Quick update!!!

NO EXCUSES!!! I’ve been at work for almost 3 weeks and just  moved into my apartment...Just been a little exhausted and busy!!! So much to catch up on no pics this time but will add loads next week!! I start spring break after tomorrow!!!! Sixteen  days to explore even more. Will keep you posted on my adventures!!!!

Let’s talk School!!!!

I’m currently in the Wild Wild West...the middle of nowhere teaching 4th grade boys with varying levels of english!!! I work from Sunday to Thursday  7 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.  3 days a week and 7A.M. to 3 P.M. 2 days a week. I have two groups that I teach three 45 minute sessions Math,Reading and Science.  Let’s just say they are alllll boy and then some. The have little to no structure at home so many come to school tired, very few complete homework and most would rather cheat before they learn how to do something. Honestly, I’m still enjoying it….just have to go in Drill Sergeant mode EVERYDAY! Thankfully, I’m already seeing tons of progress with my boys!!!!

Mi Casa or should I say beiti (my house)!!!

So ADEC (Abu Dhabi Education Council) provides me with paid housing...yeah don’t be jealous...lol!!! The apartments they have readily available are about an hours drive one way...so about a two hour drive each day…..ummmm lets just say...I ain’t feeling it!!!! I’ve taken the unbeaten path and found a quaint one bedroom  only 6 minutes drive from my school…..I enjoy my sleep too much!!!!  Granted there is very little to do in old little Mirfa but the beach, hotel pool and gym are all I need during the week!!!!  Abu Dhabi is about 1 ½  hour drive and Dubai is about 2 ½ hour drive, so for fun that’s where I go!!! Been there every weekend!!! LOL… that’s the real reason I haven’t been able to update my post….don’t judge me...lol...this is a no judging blog. I had to shop for my apartment...which ADEC has graciously provided the dirham to do so!!! I’ve been in my apartment for a week and still waiting on internet connection!!!! Everything here happens at snail speed shway shway (slow, slow). All they ever say is insha’Allah (if god wills it) ma’am…..sir no disrespect, but I’m use to things being done yalla, yalla ( quick, quick). So hopefully I’ll have internet soon. I Will upload pics soon!!!   

DRIVING!!!!!!

Ummmm very, very very  different!!!! There are no left turns  only roundabouts…. you have to drive pass your location on the left go down and make a u-turn! Very little regard for speed limit these folks truly drive like bats…….

Just a quick update...if you have any question just post them and I’ll answer them in my next post…..soon….! Miss you all...see you in July!!!!

Soooo Thankful!!!!

Wow! What an eventful  past couple of weeks I’ve had!! Before I share with you my many adventures I wanted to take a few words to Thank my shoulders (yep ya read that right) my shoulders! Everyone has expressed how proud of me they are and how brave I am to be going after my dreams but NONE of this would be possible without the many shoulders I have stood on, cried on, leaned on and brushed off to get here! Who would have thought….A poor little girl from the largest government housing project in Savannah, GA, which I called home for 18 years, would be living in the one of the wealthiest countries today.I’m living in lavish hotels with immaculate views of the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea. There were people who I loved and thought had my back  that were doubting me before I was even given a chance to explore the many talents and gifts I was given. To you swish...swish I brush you off! To my Heart, the most selfless woman I know,my Granny.you’ve allowed me to stand on you shoulder to see beyond that concrete jungle so that I could see my possibliites are endless.To my Entire family, my Sorority sisters (ooo-oop) my GPE crew, many frineds and  the family thats not blood, but loved me like we had the same dna running through our veins. I thank you all for your many shoulders I’ve used!!! Just had to get this off my chest! Ok enough with this sappy mess!!!

I’m not going to even begin talk about the number and size of the malls here….my practice of self control and discipline are truly being tested. I’ve only made it to 3 of the mall thus far. The  Marina Mall  which has over 400 stores including a movie theater, bowling alley and ice skating rink.  The Al Wahda Mall with over 350 stores and the smallest  Mushrif Mall

only has about 200 stores...yes only!!!

