Safari Adventure

WOW!!! What an incredible experience I had on the Safari Trip with new friends. We went doom bugging and it was hilarious. The passengers were screaming, laughing and simply having a great time. At times we didn't know what was going to happen. Riding in a 4x4 on sand through the Abu Dhabi desert was crazy fun. I loved it. Then we saw camels that we were able to take pictures with. We also got to ride a camel, an ATV and enjoyed some traditional native food. The belly dancer was great!!! I have got to learn how to belly dance and work my hips like that. Man! Incredible. Zumba and Belly Dancing classes are on my "TO DO" list...very close to the top!

This has been a wonderful experience so far. Every day I rise and look out my hotel window I feel even more BLESSED! I am INTERNATIONAL now. I am enjoying this incredible experience and I am looking forward to meeting and teaching the children I will have. I can see my LOVE for teaching and learning returning. I think that everyone should take advantage of the opportunity to live abroad once in their lifetime.

In the words of Queen Lateefah in Last Holiday :"MAKE ME INTERNATIONAL".

Til next time

The Journey 2

So let me break it down...

Life overseas or whether the task of getting here is very adventurous. From the beginning to the arrival and so much more you will encounter things that are unusual, amazing, and challenging.

First there was the 14 hr trip from Chi-town to Abu Dhabi:

I meet new and interesting people. The Flight Attendants were dressed so nice in their two piece gray suits, and simple head wrap and a cute little hat. They were pleasant, helpful and full of life. We enjoyed two meals and several snacks and a limitless amount of drinks. The plane was HUGE. It reminded me of the plane in Queen Latifahs "Last Holiday". It had three seats on the left and the right and four seats in the middle (total 10 seats). Yes! Plane was 98% filled to capacity. A lot of individuals coming over to teach, enjoying a leg of their flight as well as coming home to Abu Dhabi. I met an interesting Lady heading back to Abu Dhabi from visiting her daughter in Chicago. She shared and shared and shared...yes, talked sometimes when I had headphones on and not even listening. I think she just needed to talk.

Abu Dhabi is a beautiful place:

The city is only about 25 to 30 years old. They have done a remarkable job building it up and giving it "modern" life. The architecture is "crazy - wickedly" beautiful (if that makes sense). Odd shapes, a lot of lighting, culturally relevant buildings, and modern classic ones. They drive worse then New Yorkers and DC folks but they get the job done. The money here is called a dirham. Today it is worth $3.67 per US dollar. For you known math folks that means if I converted $100 US dollars to AED money I would get 367.00 dirhams. It is a little easier to convert then it was when I went to Curasau! LOL!!! I have been to the mall. It is HUGE! It has four floors, broken into four sections and even has an amusement park inside. Yes! I said amusement park. No it is not like Six Flags, Kings Island, or even Walt Disney however it is big enough to entertain an host of young children allowing their parents both stress and relaxing...sometimes at the same time. LOL! It reminds me of a "pimped up" Dave-n-Busters. CRAZY!!! I will be exploring more later.

My Hotel - The ALoft:

Nice accommodations. Not as nice as the Hilton I stayed in in Curacau but it's nice. They took care of us. Nirvana Travel picks us up at the airport. Helped us get through customs comfortably and brought our luggage and bodies to the hotel. Very organized. Upon getting here the hotel staff took over and did a great job checking some 150+ people (some with families) with few glitches. Yes! There were a few mishaps and errors but overall I am comfortable giving them a 9 on a scale of 1 - 10 (1 being worse and 10 being absolutely the best). My room and great! King size bed, shower with glass surround and overall nice. Food is good (at least the breakfast I had). Not sure how much longer I will reside in a hotel. Should be getting my home placement soon.

I am so blessed to have this experience. I WILL NOT take it for granted! I am hear to work, nurture young minds and enjoy this chapter of my life. I plan to do it on a BUDGET!!! LOL!

Til next time

The Journey

So I am in Abu Dhabi now. The trip here was 14 hours from Chi-town to Abu Dhabi. Very adventurous to say the least. Ok so my flight from ATL to Chicago went ff without a hitch. Meet a few EMT's that were headed over as well and it was great. Now in Chicago I faced a couple of hiccups.

First, I was unable to take my rolling computer bag on as a carry-on. They said it was too wide. So of course I had to check it. I took out my computer and notebook and checked the bag at the low-low price of $175.00 (ouch!!!). This was an unexpected expense however I knew it was probable. In my haste to get it down though I left all my documents in my "now" checked bag. So when I arrived in Abu Dhabi I did not have all my documents in hand to go through security. The good part about it God handles ALL things. It took no time for the rep to print it out and get me through customs.

Second, my cycled started. So the whole trip from Chi-town to Abu Dhabi was spent worried about my clothing and cramping. Not good. Again God is good because one of the new EMT's with me (Brandy) had the necessary items to give me to ease my mind. So thankful to her.

