Ok Ramadan starts tomorrow and this will be a true experience. It is basically a month of fasting during daylight hours - happens annually. So no food or water is to pass the lips from sunrise to sunset. For non Muslims (like me) if we do it, we MUST do it in private. Sounds easy? Not at all - no water in the taxi and no eating in front of the Muslim staff we work with - last thing we want to do is offend anybody. So school will be reduced hours - 9-2 for this month, food shops and cafes are closed until dark and then everybody goes out! They all go shopping and to friends/family's houses to feast - night after night. There are 3,000 taxis in Al Ain and last night with people getting ready for Ramadan you could not get a taxi for love or money - luckily we had our wonderful driver on hand! So because of this and the crowds, we will be keeping quiet and not getting to the internet cafes and prob not the hotel as much - so I won't be blogging for a while or as reguarly.
However this weekend we shot up to Abu Dhabi and finished the apartment shopping - pictures attached.
Had a birthday dinner last night - Kate is from Ireland and is into her second year of the contract - so good to see everyone and catch up - if they're not in your apartment or school you don't see some people for a while.Nice food, good restaurant so after Ramadan, will head back there.
Still very warm here - am at the hotel and about to go swimming and do some poolside relaxing - school starts with the students tomorrow! Wish me luck! :0)
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Another week over - almost!
So am typing this in Starbucks before we head off to school - so can't wait til we have internet at home and I can skype people!
Have been busy at school this week - I am now in charge of Health/PE, behvaiour, ICT, pyschology (!), art and Islamic studies. Yesterday the teachers asked how I would be able to help with this when I can't speak arabic - good question! However my job is about environment, behaviour management, support for their ideas and methodology/pedagogy - think they took that on board!
Amazing school and staff - about 700 girls - not a male staff member in sight apart from the gate guard! Any men that come in have to enter the foyer and then ring a doorbell. Someone will cover up - ie their face - and then see what they want. So we see a lot more mothers than fathers at the school. I'm quite popular with the teachers because I smile lots, they like what I wear (have to funk up those skirts somehow!) and wait for it...I look like Monica! Who? "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" Monica! OMG! However they think she's cool.
Went to a networking evening last night at the hotel - lots of things on special and lots of local trades on display. So joined the hotel gym - yay! Also sussed out a car I like - very very good price. Won a meal voucher for a nice restaurant - all good.
Am going back to Abu Dhabi tomorrow to get the rest of the stuff from IKEA that I knew I wanted but probably wouldn't have fitted in the van! Have a back to school party with the cluster tomorrow night and then will take Saturday easy in prep for school with the students back on Sunday!
Have been busy at school this week - I am now in charge of Health/PE, behvaiour, ICT, pyschology (!), art and Islamic studies. Yesterday the teachers asked how I would be able to help with this when I can't speak arabic - good question! However my job is about environment, behaviour management, support for their ideas and methodology/pedagogy - think they took that on board!
Amazing school and staff - about 700 girls - not a male staff member in sight apart from the gate guard! Any men that come in have to enter the foyer and then ring a doorbell. Someone will cover up - ie their face - and then see what they want. So we see a lot more mothers than fathers at the school. I'm quite popular with the teachers because I smile lots, they like what I wear (have to funk up those skirts somehow!) and wait for it...I look like Monica! Who? "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" Monica! OMG! However they think she's cool.
Went to a networking evening last night at the hotel - lots of things on special and lots of local trades on display. So joined the hotel gym - yay! Also sussed out a car I like - very very good price. Won a meal voucher for a nice restaurant - all good.
Am going back to Abu Dhabi tomorrow to get the rest of the stuff from IKEA that I knew I wanted but probably wouldn't have fitted in the van! Have a back to school party with the cluster tomorrow night and then will take Saturday easy in prep for school with the students back on Sunday!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Another weekend down!
