The Move & The NEW "Landlords"

With my decision made, it was time to start makingplans.  My lease on my apartment ended onNovember 20, 2011 and I needed to make the first of many decisions about myfuture.  I knew I needed to save my moneyand I didn’t want to sign a lease with the possibility of having to break it if I was accepted to go to the UAE. SO I put my furniture and other belongings in a storage unit and Sam (yes, the dog) and I moved in with Mom and Dad – back to my old bedroom.  I will admit there was a little adjustmentperiod – after all, I had not lived at home in 15 years and had lived alone for3 years. BUT my new “landlords” are a lot of fun and very accommodatingand the perks aren’t so bad either – good dinner every night, someone to help with laundry, someone to do the grocery shopping, and playmates for Sam

So, to be honest, the worst part of moving back in with mom and dad is the fact that I have to drive an hour to work and anywhere from 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours home. I truly do NOT understand how people can do this for an extended amount of time. If not for this adventure, I most certainly would not be commuting this much. I HATE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Decision

When I was working on my Specialist degree, I realized I was ready for a change.  Don’t get me wrong – I loved my job and enjoyed seeing the fruits of my labor but I knew there was more out there for me to explore. I have been going to school all my life – started to Montessori school at 3 years old; elementary, middle and high school (12 yrs); Bachelor’s degree (4 yrs), Master degree (2 yrs), Specialist degree (3 yrs).

While I never considered myself “adventuresome” or “ready for a new environment”, I was intrigued by the possibility of teaching overseas.  I heard that a former colleague, Mrs. Jones, was teaching in the United Arab Emirates and loving it.  I started reading and researching and decided to go for it. I remember working on my Bachelor's degree and a professor telling us if we ever had the opportunity to work and travel to take the opportunity and not let it pass. So, with those words in my head, I knew it was time to take the leap and apply.

So, on a Sunday night, I logged onto www.teachaway.com and submitted my letter of interest and an online application. By Monday afternoon, I had an email from Tammy at Teach Away requesting that I complete the more in-depth application online. So, Monday night I completed that and very excited that this adventure may some day come true. By Tuesday afternoon, I heard from Tammy that Teach Away was very interested in completing a phone interview with me. So that was scheduled for the following Monday. So within a week I will have completed all online information and a phone interview. The interview went smooth. Tammy was easy to talk to and asked many questions about my classroom management and integrating curriculum in reading, math and science. It was at the end of that interview that she told me I had passed the phone interview and she would be recommending me to ADEC (Abu Dhabi Education Council) for an in-person interveiw. I was so excited!!!!!! So the next day, I recieved another email from Tammy explaining that I was being considered for a position starting in January. I informed Tammy that this would not be an option for me since I was in a contract with Clayton County until the end of the school year. She completely understood and explained that the in-person interviews for an August start date would be held after the first of the year. So here is when the waiting began.

I have learned to be patient during this entire process. While I know God has always tried to teach me patience, this is where I truly learn PATIENCE!!!