tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71885607257651991212024-02-07T23:55:17.523-05:00USA to UAEFollowing the life and adventures of an American elementary teacher taking part in the education reform in Abu Dhabi, UAE.Shannon Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131249099489596850noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7188560725765199121.post-57490704225416564152012-06-09T11:32:00.000-04:002012-06-09T11:32:11.481-04:00Emirati Wedding Experience<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It has been a while since I have updated and written.. and I know I say this every time I blog..<br />
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Many things have happened (good, bad, and fun....) and life has gotten a bit busy to blog all of the goings on! More blogs should follow soon!<br />
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Three weeks ago all of the English teachers moved out of the villas and into brand new beautiful apartments... we are waiting for our curtains to be put up (we don't have a drill) so pictures will be posted when that happens.. Insh'allah.<br />
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Here is the LATEST story:<br />
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Last night one of my roommates, Heidi, and I had the pleasure of attending an Emirati wedding. )Last weekend we spent 8 hours in the mall in Abu Dhabi dress shopping... we had to look amazing!)<br />
The secretary at Heidi's school was getting married!<br />
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Friday 8 June 2012:<br />
Heidi and I decided we needed to get better color for the wedding so we went to the beach. We planned on staying for a few hours, but 6-7 hours later we were peeling ourselves off the chairs. When we got home we realized that all of our sunscreen applications were in vain because we were burnt! We started to get ready around 6pm..(thanks to the Coronas) and we needed to be at the wedding at 8 and it was over an hour away... little did we realize that it would take so long to do the hair and make-up an event like this requires!!! How soon we forget what it is like to get ready for a black-tie function! We ended up leaving around 8.... and got there around 9:30...<br />
The Emirati Wedding:<br />
The men and women celebrate separately. The celebration is held at a wedding hall which has 2 sides... We were driving up to the building and I told Heidi to pull in to the entrance and then we saw the sea of white- men in kandooras! NOT the ladies side!! We saw black (women in abayas) and ran to the other side before getting ourselves into trouble!! Cell phones had to be left at the entrance and we had to be patted down to make sure we were not hiding any cameras or phones... Absolutely NO photography!<br />
We did not know what to expect, but we knew it would be over the top because we are used to the Emirati style... The hall was huge and there were tables piled with food.. their was silver fabric draped along the ceiling.. the first bride was sitting on the stage (we were late so we missed her walking in...) there were enormous crystal frames with silver Arabic designs in the middle and crystal lamps and balls lit up around the stage.... (so very "My Sweet Sixteen") The bride was in an amazing dress ..... There were women in dresses that the Real Housewives of New Jersey would KILL for!!! The hair and make-up was Jersey Shore meets Toddlers and Tiaras...<br />
Heidi and I stuck out like sore thumbs- we were wearing abayas over our dresses, but we were not veiled, we did not have sheilas covering our hair, and we are white and blonde...<br />
The bride Heidi knew came and she was stunning, but she had an extremely hard time walking! Her dress was mermaid style and very formfitting! We went on stage (without abayas) to say hello and Mabrook (Congrats in Arabic)... of course I tripped walking up the stairs while alllllll eyes were on us.... the poor girl could barely breathe.. her dress was so tight and her make-up was so heavy and her hair weighed probably 42lbs... She was so happy to see Heidi and meet me .... even though it was hard for her to say it!!<br />
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We sat back down(eyes still on us) and as we were watching the 3rd bride walk in and all the ladies continue to dance, each table received an enormous plate with one or two lamb shoulders and legs on a bed of rice... normal... the ladies at the table behind us had aluminum foil and took the whole lamb, wrapped it up, and put it in their giant purse!! They then proceeded to take the fruit from their table (and 3 other tables) and put it in a shopping bag ... Heidi and I were speechless! .. normal again...!!<br />
As the ceremony was winding down, ladies came around with finger desserts, then dates, Arabic coffee, unappetizing pancakes, and perfume in a large crystal decanter (Heidi and I had to watch the other ladies to know what to do with the perfume- spread it all over their abayas and sheilas on their heads...)<br />
We were one of the last groups of ladies to leave...! ..<br />
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At the car we had audience of the Pakistani truck drivers eating and drinking tea sitting on the sidewalk.. across from the smelly dumpster.. and the car was so foggy because it was extremely humid out... it took us 15 kilometers and driving with the windows down then up then down and the defrost blasting to get 85% visibility..<br />
3/4 of the way home the gas light went on, but we were close to home ... and then missed the exit and ended up in the next town over on the most undesirable road in the Emirate... we were hoping and praying and then barely breathing scared we were going to run out of gas... we made it to the gas station on fumes and both of us let out the breath we were holding.....<br />
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So now we know things needed for our next weeding experience: Pink or Red Lipstick, Henna on our arms, hands, and feet, a "Bump- It" or 2 for our hair, and plenty of gas!<br />
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We made it home after a night of new experiences, laughs, and embarrassing and scary moments!!<br />
