"Peace" of Mind

You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.
Dale Carnegie

Coming to a foreign country can be a scary thing...the unknown factor is a big part of it. Likewise, you have other factors, those of which cause an American to crawl out of their skin, that make adjusting to a country even harder. For me personally, the biggest frustration is the language barrier....again, the unknown factor...not knowing what the people surrounding you are saying, not being able to chime in to any conversation, the need to have things translated, etc. But, peace of mind sets in, as I am trying to pick up the language and learn. Hey, at least I am trying, right?

Making the decision to come here was the best thing that could have happened to me. If you know me well enough, you should know that I LOVE traveling, culture, new things/food, experiences/journeys, new friends, and learning. But,one thing interfering with the positive experience = negative views, media, and articles about those of the Middle East.

The American society, as a whole, create the negative tension between other countries of the world. Not necessarily on purpose, we tend to believe the negative stereotypes of other cultures...ESPECIALLY those of Middle Easterners, Muslims, and their culture. As a result, when I told friends and family about my plan to come over to the UAE, not all responses were positive. Although I do take great caution in what I do and say, I respect their traditions, and their religious beliefs (even though I may not agree) I have come to really love this culture and the people in it. I have decided to go against the odds that:

- they don't want me in their country/cultural traditions
- they will treat me horrible
- I will not be respected

Will I get these things from everyone, absolutely not. But, what I do love, is the fact that I have been welcomed by so many. I have been treated very nicely, and even made a few new friends.

Last week, I was introduced to a local Arab; he is a friend to another teacher. My first night meeting him, I was completely drawn to everything he had to say. White kandora in attire, he represents the typical picture of a Muslim. He shook my hand in greeting, looked me in the eye, held a conversation with me, answered/asked me questions....all things that go against what the typical Muslim would do to an American. As the night grew longer, we ended up having a terrific night....hanging out with him, and I even got my own personal tour of Abu Dhabi. Better yet, I was able to ask him questions about his religion and culture that I wanted to know. At the end of the night, "hey, if you ever need anything, just call me."

As the week has drawn to an end, I have a new perspective. We focus on all the negatives, instead of giving the benefit of the doubt. Instead of learning(even if you don't want to/aren't interested) about the differences that we have from people and how we can turn that into a greatness, we focus on how we can hate the differences. I have immersed myself in a culture that has been accused, viewed in a negative light, and slammed...and we wonder why they "hate" Americans? I am in a country where I have very few rights, I am taking the job of fellow Muslims, and many things are unknown.

However, what I do know is:

I have made a great "local" friend, one who has welcomed me into his culture and country. He answers any question, open and willing.

He represents his culture and religion very well.

I will be able to come back to the States with a better understanding and allow fellow Americans to know, it isn't as negative as the media makes it.

In all reality, this is a great place to be....very safe, comfortable, and fun.

21 hours, new friends, and a journey...

Sat. August 14, 2010
9:30am, Austin, Texas

I was awakened no later than 8:00 am, got ready, and added the last minute things to my suitcase.

My dad ran up to the local Taco Cabana to grab breakfast tacos...yummy!

We no sooner loaded up the car and left, around 9:40am.

My parents were dropping me off at the airport, and since it is halfway out to the farm, they also had the car loaded so they could go straight to Flatonia. The car was loaded to the max....

3 dogs, my parents belongings to take out to the farm, pulling a trailer of barbed wire, fencing, and a cow feeder....my luggage was tied to the end of the trailer.

I gathered my luggage at the Airport curb, hugged my dad goodbye, kissed my puppies for the last time, and headed inside with my mom. We waited in line, for what seemed forever. Of course, one of my bags was 4 lbs over, and so i had to remove two pounds or pay $200.00. So, in the middle of the airport, I am frantically pulling things out of my suitcase to give my mother (which she will need to ship to me). I was eventually checked in, hugged my mom goodbye, and off I went.

While sitting and waiting for my flight, I met a husband (Jason), his wife Dee, and then Dee's father Azlan. Jason is a teacher, and had the same flight schedule as I did. Thank goodness...I had some travel buddies!

First flight
12:25 pm
Austin to Chicago
United Airlines Express

I think this was the smallest plane I have ever been on, in my life! It was terrible! I felt like a salted and packed sardine!

Sitting next to me was a man from Vermont, that lives in Austin part-time also. He owns a beautiful, I mean BEAUTIFUL home in Vermont (he showed me pictures) that he lives in part time, when he isn't in Cedar Park in his apartment. He was just a simple business man, on his way back home for a couple of weeks. We talked the whole time...he was very interested in my travel...wanted to know lots of details of which I couldn't really tell him. So, the conversation made the flight a lot easier and faster.


