الطبيب اسنان و الحناء - The Dentist and Henna (a'tabeeb ahsahn walhenna)

This week has been a week filled with errands and working on getting ready for my return home.  Not much has been going on, but I will fill you in about my trip to the dentist (literally doctor of teeth) and getting henna. 

My dentist appointment was scheduled for Thursday, July 20 I went to Ideal Dental mainly because a many of the LTs went there and they liked it and it was free.  They took my insurance!  I guess that's the real reason I went to this dentist.  The appointment was quick and painless.  Yes, painless.  I know that doesn't sound right, but he used some kind of new dental technology and there was no scraping involved!  That was the best part.  He used some high powered laser that cleans the teeth and gets under the gums.  Sounds painful, right.  Well, before he used the laser he put some pain relieving gel on my gums.  Worked wonders!  The laser thing emitted a cool stream of water so it was actually quite pleasant.  I spent more time waiting for the dentist to show up than I actually did getting my cleaning.  See many places close around here from 1-4 and silly me I made my appointment for 4.  The dentist didn't show up until 4:30; 1/2 an hour waiting and about 20-25 minutes for the actual cleaning, that's just wrong.  Other than that it was a good trip to the dentist and I will go back.  Oh, this is the first dentist to actually tell me that flossing isn't necessary it's just an added bonus!  I like that!!

I went and got henna on Sunday, July 24.  Henna is this dye that they put on your hands and feet in very artistic patterns.  They use something that looks like a frosting tube filled with something that looks like mud and squeeze it onto your skin.  After it dries the stuff that looks like mud is brushed/scraped off and you are left with a reddish, orangish, brownish deisgn on your hands and/or feet.  I wasn't going to get my feet done, but I decided against it.  Now I just have to make sure I don't wash!  Yeah right, how is that possible?!  The more you wash the quicker it will fade and I want it to be there when I get home on Friday.  No showers for me I guess:)!  Just kidding!

My second trip to Dubai last week was successful!  I was able to exchange the picture; no questions asked! 

In other news, I got my hair cut and colored, my apartment cleaned, and laundry done.  I am going to go and take my car back today and then start packing.  I am just about ready to head to Dublin and then home!

109 at 3:00





مول الامارات - Mall of the Emirates

Today's trip to Dubai didn't take me to the Dubai Mall, as usual, I ventured to a different mall; Mall of the Emirates.  This is the one with Ski Dubai; the winter park.  This mall was not as easy to get to as the Dubai Mall, mostly due to construction.  Freida, my Garmin, kept telling me to get off the highway, but I couldn't.  I got sick of her saying "recalculating," it reminded me of my trip to Jordan.    We (I went with Susan and Phyllis) eventually found it and I didn't have to really drive through Dubai (something that I am dreading and don't really ever want to do). 

We walked around the mall for a little bit and then decided that we would head to Ski Dubai.  We thought we would have lunch at the chalet.  Well, that wasn't going to happen.  It costs 120dhs to get in the park.  So we just walked around and watched.  There were people skiing, sledding, tubing, and just playing in the snow.  It was weird to see snow in a mall in the middle of the desert:)  I liked it even though it made me miss home.  Maybe when my parents and sister come in March we'll go in and I may even play in the snow.  120 dhs is a lot, but it would be an experience:)

Snow and a snowman:)  How fun!

We watched the winter sports for a while and then headed to lunch and to do some shopping.  I got some souveniors for the Seavey kids (I hope they like them:) and a picture.  I had been looking for a picture of a camel caravan in the desert with the sun setting behind them (this was at the Intercontinetal in Al Ain and ever since I saw it I wanted one like it) and I hadn't been able to find one.  I even tried getting one made, but no luck.  Well, I found one today!  There was one out on the shelf with a lot boxed behind it.  I took one and paid for it.  I should have had them open it to make sure because when I got home it wasn't the one I wanted:(  I was very upset.  So I'll be going back to Dubai tomorrow.  I have to try to exchange it, and they don't do that in this country. 

That was my day!  How was your day?:)

111 at 6:40pm

عامي الاول - My First Year

Now that my first year teaching abroad is complete I can write about it.

