I am getting a little frustrated. I did not get any money today. The 36 hour timeline has come and gone. The only hope I have of getting money this week is that Eid doesn't start until Friday not Wednesday. Tomorrow or Thursday are still possiblities.
I am tired of shopping, or rather window shopping, and not being able to buy anything. Everything is on special now because of Eid so there are good prices for furniture and appliances and school supplies. I tried to buy my bed today (super comfortable and high:) but I had to put a deposit down and I couldn't do that. So I don't know if I'll get the 50% off that they're offering for Eid.
I am tired of hearing about the way people are treating Gavin and Richard because we don't have money and they don't have answers. Yes, I am frustrated and yes it is hard, but I know that I will get paid and they're not going to kick us out of the hotel until we have had time to furnish our apartments. I have to believe that. It was especially difficult today and I just had to get out. I went for a walk and did a lot of praying. I am praying that God will provide and that I will trust His timetable not mine. Just getting out of the hotel and not in a taxi helped a lot.
I am also bored. I need to be doing stuff for school, but I can't because I don't know what grade I'll be teaching. I can "assume" that I will be teaching 3rd grade, but it's all up to the principal and I won't meet her until the very first day of school for students. So I could walk in and be told that I'm teaching any grade from 1st-3rd. Hard to plan for that. Then there's the issue of possibly having no supplies. Which means I could walk into my classroom at 7:00 am Wed. 9/15 and have nothing other than chairs and desks. Or I could have everything I need. Which one is it? Who knows? I will just get paper, pencils, and crayons for the first day and go from there. Lots to think about and everything needs money.
I am trying to stay positive and enjoy the vacation. I love the pool so that's a plus. Breakfast, even though it's not as good as Abu Dhabi, is free is another plus. Sleeping in definitely a plus! Spending time with friends is a plus. So there are positives!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Scary
I forgot to mention that men are scary in this country. We were having an Iftar buffet at a restaurant and this guy kept staring at us; me in particular. Every time I walked by he would stare. Natalie and Susan said that he was staring while we were eating as well, I just didn't look at him. After a while I began to stare back. He would look away, but looked back later.
After dinner we left and the guy got up and followed us out!! Scary! We walked and he continued to follow us. I said real loud that I was going to call 999 (equivalent to 911). That didn't bother him because he kept following. We decided that it would be safer to put some distance between me and him so we walked in a line with me at the front. He just went to the other side and walked. He would stop for a while and then continue. I was going to call 999, but I found a security guard. I quickly walked to the guard and told him that the guy was following us. By this time he had caught up to us and said that we didn't have to worry because he was with the police! Yeah right! The security guard asked me if he was harming us or just following. I told him that he was just following, but it's not right. The guard believed us even though the guy kept saying that he wasn't following us. The scary man was escorted out of the mall!
Second time this has happened. I hope there's not a third.
After dinner we left and the guy got up and followed us out!! Scary! We walked and he continued to follow us. I said real loud that I was going to call 999 (equivalent to 911). That didn't bother him because he kept following. We decided that it would be safer to put some distance between me and him so we walked in a line with me at the front. He just went to the other side and walked. He would stop for a while and then continue. I was going to call 999, but I found a security guard. I quickly walked to the guard and told him that the guy was following us. By this time he had caught up to us and said that we didn't have to worry because he was with the police! Yeah right! The security guard asked me if he was harming us or just following. I told him that he was just following, but it's not right. The guard believed us even though the guy kept saying that he wasn't following us. The scary man was escorted out of the mall!
Second time this has happened. I hope there's not a third.
Lots of information
Orientation started again today. I was really excited to go; thinking that I would be getting information about my school. That didn't happen. Instead I got a whole bunch of information about living in Al Ain. I am sure that a lot of it will be quite useful, but it's really hard to pay attention when they're just reading things. A better way would have been to have all that in a folder with contact numbers and websites so we could resesarch on our own. I got information about hospitals, gyms, drivers licenses, where to get furniture, legal typists to translate documents, nannies (I don't need one of those but I still got the information), laundry services... and the list goes on. Lots to learn and lots to process.
It is so difficult trying to live in a foreign country. First of all I need my passport for just about everything from getting a drivers license to getting electricity turned on. I don't have my passport right now since they are still working on getting us residency visas. As soon as that gets done all of these places are going to get bombarded with expats trying to get services. Aaaaahhhh! Frustrating!
I met someone from my school today!! I happened to be sitting right next to her in orientation! She is going to live in Hili as well. She is in group 2 so I didn't meet her before today. It's great to know that I'm not the only new person going to Ammorriyah Primary School.