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<br /></div>Shannon Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131249099489596850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7188560725765199121.post-71491820282747050482012-02-14T09:11:00.000-05:002012-02-14T09:11:00.648-05:00Surprise Visit Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> I knew that this holiday season was not going to be the same... and not just because I am living 8000 miles away, but because one of the most important family members was not going to be there. When I first arrived, I decided that I would not go home for Christmas because I thought it would be too hard to bear without my Nani- she was the one who brought the family together and who made Christmas so special. But after a few months here I realized that thinking that way was so selfish of me- I have many other wonderful, loving people in my family...<br />
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A few weeks before Thanksgiving I booked my flight home, then of course I called the next best place, Balance Spa, for a MUCH needed massage! I told NO ONE of my purchase, which was so hard because I was so excited! Thanksgiving I skyped with my family while they were having dinner (I was so close to tears..) and I fought the urge to spill it.... My best friend Sarah knew so I could be sure she could get time off work..<br />
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In the beginning of December I decided to tell my little sister Julia my plans- we were skyping and mom was in the other room so she was jumping up and down and doing silent cheers! We kept this secret between us up until the moment I came home! I was so proud of her!!!!<br />
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I had the plan all set- Sarah was going to pick me up at Logan Airport in Boston noon time Christmas day and bring me to my house.. So I flew out of Abu Dhabi at 2:45am Dec 23 and landed in London 7 hours later.. 7am London time.. and then I got to thinking.. "How am I flying in on Christmas Day if its only the 24th and Boston is 5 hours behind London?"... "Am I flying all the way around the world?" I panicked, called a friend to check my email and turns out I read the itinerary wrong-- I am flying in TODAY!!! And there won't be anyone at the airport in Boston for me....<br />
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I met a wonderful woman and her daughter on the plane and talked to them the whole way- her daughter was 4 and we colored and talked to her stuffed bear ... In Boston I used her skype to call Sarah and tell her how her smart friend read the itinerary wrong and that I was here NOW!!! She sent her boyfriend to get me! I called Julia and told her what happened - she couldn't believe it either.. and said they were doing errands and she would call me when they got home. So Vic and I went to the Chinese Restaurant/Bar where Sarah works and she had Crab Rangoons and an ice cold Bud Light waiting for me! We were sitting in the front of the restaurant talking when who walks in? My MOTHER! Her face went white and she started crying! She couldn't believe I was sitting right there.. Then my father walked in and he started crying and Julia was behind them laughing... Not exactly the family reunion I pictured, but it was priceless.. and what better place to have a family reunion like that than at the Jade East!(in the lobby!)<br />
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After that I surprised my aunt at work- she was on the phone in the pharmacy and when I walked up she screamed and threw the phone down! Thank goodness it was only her husband on the other end and not a patient or a doctor!! I saw my other sister Kasey later that night and she started screaming and crying! It was such a heartfelt and tearful return! It meant so much that everyone was so happy to see me!<br />
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Christmas and the week after was filled with surprising more family members and seeing all my friends I left behind... I am truly blessed to have so many loving and caring people in my life!!<br />
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Thank you to all who made my trip home that much more exciting and meaningful!!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5e5wCw5atrCE5XhlReg3RMwdpjsNZWRribdrzy8igsBytUqQ-dRv1TswaeFNLD5CDcmVAEpiWrjDp43QQIfG44SX3D5ez-JQrcpEWsjuSZpuw9HAs_2y5Wgbq-ipcypTCfaC6oGhb8LU/s1600/IMG_6584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5e5wCw5atrCE5XhlReg3RMwdpjsNZWRribdrzy8igsBytUqQ-dRv1TswaeFNLD5CDcmVAEpiWrjDp43QQIfG44SX3D5ez-JQrcpEWsjuSZpuw9HAs_2y5Wgbq-ipcypTCfaC6oGhb8LU/s320/IMG_6584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Merry Christmas!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaHNlBjbZvS9Jnf4Xd_8zpl5rUNCMnqV9-84KaqG0G2zHUrlZELQxsRYO-Ykn6_0zgSnDDCP4z8DUMQEIlLLn1adNojm4kTNxUxyKnhdqUOn69r7wSr55HMT2178BJbJmcbPLNVUcOwVa/s1600/IMG_6594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaHNlBjbZvS9Jnf4Xd_8zpl5rUNCMnqV9-84KaqG0G2zHUrlZELQxsRYO-Ykn6_0zgSnDDCP4z8DUMQEIlLLn1adNojm4kTNxUxyKnhdqUOn69r7wSr55HMT2178BJbJmcbPLNVUcOwVa/s320/IMG_6594.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Dad, Jules, and Ivy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxBOyW-oDnHmdDY_yzP7Kpty3VRpXxySDXf_vKeDeeSC1jwKVyonwQtOr_MzMZlYRCo5n7nNzMlDwVNdwWTyKJBcNTnBpsjBsFQ4WVO4qBiM0Fn1tE776qAeNbFb7uBCPvvwOGEj9iRTa/s1600/IMG_6600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxBOyW-oDnHmdDY_yzP7Kpty3VRpXxySDXf_vKeDeeSC1jwKVyonwQtOr_MzMZlYRCo5n7nNzMlDwVNdwWTyKJBcNTnBpsjBsFQ4WVO4qBiM0Fn1tE776qAeNbFb7uBCPvvwOGEj9iRTa/s320/IMG_6600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDREOIyyZvnyizVWdzLZK7ABcL1fS0rAS-KX0O4ZRmebl2vJwLIazFgyDC5bTZiDOKZClgSvKR5B6Flx-fCarWh52j9SXagCerF9dPROipzYH4xEGnan5EobhXMQQwkhgkNon7OLHEpt-1/s1600/IMG_6641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDREOIyyZvnyizVWdzLZK7ABcL1fS0rAS-KX0O4ZRmebl2vJwLIazFgyDC5bTZiDOKZClgSvKR5B6Flx-fCarWh52j9SXagCerF9dPROipzYH4xEGnan5EobhXMQQwkhgkNon7OLHEpt-1/s320/IMG_6641.