Stop trying to explain......

Now if you have friends, family, or co-workers like mine, you have probably heard all the (how shall I put it)...ill-informed comments or questions. Tell me if you have heard any of these:

• Is is safe?
• What about terrorists?
• You aren't afraid?
• How does your wife feel about having to wear all that stuff?
• They don't treat us right over there?
• WAY OVER THERE!!!!
• How are you going to leave your kids?
• You crazy, I wouldn't ever go over "there".

Here are my normal retorts to these questions or comments:)

• Is is safe?-safer than most communities in the U.S.
• What about terrorists?- what about them, last time I heard "Isis" wasn't located in that region. There is a difference between Pakistan and Abu Dhabi!
• You aren't afraid?- no more afraid than I would be out late at night in bankhead! (those in ATL no what I mean)
• How does your wife feel about having to wear all that stuff?- you mean dresses from Old Navy! (I normally walk away after I see I have left them utterly confused)
• They don't treat us right over there?- Who is "us" and how do you know? Most people cant articulate a real reason.
• WAY OVER THERE!!!!- YES, WAY OVER THERE in my most gleeful voice!
• How are you going to leave your kids?- Yes, it is an incredible sacrifice but the opportunity to show them new cultures and countries is worth the sacrifice...By the way, where are you taking your children on vacation?...Oh Six flags:) I'm sure they will enjoy the rollercoasters and long lines...
• You crazy, I wouldn't ever go over "there". Then don't, I wasn't trying to recruit you!

I am sure that you can add many more to the list, but you get my drift. When God gives you a vision, he will also give you "provision", which is a way to make it happen. MANY, MOST, and the MAJORITY will not get it. Not only will they not get it, they will try to kill your vision. People with no vision are often dream killers!  Can I get an AMEN?!!! I once heard T.D. Jakes talk about the vision of a Giraffe versus the vision of a turtle. Turtles (while cute) often see obstacles. Because their vision is so low to the ground they rarely see anything beyond the front of their nose. I would also add that most turtles are slow and snapping. Don't give your vision to a slow person who might try to snap your dream!

But Giraffes, while not the most graceful at times, GET IT! They see over the trees to the Promise Land. They understand that there are challenges and obstacles, but they also understand that the focus should not be on problems of the work, but the PROMISE OF THE HARVEST!

This is a tremendous opportunity for us all! Don't waste huge amounts of time trying to convince people of what they cannot see. Plato's Allegory of the Cave is a great way to describe these type of people. The ONLY believe what they can ONLY see. Isn't that a horrible way to live:) Where would many of our inventions come from??

Live your life responsibly, enjoy your life, make every moment a learning and teachable moment, and do not apologize for your choices and decisions. Remember you are a giraffe and God blessed you with the vision...not THEM! If he thought they could handle it, then he would have blessed them with it. 

Remember....You NEVER see a giraffe talking to a turtle!!! 

Forever I Love Atlanta!

Full Circle: To celebrate my 30th birthday I took a trip to Dubai with my girlfriends. We joked amongst ourselves about the idea of living in Dubai one day. However in my heart I always felt Atlanta would be my permanent home to jump start my career. During my 20's I had to opportunity to live in a few cities like New York City, DC, and Rome, Italy. When I decided to settle down and make Atlanta my new home I accepted a job, started my own business, joined organizations, and purchased my dream car thinking I was beginning to build my life here.

Within in the blink of an eye, I fell in love, got married, had a baby and now moving to UAE! Excitement was set in motion this weekend when we sold our dining table and sofa set. But I have to admit I still get slightly sentimental when I think about leaving my "home"! See I love Atlanta and in my opinion it is the best city to live. So I've decided to take a journey and create a to do list to experience everything I love about the city before we leave. It's even more exciting, because I get to experience it with my daughter.

I recommend everyone take the time to experience everything they enjoy about their current situation. I remember being extremely excited to study abroad that I didn't enjoy my last days in NYC. So after the excitement wore off, I became a little homesick wishing I had taken in my last moments.  I know everyone on this journey is extremely excited, but do not forget to stop and enjoy the process.

“We're so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take time to enjoy where we are.” -Bill Watterson

So the wait is real now.....

