Not going to suffer too badly

In my research I found this site about Al Ain.

Al Ain Mall

Al Ain Mall has opened its door for the public on the 19th of September 2001. Being the house for many famous international and regional brands, with various entertainment facilities, such as the Ice Skating Rink, the Cinema, the family entertainment center, the Bowling center, and the Food Court, Al Ain Mall has become the 1st family shopping and leisure destination for the city of Al Ain and its visitors.

I think I might be okay, what do you think?

Now we wait

So, I'm just hanging. I wish I could really get started on the actual physical part of moving. Packing, organizing and stuff. Mostly I'm just waiting for paperwork to get done and reading the TeachAway site on Facebook from which I gather a lot of information . I've also met a lot of women that may be working near me in Al Ain. I have ordered some education books in preparation, although everything I've read says don't bother to prepare because it will be so different than what we expect. I'll see most of you at the reunion hopefully, then this blog will take off.

More of Al Ain

This is an article I found about part of Al Ain

Great Travel Moment

Al Ain means Spring. Located off the road to Hafeet Mountain,it was amazing to see the lakes of water amid the arid mountain and desert setting. The University of the United Arab Enurates, founded in 1977 and with a student population of 12,000,is located in Al AIn. Archaeological discoveries date settlements in Al Ain to around 3,000 B.C. Our friends from Dubai took us sightseeing outside of Dubai. We were lucky to have them as we had no idea what to see in and around the area. This was HOT! However,there were people from all over because it was believed that if you soaked your feet and legs here, it would cure whatever ailed you! I had bandaids on my blisters on several toes so I did whatever the others did. It was so relaxing! My blisters were gone in two days and I could walk well. The power of suggestion!!?

Al Ain- means spring

We are hoping to be located in Al Ain. It is an oasis and there is a mountain there I think.

Questions you may have.

1. Is it safe? Yes, it is perfectly safe. Have you ever done the snap the other person with a wet towel? Well, the only defense is to get really close to them so they can't snap you. We are really close to Iraq and Iran. Therefore, it's safe, they're not going to blow up their own country. Seriously, it is safer there than it is here lately. People keep trying to blow up parts of the US. I bet you've never seen the UAE in the news.

2. Do I have to wear a big, black covering? No, I don't. I will need to wear modest clothes that reach to my wrist and ankles. I do not need to cover my head and I can wear sandals. It is really hot there so they keep all the restaurants, malls and other places very air conditioned, so I will want long sleeves and slacks. There are places where only Americans go that I can dress regularly. Of course Wesley can wear whatever he wants lucky guy.

3. Are there any customs I should know before I go? Yes, I've learned that they don't like to be touched, kissing in public isn't allowed, and it is impolite to use your left hand for many things.

4. Do I need to be able to speak Arabic? No, in fact the Abu Dhabi Education Council prefers that we use only English in order to immerse the students in the language. I do know how to say, "slowly, slowly" schway, schway, and God willing, "Inshallah"

5. What will I be teaching? Hopefully 3rd grade, Language Arts, Science and Math.

6. Can I get the things I need there? Yes, they are very advanced and the favorite past time is shopping. We will be able to have internet, and all American TV channels. We'll have a car, but taxi's are cheap and the preferred method of travel. They have many American restaurants and stores, including Starbucks, Cold Stone Creamery and furniture stores. What I won't have is an American Library so I will probably buy a Nook or Kindle.

7. How often can we visit? ADEC pays for us to travel home once a year. As long as we don't stay in our home country more than 35 days a year, we won't have to claim our income. Whoo hoo.

Hope that answers most of your questions. If you have more, just post them.

Here is where Donna will be.

Now, so you can get some perspective here's another view. That little brown country near the bottom right hand tip of Saudi Arabia is the United Arab Emirates.

Where in the World is Donna?

Hey all, you may be wondering where the UAE is located, as did I. It is surrounded by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and the Persian Gulf. Yes, it is very near Iraq and Iran, but no worries, we won't be visiting those countries.

So it begins

Hello all,

I'm still here in the states, but I have begun the process for my teaching adventure in the United Arab Emirates. I am excited and nervous about this new job. I was telling Wesley the other day that it doesn't seem real. It's like someone said, "Do you want to go teach on the moon?" And of course I said, "Sure, why not?"

Yes, we've traveled and worked all over the place, but this is the first one in which the landscape and culture will be totally different, not to mention the teaching experience. I haven't heard too much to encourage me in the teaching department. I've heard the kids are difficult to handle and are uninterested in learning. They also hold little respect for non-Arabic, primary teachers who are women. So, I will need to be tough as well as flexible.

I will post my experiences as our new life begins. Keep the prayers coming and all will be well. As they say in Arabic, "Inshallah" which means God willing.