Wow had the most amazing weekend! Friday is a morning of relaxing - nothing is open. So touched base with friends in Abu Dhabi city, jumped in a taxi and headed up there. Abu Dhabi city is about as far away from Al Ain (where I am) as Palmerston North is from Wellington. The ride only cost me $50 NZ (so cheap) and I now have a taxi driver who knows where I live so I can call him for my rides until I get a car.
Went straight to Marina Mall to meet my friend - amazing place for those of you who like shopping...and skiing! Yes it has a snow dome in it. Probably the most disconcerting thing for me was that the food court and the amusement park are in the same place - so you sit and eat lovely food while rollercoasters scream over the top of you!
We then headed to the Emirates Palace. Google this guys - I can't remember the website - but probably the most amazing thing I've seen in a long time. It is a hotel - with gorgeous driveways up (despite being in very central spot, you feel quite remote thanks to the long and lush driveways) and amazing staff - but the public can go and visit. So we rocked on up in our shorts and walked around in awe. There is gold and crystal and opulance everywhere! Will put up pics from it but has to be experienced to be believed. We then sat for a drink (or two) and my first was called "Beauty" - and blue as! Was 122 dirhams (about $50 NZ) and was my friend's shout - thanks!
Later we headed out from the apartment for tea - about 10.30pm (time goes fast when having fun) to a Lebanese place - I was the only female there - the men here go out together and have food, drinks and smoke together - females stay at home with the kids.
Saturday, (your Sunday) I got up and walked around for a while - town was too noisy to sleep - went to Nissan and checked out the dream car! :0) I then met some friends, who came up from Al Ain on the bus, at the mall and we went shopping - IKEA didn't know what hit it! My apartment looks so much better now. We had a van to come home in (thankfully!) and it was a squeeze but we got there.
This morning we went to see the school - amazing place and nice staff. They have everything from a cafeteria that is huge to a cinema room. So excited about it all. We only stayed for a few hours and will do that each day this week - the kids are back next week so will be full on then.
The weather is still warm but getting used to it quite quickly. Love coming home to air con though!
Went straight to Marina Mall to meet my friend - amazing place for those of you who like shopping...and skiing! Yes it has a snow dome in it. Probably the most disconcerting thing for me was that the food court and the amusement park are in the same place - so you sit and eat lovely food while rollercoasters scream over the top of you!
We then headed to the Emirates Palace. Google this guys - I can't remember the website - but probably the most amazing thing I've seen in a long time. It is a hotel - with gorgeous driveways up (despite being in very central spot, you feel quite remote thanks to the long and lush driveways) and amazing staff - but the public can go and visit. So we rocked on up in our shorts and walked around in awe. There is gold and crystal and opulance everywhere! Will put up pics from it but has to be experienced to be believed. We then sat for a drink (or two) and my first was called "Beauty" - and blue as! Was 122 dirhams (about $50 NZ) and was my friend's shout - thanks!
Later we headed out from the apartment for tea - about 10.30pm (time goes fast when having fun) to a Lebanese place - I was the only female there - the men here go out together and have food, drinks and smoke together - females stay at home with the kids.
Saturday, (your Sunday) I got up and walked around for a while - town was too noisy to sleep - went to Nissan and checked out the dream car! :0) I then met some friends, who came up from Al Ain on the bus, at the mall and we went shopping - IKEA didn't know what hit it! My apartment looks so much better now. We had a van to come home in (thankfully!) and it was a squeeze but we got there.
This morning we went to see the school - amazing place and nice staff. They have everything from a cafeteria that is huge to a cinema room. So excited about it all. We only stayed for a few hours and will do that each day this week - the kids are back next week so will be full on then.
The weather is still warm but getting used to it quite quickly. Love coming home to air con though!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Settling In
Just love it here! Now that the apartment is quite familiar and I'm recognising areas and where I'm going, it's becoming very comfortable here. I haven't been homesick apart from missing good friends and family but have set up a new posse here to steer me right while in this part of the world.
Have found a local internet cafe where the guy recognises us and because we smile so sweetly, gives us free internet - it's great! So after work, we go home, get changed (ie out of skirts!), jump in a taxi and come to the local mall.
