August 30th

It is officially day two of the GSAD orientation. After a full nights sleep and a complimentary BUFFET breakfast from the Hilton after I have followed up on countless emails concerning our accommodations here compared to other teachers’ hotels (I take after my father and am proud of it). Finally a hot meal in the works! This was no ordinary buffet, it consisted of omelets of your choice, fresh fruit, muffins, waffles, pancakes, bagels, pastries, toast, etc. After finally getting a hardy meal, I made my way down the lobby to join up with my colleagues. We got on the staff shuttle bus and made our way to school again. The time I get to talk with Cass and family seems to be dwindling due to the busy schedule.

Fortunately, our bus drops us off at the school about 45 mins early and I have time there to talk with them due to the 11 hour difference in time. A few updates here and there and a nice conversation later leads to the time to begin our day two of orientation. After some more ice breakers and such, Nisreen and Yasmin (two of the limited 3 Human Resource Consultants with this large staff walk in and begin distributing our I.D. cards and Medical Cards. Not everyone receives their medical cards (me included) and we are told we will be getting them in less than a week.

Today in general seemed very pointless but I am beginning to become more and more familiar with the female campus due to it being our location for the beginning of orientation. I finally run into Siduiqque who is one of the individuals in charge of our finances. I introduce myself and give him the first of, I am sure many, reimbursement papers and original receipts. I hope I am one of the first so it gets a head start on the process and I get a check reimbursing me the approximately 2,800 U.S. dollars they owe me, equivalent to about 10,500 UAE dirham’s.

Following that, I grab Paul (a high school teacher from Kentucky) and he assists me in carrying my 112 pound box of personal items I shipped to the staff shuttle bus. We make our way back to the hotel and I start making contact with local real estate agents. One comes and picks me up from the hotel (I know mom, you probably are not feeling to safe knowing I am riding alone in a locals car). Abraham comes to get me again and we make our way to an amazing high rise. This is in an amazing area with a very nice mall, large grocery store, cinema, local restaurants, shops and downtown city center within walking distance. It is equipped with resort-like pool and spa overlooking the Abu Dhabi city lights and sky scrappers. Also, a small gym and sauna is apart of the facility. It is a 15 story building and I hope to be on the 12^th floor with balcony overlooking the downtown lights of Abu Dhabi.

Better yet, the school will be sending a staff shuttle there to pick those of us up in the area for transportation back and forth from the school. I am very hopeful for this apartment, so please be praying everything works out. After apartment searching, I made my way back to the hotel in hope to get some food in me before 8pm because of our medical work me must do tomorrow morning. We are required to fast for 12 hours before the blood work we must do. After a quick order in, I managed to use a fellow colleagues internet access to update the family and Cass and apartment searching. As Cass was able to show me…IT WAS RAINING IN OREGON?!?!?!?! Wow, I am very sorry that is crazy and sad. I wouldn’t mind sending some of the heat your way. After getting an always much needed video chat back home, I made a quick hour workout trip to the health club.

The resort health club was extremely crowded but I managed to slowly get back into my workout routine and beginning to put my weight back on! After a solid workout, I was beat and ready to hit that pillow hard. As soon as I get this apartment on lock-down I will be able to relax a little more and put some of my stress aside. For now though, it is goodnight and talk to you soon. Thank you for all of your prayers and support. Things are getting a whole lot better!!!!A&F

August 29th (Sorry it is a day late)

It was the first day at The Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi (GSAD). I woke up early because I was unable to sleep. I woke up around 3a.m. and decided to finish my journal from the previous day. I began writing and watching some t.v. show. Thoughts went through my head as I wrote concerning the day ahead. I did not know what to expect with the lack of organization that I had experienced leading up to this day. I told myself to enter the day without any chips on my shoulder. I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt and make the opportunity as worth it as possible. I had a teaching job in my fingertips, needed the money, was in one of the most amazing cities in the world and was letting the enemy get the best of me. That and the addition of my lack of food and sleep were bringing me down in a strong way. I needed to shake this and try my best to make this work as much as possible.

We were picked up at 7:15am in the lobby by the school staff shuttle bus and transported to the school. It was about a twenty-minute drive from the Hilton and was very interesting to finally get in a car and see outside of the 2 mile radius around the hotel. We pulled up to this amazing facility that was still being worked on as far as the outside of the campus with construction and such. The security gate went up and we drove in. This campus is enormous! There is one male campus, one female campus and the primary grades campus smack dab in the middle of the two. We walk in and get our folders with the schedules and such. I start mingling and introducing myself to anyone I see and try to find the few male teachers that have arrived to meet as well. After making our way to the female campus cafeteria for initial icebreakers, we begin to learn who is around us and what they are teaching. This is starting to really feel like what I signed up for.

