Here we go again! Another busy week.

Sunday was crazy at school, getting ready for the National Day performances for the parents. Our schedule for practice was a bit evasive so we ended up being in the auditorium for most of the day. No teaching? Ok. 

I went to the Zone to do another step in the kids' visa process. It seems it always takes one day for each step. So 'come back tomorrow and bring me the money' has become a common phrase I hear. 

We went to the mall for hair cuts for the kids because we are having family pictures taken on Friday. Both Millie and Jack were stars. Neither cried, although Jack is past that, and both can now see again, rather than peering from under their fringe (bangs).

Shopping for our clothes for pictures remains to be a difficult task, but I will persevere. Pray for me! 

Monday was our celebration of National Day at school. It began with a parade and the making of a flag out of people. All students were told to wear colors the color of the UAE flag. It was quite cool. 

There was a rotation for each class that consisted of tradional food, henna, face painting, an art activity and Yola dancing in the gym. Yola dancing is meant to be for men only but my friend, Mary, and I joined in the fun. It was a fantastic day all in all. 

By the way, those are not my hairy knuckles. I did not have henna done, but one of my students did. Stuart is the person who pointed out the hairy knuckles. I am not sure I would have noticed had he not said something and made me curious to not only go back and investigate for myself but also post about it. Ha!

I left school as soon as the kids did on Monday. It seems I do that a great deal. However, since everything takes a few steps to complete I have no choice. My principal has been very wonderful with me having to leave to get things done. She is a westerner so understands a bit of what we are going through. I went to pick up my items to take to immigration for their final residence visa. I paid my money and now am just waiting for the call to give exact directions to our apartment so we can be done with this process. 

A gal from work went with me to complete a step in her daughter's residence visa. She wasn't as far along as I was so I was happy to help as much as I could. If it weren't for people who have gone through this before, I am sure there would be more 'runners'. It can be frustrating.  

Our sofas were delivered on Monday afternoon. I think they are lovely. Our furniture hunt is almost over, thank good ness. 

When I got home from work I bathed the kids and we headed to the bank for a 'stamped' bank statement which proved we have been paid three times in the UAE.  I actually forgot to get mine stamped, had to run to the bank, and got lost on the way, which is not shocking to anyone who knows me. The stamped paper is all you need to qualify for a car loan. We went to the Kia dealer (most affordable and actually we like them) to once again look at the cars. The silver one we wanted was not there. Apparently the only 2 silver Sorentos in the country were already reserved for other customers. The thing I didn't like about the white Sorento was the tan interior. Again, the salesman tried to convince me that the white one was the best. After a lot of going back and forth, he finally knocked off some money so we could go get black seat covers and we bought the car, or should I say Stuart bought the car? When the salesman told me that a silver car in this country indicates you drive a taxi, that was all I needed to hear to be put off the silver car. 

I actually bought the Kia Soul. So much for waiting until after the holidays for a second car. In the end we decided it really wasn't feasible for me to take a taxi each day because of the hassle of the car seats. So my independence will remain in tact. 

Tuesday, of my 48 students only 24 showed up for school. Because we had our celebration on Monday there was not a huge inclination to be at school the rest of the week because National Day is this Monday (2 December) and we don't have school on Sunday or Monday. The big reason most of my students were there was because we had a performance for the parents both Tuesday and Wednesday. After school we went to the bank to finalize our paperwork. Somethig suspicious occurred and I will tell you what it was the next time I see you if you remember to ask. Once the papers were signed we just had to wait until the banker delivered the information to the dealer and knew the following day we could pick up our cars. 

Wednesday I had about the same number of students in my class as on Tuesday. The rest of the 4th grade classes together only added up to about 30. So it was decided that we would each have all of the students for one period (45 minutes). Suited me just fine. However, I am starting to panic that I won't get all of the outcomes taught. But everyone just says not to stress. Little teaching took place that is for sure. I did get a great deal done on the computer for my grades, though, and that made me happy. 

Wednesday evening we went to pick up our cars. There was some final paperwork and then after that was signed we had to wait another hour for a guy to go and get the registration for each car. We decided to get something to eat at the mall. When we returned our cars were ready to go. They turned the key in mine.....dead! What? They swapped a battery from another Soul, just like mine, and we were off. Oh, that is, after we had taken all of the plastic off the entire car; seats, doors, break lights, the entire car. There are many people here who drive around with the plastic still on each of their seats. You would think these cars were brand new, but I would venture to guess the majority of the ones you see on the road still dawning the plastic are not new at all. 