So I am sitting at my desk on a Friday afternoon around 5:00 p.m. and it so happens to be the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! It's funny because I am seeing all my "teacher" friends and 15 Hopefuls post pics of themselves running out of school and I am still sitting here. Well don't feel sorry for me. I am actually killing time before I head out to see the Hawks play the Cavs tonight.

I have this countdown app on my phone  (countdown +) and today marks a significant milestone with the ending of school. School has somewhat kept me distracted, however admittedly I take a peek and look at the number of days till I "think" or I have been told I am leaving. It is now only 66 more days until July 31st. This past week has been exciting as ADEC released a prospective calendar, although everyone says will change 100 times. I also received an email from my recruiter letting me know that administrators "supposedly" will be brought over quicker....but who knows if that will in fact be the DRY reality....get it...DRY as in desert:) LOL....

So now I am just waiting on a few more milestones to occur that will shorten my hopefully not so long wait! I must admit the horror stories of others who were stuck waiting stateside until October and November scare the crap out of me, but I have a back up financial plan and Faith and Belief that that will not be my testimony!

I am not sure if this happens to others but I seem to go through bouts of excitement and feeling like "whatever will be will be" in terms of leaving. There are days I wake up or moments I have where I become really excited and then there are times when I am just ok with the waiting process. Well this past week I had one of my excitable moments and I decided to purchase my carry on bag this week. I have come to realize that when I become excited, I normally buy something:)

Many other hopefuls have purchased it and the reviews are great. The video is also really awesome to watch on the website. It can be found at http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/tls-mother-lode-weekender-convertible-junior/241465?productid=10209111

I still haven't come to a resolution with my phone service or what to do with it. I am not so sure anymore about a dual sim phone. I will just wait until it gets closer. I have heard that you need a phone when you arrive to set up different accounts and such, but after that, you really don't use it anymore. I might just buy a cheap phone as opposed to a $500.00 dual sim phone. I am trying to start the mental process of doing what is economically smarter rather than what is most convenient. It's a struggle but the phone might be a great place to start. Abu Dhabi will have ALL the trappings and if I....or you..or anyone else are not careful, we can and will easily blow this financial opportunity and find ourselves no better off than when we left the states and Uncle Sam was digging into our pockets every 1st and 15th:)

My OMG Moment!

Not even 24 hours after delivering my beautiful daughter Madisyn my husband received an email with details about his final interview with ADEC in New York, NY. He had to report to NYC in less then a week. Did I mention I just delivered our first baby??? I always try to support my husband in all his endeavors, however this time was a little different. While a part of me wanted to breakdown and cry because he had to leave, the other part of me knew he was exploring this opportunity to provide a better future for our family. Thank God for my mother, sister, and mother-n-law who took turns coming to Atlanta from Alabama to assist me with my new transition into motherhood. 

Why is this an OMG moment?

From February 2^nd-February 27^th, I delivered my daughter, got engaged, got the news my husband was chosen for the position in Abu Dhabi, and got married…WHEW….My life completely changed within a month. 

I would like to say I wasn’t prepared for this journey, however GOD does everything for a reason. I have confidence that my life’s preparation have allowed me to boldly face this opportunity without opposition.

Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future. Proverbs 31:25

So here is a little background information about me. I am 32 years old with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a MBA in Marketing. I’ve worked in various industries (finance, entertainment, technology) throughout my career. My passions include being a great mother, building relationships and political and socio-economical issues in low-income communities. My favorite TV shows are the Real Housewives of New York, Atlanta, and New Jersey (In that order)!

I hope you enjoy our journey as we prepare for our Big Move and Transition! 

Changing up the game.....

SO....You may have noticed that the title of this blog has changed! While I am excited about this journey to Abu Dhabi, I am not alone. My wife and newborn daughter will also be joining me and are just as invested in this new adventure as I am. Just a year ago, we were dating, getting to know one another, and going to opening day to see the Atlanta Braves and NOW we are packing for Abu Dhabi. Quite a change in direction:)

Since we have jumped all twenty toes into this experience, we have decided to share in this blog as a way to show both sides of the coin. I am sure there will be times where I will be excited and she will be hesitant, and other times where she will be elated and I will be thinking "What in the world did I get us into!" But that's where the fun comes in.....right? We will take some time to share "our story"..but for now, I won't steal her thunder!!!! I'll let her introduce herself to the blogosphere! 

