My Farewell Tour

Years ago, sitting in class, didn't you wonder why you had to learn where Mesopotamia was? Why learn about the places so far away? What was the point of knowing about some huge desert in a place it was unlikely I would ever visit. Well, now I know why. One never knows in life what sort of interesting things will come about. And my life has certainly been interesting. But, now it's time to learn about another part of the world and depart from my safe haven of New Hampshire and head out to parts unknown in a place called Abu Dhabi.
I am calling this part of my journey, before I leave, my "Farewell Tour" because haven't you ever noticed that when a cool rock band is going to change members or break up, they have a Farewell Tour that lasts about a year? Well, I began my "Farewell Tour" at the Thanksgiving dinner table last November as I sat and looked around at my family, my cousins, aunts and uncles and I asked my mother what she would think if I decided to teach overseas. My mother responded favorably and I thought, well, then, this is it. This could be my last Thanksgiving dinner with the family in New England, for a couple of years. I mentally looked around at the family as if to impress their faces and that moment on my mind. At that point, my mother was the only one who knew that I was planning such a crazy, wild journey of my heart. I applaud her for being open to such an idea. Now that I am further along in my journey, she is still so very supportive. What more can one ask from her parents?

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

I'VE GOT A DATE!

Things in the Middle East do not move at exactly the same continuum that they do in the US. Since beginning this process, I have been told that I would be starting my job in Abu Dhabi in August and all teachers would go over in August. Well, August is a long month, and there are lots of opportunities to either do or not do something fun during that time.
However, feeling somewhat bold during the last e-mail communication I had with my recruiter, I asked when the new teachers would be expected to go over. The response: According to the calendar for the 2011-2012 school year, new teachers would start on August 14.
Wow, August 14. Now the reality sets in. Now I really do need to finish up all the little things I need to do. Folks keep asking me where I will live. Well, since I don't know the area at all, I'm merely going with a suggestion on the Teach Away board. If I can afford it, I would like to stay at the Grand Millennium in one of their hotel/apartment suites. I will post a link for you.
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