Chasing the American Dream Overseas: 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!!