Susan and I hired a driver today. Neither of us want to get a car so we're going to try this for a while. We found a taxi driver that knows where he's going, drives safely, and speaks really good English. So we asked him if he would pick us up in the morning from our apartment and take us to school. Susan and I don't teach at the same school, but supposedly we're close by. He agreed and gave us his name and number. This will be a lot cheaper than getting a car. Plus I won't have to worry about the crazy drivers in this country. I'm going to try it and see if it works. If I decide that I really need a car I'll get one. I can't get one for 3 months anyway. That's the waiting period. Not sure why though.
Went furniture shopping today. I found some nice stuff, but I have to go back and measure the space so I know what will fit. Susan, Natalie and I are going back tomorrow after orientation. The only problem with a lot of the furniture here is that it's really low. I want a couch with a high back so I will have to pay more. I haven't seen a bed that isn't like right on the floor. I would literally fall into bed. Not good. I miss my bed:( I just have to keep telling myself it's only for 2 years and if I decide I want to stay longer I can get something better.
We are supposed to get paid before Eid. Eid is Wednesday and it's the end of Ramadan!!!! Yeah! I can eat and drink in public! They compare Christmas to Eid. Children get presents and there's lots of celebrations. It should be a fun time! So I should get paid tomorrow! Not holding my breath though:)
It is so difficult trying to live in a foreign country. First of all I need my passport for just about everything from getting a drivers license to getting electricity turned on. I don't have my passport right now since they are still working on getting us residency visas. As soon as that gets done all of these places are going to get bombarded with expats trying to get services. Aaaaahhhh! Frustrating!
I met someone from my school today!! I happened to be sitting right next to her in orientation! She is going to live in Hili as well. She is in group 2 so I didn't meet her before today. It's great to know that I'm not the only new person going to Ammorriyah Primary School.
Susan and I hired a driver today. Neither of us want to get a car so we're going to try this for a while. We found a taxi driver that knows where he's going, drives safely, and speaks really good English. So we asked him if he would pick us up in the morning from our apartment and take us to school. Susan and I don't teach at the same school, but supposedly we're close by. He agreed and gave us his name and number. This will be a lot cheaper than getting a car. Plus I won't have to worry about the crazy drivers in this country. I'm going to try it and see if it works. If I decide that I really need a car I'll get one. I can't get one for 3 months anyway. That's the waiting period. Not sure why though.
Went furniture shopping today. I found some nice stuff, but I have to go back and measure the space so I know what will fit. Susan, Natalie and I are going back tomorrow after orientation. The only problem with a lot of the furniture here is that it's really low. I want a couch with a high back so I will have to pay more. I haven't seen a bed that isn't like right on the floor. I would literally fall into bed. Not good. I miss my bed:( I just have to keep telling myself it's only for 2 years and if I decide I want to stay longer I can get something better.
We are supposed to get paid before Eid. Eid is Wednesday and it's the end of Ramadan!!!! Yeah! I can eat and drink in public! They compare Christmas to Eid. Children get presents and there's lots of celebrations. It should be a fun time! So I should get paid tomorrow! Not holding my breath though:)
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Camel Market and Appliances
I went to the camel market today! So exciting! Something completely different. Not many people can say that they have actually gone to a camel market.
Cassandra, Susan, Natalie, Sue, and I had an early breakfast and left for the camel market at 8:30. It isn't too far from the InterContinental and it's right behind the Bawadi Mall that I went to yesterday. We arrive at the entrance to the market and the taxi driver says that we're here. I tell him that we can't be because I don't see any camels. He continued to drive and dropped us off right by a "cage" of camels. We could smell them as soon as we got out of the car. But, we ignored the smell and walked right up to the camel cage and started talking to them and trying to get them to come closer so we could get better pictures. They are so beautiful. I have never seen one up close before and I was very amazed. They have beautiful eyes and long eyelashes. Their coloring is beautiful as well. I thought all camels were dark brown; well I was wrong. Most of the camels we saw today were a very light brown. We saw babies and full grown camels. They keep the babies separated from the adults. Some of the adult camels had their front legs tied together. That is because they are kickers. A camel can kick in any direction (360 degrees). I had no idea that camels kicked in a circle. Kind of impressive. The camels didn't seem to have any problem walking with their legs tied. I guess they learn quickly.
