ok so clearly I am not the best at updating my blog! i've been here for two weeks and only have a couple of entries...oops!
Had a few bad days - was super homesick, all of my new friends moved to Al Ain/Al Gharbia, and the city was overwhelming. after crying a lot and hiding in bed for a day (ok maybe it was two days) - I finally sucked it up and moved on. I was able to get my placement changed out of the city and was placed in a school/region that I think will be a better fit. People here still can't believe I would give up the city for the western region - but I am really happy with my decision. I can't wait to get out there and start teaching. Also, one of my new friends is working there too so that's a plus! I'm still not sure when I will be getting out there to teach - apparently there are no more hotel rooms out there so a bunch of us are in a holding pattern in Abu Dhabi. We are pretty much getting paid to hang out and see the city.
Some things I've learned so far:
Had a few bad days - was super homesick, all of my new friends moved to Al Ain/Al Gharbia, and the city was overwhelming. after crying a lot and hiding in bed for a day (ok maybe it was two days) - I finally sucked it up and moved on. I was able to get my placement changed out of the city and was placed in a school/region that I think will be a better fit. People here still can't believe I would give up the city for the western region - but I am really happy with my decision. I can't wait to get out there and start teaching. Also, one of my new friends is working there too so that's a plus! I'm still not sure when I will be getting out there to teach - apparently there are no more hotel rooms out there so a bunch of us are in a holding pattern in Abu Dhabi. We are pretty much getting paid to hang out and see the city.
Some things I've learned so far:
- People who think we are bad drivers in MA have clearly never driven in Abu Dhabi!!!!!!!
- Women and Men in traditional dress look really nice!
- Inshallah!!!
- Hotel food gets boring and expensive really quickly
- It's very confusing thinking in dirhams - things seem expensive when really they aren't
- American brands/products are everywhere!
- The heat is not as bad as I thought...you get used to it pretty quickly
- Inshallah!!!
- Personal space really doesn't exist
- Chaos is okay and normal
- Slingbox is the best invention EVER
- and most importantly...INSHALLAH!!! :)
What is Inshallah?
ReplyDeleteinshallah basically means "when allah wills it". so if you are waiting to get your internet hooked up they will schedule an appointment like 4:00 Tuesday, inshallah. so if they don't show up...don't be surprised!!!
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