Fabric of Abu Dhabi

Fifteen years after high school and an elective sewing class, I decided to brush up on my skills. After selecting the fabric for my Abaya I spotted this beautiful satin fabric with the colors orange, turquoise, and fuchsia. I asked my husband if he thought the fabric would match our décor, because the color scheme for our home is teal, orange, and silver. He wasn’t sure but I felt we could at least try since it was only 15 dirhams per yard.

When I offered to make decorative pillows for the sofa out of the fabric, Marshall gave me that Are You Crazy Look…lol! Granted I am not the most domestic wife but I can do a little something here and there. Being a sweet and loving husband he purchased the fabric and gave me room to work. Between taking care of Madisyn, writing, and completing other personal development projects I made time to make two pillows. I wanted to make two orange pillows, but we are on the Hunt for the perfect fabric. Marshall gave me compliments and was pleasantly surprised that I completed them. I’m still a little rusty so if you come to visit do not stare at the details (work in progress).

I plan to take advantage of the beautiful fabric we have access to here to make more things. Madinat Zayed Shopping Center is a great place to find fabric.

Checkout my efforts:

My First Abaya

I have officially been in Abu Dhabi going on two months now. The environment is so calm and relaxing that it actually feels like 6 months. My family and I are slowly adapting more and more to the Emirate culture and learning to appreciate their customs.

Beautiful women are dressed in Abaya's everywhere you go here. The standard uniform appears to be an Abaya and a nice handbag (YSL or Chanel). I mentioned to my husband one day that I would like to get one.  So he took me to Madinat Zayed Shopping Center to look for fabric for my Abaya. 

We found this nice little shop in the center of the mall that displayed some unique fabric. I wanted to stick with a traditional black Abaya but with a unique pattern. I decided on this black and white design with a soft texture. I felt the pattern was simple enough to fit in with the traditional attire, but with a little personality. 

The fabric was not expensive. For 4 yards we paid 120 dirhams, which is only $32 US. Initially we were told we had to travel to a separate location to get the Abaya made, however after my husband became friendly with the shop that customized his Kandura they told us about a shop located in the mall. After walking in I felt a little overwhelmed because the Abaya's had many styles and I was not sure about the one I wanted. I decided on a closed Abaya with wide sleeves and a matching headpiece. 

Speaking of culture, it was funny because as the tailor was measuring me he began to ask Marshall if the length was okay rather than me. I understand that in their culture wives are sometimes seen and not heard. A piece of me wanted to say hello…you can talk to me, but as you continue to live here you learn to respect their way of doing things. As long as it doesn’t kill, hurt, or disrespect my family I am okay with it. 

The cost to make the Abaya was also reasonable priced at 85 dirhams but without the headpiece it was only 50 dirhams. For a tailor-made Abaya + fabric it only cost 205 dirhams, which is $56 US. After waiting 3 days it was finally complete; my first Abaya. 

I truly love it and cannot wait to wear it. I plan to get more designs made in the future and when I start to work I would like to make them my standard uniform. All I need now is the YSL or Chanel bag to complete my look (wink..wink). My husband has already immersed himself in the Kandura culture (checkout his Facebook page).  

Where to purchase Gerber Products in Abu Dhabi?

I have been searching high and low for Gerber products for my daughter. Although I breastfeed her, I like to have on-the-go meals and snacks for her in case we are out late or I do not cook. I packed my Gerber products when we moved from Atlanta, but Maddy went through them quicker than I expected. They have baby food here, but I wanted a brand that I knew and trusted. My BBF Shaun offered to send Maddy her favorite food and snacks. I feel bad because after a month I still have yet to receive them and she paid $90 in shipping cost. I purchased a blender/puree and began to make Maddy's food, which I prefer. But when we are out late, the Gerber products are convenient.

My husband and I visited a Lulu's hypermarket and a ray of sunshine came from the baby aisle. Gerber!!! I was super excited. The had an assortment of foods, snacks, and juices. I feel so relieved to finally have found what I've been searching for.

For all you Gerber moms out there in Abu Dhabi visit Lulu's (Mushrif Mall).

“Today’s Disappointment, Is Tomorrow’s Purpose”

Last night as my husband, daughter, and I sat out by the pool overlooking the skyline; the thought of Purpose was in the forefront of my mind. I discussed with my husband that I pray God will reveal to me “My Purpose” within this opportunity.