I have met some amazing teachers from the U.S.A, Ireland, U.K, Australia and Scotland! We have done so many great things. Visiting the  Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Abu Dhabi, bike rides along the corniche, tour the fish market, drooling at the  Emirates Palace Hotel - Emirates Palace Marina and partying with the locals. I have had a blast!!!! So much so they have moved me out west to Al Marfa at the Al Mirfa hotel...another exquisite hotel. A lot more rural than I’m use to but going to make the best of it. II have started work and will be teaching 4th grade boys…..this will be very interesting!!!  Cant wait to tell you all about it!!!

The Grand Mosque was so beautiful!!!

Prayer Clock: shows time of sunrise and times to pray each day!

My bum was numb!!!!

Prawns the size of your hand! SHARK!!!!

 The Palace!!!

All gold eeeerrrthang!!!

My new home!

Had water all over the floor from the bidet!!! Very interesting to use!!!!

The tub is sooooo deep!!!!

My current view! Don’t be jealous!!!

The Power of Patience

        HELLO WORLD! As you may know I've finally made it to my destination in the United Arab Emirates! I signed my contract back in November with hopes of leaving out by mid-December. I swear I had at least 6 or 7 farewell dinners and drinks with my friends..."you're still here we should have dinner...you haven't left yet?...we should meet for drinks....no word when you're leaving....we should go out...this went on for months.... two to be exact! I was starting to think my family and friends thought I'd made this whole thing up! Well, needless to say, I'm just arriving the 11th of February...talking about patience.  None the less, I'm here and excited to share with you my journey as I chase my goal to Financial Freedom!
      Now, anyone that truly knows me knows I'm late for EVERYTHING!!!! No matter how hard I try I always fall short... so on the way to the airport, I had to turn around and go back home for my cell phone...what can I say....I'm a work in progress. I arrived at the Airport just before 12 o'clock for  my 12:35 connecting flight in Chicago, the staff at American Airlines were Amazing, they pulled out all the stops to ensure I was on the flight as well as my three large bags. Also, thank you Bryan for your speed racer driving, being late for your Navy formations have taught you to drive like a bat out of..... and I appreciate that! I'm the last to board the plane. Whew! Finally I can breath! My journey has begun.
    I'm just a tad excited as I exit the plane in Chicago. I've always wanted to visit Chi-town, but not to be stuck in the airport for 6 hours with a stomach full of butterflies! So what do I do......I eat! My favorite thing to do! I truly enjoyed that Chinois chicken salad from Wolfgang Puck express, but my favorite treat was the cheese mix of Garrett popcorn....Ummm mmmm good! Finally, I board that big ole' Etihad plane with about 25 other teachers from Atlanta, Canada, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Florida. The plane wasn't too full...I was able to have a whole row of seats to my self. I stretched out and slept for about 10 of those 13 hours. It was well deserved after staying up for 34 hours trying to pack my life into 3 large bags and a quick trip home to Savannah to see my family one last time! The flight was great, however, the food wasn't too good! Finally, we land in Abu Dhabi!
   We unload the plane! Off to immigration for another security check?, visa stamps and eye scan...don't ask, I have no idea why...just rolling with the punches! We collect our bags and head out to our waiting bus...things are moving so smoothly.....so we thought! A few of the teacher's luggage was lost so we had to wait on the bus for over an hour! After a fifteen minute ride we finally arrive at the hotel. The foyer area was nice. We were staying at the  ‎Ibis Abu Dhabi 

or at least I thought. They had overbooked the hotel and had to place a few of us in the attached upscale

 hotel the Novotel.


 I wasn't upset about the upgrade just disappointed I would only be there for two days!!

 I finally make it up to my room...It hits me...my patience have paid off...I'm finally living my dream of traveling the

 World! Stay tuned soo much more to come!!

My Whole Row to myself!

The the journey begin!!!

  I made it safely!
         

                                            THE UPGRADE
                                    

Whomp! Whomp! The down grade!!!