Arrival to Chicago

Thank goodness I had met Jason and Dee....I don't think I could have navigated through the Chicago airport alone...it was HUGE! We had a hard time finding our way to the international terminals. It was a long walk, lots of asking, and lots of wandering. Once we had arrived to terminal 5E (through walking, shuttle, and more walking) and checked in, this was the last stop we had to grab a bite to eat. By the time we got to our terminal, waited in line for food, and ate....we were pretty pressed for time. We immediately headed for our gate and waited for a little while. This was the HUB for teachers....we met several teachers and families that were Abu Dhabi bound.


Second flight- 8:30 pm
Chicago to Abu Dhabi
Etihad Airways

Where to start! The plane was of course, as lavish as a plane could be. Each person had their own personal TV that they controlled. You could play video games, watch movies, just about anything.

I had a window seat, which is what I wanted. I could see out, which was nice. My seat mate, a guy from India, was SUPER nice. He was very funny....your usual funny guy! He was a big help, in getting me through the plane ride, explaining everything to me, etc.

This was, by far, the LONGEST flight ever!! It didn't seem like we would ever get to the UAE! However, overall, it was a great flight. The people were very nice and helpful, decent food...in fact, I felt like that is all I did was eat. :) It was a pretty smooth flight. I didn't sleep much, maybe 2 hours max....I just can't sleep on planes. So, you can only imagine how tired I was.


Landing in Abu Dhabi
Sunday August 15th, 8:30 pm

I never thought this time would come! But, we finally landed and exited from the plane. Out of the terminal, there were ADEC representatives waiting for us. From there, they walked us through customs/immigrations to our eye exams. This was STRANGE!! They take your passport to scan it, and then take a picture of the pupil of your eye...strange! Then, off to baggage claim, where the 41 teachers each had help getting their luggage...I didn't even have to touch my own luggage!

As we walked out of the airport, there were more ADEC representatives waiting for us, and they handed us a freshly cut rose.

We were then escorted to our bus, which would take us to our hotel. We arrived at 9:30/10:00 pm, immediately stepped off the bus and were greeted with a warm, lemon scented towel that felt wonderful on your face (keep in mind, we had been on a plane for 21+ hours) and then a glass of mango juice...to die for. It was so fresh and yummy...nothing like in the states.

We each labeled our luggage, so that it could be delivered to our room, which is lavish in itself. Our beds are made every morning and turned down for us in the evening. Bottled water is supplied free, fresh fruit, and dates (I haven't worked up enough courage to try these).

Being so late, and having orientation the next morning, the bed was calling my name. A plush bed, feather comforter and pillows, I felt as though I was sleeping on top of a cloud. I can't remember the last time I slept so well.

Everyone is very welcoming here and accommodating. I feel like a princess....served and given everything/anything. The Arabs def. have high standards...from airlines, to hotels, to buildings, and cars. One major frustration so far, not knowing the language! As with an foreign trip of mine, communication is hard. Everything is in English....they all pretty much speak English, but the mere fact that I CAN'T understand what they are saying = irritating. But, it is a reality and I have to deal with it.

The Experience of a LIFETIME, now or later?

I am sitting here, 4 days, 22 hours, 24 minutes until the life-changing moment in my life. I pick up my bags (light blue square boxes that I have been living out of for the past 5 months) and head to an area of the world that I didn't dream I would ever be able to see.

I keep saying, "experience of a lifetime, soon to begin" but in all reality, has the experience already started?

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
Eleanor Roosevelt

I would like to think that I am looking fear in the face, and at that, I am telling it to buzz off. I mean REALLY, how many of you would jump on a plane, alone, and fly to a foreign piece of earth? So, in the GREAT words of Eleanor Roosevelt, I am going to get on that plane, and experience the world, that I once thought was impossible.

Experience is a funny thing….I only thought getting to Abu Dhabi was the experience! Well, I am starting to rethink that!

I had let go of a job, a job that had become quite comfortable after four years. I figured after accepting this new job, I would have a summer of leisure…..a summer of relaxation, research of the new place, and goodbyes.

Relaxation? HAHA…there would be NONE of that my friends....follow along as I track my summer of leisure: (clear throat)

1. I resigned my position of 6th grade World Cultures Teacher and Team Leader during the month of May. By this time, I had checked out....I had a new dream in mind, excitement of the new place, and plenty of things to do to get ready. June 4th (last day of school) couldn't have come FAST enough. Although, I had built great relationships with the people at work, so telling them I was leaving was really hard!