After our primary grades meeting, we were dismissed for a lunch break where all of us who were not participating in Ramadan, made our way to the teacher lounge to eat and drink away from those participating. After lunch was over it was time to head up to the assembly room where the Dean and other Administrative staff spoke with us with everything from expectations, to visa and financial work and much more. After listening and listening, there were questions to be answered. A lot of questions to be answered as far as the financial situation was concerned. It has been made clear that this school was not mentally or physically (number of admin. Staff) prepared for the increase in staff with the addition of the elementary school. We are expected to make through the month of September with out a pay check and still having to front money that we are waiting for reimbursements for. Many of us are financially stuck and needing money fast. That first paycheck or reimbursement check cannot come soon enough.

Immediately following the first day at GSAD, I meet up with the other two teachers in my 5^th grade department and one other Kindergarten teacher to start searching for apartments with an agent. We are driven into the city and shown four different places in our allowed allowance for living. This was another good way for me to see a different side of the city, more the city center and what was around it. Our agent was Abraham, from Egypt and a very friendly and enjoyable guy. He is selling real-estate at the age of 22 in Abu Dhabi, not bad eh? I saw a couple I liked but wanted to see a few more before making the decision. However, from the day at GSAD, I was feeling rushed to pick a place immediately because of the time it would take to finalize.

The main problem that causes reimbursements and paperwork to take so long to go through, is the fact that the GSAD is owned by the mother ship of all mother ships, ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company), which also owns Etihad Airways and so much more throughout the city. They fund everything that goes on at the school and everything must go through them in order to be finalized.

This turned out to be one extremely full day and brought me finally to the exhaustion I needed in order to get a full nights rest and get off this jet lag. I went back to my hotel and managed to get on skype to inform my mom and dad what had happened as well as get some financial advice from my dad concerning that entire manner/housing. He was extremely helpful and then I asked him to call Cassie to see if she was near a computer to get on as well. It was 10:00pm my time, 11:00am their time, SHE WAS ASLEEP!!!! Papa Scott woke her up and she managed to get on for a little bit before she probably went back to sleep or ate cereal in bed. She was a trooper getting up to say a hello but it was 11:00 she needed to get up ha. I hit the hay at a descent hour finally ready to get a full nights rest.

I got a wake up call from the my three girls back home (Mom, Cass and Kel) making sure I was ready! Got to love the ladies in my life! Tomorrow we will continue to learn more about the school and try to get my housing situation settled. Hope all is well back in the states, I miss it and miss you. Don’t give up on the prayers, I am very thankful for them! A&F

In Picture: The Grand Mosque which is seen everyday on the way to school and the entrance to The Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi (Female Campus: Where we are meeting the first two or three days of orientation)

DAY 2

It is day two in Abu Dhabi. This day I try to go to sleep at 2:30 a.m. after taking an ambien that my mom gave me for my flight but could never find at the time. This was first experience with such a pill. A pill that made me feel very groggy and dizzy. Thinking I was going to finally get a full nights rest and get back on the right sleeping track, I hit the hay only to wake up 3 and a half hours later at 6a.m. I wake up in a state of mind and panic that I have never experienced before. I toss and I turn in my bed with a lot on my mind. At this point it is quite obvious that the enemy has gotten complete control of my thoughts and put me into a state of negativity.

I can’t help but begin to cry. At this point I just want to come home. I miss my family and Cassie way too much to want to stick it out. I get out of bed and begin to try and reach someone on facebook or skype. After finally getting a hold of my brother, he takes the initiative to try to talk me through it and inform my mom of what is going on. Soon enough, my grandpa calls full of advice and words of wisdom. I am so grateful for all the amazing family members and friends I have and there continuous support. My mom appears on skype, I take advantage of having family in front of me to express my feelings and thoughts. We go through scenarios and try to straighten my mindset up with questions and answers. We come to the conclusion that my body is going through a great deal of shock, exhaustion and hunger. I haven’t eaten in long time again and have gone from the most extreme intake of protein back home, to literally none in a quick period of time.

