WOMAD in Abu Dhabi 2011

This weekend started out as a typically boring weekend. I was going to go into Abu Dhabi to get some shopping done, and then spend my Saturday relaxing and cleaning. However, as I waited until my traveling party was ready, I was online talking with a friend. She mentioned a festival happening in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Me being oblivious to what is going on half the time, I didn't know a thing about it. She invited me to go, we worked out the details, and we met up in Abu Dhabi. It was a spur of the moment thing, which I think came at a perfect time.

Going back to work after a nice break was hard. It isn't that I don't like work, but having to get up early, and the warmer temperatures, had me feeling very rundown by the end of the week. This little moment of spontaneity was just what I needed.

WOMAD stands for World of Music and Dance Festival. On the sands of the Corniche, bands from around the world rocked out to an eclectic crowd. My friends and I did not say for the whole thing, but what I did get to see, was well worth the long hours spent in Abu Dhabi. We arrived in time to hear the last performance of a Russian Quartet called the "Terem Quartet". The music was lively and it wasn't ear splitting or anything, but I would not say it got me  moving. The festival was set up so that we had different stages, and they were set quite a distance apart. Therefore, the next performance we saw was on the big screen. Nonetheless, you could feel the Honduran energy as "Aurelio" performed. The last performance that we stayed to see was Toumani Diabate from Mali. It was a perfect end to the whole thing. Standing in the sand, with a nice cool breeze rolling through my hair, I listened to the music. It was nice to get to hear and see musicians that I would not have normally gone searching for on my iTunes. I wouldn't call it the concert of my life, but it was nice to get out with some friends, and be out of Liwa for a little while. Maybe next year, I will be better prepared to go and will be able to enjoy it more.

The rest of my weekend, went as planned. I did a major overhaul cleaning of the apartment, and got to relax and read for the remainder of the day. Overall, a good reviving weekend. I think I am ready for another week. 

Sky Flying, Beach Lounge Time, Swimming, and Shopping . . . A Typical Spring Break

At the risk of sounding like an ungrateful, spoiled, princess . . . luxury is nice, but not my thing. That said, I still took full advantage.

On a splurge, a friend and I booked a five-star resort hotel in Dubai for spring break. The Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa. Private beach, two-pools, what more can I say really. I arrived early, hopefully without any speeding tickets, and after a few awkward exchanges with bellboys and valet parkers, I sat in the lobby to wait for Brenda to arrive. It was weird how many people tried to help me and make sure I did not need anything. It was not anything out of the ordinary really, but I had forgotten how accommodating hotel staff can be. You would think after living in hotels for two months at the beginning of this adventure, I would have been well practiced.

As I sat watching and waiting, I looked around and tried to figure out how I would explain this hotel's beauty and extravagance to someone. The luxury is easily summed up for me with the  plants placed in the self-revoling circular door. Before you even ask, yes they are real. The unique thing about the lobby is though it certainly screams upperclass, it does not seem as in your face as it could be. However, considering I am typically not a five star type of girl, I guess I am not a real good judge of what makes a resort flashy or not. As we walked to beach later in the week, we heard it described as a "simple resort". I guess it is all a matter of perspective.

Having to wait ended up paying off. I never win the drawing, get bumped to first class, or get the free dessert, when it isn't my birthday. I had come to accept this and worked hard to get anything that I wanted. Today, my good karma paid off. They overbooked the hotel, this meant they needed to rearrange the room reservations. Brenda and I were one of the lucky ones that got switched into one of the unbooked suites. It has a nice large sitting area, a king bed, and large bathroom. After getting pampered like this, it makes it difficult to return home to an empty apartment that will need to cleaned, a kitchen that will need to be stocked and a bed that should be made. Suite or not, it is always hard to return to reality after a good vacation and this one definitely qualifies.

The first evening was uneventful. Dinner and shopping led to a quiet night in the suite. I actually prefer when vacations are more relaxing. You need some excitement, but too much and you could end up having to spend more time trying to recover from your vacation. The next day was a day at the beach.

It was everything I needed on this vacation. Minus burning my feet on the sand, it had a comfy lounge chair, and cool aqua and sapphire water. I managed to enjoy it, burnt feet and all, and was happy to see waves. You can have sand, and salt water, but the sound of the waves is what makes a beach scene complete. Except for the burnt feet, and the wave bashing resulting in lost sunglasses, it was a very good start to a much needed vacation.

It turns out that the hotel we booked, is in a serendipitous location. Right next door is Sky Dubai, a skydiving company. I watched people come down all day and decided to see if I could be one of them the next day. When I got there that morning, I was expecting to wait, but they got me on the plane almost immediately. I filled out paperwork, was strapped into the harness and boarded the plane. Part of the first timer's package is a video. I have to admit that it was kind of corny. I am not big on talking into a camera about what is happening. I don't like being on camera at all really, but I am glad I did it. The video turned out great. In the spirit of honesty, I have to admit that the big breakfast I had that morning was a bad idea and caused a slight mishap. I got sick when Freddy, my tandem partner, pulled the parachute. I was mortified. They seemed so fine with it, and nice. I think that made me feel more embarrassed. The truth is I am not the first and I won't be the last, I just know better than to have eggs, pastries, and orange juice for breakfast the next time. I have to admit that I am just waiting for a chance to do it again. It was just a thrill and adrenaline rush. By the time I got to the beach later, I crashed on the lounge chair and took a long nap. I managed not to get burnt as well, which is a big accomplishment considering I was mostly in direct sunlight.