The decision to move my life was a process and was not made overnight. When I was 3 months pregnant, I knew my company would release me of my duties. My intuition came from a discussion I had with the CEO of my company about expectations three years prior. His opinion was that a woman could either be two things; a successful businesswoman or a great mom, but not both. After working in finance in NYC this way of thought was not foreign to me. At that moment Marshall and I began to prepare by taking a Dave Ramsey finance course, saving, and living minimally to organize our lives based on one salary.  Long story short, I was right and my company released me of my duties two months after I gave birth. Although it was a blow to my ego (who wants to be fired), I really do not have anything negative to say about the process. My CEO was very supportive of me during my pregnancy (I had a few complications) and after I gave birth. But at the end of the day I know Business is just Business.

When the possibility for our family to have this opportunity presented itself, deep down inside I had fears. The fear of moving with an infant with no family support, the fear of losing myself inside this new role as a wife and mother, and the fear of my professional goals diminishing. I never expressed these thoughts to my husband because I trusted he would make the right decisions for our children and myself. 

My husband has truly redefined my definition of partnership and what it means to trust. Anyone who decides to take this path needs to ensure they have a pact to remain supportive and encouraging to not only the person with the opportunity, but the other spouse who is sacrificing a piece of themselves as well.

It wasn’t until I read John 13:17 that I had my Aha moment. “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” If I am not aware of anything else in this world, I know that my God is Loving, Reliable, and Faithful. He has orchestrated each minute detail of my life for my good, even when I thought those things were negative or made me uncomfortable.

I came to the conclusion that my Purpose is to Hunt For My Greatness in my marriage, as a parent and in my professional aspirations; and to release all expectations to God and allow Him to accomplish his will in my life. In the meantime I plan to enjoy my beautiful view as I arise each morning, have a mocktail (a cocktail without the liquor) with my family at the pool, and embrace this new culture.

Our First Two Weeks

I can not believe two weeks have come and gone. I feel like we were in Alabama just yesterday. I have to admit time is not a factor here. The environment is very calming and relaxing that I often forget what day it is. In the short amount of time, we have made progress. We found furniture, purchased a car, painted the apartment, and made new friends in the process.

Here is my assessment so far.

Out of the 4 malls we’ve visited, there is something about each of them that I like. Yas Mall has the cutest clothing boutiques where I would shop for clothes. It's also attached to IKEA and Ferrari World. Marina Mall is very beautiful because it's near the beach and it has all of the high-end designer shops. Dalma mall was good for furniture shopping and it houses the best meal I’ve had thus far. Finally Mushirf mall was very practical and good for children because of the large fish tank elevator and an amusement center inside. This mall is also connected to a meat (if you have weak tummy this is not for you. You will see whole animal legs and other limbs displayed), seafood, and vegetable market. FYI do not take any photos outside of the meat and seafood market, a police officer stopped me as I was taking a photo.

The best coffee shop thus far is La Brioche. They have the best caramel frappuccino and apple turnover. It is chain coffee shop and can be found around the city. It is also a great meeting location.

 The best meal I have had was from this Italian restaurant in Dalma Mall called Buca di Beppo. The hospitality and service was amazing. They take you on a tour of the kitchen and you can even dine in the kitchen on your birthday. They have a wall dedicated to celebrities who have dined there. I had the shrimp Florentine, rosemary potatoes, and cheese garlic bread. My husband ordered the Buca Trio Platter with fried calamari, fried mozzarella & stuffed mushrooms. We both were very pleased with everything.

 We also experienced a touch of home by going to Marrybrown in Mushrif Mall for some friend chicken. It was pretty tasty and comparable to the fried chicken back home in Alabama. This is a great spot if you are seeking a quick meal. 

 We ventured out and dined with our friends Renee and Bobby at Bonna Annee, an Ethiopian restaurant. I ordered the Doro Wet (chicken stew with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and Ethiopian chili powder) and Marshall ordered the Bonnanne special (mix of key wet, minchet, abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs, fir fir, and shiro). The food was different but good. FYI: It is a cash only establishment. 

 All in all the first two weeks have been great. We anticipate some normalcy once our furniture arrives and we are settled.

Where to Breastfeed in Abu Dhabi

After breastfeeding for the past 7 months, I have come to realization that mothers who breastfeed have an unspoken bond with each other. I have spoken to individuals who think the act is disturbing and others find it to be the most rewarding feeling in the world. Although it is time-consuming, I would not change the experience for anything in the world.