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mom and Dad</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKuAInjGWkfOMaOsDY6FrwP3SwTWx9jcJMxQpURyG1fDc27Vz9Mh6lPfXuecAOLwn34Z-Th2AmJ7H912CPJpjJ6gl1FQR-SEYw4G7l6l52X24bCrXgQxV_1h6-IEiue3yVWPLh2MftUg4/s1600/IMG_6645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKuAInjGWkfOMaOsDY6FrwP3SwTWx9jcJMxQpURyG1fDc27Vz9Mh6lPfXuecAOLwn34Z-Th2AmJ7H912CPJpjJ6gl1FQR-SEYw4G7l6l52X24bCrXgQxV_1h6-IEiue3yVWPLh2MftUg4/s320/IMG_6645.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and my girls</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTuC03S9LttwACVwGAt6GOQ8GTYqaSN8x1rPxmmpSBm9WOR0vtzvITD9IOul2vykhBNOMvUDk_gQcdIIkh7fT0eAPyXyj-aSyh1qWnNRVEzh3Of1eArTWkHy7c8dkc3EhUjR6k4_6x6uh/s1600/IMG_6649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTuC03S9LttwACVwGAt6GOQ8GTYqaSN8x1rPxmmpSBm9WOR0vtzvITD9IOul2vykhBNOMvUDk_gQcdIIkh7fT0eAPyXyj-aSyh1qWnNRVEzh3Of1eArTWkHy7c8dkc3EhUjR6k4_6x6uh/s320/IMG_6649.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sisters, James and Collin</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOpU_we5-Avli_HYwnDlrVyYeMghrmI0jogbhj8HbaVpB2Kfefg3XZhTgqmyeAO90GIjqh3Q4vtbzJ6xdPp3xOiXqgT5PDdrAM9Or5cAp1wK-p-yHTWvptbI_-9yi-QYHFPIw2k5VLXVJ/s1600/IMG_6654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOpU_we5-Avli_HYwnDlrVyYeMghrmI0jogbhj8HbaVpB2Kfefg3XZhTgqmyeAO90GIjqh3Q4vtbzJ6xdPp3xOiXqgT5PDdrAM9Or5cAp1wK-p-yHTWvptbI_-9yi-QYHFPIw2k5VLXVJ/s320/IMG_6654.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sisters!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3gy_Cz7V-ZwlruUsi56STJD4CrnfVS50nzDLcjtegsOj8DDOwFukPvnQQEBEqE9qAOxkGyKsdhrJNPKRdWJ1YPE8AEkGOKKPr6FNoJJmNZBKAaxjBfVfOPPUrJT50_18X6Y9eO-6dsvm/s1600/IMG_6677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3gy_Cz7V-ZwlruUsi56STJD4CrnfVS50nzDLcjtegsOj8DDOwFukPvnQQEBEqE9qAOxkGyKsdhrJNPKRdWJ1YPE8AEkGOKKPr6FNoJJmNZBKAaxjBfVfOPPUrJT50_18X6Y9eO-6dsvm/s320/IMG_6677.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My lovely Nana!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Gm5HSTQ5kGO0SB0RWGvNukHjLDJoOFSqk5cy9Dx2_uM8CmpjoI5G41BcSA3KmTNZ32RbQhvYqOv3976d35fpAatGTbVJCxorTrV1NvEiW_tyPwLZLaAvN2R-rAQP_PHFf2NTrwkCABDb/s1600/IMG_6678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Gm5HSTQ5kGO0SB0RWGvNukHjLDJoOFSqk5cy9Dx2_uM8CmpjoI5G41BcSA3KmTNZ32RbQhvYqOv3976d35fpAatGTbVJCxorTrV1NvEiW_tyPwLZLaAvN2R-rAQP_PHFf2NTrwkCABDb/s320/IMG_6678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Papa!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSK1s8356nk8OK2YYKjuqBV2sR-b0FKht-Gnzu1c5A4UWUwZ-fhNX8BfQA8Yi4EeYMQWg7m1z4TbX2GGeZ_TiTDhVqeEQNEMc9HYvRsb5vCB_X277p2_FVVPqQcVkzukzL_DiQBrLjgFLA/s1600/IMG_6680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSK1s8356nk8OK2YYKjuqBV2sR-b0FKht-Gnzu1c5A4UWUwZ-fhNX8BfQA8Yi4EeYMQWg7m1z4TbX2GGeZ_TiTDhVqeEQNEMc9HYvRsb5vCB_X277p2_FVVPqQcVkzukzL_DiQBrLjgFLA/s320/IMG_6680.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">CAROLINE!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHYYAxCFD2qK5VhqjfJ7MGDdHilLPZeOowHj1eWz7pnSF_EnQCuggeo0SrU8jC3ZXtN9w7FIQP65adPwSjLAdt_IBw30rqvok8BjpCeO5s8f6x29WPYjDaQh0S6TQ60ZzG8h-NfkbusLO/s1600/IMG_6682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHYYAxCFD2qK5VhqjfJ7MGDdHilLPZeOowHj1eWz7pnSF_EnQCuggeo0SrU8jC3ZXtN9w7FIQP65adPwSjLAdt_IBw30rqvok8BjpCeO5s8f6x29WPYjDaQh0S6TQ60ZzG8h-NfkbusLO/s320/IMG_6682.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">NDA bests!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsSd4D2SNVrV3aDmkDFc8aTd-CQ8BzJX7kJ0Qypkni9FGM1DA3Zid7jNpmnsDNmcpGiS3oOO_y2h2fMYHNVy7aTzUtEFx62E_nDC2sMvitnynwvkrlOHBdb0apz_hwCksHV2Zcv3Zdyvw/s1600/IMG_6689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsSd4D2SNVrV3aDmkDFc8aTd-CQ8BzJX7kJ0Qypkni9FGM1DA3Zid7jNpmnsDNmcpGiS3oOO_y2h2fMYHNVy7aTzUtEFx62E_nDC2sMvitnynwvkrlOHBdb0apz_hwCksHV2Zcv3Zdyvw/s320/IMG_6689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mom Dad and Kasey</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLIq64TEjtUC6AsiyFzKch0Q442G_SECW3_IqhhkppSDxfrKIoDb44Tpl5qaV35TEWSfdF8JeL4hVtIoflpht43YLRbPUH-N7MftMLECYUgYfkEDe1k7phphyxANYibdpLYJWpcFXF4I2/s1600/IMG_6742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLIq64TEjtUC6AsiyFzKch0Q442G_SECW3_IqhhkppSDxfrKIoDb44Tpl5qaV35TEWSfdF8JeL4hVtIoflpht43YLRbPUH-N7MftMLECYUgYfkEDe1k7phphyxANYibdpLYJWpcFXF4I2/s320/IMG_6742.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Balance Spa Ladies!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin078HkbBtfeod5YKu7-EbndZi1dIISeGisYjB14cSBYLHrOkv8ukshd1mwFEBwtD2tVObB1LgDW2N1Oc8U8bOlf1FPGJzIhXmiSGSZUYwVvhuDT3b_g-oSqjOX-RoLazVEcvOu_mQ6lVg/s1600/IMG_6745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin078HkbBtfeod5YKu7-EbndZi1dIISeGisYjB14cSBYLHrOkv8ukshd1mwFEBwtD2tVObB1LgDW2N1Oc8U8bOlf1FPGJzIhXmiSGSZUYwVvhuDT3b_g-oSqjOX-RoLazVEcvOu_mQ6lVg/s320/IMG_6745.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">FRIENDS/FAMILY</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5ehCRwQQvR-J9oP4j5vvLswtlfD-HKDIB0Ni91d41lRCS6JPKsxUD9XiDKfnaAhM3XF3meEQjUCMod_5mEdOx12rUqnOCbX-UVgsAyydzyjS7rvjwO2nXRTIFW7eVdeG5ayVQ5eEzOuh/s1600/IMG_6757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5ehCRwQQvR-J9oP4j5vvLswtlfD-HKDIB0Ni91d41lRCS6JPKsxUD9XiDKfnaAhM3XF3meEQjUCMod_5mEdOx12rUqnOCbX-UVgsAyydzyjS7rvjwO2nXRTIFW7eVdeG5ayVQ5eEzOuh/s320/IMG_6757.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">UML/CREW FRIENDS</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB_UZgmTpQk3pfP_tqGAsGB6xVow8rD-97pPZppdBtMhbr2cFrnjLmO7p7p8fOo_rrJYsxpyP-oGNuUZ1ak-A0rmJqZBk9WtGvjC161xrN-ovdpRZDsi8K-iiJ9KrbtgcYSMmdQVIIrlV/s1600/IMG_6809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB_UZgmTpQk3pfP_tqGAsGB6xVow8rD-97pPZppdBtMhbr2cFrnjLmO7p7p8fOo_rrJYsxpyP-oGNuUZ1ak-A0rmJqZBk9WtGvjC161xrN-ovdpRZDsi8K-iiJ9KrbtgcYSMmdQVIIrlV/s320/IMG_6809.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">FRIENDS!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS5zBMQaUNSk70flCq5LZarYN8b948k_yvkwNiRPRe3VULDNZwJi-x0p-nK8RuRHLme1n96mCnUsjzP_rXyJm_SPE1hlAuUJvQ-f3aYCmiJtQAOoCpmJPOAVc6T5uQgjwmIbXPDPpBasp/s1600/IMG_6884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS5zBMQaUNSk70flCq5LZarYN8b948k_yvkwNiRPRe3VULDNZwJi-x0p-nK8RuRHLme1n96mCnUsjzP_rXyJm_SPE1hlAuUJvQ-f3aYCmiJtQAOoCpmJPOAVc6T5uQgjwmIbXPDPpBasp/s320/IMG_6884.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Best Friend in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl7CB_lgkhG6_ZTOV363ir8JzV0SVmu5HYok3Ld1xt25w2UpGfvVJ4TaaSjVOr6djskcWlPdMxM_a4sJwm1-zaQnaJUo_EMBV-Ih501nByT5fJ3G63jDGDRYpzxIVTL6Z7_VKDuxDYRyM/s1600/IMG_6791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl7CB_lgkhG6_ZTOV363ir8JzV0SVmu5HYok3Ld1xt25w2UpGfvVJ4TaaSjVOr6djskcWlPdMxM_a4sJwm1-zaQnaJUo_EMBV-Ih501nByT5fJ3G63jDGDRYpzxIVTL6Z7_VKDuxDYRyM/s320/IMG_6791.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sisters and Cousins!</div><br />