My mom convinces me to order room service and try to get some food in my system. I order some scrambled eggs and sausage. After 20 mins, the food arrives. I attempt to start eating while still talking to moms. I try to eat slowly only to realize there is no way for me to keep this down. Soon enough the food works its way up and I make a run for the bathroom (I will let you fill in the rest). After talking with family and being calmed down, it is time to shower up and try to maybe to get some rest.

After I get out of the shower, I finally get the opportunity to see a very important and beautiful face on my computer screen. Cassie pops up on skype after getting to her hotel for volleyball and has some time to say a few words before she has to hit the hay. After a great skype date with my lady and after joking around with her and getting to see that amazing smile she informs me she needs to get some sleep. We say our goodbyes and she says one last thing…go sleep for 6 hours! We say our I Love You’ and I hit the hay. I sleep straight for 6 hours with the exception of one phone call from my curriculum director checking in because of an email I sent her with concerns I had with the way things have been handled. We talk and I get some questions answered but there are still a lot of worries and question marks. I get out of bed at about 6:45p.m. and head to the Marina Mall to check out the “Carfourre” store at the bottom of the mall. This is the Wal Mart of Abu Dhabi and has just about everything for quite cheap.

I get some7-up, turkey, crackers and orange juice to try and slowly get food in my system. I head back and snack on it for a while before a few of us new teachers meet for a little gathering to meet each other for the first time. Once meeting up at the mall we sit down and get to know each other and hear each other’s stories. It is a good group of people from different parts of the world, but I am definitely the young one of the group and the only one to have not traveled like this before. I start to think again when I am not talking about if this is truly for me. I may have jumped into this way to quick.

I take the time to go downstairs and set up my phone service that is all pre-paid here. It is the cheapest route I can take for local and long distance calls. It is nothing but a tiny Nokia, but it does the job and is easy to keep track of billing. After making a quick trip to the Abu Dhabi off brand Wal Mart to take care of this purchase, we decided to try and get a feel for the bus system and take it back to the hotel. It costs one dirham to ride the bus (27 cents) wherever you want. The buses are air-conditioned and quite high tech. I will try to get a picture soon. After getting back to the hotel I go up to my room and give a quick surprise call to mom and the lady friend CJB on the new phone so they have my number.

After that it is time to try and hit the hay. Once again because of the jetlag and the full mid day 6 hour nap the day before, I can not fall asleep. I lay in bed for 5 hours without sleeping. I hop out of bed and skype some more with mom and dad. Mom gives me some amazing verses to read aloud and I do so. She is the best when it comes to knowing verses to attack head on! Psalms 40, 41, 42 were the verses of choice for the evening to read aloud. These were very helpful and put my heart to ease but my mind was still not tired enough to sleep. Before I knew it the sun was up in Abu Dhabi at 6a.m. and I was still awake. Cassie made it back to the hotel from her games and I was going to take full advantage of talking to her during these random hours before I am unable to and will be on a strict skype date schedule.

Thank you all the support and random reaches out for help and words of wisdom. Those of you who know people in the area or who have been and have put me in touch with them…THANK YOU! I am going to try and get a little catnap in during the day but not long because I do not want to pull another all nighter here, especially with orientation starting tomorrow. Hopefully some food, a workout, the beach is in store for me today. I will keep everyone posted with the next blog. A&F

PSALM 40:

¹ I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

² He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

³ He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.

⁴ Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods. ^[a]

⁵ Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.

⁶ Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced ^[b] , ^[c] ;
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.

⁷ Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll. ^[d]

⁸ I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."

⁹ I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.

¹⁰ I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.

¹¹ Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.

¹² For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.

¹³ Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.

¹⁴ May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.

¹⁵ May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
be appalled at their own shame.

¹⁶ But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"The LORD be exalted!"

¹⁷ Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.

Pictures = 1. Buildings being built next door to the hotel which construction workers still work on all day long, even during ramadan with no food or water until 8pm. 2. The food court in the Marina Mall

Day 1 (What A Day W-H-A-T A D-A-Y!)

I sit here in my hotel room at 4:10 a.m. awake, watching television, but find myself not really paying attention to what is being said on TV. I cannot help but think and fear what I am doing here. I got off a 14 hour plane ride straight from Chicago and have been in a emotional mess since I got off. Etihad Airways was a great airlines and very comfortable flight full of a wide selection of new release movies, t.v. shows, music and much more.

