I got the Golden Ticket!

I finally got my eticket.  I leave out of DC on August 11th and arrive in Abu Dhabi on the 12th.  Now I'd better get some stuff done Pray for me!

DC Was Quite a Trip!

I had to go to Washington, D.C. to have all of my documents authenticated yesterday.  I took my friend Anne and Jacob.  We hit almost no traffic (thanks, Jacob for letting us use the HOV lane!) and made excellent time!  When I got to the Office of Authenications they informed me that my teaching certificate and my Master's Degree had been notarized in Virginia, but not Sealed by the state.  Therefore I had to get them notarized and sealed in D.C..  Not only did I have to do that, but it had to be done before 11 am which is when the Office of Authentication closes.  So, Anne, Jacob and I started a scavenger hunt through D.C..  We got the notary, and the Seal and it was 10:45.  Thanks to Anne's good driving skills we navigated back to the office, I jumped out of the moving car (really - but moving very slowly) and ran to the office.  I got there at 11:01 and the doors were locked.  I waited for someone to come out and I snuck in the door.  I went to the window and begged the lady to PLEASE take me.  And guess what - she DID!  It restored my faith in the human population.  So then we took my documents to The UAE Embassy, dropped them off, and came on home.  All this on one of the hottest days of the year in LONG SLEEVES.  I know, I know, "it's gonna be a lot hotter where you're going!" 

Getting Ready

I find myself packing a "practice" suitcase.  I leave it for a few days and then open it up to see what I've packed.  Every time I end up taking half the stuff out and asking myself, "Is this something I'll really use?"  Here are some examples:
Candles- my dad once told me I had a candle fettish - I think he's right.
Teaching books - I've decided to spend some extra time at school scanning and putting the ideas on my flash drive.
Children's books
yarn and stuff for my favorite crafts
post it notes *
sharpies*
dry erase markers*      (*these items are supposedly not available there?)
I'm sure I'll get this all figured out in the next month!

School is Done!

School is done, my room is vacated, and my resignation is submitted.  I have Camp Invention to finish up, then three weeks of summer school and  a few weeks to spend with the family and then I'm off to start my big adventure.  I've found a bunch of people who are also going over in August on Facebook.  I keep up with them almost every day, and I find that they have the same questions and concerns that I do. 

My friend Cindy M. has found 4 large suitcases for me at the Opp Shop!  $2 each really beats $70 brand new.  So, my question now is how do I fit my whole life into 2 large suitcases, a carry on and a purse?

Paperwork done and received

My paperwork is done and has been received.  As I read blogs by others I worry about all of the things I do not understand.   How can I fit my whole life and career into 2 suitcases?  At the same time I look forward to my job and the new experiences I will have with my family.  I just wish I knew of someone who had been there and done what I'm going to do.  I'd even settle for finding someone who is going in August.

I've accepted the job!

So, I've taken a job teaching in Abu Dhabi.  I'm excited, nervous, and terrified.  I don't have much in the way of details, but what I know so far is that I'll be teaching in Abu Dhabi, probably in Al Ain.  They told me most likely I'd work with 4th grade and boys only, although this may change.  This job will have me teaching in the public school system.  I will go over first and then my family will follow when accomodations are made.
What makes me nervous?
Will I step on toes without meaning to?
Will they have everything I need to be comfortable?
Will I have enough money?
How do I open a bank account?
How will my family do without me and how will I do without them?
Will they like me?