</div>Shannon Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131249099489596850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7188560725765199121.post-78859532034105158792012-02-14T06:24:00.000-05:002012-02-14T06:24:20.973-05:00FInally a Home!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> I apologize that it has taken about 3 months for an update. Life is going in about 27 directions... I will try bring you up to date on all that has happened since!<br />
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The long wait for a villa (house) is over!! After 4 months of living in 3 hotels, my roommate and I were given a set of keys to a villa in Ruwais (the town we work in). We were so so excited to finally be out of the hotel and into a home of our own! When we unlocked and opened the door we were met with a house in a state of disrepair with trash and dirt EVERYWHERE! Instead of waiting for Ruwais ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) to come clean it, we bought all the essentials and cleaned ourselves- with the help of 3 extraordinary women. Within 2 1/2 weeks the house was cleaned and furnished! We moved in in the middle of December. <br />
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Being a homeowner (I use that term loosely! its free) in the middle of the western region in Abu Dhabi made me realize how much I took for granted back home! I can't just hop in the car and go to The Home Depot for my fix-it needs or to Wal-Mart for detergent and toilet paper! And the supermarkets are interesting... we have 3 small markets that sell your basic necessities.. but rarely things I'm looking for.. and everything is in metric so following a recipe here involves a lot of converting!!!<br />
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I am so thankful that we are in a villa and that it is so close to my school (5-7min walk). I am also thankful for the other teachers here that have become friends and a great support system!<br />
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Louisa and I are slowly but surely making this house a home- special thanks to everyone who sent pictures and cards!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5F4l2gW60NuE3LMoQ7NLAge5E_kFseEyTbLHuf96jD-fdm0UzppG8yzbgYqkXq6auhQWBdED48CuV1pxbB937sAOy2f_PbjnZue4yqSWeg18eTePRAnavNJ7GpMT5XMOeHWGV6X4BSP3/s1600/2011-11-24+13.20.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5F4l2gW60NuE3LMoQ7NLAge5E_kFseEyTbLHuf96jD-fdm0UzppG8yzbgYqkXq6auhQWBdED48CuV1pxbB937sAOy2f_PbjnZue4yqSWeg18eTePRAnavNJ7GpMT5XMOeHWGV6X4BSP3/s320/2011-11-24+13.20.04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our Kitchen</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7F9okD6wRKBb_e_eSg-aMF2pax4UidQktRLATMOmvjq-kZjR3AC_YQ4hPaT9aexmTIZ2dsW0T9SCrQArBhQpTe6OaQz3I_IFCunOPYdIqt2oxATrO8E33GnffmmrCWOsMbh2-rW6vmsZ/s1600/2011-11-24+13.20.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7F9okD6wRKBb_e_eSg-aMF2pax4UidQktRLATMOmvjq-kZjR3AC_YQ4hPaT9aexmTIZ2dsW0T9SCrQArBhQpTe6OaQz3I_IFCunOPYdIqt2oxATrO8E33GnffmmrCWOsMbh2-rW6vmsZ/s320/2011-11-24+13.20.32.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> My Bathroom<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIBBbHDUM_vMHyrSNOZ7oFpo84w2S5rv_3gB2Vw9MkLEcI3zNMpp1Lc8mMVhLC639dAtX4Mt5c3H8y2dmvXLxnbBN4uE2wxhPT-TZhHPkYsfAGxZ9sswWgE5PuD0VQCtyXs5_UXIjoZqi/s1600/2011-11-24+13.21.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIBBbHDUM_vMHyrSNOZ7oFpo84w2S5rv_3gB2Vw9MkLEcI3zNMpp1Lc8mMVhLC639dAtX4Mt5c3H8y2dmvXLxnbBN4uE2wxhPT-TZhHPkYsfAGxZ9sswWgE5PuD0VQCtyXs5_UXIjoZqi/s320/2011-11-24+13.21.16.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> Master Bathroom<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8MNk47jqtwbZEdJhwz7SzyMEJ5ZJ-hxLDCGRop5VTAgobI8YgQr378B-Rhmx0gghPbrX42EgErjrMK0ssgObZZPiAHU1TX8d41vLVAlWJmublrio-YF_Vo_LfZlUNx-2NIDE3v4PpG2d/s1600/2011-11-24+13.21.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8MNk47jqtwbZEdJhwz7SzyMEJ5ZJ-hxLDCGRop5VTAgobI8YgQr378B-Rhmx0gghPbrX42EgErjrMK0ssgObZZPiAHU1TX8d41vLVAlWJmublrio-YF_Vo_LfZlUNx-2NIDE3v4PpG2d/s320/2011-11-24+13.21.41.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> The Front Doorway<br />
(that is a concrete slab that fell)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6IRbnNYxdtO5ht0-_muwVGzeZNls3HVrCdKNXG1gfyy2LGbSssUpvaXCjTIlVV3KhgkwBsAoI9qTmAJRlKKUmDFSR2vWW6juAOqvs0F1A2Q8sRiyT7hctL2dgV4MPvjvT_aDpo4nntcB/s1600/2011-11-30+13.55.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6IRbnNYxdtO5ht0-_muwVGzeZNls3HVrCdKNXG1gfyy2LGbSssUpvaXCjTIlVV3KhgkwBsAoI9qTmAJRlKKUmDFSR2vWW6juAOqvs0F1A2Q8sRiyT7hctL2dgV4MPvjvT_aDpo4nntcB/s320/2011-11-30+13.55.20.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> Cleaning the FILTHY cabinets and drawers<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoyvQ4J6Jr0dUgFh8Em_freAzvToQv3LeDTh9TTi-SwjsHAviQjMQz4uNIo0p1uujl66cDilUp5DHy_Qm4G539ORYcxc2ZyQP7y-lfwa_yZBbqID6SbtWqQ7LiRJ5wm9xsmeVqiTXI4em/s1600/2011-12-01+16.53.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoyvQ4J6Jr0dUgFh8Em_freAzvToQv3LeDTh9TTi-SwjsHAviQjMQz4uNIo0p1uujl66cDilUp5DHy_Qm4G539ORYcxc2ZyQP7y-lfwa_yZBbqID6SbtWqQ7LiRJ5wm9xsmeVqiTXI4em/s320/2011-12-01+16.53.20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Our Living/Dining Room<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQYge-9WcW5Tt8JOt5Ren1QndVbuqj3lRj5K3mSTDYN2b9ujaLdJHWabL-yCeBAgEhTzRuMER_OrnfSgjmbPw9R81I6aV9Iao8ff-ZKjCsgFrPz-tJ3FqYb6iqcNk921MCJ5alHu1tvQ_/s1600/2011-12-08+20.06.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQYge-9WcW5Tt8JOt5Ren1QndVbuqj3lRj5K3mSTDYN2b9ujaLdJHWabL-yCeBAgEhTzRuMER_OrnfSgjmbPw9R81I6aV9Iao8ff-ZKjCsgFrPz-tJ3FqYb6iqcNk921MCJ5alHu1tvQ_/s320/2011-12-08+20.06.47.