Initially I was a little shy about the entire process and would only feed my daughter in private areas such as in the home or in the car. However as time went on, all the shyness went away. I was feeding her in the food courts, graduations, and restaurants. If I had my nursing cover from Udder Cover and a chair I was good to go.

Unfortunately that was in the United States, so honestly I am a little apprehensive to be so free in a traditionally conservative Country. Below are a few places (courtesy of Arabian Notes) that are breastfeeding friendly in Abu Dhabi. Because I am a newbie here, I have only experienced one facility. As I experience them I will update the post. This is only only a guideline for those breastfeeding moms new to the area.

1) Ikea near Yas Mall

I've actually used this facility and it was really cute. Nice padded changing table, a comfy chair, and it was clean. The only issue I ran into was space, it was a little tight for my jogging stroller. 

2) Yas Mall

They have a private women's seating area outside the restroom which can be great to use. 

3) Babyshop (Inside of Yas Mall)

 Comfy chairs, footrests, and a changing area. You have to ask an associate about the room.

4) Galleria Mall

Large changing and feeding rooms with TV's. 

5) Mothercare (Abu Dhabi Mall)

Changing rooms can be used to breastfeed. 

6) Al Wahda Mall

There is a chair located in the restroom stall and a separate changing area. 

7) Mushrif Mall

Space to change and feed inside a disabled restroom stall.
 
In any retail space I find it convenient to utilize the fitting rooms in large department stores, if you find the restrooms to be uncomfortable.

Momma We Made It!

On September 10th, Madisyn and I began our journal to Abu Dhabi to join the hubby. Initially my anxieties about making the trip were traveling alone with a 7-month-old baby diva and packing our lives into 4 duffle bags. However, all in all everything worked our perfectly and was well worth the hassle because, now it feels like Madisyn and I are living on a luxurious resort overlooking a beautiful skyline every single day. 

I am going to walk you through my process of this magical journey with Miss Madisyn Renee. My mom, aunt and a family friend drove us to New Orleans to see us off early that morning. I knew my emotions would eventually get the best of me, I just didn’t know when. It wasn’t until I approached the ticket counter for our boarding passes that I looked at my mom and just started to cry. At that moment all the preparations became a reality. 

The check-in process was smooth, however they asked me a bunch of questions in regards to obtaining a VISA. Even after I told them my husband is working there and his company is sponsoring us, they still continued to interrogate me.  But after that  process we were all set to go.   

I was excited to learn I would have get my stroller back in NYC (after being told I would get in Abu Dhabi) and thank God, because I needed it. The flight from New Orleans to New York City was great, no complaints. Upon arriving in NYC, I received my stroller and Madisyn and I were off to catch our next flight. My husband warned me that it would be a slight hassle getting to the international side of the airport. I should listen to him more often, because it felt like we walked a solid 2 miles to the international security checkpoint. Once there we only had 30min before the flight began to board. The line was long, Madisyn was going into Maddy Meltdown Mode, and I was starving. The line was moving pretty steadily until it was our turn. TSA informed me my stroller had to be inspected by someone else and I had to wait. I waited….waited….and waited until it was 30min before the flight departed. I became impatient and vented my frustration only to be told they were short staffed and to pretty much just wait. Ten minutes later someone finally checked the stroller and I still had a ways to go to my gate. I really began to panic when I heard last call for Abu Dhabi. I was determined to make this flight! Finally…we get to the gate only to be informed we needed another boarding pass and to see the ticket agent. Could anything else slow us down?  As were one of the last ones to be seated on the flight, Madisyn decides she had to use the #2. That meant getting up and passing over someone to take her into the restroom. At this point I used the honor system and left my bags, because the space was extremely tight and I was already hot and bothered. When we settled in I realized my cellular phone did not have a signal, so I couldn’t inform my husband or mother we made the flight. 

Off we go on a 13-hour adventure. I figured Madisyn would sleep a good 7-8 hours on the flight. Man was I wrong. She only slept 2 hours the entire trip. She was up playing, talking and knocking everything over. Initially when a young lady next to me with a son one day older than Madisyn offered to hold her, I was apprehensive. But after 5 hours of non-stop bouncing around in a tight space I took the offer. Her mother traveled with her so she was able to get a break from her son and understood the struggle of traveling with an active infant. This break allowed me to get my laptop and Facebook Marshall and my family to inform them we were okay. 

