a thankful thread, so let’s stay on the good stuff. I love getting to know them, and I truly am grateful for the opportunity to spend this time in their lives. I also really enjoyed meeting some of their mothers, aunts and sisters. We may not speak the same language, but we all appreciate the beauty of joy, and there’s something nice to be said about time alone with other women.
There’s also a whole lot of nice to be said having time alone with your own people — men included. It’s mostly women in my complex, but we like our male teachers too.
that said notice how, ahem it’s the Canadian Haneefa carving the turkey. David, we’re calling you out to work a grill or slice some beast the next time we do this!
Two turkeys and a carcass. I love that the camera focused on the bird’s butt versus my crazy girls Lisa and Ashley (Kaylene take a good look, Ashley is my current wine daughter)
Good times indeed. Lots of feasting and laughing, which led to this…
Badminton in the hallway is what happens when you no longer feel like playing ping pong in Lisa’s dining room. But, you see, it then leads to a badminton match between my balcony and parking lot…
which inevitably leads to “cocks” on the roof
which brings us to this…
And then came the dare to go ahead and climb on to my patio from there
which thankfully was a success! It’s all good we’re insured, but I guess this proves that just because we’re brave souls who’ll take a job a gazillion miles from home, we’re not necessarily the brightest bulbs on the planet — but we do know fun.
Up next is some of the Al Ain crew going to Abu Dhabi to celebrate National Day. I love this time of year!
Mama did a wadi!
Quick. Someone call my son in Colorado and tell him there are photos on the Internet of his mother doing a wadi. Of course, while my version also includes water, it is not the same thing he has in mind. But, it’ll get him online reading my blog. And, he would’ve loved my version too.
So, I had a fantastic weekend. It began Thursday night with me winning a, um, massager with attachments and infrared lighting (or whatever the red light is called). I guess if anyone were to win such a thing at a teacher happy hour in the Middle East it would be me. After that little shindig we went to my absolute favorite place to hang out in Al Ain, the Leisure Center. It’s this huge place with a beautiful patio area. People lounge and smoke shisha, sip tea, listen to the two-man band (one with a violin, the other with a keyboard), talk, laugh, and eat really good food. Shannan, one of my new friends, and I are totally working toward making it our Thursday night hangout. Afterward, we went into Daiso, an Asian version of the Dollar Tree, and saw the creepiest Santa ever.
This photo doesn’t do him justice. One eye is way bigger than the other, and his eyebrows look like leeches. But, we appreciate the effort, and I bought some cute christmas decorations in there.
Friday I hiked “the steps” with Lisa, my neighbor/buddy, stopped to get breakfast at La Brioche, cleaned house and then went out with the girls to watch the third Hunger Games movie. When you buy movie tickets here you pick your seat and an usher with a flashlight walks you to your seat. This is a chatty culture, so don’t expect everyone in the theater to stop talking when the movie starts. That said when the really intense scenes were on, everyone shut the hell up and held their breath —- even those of us who read the books. Great movie, and I’m glad I got talked into going. Afterwards, we hung out at Trader Vics patio, which overlooks a nice pool area, and had mojitos and dinner. Perfect day.
Today was even better. We joined Al Ain Weekenders on a trek to find a few wadis in the Oman mountains. A wadi is a pocket of water you can swim in. Well, some don’t leave you much room for swimming, but others go on for quite a long ways. We hiked to two small ones, but it was still worth it. Folks who came in cars were able to drive to the first spot, but the second place we drove to was 4-wheel drive vehicles only, and trust me it was an experience. I’m tired, so let me stop writing and just post some of the pics.
our little caravan. As you can see we are in the middle of nowhere. 
Amy, me and one of the cutie pies who made the hike.
Another cutie pie and me rushing into the cold water.
Shannan checking out the calcium pond
Lisa’s photo of pond
Lisa’s photo of the group. Wait, Lisa is in pic too. Maybe Shannan took this. Sorry, trying to give credit where it’s due. Someone took it!
hahaha Lisa’s photo of Oman’s Angels 
and her photo of me taking a pic of her. Um, of course mine was out of focus. My eyes are going on me!
swimmers and a local man making sure we made it. Okay, so he was out enjoying the sites as well.
We weren’t the only ones treading water.
Just because I’m not impressed doesn’t mean I won’t eat it…okay, fake eat it.