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLpgthvrdIZn08af2ljHgF-5jdToLjRZvx4K-9t6YKn4IiLw_lXj3fqUCXYlx1neeIz-i8YR8lzbqCzUuCAomjslsxvEjg0uMCUSs9YpLNjrTsJWBs5JnvN8lrMAIJSn5YeondaSRpRVT/s1600/2011-12-12+19.39.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLpgthvrdIZn08af2ljHgF-5jdToLjRZvx4K-9t6YKn4IiLw_lXj3fqUCXYlx1neeIz-i8YR8lzbqCzUuCAomjslsxvEjg0uMCUSs9YpLNjrTsJWBs5JnvN8lrMAIJSn5YeondaSRpRVT/s320/2011-12-12+19.39.53.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> My Bedroom!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuKAcrKy7A46843Tp0d9g5_3ZEBPlQ2dord3eiG8TredGjEUpQo4WOkiYXr6WB2ledVGc-Nyqxpg78J2lc51R1_jyW0WIUxtYHNvtZD_0KatHRDyGt63LtXVEDox4fsgWCkUfXAVx10sO/s1600/2011-12-12+19.41.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuKAcrKy7A46843Tp0d9g5_3ZEBPlQ2dord3eiG8TredGjEUpQo4WOkiYXr6WB2ledVGc-Nyqxpg78J2lc51R1_jyW0WIUxtYHNvtZD_0KatHRDyGt63LtXVEDox4fsgWCkUfXAVx10sO/s320/2011-12-12+19.41.19.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Shannon Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131249099489596850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7188560725765199121.post-79284618781965101312011-11-21T10:08:00.000-05:002011-11-21T10:08:57.990-05:00Ultimate UAE Experience<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> I know it has been a while since the last post and I apologize. It gets crazy here!!<br />
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This past weekend I had the ultimate UAE experience since being here. This weekend was the Gayathi Beautiful Camel Festival. The town of Gayathi is in the Western Region and is known for its labor camps and desert filled with camel farms. It is not uncommon for many students to be absent due to selling of their camels.. which can sell for up to 6 million dirhams which is about 2million dollars...<br />
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Emiratis come from all over the country to showcase their camels. They dress their camels up in sparkly shawls and necklaces and drapings.<br />
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A group of friends and I showed up on Friday evening around 430pm only to find that the show was done for the day. Disappointed and ready to go home, an Emirati gentleman named Mohammed came over to us and invited us into a tent behind the bleachers to have tea. We met the head of the media and many pictures were taken. We were then told to get into SUVs and we were taken out into the desert beyond the stadium and to a family's tent. We were welcomed with open arms and smiling children! We were invited for coffee, tea and dates and conversation. They were thrilled to have Westerners be a part of such an important aspect of their heritage. We were then brought to see their camels and got to take pictures and interact with them. The men were so hospitable and welcoming it was amazing! Even the children were excited to see us and show off their English skills!<br />
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The next day, Saturday, we returned to the festival to witness the actual showing of the beautiful camels. When we arrived our friend Mohammed found us and brought us into the main ring in front of the audience. We got to walk around, meet many of the camel owners, and see the camels all dressed up up close and personal!! It was amazing! No other spectators are allowed in the gates!! We were told that they allowed Westerners because they want us to learn and experience their culture and traditions that are so important to them. We were the only Westerners and the only women!!!<br />
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This was an amazing experience both days. Words will not be able to describe the weekend!! Pictures help a little bit!<br />
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My name in Arabic:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> شانون</span><br />
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</div>Shannon Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131249099489596850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7188560725765199121.post-58418118303191687932011-10-05T07:58:00.000-04:002011-10-05T07:58:28.449-04:00Holy Moly I'm Really in the Desert!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So I know most of you are thinking that "Duh Shannon, obviously you are in the desert.... " but its really hard to believe!!!<br />
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I am still living in the hotel so my view from my bedroom is always the beautiful beach and the clear blue waters of the Arabian Gulf... but on the other side.. not so much....<br />
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Here are some pictures of what surrounds us... and what we drive through everyday...<br />
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</div>Shannon Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131249099489596850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7188560725765199121.post-43955116131135701932011-10-05T07:29:00.000-04:002011-10-05T07:29:07.606-04:00First Month in Ruwais KG<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It has been a while- and I'm sorry!!<br />
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The past month has been a whirl wind and has flown by. I cannot believe that we are just wrapping up our 4th week in school! It seems like we just started!!<br />
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School is different than the sates.. but similar at the same time.. Everything here is shway-shway meaning slowly.... and since the New School Model is new, everything is trial and error so is always subject to change... and there has to be a meeting for every decision made....<br />
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My Classroom!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UK9tvDtImWl7Qeolw3j7T4g-Yio9kOgIxsIvIce_cWmVbQTzKpZ1YH8BWKujpQI1jkDtyGNLdeJGbdgt5fRqtqxSUbUR8eCLHDp47VkbDEGWK6zNk5Rs8vf1qq8vqI6hK2FnzaPaYgHE/s1600/IMG_5431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UK9tvDtImWl7Qeolw3j7T4g-Yio9kOgIxsIvIce_cWmVbQTzKpZ1YH8BWKujpQI1jkDtyGNLdeJGbdgt5fRqtqxSUbUR8eCLHDp47VkbDEGWK6zNk5Rs8vf1qq8vqI6hK2FnzaPaYgHE/s320/IMG_5431.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Graphing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>All of the Arabic staff are great ladies and I absolutely love teaching at Al Jinan Kindergarten! I feel at home... almost... things do get very frustrating at times, but there is always someone there who can help work things out..<br />
