The Last Two Weeks

*PICTURES : Myself out at the Hiltonia (our resort beach) reading/A view from an italian restaurant at one of the 30 malls in the city (Abu Dhabi Mall) looking out over Beach Rotana and seeing the 30+ cranes in working mode, building onto an already sky scrapper packed city/ Myself with my homeroom class 5B/ Myself with my first salary paycheck !!!

Friday/night was a great start to a weekend. After my first week of school, I spent the day of Friday purely lounging poolside with a buddy I met at the gym. I indeed got a bit burnt but it has turned to a silky golden brown! After a full day at the pool he offered to take me to dinner with a buddy of his. He picked me up in his fancied up, brand new bmw and said, “Well we were going to go grab a burger at Fuddruckers, but the mall is packed, so we are going to go to a great Japanese restaurant/bar in the Emirates Palace. Is that okay with you?” HAHA are you kidding me?!?! The…THE Emirates Palace? I of course was in! We headed on our way and met up with his friend George who also seemed to be driving a brand new bmw (ohhhh the money in this city!!!). As a walked through THE EMIRATES PALACE, I was in awe! I will make an effort to go back soon to take pictures for everyone to see, but all I can say is WOW!

After trying some more amazing new food/appetizers it was time for the bill. As I reached for my money clip, knowing I had no more than 80dhs (30$), Tony of course said “It is on me bro, consider it a welcoming gift to the city.” We headed to this little social area, with a small DJ, called the Yacht Club and enjoyed some good music and company. Let’s just put it this way, when the night was over, he had paid for all three of us and it ran around 1500-2000dhs. I tried so many different types of Japanese food, it’s not even funny.

Saturday consisted of a fulfilling breakfast before making my way to the school by cab for some time in the classroom. Sunday came very quickly and it was officially the first day of our entire school being open (KG1-5^th). As far as my department, things went very smooth and are coming along very nicely. My kids are great and full of knowledge. They lack the understanding of basic tools for English/Reading/Writing but when someone takes the time to answer their questions they are quick to learn. I would agree with my colleagues in saying, the 5^th graders here are closer in educational level to the 4^th graders in the U.S.A.

As far as the KG kids, there is a whole lot of screaming and crying for the first few days. This is one reason why I refuse to work with that age group until I have some KG kids of my own running through my own house J.

The week has been full of getting to know the kids, parents, their drivers and nannies. We will not be full speed in the curriculum until the third week. We are required to pull each student and do assessment of how advanced they are in their English. This forces us to take 20-30min with each child until we make our way through the class. Unfortunately this requires us to give the students worksheets to work on as we assess. Thankfully, I student taught for an amazing man, Mr. Nyegaard, who gave me access to binders after binders full of worksheets/keys. I have provided the 5^th grade staff with Verb Helpers and Verb Worksheets to get us through these two weeks. This will give the students both in class work and homework and give us teachers the time to pull kids individually. It is not what I want for as far as the role of teaching is concerned, but it is what I am being told to do.

My classroom is slowly coming together. I am putting quotes up including:

“Excuses are the nails you use to build your house of failures.”

“Success is how high you bounce once you hit bottom.”

“Live as if you will die tomorrow. Learn as if you will live forever.”

I enjoy decorating the classroom and making it my own and a place of home for the students. Although it takes time that I don’t get because of the staff shuttle schedule and lack of money to afford a cab, it is coming along.

It is most certainly getting a bit more comfortable in temperature/less humidity, but it is still hanging around 100 degrees. However, I feel I am definitely adjusting to the weather and it is becoming much more comfortable.

My patience has been most certainly tested beyond my wildest dreams while I have been here. The way of life is very fast but the way things are done and accomplished is very slow. I am not used to this, bring from America, I was taught when you say you are going to do something…do it! I have learned to be patient and to HAVE FAITH it will all work out. I received my bank information yesterday (28^th) but don’t have a check yet to deposit into it. I am getting paid tomorrow for 6 weeks of work and will be taking a picture of that as well J. I hope to be getting my reimbursement check and furniture allowance within the next 1-2weeks. My keys to my apartment are available to me, but I am waiting for water and electricity to be turned on. I will then move in and have limited amounts of…well…anything until I get my furniture allowance and reimbursement checks.