Lastly, I had no communication to anyone back home. My magic jack phone wasn't working and the internet either. Do I have to say it again...ok, I will...God is Good! I went downstairs and they connected me to the internet with no problem and I figured things out with my phone. I do not have mobile phone yet but at least when I am in my room I can talk.

So that has been my adventure so far. I will be writing more later because I have so much running through my mind to share that I'm going into overload.

Til later

So My Adventure Begins

I am so HAPPY and EXCITED about upcoming adventure. It was a semi-long wait for my departure information however the TIME is here now. I will be leaving the country on Tuesday, August 27th on a 1:50 pm flight out of Atlanta with a layover in Chicago. Yes! I am ready to go! My flight to Abu Dhabi will be 14 hrs. WOW!!! I can do this! I just need to be feed!

I have said my goodbyes, my so longs, and my see you later's....and yes my "I will miss you's". There are a few people I will miss more than others but nonetheless I will be missing folks. This adventure will take me to another country. An unfamiliar place whose culture, values and people are different then what I am accustom to however I am ready for the challenge. I know I will grow tremendously from this experience from all that I will learn.

I give all praises to Him and I know things happen in His time and not mine. As things move forward, my patience and my ability to be flexible will be tested. In the in-person interview we were told that our placements will be based on need and that we have know say in where we will live or teach. There are three specific areas in the UAE that we can be place...ok, better, best! The stories we have heard about each area left me wanting better or best but I will go where He sends me. I believe that where ever I am placed will be the best placement for me...I may not see it at first but I will embrace whatever area I am in. Remembering my purpose for going and the goals I want to achieve while being there. I am sooooo THANKFUL for this opportunity.

Til next post

Still Waiting...

So this process is taking it's toll on me. I am anxious, frantic, and going crazy. The few people that know I am leaving ask me daily when will I be leaving. All I can say is "soon". There is a little concern because I have resigned from my teaching position and technically I have no income after August 30th. I believe and have faith that what is for me..is for me!!! The human side of me is nervous about my situation right now. Not knowing is difficult to deal with on a daily basis. I know that this "not knowing" will end soon. I just pray that I can continue to be a positive example to those around me who are watching how I handle things. Being patient is not just waiting for an answer, it's how you act while waiting! I want to be an inspiration for others who decide to follow their dreams and realizing that reaching goals and dreams take time. Everything happens in GODS time and His time is ALWAYS right on time.

During my wait there are things that I need to get done. I didn't realize how much paperwork I needed to do as it relates to my personal life (i.e. Living Will, POA, Life Insurance, etc.). These things (except POA) should have been in placed before however the new journey is placing a magnifying glass on the situation. I have taken care of the Life Insurance but not the Living Will and POA. It's a lot but it needs to be handled. I suggest that if you are going to make a MAJOR life style change like I am to make a list and check them off as you go.

This new journey is exciting and truly needed. I am looking forward to all that I will experience and learn. I have visited my friends and family for the last time. I am completing my last paper for my class (working on Doctorate) and I am all packed. I have made provisions for my home, my son will have my vehicle and my business has been handled. I need to do the two items above, a change of address and handle our cell phones.

I am claiming Saturday, Aug. 17th, as my day! I had a very vivid dream that something exiting happened on that day. I was running around all excited shouting I'm leaving, I'm leaving, I'm leaving!!! I pray that my dream was letting me know I will be leaving soon.

In the words of Haneefa..."Good things come to those who wait" and "No news is good news".

Abu Dhabi bond!!!

Patiently Waiting!!!

Ok! So I have been reading that a lot of people have received their e-tickets and itineraries. They are aware of when they are leaving and the journey has come to fruition. Not Me!!! I am still waiting to find out if and when I will leave for my new adventure in another country. Let me change that last sentence...I am still waiting to find out WHEN I will be leaving for my new adventure in another country. I am so excited but also a little sad. I will miss someone who is very dear to my heart...my best friend. I know I will be ok however I will miss him. The wait for my e-ticket and itinerary is driving me crazy. I constantly check my email and spam with anticipation thinking today will be the day! Nope! Not yet! Still waiting and waiting and waiting. I had a dream the other day that was as vivid as me sitting at the table talking to my son that I will be leaving on August 17th. What was the significance of my dream? Will I actually be leaving on that day, should I play the lottery 817 or will I receive my e-ticket and itinerary on that day? Dreams mean something just have to wait and see, I guess!

I see that Nirvana (travel agency) is not very organized though. A few of the people who have received their information has had to make contact with them to make corrections...name, children not listed, wrong visa attached, etc. This maybe the reason they are so far behind because they are having to spend time correcting the one's already sent out they cannot focus on getting out those that are waiting. I just hope I will find out soon.

Til next time!