Hard to believe that about 25 days ago we moved from the country we were born and raised in, all of our family lives in, where so many awesome co-workers and friends are, and travelled over 8,200 miles to start a new life – a new “cultural experience”! The best news of all is that we are living in a villa (supposedly about 2400 sq ft) with all of the furniture we need (key word NEED – no decorative tables and wall décor, etc…) and all of the appliances we need! And the best thing of all is that we were given most of the money to use for furniture and appliances. We did go over the allotment but we also were paid already for August. So we ended up receiving more money than we planned on having at this point in time. Definitely a wonderful problem to have! While we were researching about our journey and reading so many posts and discussions on this beginning process there was so many uncertainties and hearing how long things took for new LT’s to get settled we had no idea what we were in for. But our school district has been much more organized (or organised as we see it spelled here!) and on top of things for the most part. This time last year most LT's were still in hotels. And they were in hotels until mid October. The returning LT’s at my school were shocked when I told them we were in our villa with all the furniture and appliances already – before the first day of school! Inshallah thinking actually worked out!!!
So last Friday we decided to make the trek to Al Ain with a car full of luggage. Then Saturday we loaded up the remaining luggage and headed to Al Ain permanently. It was such a weird feeling packing up things and leaving a city we were getting used to and moving to a city we had never lived in and were not sure what the future held for us.
So we did not have ANY furniture and appliances on Saturday so we bought air mattresses. They cost about $24. NOT BAD! Now sleeping that night was like a $24 hotel. And of course – as usual – the kids thought it was kind of cool. And no curtains. That was a little creepy. We were supposed to have our appliances delivered Saturday but with all the language barrier and 10 calls to the store and two customer service people telling me delivery times that came and went we just accepted that they’d be there the next day – inshallah! So we went to bed hung up what we could since our wardrobe was built in. There are no closets here which are very strange here. So when you buy furniture you have to buy these wardrobes. Weird.
Click on the link below to see a video of our furnished villa!
 |
| The kids on their air mattress! |
Sunday was our first day of work. And like true to the process and the dissemination of information here – or rather the lack of both – we had no idea what time we were to report or what was what! So when we made arrangements for someone to keep the kids (which they’re staying with Mr. Andrew – the spouse of an LT – they are from New Zealand – 3 kids – the girls love playing together! Cole has a boy to play with too!) we realized that one of the big wigs from the district lives next door. So we just walked over and found out first hand! So we reported to the Education Zone office of Al Ain at 8am. And so did everyone else. Well most everyone. And of course there was no organization or plan as to what was going to happen. The whole reason we reported this day was to pick up a letter that stated what school you were at and the region in Al Ain where it was located. Then it was up to you go get there. Inshallah! After quite a chaotic situation and a teacher even making her own sign up sheet we were herded into a room that reminded me of a court room. There was a stack of papers probably 6 inches high. They read the name on EACH PAPER – and when your name was called you picked up the papers. One after another. And they said there was no particular order but when we heard names that started with Z, then Y, then W, we knew clearly it was alphabetical (first names of course!) from Z to A. Finally I was close to the beginning!!! So then we gathered in the hall to wait for those who we carpooled with and debated how to get to schools. I dropped off Jennifer at her school – brought the other LT’s in our car back to the Village where they took their own vehicle to their schools – and I headed to my school. All of this while having NO IDEA if our furniture was going to be there and we were not there or what would happen. Definitely another inshallah moment!
And while we do miss our schools from back home and the awesome co-workers it’s like we’re too busy finding things out and figuring things out there’s no time to really be sad. But I did listen to a song – I Will Remember You by Ryan Cabrera – on the way to school and there was this line that said, “I Will remember you - and all of the things that we've gone through. There is so much I can say but words get in the way. So were not together- I will remember you”. I just spent the next 10 minutes driving to my school and reminiscing on all the awesome moments at Miller and my friends! But new adventures await me!!!
Here is my account of day one at my school that I posted on Facebook:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 1 @ Khaled Bin Al Waleed Cycle 3 School: Cycle 3 just means high school. I got a letter saying where I was going to be teaching. Drove to the school. Met the principal and several other folks who I have no idea who they were. Met another Arab English teacher. Then we walked to the "English staff room" and I expected to walk into some inservice and get introduced. I was walked in and introduced to other English teachers - TWO. So the four of us talked for an hour. Then we met the English department head. And then headed home. No idea of what classroom I'm using and I get the impression there are no assignments and no one knows anything. And apparently we have half days the rest of the week. So no full day inservices? No "room" set up? Do I even have a room? Inshallah....