Life has been stressful, but God is good and I have been burying my head in an amazing book a good friend of mine (THE Mr. Jon Bishop) gave me a while back. A book I read before but didn’t get as much out of it then, as I wanted to. Going through it this second time has opened my eyes and mind to some amazing new things. God has done a lot of work in me in the last 5 months and jumped back into this book with a new mindset and am excited to read more and finish. I know I am here for a reason and need to accomplish this challenge in order to build a strong enough resume teaching wherever I may want to. I have many opportunities over here not only through teaching but through travel and more and need to take advantage of them. GOD HAS A PLAN!

These school weeks have been good but I am looking forward to getting full speed in the curriculum with the kids starting Sunday. Also, I cannot wait to get these stinking assessments over with! My 5^th graders need my attention and I can’t give it to them with these assessments breathing down my back.

On a much more exciting note…Cassie got her ticket to Abu Dhabi mailed to her the other day and had it in hand. This is very exciting for we will have a very large period of time together over here. Not to mention, a much needed large period of time together. This has been very hard, but we have both chipped in and done our best to get in touch. Once we both have full internet connection in our apartments, things will be a lot easier and hope to be able to catch up with you all from home. I will be in touch and posting blogs more often for sure.

I miss you all and hope the weather is not getting too terrible to quick yet over there. Scream extra loud at GameDay for me and remember it was only a year ago you watched GameDay at Autzen and saw three massive black and white heads bobbing up and down behind Lee Corso’ head J (represent me well Saturday Cass!!!)

A&F

The First Week!

Hello everyone! I have completed my first week of school and it was great! The school is slowly coming together on the inside. Materials are making there way in by the dozens day by day. Murals are being finished at night and last minute fixes are being done. All the classrooms are good to go leading to us still opening. My classroom is still in need of posters and such on the walls and I hope to gather these this weekend. I am also hoping to gain a rug of some sort for the front of the classroom. I am told if you bring it up to the class they tend to go home and tell mommy and daddy and then appear with what you are in need of haha! Maybe I will give it a shot…I don’t know!

I have a class of 20 students and am promised it will not get any bigger…yay for me! They are all amazing and much more English fluent than I expected. I have 5B as my homeroom and am an English/Social Studies Specialist while Math, Art, P.E., Science, Islamic/French, Arabic and Arabic Social Studies specialists teach my kids during those periods. I jump back and forth between my class 5B and 5D for English and Social Studies. All in all I have a great group. They all speak at least 3 languages and have traveled the world in their own aspects. For the majority of them, they are Emirati’ (born and raised in the U.A.E), but there are a few either from American (but are Emirati), Indian and Canadian.

I have an even split between boys and girls and it is obvious what personalities are strong and weak already. I am excited to get to know each and every one of them on a much more relational level. I am already getting questioned about Justin Bieber because of my first name and the girls love Miley Sirus, while the boys love soccer and wrestling. We have already implemented our hand signals and rules/procedures. They learn fast and are eager to learn and be here. They know they are in a private school and are excited to be where they are. They also now know after listening to me, that we are not their nannies, drivers or maids and not to expect us to pick up after them. These are very privileged children but know nothing different, so they are not to blame. They are willing to change and desire to be more educated/advanced all around. Teaching is so amazingly rewarding and am thankful to have found a profession I love.

Each one of them has strong aspirations for their lives and have desires to be someone, someone who makes a difference. Many want to be doctors, soccer players, engineers and swimmers. Some want to be lawyers. One wants to be a teacher and one, Hissa, well she wants to be an actress in Hollywood and it is obvious after only two days that she would be a good one . Abdullah and Kareem love school and love coming to school to learn. I could go on and on but wont. They are all wonderful.