Amy, another Arizona girl, is far more adventurous on the rocks than I was.
Green! It’s so much nicer when you hardly see it.
we’re on top of the world!
but you kind of wonder what happened to whatever was tied to the end of that rock. There is a very steep cliff a few inches away.
A small house, an Omani family in the middle of nowhere, and they gave us directions on how to get to where we wanted to be. Notice how Amy’s little mirror guy is swinging. There are no pictures that can do the drive to our second spot justice.
Even the goat was like, “Bitch, you’re crazy driving here.”
But, we all survived, and it was a beautiful day.
Now, if Thursday would just hurry up and get here so that I can get back to enjoying my weekend!
Some of the human gems…
There’s an old Muslim woman at work who is not from here. I don’t know where she’s from, or even what her official job is. She wears blues and beiges and clothing that could be from anywhere in parts of the Middle East, Asia or North Africa. I wish I could tell you her nationality. I can’t even tell you her name (note to self make an effort to learn this!). What I can tell you is that sometimes she is the highlight of my day.
She is not a teacher, but she is almost always one of the first people to shake my hand when I arrive in the mornings. She lights up and wishes us all well. It’s obvious she has the highest regard for what we do, and that while others may not think so highly of us, she thinks we’re something special. She didn’t know English at first, but I think she asked the kids to teach her some because now when she sees me she says, “Good Morning!” Her entire face bursts out into the proudest smile when I say it back to her. She doesn’t just shake my hand, she hugs it. Every work day this woman gives me love, and she too has no clue as to where I’m from or what my name is. She has no idea just how special she is to me, and that when I leave this place her smile will be among my fondest memories. In this new land of craziness I’ve learned that I can love a complete stranger.
A girl at school, who is not one of my students, finds me every so often just so she can tell me an English joke. I first met her while I was on hall duty. Like so many others she was curious about me because of my hair, my eyes, my style of clothing. We introduced ourselves, and she told me the cutest joke. I don’t remember it now, but it made me laugh out loud. That’s all that child needed because I swear she finds these jokes, practices them, and then searches for me just so she can hear me laugh. She found me yesterday, and told me one that included a bar and a beer. I tried not to laugh too loud because it’s not something she should be joking about, but OMG it made my day that this child tracked me down to tell me it — because I will always love a good bar joke.
In the mornings the girls sing and recite snippets of goodness. Much of the time the microphone is too close and my ears cringe at the screech until they figure out how to maneuver the darned thing. Sometimes the girls are off key or don’t know all of the words (funny how even though I don’t understand Arabic I know off-key and lost words when I hear it), but all of the time I love hearing their young voices. They have no idea of just how much beauty and power they hold within themselves. Sadly, neither did any of us when we were young.
There’s an old Indian man who sweeps the parking lot of my carpool buddy’s apartment complex. Every morning he’s there sweeping away the endless sand. We’re in the middle of a massive desert, sand will never not be there. At first I thought what a useless job for a man to have, but then, after weeks of watching him, I realized he took pride in his work. It meant something to him, and, well, since the sand wasn’t going anywhere neither was he. We smile and nod to each other while I wait for my coworker. One week he wasn’t there, and I wondered what happened to him (the photo above is not of him but the person who subbed for him while he was gone). I missed him, but a week later he was back. He seemed almost as happy to wave to me as I was to him. Why didn’t I think a parking-lot sweeper would also get vacation time? And who am I to judge whether a job is worthwhile or not? Ha! there are plenty of people out there who think mine is also a waste of time.
Today, I was at an offsite professional development session. I’m not gonna lie it kind of felt like a waste of time, but it wasn’t. I got to meet and interact with fellow teachers from around the world. I met a lovely woman from Tunisia, a few more South Africans (they can always make me laugh), an Australian who is also an artist, fellow Americans who also made me laugh, and some Facebook friends I finally got to meet in person, and a bunch more. I am reminded once again of just how lucky I am to be doing what I am currently doing. To any of my teacher friends reading this, please do know you are fascinating and wonderful and, yes, talented — you are making a difference and your efforts are worth it. Yeah, I know it doesn’t really feel that way right now, but take these words and enjoy them — they are as true and real as the end-of-term frustrations you’re facing.