I got 4 hours into my flight and began to become overwhelmed with what I was really doing and who I had left behind. I took one for the team and paid the 7 dollars a minute for a 2minute airline call to the love of my life (Cassie Bishop) just to be able to hear her voice and tell her I love her. It was quick but much needed to put my heart to ease for a small period of time. I sat in a cabin full of native children to the area who as soon as that seat belt sign was turned off, ran around that plane like chicken with their heads cut off. These children we so incredibly loud with screams, cries and laughs. Does any one of their parents even attempt to calm them down you ask? No, not a chance and I didn’t understand it. I tried to sleep and tried to get rest but was only able to for a small period.

After finally reaching my destination, Abu Dhabi, UAE. I got off the plane with a large fear on my heart and in my mind. I waited for my luggage and made my way through customs. After getting through the gate, I found myself looking at thirty different people holding signs with different peoples names on it and searching for the one with my name. I found myself alone and without a soul. I was scared, I was lost, I was terrified. I began to panic with what I should do. I walked around aimlessly until I decided to go look for my name on that sign again. Finally, for a moment I am relieved for I have found my name on a sign. As we meet up with one other teacher from Virginia Beach, we exit the airport into a absolute sauna. It was approximately 9p.m. and was a sauna outside.

As we sat in the car driving to the hotel, I was able to wrap my mind around the rumors of how crazy drivers are here, WOW! I made my way to my hotel room at The Hilton, Abu Dhabi and felt lost and in a great deal of loneliness. I was without Internet to contact family through Skype like I thought I would be able to. The apparently feel the need to charge a great deal of money at the hotel if you want Internet. I hope to find an internet café’ or something in the morning. I made a collect call to my mom at work and once again, like a baby, broke down in regret of coming. I am a person who likes to know what the plan is and what it is I am supposed to be doing. Here, I am unaware of what is next until orientation starts on Sunday.

I was able to talk to Mom, Dad, Cass, Nick and Kel. This was a very emotional time for me, but full of encouraging and supportive words from them. This 26 hour day on planes and in airports gave me a lot of time to think about my life and my future. I have the most amazing family in the world and the most spectacular girlfriend in the world. God has really opened my eyes to what my heart has been holding deep within for a while now. This is information that I have been scared to share out loud, only fearing to be hurt. He is making sure I know I can say all I need to say and feel all I am feeling for I am safe and blessed to be in the relationship I am in for it is truly as good as it seems. I am madly in love with the woman of my dreams. As badly is I want to run away from here and go home, I know there are no jobs at home and need to begin my career and prepare a place/foundation for my own family someday.

I made my way downstairs to try and get food for it had been a long time since I had eaten and was told because of Ramadan, I was not going to find anywhere to eat until 11am when the mall opened. I went upstairs with 5 hours to spare, changed and went across the street to the health club and beach portion of the resort (as pictured above). I got a small workout in and spent a little time in the pool. Made my way back to my room and found myself passing out on my bed. Woke up a little bit later to a phone call telling me I was going to need to switch my room haha. Are you kidding me? Just add it to the list of things to go wrong! I needed food first though. I walked downstairs to try and take a cab to the mall only to hear it was closed again because of Ramadan until 8pm. I could not believe it, I was going to have to go approx. 30 hours without food, UNREAL! I opened my computer and decided to just pay the fee for Internet and try to make visual contact with my Cassie. Although it was very early on the west coast, this was a success :). I was able to finally see her face and hear her voice. This was huge for me and will need this on a regular basis to get through this. After talking with her and a little with my parents I was then asked to move rooms.

After moving next door, it was time for me to finally go get some food. I met my colleague, April, downstairs to take the shuttle to the Marina Mall (pictured above) for food and the attempt to get a pre-paid phone. Made my way into the enormous mall with 4 floors of stores and up to the food court. After selecting some chicken and being very disappointed with the taste, we moved toward the pre-paid phone service. Once we got there, we were informed we would have to buy a smart phone of some sort then return to purchase a sim card from them with minutes, etc. Well just another frustrating surprise without guidance or answers from the school. After missing the shuttle back, we grabbed a cab and 5dirhams later ($1.33) we were back at the hotel and wondering how we were going to eat tomorrow with Friday being the day of worship here and all shops being shut down till approx. 3 or 4 p.m.

