September 6th

Well, I have been back a little over a week now and I must admit the jet lag is worse than ever. Somehow, I continue to wake each morning at about 3am.  I'm hoping with time this will change as it makes for a very long day.

The flights over were less than easy.  The second flight from Germany to Abu Dhabi was a nightmare. I had the pleasure of passing the time seated next to an unruly little boy who's behavior left his mother in tears.  He, on the other hand, had a wonderful time turning his seat cushion into a trampoline. His antics got the attention of all the passengers as well as the flight attendants. It took two of them to try to get him back into his seat for the decent into Abu Dhabi. Once inside the airport we learned the computer system for passport control had gone down.  It took 2 hours to get to baggage claim. Thankfully, my friend picking me up was willing to wait.

My rental car was delivered on Saturday, and I immediately went out to grocery shop. Sunday, which was our first day back to work, my friend drove, but I went out to run errands after work. As you can imagine the heat is at an all time high and on the way home I found the car shaking uncontrollably.  I had no choice but to pull over to discover that the tire on the passenger side had completely shredded.  I honestly sat for a moment to debate my options.  AAA was my first choice, but they don't exist here.  So, I called the rental agency and was informed that flats are the renters' responsibility. I was impressed with myself for not crying at this point as I sat and watched cars and trucks pass me by.  I called a friend and asked if there were any male neighbors in the building.  She reassured me she and rescuers were on the way.  I waited for awhile and then got out to pull out the spare and the jack. The heat was oppressive and I was struggling with all the bolts and screws that were holding all the parts into the small trunk.  My hands were black with dirt when I heard a voice asking me if I needed some help.  I leaned back and there stood a guy dressed in a dress shirt and tie asking if I needed help.  Without hesitation I said, yes.  He checked over the tools and noticed there was no jack.  Just then my friends arrived so we were able to use the jack in her car.  It wasn't an easy fix and with the heat we were all a little spent by the time things were fixed.  During my expression of appreciation I learned that my "knight" was from Queens, New York.

My first week at work was without students.  I prepared my room, met for professional development, gathered workbooks and tried to get it all done for Sunday.  In following the US curriculum, they want to step away from textbooks and provide more hands on activities, yet I carried stacks of books back to my classroom.  Last year we didn't have any reading books, this year each student has six books.  Science is divided into 3 books as is math.

We have new staff this year.  Three of the English teachers from last year have transferred or chosen to not return. We have only received one replacement for the three teachers.  Also, my Head of Faculty transferred and so we have another new individual to add to the mix.

Travel plans for this year are already under way.  I have purchased my tickets for Africa.  I will be going to Tanzania in December.  I will be visiting two safari camps before returning to the UAE. I'm exploring all my options for Spring Break. Vietnam has come highly recommended. We shall see.