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I am teaching side by side with an Arabic teacher which helps A LOT!! These kids have no idea what I am saying 95% of the time!! Her and I make a great team and I feel very comfortable teaching with her.<br />
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There are 14 children in my class- 6 girls and 8 boys. It can get pretty wild and crazy in KG2-A let me tell you!! The Arabic teachers say the naughty kids are just "active".... active alright.... I love my students, but they drive me up he wall sometimes.. but isn;t it like that everywhere ?!! There's always at least one.. I have 3 or 4... sometimes 5-6.... !!!!!<br />
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This teaching experience is one of a lifetime. I am learning so much about myself as a teacher. I have been told that my teaching is just what my kids need and that I am a perfect fir for the needs of my students.. but sometimes I feel my teaching methods seem not good enough because it seems I am not reaching the students... but I always have to remind myself that if something isn't working I can always change it. I am working with 4 and 5 year olds who cannot understand me!! I have to encourage myself to keep trying because they will start to understand me!! Always think outside the box!<br />
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I'm also working on how to co-teach with 2 languages.. I used to teach in 2 languages.. but I was the only one teaching.. now there are 2 of us and I don't understand the 2nd language..<br />
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I'm loving it.. even though things can get real crazy and overwhelming!<br />
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</div>Shannon Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131249099489596850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7188560725765199121.post-33128492613031287662011-09-13T11:19:00.000-04:002011-09-13T11:19:56.709-04:00The Next Step<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have been a little behind on my updates. I am now in a new hotel and I am teaching! What has happened between the last blog and now? Here's a run down!<br />
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The last time I wrote I was at the Fairmont waiting.. just waiting. Waiting for money, waiting for notice of location and school, housing etc..<br />
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Sunday the 4th all of the LTs assigned to Abu Dhabi City and Al Gharbia(the west) received the names of the schools where we were placed. I was placed in Al Jinan Kindergarten in Ruwais. We were to call our principals to check in and the Abu dhabi teachers needed to report to their schools. I called my principal Fawkia, and she asked me to come the next day by 8am. I said ok and that I was looking forward to meeting her. On the inside I was not a happy camper- Ruwais is almost 3 hours away from Abu dhabi City and I had no way to get there! I had a mini freakout .. but I pulled myself together, went to the Fairmont Hotel concierge and rented a car. That next morning at 445am three of us were on the road to Ruwais. They dropped me off and went to their schools 90mins away to Madinat Zayed.<br />
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Ruwais is a small town in the shape of a circle. There are stores and 2 rec centers in the middle then from there are villas and apartment buildings. There are also a few mosques thrown in here and there. It is owned by ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company).<br />
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Al Jinan Kindergarten is on the outskirts of the town right neat the Skeikh's palace. When I walked in I was greeted by a security guard and cleaning staff as well as the Head of Faculty Debi! I was then introduced to another LT from USA and the art teacher who is Emirate! They were very welcoming! A few more Arabic teachers arrived and I was warmly greeted with hugs and kisses and handshakes. The music teacher was so excited to see me she ran in and gave me a HUGE hug! I also met the Fawkia who was very excited to meet me as well! I instantly fell in love! That day I got a tour from Debi, sat and talked with the Arabic teachers, met with Debi and Fawkia, walked and talked with the American LT who filled me in on the dynamics, and sat around some more eating cookies and drinking tea with everyone. I also saw my classroom and organized it a little bit with my Arabic co-teacher!<br />
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That Monday was the only day I could make it there due to the distance. Tuesday ADEC held a welcoming ceremony for all of the teachers employed throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It was called the Bedaya Celebration. There were many people who spoke and showed power points... which were helpful because everything was in Arabic! They gave us headphones and receivers that were supposed to pick up signal so we could hear the English translation, but they never worked consistently.. so we missed most of it! They also had a huge, delicious buffet.<br />
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Thursday they packed us up and shipped us out. We were scheduled to leave Thursday morning from the Fairmont to go to a different hotel - out West. That Wednesday evening, amidst all the rushing and packing, I rented a car- signed a 2 year lease. So I packed the car and I packed the truck that was taking out luggage out here. That morning I picked up Louisa, my potential roommate and friend, and we headed out. We were met at the Danat Hotel and Resort by my HoF Debi and the American LT.<br />
We checked- in, brought our luggage up to out rooms, had a quick bite, and went to a meeting in the lobby for all the LTs staying at the hotel. There are people staying here who are assigned to Ruwais, Gayathi, Sila, and Delma Island. These are all areas/towns in the western most region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.<br />