Am pretty sure going to buy a Murano - that or a GMC Terrain - somehting that's cute but safe! Can't buy it til residency comes through though so will be at the mercy of local taxis for a few more weeks.
Will add some photos of what we see out of the taxi windows - so hard to describe or explain but simply amazing. Looking forward to getting some great pics of Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Saw my school today - it's lovely and in a very well to do area. Only 10-15 mins from home so that's good - some people have a 40 mins drive each way every day!
Have found a local internet cafe where the guy recognises us and because we smile so sweetly, gives us free internet - it's great! So after work, we go home, get changed (ie out of skirts!), jump in a taxi and come to the local mall.
Am pretty sure going to buy a Murano - that or a GMC Terrain - somehting that's cute but safe! Can't buy it til residency comes through though so will be at the mercy of local taxis for a few more weeks.
Will add some photos of what we see out of the taxi windows - so hard to describe or explain but simply amazing. Looking forward to getting some great pics of Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Saw my school today - it's lovely and in a very well to do area. Only 10-15 mins from home so that's good - some people have a 40 mins drive each way every day!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Schools
Had two school visits today - so different to home - basically square buildings with courtyards in the middle. Both were two levels. Both were gated and have a guard on the gate 24/7 to get in. I've put a pic up of the courtyard at one school.
Get the impression the job's not going to be easy but that's ok - I didn't come here for easy - after all the challenge is what attracted me. The resourcing is interesting but displays and support is what I'm good at so fingers crossed I get time to do that.
We start in the schools on Sunday but the students don't start for another week. Good chance to get to know teachers and get some ideas about what they do.
So few animals here - have heard a dog barking, saw a lizard last night and two wild cats this am. No one seems to have pets.
One more day of work for the week - am quite tired - compulsory sleep in Friday am as NOTHING opens before lunchtime really.
Have talked to people in NZ over the last two days - so great to hear kiwi accents - so clear - sounds like you're in the next room - hard to understand how far away I really am!
Get the impression the job's not going to be easy but that's ok - I didn't come here for easy - after all the challenge is what attracted me. The resourcing is interesting but displays and support is what I'm good at so fingers crossed I get time to do that.
We start in the schools on Sunday but the students don't start for another week. Good chance to get to know teachers and get some ideas about what they do.
So few animals here - have heard a dog barking, saw a lizard last night and two wild cats this am. No one seems to have pets.
One more day of work for the week - am quite tired - compulsory sleep in Friday am as NOTHING opens before lunchtime really.
Have talked to people in NZ over the last two days - so great to hear kiwi accents - so clear - sounds like you're in the next room - hard to understand how far away I really am!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Blue Sky
We had blue sky this am - you'll see that in the pic of my apartment from the outside. It's funny - we take blue sky for granted in NZ but I've been here a week and today's was the first I've seen!
Normally it's a brown colour from the sand - sand storms are happening at the mo but I haven't been in any (thankfully!)
Normally it's a brown colour from the sand - sand storms are happening at the mo but I haven't been in any (thankfully!)
Work
The comapny I'm working for is amazing - I got very very lucky - they are such a people first place!So today was the last day of induction - the next two days we visit schools - including our own - but no kids in them yet - school starts 31st Aug. Then it's the weekend (Fri/Sat for us) and into schools with the teachers next week. Am trying to recruit a dear friend for a job within my company as it would be perfect for him (so if he's reading this, that's a hint!)
Have attached some photos of my crew - some of you may recognise some of them!
Joined up with a bank today - interest rates on loans is 3.5% and credit cards are 2% per month - plus a limit 5 times as much as my monthly salary! Dangerous!
Am trying to decide what kind of car to buy - maybe a Nissan Murano ( I think...) Any suggestions - tell me!
Have attached some photos of my crew - some of you may recognise some of them!
Joined up with a bank today - interest rates on loans is 3.5% and credit cards are 2% per month - plus a limit 5 times as much as my monthly salary! Dangerous!
