The First Days

My first few days seemed to run together.  I kept asking everyone back home when I called, "What time is it there?"  I was often awake and on the phone at 3am because I was all out of sorts.  My phone showed local time and my tablet showed SC time and Alabama time.  I worried that I was never going to get these three time zones organised in my head.

But wait...let me fill you in on some of the happenings.  On the day of arrival, those us landing were greeted by the orientation team waiting patiently at Starbucks just outside baggage claim for us to clear customs.  Their smiling faces and cool bottles of water were a welcomed sight after two days of flying which included a 12 hour journey from New York to Dubai. (Shout out to Emirates airlines and the superb experience.  Food and beverage service was unending and $1 on-air wifi made it possible for me to use all of my apps to chat, text, and even call my family along the way.)

From the airport, we were whisked away to our respective furnished apartments and given a quick tutorial on how to operate appliances before being left to settle in for the evening.  The team had stocked our refrigerators with some grocery staples and left a welcome packet on the coffee table that included a prepaid SIM card with international minutes and a data plan.  I wasted no time swapping the cards, calling home and video chatting Camryn so that we could both settle our minds.  Shortly after, I headed to the shower and was off to bed completely exhausted.  The sun rises here fairly early so by 5am the skyline view from my apartment window is hazy but fabulous!

The View from My Apartment

The next day I met the other part of my school admin team: the principal, also new, and the middle school AP who is returning.  I will be the high school AP for the girls campus.  The three of us have been chatting via email since May and were eager to put faces to names over brunch.  I knew instantly this was going to be a great partnership when I heard loud knocking and unfamiliar voices in the hallway calling my name as I looked through the peephole to see all of this taking place at the apartment across the hall.  Meeting them was like being with old friends and hugs were definitely in order before we were off to brunch and a little shopping. I managed to get lost on the cab ride home, however, and felt badly for my driver who had to ride me around in circles for 5 minutes until I figured it out.  He must be use to that, though, because he gave me his card so I could call him in the future, and since he already knows where I live,  and I obviously don't, he will definitely be my guy!!