Here we GO!

September 17, 2012

It begins …

SO! It has been one week for Bernard and I. We have been in the UAE for one whole week. Things are starting to fall into place. I have lesson plans coming in, the students are starting to remember my name, Bernard is finding a regular mall routine, and we have food and cutlery. Life is good.

As for teaching, there’s a lot of stuff I just didn’t know was going to happen. Shock number one: I am an “everything teacher”. I don’t just teach English; I teach every subject that isn’t Arabic or Islamic. Therefore, I teach English, Maths, Science, and Art. Jesus. SO that’s a lot of work!!!!

I thought I was going to be the ESL teacher. I am, but for all subjects (except Arabic and Islamic… language and religion).

Guess what?!?! I also teach HEALTH! (Sex education anyone?) It’s kind of cool. Right now, I’m teaching the students similarities and differences between toddlers and babies, which seems a hop, skip, and a jump from “write the word ‘see’ very neatly in your book three times”. Science is pretty hardcore and maths and English are fairly straightforward (well… to me anyway). The levels in the class are extremely varied. I’ve got some students who soar through work like nobody’s business and other students who don’t understand “hello”. It’s incredibly challenging when you top it all off with the worst behavioural problems known to man!! There is definitely a behavioural issue with Arabic children. They are sweet as pie but bad, bad, bad!

Oh, there’s also the call to prayer. We live very close to a mosque. Bernard hears the call to prayer 5 times a day. I hear it a few times (I cannot hear it in the school when I teach). We’ve essentially memorized it. They play it super loud in the malls. It’s majestic. It will be played 5 times a day until the end of time. Don’t worry. When Bernard gets back to Canada, he’ll sing the call to prayer for those of you who are curious.

Bernard’s Note: I’ve been doing vocal exercises in my spare time so that all of you may enjoy the miracle that is my “Call to Prayer”. I’ve even been asked by the local imam to sing it for them live instead of the recorded tripe they use.

No one has asked for proof that Bernard and I are married yet. I guess they just trust us. I hope they ask so that my marriage validation stamp is justified!! I paid money for that!! Growl.

I fiiiiiiiinally received some money to compensate for my visa cost and plane ticket. AED to CAD is really different so it looks like I have a LOT of money, but it’s not that much. Regardless, Bernard and I can evolve from cornflakes and raw vegetables to a much heartier diet selection next week. Despite our lack of food, my Chef Wun makes a gorgeous potato and leek soup with rice!! We’ve eaten that for dinner every day since we got here!! It’s mighty delicious. I want cookies and shawarma though.

Bernard’s Note: You would think that shawarma places would be as common here as diaper rash on a baby, but you’d be mistaken! Also, diaper rash is the worst.

SUBWAY DELIVERS. I MAY NEVER LEAVE THIS PLACE! (Lies. We’ll be home soon …)

Bernard’s Note: We better be.

Between 12pm - 4pm, every 6-inch sub is 10 AED (roughly $3) AND subway delivers, so Bernard and I can have a 6-inch sub and make it a combo for about 32 AED (10-12$). LIFE IS GOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!! I may eat this every day constantly to keep me from going insane from the behaviour-less heathens.

It’s hot. Yesterday, Bernard and I walked to the bus (about 10 mins.) and got to the administration building around 4:20pm. It opened at 5pm so we had to wait … in the HEAT. It was like hot yoga. My legs were dripping sweat, and I don’t sweat (much). It was quite brutal. Every day, the heat gets better and we get smarter (leave really early and go out really late … NOT between 1pm – 4pm). The average temperature right now is about 40°C – 42°C. It cools down to 35°C and 36°C … crazy. I’m really looking forward to winter. 26°C? Bring it on!!

Bernard’s Note: I was actually getting really cold in the mall and at home. Despite the AC bringing the room temperature down to a comfortable 25°C, I felt comparatively freezing. So much so, that I had to step outside to thaw my frozen extremities.

 I get up at 5:30am each morning and leave for school at 6:30am. My colleagues think I’m crazy, but I prefer to walk in the heat before the sun fully comes up!! Screw 7:30am!!

So I walk to school around 6:30am, arrive at 6:40am, organize my classroom, meet my students at 7:10am -7:20am, take them upstairs to class, entertain them until 8:00am, and then school starts officially. I’ve been reviewing rules this week. I say the rules super strictly and scowl as I say them so as to give off a frightening demeanor and instill fear in the children. I jest.  

There are 8 periods in a day, plus snack and break. I teach between 4 and 5 periods and cover break and usually snack. I have long days!! I usually get home between 3:00pm – 4:00pm. I do work at home as well. I hope eventually when things become routine, work at home will be less and less.

Alas, it is 8:08pm over here … so about noon for you all. Enjoy lunch. I’m headed to bed shortly. I had a 5:30am start, worked until 4:15pm, went to admin to do paperwork and pick up a cheque at 4:30pm, got home at 7:00pm, lesson planned, and wrote this email. Sarah is a busy bee!!! I MUST go to bed.

Bernard’s Note: I observed some sand ants crawling around on our balcony. I’m tired too!

Miss you all. I cannot believe that it has already been a week since we’ve been here! Crazy!! Tomorrow is Thursday (the end of the week!). Before you know it, it’ll be Christmas and then the homestretch until the summer.

Bernard’s Note: It’s always summer here. ALWAYS.

Good night!

The Pretty Wun & The Manly Wun