June 01, 2012

I made it!

I know it has been a while and I should have updated this blog earlier for all those who were hoping to hear from me. This adventure has been a roller coaster ride!

I arrived in Abu Dhabi on April 15th and for the first 2 weeks, I was in a hotel apartment awaiting orientation and paperwork to be processed. Then, part of our group got moved to a small town called Mirfa, where we lived in a really nice hotel for almost a month. I started teaching last week of April in an even smaller town called Sila, on the border with Saudi Arabia. I am teaching 2 grade 3 classes, all girls (3A and 3B). They are very nice although kids are the same everywhere. Rules have to be enforced and rewards work here too, haha. It took a few weeks but I now have a routine established and things have been going great. I get to school at 8:00am and get off at 2:00pm.
Then on May 24th, we got moved to Ruwais, where we now live in a 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom flat, with kitchen, 2 balconies, maid's quarter, living room, office, dining room. There are 2 of us in the apartment. It is a very nice flat. I think it will be easier to update everyone with a few pictures rather than trying to write it all out. I can't believe I have been here for almost 2 months already!


 One of my favourite pictures
 On the way here!
 First currency exchange
 I LOVE the juice selection!!
 Spices and teas at the souk.
 Abu Dhabi and its many mosques.
 Ladies only in the front of the bus.
 City view
 Grand Mosque
 Grand Mosque
 Breathtaking!
 Inside the mosque, females had to be covered. The abaya (dress) and sheila (head scarf) were provided.
 Mirfa Hotel
 A whole lot of desert
 My class timetable
 Classroom
 Courtyard
 Playing word games
 Morning assembly
 Me and my abaya (not mandatory, but easy to put on in the morning, and respectful to embrace the culture)
 Yas Island and the Formula One track
 Yas hotel at night
 Odd shaped buildings everywhere!
 Lovely interior decoration.....
 My girls made this for me
 Camels!
 At Mirfa hotel
 In Ruwais, view from our balcony
 Sand storm
 At the Danat hotel, beautiful hotel in the middle of the desert, we go there for dinner sometimes.
 Danat Hotel
 Date tree!
 Our building
 Desert style!
 A girl I know from Windsor now lives in Ruwais too, it was great seeing her!
 In Dubai, had the chance to attend the DFC....
 ...as a reporter!
 Interviewing the winner...
he needed a translator as he only spoke Portuguese...
Had so much fun!

April 10, 2012

Waiting, and waiting, and waiting.... (update!)

Today, all the waiting paid off! At first I didn't believe it when I saw the email and the flight information. But there it was, a detailed itinerary saying that I am flying out on Saturday. After almost 4 months of waiting, the happy dance I did was well justified. Now I have to finish packing and try to figure out what is in those two suitcases I packed two months ago...

February 01, 2012

"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." Leonard Cohen

It's February 1st... "end of January" has come and gone and I am still in Windsor. I guess everything happens for a reason. My arm is healing "perfectly", as per the doctor, and I cannot wait to remove this cast!

In other news, I am glad there is a Facebook group for people just like me, who are playing the waiting game. It's nice to know I'm not the only one because I have no idea what level of crazy or annoyed or frustrated I would be at by now... And I cannot wait to meet this group of wonderful people. We are all hoping to watch the Superbowl in Abu Dhabi, by the pool....aaahhhh wishful thinking.

Although I would love to be in the desert, I am not complaining about the weather. Yes, we did get a few scattered inches of snow but it never lasted, and yesterday it literally felt like spring at 10 degrees Celsius!

January 20, 2012

Since I have all this "waiting time", why not.....

Break my wrist!!! Yup, I did just that, in my driveway, on my way to Zumba. 4-6 weeks of using one hand/arm to do stuff. Lovely!

I sure will remember winter and ice once I finally get to AD (Abu Dhabi)!

January 18, 2012

I have time for a few more going away parties...

I am still here, and Abu Dhabi is still waiting... I don't even want to say or repeat what the latest departure rumors are because I have no idea if they are accurate. So I will do my best to enjoy this forced vacation and will try even harder not to spend any money, since I am not making any right now. As soon as I hear some concrete news, I will let you know!

In other news, Weather Network is announcing 10-15cm of snow on Friday, yay! I will surely miss the snow in the desert, bring it!

January 02, 2012

The waiting game...

It's January 2nd and still no plane ticket in sight... This might be an indication on how things work over there, chill and relax. So I have decided not to stress over it and just go with the flow...  Life is good!

I also wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! May it bring joy, happiness and prosperity!

La Multi Ani!!

Here is a picture of new year celebrations in Abu Dhabi:

December 27, 2011

'Tis he season...

...to meet up with friends and do some shopping.

A few days ago I met up with a couple of my best friends in Toronto to catch up before my departure. I had a great time, as always, hanging out with Andreea and Petra. Love you girls!


 

Last day came and went...

I will miss you all!

December 19, 2011

3 school days left...

Today I had my first "last class". The grade 7/8 class is now over and out. More "last classes" to come tomorrow...

                                             ...Bittersweet

December 12, 2011

Another chapter has ended...

The Honda Civic chapter!!

Bye bye car, it was a pleasure knowing you all these years, please don't forget me. :)

This is becoming real now...