We arrived home in both of our new cars safe and sound. Stuart parked his next to his rental, which he had technically turned over to the company that afternoon but they had not picked it up at that point. Stuart jumped in my car, as the driver of course, and we headed back to the dealership to pick up my retal car. Now we only have one car to return. 

The kids were asleep by the time we got home so went straight to bed. It was about 9 pm by the time we were relaxing in the living room. At about 9:30 Stuart said, 'I don't think we are going to school tomorrow.'

Me: What?

Stuart: I don't think we are going to school tomorrow. The Sheikh just announced that all schools will be closed tomorrow because It was announced at 9 pm that Dubai had won the bid to host the World Expo in 2020. 

Me: Only in the UAE!

So on Thursday no students went to school. We knew we would have no students anyway because that's how they roll around here, but the teachers were going to have a luncheon and be able to get some grades put into the system. Oh well, another day I suppose.  So we took the kids to the play area at the mall, had coffee with some friends, went shopping, and were home by 2 pm for kid naps. 

The funny thing about this day off is that we also have Sunday and Monday off for the celebration of National Day. I can't promise, but after that we only have 8 student days before December break and it is quite possible that attendance will be down those last 8 days. But in the meantime it's like we are having a Thanksgiving break. Again, fine with me. 

Thursday evening, like many of you, we went had a Thanksgiving dinner, turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce and all. We went to the Al Ain Golf Club with Wade, Karen, their two girls, Cathy and her girls. We had a nice time just sitting and chatting with each other while the kids played outside on the play structures. It was a great night, and a suitable substitute for being so far away from other friends and family. Although I did miss my sister-in-law's sweet potato casserole. 

Friday was a lazy day. Earlier in the week on one of our shopping adventures, we did actually find something. For our photo shoot. Stuart wore something he already had, but the rest of us bought new digs. So Friday afternoon we headed out to the dunes close to my school and took pictures. I hope to have them back very soon and will post as soon as I do. Jack and Millie loved playing in the sand. Jack rolled down the dunes numerous times and ran towards the photographer on a few occasions for photos. Can't wait to see how they turn out. Needless to say, getting the sand out of crevices was challenging once we got home, but I'm pleased to report that all are clean and free of red dune sand. 

Saturday we left the kids with Kayleigh and Claire so we could go return the last of our rental cars, pick up a few things from Ikea, and do some Christmas shopping for the kids. The Christmas shopping was put on the back burner because we didn't restrain ourselves at Ikea. Our living room is nearly finished. All we need now is a dining room table. We did do some shopping at a mall and met up with Gina. She had some friends in town from Al Ain, ironically, who were very nice. They only stayed with us for a bit and then headed on their way. We ended up having dinner at Lebanese Flower, a cheap but very delicious plae to eat. Yum!  And we still have two more days off. Yahoo!

The week at a glance

Since Sunday is our first day of the school week, why not start it with a field trip. Our grades 3, 4, and 5 were asked to select some of our best behaved students to go to the Science Festival in Abu Dhabi.      

 

Field trips are a different experience here, to say the least. I am going to list the facts and then you can draw your own conclusion. 

1.  We were scheduled to leave the school at 8 am. 

2.  We left the school at 9 am. Abu Dhabi is probably an hour and forty-five minute drive on a bus. 

3.  Our first scheduled session was at 10:30 am. 

4.  We stopped halfway for one of the buses to get fuel. Some of the adults with us got coffee and snacks:) The driver of the other bus went inside to get sunflower seeds. 

5.  We were supposed to go to Yas Island but passed the exit. 

6.  On more than one occasion the driver seemed displeased with the person he was speaking with on the phone. 

7.  We arrived at 11:30 am and were scheduled to leave at 1 pm. 

8.  We did not get off of the bus until 11:50 am. 

9.  We did a really great activity using some of the items from the periodic chart and putting them under a buns and burner to see what color it would turn. 

10. We were told we could look around the center when we were finished eating. 

11. My students had just sat down to eat when someone announced it was time to leave. We were told the buses were waiting on us. 