All in all the flight was wonderful, the food was fulfilling and no turbulence. The flight attendants were superb. One attendant even sat with me to hold Madisyn for about 20 minutes to give me a break.  

After we landed, all I could say was Thank You God!!! We Made It! Upon arrival my husband purchased me a VIP concierge service to transport us through the Passport check-in and to baggage claim. It was easy to get transported around but the individual assigned to me was little lazy. She would not help with my bags, told me I didn’t have time to use the restroom after a 13-hour flight, and stopped to chat with everyone she knew. At baggage claim the first 3 bags and Madisyn’s stroller came pretty fast, but it was too good to be true. We waited for 45min and still no bag. So off to the lost baggage station we go to file a claim. The process was easy and they were very efficient. My bag arrived the next day. 

After it was all said and done walking to the transportation area and seeing my husband made it all worth it. Needless to say Madisyn was knocked out in the cab ride home.

Traveling from the known to the unknown can be frightening, but knowing God promises that he will never leave nor forsake us will always be my guide for anything I approach in  life.

“God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise—He can be depended on], and through Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” 1 Cor. 1:9 AMP

24 Hours to Paradise

Wow I cannot believe the time has finally arrived for Madisyn and I to depart on this excursion. It seems like yesterday we received the news and now everything is slowly turning into a reality. This last week has been a little overwhelming, but for the most part relaxing. I made a list based on recommendations on what I needed to bring outside of clothes and electronics. The list included:

1) Your favorite soap
2) Shampoo and Conditioner (I heard these items are difficult to find)
3) Make-up
4) Facial cleanse products
5) Medication for Marshall and Madisyn (I was informed that although they have traditional medications, it is a lower dosage from what we are accustomed to).

For the most part Maddy and I are packed and ready to rock and roll. Between us two, we have 4 large duffel bags to check-in. For convenience I paid in advance for the additional luggage, which actually saved us $35 (Etihad Airways). My carry-on luggage will only be my baby's backpack and an Ogio Brooklyn Shoulder Bag. Since this will be my first time traveling with my baby, I want to make the journey easy.

Today I visited our local AAA office to purchase travel insurance for our flight. I recommend this service because it covers your flight in the event an emergency occurs, medical expenses, missing or damaged luggage, and if your flight is delayed more then 6 hours they will cover food and lodging expenses. It's actually pretty cheap costing only $46 (amount based on your flight cost and age). 

My husband walked me through the process of downloading Astrill to my MacBook and iPad. It provides privacy protection and allows you to access the Internet without geo-restrictions.https://www.astrill.com/index.php

As the time nears, I am getting emotional about leaving my family. I am such a mother's baby (and proud of it)! I do thank God that I was given the opportunity to spend the entire summer with family and friends, before departing. I know it will be bittersweet when my mom takes us to the airport, but my saving grace is knowing that my family will not hesitate to hop on a flight to visit me. 

Tomorrow, I plan to spend the day relaxing and enjoying my last 24 hours in Alabama.

The Time Has Come.......

This summer has been hectic between moving from Georgia to Alabama, helping my little sister plan the wedding of her dreams, and also packing to move our lives to Abu Dhabi. Not to mention, all of this has to be completed with a 6 month old baby. 

My sister's wedding date was the reason Madisyn and I could not take the journey with Marshall when he traveled to Abu Dhabi. Now I can take a deep breath, now that the wedding is over. The affair was simply beautiful and I am fortunate I was able to stand by my little sister's side as she began a new chapter in her life. As you can see from the photo Maddy had a ball!

Moving forward I can place 100% of my efforts into preparing for our journey to Abu Dhabi. Our official leave date is September 10th.  I've began the packing process, but its proven to be slight challenging. Since we are flying Etihad Airways they charge a $100 fee for a lap infant, which works out perfectly because they give her 1 piece of luggage, thus we do not have to pay $175 for an additional piece. Fitting my life into 2-3 duffel bags is not going to be easy, but I am learning to part with the old. I still have clothes from college, so I admit I have some hoarder like tendencies. 

