The day has finally arrived, but as we were well informed, class has still yet to begin. Many students visited with their parents to purchase and pick-up their uniforms only. A very short day. Back at the hotel by 1:45 p.m. We arrived at the school @ 7 a.m. (... lugged a huge bin and one of the ex-large IKEA bags, overflowing with resources and classroom set-up stuff. Barely fit in the trunk of the cab...lol) where we met with our lovely Principal, Dr. Pauline Kenzler (originally from Australia). She filled us in on the operations and expectations of the school, then took the four of us "newbies" (Sandra, Jennifer, Vera and myself) for a tour. Amazing school inside and out....feeling a bit overwhelmed and very fortunate about my luck in Abu Dhabi so far (please...no ... read more

Now today was informative...I guess...for some. I was pumped at the beginning...really! A bus picked us up at 8:30 a.m. @ the hotel and took us to the Abu Dhabi, National Exhibition Center. We arrived there @ approx. 9:10 a.m. and waited.....and waited......and waited.......and waited even more (they say the culture over here is slow and non-punctual, but this was crazy!) We never entered the auditorium until 10:30 a.m. By the time everyone was seated.....11:15 a.m. The 'Jamboree' was originally scheduled to begin @ 10 a.m. SHARP!!! Finally, we all stood for the UAE National Anthem and the 'Jamboree' had officially begun. The first person to speak was some Mohammad something, something? (really important guy). He spoke for the first hour and the english speaking teachers had to listen with these earphone thingy's to a translater. ... read more

First off, I want to thank ya'll for taking the time to care enough about me to read this blog and for your encouraging and kind comments...xo Now ((sigghhhhhhhhhh))....what a day! Thought I would venture out on my own today....u know...get used to being on my own more. Well, the idea started out well but kinda/sorta went downhill from there. First off I went to the hotel restaurant for a quick breakfast then, straight out to the pool before it got too hot (ONLY +45C prior to noon). Funny thing, I never recalled seeing or hearing if there were any birds in the UAE. I know that sounds a bit ignorant (or just plain stupid) of me but I had yet to see or hear one after 7 days here. As you can see, I found ... read more

Good day! Simply an R & R day by the pool. Just came in from a 2 hour swim/sunbathe which is sufficient in this incredible heat. Yet ANOTHER sunny day! I asked Claudia while leaving the restaurant this morning, "Do you think they ever have rain or cloudy days here?", and an Australian women is passing us replied, "Every three months or so"......how wonderful is that? It certainly helps to keep us distracted from missing everyone at home too much. Going to head out to the 'Souks' later (I think that is how it is spelled, it is a market type shopping plaza) to look around. Only a ten min. walk from the hotel. Have to get some exercise since I haven't even ran for a little over two weeks now because of this brutal cold ... read more

Good evening friends and relatives! Today encompassed a trip to the medical clinic for TB and HEP TESTING. Afterwards, I shared a cab with a couple of fellow teachers (Ben & Katie) and we headed to the Carrefour, again. Katie wanted to purchase a cell phone but had little success since they were out of SIM cards for today (all the westerners taking up the great deal they are offering no doubt). I purchased a few more school supplies to add to my already bulging bin that I purchased to put all my school supplies in. I took a pic for you of the very eyecatching Back-to-school display. Tomorrow we are off to do some sightseeing. Paying a visit to the worlds largest Mosque "Sheikh Zayed". Then off to Shangri-La to listen to an author named ... read more