After a quick but amazing skype date with Cass before she headed to Idaho for volleyball and a couple random check in’ on skype with mom, I made my way to the 24hour market across the street hoping for some food and liquids to bring back for food until shops/restaurants open up. However, the market only carried junk food and sodas. I am only going to get more sick if I stuff my face with that. This is beginning to get irritating for the fact that I don’t understand why I was brought here so soon if there was nothing planned for me until Sunday and I was expected to survive on my own until then.

I am truly hoping that Sunday gets here quicker than I think it will so I can have questions answered and routines created with reason to stick it out here. I plan on hitting the gym again tomorrow and maybe working on the tan until the shops open up. There is a possibility a friend from Dubai will make his way down to pick me up and get me familiar with the area and give me some company. If that works out then great! For now though, it is goodbye and I will talk to you all later. Thank you for all the prayers and support. I am trying to break through this struggle, I really am. A&F

TRAVEL DAY (August 24th, 2010)

After an unexpected but amazingly blessed extra day in Eugene with family and friends full of Crossfit, photo shoots J, errands, driving practice with Kelli, dinner with the family and a beautiful night at the butte with Cassie, I was up bright and early at 4:00a.m. I was definitely tired this morning but ready to meet the up with my family and girlfriend at 4:30a.m. to go to the Eugene Airport for the beginning of this journey/new chapter I am writing in my life. Once at the Airport, it became very clear that is was a bit busier than normal.

As I waited in line, with my family, to check my bags and gather my boarding passes, it began to really start to sink in what was going on. I am MOVING far far away! I am leaving my amazing family, my beautiful girlfriend and some of the best friends in the world. After an already emotional rollercoaster over the past couple of days, it began t really sink in again. My family, my girlfriend and my friends mean the absolute world to me and I was beginning to realize the loneliness and times of sadness I would be feeling so far away. After getting my bags checked in, we made our way to the security check.

It was now time to say “goodbye”. After receiving a letter from my Dad, which I was instructed to read on the plane, I started with him. I moved from one family member to the other (Dad to Mom, Mom to Nick, Nick to Kelli and finally Kelli to Cassie). Tears of sadness and joy rolled down every ones face. I received a big long hug kiss on the neck from dad (something that does not happen very often, in fact I don’t remember the last time it did), a special moment that will be remembered for a lifetime. Words of comfort, love and wisdom were spoken from mom, which mimicked the same words spoken by her mom (my Nonny) in a conversation the phone the day prior.

A strong held hug from my brother full of tears and reminders to each other of how much we mean to each other, including words of advice/expectations from me regarding him and his upcoming year and to not give up on his dreams. A tight hug from one amazing little sister who is too pretty for her own good and has yet to realize it. Words of love filled each others ears with a few words of advice from a much older brother to his little sister who seems to be growing up so very fast. High school can be a rough time and I am so very proud of her so far and the steps she has taken.

Lastly I grabbed a hold of my beautiful girlfriend. Tears of sadness streamed down our faces full of “I Love You’”, reminders not to forget about each other, me ordering her to not let this influence her final season and year in school because I will be watching from a distance and finally me asking her to try her very best to get out to Abu Dhabi for Christmas break.. Few words were spoken because we really had no more to say for we were able to spend every last given minute before this day came together which consisted of memories, smiles and talks J. We seemed to take this time to just hold each other, although each hug I get from her is an amazing one, this one was different it was more comforting than any other one I had seemed to feel. As she and I both tightened our grip for one last squeeze, I pulled away and gave her one last kiss goodbye (a kiss that will have to last till the next time I see her).

I worked my way through security only to see them waiting at the window ready to watch me walk up the stairs. I could not hold back from breaking down again, trying to not let them see, I doubt I was successful. Waving and blowing kisses goodbye as I made my way up the stairs, I began to be more overwhelmed. This was a whole lot harder than I thought it would be. I lost visual contact with them only to feel myself turning around to get one last look at everyone, sure enough, they were all still waiting there. After reading one amazing and heartfelt letter from my dad that forced tears I didn’t know I had left to roll down my face and sleeping the whole way to Denver, I sat in the plane as it taxied. I began to check my boarding time for my next flight realizing it was going to be a close call on making it, depending on how far away I was from my gate.

