Oh What A Week

So where to start, I guess by saying sorry for not writing for a week, but the week I had was so crazy. It started as a normal good week. I was going to school and things were going well. However the second day of school this week things changed and not for the better. It was a crazy day, to the point as one time I had a student running on (yes on) my desk. Well to say the least I was not in a good mood. Tuesday was Wow is all I can say. The day was so bad it got to the point where I finally left my room crying, because I just couldn’t handle it anymore. This was the first time I thought that maybe I shouldn’t be a teacher anymore.

So I ended up the next morning on the phone to my mom (Yeah for Her) and wrote an email to my regional person here. I didn’t want to go to school since I was scared to see how the day was going to go. However I headed in with the idea to talk to my providers to let them know that I was looking for transfer to another school, if that was not possible them I was considering heading home (America).

The day started the same as Tuesday, I was ready to pack up and leave, however things changed. My providers set up a meeting with my principal and I told her how I was feeling. So she went and talked to the students, and was able to get my support in my room again. After that ADEC came to the school and had a talk with everyone about what was going on. They wanted to how things were going. I have to say that at this time of the day things were going much better.

Thursday, the last day of the work for me, thank goodness. I was still scared to head to school since I was sure what I was in for. I was in luck though, whatever had happened the day before had carried over to Thursday. It was a great day, I was actually able to teach 2 lesson to both my classes. I have luck to have my co-teachers in my room to help me, but even when they were the students seemed to understand that I was the one in charge of the class. I am hoping that this stay like this for the next week, now for my weekend.

So it is Friday the start to my weekend and I am up at 5:00 am. Man I hate when my body get on a schedule. Oh well, I was able to talk to my mom for an hour this morning and then headed to breakfast and then to write lesson plan, until we head to Abu Dhabi to get me a car. So headed to Abu Dhabi, went to Carrefour and then to Home Center. I found a bedroom set that I love, but I see if I get it. Then we headed to the car rental at the Airport and I got one. Brand New Toyota Corolla, (I will get pictures up tomorrow).

Week Two has Come and Gone

So week two has come and gone now. It is hard to believe that two weeks of school have come and gone so fast, even harder for me to believe that I have been in the country for over a month. This week was a rough week for me since I was sick for most the week. However after my trip to the hospital and getting antibiotics, I am feeling much better. I end the week at school with a pretty good day.

The weekend started with coming back to the hotel, going for a swimming and playing some banana grams and Uno. It was a great start to the weekend. People also end up getting their passports back and our log into the ADEC system (which I don’t know where I put mine).

My Friday was started with a great breakfast and then working on my lesson plans for this coming week. A group of us then decided that we were heading into Abu Dhabi. So again off to the city for the day, this time I got the joy of driving to the city. Which wasn’t bad, but in the city I hate. We head to Emirates Palace, where I can finally be seen in my Abaya. We walked around looking at the beautiful art work there until we decided it was time to eat. After that to Marina Mall, haven’t been there in forever, but I am glad that we went. I was lucky enough to run into one of my fellow teachers that was moved to Al Mirfa. We were at the mall for a while, but man I learned never to head to the mall on a Friday, it was crazy. After so insane time at the Carrefour we then headed back to MZayed.

Today started with a trip t town to work out my bank stuff, which I think I did. Then off to the Co-op so that we could get some shopping done. Other then that I spent the day at my computer working on my lesson plans. So now I am off to finish up a few things and then going to play some Lego Harry Potter and head to bed.

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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