“For Such A Time As This”

Has anyone ever heard this phrase? It is actually a phrase that comes from the bible in reference to Esther. Esther 4:14 states “if you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”

It's no secret that this has been one of the biggest decisions that I have ever made in my life and has left me terribly conflicted at times. I have been looking for signs or confirmations that this was really the RIGHT decision. Several things have happened over the past week to give me solace that "THIS" was the right time and thing to do.

1. A realization that there are a number of people who are tasked with providing an education to children that could be no more concerned with doing what they are paid to do. Instead, they come to work....not to work. It's quite the oxymoron.

2. I met with a financial planner who calmed all of my fears about retirement, savings, and my family’s future when I am gone. When I complete the process, I will share more but for now, I encourage everyone that in between all the day dreaming about shopping, and traveling, and boat parties, that you be sure to get your financial house in order by having a game plan. You can be broke and in debt in the states! Take full advantage..... 

3. My 13-year-old son had a bit of crisis this week, which landed him in some hot water. My plan had always been to go over and get settled and then bring him (after I am sure would be a contested court battle) but my spirit shifted this week. His troubles made me think about my own somewhat disconnected relationship that I have with my own father. I began to think, what a wonderful bonding opportunity it would be for he and I to figure out this new experience and journey together. To lean on each other as we navigate the unknown and unseen! So while I hate that he landed himself in hot water, I am thankful to God who, at least in my mind, kicked me in the butt to say, why wait. 2 Corinthians 6:2 states: “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.”

Salvation means to save one from harm, ruin or loss. So no matter the cost or fight, I surely expect myself to be entangled in a battle to simply be a full-time dad to my son in an effort to help him navigate the world, understand the excellence in and savviness in which he must do it, and set a foundation for manhood so that he can be self sufficient when he become an adult.

So even though I don’t know what the future holds for my son and I, I am excited!!! What I do know is….”For Such a Time As This!”. I am praying, believing and thanking God for favor in this situation. I am also ready and excited about school ending in two short weeks and summer vacation beginning. Have I mentioned that I plan on doing nothing….other than packing! AND I need to find my son a school to attend in Al Ain….I did say I was thanking God for favor!

This is a HUGE Leap of Faith....

I can hear the "ole" folk saying...I can't believe you quit "yo guud payin job! LOL Well....I did just that and in a matter of a few keys strokes, I am officially unemployed as of June 30th! I can't remember the last time I didn't have a job. Yes, technically, I do, but until I receive an airline ticket this fear and anxiety will rest on my chest like a 3 ton elephant. I have a wife, three kids, and responsibilities so those key strokes were much bigger than just the 1x1 squares on a computer. They represented financial security and a peace of mind.

Am I thrilled at the opportunity, YES! Does this in some ways scare the hell out of me, YES! I keep telling myself, many other before me and along this same journey with me are having to make the same leap. AND, for those before us, it seems as if there was someone (ADEC) on the other end to catch them. That's somewhat comforting........

The other nerve racking part that at the same time gives me great feelings of joyful anticipation is the unknown. See, in my current role, I know the challenges, the hills, the valleys, the obstacles, the bureaucracy, and the joys. There....I KNOW NOTHING!! I have read all there is to read, facebooked folk who are over there to get their experience, and researched things on my own....BUT NOTHING will compare to actually placing my feet in the sand and experiencing it for myself.

So here I sit....excited, nervous, imaginative, conflicted, worried, happy......

Praying to GOD that I have made the right decision for me, for my family, and for my future. I think so, but only time will tell. For now, ALL I can do is sit here and daydream about what is to come and appreciate the time that I have left with family and friends (it kinda sounds like I am dying). 

One thing I WILL DO is DECOMPRESS from the last 6 years!!!!! Each summer for one reason or another, while teachers are somewhat able to enjoy their summer break, I, a principal, start the process of retooling for the next year. Now, I'm not complaining because that's what I signed up for. However, it is draining. Yes, I might have taken a week or two in the summer time, but any administrator knows, you can probably find an iphone or laptop not far away crafting School Improvement Plans and re-doing handbooks, and writing newsletters. I have even be known to conduct skype interviews while on vacation... BUT NOT THIS SUMMER! I am going to relax, refresh, and enjoy the quiet of the beach, the pool, but mostly, I'm going to enjoy NOT WORKING!!!!!