My classroom will soon be decorated and I am excited for that to be done and call it my own. I have gotten notice that I should have my apartment keys by Sunday or Monday. Then they will start the process for my furniture allowance. I will then start doing the minimal decorating I can to survive until Cassie gets here in December!!! Her womanly/lady-like touches will be much needed and appreciated . I can’t wait to see her and spend those 2 weeks with her. It is only about 88-90 days away . Seeing her will make this process so much easier! She will get to see me teach and take a look at the beautiful school/city where she hopefully will be teaching in next year as well.

By next year, this school will be complete with so much more. Being apart of this building process have been so incredibly straining, stressful and busy, but have been so educational and informative for the rest of my teaching career. It takes so so very much to build/put a school together for opening day! I am glad to be apart of a building year, for it is my building year as well. I am eager to learn, to teach and to relate. The Lord has a plan for me and day-by-day he opens new doors, doors that I want to run through. The opportunities are endless and I/you seek Him, He will make them clear!

I wake up at 5:30am, hit the breakfast buffet at 6:05am and hop on the shuttle bus at 6:35am. Arriving at the school five till seven a.m. gives me 50 mins to prepare anything needed before I am due in the playground center area to pick up my kids at 7:45am. Class lasts until 2:30pm when we then bring them back down to the reception area where they are either picked up by parents or busses. Because of our staff shuttle busses coming at 4pm on the dot, I only have an hour and fifteen mins to prepare for tomorrow. I would like to stay longer but need to catch that shuttle. I take advantage of my free periods and get most of my work done then. If need be I can always come back in a cab with others this weekend to prepare for next week. Once we get full speed in the curriculum I will be forced to stay longer or spend more time on things at home, until then I will enjoy the flexible workload .

There is 24-hour security guards on duty at all 3 campuses and cleaning people walking the halls, playground and cafeteria constantly to keep the entire school clean at all times. It is a very large campus with a few mistakes as far as placement of bathrooms and sizes of other rooms, but it is this oil companies (ADNOC) first time building a school, so it is understood. They will fix their mistakes in a hurry! When it is complete we will have a beautiful campus full of educators eager to make a difference. I am glad to be apart of them.

Here are a few pictures of the beginning but I will post more when I finish decorating and can take a class picture for you as well.

Keep the prayers at large and know how thankful I am for them. I hope the states are treating everyone good and the cold/rain is not too close : ( . I will share some of the warmth! I am getting used to the humidity and love the constant warmth. The weekend is here and I am so happy for it! I look forward to talking with both family and my lady this weekend to update them on what is going on. Being a teacher is tiring and hard work! Sleep is my best friend over here and I don’t get enough of it! Bye for now! A&F

New Apartment Photos!

This is the apartment I plan on getting the keys for mid week. Here some pictures of it and the views from the flat itself. The views are amazing!!! I love it and cant wait to be up there when the city lights are lit in the night! Take a peak and let me know what you think!

Ramadan Ends...Eid Begins

Tuesday and Wednesday have been full of anticipation concerning when the month of Ramadan would conclude with Eid. The school was informed that we would begin the weekend starting Wednesday and would wait till Wednesday night to hear for the announcement at 9p.m. if he “moon watcher” in Saudi Arabia has had a visual on the moon that would determine when Eid would begin and conclude.

Tuesday consisted of another day of preparation at GSAD for the first day of school. The first day of school is right around the corner. It is amazing to think that I am apart of such an important time in Abu Dhabi. I am helping build the foundation of a school that will set standards for all schools around and schools yet to be built in the area. I couldn’t think of a better situation for myself, a first year teacher straight out of my undergraduate. What an opportunity for an upcoming teacher who is just getting started in a career that will rewarding for years to come.

I have been fortunate enough grow up in a house full of teachers. I have been learning since day one. My parents are the most amazing parents in the world who have taught me the ins and outs in life. They have truly prepared me for this new chapter in my life.

