Advertisement
Published: October 5th 2010
At The Mall
I was shopping and this random band started marching by..,, not your usual trip to the mallHello 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 expectations in terms of curriculum, assessment, and planning of the units and lessons. No ESL direction here, so trying to teach the kids is a lot more difficult than I anticipated. At the kindergarten/primary level in Ontario, you simply repeat,repeat, repeat. Here, things are much different because you can't simply "repeat". They have to understand and be able to think in English first.
Same Band
Kids chasing after it...kids rule here...no discipline in public whatsoever It frustrates me because, I want them to learn and I am not happy just "going through the motions" like many English teachers here recommend, sad to say (it truly makes me sad). I wish I had taken an ESL course (have put it on my "to-do list" at York U while back in Canada next summer) or at least do more reading on it. Lucky for me (and the kids) I talk like an Italian and tend to be animated so they understand some things at least. I hope I am not boring you, but it has always been about the kids when it comes to parenting and teaching, for me.
Being in Abu Dhabi and teaching here has made me feel thankful everyday for been given such an opportunity. The 5-Star hotel/treatment, the wonderful sights, new friendships, wonderful living accommodations, being able to 'see the light' toward my future goals, the terrific (but HOT) summer all-year-round weather (where EVERYday has been sunny so far)...and most importantly the adorable smiling children, saying "Miss, Miss, I love you!" in broken English.....has so far made this one of the best opportunities and choices I have ever made in my life
Pretty bushes
Walking back from the Souk on my last day at the Fairmont so far (next to becoming a mother and teacher of course...oh, and moving in with you hunny!...xo).
So there you have it. See what happens when I am not posting here everyday?...babble,babble,babble. I plan to start to experience some of what Abu Dhabi and Dubai have to offer (which I hear is vast) on my weekends soon. I plan to go "Dune-bashing", "Desert Camping", "Camel riding" (well, that may take a little self-convincing, heard they are really stinky and grumpy), indoor skiing, golfing (as soon as it cools off) and much more. I can't wait to share those pics with you (however, never this many at once again. It took about one-hour to download on here).
Enjoy the attached pics of my new pad...and remember to read the captions attached...luvs to all!! xo
Advertisement
Tot: 0.107s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 10; qc: 50; dbt: 0.0616s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
