Off we go...?

Packed and ready to go! We fly to Chicago, then to Amman, and finally into Abu Dhabi.

Here are some of our new family members that we are getting to know very well. A truly super group of teachers who are hanging well together through delays in ATL and a missed flight in Chicago. Now, we waiting for a flight to London , after that... Abu Dhabi.

Au revoir! Arrivederci! Auf Wiedersehen! Adiós!

We have said our goodbyes over the last month with our family and as many friends as we could possibly fit into our schedule. If we missed some of you, please forgive us.  As of this evening, our visits are complete and some sadness has hit. We are so blessed to have friends and family who love and support us. Thank you.

Our departure is less than 48 hours away. And, yes, we are all leaving together on Thursday which was a surprise. A week ago, I received a change of itinerary, so we have been busy finalizing everything. A few things to do tomorrow, and then we're off!

Preparations and News

Summer has been jammed packed with activities in preparation for the move to Abu Dhabi.  On Saturday, a small group of AD teachers gathered for a second meet and greet with their families at a drive-in theater for some camaraderie and Madagascar 3. We had much to discuss, especially after attending an ADEC Predeparture Webinar the day before. Now, we know that most of us, those who had all the authenticated paperwork completed and in before the May deadline, will be departing somewhere around August 8-12. Six more weeks, instead of 5 to get everything done... yea!


On the home front, the townhouse is almost completely packed, one of our two cars is sold, and some furniture has been sold. The townhouse has not rented yet, however, it is good to be able to stay in our house as long as possible. Much of the remaining summer will be spent visiting with our family and friends, and the three of us will finally have some time off together in July.


Even though I would like and did request that Fadi and Emile go with me to Abu Dhabi from the start, more than likely they will not join me for a month or more as suggested by Teach Away and ADEC. This is due not only to the fact that I will be going through medical exams, orientation, and getting setup in a new school, but I just learned I will be the one applying for their residence visas once I have arrived and received mine. Otherwise, they would go on tourist visas that are only valid for 30 days, and this could mean border runs to Oman to renew their visas. Thankfully, these two guys are willing to do whatever needs to be done!


For now, I will keep moving forward with the things that need to get done,and wait to receive my itinerary and ticket which will be the next time I blog.

First Steps

On the January 23 after several months of consideration, prayer, and being given the "okay" from my husband and child, I finally decided to apply for a teaching position with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) in the United Arab Emirates through Teach Away, Inc. I uploaded my application with the photo above and a few minutes after uploading the application, an automated email arrived verifying the application was received.

A brief three days later, I learned I was an applicant under consideration, and I was asked to complete a more in depth application. "Wow, I never expected to hear from Teach Away so soon," I thought. The following day a phone interview was set up for the 31st of January. This process was really on a roll. The day after the pre-screening interview over the phone, I was invited to an in person interview with the date to be advised.

During the phone interview, I learned some of what Teach Away meant about needing to be "flexible." While waiting for the interview, I needed to decide whether or not my family and I would allow unknown people in a unknown country assign the city where we would be living, the school I would be working in, and my specific teaching assignment. Teaching in a first grade classroom again or the thought of teaching kindergarten has not been in my plans. I thoroughly enjoy going into K-5 classrooms as an ESOL teacher, however actually being a K teacher has not entered my mind. The message I got was a loud and clear, "Yes, you can do it."

With much anticipation, the interview took place on February 29, and I felt all went well. I was interviewed by several Teach Away and ADEC representatives. As I left the interview, I was told it would be 4-6 weeks before I would hear whether or not an offer would be made (Originally, I thought it was suppose to take a week to hear back). The waiting was excruciating at times...and not helpful for getting a good night's sleep.

Week four rolls around and I am checking my phone constantly throughout the day for some notification. Fadi kept saying, "You know it will take the whole six weeks." Like that was going to stop me obsessing and checking my phone. The end of week four was spring break, and we drove to Hilton Head Island. About an hour outside HHI, I checked my phone after not having reception on I16 for awhile and there was the email I had waited exactly 5 weeks for. "Congratulations ADEC has offered you a teaching position..." I quietly shouted, "We're going to Abu Dhabi!