Wednesday was the first day of what was going to be our five-day weekend. It was anticipated that it would only be a four-day weekend until Thursday night when the “moon watcher” sent the announcement that Eid would conclude on Sunday evening, giving us in schools Sunday off. The first days of Eid were quite uneventful, with the exception that I was now allowed to walk around with water/food in hand and shops would be open during normal hours of the day. The Hilton was booked solid beginning with the first day of Eid, equaling complete chaos in the breakfast buffet in the mornings. This was a bit overwhelming not getting my 2 omelets in such a timely fashion hahaha! After having my standard issue breakfasts I typically either made my way to the gym or to the beach for a little dip in the gulf. Following my routine, I headed down the elevator from the 4^th floor and looked directly to my right to the 38 story building under construction and saw probably 400 men running away from the building. I began to run 5 different things that could have possibly been happening: a)building falling over = I die; b) bomb = I die; c) something very big falling; d)they are on lunch break; e) time to catch the bus or shuttle. I went up and down the elevator to the 10^th floor 4 times to try and figure out what was going on…kinda scary yeah?

Thursday night I found out that Etihad Airways (the airline I flew in on from Chicago) is giving us individuals who flew in through ADNOC (our school funding company) the credit for the miles and our stay at the Hilton. This was great news because of the fact that ADNOC pays for it all and for our future flights, but we are going to receive the credit miles for it (3 one way flights to the states=one free flight). Just another benefit for working for a high powered oil company that doesn’t mind throwing money around like oil pours out of their gas pumps.

Thursday night I made my way down to tourist club area with a couple colleagues to walk around and be in the city with the locals, along with a dinner at a awesome Indian Restaurant. We took the bus down and my oh my was that an experience being squeezed in like a sardine with one hundred other people. One interesting fact about the bus system in Abu Dhabi is that females ride on the front of the bus and males on the back. Females are given the right on all accounts, including lines (they are allowed to cut in line no matter how long it is). After a nice dinner full of new food and a long couple of bus rides, I finally was back at the old nest.

Friday morning I received a much needed phone call from THE lady, Miss Cassandra Joelle Bishop and got to talk to her for a little while. She was a bit down and had a day where it seemed to have really hit her. She has not had a day like that to my knowledge for a while with her being so busy. The beautiful thing in a relationship is that when one is hurting, the other is strong. I have more than enough days of hurt since I have been here and she has been nothing but strong for me. It was time for me to be strong for her. We both go through our phases of emotional hurt and we have each needed to turn to each other, the Lord, the Word or all three. None the less, it has been a struggle that has left us with no choice but to ask for help and become stronger individuals within ourselves, with the Lord and with each other.

Friday was a very relaxing, fun filled day. Layla and Stuart (a newlywed couple at GSAD) invited myself and a couple other colleagues form GSAD on their boat with their other friends. Not knowing what to expect, I was all for it and all for getting out of the hotel and onto the water with some people who have been living here for a while. A total of twelve people joined as we made our way out to a deserted island. When we made our way out to a random island it was time to throw anchor and make our way onto land. It was amazing how deep we could be in the gulf, but still be waist/chest high in water. Treading the gulf waters to land was quite the experience. As we walked trough the water, you would not believe what flew by a mere 50ft in front of us. A flamingo flew overhead! I haven’t seen a flamingo outside of any American zoo! It was by far the best part of the day. After settling and setting up umbrellas for the occasional shade, we made our way out into the gulf to relax and get to know each other. I met some amazing people, from Sudan, England, Canada, Texas and the UAE.

I was able to hear some amazing stories and pick some brains about the area. Made some golfer contact with they guys and a regular Wednesday night golf get together. One of them is a manager/pro at a small golf course in town and we got to talking. He told me that I need to take advantage of the lack of amateur golf talent in the area and attempt to qualify for the European Tour event that comes through the Dessert Swing every year and hitting here at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. What an experience that would be, to be able to have the opportunity to play a tour event in Abu Dhabi on national television. The opportunities seem to be endless so far and am so very thankful I stuck it out.

I plan on going in Sunday to GSAD to start a bit early and help set up the classroom. I want to be fully prepared for Tuesday. I have my own classroom! I am a 5^th grade teacher! Is this real life? I am now in the real world! God is good!