And to my former students (since my current ones don’t know about this blog) you too are part of my human gem collection. I sometimes see your updates on Facebook, and I love what you are doing with your lives. If you’re in a funk, remember I know you can do better (as do you), so get to it — also know it’s okay if things went wrong, just as long as you get back to steering your own way (versus letting the uglies do all the driving for you, or something like that). You are all also amongst my fondest memories of ‘back home.’
I must be getting all wishy washy to be writing a post about the good things of we humans, but it’s all good. Thanksgiving is next week, and I’ll be at work during the day (but yay! I also just learned a friend from Abu Dhabi is coming to visit, so we’ll feast on turkey and laughs). So, I guess I’m just getting a jumpstart on listing some of the less obvious things I’m thankful for.
To my long-time friends and family, you know I love you with all my heart and soul. It hurts to be away from you, but I am so grateful that you accept my need to do this and support me every step of the way.
And, that’s all I have to share for now, but National Day celebrations begin next week, so I’m sure I’ll have plenty more to share then. Oh wait, and I also FINALLY wrote another blog post for Teach UAE magazine — hmmmm, which might be what prompted me to write today’s post. If you haven’t already read it, or not completed bored with my soft side, here’s the link to it: http://teachuae.com/im-still-hereim-uae/
p.s. I’m pretty sure I have some serious fun coming up, so I’ll be sure to post pics and anecdotes, which is probably what you really want to see in a blog.
Pumpkin spice and all the little things that make it nice…
love looking at this while watching movies.
So what did I do Halloween weekend? I bought stuff for my apartment, drank too much fermented grape juice and took pictures of new stuff, watched a little t.v. and totally enjoyed my alone time. Don’t worry I didn’t turn into a hermit and avoid everyone. Thursday night I went out to dinner with a friend and Halloween morning my neighbor baked brownies for everyone (and then for dinner treated me to shwarmas and hummus) . I love my little complex —- it’s like living in a dorm hall except we have much nicer stuff and our own homes, but there’s always someone to hang out with when needed.
Today is our version of a Sunday, and I sort of did what I’d do back home on a Sunday. I went to Starbucks and bought a pumpkin spice latte and sipped it out on my balcony. First of November and we finally have a bit of a cool breeze going —- yes! Later on I’m cooking dinner and watching something on HBO with some of my friends (Shannon if you’re reading this, I’ve got dinner covered).
I’ll get back to whooping it up next weekend, but for now I’m so enjoying time at home. Sorry there’s nothing wild and crazy to report to you, but here are some of those pics I took Halloween night. Hahahaha the scary part was me forgetting there’s a shower hole on the other side of my shower curtain and almost knocking myself out snapping a shot of my sassy sprayer. See the danger I put myself into just to show my new normal to you guys back at home…
My sprayer. I thought of putting a face on it.
Um, I may have gone a little overboard with wall stickers
My new hand-made bed spread. I love it!
My little rental all by her lonesome. Apparently, I’m not the only one who stayed home Halloween night. No parking spots available! Oh wait, um, folks probably took cabs.
The new welcome mat to pigeon balcony. It only cost me $3. Score! And another bed shot with my new pink balcony chairs — I take them in because those pigeons are out to ruin my happiness. I will win our ongoing battle — eventually.
my new purple/burgundy rug. It’s so soft. love, love, love it!
my cheery guest bathroom. Nothing new in here, well, I guess everything in there IS new, but I bought that stuff last month. Love my poppies growing out of the commode — thanks Ikea for getting me started on the whole wall sticky thing.
eating area in my kitchen. Oh and I have more stickies to show off.
ta da …. corner of my living room. Not shown are the hallway stickies and the dandelions in guest room. You’ll have to come visit to see those.
living room at night. I guess I should’ve straightened out that blanket, but now you see how cozy it is. All I need are some things to hang on the walls, and I’m finally finished decorating.
I finally have real dining chairs!
Apparently I had a little too much time on my hands because I guess I thought it was a good idea to take close ups of my carpets, so I could show off how soft they are, AND the fact that I have red and purple carpets — go me!
Okay, that’s enough of my boring you with all the little things that make my home a happy place. Time to get some stuff ready for work tomorrow and then read for fun. yay!
Okay, let’s get to the good stuff
time to chillax!
