Trip to the Hospital

So today was the third day of me being sick, however I again thought I was okay to head to school and work. Well I learned I was way wrong. I went to school made it through the first period of class, then headed to the English meeting made it through most of that, however I was sick after we finished. So I headed to the hospital for the first time.

The hospital was a different experience, but great experience. Headed in to the women waiting room, a lady took my health card and had me sit down. When they were ready for me they called me up to the desk and registered me. I paid 30 AED ($8.15) and then wait an again. Shortly thereafter I head into the doctor’s office, where he asked me some questions listen to my heart, and then told me to have some test done.

This is where it got weird for me; a lady took me to the laboratory, where they drew my blood. Yes they took my blood. I then headed to get a chest x-ray. Again yes they did that too. After that I waited again and then they called me in to tell me that I have a upper respiratory infection and I am low in iron, GREAT. However after everything I was sent home (the Hotel) and told that I need to take 2 day of my sick leave. I can’t believe that it is my second week and I am out sick great, I hope this doesn’t show what this year is going to be like.

First Week of School

Well week one has come and gone. With lots of ups and down emotionally, I made through the week so yeah. It was over all a great week. I really only had a few really low down spots, but for the most part I was happy with what my kids learned. By the end of the week my students were able to stand, sit, walk, stop and freeze, jump, and play head, shoulders, knees, and toes. They also started to get the concept of the way centers will work in my classroom. I learned more that I really need to over plan my classes so that the students are busy for the whole period, but I think this week I will be able to do that.

Now that the weekend is here I am relaxing, with the start a trip to Abu Dhabi, which was well needed. A group of us stated out for Abu Dhabi right after school, we arrived and headed to the Park Rotana for the meeting that ADEC was having. I am happy that we did since I was able to get my passport, which means I can get my PO Box. We then head to the teacher store where I was able to get my calendar and a color board. After that we head to the Abu Dhabi mall where we had dinner and then so shopping at the Co-Op. Oh I miss my old Hotel and mall, but after all of that we headed back to Madinet Zayed.

Today I am relaxing and working on my lesson plans for the week. So I was able to swim this morning and do some exercising in the pool. Off to dinner in a little while and then to play some card games or banana grams.  Then tomorrow will probably more of the same thing swimming in the morning and working on school in the afternoon. Not a bad day on my time off.

First Day of School

Well so the worst part is over, so I hope. Today was the first day of school which was not too bad of a day for me, for the most part. The day started with waiting for the bus and then ending up taking a car, (which I am going to car share on). Once at school I spent a little time working on getting things ready for my classroom, mainly a few copies that I needed.

So the day started with the 1^st grade party which was so much fun to watch. The students gathered in the hall or gym, and where given small gifts and a backpack. The students played games in the gym and were able to mingle with the other students. After that had wrapped the students when on a tour of the school to show them where the different classes where and where they could find different teachers. We end the tour at the Canteen (Cafeteria). After that the students got a small break to eat and relax.

Once the break was over the students and parents headed to my room, where I was to work with them for the rest of the afternoon. I will be honest I had not planned for that, so I quick ran through the getting to know you activities that I brought. They went pretty well, however they went really fast. So I was then lucky enough to get saved by my PMA, who brought in some center that we have in the resource room. So we set up five centers around my room. This was a great help, the time seemed to pass much fast with this being done. After a few hours of this the students where then taken to get their books. After that it was time for them to head home. So I will say I am very tired after my first day of class, but I think I have a better idea of what to do tomorrow with the students, and hopefully for the rest of the week with them.

Second Work Day

Friday was a normal day off for me here. I got up ate breakfast and went to the pool. It was so beautiful here. We spent 4 fours at the pool swimming, yes swimming in September, but it was 103 here yesterday. Then we head to Madinet Zayed to do some shopping. It was a interesting time since we had someone following us, we think to carry our bags, but they never asked. Well after that we headed back to the hotel. I worked on school stuff the rest of the night. Oh I also took some picture of the dessert at night.

Well so today started with the great idea of wanting a work day. I was excited to be able to finally get back into my classroom and get more things up and moved around in there. I was told I could try, but I didn’t know if I would be able too. However I was lucky enough to find a teacher that was willing to loan me her car so that I could try to get into my school. So I headed into town with another fellow teacher. On our way in we saw another camel crossing the road.

Once at my school I was able to get so much done. I was able to get my main bulletin board almost completely up, I am still missing my calendar, but I will get one. I was also able to go through so many of the papers that where left in my classroom. So I feel that over all I was able to completely a lot in my classroom today, which make it a great day. So I again went shopping after all of us where done, and still forgot to get balloons for my classroom. However now I am back in my hotel room working on lesson plans and going to watch a move.

Oh and I notice this at the store does anyone see something funny with this picture? Yes I know it is all non-alcoholic that is not what I am talking about really take a closer look and let me know if you see what I saw.