Looking forward to talking to family and friends tonight on skype and get updates on life back in Oregon. Hope everyone is good and healthy. Talk soon! A&F

Being so far away from someone you love is extremely hard! A&F

GSAD Staff Begins Week Two of Orientation!

The last two days have been productive and filled with anxiousness. I have turned in my paperwork for my housing offer and am awaiting ADNOC’ approval. I am surely hoping for this to work out, giving me the keys to a new home and way of living. Cass…you are going to absolutely freak out when you see the view from the building if I get it! Sunday consisted of a day full of training. Training that consisted of technical training, computer software training, smart board training and Atlas Rubicon training. We sat and worked on computers for most of the day. It was informative and necessary, but was very boring.

After a full day of meetings, listening and training, it was time to get on the shuttle and head home. After getting back to the hotel, I made my way to the gym and began another solid chest and triceps workout. I met another workout buddy at the gym by the name of, Tony. He noticed I was wearing my University of Oregon shorts and started conversation. He is from Los Angeles and is garbage USC Trojan. We of course began going over different sport encounters between the two. After a little bit of debate, I made the assumption that if he was a Trojan, then he HAD to be a Laker. Sure enough, he “bleeds purple and gold”. The sporting debates began and had a good ol’ time. He is 24 and here working for an industrial contracting company. Apparently my hotel has squash courts somewhere, so we plan on getting together soon to “squash” it up!

After a good workout and sporting debate, it was time to head out for an evening swim with the most amazing sun setting behind the Emirates Palace. After a great dip in the gulf and pool, I made my way into the hotel and met up with some colleagues to order some food for dinner. Dinner of choice was Subway with free delivery. Like I said, delivery is more than common here! Everything and everyone delivers, you name it, they deliver it. Following a the most neat, tight knit, clean meatball sandwich ever made, it was time to go to bed. My pillow was calling my name!

Monday morning came too soon and my alarm reminded me that I was in a hotel and had a free breakfast waiting for me! After breakfast we made our way to the school. Not a day goes by that I cannot keep myself from admiring the grand mosque that is on the way. It truly is fascinating and I am intrigued to take advantage of having the opportunity to walk through it. I was fortunate enough to get to have a small skype date with my Cass and exchange some updates and I Love You’. She is having/gets to move into my old apartment with her new roommates and is having to re-visit all of the places we spent so much time together. I can’t imagine how tough that is when you miss someone, but she has been so very strong and supportive through all of this and I am very thankful!

Monday consisted of some department/grade team planning for the first two weeks of school. Our sister campus in Ruwais made the trip up to go through the process with us and to receive their curriculum books. After putting all the hard work and many hours I put in at NCU and my classroom management plan, I put the work to use with our team planning. Once done, I slid down the hall to see if Jenn and Layla needed a helping hand with the 3 classrooms (yes 3) full of curriculum books that needed to be organized for distribution tomorrow.

When the day came to an end, headed back to the hotel and got ready for my workout. I am just about completely adjusted to the switch from Pounds to Kilograms. Soon America will change and will join the rest of the world with our units of measurements (kg,meters,etc). After a good workout and picking up my laundry from the laundry mat, I had to rush to get ready for dinner. On the agenda for dinner tonight was being picked up at 5:45 by the school shuttle bus. Glenelg School/ADNOC had an IFTAR dinner prepared for all of the staff that wanted to join. IFTAR is where those who are participating in the Ramadan fasting are allowed to break fast at dusk. There was so much amazing food and some amazing people to share this experience with. My favorite portion of the meal was the Hammer Fish (not sure on the spelling of it, but it is a local fish that swims here in the gulf). It was so so good and so smooth. It was a great experience with some amazing new opportunities to try some new food.

Following the dinner, we made our way back to the hotel passing the grand mosque completely lit up, and up to our respective rooms. They announced that Eid will begin on Wednesday. This is the celebration of Ramadan being over. I am not quite sure of how it is determined, other than the fact that I know it has to do with the position of the moon. This results in us starting our 4 or 5 day weekend on Wednesday. We will return either Sunday or Monday depending on the moon. I am hoping Sunday to be honest, so I can get back into my classroom for an extra day of preparation before the students get there.

