My New Home!

Yea, my new house is finally a home.  I think I am done!   It has been fun but challenging creating a new home from scratch.  When I walked into my new apartment it had nothing in it, not even a single appliance, toilet paper, fork, nothing!  I ended up using a color scheme that I've never had before and I really like it.  To stretch my money, I've also experimented with some scrapbooking on my walls.  I'm really pleased and it feels comfy.  So, in case you can't tell, my sofa is black and silver, and my accent color is aqua.  Then in the bedroom, I kind of went with morocan colors because of the bed table I got from ikea.  The bathrooms were already brown and aqua, so it's worked out pretty nice.  I've tried to incorporate some local and cultural pieces as well.  I got really creative and it's been fun!!!

So, our three week Christmas break has come to an end.  I hope all of you had a wonderful and blessed Christmas and New Years.  I missed my family but kept busy by going to Muscat, Oman, traveling to the western region of Abu Dhabi, and a recent trip to Dubai.  Oh, and I found a car!  I wasn't planning on getting one so soon but another teacher was leaving after 3 years and put it on our swap and shop website.  I looked at it for two weeks while I prayed about it and did research on the car.  It was a great deal and I think I got lucky because everyone else was gone for the holidays!  Anyways, I got a great deal and will now be free to enjoy my independence more!

I am really getting close to several friends and now that we are all getting settled in, we do things together.  Of course, going out to eat is right up there, but we also walk the malls, and I just joined a book club.  It's so weird for me to have all this free time!  It's really sinking in how much I worked when I was a nanny (60-65 hrs a week) and even though I experienced a lot, my "me" time really suffered.

That might explain why I have my scrapbooking table in my living room!  I love to scrap while I watch tv and it keeps me out of my bedroom, where I found I was still gravitating to just out of habit.

Ok, so I hope you enjoy the pictures.  Not bragging, just really for my family (and those of you interested) to see where I live!

My new car!  2009 Peugeot 206

It's so little!

my living room

My "scrapbooking area"

Gotta have some pretties!  My writing tray

Looking toward the front door

my little half bath, to the right when you first walk in the door.  Notice, I used a placemat from a restaurant and some stickers for decor!

My kitchen.  yes, the washing machine is in the kitchen! 

My pretend stove!  A trolley with burners on top.  haha! Keeps me from baking and eating too much.

Spare bedroom

I like to pretend like my spare bedroom is a big walk in closet!

My favorite room - my bedroom!  Love the table over my bed, it slides and yes, my feet go right under it.

I love the view from my room, especially at night.

Scrapbooking my walls

Very homey!!  I am blessed!!!

UAE National Day!

Hi everyone!  I'm using a bigger font - hopefully it will be easier to read.  Well, this is the 40th anniversary of the UAE officially becoming a country.  We had off on Thursday as it was declared a national holiday.  All we did all week at school was participate in various activities directed toward the holiday.  If you want to read more about how this country came about, I highly recommend A Diamond in the Desert by Jo Tatchell.  She grew up with her parents in the early years and comes back.  It is a great read.

So, we had special assemblies, activities, food, lots of presents being brought by students, parades, etc.  It was really exciting.  Today is the actual day so they are having fireworks and shows down at the Corniche.  We aren't going as you had to get tickets via lottery and of course the crowd!!  Maybe I'll be able to see them from my window.

So I got henna done on my hand.  I will include a picture.  It dries for about an hour, then flakes off.  Now it is a beautiful brown on my hand.  I love it.  We had a lady come one day and she was a real artist.  You should have seen her hands and arms!

The children dresse up all week in the national colors - black, green, white and red

Notice the picture of the sheike on the scarf.  His picture is everywhere!  I especially loved the little boys dressing up like the men.  Of course, I caught one digging for gold in his nose...sorry!

Cute!!

One of the days we had "heritage day".  Emerati women came and cooked traditional Arabic food.  These are doughnut like little balls that are covered with honey.  Delicious!

They served traditional coffees and teas

Don't ask me what all this was but I ate every bit!  The stuff that looks like oatmeal on the left had meat in it and was my favorite. 

The henna artist

Precious babies I am blessed to teach!  The one in pink is Meera and one of my favorites!

OK, having dinner at Maila's new apartment so must go - next will be pictures of my new place!  Yea!!!  I'm finally out of the hotel and into my own home.  Sparsely decorated but oh well, it's free!!!!

Have a great weekend!!!!!

Life in the UAE

Wow!  I am so embarrassed that it's been so long since I've written!  So here's what's happened since Oct 30:

- Got settled in at the Lou Lou Asfar Apartment Hotels in Abu Dhabi
- Had two days rest which was definately not enough!
- Attended our orientation for two days including a medical exam, blood drawn, tests galore, setting up bank accounts, and then of course learning about the New School Model for our schools.
- Found out day two of orientation where we would be placed.
- Screamed for joy (inside my head) when I found out I was one of only 10 staying in Abu Dhabi city.  I was really expecting to be placed in the boonies but God answered specific prayer!
- Some people have been placed on Delma Island.  They actually have to take a one and 1/2 hour ferry ride!
- I started teaching on November 9 at Al Morjan Kindergarten in a village called Al Samha.  It is on the very fringe of Abu Dhabi city but I really lucked out.
- OK, here's the really funny part - It's Kindergarten!!!!  Yes, not just kindergarten, but 3 and 4 year olds!!
- Happy that my nanny experience is coming in handy!
- Found a colleague who offered to let me carpool with her.
- I am one of 11 LT's there teaching English.  We are still short one teacher, so I am actually teaching two classes, but I like it because I don't have to deal with lunch, and certain duties.
- So, Candy, my friend and colleague and I drive from where she lives (more about that in a minute) to our school in about 45 minutes.  It's not bad.  Great time for eating, putting on makeup, etc!
Ok, so here are some pics of my hotel and school:

This is the view from my hotel window.

