Newness: School, City, Grade

Hello, Readers!

I have turned into the slack, inconsistent Blogger that I didn't want to be! I will try to do better this school year. So, let's recap:

SPRINGish
I resigned from my school in Sharjah around May because I was offered another job close to the capital. My principal seemed very sad, but he didn't fight for me so that reassured me that I was making the right decision. I was sad to leave SOME of my coworkers, but I  learned that being in such a transit environment, nothing and no one is permanent. As a result, you get used to people coming into your life and then leaving. This actually causes me SEVERE anxiety. Forming relationships with people is important to me. I hate saying 'Goodbye' and Skype doesn't cut it. I want to be physically close to people. As of now, I am just a two hour bus ride from my teacher friends.

SUMMER
My students stopped coming to school on June 6th because the Holy month of Ramadan was taking place. We were told that we could fly home on the 22nd of June. The accountant scheduled my flight and paid me and I flew Emirates out of Dubai. My friend allowed me leave my things at her place in the city so that I would not have to bring them back to the states. I arrived home in secret for a few days and then I surprised my family while they were out to dinner. Tears flowed. I lied to them and told them that I would be back in the US after the 4th of July. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
 My goals for the summer were to get back to Muv Fitness. I love my gym! The people, the equipment, the classes...EVERYTHING! I am proud of my weight loss journey. My sister and I attended Body Pump, Step, and Zumba classes and then we ran or did free weights! Everyday. BOOM! When I wasn't working out, I was parked on the couch watching Power! I did leave to go to a family reunion or the visit friends. But other than that, I was enjoying my carpeted floor, all things Trader Joes, driving my car, vacuuming, and all the other task or chores that I found annoying while in the states.
My parents threw a 'Welcome Home'/ 'Going Away' party for me at their house and it was so amazing to see my sorority sisters, middle school friends, teacher friends, and family show up for me. I was truly humbled.

 

CURRENTLY
I am at work in Abu Dhabi (typing this since I did not bring my laptop for a second year). Ill be teaching grade 3 (English, Math, and Science). I am at a very progressive school. The atmosphere is family oriented. They even said 'Welcome to our family, Amber.' I melted because this is the exact opposite of the environment that I was in last year. I share a villa (like a condo) with two other teachers. I am surrounded by malls, desert, and man-made island/beaches. The city bus stop is in my backyard and I spent the first week here trying to learn the routes because when I went to the orthodontist, I spent a grip on the taxi. NEVER AGAIN!
On Sunday, the students will come. As teachers, I feel that we can never be ready. We are professionals at going with the flow of things. So when people ask if I'm ready for the kids to come, I say that I am because this is my job. This is what I signed up for (in the US and here). We just leap into the madness.

GOALS
Bank & Body
This year, my focus is on getting my body back together and saving money. I did pretty good last year because I paid off my car, but I'm going to really be intentional about saving because I am aware that this could all end at anytime. Nothing is permanent.

SOLO...But Not Alone

Hello!

Once again, I have abandoned my blog, but I'm back! Since I've been gone, I took my first solo trip! For Spring Break (they don't call it that here), I went to India and Hong Kong. Initially, I was supposed to go with a friend but plans changed which worked out in my favor. I was apprehensive to go alone at first because I read that India is the rape capital but I had already paid for the flights and accommodations so I prayed about it and carried on.

You can't believe everything that you hear because once again, I felt totally safe in a strange land. I kept thinking about Psalm 91...I AM FOREVER COVERED! In India, I stayed at a place called Bloom Rooms in New Delhi. It was so small and cute! Before arriving, I had already booked a tour of the Taj Mahal (this was not smart as it was actually cheaper to do through the hotel...lesson learned). At the hotel, I did book a day tour. I was given a map and I could ask the driver to take me anywhere on it. My driver was awesome and we had local meals together and he took me to places to shop but clearly he went to places where he knew folks so that they could get my money. The Taj was beautiful...even while being cleaned. I booked the tour through Trip Advisor and a private driver picked me up from the hotel, drove me 2 hours to Agra, and then the tour guide met us and was with me the entire day.

 Fresh fruit is the way to my heart!

 Lotus Temple!

 Paneer (cheese) and veggies with my driver!

Hong Kong was so beautiful! Once again, I heard that it was expensive, but I am a penny pincher and lowkey, a HUSTLER. I stayed in my first hostel in HK. I could choose from a female dorm style or a co-ed room. I went with the all female room since I was alone. There were four beds and one woman there when I arrived. I stayed 4 nights and met three different women. I felt completely safe and it was an amazing experience! The hostel was actually a renovated hotel and international basketball players were staying there. I met some of them in the gym. This trip has taught me that a gym is something that is non negotiable when it comes to traveling since I'm going to EAT! Prior to leaving the UAE, I booked a hike on Dragon's Back and it was only $10 USD. The hike was 5 hours and I met many solo travelers! It was well worth it! The food in HK was great! I only had seafood since I haven't been eating meat. I did get a stomach bug but I bought activated charcol and it was cleared right up! I visited Lady Street Market and got some bags, chopsticks, and other gifts for people. There were MK, Coach, etc bags that were said to be fake but I couldn't tell. The metro system in HK can take you anywhere. It is a beautiful place and I heard English the entire time. I encourage you to visit!