Tomorrow we get to spend the day in our classrooms due to the locks being put on all the doors tonight. Workers are working around the clock to get that school finished in time, but it already is better than the Secondary/High School Campus' (shhhh don't tell them) because of how colorful and alive it is. I look forward to tomorrow and to the long weekend.

Hope all is well back home. Go Ducks/Go Beacons! A&F

Pictures: 1)Photos from our IFTAR dinner at Glenelg School 2) The Mosque Lit up on the way home from IFTAR Dinner

The First Official Weekend (September 4th-5th

My first official “weekend” was very relaxing, enjoyable and productive. Since weekends begin on Fridays here, because of the Muslim faith, my weekend began a bit early compared to back home. The weekend began with a “good morning” wake up call from my mom and sister. It was very nice to hear their voices. They were preparing to head down to California to surprise one of my best friend, my Grandpa (Boppy), for his 80^th birthday. A party I wish I could have been apart of. After an enjoyable conversation with the two of them, I made my way down to my routine breakfast on the first floor. After a nice breakfast and relaxing time reading the paper, I headed up-stairs to hop on skype and take advantage of the opportunity to talk to my lady. She was in Idaho for volleyball and had the chance to talk.

It is hard not getting to talk to her as much as I am used to. You go from being able to pick up the phone and call someone you absolutely love at any given time, to trying to schedule skype dates hahaha. I am thankful for each minute I get. It is tough but we are day-by-day getting closer to a visit in December, a visit that will come long overdue. After a nice skype date, I ran across the street to the beach/fitness club and had a great workout. Following the workout, I met some of my colleagues out at the beach outside. Both Jenn (our Head of Department of English and experienced International Teacher from Connecticut) and Ann Marie (one of our Kindergarten/Experienced International Teachers from South Africa) were out on the dock in the middle of the Persian Gulf. After sprinting into the water because of how scorching hot the sand was, I began to swim out to the dock.

After getting to the dock, I began to just look around me and think. I looked to my right and saw the city (sky scrapper after sky scrapper) and I looked to my left and saw the Emirates Palace. I looked at Jenn and Ann Marie and said, “Wow, we are sitting on a dock in the middle of the Persian Gulf, I am hanging out in the middle of the Persian Gulf!!!” I really cannot believe I am here. I am so incredibly thankful for this opportunity that the Lord has given me. I plan on taking advantage of it with the best of my ability. Because of the type of five star resort we get to stay in for this month, it is easy to forget where I am. This feeling all goes out the window though when you are laying out on the beach of the Persian Gulf, only to then hear a Muslim Prayer that is announced over ever Mosque loud speaker in the city. You can hear it from any corner of the city and it really forces you to take a step back and realize again where you are. After a nice time on the dock, we moved to a bit cooler water, aka the pool.

The time at the beach was amazing and very relaxing for me. It was the first time I was able to really take some time to relax and soak it in. I headed back up to my room to shower and begin to start making phone calls to local real estate agents. My phone calls led to a handful of unanswered phones. For some reason there is no such thing as a voicemail in the city of Abu Dhabi. I have not figured it out yet, but they believe in the concept of calling people back hahaha unlike the U.S. of A. and to be honest, I like it. Dinner came in a hurry.

Like I mentioned before, I am going to try and expand my food horizons haha. I fortunately have gotten to meet some amazing people who have been all over the world and have had the opportunity to try many foods, so I get to pick their minds on what I may like. Friday night, we decided to order in local Indian food. I ordered a chicken bowl. This was AMAZING! It was soaking in a mild tomato sauce and I could not stop eating it, dipping my pita bread and mimosas in it as well. I was in awe of what I had been missing out on all these years!