Another challenge is accepting my post-baby body. I have avoided purchasing clothes because I thought losing the baby weight would come easy, lies..lies..lies...!  Mobile is known for amazing seafood and home cooked meals that interferes with my diet. Therefore, I am having to purchase new clothing essentials like jeans, tops, and tees. I've decided to be happy with my new body and to be fabulous while I continue to lose the weight.  Due to the culture in the UAE, I have found many cute and conservative items at Old Navy, Gap, and Ann Taylor Loft.

My husband has been wonderful in supporting our family during this transition. Since I am not there, he had to find our new home and purchase furniture. He has successfully executed all tasks all while  allowing me to be a part of the decision-making process. Since there is a 9-hour time difference I am awaken with 4am text messages or phone calls with him sending me videos and pictures to ask my opinion on things. The Hunt's clan is all about Team Work....Making the Dream Work!

I anticipate the day to see my hubby!  The countdown begins to September 10th!

First Impressions......a week into a lifetime

So today officially marks my first full week here in Abu Dhabi and it has flown by! I have seen many blogs that start and stop and I see why. It is hard to stop and find the time  to fully explain(write) everything but I want to stay committed to this to 1) document my experiences 2) to help others navigate the waters and 3) encourage someone to follow their dreams when folk around them are calling them crazy! There are SO many topics that I want to discuss so let me preface this post by saying two things....it will be long and these are "MY" experiences, thoughts, and perspectives.

The Goodbyes

A picture is worth a 1000 words....Missing my Maddy Poo!

Sherrica and Maddy

My mom and Maddy

The Plane Ride

Whew!!! 13 hours in a tight space. But all I can say is that Etihad Airways is the truth. From the goodie bags with headphones (they collect them before landing), to the food, to the free alcohol, to the customer service, they were absolutely wonderful. For me this was my first up close exposure and realization that I was heading to a new land. It was interesting to see all the different cultures on the plane and to also see those  of the Islamic faith get up every so often with their prayer rugs to go and pray. A lot could be learned from them and one of the things that I hope strengthens my family is their faithfulness to their religion. Being here a week, I have begun to understand that their faith is not something that they do (like some of us on Sunday:), but who they are. It is the foundation for EVERYTHING in this society and it is beautiful to watch in amazement. 

We were met like movie stars right of the jet way with our names on an ipad and whisked through customs. We had our vision checked and bags retrieved in record time. Not sure how they do it, and if you have ever flown into Atlanta's airport you certainly know what I mean, but by the time we made it to baggage claim, our bags were arriving. 

ADVICE: You will here conflicting things on FB but get your Sim card at the airport!!!! You will not have your passport beyond this point and it is darn near impossible to get a sim card anywhere else without your ACTUAL passport. NO, they do not accept copies of passports. Yes, ADEC "may" give you one but it comes with restrictions such as no data and it only has about 10 minutes on it. You need a local number and it helps to already have that secured ASAP! Myself and another AVP were the only 2 of about 30 or so AVPs and teachers to get it at the airport and each one will tell you that they probably wished they had!

ADVICE: Exchange some money at the airport! It is quick, painless, and the exchange rate is really good. It also makes you feel really rich walking around with 500 dollar (dirham) bills #bigballer

Emirati Appearance, People, and Culture

From the airline attendants, to the hotel clerks, to the normal citizenry, their is a pride in how they present themselves. No doo rags, no sagging pants, no hair bonnets, no pajamas in public.....This culture is a very prideful culture and they make it a point to not do anything or allow anyone to do anything that would bring shame to them in any way. Another aspect of their culture is that is strikingly opposite to my American culture are the use of cellphones. Yes, everybody has them but when they are with their family, you rarely see them....EVER. I have yet to see anyone on their cellphone while in a family setting and family is hugely important here. Again, another aspect of this culture that I hope to learn a great deal from. 

One of my favorite activities thus far has been to talk with the service staff. THEY ARE AMAZING and ALL have wonderful stories. I have met a young man who was a teacher in Uganda. Another who recently graduated from a University. He and I spoke for nearly an hour one night as he was curious as to why cops were killing black people. Yes, THE WORLD IS WATCHING US! He told me that because of his University major this epidemic was really interesting to him. He made sure to speak quietly as he did not want anyone to hear our subject matter. He told me that America needed more Marcus Garvey's to stand up and say enough! I make it a point to visit with my favorites everyday at some point. It seems the list keeps growing because each day they introduce me to someone else. We laugh at the fact that our dreams are opposite. They dream to come to America and my dream was to leave America and live abroad. They all are supporting families back home and it is quite normal to see them working in one position in the morning and then another at night. Steve Harvey says that the Dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately. They give a whole new meaning to the word hustle and grind and whether they know it or not, they inspire me. I admire them for trying to carry the weight of their entire families. Many have left children and wives to come here and make roughly 500-800 US dollars a month and they send most of that back home. So to my new friends...I salute each of you and your courage, will, and hustle!

