mthiff

Salam (Hello)! The time has come for me to post my final BLOG from my 2010-2013 journey in the UAE. I must admit that the ending will be bittersweet in memory for me. I guess I will begin by saying that it has been by far, the most experiential and enriching journey of my life thus far. My journey in the Middle East has blessed me with the privilege of meeting some very wonderful, BIG and LITTLE, people first and foremost. I have worked alongside many interesting, intelligent, fun people from many different countries, some of which have become and will remain, lifelong friends; I’ve had the opportunity to hone my skills as a teacher both through experience and professional development respectively; I’ve taught some awesome children (and some not so awesome, but equally as lovable) ... read more

Top of the mornin', afternoon. or evenin' to ya! Since I will be leaving the Middle East permanently this coming June, I thought I would be sure and add at least a few more BLOG entries before I complete it altogether. This entry is from yet another FUN St. Patrick;s Day celebration with my teaching buddies. We went to an "All you can eat/drink brunch" at an Irish Bar located in the Royal Meridien Hotel in Abu Dhabi, called P.J. O'Reilly's. Needless to say, it was an awesome day of eating, drinking, and dancing to a cool Irish band. It was pretty awesome to be spending St. Patrick's Day by 'the pool'. Although I missed my gf's back home and spending the day at Kennedy's in St Agatha :-( Next year girls!!!! Well, I hope you ... read more

Well, another Christmas come and gone way too fast! I was home for three weeks beginning on the 11th of December until New Years Eve (the 31st). It was wonderful to spend time with my children (although Ashley left on the 13th to head to Saskatchewan to spend Christmas with her beau Justin and his family. So we saw each other for a day before she left and then again when she returned on the 30th). It was also great to be able to attend Coopers school Christmas concert (so cute, even though he was planted in the back and he had to perform the "Peppermint Twist" alone, minus a female partner). I was also fortunate to be able to spend a few days with my Mom (who will be 85 in 2013) at my new ... read more

Well, another school year has come to an end, along with the final year of my 2-year teaching contract here in the Middle East! WOW...time flies when you love your job. Seriously, nothing other than becoming a mother, and having Cooper come into my life (not gonna say becoming a 'grandmother' no matter what....lol), has ever made me feel as fulfilled or happy in my entire life. Therefore, I have decided to return for one final year, on a 1-year contract renewal. Staying at the same school, but I am 'looping' with my classes and moving up to Grade 3 with the boys. I will be returning to Canada for summer vacation on July 11th and plan to 'bring to life" one of the three goals I came here to achieve. Then my final two goals, ... read more

Surprise!! I decided to make an additional BLOG entry from the cruise ship, since the only ferry I have been on was going to the Toronto Island. Plus, it was like a little town in itself, since the trip took 22 hours. Overview: We decided to take a cruise ship (named Grimaldi), from Rome to Barcelona. This required us to take the train from Rome to Civitavecchia (1 hr, 20 min.), where the port is located. We got to Civitavecchia and were pleasantly in awe of the little port town and the overwhelming view of the Mediterranean....simply breathtaking. We arrived at the ship 2 hours early for check-in hoping that we could drop-off our luggage and tour around Civitavecchia a bit. NOT!! They had nowhere for us to securely leave our luggage, so we had no ... read more