ok, obesrvations and funny things so far:

1. when i first arrived at the hotel, i'm in the dark fumbling for the light switch- I found the shower instead...

2. i realized since you cant really have anything above your ankle showing, I cant really hike my skirt to my knee to get a taxi to stop...

3. never tell a taxi driver here to go back to the hotel the fastest way possible cuz they turn into a speed demon and you're plastered to the sides of the cab...

4. some taxi drivers are friendly and will tell you things about the city and some are Zombie drivers and wont speak or will just grunt...

5. calling a laundry service: if they don't understand English, they will hang up on you...grit your teeth and think no problem! So  I got a taxi and took my clothes to the cleaners. Then I walked to a Dunkin Donuts; took my life into my hands, crossed the busy street and started walking down the street and a taxi honked @ me so I hopped in to go back to the hotel. I would've walked back...

6. school starts tomorrow and my class is not decorated; the cafeteria hasn't gotten any snacks for the kids so we will probably get out @ 11 or 12...

This has been a great adventure so far!

Ok, after many nights of emotional ups n downs, I finally made it to Abu Dhabi!!
It was chaotic on the day I left! I got my entry visa on Wednesday and waited to hear from Kelly. Thursday came, i had a dr.'s appt and while i was there my stepmom was trying to call me, text me to tell me i was LEAVING the next day!  I confirmed with Yasmin but I didnt hear back from her. So, consequently again, I thought I wasn't going. So I packed the house in a panic state -making my poor dog wonder what was going on.
 Friday I tried to finish packing the house and bags. I get a email from Yasmin (forwarded by my stepmom cuz it was sent to her) and I was to get on the plane @ 8:40 p.m.! So in high gear, I spent the rest of the day packing, storage and a quick lunch. A friend of mine's husband helped me get 3 pieces of furniture to storage and on to the airport!
I flew out QATAR and it was fabulous! movie, nap, eat, movie, long nap, then breakfast then got into Doha, Qatar. Then hopped another plane into Abu Dhabi where I was met at the gate, whisked thru immagration, had a quick stop @ the Duty free shop, then a driver took me the hotel I'm at now. Whirlwind of info @ nearly midnight and was very tired- i didn't remember anything - not even the lady who met me at the hotel to check me in!
The next day was an orientation which I tried to pay attention to but was thinkinghow much i wanted to sleep! I didnt crawl into bed until 8 something last night!
  We went to see our apartments today! WOW! I am gettting to live in a brand new apt.! They are still building the apartments around mine. I am making a trip to IKEA tomorrow!
I will try to upload pics later but I have to figure out how to reset the language back to English on the website!

More later!

Finally got my authenticated teaching license and college degree back and uploaded on the 12th of this month! Now its time to sit and...wait...not my favorite thing to do! I know I'm not in the first batch of 200 to leave Aug.6-11. The not knowing dates is the hard part because 1/2 me knows i need to pack, store, sell and the other 1/2 doesn't want to get it done. One of my worries is getting through the immagration/visa dept. in the UAE.
My house is 1/2 packed, haven't sold my Nitro yet, but i did sell my couch set and washer n dryer! I have been trying to spend as much time as possible with my fuzzy butt dog and my kitties. I wont be taking them because it will cost too much to fly them and they're old and i don't want them on a 17 hr. or more flight.
 I've been asked why i decided to go on this big adventure. Well, I applied thinking that I would never get the job. When I walked out of the interview in N.Y., I was dazed that I DID get the job! Then I started thinking of the money I could save for a retirement nest egg. (Yes, I still have my retirement coming from Texas.) I also thought about all the travel possibilities and other adventures like sand surfing or riding a camel and camping in the desert...

more thoughts later....

Job offer Recieved!

I have a job offer! Signed it yesterday and will be uploading it to teachaway!
I wasn't sure that I would get an offer from ADEC! For right now, I know that I will be leaving in August-exact date is unkown.
 It was the hardest thing to let go of my Piney Woods Elementary family. It's been a great place to work and I will be sad that I will be so far away. BUT I can't wait to start my new adventure!
    There is so much cleaning out, selling, giving away and then storing the stuff I want to keep!! It's  so overwhelming that all I want to do is to take a nap and when I wake up, it will all be done!

I have never blogged before, so excuse the chaotic thoughts! I applied thru teachaway.com last tuesday, received an email on thursday and have a phone interview on 5/22.
Hopefully, you can see this teacher's blog:
http://teacherinuae.blogspot.com/n
 i know it says its unavaillable but click on "home" under  the "sorry blah, blah.." it will take you to the blog

that's all for now....