It's been quite a year.  Filled with many ups and downs.  It's been challenging, frustrating, stressful, exciting, emotional, and memorable.  I learned many things about myself as a teacher and many things about the students that I taught, and will teach in the future. 

My first year teaching began Sept. 15, 2010.  I walked into Ammoryiah Primary School knowing only 3 people (Amy, Alice, and Andrea).  I walked in not knowing what grade I was going to teach, where I was going to teach, who the principal was, or how to communicate with the staff and the girls that I was going to teach.  It was scary.  I made it through that day and the many many scary days that would follow.  I survived not knowing how to manage my class, EMSA, being told that I'm not teaching, parent meetings, staff meetings in Arabic, being told that I'm not allowed to impose any consequences on my students' misbehavior, National Day and countless other assemblies that lasted forever, feeling isolated and left out among the Arabic staff, super high expectations placed on me as an LT and the students, endless PDs, moving classrooms 3 times before being told that I was going to have to have 2 classrooms and I would move instead of the students, not being able to use the bathroom at school due to not having water, wearing long skirts and long sleeve sweaters in 120 degree heat, air conditioning not working correctly, Esis and changing grades, and countless other obstacles.

But in amongst all those challenging and frustrating obstacles there were many many positives.  Having girls that wouldn't say anything to me in English, at the beginning of the year, tell me about their weekend!  Seeing the girls' writing improve from simple sentences such as "I like the cat." to compound sentences and 3-4 sentences on topic!  Helping girls learn to read in English!  Learning how to manage my classroom of students that didn't know what I was saying to them!  Meeting new Arabic friends!  Having good observations and a final evaluation, putting together a portfolio on the spot that was actually quite good, helping the students and parents know that learning is not always a worksheet or a page from the book, smiles, laughter, kisses, nose bumps, hugs, and notes from the students. 

All in all it was a good year!  And dare I say it?  Maybe just maybe I am excited about coming back next year?!

115 at 4:55pm.

النهاية - Al Neehiyah - The End (of year one)!

I survived!  I survived one year teaching in Abu Dhabi.  I survived one year working for ADEC.  July 13, 2011 marked the last day of my first year (10 months) teaching abroad, and almost 11 months since my arrival in the country (Aug. 15, 2010).

Today was a celebration day.  I guess.  We were told on Sunday that we wouldn't have to stay at work on July 13, just sign in and then leave.  Well, modeera took that back yesterday and actually made us stay.  We didn't do anything though, wej ust sat in the teachers lounge talking, or listening as the case may be, dancing, or watching, and pretty much just hanging out.  It was nice.  Nice to be together, even though I didn't  understand what they were saying, but nice to be able to sit and socialize.  At 11:30 modeera changed her mind and let us go home.  So after many مع السلامة - ma'asalma; goodbye/with peace, اشوفك في سيبتيمبر - a shoofik fee seebteembir; see you in September, and cheek kisses, with حبيبتي و صديقتي - habeebtee wa saudeeqatee; my sweetheart (term of affection) and my friend it was time to go.  I swear I got so many cheek kisses today!  It's very touching, but hard to know when to stop.  They just keep going; 6 on one cheek and maybe a few on the other, 3 on each cheek, just one on one cheek.  Who knows?  I had to leave it up to them since they initiated.  Everyone seemed genuinely sincere when they were saying good bye.  Moza even asked me to take her picture!  This is totally unheard of.   When they get their pictures taken they cover their face with their shaylah, but she was willing to be photographed uncovered so my family and friends would be able to see my friend from Al Ain!  What a nice thought and very touching, but of course I forgot my camera.  I told her next year, inshallah.  She then stood up on the table and we all got a laugh out of that!  I was finally able to leave that teachers lounge and head next door to the other one.  I said a general ma'asalma there and then headed to the office to say ma'asalma to modeera.  I finally made it out of the school around noon.  One year down and hopefully only one more to go!

Susan and I went to Leisure to celebrate our survival.  We had heard wonderful things about this restaurant, but we weren't all that impressed.  It was just a lunch buffet and the food was ok, but not that great.  We figured that the comments we had been hearing were regarding their dinner menu and coffee shop, so we'll have to go back for dinner.  But probably not until it's cooler because they have a very nice outdoor area which we would like to experience.