Hotel Life

View from my hotel room

I mean, who could get tired of a 5 star hotel, with daily cleanings, free breakfast, huge pool, with a private beach! If you are waiting on a however or but......it ain't coming!! I have no complaints about the accommodations and I am truly grateful. If ADEC had placed us in a Holiday Inn, no one would have complained, but they didn't! Everything has been amazing and the staff go to no ends to make you feel welcomed and secure. 

Education..."Without a Vision, People will Perish"

Abu Dhabi and the Royal Family values education and are serious about strengthening their society through education. There is a joke the locals tell...My grandfather rode a camel, my father drove a Mercedes, my son will drive a Maserati, my grandson will drive a Lamborghini, but my great grandson will ride a camel. They understand that eventually a society that was built on oil will have to transition and education is the means that will allow this transition. Yes, it will be hard work but you have to remember...The US educational system is over 100 years old. They just started practically 10 years ago and already have made huge leaps. They have researched the best systems and practices in the world from Finland to the U.K. and have/are creating a system/curriculum that will leap frog them into the future. Beginning this year, every 10th and 11th grader will be exposed to a S.T.E.M. curriculum with expansion coming each year after that. 

Malls

I am not going to waste my time typing this or your time reading it talking about shopping. Let me say this, there are malls everywhere. There are upscale malls, decent malls (like the ones back home, and not so good malls. You will have to venture out and find the 1, 2, or 3 that fit your need and budget.

Security

I am sure that many of you have family members who were concerned about your safety. Never take anything for granted, but let me say that everywhere you go, there is security. This country goes to great lengths to make sure that everyone is safe. Crime and violence is something that brings shame to them and they are swift in punishing those who commit crime. For instance, the American teacher who was killed in December 2014. Her murderer was captured, tried, and executed July 2015. SWIFT! Other than getting to know the cultural norms and behaviors in public, I always feel extremely safe and comfortable.

Housing and Placement

This subject is what brings out the U.G.L.Y. in people. Both show who was truly prepared for this experience and who was "hoping" that everything would work in their favor. It shows who can roll with the punches and who still has yet to realize that they are not in Kansas anymore. As I type this, there have been some who have been sent home for an inability to accept that which was always an option. 

Now, there are two types or placements/housing when it comes to administrators and teachers. As administrators, we know months ahead of time, which region we will be placed. The only aspect of our assignment that we do not know is our school and what type of school it will be; elementary (cycle 1) middle (cycle 2) or high (cycle 3) or a combination. We also know that our region can and/or school can change at a moments notice (I was originally placed in Al Ain and then reassigned to Abu Dhabi). We (admin aka AVPs) have the responsibility of finding our own housing based on the budget prescribed by ADEC according to the region and our marital status. For example in Abu Dhabi our housing allowance is 210K (dirhams) if we are married compared to 131K dirhams for single. In Al Ain, the housing allowance for married is 112k (dirhams) and 67k for single. If AVPs are places out west in Al Gharbia then our housing is chosen for us as there is not as much housing to choose from. Regardless of where we are placed, we are given 20k (dirhams) or about $5,500 usd to purchase furniture. Unlike in the states, most places do not have appliances or furniture. The downside to this is that unlike teachers, who are placed in housing (I will get to this), AVPs must pay realtor fees (5%) and security deposits (5%), which come from the furniture allowance. If you are a quick study in math, you will realize that much, if not all of your furniture allowance is gone after those "hidden costs" so any appliances and furniture must come out of your own pocket...SAVE YOUR MONEY AVPs!!!

