It's all about being flexible

Still waiting to hear when I will be leaving for Abu Dhabi. Paper work is in progress and I am told it will take at least 10 business days before my visa is ready. So I'm home longer then I thought.
I guess it's part of being flexible. When I interviewed for this job there was much reference to teachers being flexible. When chatting with other teachers in the UAE and reading their posts and blogs I understand flexibility and patience are greatly needed. So I am being patient and will be ready to leave whenever they tell me I have a ticket.
I still don't have a location, school or set grade yet but from my understanding all the new teachers who just went to the UAE don't know this information yet either. At least I'm not too far behind or out of the loop yet.
Hoping to get there sooner rather then later and actually get started. Hope my posts will soon start coming from Abu Dhabi rather then Newfoundland.

Not leaving on the 27th

Ok, so there has been a mix-up with my paperwork. It seems ADEC thought I wanted to delay my arrival until September so they didn't process my paperwork. This needs to be straightened out before I can head over. My flight is cancelled and only found out tonight; suppose to leave tomorrow at noon. Feeling sad that I was ready to go and now don't know when I'll be leaving, could be a week. Look at the bright side I guess, more time over the holidays with friends and family. I hope everyhting is fixed quickly and I can get over and get started. Feel a little like I'm in limbo here.

Got eticket

I have my eticket and am leaving on the 27th. Not too bad, some people had to leave on Christmas Day. I'm just about finished packing and am looking forward to some good weather for a change. It may be milder then usually here in Newfoundland for December but I am sooooo tired of all the wind and rain, enough already.

Paperwork done

Yay, paperwork is done and I have it all back in my hands. Filled out travel form and now waiting for ticket and exact date. Very excited and nervous all at once.

Getting things ready for trip

So much to do. I have to get documents authenticated before I can leave. It takes 7 weeks for the first step and then an additional 3-5 days for second step, not including getting info to and from Ottawa. I'm suppose to leave in less then 7 weeks now. Hmmmmm. So I found a courier in Ottawa that will take care of that end for me, so now I need to courier my documents to a second courier in Ottawa and it should be done in a week or so. Fun fun.

New job and opportunity in the UAE

I have been teaching in Newfoundland, Canada for the past 5 years. Most of it has been substituting and I really want to be working full-time and have my own classroom. I want to feel like I'm making a difference, as corny as it may sound. I recently applied for a teaching job in Abu Dhabi and was offered a job last week. I am being recommended for kindergarten and leave late December to start in January, 2011. There is so much to do before I go, it's overwhelming and exciting all at once. I'm leaving behind everyone and everything I know. I just hope I am making the right decision and it will all workout in the end.
Looking forward to a new adventure :)