Am trying to decide what kind of car to buy - maybe a Nissan Murano ( I think...) Any suggestions - tell me!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Heat
The heat here is quite different - it's quite muggy - a bit like what I experienced in Samoa but hotter. I can wear long sleeved tops but I just don't go outside for very long in them! Go walking at 5.30am - about the only time it's bearable!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Weekend over!
So I'm typing this in my lunch break at work and it's Sunday - yes we work from Sun - Thurs. Had an awesome weekend - moved into my new apartment - will try and post photos. It's brand new - think I got the nicest in the block and loving the air con!
No street address so trying to explain to a taxi how to get me home from the mall is very very hard. I will get a car and drive when residency comes through but the speed limits do and large roundabouts scare me a little.
Have found the local mall - Al Jimi - love it! It has McD's, KFC and Baskin Robbins...so stuff I know. It also has Carrefours - an awesome supermarket and Home Centre - spent lots there already!
The locals are very varied in their approach to you - from totally ignoring you to smiling and winking. Just keeping my head down and trying not to make eye contact too much. I'm not quite sure what to do in some situations but am sure I'll learn!
Watched the rugby at the hotel yesterday - was a great game and fun to watch with South Africans!
Am off to Abu Dhabi city and IKEA this weekend for stuff for the apartment and then to Dubai next weekend - very excited about that. We also get a week off soon so trying to decide where to go...will keep you posted.
Susie :0)
No street address so trying to explain to a taxi how to get me home from the mall is very very hard. I will get a car and drive when residency comes through but the speed limits do and large roundabouts scare me a little.
Have found the local mall - Al Jimi - love it! It has McD's, KFC and Baskin Robbins...so stuff I know. It also has Carrefours - an awesome supermarket and Home Centre - spent lots there already!
The locals are very varied in their approach to you - from totally ignoring you to smiling and winking. Just keeping my head down and trying not to make eye contact too much. I'm not quite sure what to do in some situations but am sure I'll learn!
Watched the rugby at the hotel yesterday - was a great game and fun to watch with South Africans!
Am off to Abu Dhabi city and IKEA this weekend for stuff for the apartment and then to Dubai next weekend - very excited about that. We also get a week off soon so trying to decide where to go...will keep you posted.
Susie :0)
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The weekend
Ok so today is Thursday and I am finished work for the week. The weekend here is Fri/Sat so back at work Sunday. Tonight we have a pool party so that'll be a nice way to unwind.
Tomorrow morning I check out of the hotel and move into my apartment. It'll be so nice to see where I'm going to be for the next two years at least and to get my stuff out of my suitcases. My boxes from NZ haven't arrived yet so will be relying on the bits I brought with me to make it feel more homely.
Tomorrow the shops are open til 10pm ish so once we've settled into our apartments, we're going to make a list of stuff we need and go shoping. So that will be exciting as that will be my first real taste of local life. Living in a hotel where everyone speaks English and the air con never breaks down and there's room service is not preparing me for the REAL life - although it is really nice!
Going to visit my school next week - apparently it's really "flash" - it's one of the more kitted out and nice places. All girls - secondary age - oh I so thought I'd was over that teenage angst stage of my life!
Oh and thanks again for the emails - it's so nice to hear from people. :0)
Tomorrow morning I check out of the hotel and move into my apartment. It'll be so nice to see where I'm going to be for the next two years at least and to get my stuff out of my suitcases. My boxes from NZ haven't arrived yet so will be relying on the bits I brought with me to make it feel more homely.
Tomorrow the shops are open til 10pm ish so once we've settled into our apartments, we're going to make a list of stuff we need and go shoping. So that will be exciting as that will be my first real taste of local life. Living in a hotel where everyone speaks English and the air con never breaks down and there's room service is not preparing me for the REAL life - although it is really nice!
Going to visit my school next week - apparently it's really "flash" - it's one of the more kitted out and nice places. All girls - secondary age - oh I so thought I'd was over that teenage angst stage of my life!