As we're walking, a group of camel traders/sellers come over to us and tell us that we can go in the pen and pet the camels. All of this is in broken English of course. He walked in and got a camel by the rope and motioned for us to come in saying "is ok" over and over. So Susan, Natalie, and I bravely walked up to a camel and held its rope while we had our picture taken. This event cost us AED 100. I couldn't believe it. I knew it would be something, but not 100. Oh well, it was totally worth it. While we were getting our picture taken Cassandra and Sue found out that this camel market is the last in the world and they are slowly fading it out. The camels we got our picture taken with came from Sudan and cost about $12,000. That's a lot for a camel! There was a lot more to see so we left with AED 100 less but a picture to remember our day.
The camel market isn't just camels. There are a lot of goats. Dinner. Not mine of course, but someone's. There were also a lot of shops selling camel accessories (guide ropes, bedding, food, things to put on them...). They were neat to look at, but we didn't buy anything. In addition to the camel stuff we also saw a lot of rugs. This was in a different area that we were going to look at on our way out, but plans changed. We walked to the mall so we could cool off and then we planned on going back out and looking at the other stuff. Carrefour got in the way!
We originally went in Carrefour just for water. It was so hot and we were thirsty! Not that we could drink it in public, but we could go to the bathroom to quench our thirst. We ended up with more than just water. I got my appliances!!! I got a refrigerator, washing machine, and little electric stove/convection oven type thing. Well, I didn't actually get it because I don't have a lot of money but they're going to hold it until Thursday (I should have some money within 36 hours!!:) I am slowly working on getting my apartment furnished. Not that I can put it in the apartment yet because I don't have the keys, but that will change eventually.
Orientation starts again tomorrow! I can't believe school starts next week. I am so ready, but I am so not ready!
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| AED100 picture |
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| Camel Market |
Cassandra, Susan, Natalie, Sue, and I had an early breakfast and left for the camel market at 8:30. It isn't too far from the InterContinental and it's right behind the Bawadi Mall that I went to yesterday. We arrive at the entrance to the market and the taxi driver says that we're here. I tell him that we can't be because I don't see any camels. He continued to drive and dropped us off right by a "cage" of camels. We could smell them as soon as we got out of the car. But, we ignored the smell and walked right up to the camel cage and started talking to them and trying to get them to come closer so we could get better pictures. They are so beautiful. I have never seen one up close before and I was very amazed. They have beautiful eyes and long eyelashes. Their coloring is beautiful as well. I thought all camels were dark brown; well I was wrong. Most of the camels we saw today were a very light brown. We saw babies and full grown camels. They keep the babies separated from the adults. Some of the adult camels had their front legs tied together. That is because they are kickers. A camel can kick in any direction (360 degrees). I had no idea that camels kicked in a circle. Kind of impressive. The camels didn't seem to have any problem walking with their legs tied. I guess they learn quickly.
As we're walking, a group of camel traders/sellers come over to us and tell us that we can go in the pen and pet the camels. All of this is in broken English of course. He walked in and got a camel by the rope and motioned for us to come in saying "is ok" over and over. So Susan, Natalie, and I bravely walked up to a camel and held its rope while we had our picture taken. This event cost us AED 100. I couldn't believe it. I knew it would be something, but not 100. Oh well, it was totally worth it. While we were getting our picture taken Cassandra and Sue found out that this camel market is the last in the world and they are slowly fading it out. The camels we got our picture taken with came from Sudan and cost about $12,000. That's a lot for a camel! There was a lot more to see so we left with AED 100 less but a picture to remember our day.
The camel market isn't just camels. There are a lot of goats. Dinner. Not mine of course, but someone's. There were also a lot of shops selling camel accessories (guide ropes, bedding, food, things to put on them...). They were neat to look at, but we didn't buy anything. In addition to the camel stuff we also saw a lot of rugs. This was in a different area that we were going to look at on our way out, but plans changed. We walked to the mall so we could cool off and then we planned on going back out and looking at the other stuff. Carrefour got in the way!
We originally went in Carrefour just for water. It was so hot and we were thirsty! Not that we could drink it in public, but we could go to the bathroom to quench our thirst. We ended up with more than just water. I got my appliances!!! I got a refrigerator, washing machine, and little electric stove/convection oven type thing. Well, I didn't actually get it because I don't have a lot of money but they're going to hold it until Thursday (I should have some money within 36 hours!!:) I am slowly working on getting my apartment furnished. Not that I can put it in the apartment yet because I don't have the keys, but that will change eventually.
Orientation starts again tomorrow! I can't believe school starts next week. I am so ready, but I am so not ready!