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First Day at School

Oh what a day. It was a great day today as I started my first day at my school. To my luck there were no kids there, but the teachers and faulty was. I started the day waiting for the bus with the other teachers in the lobby. We did get to the school at about 7:15, which on a normal day I would have been late. However the other teachers and I headed up to the office where we met our head of faulty. We sat there and got an overview about what will be happening in the school, after talking about an hour we were able to head to the principal’s office.





Once we got to the principal’s office we sat there for a short while, while we waited for her. After she arrived we ended up having coffee and pastries with her, something I have never done before. Then other teachers started to come in and be introduced to us. We meet almost the whole staff while we were sitting in the office. We had one group of ladies ask us if we were planning on staying at the school or leaving after this year. I said I hoped to stay a few years and she got really excited. She said to me that she was happy because I had a funny smile. I was a bite confused but then another teacher came in and said I have a nice smile, so they know I am friendly and will do well. They then took us and showed us around to our classrooms.

I was able to get in and find my classroom. When I first saw my room I was a little scared and I really didn’t know what I was to do with it. The teacher from the year before had just left everything in the room and on the wall. So the first thing I did was really find out if I could change the walls, once it was settled that I could I started to go through things. I was able to chip away at the room and get some of the garbage out of the room and I was also able to get a lot of the stuff off the wall that I didn’t want. I was able to get my desk and chairs into their groups. After I get this done we had to meet again to talk about what we are going to do on the first day of school. Then it was time to head home, so now I am sitting here typing about to find a movie and make a list of everything I need to get done in the next two day. Oh there is a lot so I guess I better get too it.



Groups



More Pictures of the Tilal Liwa Hotel

The First Big Move

Well the notice came last night, I am moving out at noon. So with a hard night of sleep, mainly I didn’t get any. I woke up to the idea I have to pack. So I went to breakfast early and then headed to the Co-op to get a few things that I don’t know if I can get out where I am going. Then I headed back to my room to pack and packing I did. I was lucky enough to get everything I brought back into my three suitcase and then ended up with my purse, computer bag, ADEC bag (mainly papers), and two shopping bags. So now I am just sitting here waiting for them to come and get them and then I am off to Al Gharbia. So I guess I am going to play some games until they come in an hour.

Well I have made it to Al Gharbia and I have the internet. Yeah, the hotel is amazing here I have pictures of my amazing room and the way drive out here. Well let me start with the drive out here. Oh what a fun drive down here, I was able to get a ride down here to with another teacher. We laughed and joked the whole way down, then once we got closer to the hotel there where camels walking on the side of the road, yes ride on the shoulder. Well once we got to the hotel we were able to check into the hotel and it is an almost brand new hotel only 10 months old. I have a beautiful view of the hotel pool with my own little porch to go out on. I am excited to going to my school tomorrow.

So after we got here and checked out the hotel we head to Madinet Zayed. We headed to the mall for dinner and then a little walking around. After the mall we head to the Co-Op here were I got some bread and jelly. I also found out that they do have my peanut butter so I am really excited. Well I guess I am off until tomorrow after school.

Sitting Patiently

Let see I don’t even remember when the last day I work was. I guess I am not trying to bore people with the same stories over and over. I am still waiting in the hotel, which the more I am here the happier I am that it is this hotel. I have heard rumors that they are getting ready to move us to hotels closer to your schools, but only rumors. Okay well let’s see since it has been three days since I last wrote I guess I should look back on what all I have done. I guess I will start with two days go since on the 12^th of Sept. I didn’t really do anything.

Okay so yesterday was our big regional meeting, it was a great day with lots of new information for us. We heard from four different speakers that talked to us about the new school model that we will be using this year and what the next ten year plan is.

Today we were broken into smaller school groups and started to go through the new school model. It was a great way to share idea and find out how other teacher work in their classrooms. After the meetings we head back to the hotel and then out to lunch at a Lebanese restaurant, yes another food I can check off trying. Now I just need to try Egyptian and Arabic food and I will be doing great. Although I have learned that I like India food since I am still craving it. Oh well now I am just sitting in my room watching cartoons and waiting to hear something. So until next time.

Back on My Feet

Well after a long day of being sad and depressed yesterday, things are finally getting back to normal. I started today a lot better day with a great chat at breakfast with a new teacher. Then I headed to the pool area and was able to get on and talk with my aunt and my mother. We were able to have about an hour conversation. I then head back to my room to see if I could get internet up stairs and I can, Yeah.

I was then able to head to the teacher store and was able to get quite a few things for my classroom. I have gotten my be good marble jar and my discipline chart. I was also able to get some boarders and a few other items that most elementary classroom need. I was also able to get everything for under $72.00. So then we headed back to the hotel to drop off our bags and then headed to the mall for food. We then headed out to try to find Lee a purse. We walked the mall for some time then headed to the Abu Dhabi Co-Op Mall, where I found my deal for a purse. I found a purple Coach purse and a brown and purple wallet. We did finally find Lee a purse at the Abu Dhabi Mall. So then we head home and I am now going to work on punching out my teaching materials.