Home Sweet Home

Ah! What a relief to finally be in a place to call home for the next two years, at least.

Our Irish friends, Gemma and Fechin, came around to our place on Sunday and helped us install our black out blinds, which happen to be white. Fechin had all his tools shipped from Ireland, so he was extremely helpful. 

We had furniture from Ikea delivered on Tuesday and boy were we glad that we didn't have to put any of it together. All I can say is that both of us might have lost our religion putting those wardrobes together. The good Lord knew our marriage would suffer from that task. It took 4 men about 3 hours to put everything together. 

Wednesday was moving day, although by Tuesday most of our things were at the apartment. We came home from school, packed the rest of our things and went to our home away from home. It's such a weird feeling to actually have to think about making my bed and not being able to just throw my towel on the bathroom floor. You see no one is coming in now to change linens or give fresh towels. Oh well, that is overrated anyway. 

Jack and Millie were so excited about their beds. But, seeing how they had been at school all day and both were dirty as the ground, I wouldn't let them get on their new beds the evening they were delivered and set up. I know, I need to relax. On Wednesday, after baths of course, they were delighted to be on their new beds. Initially they both had difficulty falling asleep. They have been able to see each other in their beds the last 10 weeks so watching them peer up and peer down at one another was very sweet. Finally they fell into slumber around 9 pm. 

On Thursday afternoon a worker here at the apartment complex came by to install our curtains for 150 dirhams, there were 4 sets. That is roughly $40. Now, I had to do a great deal of supervising but they are up and actually pretty stable. Below is a picture of how he charged his drill. Safety is not first here. 

We finally got our passports back from immigration so we are now working residence of the UAE. I think Stuart is collecting the resident ID cards now. We also got our Emirati ID which now means we have to get an Emirati driver's license. I am pretty sure I will pass the 'test'. There are plenty of drivers who have no business being on the road, but I'm sure they have their license.

Friday morning we went to St. Thomas's Anglican Church. It meets in a small building and there were only about 50 people there, but we both really liked it. So we think that will be our new home each Friday morning. It is not exactly what I am used to but I did really like the smallness of it and the people were really nice. 

We went to the souq (local market place) to look at some rugs. Most of the rugs they sell are Arabic designs, but some are more modern. We saw a runner (1 meter by 4 meters) that we could put down our hallway and we really liked it. Initially the guy wanted 380 dirhams for it, Stuart offered 200 and the guy said he would take 250. So we said we would get the cash, do our shopping, and return later. We asked if they were open all day, because some places take an afternoon rest time and close. He said they would be open all day, but when I took the cash back and walked into the store, there were sheets of all different colors lining the walls because all of the workers were under them having a nap. So sorry I did not get a picture of that. I suppose we will have to go back at another time and hope for the same deal. By the way, 250 dirhams is about $68. 

We had promised Jack and Millie that once we had our own place we would go on a toy shopping trip. So after the souq we headed to the mall to Toys R Us to make some purchases. We actually came out of the store with very few things. Jack has been collecting Ninja  Turtles and wanted the last one to complete his set. He also got a skateboard for the turtles to ride on. He bought a Hungry Hippo game and we got a paddle ball game. Millie got a baby doll, a book with a CD we can play in the car, and a bathtub for her baby. We came out spending only about a third of what limit I had set in my head.  Oh, I almost forgot, each of the kids got a rubber zoo animal for the equivalent of $1.35 and that seems to be the favorite thing they bought. Easy!  It was great. 

We had the girls and Cathy over for lasagna on Friday evening. I can tell that Jack and Millie miss them, as do we. Jack asked me the other day if they had gotten their apartment yet. It made me a little sad. We are hoping that happens soon for them. They have been such a huge support to us and have helped us in ways we will never be able to repay. 

We were waiting on the cable to be installed so that all of our electronic gadgets would work. Thus, the reason this post is past due. After scheduling the service twice, Stuart went to the actually service center Saturday morning. Feeling he got no where and they just shoved him off, saying,'You are done now', he stormed out and headed home. Now knowing Stuart, you have to know it has gotten pretty bad in order for him to 'storm out'. On his way home the cable company called and said someone would be out today. Low and behold it actually happened. There is a great deal of 'sit around and wait' in this country.  Since we really don't have much more to do than just that, it's all good. 

School is now gearing up for the National Day celebration. It is a time of year when the country goes all out with decorations, I assume very similar to our July 4th celebrations. Last week we had a Flag Day ceremony which consisted of students going into the common area and waving flags, chanting 'U-A-E'. It happened on Wednesday at noon and I was informed about it on Wednesday at around 10:30 am, as was everyone else. The idea of protecting instructional time hasn't quite made it to the UAE as of yet, which is another reason for this school reform. Our jobs are relatively painless other than some frustrations that come with teaching in a different country with different ideals. Their education seems to revolve around the Muslim religion, where as in the states religion is not even in the picture. Any religious holidays are often celebrated the week prior to the holiday in the morning assembly, which can sometimes cut an entire 45 minutes out of my instruction. Considering I only have 2 and 1/4 hours with them each day, 45 minutes lost is a lot. But we do what we can and move on with our day. A new week begins tomorrow with many new adventures, I can only assume. Love you all!