I have 13 more days until I leave Abu Dhabi for Dublin and 16 until I arrive in MI.  I have a few things to do while I'm here, but not much.  I have to see what I have to do about my car (not sure if I'm going to return it for the summer or just keep it), get my hair done, get henna, clean, and have Safeer come and clean, do laundry, and take my sheets and towels to be cleaned, read, study Arabic, go up the mountain, and relax.  I'll try to stay busy!

109 at 4:55pm.

العباءة - Abaya

"Do you want an abaya?"  Lara came into the LT room this afternoon asking me this exact question.  I hadn't really planned on getting one, but since the Emirati teachers were going abaya shopping I decided to go as well.  It would be a nice opportunity to get out of school and spend time with the Emirati teachers.  So, Ashley and I got into Lara's car and went to Al Yahar (about 20 minutes from school towards Abu Dhabi). 

Abaya shopping with Emirati's is a process.  First of all there were 8 of us in one tiny little abaya shop with 2 Arabic speaking men.  It's a good thing 6 out of the 8 of us are able to speak Arabic.  Ashley and I couldn't do much.  We filled the tiny store and browsed the selection of abayas.  They are beautiful!  Really.  Not just black.  Most of the abays are black in the front with color on the sleeves and down the arms.  There were a few with color on the front.  They are quite embellished as well.  Lots of sparkles!  They seem to like that here.  There is a huge selection and they can pretty much make whatever you want.

After you find the abaya that you want you try it on.  Most likely it won't fit, but you could be lucky.  Of course mine didn't fit, but that's no problem as they will make it fit.  The abaya that I picked out had purple flowers with gems on the sleeves and it was originally priced 600dhs.  I didn't want the gems so the price went down to 550.  I also wanted blue not purple flowers.  That wasn't a problem.  The problem was the price.  Moza did a great job of haggling with the owner and got the price down to 350dhs.  I couldn't really understand what they were saying other than the price.  After we agreed on the price I had to get measured.  Moza (not the same one that did the haggling) measured my height/length and the length of my arm.  Turns out I am proportionate!  66 (I am assuming inches here) from my shoulder to ankle and 33 from my shoulder to wrist.   Exactly as it's supposed to be!  Anyway back to the abaya.  There was a debate over who was going to measure the width of my shoulders and Khowla tried, but she couldn't do it right.  I eventually said it wasn't a problem for the man to do it.  They don't like men touching them so that's why Khowla tried.  I thanked her, but I think we would have been there forever if I didn't let the man measure.  It should be ready for pickup in 2 weeks.  I will wear this abaya to school since it was bought for me by Moza.  What a nice gift!  Not sure what I'll do with it when I come home, but it'll be a nice souvenior!!

School has been going ok.  I have been printing a lot of stuff to laminate; center activities, file folder games, and books that I scanned last year.  It's been boring, but I've had stuff to do at least for a few hours each day.  Today I found out that I will be teaching a grade 3 class and a grade 4 class (not a combination 3/4 class).  It will be challenging have 2 grade levels, but I know the 3rd grade curriculum and I like the age of 3rd graders so that will be nice.  I wanted 4th grade because for the most part I liked my 3rd grade students and I wanted to move up with them.  I know them, their strengths, and their weaknesses and they know me and what to expect from me so it should be easy.  I just hope I don't get a lot of students from 3/1!!!!  I will also have my own classroom!  I am so super excited about that!  It will make teaching a whole lot easier.  I won't have to worry about taking my supplies from one classroom to another, changing desks everyday, things being taken off the wall, markers and erasers going missing, the carpet being moved, sharing wall space... it will be so nice!  So, now I can get excited about coming back and teaching in Aug. 

Tomorrow we're going to Dubai.  I don't think I'll be buying anything, but it will just be nice to not have to go to school.  We don't even have to go and sign in; we can leave right from Hili whenever we want to.  That's nice because Hili is on the way to Dubai and the school is on the way to Abu Dhabi (totally opposite directions) and it would have been quite silly to drive to the school and then to Dubai.

