It has been a while since I last wrote, for several reasons. I started at my school on September 4th, and have not stopped moving since. My lack of time increased when I got my keys for my apartment the same day the students started at my school. Thus between rugby, outfitting my apartment in three days and teaching, I have not stopped moving from 6am to 11pm since September 11th. Today I move out of my hotel and into my apartment with only some pillows, towels and blankets to sleep on as my bed and couch won’t be delivered till Monday…inshallah. I will most likely need to sleep on a pile of towels tonight and tomorrow so I can ride with my co-teacher to work and save money on cab fare.
My kitchen will be finished today and I will hopefully be able to start cooking for myself, which will save money. From my apartment, on the 19th floor, I have a view of the Embassy, Exhibition Center, Grand Mosque and the water front. It is beautiful both during the day and at night, though a bit higher up then I am used to. I was lucky enough to get a two bedroom apartment with a balcony, one and a half bath, large living area and a kitchen with counter space and dishwasher and washing machine hook up. There are high ceilings with beautiful crown molding and all the counter tops are marble. The tile floors are easy to clean and the air conditioning is a dream. At least the wait for the apartment was worth it!
Rugby is going well, this last week was exhausting, with all the running around I have been doing it is understandable. We had a scrimmage Wednesday night and by the end I was more spent then every other practice. Last night we had three games, I played in two of them. In the first I attempted to tackle a girl twice my size. I didn't get her down and smashed my nose in the process, but she had to let go of the ball. I got tackled twice, both times I stayed up for a while and it took a couple girls to take me down. The second time I got tackled I went down pretty hard and then got kicked in the back of the head. Needless to say, I was sore after that one. The coaches were happy I kept playing and so was I. I feel great overall though, losing 12 pounds and gaining muscle does wonders for the health and physique. I am hungry even more often now then I was in the past, which can often be a problem, especially when I am at school. I will be happy when I can bring leftovers for lunch and not snacks.
My students are doing well, but I still only have about half of my students in two of my classes and about two-thirds in the third class. Apparently students are allowed not to come to school if they are sick. I have also had a student faint. I have learned that many students have problems with diabetes, blood pressure and sensitivity to heat, so the girls are often going to the nurse, more often than in the U.S. anyway. I am just happy that all my students know the alphabet, can speak a little English and are willing to ask for help…I am one of the lucky teachers (no joke). The girls are sweet and good listeners. I am very pleased with my school and my classes.
There are a few things I have noticed about life in Abu Dhabi… not all the taxi cabs know where things are, even some of the most well-known monuments. Luckily, I am learning my way around...my maps app on my iphone helps loads with that though...especially with all the weird turns and lights here. There are several malls, all huge, all filled with people. I am in shoe heaven, which isn't a good thing. The women here wear designer high heeled shoes, purses, and clothing…all the time. They also walk very slowly, everywhere. You will randomly see people out walking in the middle of nowhere. You can be on a road almost in the desert and you will see some random guy or a couple of people just standing or walking around...no buildings or cars in sight...just walking. Another thing…they really like their lights here in Abu Dhabi, especially multi-colored lights. They are on everything from the whole sides of buildings, to bridges and inside malls and hotels. There are normal cabs here, which have a yellow stripe and yellow top light. Then there are cabs with a pink top light and stripe with flowers that is driven by women for women. They are rare to find but they are there.
Well that is all for now. I am doing well overall, just a bit overwhelmed as of late, but soon things will slow down a bit. P.S. Thank you to all who are reading my blog it means a lot :) Until next time…