Friday, September 3, 2010
InterCon
Today was a relaxing day spent exploring the hotel. I didn't go out, I didn't really want to get in a taxi today. Plus, I am running out of money and I'm not sure when I'm going to get paid. I still have some American money that I need to change, but it's going very quickly with taxis and meals. I must be careful!
I woke up about 8 and spent some time on the balcony! I love it! It was so nice and quiet; the kids hadn't started arriving at the pool. In addition to it being quiet, it wasn't all that hot. OK it was hot, but not as hot as it was in Abu Dhabi plus it's always cooler in the morning. There is a big difference in heat here, it's not humid like Abu Dhabi. Now those people that say that dry heat isn't hot, well sorry but you're just wrong. Dry heat is HOT. It's just not oppressive HOT like humid heat. It is definitely more pleasurable to go outside because my skin didn't immediately feel sticky, so that's a plus.
I met Cassandra and Susan for breakfast at 9 and we just spent the morning chatting and enjoying breakfast and coffee. The breakfast was good, but I miss the breakfast from Abu Dhabi. No little crossaint (sp??) fruit pastries. No Suraj to pour my coffee and keep refilling even after I tell him I don't need anymore ("just a little more miss" as he's pouring). No Michelle to greet me in the morning ("good morning Miss. Sara; enjoy your breakfast"). No orange juice. I don't know if I'll be able to survive!! I did have a wonderful omelet made this morning though! We enjoyed our breakfast/lunch until about noon. What a great idea! Free breakast and lunch! Why didn't we think of that in Abu Dhabi? I guess it takes us running out of money to think of ways to save money.
The pool is amazing! There is a kids pool and an adult lap pool. The kids pool is very cool. There is a water slide; which is quite popular among the children. There was always a line when I walked by.
Oh huge plus; I was able to get my free Internet service that I signed up for in Abu Dhabi!! I thought I was going to have to pay for Internet, but they're letting those in the Ambassador Club have free Internet! Yeah! I get to save AED 300.
Dinner was a wonderful salad at the Indian restaurant in the hotel. Fabulous cucumber and yogurt dressing! Very cool and refreshing. Fresh and crisp vegetables. Delicious dinner and I was even able to bring some back to the room since it doesn't require reheating!
Exploring Al Ain tomorrow and trying to get a car.
I woke up about 8 and spent some time on the balcony! I love it! It was so nice and quiet; the kids hadn't started arriving at the pool. In addition to it being quiet, it wasn't all that hot. OK it was hot, but not as hot as it was in Abu Dhabi plus it's always cooler in the morning. There is a big difference in heat here, it's not humid like Abu Dhabi. Now those people that say that dry heat isn't hot, well sorry but you're just wrong. Dry heat is HOT. It's just not oppressive HOT like humid heat. It is definitely more pleasurable to go outside because my skin didn't immediately feel sticky, so that's a plus.
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| evening view from my room |
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| view from my room |
I met Cassandra and Susan for breakfast at 9 and we just spent the morning chatting and enjoying breakfast and coffee. The breakfast was good, but I miss the breakfast from Abu Dhabi. No little crossaint (sp??) fruit pastries. No Suraj to pour my coffee and keep refilling even after I tell him I don't need anymore ("just a little more miss" as he's pouring). No Michelle to greet me in the morning ("good morning Miss. Sara; enjoy your breakfast"). No orange juice. I don't know if I'll be able to survive!! I did have a wonderful omelet made this morning though! We enjoyed our breakfast/lunch until about noon. What a great idea! Free breakast and lunch! Why didn't we think of that in Abu Dhabi? I guess it takes us running out of money to think of ways to save money.
The pool is amazing! There is a kids pool and an adult lap pool. The kids pool is very cool. There is a water slide; which is quite popular among the children. There was always a line when I walked by.
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| children's pool area |
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| adult pool |
Oh huge plus; I was able to get my free Internet service that I signed up for in Abu Dhabi!! I thought I was going to have to pay for Internet, but they're letting those in the Ambassador Club have free Internet! Yeah! I get to save AED 300.
Dinner was a wonderful salad at the Indian restaurant in the hotel. Fabulous cucumber and yogurt dressing! Very cool and refreshing. Fresh and crisp vegetables. Delicious dinner and I was even able to bring some back to the room since it doesn't require reheating!
Exploring Al Ain tomorrow and trying to get a car.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Moving Day
I am sitting in the InterContinental in Al Ain! It is absolutely gorgeous. The view is so much better than the view from Abu Dhabi. Well, ok maybe not better just very different. Palm trees are everywhere and it's very green. The pool looks amazing. I will post pictures later, but it's night and they don't show up. I love the balcony. I can sit out there and look at the pool, palm trees, and city lights in the distance.