So, I survived the inspection hell while surviving the I-just-moved-to-the-middle-east mania. I’m back to believing the people who said it’d get easier after my first three months. I’m still in month two, but (now that I have time to breathe and live normally again) I just noticed a few things that tell me I am adjusting, and yep I’m back to being excited about this little adventure of mine.
Here’s how I know I just might be getting used to all of this:
- I no longer pray when entering a roundabout, but I think God misses my incessant “Oh thank you for letting me live!” There are a LOT of roundabouts in Al Ain!
- I almost picked up the phone to call a new sushi place that only delivers, and then I remembered wait if there’s no where to dine it’s probably made in someone’s home. We have a lot of apartment businesses here (thanks to expat spouses usually not being able to find work), and they’re great (I love my neighbor’s cajun takeout service!). But, is it wise to order sushi from someone’s home in the middle of the desert? Western me won over on this one, so the call wasn’t made.
- I hear the word shoe, and instead of thinking about feet I immediately re-explain what I just said using more hand and facial gestures. I believe shoo in Arabic means I have no clue what you’re saying, but your eyes are pretty, and can I just keep staring at them?
- Speaking of eyes, I no longer think it’s creepy when a girl demands “give me your eyes!” I also no longer flinch when some girl runs to touch my hair. I do, however, wish they knew what kooties were so I could freak them out by telling them they just nabbed mine.
- I have no problem walking past a bunch of laborers in their dusty kanduras to get into my special Spinneys to get my special grape juice. Hell I don’t even realize I’m the only woman in there until standing in line —- especially when there’s a buy 6 sale!
- I no longer worry about whether or not I should go into a store or restaurant that has only Arabic writing —- there’s usually good shit inside there, and I’ll enjoy eating it (well except for the grape leaf thingy —- that one not so much).
- While drinking my coffee in the wee hours of the morning I find myself mentally chanting Allah Akbar right along with the call to prayer.
- I feel naked when I go outside in a t-shirt and bermuda shorts. Along the same lines I raise my eyebrows when I see the new Indian girl at work wearing short sleeves. Hahahah it totally shocks me every time!
- It doesn’t even phase me until later that I’ve just seen a man pop out of a trunk with a shovel in his hand. Ten minutes later I think “wait that’s effed up even for here.”
And last, but certainly NOT least, it’s Wednesday night and I am stoked because tomorrow is Thursday, my new Friday. I don’t know what I’m doing yet, but I know it’ll be fun, and I won’t be wasting any time worrying over what I cannot control. whoop! whoop!
the heat is on…
Well, the stress is. This upcoming week, my school is being evaluated by an outside agency. At this stage of the game I am so out of my league. Nothing has properly prepared me for what I am doing now. For the first time in my life I don’t only feel but know I suck at teaching — not all of the time, just now.
I could list all the reasons why, but that’s not important. What is is the fact that no matter how much you read and try to prepare for this you don’t really know what you’re in for until you’re in it. This isn’t going to be a long bitch, complain, woes me post. It is, however, a reality check for anyone reading this who wants to come here. It is really tough at first for all sorts of reasons. Of course it is also really wonderful. Basically, it’s a totally bi-polar ride until you’ve figured out your way. Some of us don’t, and some decide the way is back home (don’t worry I’m not leaving yet, but I do understand why some decide to go).
I’m trying really hard to do what I need to do, but it’s a struggle. The good news is I’m good at putting balance into my life. Last weekend and this weekend was/is all about work and trying to be as prepared for this big inspection as I can be — the whole time knowing that I’m not going to be any where near the list of top performers (but I will try). BUT, once this eval week is over I will most definitely go out and do something fun. And, I did fit a little fun into this weekend with a dinner party at a friend’s house and breakfast the next day — so it’s not all poor me. I cannot wait until I can play more with my friends next week! It will be what gets me through these next few days.
So there’s the stress of trying to learn a new way of doing what you thought you knew how to do, and then there is the homesickness. I absolutely love my apartment and the friends I’m making, but I sooooo miss my home, my family and friends, my dogs, my life I knew. There are days when I can’t look at the calendar because it just feels too long before I will see all of that again.
But, then I remind myself of all the reasons why I came here, and they’re still valid. I do still want to do this thing, and I do know this painful part of it will pass. I think I’m typing this blog as a mini therapy session for myself, but it’s also a warning to those who are thinking about doing this (if you’re like I was you cannot get enough of reading other people’s experiences). You tell yourself you’re tough and optimistic and all those good things, so you won’t suffer as much as others. But, you do. It’s part of the process, and that’s okay.
