Girls at the health convention field trip

After trying to keep all the 20 little ones together in a crowded convention center (thankful their uniforms are pink so I can spot them when they don't turn the corner with me)..we were hustled into one of the booths promoting fitness....they were lovin it..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGkNIicZd34&feature=youtu.be

If you are wondering why they are wearing winter parkas in the desert...they make sure to wear all their winter gear...gloves, hats, scarves, ski jackets...this time of year when it is anything below 75 degrees...:)

Home for the Holidays

Got to take a last minute trip home for Christmas! It was so nice to be back home for a little bit. I am so happy I got to spend time with my loved ones..and remember why I love them so much.  Being away you realize just how important your family and friends are. I am blessed to have all these people in my life.   A few things I miss from home:
1. my people..fam, friends, ♥.
2. Fry's grocery store..or any familiar grocery store that is not a puzzle to figure out what is what
3. dollars! not having to convert to figure out prices
4. having a car to get places
5. not having to make sure you are all covered up before going into publc
6. English
7. how fast and easy errands are..like running to the bank, or the gas station..not a long process!
8. streets and directions-so easy and simple!
9. the holiday theme and feeling during December..so happy/busy
10.Chipotle/Olive Garden/Quick Trip/pizza Fridays/TV shows/new music/salad dressing/Fresca/Ross/TJ MAX/BBQing/ Lifetime Fitness or a regular gym/and the Dollar Store.

HAPPY NEW YEAR..may it be filled with faith, love, and happiness

Birthday Celebrations in Dubai

Stayed at a beautiful hotel in Dubai for my Bday in November.Nice treat before end of trimester grading.. Raffles Dubai Below are some pictures.

That is the Burj Khalifa in the background..tallest building in the world

Big Christmas tree in the Wafi Mall, Dubai

Light show-lights projected on the buildings with music in the background

loved the colors in the room

city lights from the balcony

waterfall in the lobby

 
Light show next to the hotel..pretty

link for light show at hotel..very pretty

National Day in Abu Dhabi

Counting down from 40 days...December 2nd was Abu Dhabi's 40th National Day. This is when they celebrate their countries establishment as a union..similar to our 4th of July in the States.  This country is only 40 years young! It is definitely the most anticipated and celebrated event out here! They decorate the city, do activities at school, and there was even a jet flying outside my window the week before streaming red, green, white, and black smoke for National Day pre-celebrations. They are super prideful. My girls at school started wearing national dress and UAE everything (headbands, bracelets, earrings, socks, face paint) all through November up until Dec. 2nd. They would even carry their flags around from class to class, and draw flags on EVERYTHING we did in school. Many of the girls would wear pins on their clothes, and tell me all about which Sheikh was which. I couldn't imagine our 1st graders in the US knowing so much about the presidents! They have much love for the country.

 Hair Dance

Mock wedding for National Day Celebrations

On December 2nd, the actual day it was like a huge party all across the city. The Corniche, which is the street that lines the beach in Abu Dhabi, was packed with people. Everyone BBQ's and picnics and waits for the parade to start. At dusk, cars jam the street in a huge parade of Emirate pride. People hang out the sunroofs of their decorated cars (which have been like this for the past month). They add decals with UAE colors, Sheikhs, and elaborate decorations. Many of the buildings have these decorations and stickers as well. Kids, and teenagers, run around on the street and spray silly string at people. It is pretty crazy. We walked along, and as much as I tried to avoid it, you get covered in silly string. Some men even hold huge flags out the top of their cars. The great thing is it is all good fun. Even though it is irritating to be sprayed in the face with silly string, everyone is very happy and celebrating. Their are no fights or riots...it is all very controlled chaos. I think that no alcohol being involved plays a part in the peacefulness of this. I would describe this day as a mix of 4th of July, Mardi Gras, and homecoming parades.Definitely an unforgettable experience.

 My honda in the parade

Many of the buildings are decorated with lights for National Day...similar to our Christmas time

Hair Dance at school for National Day

OMAN

Driving to Oman

Coconuts on the way to Oman

more streets

Starfish we found in the water

the pool at hotel

our little room

beach

 Country's flag

 The Dhow boats

 On the boat...upstairs

The place we snorkeled

Snorkeling

We took a weekend trip to Dibba, Oman...Just about a 4 hour drive to the tip of Oman, right above the UAE. It was very relaxing and beautiful. The border was very quick and easy to cross, and a we just got a bit lost on the way to the hotel.  We stayed at a little resort called Golden Tulip. It had a pool and beach and was in the middle of no where...nothing around to walk to but mountains and beach. It was very tranquil. We saw fish, hermit crabs, starfish, and manta ray. On Saturday, we took a boat trip on the traditional Middle Eastern boat called a Dhow. We went snorkeling, fishing, and ate lunch. It was heaven. Below are some pictures/videos from the trip. Hope all is well. School is starting to settle down here. I have a student teacher from the local college who is really helpful because she can translate into Arabic for the girls. She is also helping me with the class...don't necessarily feel like I am the best mentor for her..because this is all new for me too:) but it has been good.

September

Finally moved in the apartment and started school. Things are still a bit chaotic..but will hopefully settle down soon. I teach at a rural school (seems to be my theme) about 30 minutes away from where I live, on the way to Al Ain. Many similarities to the rural school that I was at in AZ.  Great staff of teachers, 800 girls grade 1-5. I am teaching 1st again, though they are similar to Kindergarten or even preschool in the states. We are currently learning to write our names, and sit in our desk. Arabic and English have very little similarities so immersing them in bilingualism is a challenge.  The letters are extremely different, and they read from right to left instead of left to right like us.  I have 2 classes of 20 girls. One for half of the day, then a 30 minute break (not lunch here...the girls bring candy and junk food from home, eat and run around for a bit) and then another class in the afternoon. The whole school (800 girls) takes break at the same time, with no staggering of grade levels...and no adult supervision. If you can only imagine what it looks like! So we just take them to the cafeteria, and run for our lives. 
My apartment is beautiful. Brand new building..2 bedrooms, 2 bath.  It's like being in college again; almost the whole building is teachers. There are 4 high rise buildings that have been bought out by the employer to house those of us in the city. The only problem is they had to rush to finish for our arrival, so some things are still in the process...like missing lights, constant construction. We are still running off a generator.  We were given an allowance to furnish the apartment, including all utilities..Which was hard at first, but was fun getting to buy all new stuff. I am saving, so I went with the cheapest I could find...including a small fridge, little oven, but it’s nice to be able to design it on your own. Now that I'm settled in…..always welcome to visitors!

 Courtyard of school

 My favorite sign

 Another odd sign

 School wear

 Abaya for school

 Apartment

Rooftop pool:)

 
 Futute rooftop gym..

Apartment

Dubai Mall

Took a trip to a mall in Dubai. Takes about 1 1/2 hours on the bus..or hour in a fast cab home:) We wanted to take the tour to the top of the Buj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world!...but you have to book a days in advance, or pay a high price. ..will do later. This mall was gorgeous and huge! Three floors, a 2 story aquarium in the center, ice rink, movie theatre, amusement park, and restaurants.  We even ate at Chili's..after 7 of course because no food places were open until sunset. If you wanted to drink water, you had to do it in the bathroom. It was hard too, because there were chocolate stores everywhere! Seems to be a theme. There was also every store you could imagine..most all the ones from home as well. Now I can see why they warned us about spending all our furniture allowance on shopping;)...but I was good, no worries.  My favorite part was the aquarium. It was just in the middle of the mall, as decoration.  There were all types of fish, sharks, and manta rays/stingrays...very peaceful.

Shark

 Could'nt fit

 lots of chocolate