As I walked into the terminal, I was informed I was at gate B90 and my next flight was boarding in 8 minutes at gate B39. I had a bit of a speed walk session ahead of me through the Denver Airport. As I made my way through the airport, I made sure to call each of my family and girlfriend to inform them on my safe travels so far. As I walked up to B39, I hear them announce section 2 was now boarding (my section). I hopped into line and made my way directly onto the plane. Took my window seat in row 10 seat J next to wonderful elderly lady (about 85 years old) from North Carolina. We hit it off right away and began talking about what I was doing, where she was going, where I was coming from, and so on. As the attendants started passing out beverages to all three cabins on this Boeing 767 United Plane, I decided to pull my laptop out and start typing. As my row partner began ordering I began to realize I was going to be assisting her throughout the flight with opening her food, turning her air on and off, keeping my peripheral vision at large on her cup of hot coffee shaking both in her hand and on the tray, hoping she was not going to spill it all over me, showing her pictures of my family and listening to her comment on how amazingly beautiful my family and girlfriend are. It brought a much needed smile to my face and reminded me of how lucky I am and how good I have it with such an amazing supporting cast in my life.

As I nibbled on my Trader Joes Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels and sipped on my can of Sprite (on the rocks) I began to just think and pray about what was ahead of me. I had not had much time to just sit alone with the Lord and pray and needed to do so. He had opened such an amazing door for me to walk through for a reason; a reason I am unsure of yet but know will become very clear, very soon. I wanted to pray over my family and girlfriend as well, for this was not going to be easy for them either. At least they have each other a phone call, arms reach away! God has a plan for everyone; he has a plan for me. This was in his plan and I need to have faith that it will all work out for the best with a happy ending. It reminds me of one of my favorite verses, Hebrews 11 By Faith. By faith we must take each step in our life knowing God is in control and has our best interest in mind and without faith, I would have nothing but fear. For that, I am thankful for that, I am reassured why I give control of my life to the Lord.

After landing in Chicago International Airport (AKA THE BIGGEST AIRPORT I HAVE EVER BEEN IN), feeling lost, I made my way to the customer service desk to see if United Airlines was taking care of transporting my luggage to Etihad Airways for me or if I was responsible for the switch. Thankfully, the good people at United Airlines took care of me and sent me on my way to the correct terminal for my flight that is only 6HOURS away hahaha! I decided to man up and pay the seven dollars for Internet access while I was here so I could have something to do and contact a few people via skype and email wise. For now, I wait and I wander till it is time to board again. I must get in my last goodbyes and I Love You’ before leaving the country, for you never know what could happen and don’t want any regrets, but I know I am in His hands and am safe. Until I reach Abu Dhabi and have settled enough to post a new blog, it is ta ta for now and will talk to you all very soon. For now, it is talk to you later. Thank you for all of your support and prayers, KEEP THEM COMING, they are greatly appreciated! A&F

11 days until I leave!

Hey everyone,

When the clock strikes mid-night, it will officially be 11 days until I leave for Abu Dhabi. I wanted to open this blog to give my friends and family access to what I am experiencing there. I know there will be a lot of questions and concerns, so I thought this would be the easiest way for everyone to keep track and get questions answered. I leave August 23rd, out of Eugene at 6a.m. and fly into Denver, CO. From there, I fly into Chicago and have a long lay over. Last but not least, I fly out of Chicago into Abu Dhabi International Airport. This flight will take approximately 14 hours and come to find out the shortest route is over the North Pole. Because of it being such a late flight, I am truly hoping for a full open row to myself to stretch out on. I am gonna need to take some drugs to keep me knocked out though. Who knows maybe I will get all of the passengers into a full crossfit workout on the plane :). After arriving in Abu Dhabi full of 900,000 people and not knowing a single soul, I will be picked up from the airport and transfered to my hotel, which I will have access to for a month until I find somewhere to live, which is all taken care of by the school (God is good!) My official date to report to The Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi is August 29th. I will begin 2 weeks of training and preparation work before the kids arrive. This school has had 6th-12th grade open for two years and they are opening the Elementary School this year for the first time. This school is private and full of high expectations and opportunities for all grade levels. I am extremely excited to be apart of such a high quality school. I will be teaching 5th grade (the grade I most wanted to teach) and will have approximately 20 kids in my class (how good is that?). Everyone in the city is English fluent and am told I will rarely hear the native language (arabic) spoken at all. The school is U.S. owned and uses U.S. curriculum, which will make things a lot easier for my transition and experience as a first year teacher. Students arrive on September 14th and class will be in session! I hope to update this blog each day and answer any questions posted. Thank you everyone for all of your support and prayers. I greatly appreciate everything and truly am going to miss everyone.