I don’t like sucking at my job (and I hope I’m not as bad as I feel I am), but I do know I’m getting a whole different perspective. I’m so out of my comfort zone right now — and not liking it at all — but I know I will learn and grow from this. Hopefully, my students will too, and I think they will. If nothing else by the end of the year they’ll know I didn’t give up on them or myself — and that has got to mean something, right?
Settling in…
An Al Ain sunset
First off I apologize that I haven’t written in awhile. I’ve been extremely busy. The first few days were fairly easy, then I had a touristy day (here’s a link to some of those photos), and then it was go, go, go! Oh my goodness it was one thing after another thrown at us. On 9/11 I will be here a month, and in these short weeks I’ve been processed to be here legally, I’ve been poked and prodded for my health check (whew! I passed — hahaha no syphilis or TB), moved to a hotel in Al Ain, bussed back and forth from Al Ain to Abu Dhabi for curriculum training, bought my must-have-nows for my new apartment, got it cleaned, fought the electricity battle (here it’s not just a quick phone call; it’s a 2-week process with lots and lots of sitting in the ladies waiting room), rented a car, grew a pair of kahunas to drive said car, moved to my new apartment, and began teaching at my new school — almost all at about the same time.
To say it’s been crazy is putting it mildly, but I’m feeling at home now. My apartment is coming along nicely (will also post a link to apartment photos), and I’m comfortable driving — well it’s a bit freaky, but I’m used to the insanity. Stop signs, blinkers, lane lines, all that sort of stuff is just decoration to make we expats feel less homesick. Seriously, no need to use them, although during this morning’s traffic I did see my first police directing traffic. Sadly, no one knew what to do, and the police didn’t seem to realize that I needed to go straight, and that I was blocking the lane they were telling everyone to go right onto. It’s okay we all survived, and I patted myself on the back for being politely assertive. If you’re trying to picture what it’s like to drive in one of the roundabouts here just remember what it was like when you got down to the last few chairs in musical chairs, except with big-ass SUVs and tiny rentals. The maybe good news is it seems the country is trying to crack down on crazy driving because there are all of these speed cameras all over the place, but my problem is I can rarely find what the speed limit is. I’m getting it, but pray I won’t find tickets in my rental bill (there’s no real address system here, so the fine is either texted to you —your cell phone number is connected to everything; do not lose that sim card! — or sent to your rental company who will then bill you). I don’t know if these speed cameras help because the only people who mind the fines (because we can’t afford them) are the expats, and while we now drive crazy too; it’s a milder, slower crazy.
Okay, enough about the driving — except I guess I should add that I’m really surprised that I kinda, sorta like it. The inner maniac in me gets to have fun. I didn’t even know she existed. The next crazy thing and the other main reason why I haven’t written is the whole trying to get Internet thing. You see the cable company is the only cable company in the emirate (possibly the whole country), so there’s no competition. Human nature is what it is. If there’s no one to compete with, why rush to turn you on. Sure, they say they’re coming to do it, but then they call you at 2 to say they’re at your apartment. You remind them the appointment was for after 4. They say, “okay how about 2:30.” I say “how about 4.” They reply with a “2.” I say “maybe 3:30.” They say no and hang up. Then you make another appointment, but something goes wrong there too. It’s a process. One that takes getting used to, but I will eventually get cable/Internet. I know this because my kind neighbor gave me the password to her wifi. She’s proof it will one day happen.
If it sounds like I’m complaining, I am a little, but, mostly, I am so happy to be here. It’s an amazing country with so much to offer — including a touch of chaos. The best part is I absolutely love my school, and I’m not typing this because I’m worried someone I work with will read this. I really do love where I work. I work at an all-girls high school in the Mezyad region, which is on the back end of Jebel Hafeet (Al Ain’s famous mountain) and on the Oman border. It’s about a 35 minute drive, although with traffic it can be longer. Because it’s outside of the city it is a more conservative area, but I’ve discovered conservative doesn’t mean strict or intolerant. I can wear pants and three-quarter length sleeves. Everyone has been kind and welcoming, and I’m so enjoying getting to know the other women who work there.
