just stuff

Some things that I found surprising:

My boys are facinated by my battery operated pencil sharpener and my mounted sharpener. I guess they don't have those here. They are at it every few minutes until they don't have any pencil left. I have to put them up finally so they will sit.

That there are separate lines for women in banks and official buildings and we get to go through faster. Love that.

Most businesses close from 1:00 to 4 or 5 pm. then open until 9 or 10. I guess they just nap and then get up and finish the day. My boys go to bed at 10 or 11 at night.

I had a parent come in today angry because I tore a page out of the math workbook. She couldn't believe I had the gall to do such a thing.

Some Emeratis have a lot of power and influence and the administration will do what they can to keep them happy.

Parents got angry and complained to the principal that during open house we said bad things about their children.

They don't have seasons, only hot and less hot. They are starting to plant flowers around now and there are flowers blooming everywhere.

The Arabic children are facinated by the dogs, but they aren't disgusted by them. They like them but don't see dogs much so they're afraid. They are so proud of themselves when they work up the nerve to pet them. One girl even took pictures like they were zoo animals or something. Many students have dogs at home. They aren't really considered unclean, but they have to wash before prayers if they touch them, but they do that anyway.

They play music that is our christmas music, nursery rhymes or old ballads during assembly in the morning. I can't remember the exact music but I'll try to remember next time.

When men get a haircut they usually get a shave, shoulder massage and a facial.

They drive like maniacs, but the speeding tickets for the rich Emeratis are a status symbol.

The UAE has only been a country 30 years. Before that they were still living in tents.

I've been here two months and have not seen rain. I have only seen clouds on a few occasions and only one or two little ones.

Time for bed. Hope you all are well. I'll post more pictures as we complete the decorating. Wesley is a great decorator and house husband! He is taking really good care of me.

Furniture

Here are some pictures of the apt. It's a work in progress so don't judge. :)

School continues...bout all I can say about that. Oh and the boys smell like incense sometimes. I heard that they hold the kandoras over the incense before they wear them. Or maybe they hold the boy over it? who knows.

Wesley has cooked several meals, trying out some of the local spices and meats. Of course the meats are probably not local. there's something call Zatar that they spread on bread. It's like the bread dipping spices we used to have. Last night we went out to the Golden Sheep. It was very good. Most restaurants have a big stone oven that they grill all the meats in. They're very tender and are soooo good. Then we get humus and pita bread. After dinner they serve you a little tiny glass of hot mint tea. Maybe to kill the garlic spread  that comes with the food.

I think my sinus infection is finally gone. With all the dust here it's hard to know for sure. I need to clean and mop floors.

Today is church day. I really want to go, but I feel soo lazy. I'm always glad when I do go though. It's such a blessing and a renewing for me. It helps me see that life is more than school.

Maybe once everything is settled we'll start exploring.

Wesley did play golf. He said the course was good, but since it was a new one to him it was a little harder for him to read.

 my bathroom

 our bedroom, now for the walls. wardrobe goes on the opposite wall and should be in next week.

 Finally some bulletin boards are up

 All my girls and grands

 thats the washing machine

 the usual office mess

 look sideways

relaxing on Friday morning.

settling in

Sorry no pictures yet. I can't find my durn camera. It's here somewhere. We have furniture, carpet and curtains now. Wesley is in his recliner and I'm in the recliner loveseat with Lizzie. We're watching a movie on TV. Life is good. The kids are still driving me nuts, but each day it gets a little better. I look forward to the time they become a regular class. I have to take in account that they are not disciplined in the same manner as we're used to, plus they don't understand all of what I say, so they get bored. I know when we're in a meeting and everyone is speaking Arabic, my mind wanders and I start chatting with my friends too.

Maybe another trip to Dubai this weekend. What I'd like to do is relax and read, but we still have a few things to get and my friend Tandy's husband is coming in. He may want to look around and sight see a bit.

Wesley is finally going to play golf tomorrow for the first time. I know he's missed it.

We drove to the Sweets Palace this afternoon and got my miniature baklava's. they're not exactly the same as baklava, but they're really good.

I promise, next time pictures. If there's any thing you want to see from around here, just let me know and I'll try to get a picture.

Health and happiness to you all.

still waiting for internet

we are sitting in front of our front door using our neighbors internet signal. We are hooked up but not connected if you can figure that out. they do many things backwards here and we just wait until they get around to fixing things.

School is still very difficult but I like the boys and the staff I work with. I'm slowly getting my room together and getting my lesson plans together, unfortunately I haven't quite got the boys where I want them. I have to learn to let go a little and not worry about getting complete control. Many people have gone back to the states. I can understand why they might, it's a very difficult life, but I do see light at the end of the tunnel. We get furniture hopefully Monday, so at least I can come home and put my feet up and watch some mindless TV while I grade papers, that's if the cable is turned on by then.

We went to Dubai and found a pet store. We got some doggy things then shopped at IKEA for a wardrobe and end tables. We also got a rug for the living room floor and a shelf for a pantry of sorts. Wesley has cooked one meal but decided to wait on others until we actually have a place to sit down and eat. Personally, I think he likes the Arabic restaurant near here. They make great Chicken Tikka and Schawarmas.

tomorrow wewill try to pick up our translated licenses and get our UAE license. Also we are going to pick up an office chair and a mattress pad. My old bones need a little cushion.

I will try to get a few pictures on here soon. Right now, life is all about camping out, but at least we have a bed. Whoo hoo.

the dogs are doing fine,  but housebreaking has to start again until they get into a routine, or we do. One of us anyway.

We went to church this morning. Wesley seemed to like it. It was great to worship and renew. I really, really needed the reminder that there's a lot more to life than a classroom full of impossible little boys!

Can't wait to Skype with my family and friends. Be talking to you all soon.

Finally up for air

Sorry the blog has been so long in updates. I have been slammed with trying to get the apt. ready for the husband and dogs, plus surviving work and doing the million things I have to do to be ready for school that I just couldn't get on. Plus, there wasn't much to write about, but now there is.

First, Happy Anniversary  to us. 25 years of marriage to the most wonderful guy in the world and he'll be here Thursday with the DOGS! whoo hoo

In the apt I now have a working stove, refrigerator, water cooler, and washing machine. I have one mattress on the floor and a big one coming on Friday I hope.

I have had to buy every single thing for the house, from cutting board and utensils to furniture. whew!

We have a dining room set, but no living room set or TV yet. I'll let Wesley help me pick that out. I did buy a microwave and toaster and a set of Corelle dishes. I don't want to get attached to anything because it will all stay when we leave.

The students are still pretty bad but I can see progress. I don't feel completely helpless all the time now. Just the last half hour of the day. Unfortunately, they just extended our day a half hour, so I guess I'll feel helpless for an hour instead. Small steps.



That's the good news, the sad news is that Wesley's brother Tommy passed away after a long illness. He won't be able to attend the funeral because he'll be on his way here.

I will probably move out of the hotel Saturday if all goes as planned. I'll miss the soft bed, cappacinos and big breakfasts, but I'll be glad to have more than one room to live in and my husband and dogs to snuggle with.

I am attaching pictures of our mountain. It's called Jebel Hafeet and I drove some friends up it to their hotel the other night. I wish I could have taken pictures on the way down. It was awesome. I wasn't even afraid and it was really high up, but since I was driving I felt more in control.

I hope you all are well. Don't forget to write or FB me.

On the way up. Those lights show the road.

The lobby has philedendron growing up the walls.

this is the view from my friend's room. it's hazy because of the dust, which is everywhere.