Day Four & Five

Well day four was pretty uneventful day we had your medical exams, which we were taking to the health department, put in a room, put into their system then had blood drawn and chest x-rays done. After that I ended up heading to the mall for dinner and then home early for bed.

Day five today has been a little more adventurous. Well I got up this morning knowing that I didn’t want to spend much money and that I wanted to go sightseeing. So I talked to the other group at breakfast and decided that it would be a great idea to head to Heritage Village (which is free). So we grabbed to taxis and headed to out. It was a cool place to explore. There where metal workers, leather workers, potters and so much more. It was a hot trip since most of it was outside, however it was nice that once you walked into the buildings it was air-conditioned. It was also nice that while we were in the village we were able to drink waters, since it is illegal to drink anything outside during Ramadan. We then started the worse idea we could have had; we decided that it was time to leave Heritage Village and head to IKEA and Carrefour. So we head out of the village and that is when we realized that there were no taxis here, which meant that we had to walk to Marina Mall. Which when we first looked at it, it didn’t look that bad. However when you add the heat and the noon hour sun and the lack of water it means one thing, HEAT STROKE. Yeah we walked and about two-thirds of the way there we had to stop and sit in the little shade we could find. We all poured some water on our head and then head the rest of the way. We made it but learned we will never do it again. We then shopped and I found a few items I would love to have in my home in Al Gharbia.

After this adventure we head back to hotel and then we were able to talk to one of the teachers that taught here last year. It was really great to sit and talk to her and have her answer questions that some of us had about what was going on here. We were also able to see some of the curriculum and workbooks that the teacher from last year had. After this I head for a nap, I knew that I had to get my fingerprints done at 10:00 pm. So I slept for a few hours then got up and head to the police station. I am now back at midnight and decided to finish the blog, but off to bed.

Day Three

I finally woke up a normal time, to my phone ringing for breakfast, but it was still at 7:00am. I head down to breakfast, where I was able to get some small boxes of cereal for breakfast, so now I just need milk. Then the group of us decided to kill some time on a walk since we didn’t have anything else to do for until we found out if we had a meeting. We head out into the town of Abu Dhabi. It is a beautiful city; it was hot but not too bad. We walked for about a good 45 minutes then headed back to the hotel to find out that we have a free day today. So we head to the breach and pool for the morning. It was a great time swimming in the river and then the pool. This was most of my morning. We then all headed back to our rooms and I am now sitting here eating lunch and writing. Thinking I am going to take a nap and then head to Carrefour. I will write more and post more Pictures when I get back.


Well so I am doing well on not taking a nap today, ended up going to Marina Mall with Leah and her family. I realized half way through Carrefour today that I have sunburn from swimming today, even though I had sunscreen on. Oh well it will go away no swimming for a few days until it calms down. Ended up getting my phone and sims card today. But that was really it for today, tomorrow I have the dreaded Medical exam.

The Beach

Day Two

Well the day started off well, minus me waking up at 3:00 am. It is 7:00 a.m. and I just finished my continental breakfast. I went easy today on breakfast I had Frosties (Frosted Flakes), Toast, and fresh fruit (Oranges, Pineapple, and Strawberries). It was a good start to my day, however now the lack of sleep is checking up to me. I am now sitting here watching cartoons that I grew up with, I am loving it. I am still a little home sick, but I think that some of that has to do with the fact I still have not met other teachers. I am hoping that after orientation today I will know more people and have some teachers I can go out with to the Mall and get some stuff.


Well I just got back from the first day of orientation; it was short and about what we will be doing the rest of the week. So far we are done for today by 1:00 pm. I have met some great teachers, which make this transition so much easier. We will be heading to the pool here this afternoon for a while, and then tonight we will be heading to the Mall which I found out today is connected to the Hotel. I will hopefully have better internet by then, since I will be buying my internet card at the mall. I will also be buying me some of my groceries for my fridge. Well I will write more tonight after I get back from everything and hopefully by that time really be online.

So I took a long need nap and it was great. Heidi (a teacher that is just down the hall from me) called me at about four o’clock to go swimming. The pool was so wonderful. We had a great time swimming in mineral water, yes the pools here are full of mineral water. It was the best feeling to get out of the pool and feel clean not like I needed a shower.