I can't wait to explore my new city. There are mountains, forts, desert, oases, shops, restaurants, the zoo... lots to see and do. Good thing I'm going to be here for 2 years! Who knows what this week will bring, but I am up to looking around and finding places.
Not much else to write since I spent the day packing, riding on a bus, and unpacking. I think I may just turn iin early!
I can't wait to explore my new city. There are mountains, forts, desert, oases, shops, restaurants, the zoo... lots to see and do. Good thing I'm going to be here for 2 years! Who knows what this week will bring, but I am up to looking around and finding places.
Not much else to write since I spent the day packing, riding on a bus, and unpacking. I think I may just turn iin early!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Emirates Palace
I went back to the Emirates Palace tonight! It is absolutely beautiful at night, unfortunately the pictures that I took outside didn't show up due to lack of light. I was able to take some inside, but they aren't that great.
Cassandra, Lakisha and I went back so we could see the 2030 exhibit and the embroidery exhibit. There are so many amazing things planned for Abu Dhabi in 2030. They are going to build a Guggenheim, Louvre, performing arts center, maritime museum (which will be partly underwater), and a Sheikh Zayed museum. It is amazing what they are going to do and how quickly they will get it done. They will have the Guggenheim, Louvre, and performing arts center done by 2014. If I am not here in 2030, I will definitely have to come back to see all the new museums!
The embroidery exhibit was beautiful. The details on each piece were amazing. Unfortunately I was not able to take pictures. Each piece told a story with the embroidery done on it. I loved the colors and the different designs on each one. There was one that had a picture of a princess (I believe from Iran) on it. Her face was all over it, along with a man and a woman. The guide told me that in Iran the image that was on the wall hanging of the princess surrounded by a man and a woman is seen frequently.
This Middle Eastern culture seems to really respect their leaders. Pictures of Sheikh Zayed are all over the place here. He was a man with a great vision. He embarked on this 2030 vision and his plan to transform education. He is very respected.
I had training today for the first time since last week. The training was very good and the people that were running it were informative and funny. One of them will be my cluster manager in Al Ain. He said that the school is very good with a progressive principal. Ammorriyah Primary School is really embracing this change in education. The focus of our meeting was on classroom management. They told us some pretty scary stories about what happened to LTs last year; kids jumping on desks, running around the classroom, taking things off the wall, and constantly talking among other issues. This seemed to be a big problem last year. They made a point to tell us that it is perfectly fine if we spend 1 month on classroom management. They know that it is impossible to teach a class of students that aren't behaving. They were very positive. I am sure those incidents happened last year, but I am hoping that they were the exception, not the norm.
I am moving to Al Ain tomorrow afternoon!!! I will be in a hotel there until I get my apartment ready. Once I get my furniture allowance, I will have 5 days to get the apartment ready and then it's bye bye hotel hello apartment!
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| largest dome in the world |
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| grand lobby |
Cassandra, Lakisha and I went back so we could see the 2030 exhibit and the embroidery exhibit. There are so many amazing things planned for Abu Dhabi in 2030. They are going to build a Guggenheim, Louvre, performing arts center, maritime museum (which will be partly underwater), and a Sheikh Zayed museum. It is amazing what they are going to do and how quickly they will get it done. They will have the Guggenheim, Louvre, and performing arts center done by 2014. If I am not here in 2030, I will definitely have to come back to see all the new museums!
 |
| Abu Dhabi in 2030 |
This Middle Eastern culture seems to really respect their leaders. Pictures of Sheikh Zayed are all over the place here. He was a man with a great vision. He embarked on this 2030 vision and his plan to transform education. He is very respected.
I had training today for the first time since last week. The training was very good and the people that were running it were informative and funny. One of them will be my cluster manager in Al Ain. He said that the school is very good with a progressive principal. Ammorriyah Primary School is really embracing this change in education. The focus of our meeting was on classroom management. They told us some pretty scary stories about what happened to LTs last year; kids jumping on desks, running around the classroom, taking things off the wall, and constantly talking among other issues. This seemed to be a big problem last year. They made a point to tell us that it is perfectly fine if we spend 1 month on classroom management. They know that it is impossible to teach a class of students that aren't behaving. They were very positive. I am sure those incidents happened last year, but I am hoping that they were the exception, not the norm.
I am moving to Al Ain tomorrow afternoon!!! I will be in a hotel there until I get my apartment ready. Once I get my furniture allowance, I will have 5 days to get the apartment ready and then it's bye bye hotel hello apartment!
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