Teachers...Teachers...Teachers...GET YOUR MIND RIGHT BEFORE YOU GET HERE! Teachers enter into this new opportunity completely, or mostly blind. They know their salary and they know that there housing will be taken care of, but they don't know their region or school. The school placement is not that big of a deal, unless a teacher has taught high school and has now been given a kindergarten class.....Hey, it happens but not so much as they really try to match the skill sets that you bring so that their students are successful. The PLACEMENT is the BIG ISSUE. Even though teachers are told from the outset that they could go to any region, many come with their mind set on one or two places....and let's be honest, very few want to go out west (Al Gharbia) where it is thought to be rural and desolate. Let me say this....there are many teachers that have gone out west and love it! However, some teachers come wanting the "bright lights" of Abu Dhabi and when they don't get it...how should I say this.....ACT A COMPLETE DAMN FOOL! As if they knew this wasn't a possibility. I think you do yourself a huge disservice if you come close-minded. Some might say, it is easy for me to speak since I am in Abu Dhabi but let me say that when I was TOLD that I was going to Al Ain, I was preparing to go and make the most of it! Sherrica and I both wanted Abu Dhabi because it gave her the greatest opportunity to work, but had it not occurred, we were prepared to move on with plan B. 

You have to prepare yourself mentally for anything and anywhere. If you wanted ABSOLUTE control, then you have to stay in the US where you can control the school you work in and the neighborhood you live. You give ALL that up when you sign up for this opportunity. Understand that. Yes, there are times that you can dispute housing arrangements due to certain things, as some teachers have successfully changed housing, but placement for the most part is an absolute and without a HUGE reason to change, you are where they place you.

Let me repeat. TEACHERS GIVE UP ALL CONTROL OVER YOUR LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND PLACEMENT WHEN YOU GET ON THAT PLANE!!!

Family

I know that they encourage you to leave your family at home until you get settled but I would have to disagree. If you have the opportunity, BRING THEM. I could not due to a family event that is occurring at the end of the month, but I wish they were here with me. The hotel is wonderful and there is plenty to do to keep from getting cabin fever. And as many have stated before, your spouse can do some of the leg work or be there for deliveries when you cannot. This is a wonderful experience so you might has well enjoy the ups, downs, and bewilderment of it all together!

New Haircut

The jury is still out but right now officially the vote is as follows:

• My mom hates it
• My wife is on the fence
• I like it....

If you are keeping total that is one Hell No, one Hell Yeah, and one I'm not so sure, which maybe code for Hell No, but I don't want to hurt your feeling honey! LOL

Until next time....Shukran (Thank you) for reading and Inshallah (if Allah (God) wills it)

And so it begins……..

Let me give a disclaimer that this will be a long post as there are a few topics that I want to cover. I will break them into sections just in case one section appeals more to you than another.

The WAIT……

Now for those that will read this post who have already been through it, those that are going through it now, and those that will HAVE to go through it in the future…..it is simple dreadful. I am not going to sugar coat it! You will go crazy some days. For me the wait was not bad during the months of June and “most of July due to me having my boys and doing a lot of vacationing with them. We (admin) were told to be ready mid to late July so the “waiting” for me was not a real thing because I was not expecting to leave before the end of July. Well……a funny thing happened. Teachers, that’s right….teachers began to get their notices to leave August 6^th and 7^th. Now, I would be lying if I told you a bit of my “admin” ego didn’t kick inJ I thought to myself, surely, admin would go before teachers. Nonetheless, this started the “waiting” for me. AND THEN IT HAPPENED! Other admin began to receive notification about leaving on July 29^th and 30^th, just as our recruiters had told us. But I never received that elusive GOLDEN e-ticket.

One of the aspects of waiting that drives you absolutely mad is that there is no rhyme or reason as to why some people leave before others. Furthering infuriating your mental state is when some people post on Facebook how excited they are to be leaving even though they just submitted paperwork 6 weeks ago and yours has been in for 4 months.  WHAT THE HELL!!! There is a biblical lesson in learning to rejoice and celebrate others while waiting on your blessing….BUT IT’S HARD!!!!

Now, believe it or not, and others can chime in with an AMEN here who have gone through this, the waiting doesn’t begin until others have gone. When they start posting pictures of their travels, excursions, housing (if I see one more picture of someones bidet toilet I am going to screamJ), and etc., you die a thousand deaths with each new posting and you can’t help but to click on the photos. I don’t want anyone to get this emotion confused with “hate” or “shade”. It’s just that you are thinking you want the same experience! I CANNOT stress enough how tough this period of time is. Those in group 1 will talk about the wait, but those in the groups that come after them, have lived “the wait”. I tried to hide my daily disappointment from others, while believing that GOD had a plan and my leaving would be through and by his will and not mine, BUT STILL! A brother was hurting when those daily and constant emails checks went unanswered. And the sad part is, I could tell you to spend time with your family, or go do something that you have never done, but the truth is, your mind will always be wondering/wanting “that email.”