12.  When we got to the area where we were waiting for the buses, we had to wait. Buses were waiting on us? Not quite. 

13. We left just before 1:45 pm and ended up getting back to school just before 4 pm, and waiting till after 5 pm for some of the parents to pick up their kid. 

14.  Note to self: Think twice before volunteering to go on a field trip again.

Your own conclusion?

Monday brought another trip to the Zone to apply for the kids' health cards and Emirate ID cards. I had all the necessary paperwork to give to the gentleman at the health section of the Zone, and he sends me downstairs to get a 'permission to add dependents' form from someone one floor down. I kid you not, I was handed the form you see below that the man tore off of a stack of those same forms and wrote my ID number on it and the date. That was it. Didn't ask for anything from me. 

I was told I could come back on Thursday to get Jack's and Millie's health cards, and their Emirate ID application would be finished Tuesday and I could come back and take it to the Emirate ID building across the street to get it, you guessed it, stamped. Then from there I can go to Immigration and apply for their residency visa. Yahoo! Now who wants to make bets on whether I get all of this done before we leave for the UK?  Inshallah!

Tuesday, as we were leaving our apartment complex someone backed up to leave as well and failed to see me driving. Oops! So this is the second accident the Telfords have had since our arrival in the country, both of which were not our fault. 

Tuesday's Zone visit was successful in that I received the application for the Emirates ID for the kids, went to the Emirates Identity Division and walked to the information counter and got the application stamped. STAMPS are starting to make me a bit nuts. We ordered our sofas after Stuart got home from school and will have them in 10 business days, at most. It will be nice not to sit on camping chairs, using Jack's chair as a foot stool. 

On the car front, we have decided we are throwing away our money in the rental world. So on Wednesday we went looking for cars. There are some 'specials' happening right now, but we don't know if we will try to buy before or after our trip to the UK for Christmas. I will keep you posted.  If you see pictures of shiny new car(s) on here soon, don't be surprised. 

Thursday morning at Tabour (morning assembly) my students performed their presentation for National Day. Our theme was to have students select an occupation they would want to do when they are grown. We focused the entire skit and song around Vision 2030, which is the initiative we are a part of. We had police, teachers, doctors and mothers as chosen occupations. One of my 'police woman' brought this, pointed it toward my face and giggled. I actually laughed because she is the sweetest, most gentle child in my class. Only in this country!

In the states this would be a mandatory report and most likely expulsion. It was plastic and harmless, but still a bit disturbing. 

At about 10 am on Thursday, it started to rain very hard. An announcement came over the speakers to tell all of us to get our home room students in our class and keep them there until they were called for dismissal. I love this country!  It seems our brand new building is full of holes. There were leaks everywhere, scariest was in the electrical room. They had to turn all of the electricity off and we sent the children home. I thought that was reasonable until I learned that all schools sent children home because of the rain. Imagine it snows in Phoenix, about 8 inches and sticks. That was the reaction here. We had girls in grade 4 crying because of the rain. Obviously rain is a very rare occurrence. So I was at lunch with our PE teacher, Helen, by 12:40 pm.  I picked our carpool kids up from school, returned them home, grabbed Millie, took my kids home, showered them both, mainly because Jack looked as if he had rolled in the mud at school, and went to get my UAE driver's license which took me five minutes. By 5:30 pm I was ready to start my evening. I felt as if I had gotten all kinds of chores completed and still had another day to do what I wanted. We ended up having Claire babysit so we could get some things done without the kids. Cathy came with us. Our intention was to go by Kia dealership and look at some cars again. We think the Kia is the best value for us at this point. Much to our dismay the dealership was closed, probably because of the rain. 

Friday morning we got up, spoke with Grammies and Pop (thank you, God, for Skype) which is always a treat, picked up Miss Janet to come clean our house (super cheap and worth it) and headed off to church, late. 

After church we went to the mall to buy a ladder and go help Cathy hang curtains. I, naturally, found something else to do....... I headed to the Souq to buy some rugs. The Souq is a little like crossing the border in Nogales. They expect you to bargain for sure.  So I gave them what they wanted. After insisting I only had 700 dirhams for a one meter by six meter rug and a 2.5 meter by 3.5 meter rug that were originally stated to be 2000 dirhams for both of them, I was asked for about the 10th time, 'Sister, what is your last offer?' And, again, as he passed me the calculator to type my offer I typed 7-0-0. He stated it one last time and considering I had been in his shop for about an hour anyway, I begrudgingly typed 8-0-0. He said, 'Deal, Sister.'  I am not sure who has told these Pakistani men that they should call women 'sister', but they do it. 