My school!

The foyer of the school

My classroom

Our cafeteria

Life in the hotel!

Of course, I've been on the buses, in cabs and many, many malls.  There is Marina Mall, The Gold Souk, Abu Dhabi Mall, Kalidifa Mall, Al Wadha Mall, and Mushrif Mall.  They are all three stories high and it's fun to just people watch.  Plus, that's where we see a lot of familiar things, like McDonalds, Starbucks, etc.

Here's some pics of the malls and YES, that is really a gold vending machine!!

OK, next blog will be about my new apartment!!!!  I just got the keys on Thursday so now "have to"  go shopping!!!!  Our employers give us a housing allowance thank goodness.  It's weird starting from nothing!  Like when I was first out on my own...Headed to Ikea...

On My Way

Yes!!!  The day has finally come.  I am in St. Louis and will fly from here to Chicago where I will leave at 8:55 pm (CST) for a non-stop flight to Abu Dhabi, arriving there at 7:45 pm on Sunday, Oct 30.  I am so excited and so ready to start my new job.  I will be flying with 8 of my colleagues so it will be nice to visit with them on the plane.  It's going to be a longggggggg day/night of traveling so thank you in advance for your prayers! 

So, Kara, Beka and I came up yesterday and had several mishaps!!  First of all, we got into St. Louis right at rush hour, then to top it off, we had to go to the Amtrak station (long story about a ticket refund) which was DOWNTOWN!!!!  I know, stupid, stupid, stupid.  Everybody and their cousin was on their way to the 7th World Series Game.  But, it only took about an hour out of our way and then we were on our way to do last minute shopping at the mall.  We did some shopping, then took Beka out to a birthday dinner at Bravo! near the mall.  It was so fun and the perfect way to end our day.  Oh wait, we had yet one more mishap.  There was construction getting back onto I270 so of course, we got very lost.  Thank goodness for GPS on my iPhone!  We finally got to our hotel at about 10:00. 

So this morning, Kara and I had a quiet breakfast together, she only cried a little and had a sweet talk and private good-byes.  Now, she and Beka are off to visit some friends while I take my shower, get organized for the plane and basically try to stay calm!

Like I said on Facebook, I can't tell everybody who helped me emotionally, physically, spiritually, and yes financially enough how much I appreciate you!! So many wonderful prayers were answered this past two months.  Well, I must give tons of praise to my mom. We were in this together and I couldn't have done the waiting without her!!!!  So, we had two garage sales, I sold my piano, and it just seemed like from everywhere my family was willing to help me in so many ways!  Also, one of  the BIGGEST blessings of all was the birth of my great niece Paisley.  I will always, always cherish the week I spent with Jessica, giving Paisley her little bath, and rocking her to sleep. 

I will update as soon as possible about where I'm staying, the orientation and of course the school I will be working in.  Thanks again so very much for the prayers!!!!!

PS  I love you and miss you so much Dr. M!!!!!!!

Finally heard from ADEC!!

Well, woke up this morning and as usual before my eyes could barely opened, I checked
 my email and alas!!  An email from my new employer stating we should be traveling next week!  I'm sooooo very encouraged and scared and excited and nervous and .........!!!!!

Also, my niece Jessica had her baby on Friday!  I was really hoping she would have her before I left so that was a great blessing. 

Departure Webinar Thursday!

Well, hello everyone!  Yep, I'm still in Missouri.  AGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!  That was me screaming with frustration.  So, I got my authenticated papers back from Washington DC and now will have a Pre-Departure Webinar on Thursday.  A teacher on one of the groups that I am a member of "heard" that our group is to fly in on Oct 1 - 7 so I am praying for the 1st or 2nd!!

Also, I have packed yet a third time.  I know, AND used a bigger suitcase.  A very good, kind and sweet friend bought me some really cute new Graphic 45 Magic of Oz scrapbooking paper and I HAD to find room for it!  So, like Dorothy I will travel to a new land over the rainbow and hopefully not kill a witch in the process.

Seriously, I do so appreciate everyone's prayers and excitement for me.  I can hardly stand the waiting!  I've had two garage sales in the last two weeks and absolutely don't know what I would do without my mom.  She has been such an inspiration to me as we wait together.  I'm really grateful for the time I've been able to spend with my daughter and of course ALL of my family. 

Will let you know the minute I get my itinerary!! 

Travel Documents

Filled out my travel document today!  Yay!  One step closer to actually leaving.  Of course, my suitcases are not ready to go.  Have to repack AGAIN.  I keep adding things to the pile.  Enjoying some company from NYC and had a great Labor Day spending time with my family.  Hope to have a leave date soon!