The next day another item on my life list was completed. It is crazy to think of the amazing things I have been able to do here. Sometimes I feel like I'm just a visitor in someone else's life. After another delicious breakfast it was over to Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai for the day.

We were actually running a bit behind which made me grateful that Dubai runs on Arabic time. We were shuttled to Dolphin Bay where we checked in, got wetsuits and a crash course in dolphin swimming 101. I am not a fan of wetsuits, they are not forgiving, nothing can hide. I was glad we had a vest that help hide some of the flaws drawn out by the wetsuit. Enough about my wardrobe issues.

Manie Lou was our dolphin. She was so sweet. The dolphins they have at Atlantic are Indo-Pacific bottlenose. This means they are darker in color and tend to be smaller. They also have really cute freckles on their belly. We had thirty minutes to play and swim with Manie Lou. I think next time I will want more time. I got a kiss, hug, dance, twirl, and ride with Manie Lou. It amazes me how intelligent and friendly dolphins are.

After peeling out of the wetsuit and picking out some keepsake photos, we headed over to the water park. I could not remember the last time I had been to a real water park. It was also nice to see so many people in bathing suits and no one had an issue with the amount of skin showing. My favorite was the "Leap of Faith". It is a water slide that shoots you straight down, allowing you to achieve the same speed as a dolphin in the water. It was scary, but such an adrenaline rush. I guess I am a bit of an adrenaline junky. The other rides were nice, but nothing special. After a full day in the sun, I was ready to go home by late afternoon. It was a great end to my time in Dubai.

Friday was checkout and the ride home. It is back to work and reality on Sunday, but at least I have all Saturday to come to terms with that and recover from all the fun. This was just what I needed before a long three month stretch until the end of the year.

Times are Changing

According to Urban Dictionary, change is "a word that was used so much in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election that it no longer has meaning." Well, no offense to Urban Dictionary, but for me change holds a lot of meaning. 


Changing my clothes allow me to transform from a Westerner "playing dress-up" to a Westerner just far from home. One simple element, clothing, here means everything. From the abaya to the sheila, each piece of clothing you choose says something about who you are, where you are from, and what you believe. Clothes are not the only way that I have changed since embarking on this ongoing adventure. 


I am slowly learning Arabic. A change that seems to be ongoing and right now seems never-ending. One of my Arabic colleagues has agreed to work with me one period each day--insa'allah, of course-- to help me learn Arabic. Sometimes I think they think I have not been trying, and well in all honesty, I guess I wasn't. It wasn't for a lack of trying, I just didn't have a class or anything to go to so progress was slow. Chances to use the Arabic I know is limited as well. I know that seems hard to believe, but they want to practice and learn English just as much as I want to learn Arabic so it is hard find that balance where both parties are benefitting. 


Another difference, I have trouble labeling it a change because it was a habit all along, is my extra time to read and write. I wouldn't try to claim my writing has gotten better, it still needs editing and a lot is probably best left for my private collection, but I find that I am more inspired and have time to write. I am not stressed out with work, no football games, dances, or meetings to attend that steal away the evening. Now don't get me wrong, there are things to do out here in the desert. However, if I want to stay in and write some fiction, or work on an essay. I have the time. I seem to be going through books a lot faster too. Though Pillars of the Earth, as good as it is, makes me feel like I have been reading the same book forever. 


I know that neither of these things seem to be real life altering changes. In fact, the are quite simple and something that really could have been accomplished at home, maybe. It is hard to really take in everything that is going on when you uproot your life. Yes, I still have a storage unit of stuff, a family, and a crazy puppy waiting for me at home, but my daily life is lived out here in the desert of Liwa. I reach for long sleeves even though I know it is 90+ degrees and never think twice about the choice. No I am not completely comfortable in this environment, that would be a lie. The dust kills my allergies, and while the heat isn't as crippling as those first steps out of the airport, but long sleeves in hundred degree weather is sometimes uncomfortable. However, with the benefit of air condition, evening excursions, and late night hours, I am able to enjoy what life has to offer here. 


It is hard to believe that it is already the end of March. I have been able to experience so much and grow from each of the experiences I have had since arriving in September. I know that my growth is not over and I am sure more changes are in the cards. I just have to remember to not lose myself within the changes, and enjoy this time. I am not the same person that stepped off the plane in September, and so far I don't regret the changes that have lead me to who I am today. I hope that my experience here will continue to allow me to "find" new parts of myself that I might have forgotten, blocked, or been too afraid to let shine. Maybe I will even find a way to love those parts of me that aren't so perfect, weirder things have happened. 