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Thursday, Friday and Saturday we all enjoyed the beach, the pool, the food and each other's company.. and prepared for Sunday- The First Day of School!!!<br />
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</div>Shannon Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131249099489596850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7188560725765199121.post-12101240272260842902011-09-13T09:19:00.000-04:002011-09-13T09:19:54.792-04:00Crazy and different things in the UAE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There are many things here I have seen and witnessed that are crazy and so very different than what I am used to! And I use the term crazy very loosely because I do respect every aspect of this culture and country.<br />
Some crazy things I've seen/experienced:<br />
-camels just walking freely around the desert- we were able to get so close to touch them, and when <br />
they would walk they didn't care if you were standing right in front of them!<br />
-goats on the back of a pick up truck on the highway! the bed of the truck was cage-like and<br />
covered and their heads were sticking out the back and sides just taking in the view!<br />
-there are no street numbers here- directions are given by landmarks!<br />
-there was a man jet skiing in the canal by the hotel who was wearing a kandoora and the head <br />
piece (traditional Arab dress) this man was in the water with the clothes on!<br />
- there was a woman floating in the Arabian Gulf on a banana looking-chair with her full abaya<br />
on- her husband was holding on to the chair. Now there are burkinis which is a bathing suit<br />
that covers head to toe... but she was wearing the abaya!<br />
- a lot of little boys here just swim in their underwear!<br />
-everything is on Abu Dhabi time, except when driving! Everyone is always in a rush to get<br />
somewhere! SPEEDING!!!! They drive like maniacs here! There are so many accidents <br />
everyday!<br />
I will be adding more as I see it- Which I am sure I will!!!<br />
<br />
I am loving it here! But it is definitely a whole new cultural adventure filled with so many interesting and unexpected experiences!<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Shannon Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131249099489596850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7188560725765199121.post-67225769920694696622011-08-25T16:11:00.000-04:002011-08-25T16:11:57.483-04:00Week 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> Its hard to believe that it has been exactly 2 weeks since I started the journey to the UAE! ... The days seem to blur together... for a while we had no ADEC (Abu Dhabi Education Council) obligations so we were going to breakfast.. working out and spending the day by the pool.. followed by Iftar at a local restaurant or even a mall food court... Iftar means breaking of the fast in Arabic and since it is Ramadan Iftar is the meal after sunset.<br />
<br />
The end of last week we went on a desert safari which was one of the coolest, most fun experiences I've ever had. It started with "dune bashing"- driving through the desert in a SUV flying up and over the enormous sand dunes! Then we took a short break at a little camel camp where we were able to touch and get up close to the camels! Then it was back in the truck for more bashing! After the thrill we stopped at an other camp where we could ride camels, sand board down sand dunes, and ride 4 wheelers. I climbed to the top of a tall dune and the view was breath taking- I could see dunes for miles! ... There was also a little compound where they have seats and a stage for belly dancing(not during Ramadan)... and they served Iftar here.. we had an amazing buffet. After the sun set and dinner was over they set out hookahs where anyone could come and have some Shisha (Arabic tobacco). They also shut the lights off for some star "grazing" as the man said! It was amazing to be in the middle of the desert gazing at the stars! This was my favorite Abu Dhabi activity so far!!<br />
<br />
This week people who are placed in Al Gharbia (meaning the West) found out in what towns we are living and teaching as well as the grade! I will be teaching KG (KG1 preschool and KG2 kindergarten) but I'm not sure as to which level.. and I will be in Ruwais.<br />
<br />
Ramadan ends this Saturday and the Eid al Fitr festival starts.. which is like a celebration after Ramadan.. so next week the Government is on vacation so we get a nice vacation week here in the hotel.. We need to report to the ADEC office Sept 4th to get our school assignments.. and then we have a back to school feast the 6th .. then the students return the 11th. Somewhere in between we will be leaving the hotel and going to our apartments in our respective regions..<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLLmAiaJveuUcs_ysteTw3KLNpbYt6AAlXNUKr3NqnMNsRl8JUGaP1x1yYbY89qQygZ3n3BiZvQbYaax3-QBazM9iceU7y8xNowfhB5MhYUql-yxF6BMTJI2dCYIhIuhYnrocH5UeGgo_/s1600/IMG_4995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLLmAiaJveuUcs_ysteTw3KLNpbYt6AAlXNUKr3NqnMNsRl8JUGaP1x1yYbY89qQygZ3n3BiZvQbYaax3-QBazM9iceU7y8xNowfhB5MhYUql-yxF6BMTJI2dCYIhIuhYnrocH5UeGgo_/s320/IMG_4995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFixlBlgCFNysvYEUr359nB2aGKqKFrExZI7MqDc2nNnVHeqMydyTcxaE8mE_6OB2-InTVuwYk4-Vmtuo8YdTXUjZ15FZMJncbhbJNiehJ_fOHtDpgMcPNlteaej70tofDFAjCGNeRXao-/s1600/IMG_4998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFixlBlgCFNysvYEUr359nB2aGKqKFrExZI7MqDc2nNnVHeqMydyTcxaE8mE_6OB2-InTVuwYk4-Vmtuo8YdTXUjZ15FZMJncbhbJNiehJ_fOHtDpgMcPNlteaej70tofDFAjCGNeRXao-/s320/IMG_4998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I have made the greatest friends while staying here ... Im so thankful that I have this great support system!! And thank you all for following!! <br />
<br />
</div>Shannon Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131249099489596850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7188560725765199121.post-17717090748922667702011-08-17T17:25:00.000-04:002011-08-17T17:25:15.379-04:00First Week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> As the first week in Abu Dhabi is coming to a close, I am finally starting to adjust.<br />
