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