Testing and Education

Whether in the U.A.E. or the good old U.S.A, testing is a reality that you cannot escape no matter where you teach. Unfortunately, one of the most reliable ways to see if your students have learned anything is through testing.

One of the positives with the program here in Abu Dhabi is the lack of testing. As we approach the EMSA test, it is hard to keep this in mind, but as I sat down to write I realized I have not wrote a single test for my students. They have had quizzes here or there, but in the end their grade is comprised of various tasks. These tasks test their reading, writing, and speaking skills. They challenge the students and allow for results without having to put a testing label on it.

However, you cannot completely escape testing. As I said, it is one of the most reliable--sometimes. With testing, comes rules and regulations on how to administer the test. Today, as I sat in a meeting about the upcoming exams, I could have sworn that I was back in Cumberland, VA listening to the information about testing procedures on the SOL's. The information and the mode of delivery is the same. The only difference being the translation into Arabic. It was definitely one of those moments where I was reminded that education at its foundation is the same no matter where you teach. It has one goal, to see children succeed. The methods and modes of getting them there may be different, but in the end they are not as different as they appear.

The testing preparation, has also shed light on some of the culture here. Pressure, everyone's motivating factor to get in shape, study for the quiz, etc. America knows how to pressure people, but they have nothing on the culture here. There are days that I wish I had a stress monitor on each student in my class. Whether it is because they are women and must work harder to achieve things in life, or because it is just the trend toward education, these students are under a lot of pressure to succeed. Now when I say succeed, I don't mean "B"s. A 99% is just good. Anything lower is a problem, especially for seniors. For those of you who thought getting into college in America was difficult, listen to this:

Student grades are looked at strictly as numbers. No A, B, C stuff here. It is all about whether it is a 99% or 95%. Those four points can decide whether they study the field they want to in college. Sometimes it can even mean whether they get in. There is no choosing your major, your grades decide for you. Then you might have a choice between a few in a certain field. Before you even think about getting to college you are set on a track, arts or science, this track determines the course you will take and the types of schools you can attend after secondary school is completed. If that wasn't enough, you have national tests that determine whether you have to pay for junior college before heading to a real college. If you do not score high enough you do not even have the choice of applying to college. You must take at least a year at junior college.

I don't know about you, but I feel a lot less pressure towards the college system in America. Yes, there is a lot of competition and things are getting extremely difficult, but comparatively, I think there is a lot we take for granted. Sure you may not always get into your top choice, or get the class schedule you wanted, but at least you have a choice. You can study what you want, take the classes you want as long as you are accepted that is all that matters.

The students here feel this pressure daily. They work hard, and even in classes of their native tongue, struggle to learn all the information they need. I sometimes wonder how much they really take with them in the end. With all the pressure and expectations put on these students by themselves, friends, family, and culture - - - how to we ensure success without destroying individuality? All we can do is continue to give them the tools they need, encourage their creativity, and hope that by giving them the tools they can build the future. 

The Little Things

There is so much that I know I took for granted living in America. I knew where to shop for the best clothes, shoes, bras . . .

The funny thing about it, I don't ever remember learning these things. One day, I just knew. You ask friends, you just go and check it out, or the countless commercials draw you in. Whether it is the fact that I cannot understand the commercials, or that the same products are not available, I don't know, but shopping can sometimes be an adventure of sorts.

First of all, I have never done this much research on malls and stores before heading out to go shopping. I have read the description of countless stores trying to find the one with the description that appealed the most.  With suggestions  from our Arabic counterparts, which is an interesting task in itself, Judy and I headed out on Friday in and attempt to find a store that would have what we needed-- bras.

After nailing down where were going, we took the two hour drive into the heart of Abu Dhabi. First stop Al Whadha Mall. First store, did not even have a tape measure. Strike one. Next store catered only to teens so they did not have a bust size large enough. Strike two. Strike three, came quickly after strike two fast and looking exactly the same as the previous strike. Needless to say, that mall was useless. We found sizes that seemed unnatural, but nothing that would have worked for the average woman. We were started to get worried that we would go home empty handed, but with a few suggestions from the saleswomen and another mall to check out, we headed back out.

Our next step Khalidiyah Mall was much more successful. After a delicious Mexican lunch, we were revived and ready to tackle the next store. I must here make a shout out to the person who thought of making a bra extender. Not the biggest confidence boost, but a life saver in my case. This little piece of stretchy material with extra clasps allowed me to be able to leave the mall with new bras I would have not been able to wear otherwise. Truly a great invention.

After finding bras, our spirits were uplifted and we roamed the stores for a while. I got a few tops, a beach dress, and other odds and ends. Overall, it was a successful trip. Four malls later, and some careful navigation of the back streets of Abu Dhabi, we came home with a car full of goodies. It was a tiring day of shopping, but fun all the same.

There are some conveniences of American life that you just don't think about until the issue arises. At least if I stick around for a while, I know where to go first next time. It may not have been easy, but the good things in life never are.