A Place to Call Home

SOOO excited to see my new apartment! 

  a bit of new apartment construction dust was welcome relief 

after hearing about some people's move-in situations.

BEFORE

Great kitchen - Mom would LOVE this place, especially the pool!

 COOL view - 22 floors up!

an entire wall of this view? both in the living room an bedroom!

a move-in gift of two plush "Rihan Heights" pool towels

Kim (my friend and neighbor one floor up) bravely approaching the window in her bedroom that overlooks the mosque (notice her "death grip" on the crossbar?) She is very excited to have a view of the mosque, but wishes it was 20 floors lower! NOT a fan of heights.

The more I talk with people and see their apartments, the luckier I feel! I was placed not only in a perfect location, but also in what I think is the best apartment complex that ADEC is placing their teachers in Abu Dhabi. It is not IN downtown, but use outside and easy enough to get anywhere in town without having the daily hassle of being in the thick of it. Traffic gets very congested as you go further in. Of all the complexes, it is THE closest to where I work, and right off the highway on which I commute. It is in "Zayed Sports City" which means I am literally surrounded by every type of athletic venue that exists here (except skiing - that's in Dubai). The streets are mostly business park type side streets which have very little traffic, making it a good running area. I am right across the street from a big beautiful park with a maze of brick walkways. Also across the street is Al Noor Hospital, the most respected hospital in town from what I hear. This is where I would go for anything medical that I need need including a 24-hour "clinic" and a pharmacy. We have a nice little gym with a variety of equipment, big beautiful pool that overlooks the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (the most photographed building in town), a nice little grocery market, a cafe (that will open soon), cleaners, mini-pharmacy that has a decent selection of good brands of vitamins, sunscreen, etc, and a newly opened salon. I am on the 22nd floor of 30 and my view is completely open to the city skyline, some water, a cool looking bridge, an executive airport, the park I mentioned, and a soccer field. The layout of my apartment was very well thought out, and really couldn't be more perfect! It has one bedroom, one  and a half baths, a medium size laundry room, an open-style living room - eating area - kitchen space, and a cozy little covered balcony that is big enough for two chairs, a little table, and a drying rack. Some people have these weird little galley style kitchens that you can barely move in, I have a big open kitchen with plenty of counter space and even a nice long breakfast bar. 

AFTER

looking towards front door & hallway going to half bath & laundry room

my work space at the bar

living room - taken from the bar (peek into bedroom on far right)

 went a little crazy on colors at IKEA...

view out my balcony of a few sports venues, the hospital (on right), park, 

and distant city skyline (it's closer than it looks)

Get to Work Already!

A serious dose of reality, or maybe surreality… 
I'd been so enjoying my free time and new surroundings that I almost forgot I came here to work! It began with a couple days of standard subject-specific PD (Professional Development for you non-teacher types).

Hood River-ites…notice the 10 Speed coffee (in my case green tea) travel mug?

Then it was time to meet our schools…

I can safely say that the principal at my school was not expecting two women to walk through the door that first day. Still, he greeted us and the male EMT's (English Medium Teachers) warmly and with an open mind. What struck me first was his kind eyes and soft-spoken nature. The first day we got to see the lobby, office area, main courtyard, and the 6th grade building, which was back behind the main square-shaped school structure which surrounds a large open courtyard where they have morning assembly every day, as well as other various assemblies. We were also introduced to a couple other teachers at the school and to Arabic coffee - YUM! The 6th grade building had not been used for at least a year and was completely stripped of anything useful, including whiteboards, desks, and chairs. 

Our second day at the school, Tanu (the other female teacher) and I were told that we were being transferred to girls' schools. After going to ADC headquarters later that day, Tanu was reassigned and I was kept at Jern Yafour because they had no other English teachers to put there, and I had told them I didn't mind being at an all boys' school on an all male staff…SILLY ME! So my plan was to show up Sunday morning and hope they had made a schedule and class lists and maybe assigned classrooms. 

All we could do was hope that a lot happened over the weekend before we got students on Sunday. I should mention here that in the UAE, Thursday is the new Friday (well for expats anyhow)! 

Ready for my 1st day!?
Look out Professor McGonnagal…

 One of the classrooms I would rotate to…at least we got desks and chairs for the kids. 