 The Big Buddha!

 My hiking team!

 Dragon's Back!

Last week, I went to a White Party in Abu Dhabi and it was too much fun (if there were such a thing)! I went with friends, reunited with old friends, and met some new ones. All is well with the world. All I need to do is keep working out and staying positive and I will continue to FLOURISH. GOD IS GOOD always, all ways.

 Hey, friends!

So...there are three weeks until Ramadan and I'm excited to experience it. Then, I'll be headed back to America. Chile, its been a long time coming but I am ready to return. I need to hug my mom and eat her food. 

:)

Downhill Slope

Hello!

I've been SLACK with my blog, I know. I've been either busy or tired and I stopped writing but I'm back! This is my attempt at getting you all caught up.

November:
Since two months ago (SMH) I visited Cairo, Egypt. It was crazy to see THE PYRAMIDS in person. I also went to a famous market, had a boat ride (not a fancy cruise) on the River Nile, and visited a museum. Had I planned better, I would have booked a flight to Luxor to visit Valley of the Kings, but Cairo for three days was perfect. I ate a lot so my binge eating began there and lasted from Thanksgiving (a Friendsgiving with strangers) through my 28th Birthday and until New Years Eve.



December:
At my school, students are given exams starting at grade 4 and upwards. I had to give my students an English exam and mark (grade) them with the other teachers in a Round Robin type of situation. I understand the pros of letting others grade my kids but there are also cons. For example, I know what my kids are trying to say when they write, but another teacher may not and as a result, mark their answer wrong. I just coped with it and kept it moving. I have learned to accept the UAE way and not challenge it.

The kids knew that my Birthday was on Sunday, December 5th because I kept dropping hints. I went to my bad class (they are lowkey my favorite) and I taught them like normal. They are loud and just busy bodies. A student, I've nicknamed her 'Banana', said that she forgot it was my Birthday and would bring me a gift tomorrow. I said okay and kept teaching. Literally, like 10 minutes later, the staff from downstairs comes carrying a cake and balloons. Banana's mother is behind the staff in her abaya (so, I'm intimidated). She hugs me and I cry. The kids start singing to me. I'm a mess. Eyeliner is gone at this point. The mother says that she loves me and all this stuff and leaves. I cut the cake for the kids and we eat. As I'm cleaning up, another knock comes at the door and it's the school staff again with a Pointsetta in a purple flower pot. A student and her mother had that delivered. I had never been treated like that on my Birthday! I also got a rose and some candy. That was a great day!

Two weeks later, I took off to Thailand with some girlfriends. We went to Bangkok, Chaing Mai, Koh Samui, Phukhet, and ended our trip in Bali (Ubud and Seminyak). I caught so many flights during this trip alone that I was OVER the airport! I really enjoyed Bangkok. I played with elephants, lemurs, and a sedated tiger. I zipped lined through trees. I ate AMAZING street food that was prepared with no gloves and it was great! I ate the world's share of banana chips and fresh fruit. I visited temples and floating markets. I saw LadyBoys perform (like a drag show). I saw a ping pong show (women put the ping pongs in there ___ and toss them at you)! Bali was beautiful. It was more chill than Thailand. I para sailed, played with monkeys, biked around an active volcano, and saw many rice fields. I was overjoyed to be back in Dubai because 16 days with a group of women is TOO MUCH. NEVER AGAIN. I have learned my limits. I value my sanity. Everything isn't for everyone.

 

I was invited to the Dubai Marina to celebrate New Years. We had dinner and then went to a party a few floors up. It was nice. Some random guy kissed me. This seems to be a pattern in Dubai.

January:
New Year, New Me...Forreal. So basically, I lost 5kg, 10 lbs, since returning from Thailand. I just hopped back on MYFitnessPal and started measuring my caloric intake again. I am in two weight loss challenges (one with my sister, and one with teachers here). I have joined Fitness First, a segregated gym-men to the left and women to the right. Both men and women work the desk so its a contradiction to me. I love the gym! It's like a Gold's for women...I miss working out with men though. The crossfit in Dubai didn't workout, but I like where I am. My membership is for 6 months so I am about to be SNATCHED and back to my weight at arrival (125lbs). I'm claiming it! I will be running my second 10K at the end of the month. Its a ladies glow run! Up next is the Dubai Desert Race in March.

Up Next!
February...Singles Awareness Month is upon us! Valentine's Day is not a big deal here...it's not really celebrated BUT, I'm going to spoil myself like I always do! I LOVE ME SOME ME :). I will actually be saving money for the Spring Break (mid-year break) trip. I'll talk about that destination soon.

Peace and Blessings!