I started my journey at 4pm on Thursday August 11 from Boston, MA to JFK to Doha, Qatar and finally to Abu Dhabi, UAE.<br />
<br />
We were greeted and brought into a part of the airport where they handed us our visas and then proceeded to customs to get out eyes scanned and our passports checked... as we got our bags there were men from the travel agency there to welcome us and bring us to the busses and put our luggage on a truck. Everything was so organized. When we arrived at the hotel it was about 130am Sat. morning.. and there were about 40 men waiting for us to take our bags off the truck and we were escorted into the hotel where there were many more hotel staff there to greet us. They gave us our room keys, welcomed us in and our bags were delivered.<br />
<br />
So far, our obligations have consisted of an administrative orientation, medical testing, and a police check. Other than that I have been spending time making friends, exploring the city, shopping, eating, and lounging by the pool. There are so many great people here. Everyone is pretty much in the same boat- (coming to a foreign country by themselves not knowing anyone or anything...) I have made three really great friends- we are each other's family here. Its great to have this support system so far from home!<br />
<br />
The city is amazing! And the hotel isn't too shabby either! 5 star... Its like a vacation .. for now...<br />
<br />
The #1 store here, I think, is CarreFour- its a French store- like Wal-Mart but on steroids! There is a full grocery store with the largest produce department I think I have ever seen, a spice market, electronics, clothes, shoes, appliances... anything you could ever need! I probably could have come over with just a backpack and I would have been fine with this store around!<br />
<br />
There is so much to do here: the Marina Mall- which is an enormous mall with high end stores like Gucci and Louis Vitton and tons of cafe's and restaurants and a skating rink!.. the Abu Dhabi Mall- which has more affordable stores, is a bit smaller and is in the heart of the city. The cliental is more modern Arabic/Muslim where as the Marina Mall the cliental is many wealthy Arabs with the Abayas(women's dress) and Kandooras(men's dress). The Grand Mosque is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen- to tour it women must wear abayas and completely cover their bodies and heads. The tour was great- I learned a lot about the Mosque itself as well as the Muslim religion. We did paddle boarding and kayaking.. and a desert safari is on the agenda.. as is Farari World!<br />
<br />
I just wanted to give a rundown of my first 5 days in Abu Dhabi... Im sorry if there weren't tons of details! If you would like details on anything- don't hesitate to ask!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjWEuBDetBAgkFj-RJiAYYi0dtRfE0xVDADF3YX6JAMUY6vc0lUB7XmlfRq-rgB2oX-_IM9lSOSkluNoqOyqG5m0sn9YehW6L_Cck4BLTlDGQ2W4XaPcOpNjcafMb1mGk1IuEqjTyK5VU/s1600/IMG_4615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjWEuBDetBAgkFj-RJiAYYi0dtRfE0xVDADF3YX6JAMUY6vc0lUB7XmlfRq-rgB2oX-_IM9lSOSkluNoqOyqG5m0sn9YehW6L_Cck4BLTlDGQ2W4XaPcOpNjcafMb1mGk1IuEqjTyK5VU/s320/IMG_4615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjWEuBDetBAgkFj-RJiAYYi0dtRfE0xVDADF3YX6JAMUY6vc0lUB7XmlfRq-rgB2oX-_IM9lSOSkluNoqOyqG5m0sn9YehW6L_Cck4BLTlDGQ2W4XaPcOpNjcafMb1mGk1IuEqjTyK5VU/s1600/IMG_4615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Abu Dhabi Airport</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzMW1-oEOur9c3ltNkgXDhpLG9Yd5m1YDuAw6-wvFiyUbwj-mNtYFGj4oTAq_KxDscs1mOjDALwkUqOaQbDpPZgZbX2oY5gzSiyTBXDbJN4PfrlVC5zw7LVE2RUBrikMUDH8ClFgE40qx/s1600/IMG_4621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzMW1-oEOur9c3ltNkgXDhpLG9Yd5m1YDuAw6-wvFiyUbwj-mNtYFGj4oTAq_KxDscs1mOjDALwkUqOaQbDpPZgZbX2oY5gzSiyTBXDbJN4PfrlVC5zw7LVE2RUBrikMUDH8ClFgE40qx/s320/IMG_4621.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view from my hotel room! #619</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7mLMTx_p5lE9L0HDBRQokXfBzTpgNTAnsCO7PVzjOxP6Y6x9N61BiVVCBuU49JTl38hBZG_YZcItZ1HRBD0q4H3Mjdsi52GdbSXd7wXlrxLmyHeo9wecnaq_XR30UUv253ewh6RL_4ML/s1600/IMG_4667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7mLMTx_p5lE9L0HDBRQokXfBzTpgNTAnsCO7PVzjOxP6Y6x9N61BiVVCBuU49JTl38hBZG_YZcItZ1HRBD0q4H3Mjdsi52GdbSXd7wXlrxLmyHeo9wecnaq_XR30UUv253ewh6RL_4ML/s320/IMG_4667.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Grand Mosque </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(from the side)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9hh09bPeRfb2eRGt9pLBBF6UsQf7prUpX-w6dy3snFoahuUHdlazKxk-GpvHabY4cICG3jUOjP6f9ib7SZxu7pSWXX_t9ST-0IGtqFmwHU1ioYBOdvaV0cXHD0FO4h7FYO6OsLeHWNFo/s1600/IMG_4681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9hh09bPeRfb2eRGt9pLBBF6UsQf7prUpX-w6dy3snFoahuUHdlazKxk-GpvHabY4cICG3jUOjP6f9ib7SZxu7pSWXX_t9ST-0IGtqFmwHU1ioYBOdvaV0cXHD0FO4h7FYO6OsLeHWNFo/s320/IMG_4681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Downtown Abu Dhabi</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8CafEx29ueRMVgbyDqroKne3BSJiTxby2pfV74teMqKU3RxXun1ZDgtuL8SyLepyg6XKzSIk55AzUSLwJ6OQKlGvN_R9Hv86whgsmWvuM6E3m0015aoew_QJf1kYCbzJAaoDTv6azXEr/s1600/IMG_4750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8CafEx29ueRMVgbyDqroKne3BSJiTxby2pfV74teMqKU3RxXun1ZDgtuL8SyLepyg6XKzSIk55AzUSLwJ6OQKlGvN_R9Hv86whgsmWvuM6E3m0015aoew_QJf1kYCbzJAaoDTv6azXEr/s320/IMG_4750.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Fairmont Bab al Bahar hotel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaKLrVMUBZ1OEY0reZ2PK4Zb7ZyiSrJ5wnTEkdXoubndEbyBOt1t3cvv4g-H2Q0BgPFN9HBuNLLO9B8XuA8vXZ4rWDHt-vIccGy7Vc7tTCBPrnfKYRAYXujWRZCjFafkXenrMRCTZbMkU/s1600/IMG_4788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaKLrVMUBZ1OEY0reZ2PK4Zb7ZyiSrJ5wnTEkdXoubndEbyBOt1t3cvv4g-H2Q0BgPFN9HBuNLLO9B8XuA8vXZ4rWDHt-vIccGy7Vc7tTCBPrnfKYRAYXujWRZCjFafkXenrMRCTZbMkU/s320/IMG_4788.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In our outfits at the Grand Mosque</div><br />
</div>Shannon Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14131249099489596850noreply@blogger.com1