After returning from Cathy's place we placed our rugs in the living room and hallway. They look awesome. They are not necessarily what I would have chosen at home, but are very nice an functional and only cost me $216. Hello!

I do realize the camping chairs in the middle of the rug add a little bit of class, but we are replacing them with our sofas very soon. 

We got up Saturday morning and because I can only assume some of you at home are doing the same, I decorated our Christmas tree. Yes, they have trees and decorations all over the place. The quality is not what we are used to, but the idea is there. We still need a few ornaments, but this has helped to get me in the holiday spirit, since up until Thursday it was still in the mid 90s everyday. 

We spent most of the day at home. In the late afternoon we headed back to the Kia dealership to see what kind of deal we could work out. The car we wanted was on the showroom floor. We asked to test drive it and there was a puzzled look on the salesman's face. Obviously that doesn't  happen very often. He kept trying to convince us that we wanted a white car with light tan interior, when really the silver one with black interior was what we were interested in. Finally I had to make the following statement, 'If I am the one buying the at, shouldn't I be able to decide the color I want?'  The salesman shut up and all was well. Most likely we will be purchasing the Sorento this week sometime, returning Stuart's rental car on Wednesday, and then my rental car on Saturday. I will be using taxis until the winter break and we will see how that goes. If it is an epic failure, we will look at buying another Kia at the beginning of the year. 

Can it be that we have no news to share?

Nah! Each week brings on a new challenge. This week's challenge? Installation of the internet and tv service, no water on Saturday evening, and starting the process for the kids' residence visas. 

As you know, we had our Internet installed over a week ago. When the technicians left they stated it would take an hour or so for everything to be working correctly. For the Internet, they were right on the money. But the tv was a different story. I called the support number several times but got nowhere. The second time I called I spoke to a very nice lady who informed me that the television would actually take up to two days to work properly. Two days later the tv was still not working. Stuart called and they informed him that someone would be out to install our services on November 14. What? We already had it installed. Apparently, Stuart put in an order on October 31 that was lost in the system. Because of that he put in another order around November 4. Who knows where the first one disappeared to and why they didn't have it in their system that we had already had the necessary equipment installed. But long story short, our tv is now working and there was no need for anyone else to come to our apartment from the cable company. However, Thursday (the 14th), there was a cable company car sitting outside our apartment. Turns out, it wasn't for us. Whew!

We have been having trouble with the water heater in our kitchen. We have had the maintenance man come over a couple of times but what he has done to 'fix' it really hasn't. So, after he came over late Saturday to 'fix' it again, he told us if it wasn't working Sunday morning we could call him and he would get a new unit then. Later that evening, the water went completely out. We called several times but got no response. After about 2 hours of this, I called and asked if someone was coming and was given the response, as before, 'will be there in a minute'. Fortunately, this time he was telling the truth and did actually show up. He went up on the top of the building and within minutes you could hear the bubbling of the water as it made its way through the pipes and back into our house. It ran dirty for a bit, but at least it was on. And wouldn't you know it, the water heater started working. It seems when there is not enough water in the water heater to heat, it doesn't work. Go figure. 

It seems that everything is a 10 step process. You have to 'come back' the following day to get whatever it was you had dropped off to be 'processed'. Sometimes I think jobs are created so people can be paid. It can be a bit wearing on a person. Now that we have our visas and Emirate IDs we can now sponsor the kids. There are many papers immigration needs and I thought I had all of them together. But I had not printed a salary certificate prior to going to the Zone. I was told I could get it printed there. Once I got to the window I asked another American where I was to go to get the certificate. She told me I could print it from my information on my school website. I told her I was told I could print it once I got to the Zone. Not true, said the man behind the glass. However, after begging a lady on the third floor to help me print the needed information, turns out the man misunderstood me and I could have it printed in Human Resource. Good thing, because since Stuart's name is on the housing contract, he is actually the one who needed the salary certificate, not me. And he ended up needing to be the one who sponsors the children. So in actuality he really should have been the one who was doing all of this. Ugh!