I did see several kids come by and check out the school. It's now a cycle 2 and 3 school (cycle 2 is middle school and cycle 3 is high school) and I think they wanted to see any of the renovations that took place. It was great to see them excited to see the teachers they knew.
I did hear from an experienced LT that there is no need to worry about students using profanity, violence between students or staff, alcohol, drugs, and no outright disrespect to your face. But they will just chat it up during the lesson and text during class - and there are no consequences for that.
Should be interesting!
 |
| My school: Khaled Bin Al Waleed High School |
 |
| My Classroom? Who Knows - but they all look like this! |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
So it’s definitely not what we’re used to as far as the first few days after summer! But not something that is too difficult!
Here is Jennifer’s first day account:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
First day of work went good. We went to get our placement letter at 8 am. Mine stated the same school as I originally thought-sigh of relief. Then went to my school. Met some people. Only two out of 4 returning teachers (English LTs) showed up. 11 LT (licensed teachers) will be there total to teach English. So I got to visit with them and the head of faculty (liaison for us). All seem nice. Left at 12. So worked a half day today. I believe same release time tomorrow. So many Arabic teachers. It will be challenging to recognize them and it will be very hard to remember their names.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday we travelled to Abu Dhabi for the Bedaya Forum. The head honchos basically talked about the whole New School Model program and the Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision and such. Even some statistics from surveys from previous teachers, parents, and administrators. That was interesting. Some numbers were not surprising but some data was also just laid out there for all to see! It appears that some parents are not sure why this new program exists. But inshallah – once it’s been implemented and success is evident they’ll appreciate it. It’s hard to be part of this program knowing we’re basically putting someone else out of a job because they lack the skill that’s needed for this vision. Yikes! The interesting thing was that so many people didn’t even show up at the forum. And when one speaker would finish there were several LT’s that would just leave. By the last speaker (and about an hour past what we thought was the finishing time!) there were LOTS of empty seats compared to when we started!
So we’re settled and cozy in our new home! And we have curtains! WHAT AN EXPERIENCE getting those hung up! Walls here are concrete which is great to keep sound out – but a pain when it comes time to hanging curtains. Luckily we were able to borrow a drill to get holes drilled. Talk about messy! Dusk everywhere! But it’s done!
We finished our first week of school. Sunday is the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! But there have been rumors that so many schools are no finished with renovations and some new ones are not finished either that the start of school could be delayed. But rumors are rumours! Inshallah we’ll know for sure. And they say very few kids even show up on the first few days of school. One LT said – wait 3 weeks – then you’ll have a full class.
Yesterday we went with some new friends to the Rugby Club in Al Ain. This place was awesome. They have a restaurant/bar area where you can hang out, have drinks, eat dinner, and then the kids can go outside and run around on the rugby field, play on the playground, and this night there was a bounce house for kids. And we didn’t have to pay for the kids to play. It was like an “open house”. Normally you go and the kids pay 10 AED (Dirhams) to play. Still not a bad idea. So it was great to hang out with friends and it had nothing to do with teacher stuff! The kids played and played and played. Cole was so sweaty and sandy!!! Go figure! After a few war wounds, and enough sand to fill a sand box, they were exhausted and ready to go home, shower, and go to bed!
 |
| Sand from Cole's hair! |
 |
| Cole's War Wound - he said it happened when he hit the tire pit. |
Today we attended a new church since we’ve moved. It was at what they call their “compound”. It was right near the Oasis Hospital – in fact – we drove between two hospital buildings to go to it. The Al Ain Evangelical Church was quite a bit better than the one we went to in Abu Dhabi. Great music, great message! The kids went to “Friday School”. I thought that was hilarious! No Sunday school – but – Friday School! And it was great seeing familiar faces there too! Several LT’s – and even one from Houston we met in the summer who hosted a BBQ. We even saw one of the admin folks from the kids’ new school who came up and talked to us and made us feel very welcomed! So we’re excited to go back next Friday!
Well we’re resting up this weekend and getting ready for the first day of school! Should be interesting to say the least. We’re not nervous at all – which surprised me since we’re not only at a new school – but a new country and new culture! Inshallah it’ll all be fine and life will be awesome!
Here are some pictures:
BEFORE: Most pillows we've seen are vacuum packed. Strange!
After: Fluff it up - and says it's best after 24 hours!
Stay Tuned...
No comments:
Post a Comment