Yet another aspect of “the wait” and the one that I think plays the most havoc in your mind is that it will make you question your decision. As money gets “thinner” and time seemingly gets longer, you start to ask yourself did I make the right decision. In my case, Atlanta Public Schools salary for principals was nothing to sneeze at. With three kids, I began to question (quietly) had I made the right decision. Even though my reasons were strong and good for wanting this new opportunity, I wrestled and contemplated about what I had done by leaving a job that I enjoyed seeking something that I might LOVE. It’s hard to stand still when the winds of “the wait” are blowing and it’s even harder to stay steadfast in your decision without thinking, “What in the world was I thinking!”

Even though it was hard and admittedly my faith wavered at times, I prayed about it and I believed in it. I had a great support system in my wife and others who had already gone over that would check on me and give me words of encouragement. All I can offer is my hope that EVERYONE going forward will not have to “live the wait” for long.

For me, “the wait” ended at a designed and ordained moment.  A good friend of mine who is also an admin, called me earlier excited about receiving her ticket. I was genuinely happy for her, but a bit nervous that I had not received “my” email.  Again, “the wait” is HELL when you know others are leaving or have gone. I decided to log onto Facebook to see what was floating in the atmosphere. Another friend of mine on Facebook had posted her daily affirmation/devotion. In it, she talked about being unique and how God has not forgotten you. A few days prior, I had told myself that I was going to read more post from people about GOD, especially if I could click on the ratchet fight clipsJ Don’t act like it’s just me….. I hit the “like” button because something about GOD not forgetting about me resonated with me. When I tell you that not 10 minutes later the email came, I was like WOW….nobody BUT GOD! (the two most powerful words in the bible)

Preparing Ourselves For the Blessing…..

You see, many folk who have this opportunity will waste it. Yes, they will travel and live it up, and come back in a number of years broke, busted, and disgusted. Some of you know I AINT LYING! This decision was huge for me because I sacrificed a great deal and I also asked my wife to sacrifice as well. Now I’m not trying to tell other grown folks what to do, but I will ask them to take an opportunity to think about the end game. Maybe this opportunity is about traveling the world and making memories and then going back to the “rat race” at some point. My only advice would be to take a little money back to the “rat race!”

If I knew then what I know now…I would be more than halfway to being a millionaire. I look at some of the folk fortunate enough to have this opportunity and I am envious of their age. Oh to be 25 with this opportunity and the knowledge that I have now. I WOULD BE DANGEROUS. But since I’m not 25, I have to be much more savvy and intentional with my finances. Have you ever seen people who should be enjoying retirement working. I’m not talking about the ones that love being active so they work. I’m talking about the ones that HAVE TO WORK. If you take nothing else from this blog, please meet with someone about your financial future so that when you are done chasing “kids”, you can enjoy the rest of your years.

There is a fallacy that since I make more then I am going to have more to save. WRONG!!!! If you couldn’t save a quarter in the states, then you won’t be able to save a dollar in the UAE. The trappings are too real. The palaces, the malls, the travel, the cars. They are all much more easily assessable now and the temptation to act as if you were born of such means is luring and easily exploitable. Where else in the world could you walk into a bank and walk out with a loan 3-5 times what you make by simply providing a letter that states how much your earn yearly.  No credit check. No background check. No nothing! Certainly not in the US! This is the true meaning of a no hassle loan!

As sure as I am typing this, there will be one or more that fall prey and find themselves in trouble.  What’s the worse that can happen in the US, bill collectors call and you have the option of dodging them or telling them to go tale a flying leap. NOT IN THE U.A.E! In the UAE, you will go to jail, have your passport denied, and be stuck until you can pay off your debts that incur interest at rates sometimes quicker than you can pay.

Prepare yourself for this blessing. Do not waste a huge opportunity by just “balling out”. Enjoy the UAE….travel….but at the end of the day, please have something (monetarily) to show for it. AND monetarily may mean that you paid off the debts you brought from home. Just be smart and wise and understand that “everything” that might be at your disposal, still may not be meant for your “disposal!”