Goin On A Desert Safari

My friends have convinced me to go camping with them tomorrow evening. In the desert. We're supposed to be doing it Bedouin (i.e. nomad)style...like the Emiratis did before they came into all this money. I must admit. I'm not big on camping. I mean, I like having the luxuries a home would provide: bathrooms, a bed, tv...you know stuff like that. Yeah, I'm prissy...ain't no shame in my game, ya feel me? I'm not too keen on sleeping on the ground. In tents. I went camping in the woods several times when I was in the girl scouts. Had fun cos I was with friends, but could care less about the camping part. Besides, being surrounded by too much greenery set off my allergies (so I'm a prissy nerd). For whatever reason, I didn't think sand would affect my allergies as bad as greenage does, but boy was I wrong! So yeah, I'm definitely gonna have to bring allergy meds. Just in case.

And now, my brother has me paranoid about the camel spiders. THIS is the pic seen all over the world...

Of course, when you research "camel spiders" it tells you pics like this are an exaggeration. They don't get that big. BUT, it does say they can get to 12 inches long. TWELVE INCHES. I don't know about you, but seeing a foot long spider is just as bad in my book. I'm praying HARD that we don't come across any creepy crawlers...or snakes...or rodents...or scorpions...or any of the like.

My Abu Dhabi experience is all about me trying new things...stepping out of the comfort zone that I've been in for more than 30 years. This desert safari will definitely get me out of that zone. So this time tomorrow night, I'll be camping. In the desert. Me in all my prissy-ness.

I'm not gonna back out cos I said I'd go, but I can't help but to think: WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO???

More on this later...

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Friday Fragments: Episode #4

To learn more about Friday Fragments, visit Mrs. 4444's blog.

Abu Dhabi Sandstorms

For the past few days, we've been experiencing sandstorms. Nothing like the sandstorm in Mission Impossible 4, mind you, but still crazy. Visibility was practically nonexistent in some places. I've been sleeping with my windows opened with the weather being nice & cool. I had to close them this week cos (a) sand kept blowing in my room, and (b) the wind was blowing so hard, it had my door rattling. Hard. And even with the craziness that is a sandstorm, there were still idiotas who decided it's ok to rev their engines & speed down the street.



I can usually see beyond the ADNEC bldg, but not with the sandstorm.

Wind + Sand = Allergies

Earlier this week, I went running (I know, hard to believe). Lucky me, it was very windy. So, I had to deal with sand constantly blowing in my face. I forgot that sand triggers my allergies just as much as greenery does. It started out slow. A cough here & there. Slight congestion. Itchy eyes. Then, Thursday, my voice chose to slowly go away. And Thursday night, I was at my worst. So, needless to say, I've been sick this weekend...the whole nine: sore throat, no voice, coughing my insides out, sneezing, congestion.

My original plans for the weekend: clean my house, wash/fold/put away laundry, go salsa dancing, have fun. What I actually did: sleep, drink tea, wash laundry, dump said laundry on bed & leave it there, sleep, watch my tv shows, drink tea, sleep, etc. Didn't get much done. Man, I hate being sick! And I'm certain I've reached my tea consumption limit, tho I love tea. It's all I've been drinking.

Teaching With No Voice

Teaching 20-something 3 & 4 year olds who don't understand your language is hard enough. Teaching them ALONE, with a sore throat and NO voice is darn near impossible. Such was my day Thursday. But I survived, thank God. When they got too rowdy, I'd sit down on the carpet and cross my arms...wouldn't say a thing. They caught on that Ms. Raenice isn't happy. So one by one, they'd sit on the carpet and close their mouths. I didn't think it would work, but it did! A wonderful alternative to raising your voice, something I don't like to do.

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Today Is My 6-Month Anniversary!

Yep, that's right! Six months ago, I set foot on Middle Eastern soil for the first time in my life. I felt so many emotions at that time: fear, excitement, disbelief, and homesickness were most prevalent. I had absolutely no idea what God had in store for me. I just knew He led me here and I had to follow.

I've experienced many ups and downs in my first six months, but I must say, I do not regret following God. Honestly, my ups outweigh my downs. Or maybe it's just the outlook I chose to take. I'd decided to focus on the positives and not dwell on the negatives. I won't whine or stress when I experience rough patches cos I know it's the patches that will mold me into a powerfully victorious woman of God.

God has truly brought me a looooong way since this time last year. I'm so grateful He chose me to go on this journey. I've swam in the gorgeous waters, stayed in 5-star hotels, gone to awesome concerts, moved to a high-rise apartment (rent-free), bought things I'd originally couldn't afford, gone to Dubai several times, visited the tallest building in the world, rode on a camel, made some wonderful new friends, learned a little Arabic...and that's only in my first six months! There's no telling what God has in store for me the next six months. Whatever it is, I'm right there with Him, letting Him guide me, going wherever He tells me to go!

Here's to six more months (and more) full of awesomeness!

 

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Looking Back...Moving Forward

Happy New Year!

Can't believe 2012 is already here. 2011 passed by so quickly to me.

Looking Back

This time last year, I was struggling financially, trying to figure out if I should keep subbing or not, and having to move out of my beloved town home after the lease was up. I remember asking God what the theme for 2011 should be and Him telling me "Change." He told me I'd be going through some changes in 2011; some I'd like and some I wouldn't, but He promised He'd be with me along the way. Boy have I gone through changes - the biggest change being my move to Abu Dhabi.