 Notice the window shades are pulled to keep the sun heat out.

Not much to start with, but we would get a waste bin, whiteboard, teacher desk & chair, and clock by the end of the first week. The second or third week would bring a teacher computer to each classroom, but no projector or printer, so not a lot of use at this point. Perhaps the most difficult part of this setup is the marble floors, metal chair posts (and desk posts in some rooms), and bare cement walls. Now imagine 33 prepubescent boy voices shouting and yelling (in their own secret language) whilst purposely screeching these desks and chairs against the floor…deafening!

Move-In Time!

During the third week of school, we were given keys and contracts for our apartments and one week to get moved in. IKEA, here we come!

My kitchen and move-in mess

 My washer/dryer…
Yes, it does both, but in very small loads!

It even plays a cute little tune when it finishes.

Abaya-less...

  I lost track of my abaya in the move for a couple days and braved it in "regular" clothes at school.

It became clear that this teaching position would be an exercise in calming myself amidst complete chaos and letting it all go when I walk out the door. The boys are wild at best and there are so many that they are impossible to control, so I do my best to teach what they seem to need to as many as I can get through to on any given day in any given class. Most have little or no English to work with, and a few can understand, speak, read, and write small amounts of English, so I have my work cut out for me here! The administrators and other teachers at this school are a fantastic bunch of guys! They are a helpful, supportive, and genuine bunch of characters with a wide variety of personalities. I am lucky to work with such a friendly staff.

The Fabulous Five reunited!
Dinner at The Lebanese Flower when Elise came over 

from Al Ain on the weekend to hit the IKEA scene

Nice to meet you Abu Dhabi: Part Three

The Abu Dhabi Hunting and Equestrian Show

with Lori & Dan

I wondered, "What does one find at such an event?"

Guns...

I'm not sure if these guns were actually for hunting, but what a cool collection of historical artifacts!

Mini Vehicles for Kids...

We're not talking your basic backyard Fisher-Price variety here...these things are borderline road-ready!

Falcons...

These birds are both pets and hunting companions. I never figured out if the falcon actually catches the prey for its owner and brings it back, but I think it does. Apparently the little hoods are what keep the falcons calm. It was a bit unsettling to see so many birds with little hoods and leashes.

Bagpipes...

No, I'm not in Scotland...promise!

Camel Auction...

Mom and baby are auctioned off together as a pair.

Traditional Music - Singing - Cane Dance...

Very catchy chanting tune!
I have some great video of this, but it's not uploading - grrrr!

Dogs...

I think they use them for hunting...they sure were skinny!

Traditional Bedoin Campfire Setup...

Basic Camping Supplies

(You know, just the basics) picnic baskets...

...2-burner stoves (you choose - gas or electric?)

...gold-rimmed glass & fine china tea sets

...solar powered tent with all the comforts of home

 ...even the kitchen counter & cabinets!

I think that box with the glowing light might be a refrigerator. Pretty sure I saw a TV in there too.

Endangered Birds...

If I understand correctly, these are the favored prey in falconry because of the meat. 

I believe they're working towards restoring the population. 

Is it just me, or is it a bit odd that they have these in the same tent as thousands of their biggest predators?

Travel boxes & coffee tables...

Go big or go home!

Drying Racks...

You put a pot of incense under one of these and hang your clothes over it to dry and absorb the scent. 

I guess that's one way to not smell like perspiration when you've been in sweltering heat all day.

Arabic Coffee...

They roast it and grind it by hand right there at the campfire and then serve it in these sweet little china cups! 

 This kind young man made and served me a cup.

Women doing traditional weaving and basket making...

Some wicked quads!

My Dream Car...WOW!

(This is my dorky "I'm in complete and speechless awe" pose)

Back when I was 16 years old, I wanted a porsche 911 sooo bad! This is even the exact color that I wanted...and it's still pretty enticing! My mom even managed to give me one for my 16th birthday

...well a matchbox size replica of one anyhow. I'm pretty sure I still have it tucked away in a box somewhere on another continent. Maybe I'll bring one home for a souvenir of UAE.

Not a bad bit of culture for one evening eh?