The following day I picked up their residence paperwork and headed to immigration just three buildings away. Nothing was very clearly marked so I asked an Emirati if I could go throughthe  gate marked 'employee entrance only', to which she responded, 'yes, here'. Fine with me. I headed to the customer service counter where an older gentleman gave me a ticket and told me to go outside to the typing center. Jack was with me so I marched us both out not really knowing where to go. Low and behold, who was standing outside of the front entrance? Sunil, the guy who took the kids across the border the first time for a border run. He said hello and I said 'Help!'  He took the piece of paper I had been given, walked into the typing center, asked me for 2 dirham coins, walked right up to someone behind a computer (even though there must have been 15 people waiting for the next available person to help them), and out I came with the needed paper in my hand. Well, actually it was in Sunil's hand. He came with me back to customer service and handed the paper to the same gentleman who had been a bit short with me the first time. They gave me a number and I was the next person assisted. It was great and I am so thankful Sunil was there. I turned in all of the paperwork, a man wrote some numbers on a tiny ticket (picture below) and told me to return the following day to get the residence pink ticket. Then he said we could either pay the office of immigration 570 dirham per kid or do a border run again to get the needed stamp. Since the border run is only 85 dirham per kid, we opted for that. 

Friday morning I got up and Jack, Millie and I walked that dreaded border walk one last time. I really don't have anything to complain about. I haven't had to do one before so it was a new experience for me. Thank goodness Jack was with me. He told me which way to go a couple of times which was really very helpful. Stamp, stamp, stamp, stamp, stamp, and done! Now about 7 more steps and we will all be residents. Yahoo!

The new experience for the week? I went to an Emirati wedding on Thursday night. It was so fantastic!  I didn't even know the bride. At school we had an invitation given to some of the teachers and placed on the message board. So that means we are officially invited. I went with another teacher from work and a daughter of another teacher and her friend. The girls had been to an Emirati wedding before but the other teacher and I hadn't.  We walked in and the place was white from the top of the ceiling to the floors. There were rows and rows of tables facing a central stage. At each table there were 8 chairs and table settings at each. We sat down at a random table and the food kept coming for about 2 hours. It was the craziest thing I had even seen. There were servers coming on all sides. They passed out a perfumed oil at the door, which is the picture below, and then women were walking around placing the oil on your arm if you wanted. There is another picture of me at the wedding. I would have taken more but you are not to take pictures of Emirati women, especially if they are not all covered up. 

Their was tradional Arabic music being played and food being served. There is a huge chocolate industry here. So chocolates were coming out of the woodwork, so much so that we ended up stuffing a great deal in my handbag. So Stuart benefitted from the wedding as well. Oh, did I mention no men can be in the women's side of the wedding. There are two different celebrations, one for the bride and one for the groom. Because the women deck out and are often seen without their traditional dress, no men are allowed. The wedding was held in the district where my school is, so of course I saw some of the students from my class. It was truly great and was definitely on my 'to do' list before I left here. 

Saturday (the 16th) we headed to Abu Dhabi to do our last Ikea run, hopefully. We haven't seen Gina since we left AD 11 weeks ago. She met us at Ikea, shopped with us, and had lunch with us. It was so good to see her. Our shopping trip was a success. We even bought a Christmas tree and a few decorations. We will be putting that up in two weeks, the weekend of Thanksgiving. 

Big event in Jack's life this week? He learned to tie his shoes. Not perfect, but good enough. 

Back to Al Ain to start another week. We are practicing for National Day here which is December 2. The country will be 42 years old and the decorations have been going up in the round abouts for a few weeks now. It is quite the celebration from what we've heard. We will get two days off, a Monday and a Tuesday. We may even get the Sunday before off, but won't know that until we are closer to the time. And what I mean by 'closer to the time' is the Thursday afternoon prior to December 1. For my class performance I have   written a song for them to sing and they are going to have little speeches to deliver to the audience. The girls are very excited.  We have been told that the kids in the outer lying schools have been know to not come back to school after National  Day until the first of January. This means Stuart may be done teaching from this Thursday on because his National Day ceremony is this Thursday. I will let you know. 

Take care and we love you all,

Dana, Stuart, Jack and Millie

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!