Oh and thanks again for the emails - it's so nice to hear from people. :0)
The Heat
I know a lot of you are wondering about the heat - yes it's warm! Just woke up at 6am and went for a 20 min walk - as long as I could handle due to the fact that I'd run out of water! Thank goodness for air con! Tried to find the weather forecast in the paper to see what it will be today but it's a huge paper and hard to find sorry.
Thanks for the emails and texts I'm getting - I woke up yesterday feeling a little cut off from people but all comm systems seem to be fine now. And we can skype - we can do computer to comp\uter so that's great! The internet in the hotel is quite fast so I'm crossing my fingers for a decent connection in the new place!
Thanks for the emails and texts I'm getting - I woke up yesterday feeling a little cut off from people but all comm systems seem to be fine now. And we can skype - we can do computer to comp\uter so that's great! The internet in the hotel is quite fast so I'm crossing my fingers for a decent connection in the new place!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tired...so tired...
But am here! Had long flights and waiting times - landed in Abu Dhabi midnight their time, went through passport control, got bags and walked out - that's right, no customs as in NZ - very very lucky.
Went to take picture of how amazing the airport was outside but due to the high heat my camera steamed up. So will put up a pic of my new laptop's keyboard with arabic on it - don't think I'll be using those! :0) Also have my cell phone - green - fav colour luckily.
We then drove to Al Ain - where I'm living and checked in to the Inter Continental. Was 3 am local time when I finally got to bed and then we got up for induction at 8.30am. Am proud to say have lasted the day and am now going to have a bath, dinner and then bed!
Am very excited about this move - so happy with be working with Shorty again - he's still just as laid back and awesome as he always has been. My new team who I'll be in the same school with are amazing. We move into our brand new apartments on Friday and so much is sorted out for us already.
So all in all very pleased with how it's started. Yay!
Went to take picture of how amazing the airport was outside but due to the high heat my camera steamed up. So will put up a pic of my new laptop's keyboard with arabic on it - don't think I'll be using those! :0) Also have my cell phone - green - fav colour luckily.
We then drove to Al Ain - where I'm living and checked in to the Inter Continental. Was 3 am local time when I finally got to bed and then we got up for induction at 8.30am. Am proud to say have lasted the day and am now going to have a bath, dinner and then bed!
Am very excited about this move - so happy with be working with Shorty again - he's still just as laid back and awesome as he always has been. My new team who I'll be in the same school with are amazing. We move into our brand new apartments on Friday and so much is sorted out for us already.
So all in all very pleased with how it's started. Yay!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Almost gone!
Ok so packed today (thanks to Susan for rolling 100's of things for me!) Am sooooo over the limit of 20kgs but am moving there for 2 years so to be expected I think. Anyway have two suitcases for the plane (about 30kgs) and one small one to take on board - fingers crossed the Air NZ staff feel nice at the airport at 4.30am and won't charge me too much for excess!
Thanks so much to everyone who texted, called, emailed or facebooked me recently wishing me a safe, happy journey and fun times - your aroha and good thoughts is very appreciated!
Will hopefully touch base in a couple of days! :0)
Thanks so much to everyone who texted, called, emailed or facebooked me recently wishing me a safe, happy journey and fun times - your aroha and good thoughts is very appreciated!
Will hopefully touch base in a couple of days! :0)
Friday, August 8, 2008
Blogging Etiquette
Hi all
Ok so we're started - but before we do, some blog etiquette:
Very excited!
Ok so we're started - but before we do, some blog etiquette:
- I will have slow internet so if I make a mistake as in spelling or missing words, move on - you'll probably be able to guess what I meant.
- If you weren't able to get what I meant, then register and place feedback or email me :0)
- I will try to blog regularly but will really only do so if there's anything interesting to report and the time to do so.
- I do appreciate you reading (and hopefully laughing at times) this - keeping in touch with home will be awesome.
Very excited!
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