2. Accepting this new job meant that I had to renew my passport! (Grab a drink of water, this could take a while)

Passport...P-A-S-S-P-O-R-T....hmmm, I have now come to hate this word. And for the next TEN years, I will not have to face the ladies and gentlemen that so gladly renew these for us. I had left school early, one marvelous day in May, as I was going to visit the local post office to renew my passport. Mind you, I already had one, it was expired. I had also printed out the necessary paper work, online, and filled it out. All I had to do, contrary to my belief, was hand it in. So, I get there, an hour to spare. (Sign read: Passport Hours 9:00am-4:00pm)

I gingerly open the door, only to be greeted with a blank stare (as if I had done something wrong) and a menacing “we are no longer open today; you need to come back tomorrow morning.” I simply reminded him that his hours of service sign stated 4:00 pm and I still had an hour, therefore I would wait. I also let him know, that like him, I also had a job.

Long story short, I had a very brief run in with the manager of the post office, before storming out, letting him know what a poor job he was doing running the place and how sorry it was that they would treat people the way they did. I didn’t get my passport that day.

The next morning, Saturday, I was the first in line at 7:00 am to talk to a different passport agency. Only to inform me, I had to make an appointment and they were 3 months out. But, I could go downtown if I felt lucky.

Lucky….well, I had nothing left. I had given 100% of my time to getting this passport elsewhere. I had just about gone postal in the post office, awakened WAY before my time on a Saturday morning, and I was out of ideas.

In my Mazda I go…all the way downtown only to wait in line for FOUR and A HALF HOURS to renew my passport. Since I didn’t have an appointment, it was a if they got to you basis….I was of the last 10 people they took that day.

Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something.

Let me tell you, our USPS couldn’t move at a slower time, no worry in the world, and not a feeling of remorse! Something is wrong with this picture….a line of 1000’s, out the door, and 2 employees…1 of which puts the closed window sign up so she can sort through denied mail. I don’t get it!

Wasn't it the governments idea that we should all have one? If they want us to have a passport, why don't they make it an easier process?

3. Packing and renting my house. So packing up your life is never easy. But then to put a weight on it...yikes! I am packing TWO years of my life in TWO suitcases, and they can't be over 50 pounds. Okay, hello...I am female, I feel the need to pack the "just in case", "I know I need it", and the "I just gotta take this." Well, as you can imagine, both if those light blue boxes I referred to eariler = WAY over the weight limit! :(

I will be spending the next 4 days packing, repacking, and more packing.

Rental of the house = not happened yet!

Oh, have I talked about STRESS??

Stress will now cover # 4 through #100!!

What do I have to be stressed about? Well, nothing, I suppose, if you have found the following 45 minutes of muttering amusing.....silly and waste of time....senseless, etc.

Stressors:

When will my house rent?
Are the renters going to be nice to MY house?
Are my dogs going to run away, trying to find me?
Are my dogs going to forget who I am?
Are my friends and family members going to forget who I am?

Those are just a few to name.

Lastly, just to add to this "experience of a lifetime"...

I get a phone call this morning (August 9, 2010) from a new friend of mine to inform me that our flights are not listed as being international, and to keep from being charged for the extra baggage, I need to call the airlines.

hmmm...WHAT???

I called. Since it is not a connecting flight, I am not categorized as international, therefore, I will need to show my itinerary when I get there....I will need to go find my luggage in Chicago, carry it to check in again, and make sure it gets checked in for the rest of the flight to Abu Dhabi. Then, a 14 hour flight to Abu Dhabi.

New adventures and experiences here I come!! I am happy to be doing this...I can't wait, this is going to be GREAT!

I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
Martha Washington

I am leaving, on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again....

Well, the time is here!! I have FINALLY received my departure date for the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi!

I will be leaving SATURDAY AUGUST 14th!! I am so excited, I just can't begin to imagine what all is in store for me for the next two years!!

UAE Going Away Party

The time has arrived where the good-byes are needed. Although this new adventure in my life hasn't hit as a reality yet, it IS right around the corner. I look at the packed suitcases in the living room, my "dresser" that once held my clothes is now a cardboard box, and I don't have a car....my life is at the mercy of everyone else and in a suitcase.

My friends and family gathered on Sat. July 31st @ 7:00 to say their goodbyes....bid me farewell and best of luck...and reveled over old memories. Conversations were alive, we were recreating old times, and doing what we do best: continue our friendships, our bonds, and cherish each other's company. I love my friends and family!

So, I sit and await my actual departure date (within the next 10 days if you can believe that)! I have said my good-byes to the best of my ability, for now.

Remember, I WILL be back! I will be on a two year journey, trip of a lifetime, and great learning experience for myself. I will come back with stories to share, things to teach, and advice on places to go. :)

Good bye to all of my friends and family....I love you all dearly. Keep in touch and be sure to follow this amazing journey around the world with me!