Saturday seemed to be a much more productive day for as far as the apartment shopping was concerned. After a one last late night talk for a while with my lady it was time for bed. She was getting ready for her game against College of Idaho (Nationally Ranked), Friday night her time. They ended up losing in 3 games but fought the whole way, only losing by 2 or 3 points a game. They seem to have really improved with the addition of some good freshman. Cass was not too pleased with her performance, even though she led the night in digs. Eh hem I am proud!

Saturday started with a routine breakfast. From there, I met up with a couple colleagues and dropped our clothes off at the laundry mat (the clothes I didn’t wash in my hotel bath tub that is). From there we walked to Marina Mall to get a few things and put some more dirhams on our phones. After a catching a cab back to our respective hotels, it was time to get on the house hunt. After meeting with two different agents, I have my hopes up again for a place we found. It is a one bedroom flat in a high rise (18 story building) in the city. The views from my flat are breath taking. From the living room, you see the entire city full of sky scrappers, along with a view of the open park. From my room, you see the same thing with the addition of a view over the Persian Gulf (Corniche). From the kitchen, you look down Muroor street full of sky scrappers and sunshine. On the top floor (18^th) is a full gym with a 360 degree view of the city. Every mini shop, laundry shop, café, restraunt, banks, malls and grocery stores are within walking distance. Everything seemed so right, just praying the papers go through in a timely fashion so I don’t lose it.

After a solid leg workout at the gym and a pleasant sunset swim at the pool/hot tub soak, I made my way across the street to take a stroll to the Emirates Palace. I wanted to get some pictures and enjoy it all up close and lit up. Following the stroll, it was time for bed. It was a productive yet relaxing weekend for sure. I was anxious to get this housing process underway and assure myself the keys to this flat. Thank you for all of the support and prayers, keep them coming! A&F

Pictures: 1) Multiple pictures of the Emirates Palace lit up at night. 2) An interesting billboard outside of the hotel on the corer of the one busiest intersections.

September 1st and 2nd COMBO POST!

Wednesday was looking like it was going to be another very routine day with a hardy breakfast. I have become good buddies with the chef at the breakfast buffet. He now makes me two omelets with out me even asking!!! I enter the breakfast buffet at the Hilton and fill a plate with fruits and banana bread and make eye contact with the chef. He starts making my turkey and cheese egg omelet. He is a very nice man from India and returns home a couple times a year to visit family. It is amazing how even here, even the richest city in the world has its segregated ranks by nationality. It is quite sad to be honest. It puts a lot in perspective.

As a lot of you know, I am very outgoing and just willing to start up a conversation with anyone I meet or see on the street. My colleagues are beginning to realize this when we are in a cab and I am trying to have a conversation with the driver who speaks very little English. This is a side of me that I never want to lose. This is a trait that my parents passed onto me through the years and I am so thankful that I have the mindset and personality to want to do that. I have met a lot of amazing individuals from all over the world within my school, but have also met some extraordinary people, with the most amazing stories outside of school.

At the gym today after a normal day at GSAB, I was working on some chest and triceps and was at the time using the bench press. The hotel trainer/health club supervisor came over to spot me. After assisting me I sat up to thank him and introduce myself. His name was Yellow and was from Cypress. He is 26 years old and has been living in Abu Dhabi for 3 years now. He is an extremely soft-spoken man who you can tell has a genuine heart. When I brought up the fact if he had family here or home, he lit up and wanted to talk more. He has a wife and a 3-month-old baby boy that he has yet to meet back home. He cannot wait to go home in three months. He is moving back because of the weight it is putting on his heart, being away from them. I cannot imagine being away from a wife and my only child like that.

After going to the gym, I made my way over to the Intercontinental Hotel where some colleagues are staying. I met up with them to go for a swim in the gulf and watch the sunset over the gulf and city. It is amazing, because of the heat and the humidity, you can look directly into the sun at night because of the haze over the sky. It really is gorgeous! I lay there in the gulf floating, because of how salty it is, and look out over the city and start to really think. It is beginning to sink in where I am. I am in Abu Dhabi, in the Middle East. I am here! WOW! God is so good and has given me the most amazing opportunity in the world at such an important time in my life and career.