I would have NEVER thought I'd be living on the other side of the world, away from family, friends, and everything I know. NEVER. And yet, here I am, a resident of the UAE. This move was obviously a God thing cos I wouldn't have done it on my own. It's definitely a HUGE step out of my comfort zone. Waaayy out of my zone. Like I'm not even in the same vicinity of my comfort zone. It's quite scary, actually, which is why I'm so glad I'm not doing it alone. God is right here with me, just like He promised.

By moving to Abu Dhabi, I took a giant leap of faith. I chose to go where God led me to go and I do NOT regret my decision. I'm loving it. Abu Dhabi is a beautiful place. And I've met some wonderful new friends. And I'm in a position where I have to lean on God and not my family. I've gone on a desert safari, rode a camel,tried new food, stayed in a few 5-star hotels, gone to 2 awesome concerts, visited Dubai several times, went into the tallest building in the world, lost 20 pounds, etc. I'm learning Arabic, teaching active, yet precious 3-4 year olds, living in a high-rise apartment (rent free), making tax-free salary, etc.

This time last year, I was broke, no money in the bank. Now, I have money in, not one bank, but TWO.

2011 was a monumental year in my life. 2012...2012 is gonna be even more awesome.

Moving Forward

I have goals for 2012. Some have to do with my health; some have to do with my writing; some have to do with my relationship with Jesus. I won't list all my goals, but here are a few:

• Lose 50 more lbs
• FINALLY finish novel #2
• Revise novel #1; start search for agents
• Use my spiritual gifts to glorify God
• Finish business plan
• Blog consistently

I also plan to do something "big" each trimester of my 1st year in AD. Last trimester, I went to see both Janet Jackson & Sade in concert. This trimester, I'm going to Morocco (in March). I haven't figured out what I'm going to do the last trimester of this school year, yet.

I can't wait to see what God has planned for me in 2012. Whatever He has planned, as long as He's with me, I'm good.

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I SURVIVED!

So, the first trimester is over. I'm back in Houston, relaxing and spending time with my family and friends who I've missed SO much!

All in all, I've enjoyed my first trimester as an AD LT (Licensed Teacher). There were challenges - and at one point I did think about moving back to the States - but overall, I'm glad I made the decision to move. I've been on a desert safari, to Dubai (several times), saw both Janet Jackson AND Sade in concert, not to mention I'm in a high rise apartment (rent-free), and making a tax-free salary. And my students are awesome. And I've met some wonderful people (both Westerners & Arabic).

I wonder what will next trimester bring? I know two things definite: I'm going to Morocco (March) & my mother's coming to visit me (April). I can't wait to see what else!

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Update

What's up, good people! Or should I say assalamu alikum! Long time, no blog right? I'm sorry. I've been here for almost 3 months. I thought I'd be writing and blogging consistently by now, but clearly not. Honestly, I haven't had much energy to do a lot of things, reading and writing included. Who knew teaching 25 three/four year olds could be so draining! The fact that English is not their 1st language (Arabic is) also makes things...interesting. I have an Arabic co-teacher but  she's pregnant and sometimes in and out.

I'm enjoying this experience, but the challenges we (the LTs...Licensed Teachers) face... Teaching here is definitely NOT for the faint of heart. If you're considering a move overseas to teach, think long and hard before you make your final decision. This emirate (Abu Dhabi) is in the midst of an educational reform, so of course things are gonna be challenging. Some like the reform...some do not. It's been met with enthusiasm as well as resistance. I can only speak from my experience, it's NOT easy. At all. It can be stressful. And draining. And sometimes, it leaves you wondering why in the hell did you do this. 

I have to be honest. Some of my students have very challenging behavior. I mean, what can I expect when they're allowed to do whatever they want at home and have no boundaries. Then add to that the fact that I have KG1 (like preschool), so they've never been in school. Rules and routines are new to them. AND, I don't even speak their language. So yeah, it's been draining. And we're only in school til 12:30. I feel more drained in the four hours here than I've ever had in 7.5 hours of school back home. 

Despite the challenging behavior, I absolutely adore my kids. They're my babies. And they're getting used to me. They see me as their teacher...not some random woman in their class who speaks an alien language. I'm either "Miss Raenice" "Abla Raenice" "Abla" or "Mualima". And I have a few who've grown attached to me. Like literally. They hold on to my dress or leg - or whatever they can grab - for dear life. And boy do they tug on my heartstrings. Just this week, I got a great big hug from one of mine who, at first, didn't want to come to school. And today, one of my boys gave me a flower he made during the celebration we had at school.

Flower from one of my babies

And I can't forget about the things I'm doing here that I haven't been able to afford to do back home. I mean, I was up front, clos and personal at the Janet Jackson concert - which was awesome, by the way. JANET JACKSON! And I'm going to Dubai this weekend. I live in a high-rise apartment for free. I'm not living paycheck to paycheck any more. And in March, I'm going to Morocco. And that's just a few things.

So I'm enjoying myself, challenges and all. I look at any challenge I face and remind myself that God is molding me for something big. I don't know what it is. I can't see it. I don't even know when it's coming. But I know He's preparing me. So I'm taking it all in stride. And my kids make it all worth it. Especially when I see the growth in them when it comes to their English vocabulary.

Do I recommend moving to Abu Dhabi to teach? If you can't handle constant change, not knowing things, a totally different culture, kids with challenging behavior, being far away from family, etc, then my answer is no. This move is not for you. BUT, if you're strong enough to handle these challenges, then my answer is a resounding YES. This can be one of the most rewarding experiences you'll ever have!

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We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Program...

...ONE MORE DAY TIL I SEE JANET JACKSON PERFORM!!!!! PLEASE EXCUSE MY ALL CAPS WRITING, BUT I'M JUST SO DOGGONE EXCITED! That is all. Carry on... :)

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