Happy Thanksgiving Canada! I really miss the Fall at Thanksgiving...but I hear your weather is almost like here anyway, One thing is for sure, the Palm trees never change colour or drop their leave...THAT I miss, the Maple trees (not to be confused with the "Maple Leafs" - not really missin' them). I FINALLY found the Catholic church (don't tell my Mom it took me this long). Made it in time to give thanks for all the wonderful things/people in my life AND the great opportunities that have come my way this past year. What a difference a year makes. Well, I also managed to get to mass AND cook a turkey, both on work days! I truly(sorry for the word 'truly', I work closely with a Faculty Advisor from the UK) hope you had a ... read more

Hello all, I am back! Just moved in on Saturday officially, but have taken awhile to get settled and re-connected to the internet. All done! I set my alarm the first day but was awakened at 4:50 a.m. by an Muslim man bellowing out their "call to prayer". For those of you unaware of what that is (like me before I heard it), they sing in Arabic over a loud speaker that sounds throughout each area of the city, to let others know it is time to wake-up and pray. In North America it could be similar to a Rooster's "Cock-a-doodle-do" on the farm. In Toronto or New York....ummmm...perhaps a car horn or police siren?? Very busy at school! Just starting to get into a routine (somewhat). It is a bit frustrating trying to figure out ... read more

Well, today was the 2nd day of school...14 kids today in total which apparently is not bad (our registered number is now @ 20 students). One of the criers from yesterday, didn't show but a few came for the first time. We are finally starting a "morning routine" and I was able to complete the classroom set-up, which was great! As I mentioned yesterday, the kids are gone by 11 a.m. all week so it gives some time to do some classroom/administrative stuff, which we did (see pics). We left at 1 p.m. today to go look at few place to live (NOT hotel apartments, but ones where we get the $20,000 drms to furnish (which includes any appliances...good thing I bought a toaster already...lol). Apparently, between IKEA and the Carrefour, outfitting your apartment is really ... read more

Hi guys, Just needed to write something here to keep chronological with dates...lol. Day: 1. Went to bank to get bank card and verify account, 2. Suntanned at pool, 3. Talked on phone to Mark, Tara, Mom and Mouse, 4. Went to a new mall called Al Whada, and booked my Christmas break flight back to TO 5. Ate dinner at the food court and took some pics of some of he fast food places, also a few random pics of how crazy busy the mall was at 9:15 p.m. (malls are open every night of the week until 11 p.m., some later) on a Sat. night when the next day is a school/work day...it was packed. Roads where busy coming home also @ 10 p.m. I don't think people sleep here. I hope you have ... read more

Yes ladies and gentlemen, you read my 'Title' correctly...it is the start of the weekend here in Abu Dhabi. Thursday night, is Friday night to ya'll back home. I kinda like the switch...seems like a shorter week for some reason ????? Today we set up our classrooms...still a ways to go before I am completely happy with it, but coming along nicely! No pics of school today since I am saving them for AFTER school starts and for when more of the children's work (and my/our touch) is up on the walls. My Arabic teacher arrived towards the end of the day and I was able to finally meet her....very sweet lady, her name is Selma. Tonight is "Ladies Night" at our hotel nightclub, which means in Abu Dhabi that the "Ladies" drink for FREE. Apparently ... read more