We then head to the Abu Dhabi Mall. It was easy to get to since we were able to just walk through the hotel and to the mall. When we got to the mall we headed for dinner right away. Since by this time is was 8 pm. We head for the food court and I was so amazed the food they had there: Hardies, McDonalds, Baskin Robbins, Cold Stone, Subway, Popeyes Chicken, and so much more. Funny thing is that we McDonalds here delivers. Well I did find something to eat. After that we all head to a surplus store. I got food for my room at this time. Yes, I did get my peanut butter and jelly. I also was able to get lots to drink and some pop. Then we head back to the hotel and unpacked our food and drinks. At this time I receive the town I will be living in. For those of you that want to look it up, Ghayathi (Al Gharbia). I was excited to then get to have my first Skype call with my mom, then Katie, and then my mom, brother and nephew again. Well until next time. Maa’ al-salaama.

Day One

Well I have made it to Abu Dhabi. I am in my hotel, but I will get to that in a minute first I will tell you about getting here. My parents and I arrived at the airport at 2:30 p.m. about 5 hours early for boarding to make sure we had enough time. Well we had enough time since the checking counter didn’t even open until 4:45, but I found two teacher that where here last year and was able to talk to them and get to know more about them. After checking in and a sad and tearful goodbye to my mom and dad, I made it though security. There I sat and chatted with the two teachers about what they had experience the time before. We finally board the plan at 7:15 p.m. We were all boarded but take off was delayed for about 20 minutes due to weather. (That what I get for my parents saying to wont effect my flight).


So, on the flight all is going well. I had the person next to me moved so that another women traveler could set next to me. I had a seat by the window which I was happy for I didn’t have much of a view since I was on the wing, but it was okay with me. Once we were in the air things seemed to take forever, however I think that some of that is due to this being the longest flight I have ever been on and the nerves I still had. On the flight I ate the first meal which contained of Chicken and pasta, a salad, roll, and bread pudding. It was a pretty good meal. I made sure to take the advice and drank more water then juice, I didn’t even touch pop. After dinner I started my movies and sleep marathon. I was able to get up one time before I started this though to make sure to stretch. There were some great movies on the flight I ended up watching Shrek forever After, The Lighting Thief, The Back-Up Plan, Valentine’s Day and Mentalist. I ended up sleeping about five to six hours on the flight. Not too bad.

Once we got to the airport we where meet at once with the travel agency, they took us to get through customs (our retina scan) and helped us get our bag (all mine came in fine). Then took us to the bus where we all received a red rose. The bus took us through the downtown and to our hotel (Rotana Beach), where we were greeted and brought into the hotel. We then had to hand over our passports for scanning (which I will go pick up before breakfast), get our room keys and then our welcome refreshment. I at this time had orange juice. I then made it to my room and had a teary again call home to let people know I was alright. I then received my suitcase and went to unpacking them. I found all of the food items that I brought with me so that I can munch when I would like. I took a nice hot shower which was much need, and learned my bathtub is really high. Then went to sleep and about 10:45 p.m. AD time. I sadly woke up at 3:00 am our time (6 pm home time) hungry. So I have been up since ate a little took a few picture and I am now sitting here typing this watching the sunrise out of my window. I am hoping to have this posted before I started writing my next installment, but that will depended on my internet. So Insha’Allah (god willing).

Two Days and Counting

So I have created this for those of you who do not have facebook. I figured what was a better way to see what is going on then for me to create a blog. I will make sure that I can get my pictures and my thought and adventures on this blog through out the weeks. So I will get started now.

I am two days and counting now, with mixed emotions all the way. This all started back in March when I was looking for teaching jobs. I had been searching long and hard with about 250 applications out in the United States. This took me to the Illinois teacher website to keep search where I came upon Teach Away. I applied and stress and still applied for other jobs. Well though and behold that after interviewing with Teach Away and three other school I was offered a position. When I first receive the position I was excited and ready to explore this new opportunity. However through the summer and the process of everything that, I have received a lot of negative comments and thoughts from people. I didn't let this shake me and I kept going.

As of the beginning of August I was stressing about get this going. I finally received my date that I was leaving on August 20th about a week ago. I have been taking the time I have to see friends and family before I head to the sandbox across the sea. I am more excited after getting more updates from the friends I have made that are already over there. I am nervously awaiting the fourteen hour plane ride (the part which scares me most). I am more then ready to get started on this new adventure, however I still am going to miss the family and friends I leave behind. I will keep everyone update as the time moves on.