Just 3 more weeks until I leave for Dublin and 24 more days until I arrive in MI!! 

100 degrees at 7:30

مسقط - Muscat

An absolutely lovely weekend!  The hotel was beautiful, the views amazing, the pool cool, and the beach, well hot but still nice.

Pool where I spent most of my time

It was so nice to sit by the pool and read and then go swimming when I got hot.  It was just a very relaxing weekend.  No plans.  No stress.  No worries (other than the fact that I lost my phone).  No schedule.  Just the beach and the pool and some amazing views. 

The Shangrila (5 star resort and spa) is located on the Bay of Oman.  I spent a little bit of time in the water, but really it was just a bit too hot.  More like bath water.  I did enjoy floating and riding the waves though.  It was also nice to be able to hear the waves at night.  I spent most of my time in the pool, or at the pool if it wasn't too hot.   

Bay of Oman

While I was there I couldn't help but think how fortunate I am to be able to travel like this. There is no way I would have ever been able to afford a trip like this while working at a public school in NC. All the stress, challenges, and hard work of the year with ADEC are (I don't want to say worth it) allowing me to have the time and money to be able to travel to places I never would have been able to see before. It definitely is a perk of the job and location. I am very thankful that I am allowed to see world and that I can afford to do so!

My next trip will take me to Dublin for 3 days.

104 degrees at 6:45

Summer Travel

Well, I finally decided where I will be going and when I will be traveling this summer. 

1. Muscat!  OK this really doesn't count, but it's travel and it's the summer.  Susan found a super deal where we get a flight and a room at a 5 star resort for about 1500dhs ($408)!  I am looking forward to spending next weekend at the beach and at the pool!  It will be a relaxing get away!
2. Dublin!  I am leaving Abu Dhabi July 26 and I will spend 3 days in Dublin.  Well more like 2 days since I arrive in the afternoon on the 26th and leave in the morning on the 29th.  Anyway I am excited about this little trip to Dublin.  I don't like beer, but I will definitely be going to the Guiness factory (or whatever it's called where they brew the beer) to tour and taste the beer.  I will need to see if I can get anything for Ann and Harry (beer brewers of the family:) while I'm there!  I am also planning on touring a castle.  I know I won't have much time, but I'll get to see some of Dublin.
3. MICHIGAN!  I can't wait!  I will arrive in Michigan at 4:30 on July 29th.  Just in time to wish Amy a happy 38th birthday!  Lots of family and friends to spend time with.  I will definitely be spending as much time as possible with Alexa and Mason.  Mark and Nancy beware I may just have to spoil them!!!  I hope I can get a Ludington trip in while I'm home.  I will have to leave Aug.31 in order to be back in Abu Dhabi before school starts on Sept.4. 
4. NC!  I am planning a brief trip to visit friends in NC.  I will be there Aug 15-18.  I will be staying at the lake with a good friend.  More beach time for me!!!  I hope I will get to see many friends when I am in NC, but I know I will not catch them all.  3 days is not nearly enough time, but my time in the states is super short.
5. Portland/Lansing!  I will make a super short trip to visit some college friends in Portland.  I am planning on Aug.7-8.  It will be nice to visit with them and their children.

So that's about it.  I will cram in all the family time I can get in the short month that I will be back in America.  I know the time will fly, but I am grateful that I will be able to spend the time there.

The latest school news - I am so bored!  Last week there were no students at school so I spent a few days working and cleaning and getting ready for next year, but there really wasn't much I could do.  I guess it's partially my fault for being so organized and hard working throughout the year.  I have inventoried the LT room and now I will just pack it up and store the stuff in my extra cabinet.  We can't leave it out because it is so sandy and we're sure all the books would get covered in sand.  It's disgusting.  Our new hours are from 8-1 so I should be thankful about that, but it's still a long time with nothing to do.  We have a couple of professional developments to go to this week so that should help.  They don't start until 9 and they finish at 12:30 so I'll have some nice short days this week.  Plus it's a short week since we have Thursday off due to the Prophet's ascension.  That's really it.

34 more days!

111 degrees here at 4:30pm.  It's supposed to get to 113.