After hanging out on the beach, we went back to our rooms and got cleaned up for a what was going to be a very cool dinner experience. A fellow colleague, Maya (from Lebanon), invited a few of us out to dinner with her and her friend to a local Lebanese Restaurant. I am making sure I take advantage of where I am and the people I around. I want to broaden my horizons and try as many new things as I can, NO REGRETS! The food was amaaaazing. The best thing of the night, was not only finally having a true hot meal, but the eggplant humus and flat bread! MMMMMMMGood!!! After a long day, I was as tired as can be and by the end of the night finally hit the hay at Midnight

6:30am on Thursday came way to fast, but was ready to begin my Friday and have a nice weekend. After making out way to the school, those of us who had out medical done abroad had to go get a final chest x-ray and get blood drawn for an HIV testing. Medical work is don’t much more efficiently here than back home. They multitask very well and get you in and out as fast as possible. After taking the shuttle bus back to the school, it was time to go see our Elementary building that has been built.

It is still getting some last minute things done to it as far as outside construction, but for the most part the entire inside is done with the exception of furniture and things needing to be put in place. It is a two-story building with a center rubber play area for the kids. It is all very colorful and happy! Each kindergarten room has a personal play area and personal bathroom for the kids to limit hallway time for the kidoes. Each classroom is equipped with a smart board and ceiling projector as well as a storage closet for the teacher. The building is truly top of the line stuff and I am very excited to be apart of it! As soon as I get in my classroom and it is completely finished I will post pictures of it. I will be going by Mr. Justin, here it is common to use first name but when Mr. is put in front of it, that is when the respect is comprehended.

After a nice day on campus, we made our way back to the hotels and I was back on the hunt for a place to live. I have received the respected papers for the studio I was interested in, but cannot turn them in until Sunday because of the weekend. I am going to use this weekend time to look elsewhere still and try to see if there is better. I have much more housing money available to me and want to see what I can get with it and if it is truly any better than the studio I like. I will be looking at a villa that is in the city center/downtown area. It is not in a high-rise like I wanted but it is brand new 1 bed/2 bath with open kitchen and includes brand new appliances. This would give me more money to pocket, as far as the furniture allowance is concerned. I am very anxious to see it and what is around it.

One of the 2^nd grade teachers and her husband coordinated a night out for whoever wanted to come last night and we all met up at “Cooper’s” and then made our way to “PJ’”, which are two Irish pubs in the area. It was very enjoyable and nice to hangout with the different teachers outside of the school setting. Although I am in the Middle East, the pub’ were packed with expatriates, and I had to remind myself, it is Ramadan and they are not American. It is amazing to walk around and hear all the different voices and nationalities in the room. America is so big so people do not tend to leave, where here, people jump from place to place because their home countries are so small and everything is so close. It is quite fascinating. After a full and fun night out with new friends, it was time for bed.

I have been busy but no one has been forgotten. I wish I had the flexibility and resources to be able to skype and talk to everyone, but at the moment don’t and am sorry. I had the chance to get on internet and post this and am sorry it is late. As soon as I get my own place and am in the classroom, I will have internet access to update people at the end of the day. God has truly taken control and I can’t thank Him enough for all He has done for me here. LUKE 12: 22-34!!!! I miss everyone still deeply, but do not worry for I am much better. God has a plan for me here and I am getting more and more exited by the day to meet my class and impact their lives in the best way I can. Thank you for everything and I will talk to you all soon! A&F

P.S. Go Beacons Volleyball! Cassie and her team are playing really well right now and are just coming off a good win @ Linfield and Cassie is KILLIN IT! She has a hurt elbow so be praying for that to get better soon. But if you get a chance to slip out and watch a home game for me, that would be awesome.

PICTURES: 1) The view from Marina Mall back on the city line/beach line, which they call the Coniche. 2) A view to the end of the Corniche from the beach where they are still building and looking to expand more skyscrapers down the Corniche. 3) A random sunset one night!