Meeting New People

OK, so I will apologize up front about the length of this post.  I am in a frenzy trying to learn, adapt, and be ready to disseminate a new curriculum at my school.  Therefore, I will have to use some photos and videos to make up the bulk of this week's bit.

In addition to my classroom, I have a shared office on the second floor.  We call it the "Office of Randoms" and answer the phone accordingly due to the fact that we have two social studies teachers, two art teachers (who are never in the office), a drama teacher, and two English teachers (including me).  Linda (American) and Genna (British) are two returning teachers that immediately made me feel welcome. I left my computer unlocked and found the screen like this:

I took my "hazing" in good form and vowed vengeance silently to myself.  I also lock my computer if I am five feet or more from the keyboard.  On Saturday, I went to Spinney's (the local grocers next to the school) and tried to find plastic wrap.  I succeeded in procuring aluminum foil however, and staged my glorious payback:

On my return Sunday, Linda had already unwrapped her present, and I got to witness Genna's face as she found her desk covered.  She took it all in good fun as you can see:

I am already thankful to have playful office mates that will make this school year even better.  In conclusion, I wanted to share a video by the new physics teacher, Gaston Rings.  He did an excellent job editing and capturing the things I have seen these last two weeks.  Please enjoy, and have a great week!!!  Just click on the following link for the video:

Dubai a first acquaintance

Settling in Dubai, UAE

So here is the first official post from Dubai!  I arrived Saturday morning around 6 am.  When I got off the plane, I was immediately met by a young lady that works for "Mirahaba" service.  She was hired by the school to walk me through customs and the visa process.  I was shocked to find lines of people waiting to pass through customs: easily over 300 people at 4:30 in the morning.  The young lady walked me around these lines directly to a small office.  Many eyes watched us pass through their purgatory to direct contact with an Emirati official.  I could not help think that some eyes wondered who was this VIP white man while other eyes must have envisioned my personage bursting into flames.

My first contact after visa business and luggage was two business managers for the school: Ayman and Ayman.  They were very friendly helping me with my luggage.  As we walked out of the apartment the heat hit me.  the best way to describe the oppressive heat is to simply laugh.  In other words, my brain could not process the humidity, the temp, and the wind that actually makes it hotter!  They immediately handed me 2000 AED (about $550) for a "settling in allowance" and took me to my apartment.  The drive in a new country is always exciting as you see your new home unfolding in multiple lanes of traffic, bright signs and lights, foreign and recognizable adverts, etc.

I arrived to my new home on the second floor (welcome back to elevators).  My Swedish roommate was asleep as I unloaded my luggage on the floor and crashed in bed.  It was a long set of flights!!  Here are a few pictures of my accommodations:

As you can tell, the apartment is huge with all modern amenities save a clothes dryer. However, I sent ten shirts and three pairs of pants to a cleaners for 49 AED to be pressed.  $13!!!!!  Oh, and the man comes to your door to pick up the clothes and drop them off at your convenience.  AWESOME  Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is from IKEA in the apartment.  Daniel, my Swedish roommate, is quite comfortable with this brand as it is based out of his home country. 

Life in the morning is quite nice as the sun comes through the curtains.  I have my own bathroom with a great shower.  In the morning, breakfast is usually toast and eggs, a banana, and espresso with steamed milk from my roommate's espresso machine.  I enjoy all of this with the local English paper and great conversation with Daniel (next week's post will feature all of the people I have met including my new roommate).  

I have enjoyed meetings this last week immensely as I learn the school's curriculum and expectations.  I cannot begin to explain how fortunate I consider myself to be working for this organization.  But more on that next week!  For now, ciao!!!