I teach 11th grade Arts English (students choose between the arts or science track) and my students are sweet and energetic and hungry to learn (and sometimes they just want to play). They’re also chatty and love to try to escape to the bathroom so they can find their friends in other rooms, just like my American girls. They remind me of so many of my students back home. I am lucky because I get to see them without their abayas and veils. I get to see them be the kids they are, which is something I’ve always loved about teaching. I wish I could take and post pictures of them, but I can’t. It’s not allowed without everyone’s permission. Privacy is very important here, and it’s a jail-able offense to post pictures on the Internet without written consent. I kind of like that, although I soooo want to show you everything.
My work day is completely different. First off I’m the one who changes classes. My students keep their room all day. The schedule is different for each day, so I’ll often have some classes twice on the same day, which I love (more time to get work finished). I get 3 to 4 prep periods every day. Yes, you read that right. My favorite work day is Thursday (which is also my Friday) because I have 3 prep periods back to back in the afternoon, so I work hard in the morning, and then I kick back and actually have time to assess their work on the same day WITHOUT having to take any of it home. American teachers know just how shocked I am over this. Heck according to the British and South African teachers I work with, they do too. Another plus is that all the English teachers are in the same work room, and we have our assigned desks. I sit next to the other 11th grade English teacher (she has the science track), who is also my carpool buddy. This makes perfect sense because we have time to plan together and OMG cross-check how we’ve graded writing. Holy shit people we’re collecting real data because we’re given the time to do it. Now whether or not it’s the right data is debatable, but it’s a start.
Now there are negatives, but for me, for now, they’re trivial compared to the pluses. Email me when it comes down to end-of-term time, and I’m sure they won’t feel so little then. Of course also remind me that I have 3 to 4 prep periods a day! And, the worst behavior I have from my students is loud talking (sometimes it’s more like shrieking). There are no cell phones (although they do have them outside of school), no dress code violations (hahaha but a few do push it with lip gloss or something that has some sort of flare — girls will be girls), no drug or alcohol abuse (or side effects from suffering from adults who do that at home), no gang violence. Just chattering and trying to get away with not doing the work.
I do need to point out that I am extremely lucky. Others aren’t having it as lovely as me, and I do feel for them. It all just boils down to location and administration, and while I didn’t land the hi-rise city apartment I was lusting after I did land the right job. And, I thank whomever/whatever is responsible for that. I think here is when I should add a Humdallah.
As for my apartment and Al Ain, I feel very much at home (here’s some of what I’ve done to it so far). I’m looking forward to pay day, so I can buy some coffee tables and odds and ends to spruce up the place more. There is so much more to tell you, but I’m tired, and I’m sure your eyes need a break. Now that I have the magic password I should be posting more. OR, maybe next time I’ll be using my own password. Inshallah!
Still waiting…
I have nothing new to report. I’m just getting antsy waiting for the big ticket. Rumor has it the second group is expected to arrive 8/15-20. I probably will cry if I’m not in that group because I doubt Group 3 would get there before the big orientation on 8/24. Like any teacher I want to be there from day one. Playing catchup always sucks.
Most of group one has received housing. Three of the people I’ve become friends are in a brand new building on a gorgeous complex in Abu Dhabi. Another friend is based in Al Ain and has not gotten the chance to see her new home yet. I’m happy for my friends (although wishing my Al Ain friend wasn’t still in the dark about her place), and at the same time I’m jealous. I want to be out there with them shopping for my new home and getting excited about my new school. I know all in due time.
Last week I was glad I wasn’t in group one because it gave me much-needed time with my kids. Below is the link to the blog I wrote about it for Teach UAE. My kids are all busy getting ready for school or new jobs (or as in Kaylene’s case both), so now I’m ready to go, go, go! I’ve signed up to sub, but haven’t picked up a shift yet. Hopefully, tomorrow there will be one for me to pick up, and, hopefully, tomorrow there will be ticket info. Aaargh hate not knowing…
Okay, on the the nicer side of me (the balanced, appreciative me of last week), here’s all about learning to let it be: http://teachuae.com/learning-let/
This pic is in the Teach UAE post, but I’m sure I’ll want to go back to seeing it again when I’m FINALLY over there. Our last supper together. Kyle was in town for a few days, and it was a wonderful visit.
bettina without borders 