I got my license!

Why did that phrase sound so much cooler and more exciting at seventeen?  Yes, it is true I just got my UAE driver's license.  It was a long process.  First, you have your USA driver's license translated into Arabic.  A few days later you pick it up and proceed to get your UAE id card.  Take both of those to the DMV along with your original passport and visa (which you just got back).  Make sure that when at the DMV you DO NOT sit in the men's section while waiting your turn or you will have a uniformed official shout at you in Arabic and point to a side area marked "women waiting section." Once you have regained your composure and the men have stopped starring at you, you make your way to discover the women's section actually has no line so you can be waited on immediately.  Two women in full veil and abaya take your paperwork, your money and your picture, but only after you leave the area and walk back past the scary man who yelled at you to the eye exam.  Thankfully, the letters were in English, so I passed. He takes some money from you also and gives you a pink slip so you can return to the women's waiting area and pick up your new license.  And, yes the DMV pictures here are just as bad as the ones at home.  Luckily, I only have to live with this license for the two years that I am here.  But, just like a teenager in the states or anywhere for that matter it means, FREEDOM!

Thursday night I leased a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta and I have been cruising the crowded streets of Al Ain.  No more carpool, no more taxis!  It feels good to be independent again.  I am calling my car my "Raisin in the Sun."  It is brown (most cars here are white or silver) and when it has a thin layer of sand or dust it looks wrinkled. I am grateful that we have an underground parking garage here at the apartment.  At work we have limited covered parking, but since I can now leave when I want to I have no doubt I will arrive early enough to get a space.

We just completed our third week of school and the girls are coming around.  I'm not getting the same stares and confused looks as before. The 2nd graders get so excited when they see me heading toward their classroom that they start yelling, "Miss Coffee, Miss Coffee!"  Everyone is addressed by their first name so Kathy comes out sounding like coffee with their accents.  The fifth grade girls have started sporting some dangling earrings like mine.  I have seen many shades of pink and purple in the last few days.  Some have even traded their Barbie backpacks for a satchel like the one I carry.  The fourth graders want to touch my hair and earrings.  They are not short on hugs either.

Our school day has been extended by an additional 40 minute period and each period prior to that has been extended by 5 minutes.  The bells however, are still ringing on the old schedule, so mass confusion.  In time I am sure it will work out, unless they decide to change it again.  We are reminded that it is a work in progress.

My last furniture delivery will be here this Friday and I believe that will be everything I need to function.  I have a desk coming so I can finally stop using this small step ladder as a desk/table. Still no mailbox for incoming mail.  Every now and then I miss getting mail, but with texting, email and Facebook I feel connected.  The cable guy should be arriving shortly to attempt for the third time to fix the "no signal" problem.  It is 6:33pm here and I work in the morning.  He said he knew where my apartment is located, but we shall see. Fingers crossed!

TTFN

Week One...

Well, I completed my first week of work.  My school is about an hour commute into the desert.  It is a K-12 school for girls (students are taught separately) with a small population of about 200 students.  I am teaching 5th grade math, science and English.  I am also teaching 2nd and 4th grade science.  As a result I move to the various classrooms.  Unlike the states I didn't have a week to decorate my classroom and get familiar with the staff.  I received my class list on day three and my teaching outcomes this past Thursday.  Things are extremely relaxed here and it is my greatest challenge, but I somehow have managed to put the pressure on myself to accomplish all that I did back in the states. I am working on that! The girls have a huge task of learning my subjects in English and then Arabic and Islamic history.  That's a big task and this reform has only been in place for four years now.  For the most part they are sweet and eager to learn.  A typical day begins with morning assembly outside where they demonstrate national pride through chants and then the entire student body sings the national anthem.  They close with a prayer.  The younger girls wear a pink and gray long dress and the older girls wear navy blue and white with a white head scarf.  The Arabic teachers wear an abaya and head scarf called a Shayla.  I wear my western clothes, but cover my arms.  The girls like to touch my earrings and hair.  They admire my rings and refer to me as Miss Kathy, but it sounds like Miss Coffee.  There is no cafeteria so the girls have a 20 minute break or "canteen" in the morning around 10am and then a 10 minute break around 12:20. There is no recess, but they do participate in music, art, computers and sport.  I take them to the library once a week for book check out. Our school year is broken into 3 semesters so we have two long breaks in December and April.

 

I have just about completed the move into the apartment. I just finished putting together the TV table. Tomorrow my dresser, wardrobe, couch, chairs and table will be delivered.  They do not build closets in homes over here, so wardrobes are a must. I can finally take the clothes out of the suitcases.

 

I'm really enjoying making new friends with the other teachers living here. I've met some people from South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Canada and all over the US.  We have three small buildings in this complex of new two bedroom, two bath apartments.  There is underground parking which will be great for when I begin leasing a car.  I have to wait until I get my resident visa before I can lease.  That should be here next week. The underground garage will be a blessing as you can imagine the sun here is 10x more intense than Florida. I also learned if you don't get to work early enough you don't get a covered parking space and you can literally burn your skin on the seats and steering wheel.  Our complex also has a great little coffee shop called, Mug Cafe. It reminds me of Central Perk from Friends. The cafe serves outstanding speciality coffees, desserts and sandwiches. Yes, I have started drinking coffee on a regular basis now! The owner was thrilled to see all the IKEA trucks pulling in with furniture deliveries. Some of the other 5th grade teachers and I get together to plan lessons and compare notes. The cafe offers free WiFi so it makes planning a lot easier and enjoyable.  We are fortunate to be teaching girls as we have heard horror stories about the boys schools and the physical conflicts going on there.  Fist fights are a common occurrence.  We were told that these fights among different families have been taking place for a while. I consider myself blessed!

 

Bedaya Forum 2012

Today was the annual Bedaya Forum, an event that signals the new school year.  Bedaya means "beginnings" and so administrators, teachers and technical support staff in Abu Dhabi gathered at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company's atrium to listen to the director of the Abu Dhabi Education Council share the the goals for this upcoming school year.  All new teachers (me) were asked to attend today's gathering even though our school administration and teachers will attend tomorrow's event.  We will be moving to another hotel closer to our apartments and school sites.

 

What I learned today was that regardless of the language, culture or economic differences ultimately the goal for education is the same all over the world. Abu Dhabi has a plan and I am thrilled to be apart of this reform to support all learners so they can reach their full potential and compete in the global challenges that lie ahead.  One of the sheiks was quoted as saying "when the last barrel of oil is filled, will we be happy or sad?"  The children here near to learn so they can compete and be prepared for what lies ahead during their lifetime and beyond.  That is where we come in.

 

As we entered the hall we were handed a headset and instructed to tune into channel 2 for the English translation of the director's speech. I felt like a delegate sitting in on a UN meeting. Teachers and their importance in reaching this goal were mentioned numerous times.  This is a long term plan and I believe I have arrived at a perfect time.  Some of the kinks have been ironed out and some have not.  For the most part students have been learning in English and Arabic for four years now.  If I am placed in the comfort of the fourth grade my girls should be pretty fluent.  We shall see.  Right now I am repacking the suitcases as we are leaving in the morning for our next hotel.  This one is in Al Ain, the city where I will be living.  I will be working approximately an hour outside of the area and this commute will be so different than the ones I made for the last fourteen years.  Another example of being outside the comfort zone.  I have already spoken with two Americans that will be teaching there with me.  We plan to carpool until I can rent or lease a car.  I will receive a travel allowance.  I did pack my IPAD so I am ready for some favorite tunes while cruising through the desert.  Stay tuned!