Saturday, September 18, 2010
Onward Voyage
Okay so 10 Sep 2010 at 10:48pm, I'm flying Eithad airways to Abu Dhabi....
I'm missing my loved ones already. Its funny how you don't realize how much your loved ones mean to you until you have to leave them. I miss my iPhone too. The Internet cost me $20 bucks just for 3hrs at both airports! It was worth it though, I wouldn't have lasted without connection to the outside world. As I boarded the plane, the minute my foot stepped on the plane I realized it was just like sex and the city! The women flight attendants were dressed so elegantly they had a beautiful hat with scarf on their face. I felt like I was going to see Aladdin and Jasmine. They were so nice and poised. I wish I was in first class because people were gertting mimosa to drink and moist towels to wipe their face and hands. I wanna sit there one day but it's only the beginning for me guys! The passengers seem to be mostly teachers for ADEC and other passengers from all over like India, Pakistan, Malaysia etc. On the flight, the woman I sat next to was so nice. I asked to take her picture and at first she was reluctant but quickly let me take it. I was so happy! I asked to take one with both us which she also said yes. She is from the phillipines and is a retired teacher, she taught 4th grade. What a coincidence! She was very nice and gave me some good wishes. She now spends half the year back home and the other half in PA to see her kids and grandkids. It was nice to chit chat with her. It gave me a warm happy feeling. I hardly slept because the seats in economy are super small. I was in the middle isle, I could barely move my legs so when I slept for more than an hour my knees and toes cramped up. Around 1:45 am I decided to watch another movie. Also, I watched the man next to my left fall asleep on his food. Omg I wanted to laugh so hard. It's amazing to me how some people sleep so hard..... I'm a deep sleeper but sheesh on your food? When the flight attendent came back to pick up trash she stared at him for a good two minutes before proceeding to wake him up. It was hilarious.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Paperwork!
So much has happened the last two weeks. I got married, said goodbye to some great friends and wrapped up loose ends. I spent the rest of the time in between to get lots of filing, printing, scanning and eating paperwork (j/k on the eating part) done! During most of the days I had to continuously get my brain ready for this major departure. At times I felt overwhelmed.....how could I get so much paperwork done in such short notice!
My daughter and I needed passports in less than three weeks! You could imagine the expediting fees that I had to pay. I had taken like 4 passport pictures already in the first week! A friend of mine gave me a great link to make them for free http://www.epassportphoto.com/ that alone was a life saver. I had to get started on having my teaching certification, degree and other important documents notarized, apostilled then need to be sent off to the embassy. I didn't realize how much paperwork was needed to travel abroad but it does make sense. The ADEC (Abu Dhabi Education Council) team want to be sure the teachers are qualified and ready to help the emirates reach their goal.
As far as preparing luggage.....I haven't even started yet!! My husband and friends have already scolded me plenty for not getting this done. I should be leaving any day now so the urgency to pack is here. The next group of teachers are set to leave on Sept 10th. I hope to leave with them. ADEC keeps us in suspense by not giving us the exact date of departure in advance. On certain days the anxiety has definitely gotten the best of me. I remember at work, instead of pouring creamer into my cup, I nearly poured it on the counter! My mind is on so many things that i'm not completely there sometimes. I feel the sadness of not seeing my friends and family. It's good to know I have Skype which will appease the future homesickness. I think of packing my whole wardrobe to include shoes, purses, backpacks and maybe a major appliance or two. I bought an extra set of schools supplies and small trinkets for the classroom and students. I guess that's why I've procrastinated on packing because i don't know how I'm going to cram everything into a three peace luggage set! I've heard some teachers put all their things in gallon bins and sent them via sea cargo! They avoided charges for all the luggage pieces they will have to pay to the airlines.
My daughter has adjusted to the concept of the move. At first, when I showed her on google maps the distance between the two countries in order to give her a visual, her eyes bulged out! She began to cry and said it was too far. After a few weeks of explaining, comforting and bribing she is in full acceptance. It will be a great chance for her to broaden her experiences at an early age. Her understanding of space and culture will change and improve. I am excited for her in so many ways.
As far as the wedding goes....it was planned quickly and with all the right intentions. I was actually going to be proposed to in December....how do I know this? My mother in law spilled the beans by mistake. She thought I knew about my surprise engagement but since I applied and got accepted for this teaching position, ADEC would not fly boyfriends/girlfriends and do not believe in common law marriage. So, we took a marriage course online in order to expedite the ceremony taking place. I can say taking the course was the greatest decision we made. It helped me to learn and confirm what I knew about my husband and myself.Things seem to be falling into place well for something happening so fast as leaving the country in a month.
I must say I feel like superwoman! I have an amazing and supportive husband, the opportunity of a lifetime and great friends/family who back me up to the max. I will make the most out of this journey the best way I can.
My daughter and I needed passports in less than three weeks! You could imagine the expediting fees that I had to pay. I had taken like 4 passport pictures already in the first week! A friend of mine gave me a great link to make them for free http://www.epassportphoto.com/ that alone was a life saver. I had to get started on having my teaching certification, degree and other important documents notarized, apostilled then need to be sent off to the embassy. I didn't realize how much paperwork was needed to travel abroad but it does make sense. The ADEC (Abu Dhabi Education Council) team want to be sure the teachers are qualified and ready to help the emirates reach their goal.
As far as preparing luggage.....I haven't even started yet!! My husband and friends have already scolded me plenty for not getting this done. I should be leaving any day now so the urgency to pack is here. The next group of teachers are set to leave on Sept 10th. I hope to leave with them. ADEC keeps us in suspense by not giving us the exact date of departure in advance. On certain days the anxiety has definitely gotten the best of me. I remember at work, instead of pouring creamer into my cup, I nearly poured it on the counter! My mind is on so many things that i'm not completely there sometimes. I feel the sadness of not seeing my friends and family. It's good to know I have Skype which will appease the future homesickness. I think of packing my whole wardrobe to include shoes, purses, backpacks and maybe a major appliance or two. I bought an extra set of schools supplies and small trinkets for the classroom and students. I guess that's why I've procrastinated on packing because i don't know how I'm going to cram everything into a three peace luggage set! I've heard some teachers put all their things in gallon bins and sent them via sea cargo! They avoided charges for all the luggage pieces they will have to pay to the airlines.
My daughter has adjusted to the concept of the move. At first, when I showed her on google maps the distance between the two countries in order to give her a visual, her eyes bulged out! She began to cry and said it was too far. After a few weeks of explaining, comforting and bribing she is in full acceptance. It will be a great chance for her to broaden her experiences at an early age. Her understanding of space and culture will change and improve. I am excited for her in so many ways.
As far as the wedding goes....it was planned quickly and with all the right intentions. I was actually going to be proposed to in December....how do I know this? My mother in law spilled the beans by mistake. She thought I knew about my surprise engagement but since I applied and got accepted for this teaching position, ADEC would not fly boyfriends/girlfriends and do not believe in common law marriage. So, we took a marriage course online in order to expedite the ceremony taking place. I can say taking the course was the greatest decision we made. It helped me to learn and confirm what I knew about my husband and myself.Things seem to be falling into place well for something happening so fast as leaving the country in a month.
I must say I feel like superwoman! I have an amazing and supportive husband, the opportunity of a lifetime and great friends/family who back me up to the max. I will make the most out of this journey the best way I can.
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