On the "Hunt" to Abu Dhabi!: Find Your Joys!!!!

My wife a few weeks back during one of my venting sessions sent me a passage about Joy! I have shared it with a few people, but for some reason I didn’t want to tell a lot of people about it. Not sure why, other than I think the devil knew how powerful this message was and wanted to keep it quiet. However, I started thinking about all the people who are probably facing some of the same challenges I am daily and how many WILL face these challenges when they arrive, so I thought I would share it with whomever reads and subscribes to this blog.

The irony, even moving half way around the world, is that even though I am in a different land with different people, some of the same frustrations and joys are the same. Many administrators will agree with me on this point….in the states, I found that my biggest headaches often involved people who were old enough to drive…”GROWN FOLK”! My greatest joys came from the students! Students have a way of saying the right thing at the right time, bringing a sense of innocence and clarity to a situation in only the way a kid can. I worked in elementary schools mostly in the states, so those that understand, know that a hug at just the right moment can make a day go from gray to sunny.

THE SAME IS TRUE HERE! As I have stated that this job will leave you frustrated, conflicted, confused, and even angry at times…but there are some things that make it all better. These are those things:

Sherrica and Maddy

This experience is fun most of the time! From getting lost, to going to the wrong buildings, trying to learn broken parts of a new language, driving, to waiting, to shopping.. this experience would not be the same without family. For others, it may be friends that they have met here and bonded with quickly, but for me it’s mostly my family! My only wish is that all my children (It sounds like I have a bunch rightJ were here to enjoy it or old enough to appreciate it…I guess I’ll just have to stay awhile until all of them canJ

New Experiences

Ski Dubai inside of Emirates Mall in Dubai

125 Floors up from the Burj Khalifa

Water Show at the Dubai Mall

Boat Ride in front of the Burj Khalifa

The opportunities are amazing and I haven’t even begun to travel yet. I OFTEN sit back and pinch myself and ask, “Am I really in Abu Dhabi?” This is crazy right?….NO, this is my life!

The KIDDOS!

Don’t get me wrong, we have our fair share of “mushkila” (problem) with a few students, but overall, they are a DELIGHT to work with! They have SOOOOO much personality and most are quite funny. They are no different than many of the students that I have experienced back home.

The kids celebrating healthy food week!

The kids doing a military skit!

Student presentations on Africa Unit

African money

Shopping

Honestly, outside of home goods, we haven’t done much personal shopping….BUT IN DUE TIME!!!! It is fun however to visit the different malls and souks. I am still amazed at the three and four level malls, with marble on the floors, and all the stores from Rodeo Drive mixed in with the more affordable brands here.

Food from home

Many people often ask what do we eat? Many people expect that the only food available would resemble this:

Traditional Meal

Yes, I have eaten more traditional meals at school, but when I come home or we go out, we often seek comforts from home. We are not that ambitious yet with our palatesJ YES, they have everything you can imagine at home….