To Do

1. Contact my recruiter and get those questions I asked...ANSWERED!
2. Do a quick second purge of stuff that's already semi-packed.
3. Outline a simple exercise regimen.
4. Go to the fabric store for a few simple skirt patterns & fabric.
5. Outline a basic eating plan (really, just quit the ice cream).
6. Write more.
7. Read more.
8. Blog about books!
9. Grow my ebooks wish list (sudden inspiration: Bridget Jones!)

Those are the things I need (well, "need") to do today. Today meaning this weekend. And in general. Also right now, while avoiding the Bieber invasion going on in my living room. 

As I watch my group on facebook go through the next rage of questions and repeats and new worries, I'm starting to get confused. I don't even know how to answer their questions anymore without confusing myself. All I know is that my paperwork is in order. That I am more or less ready to leave. 

More or less.

When I don't post here...

When I don't post on my Official Moving To Abu Dhabi And Leaping Into The TEFL World blog, it's either because:

a) facebook has stolen my will to blog

b) facebook has stolen my will to live

c) I'm ranting somewhere else

d) I'm thinking VERY HARD about writing something for me, instead of for posterity

or  e) I'm busy.

Today, though, I started reading a blog from another teacher who went to the UAE last year. Her blog doesn't end well, but it's so interesting to read! And, I mean, even unhappy endings have their place. And this teacher posted something interesting and amusing seemingly every day during her wait to go to Abu Dhabi! That inspires me and makes me wish I was a better blogger (wish I were a better blogger? well, wish my antiquated grammatical rules were clearer, at any rate). Maybe I should strive to be amusing and entertaining (and sometimes informative) every day!

Maybe I should spend less time with my group of teachers on facebook.



Maybe I should go to the gym more.


Maybe I should eat less refined carbohydrates and drink more water.


Maybe I should. Alas, I mostly amble through life taking the path of least resistance and having a good time. (And teach to the best of my ability and the highest of my students' goals, of course!)




But.....I think I prefer to enjoy life. Maybe this is the thing that will see me through the dark days of confusion and cross-communication that not doubt lies ahead until I get my bearings in Abu Dhabi (well, that and the fact that I need this job something fierce): when all else fails, at least I can still have a laugh. Sit back, relax, let life happen as it will, rather than try to force it to conform to my ever buoyant expectations.

One thing I fear, going back into schools, is getting sucked into all the drama. Drama happens, and I kind of just shut down. That's my defence mechanism: turtle.

Are you done yet?

But schools - or more specifically, schoolteachers - are a tidal force of drama. We act out, each in our own ways but eerily similar to the ways our students act: primary teachers tell, secondary teachers clique up, and middle school teachers do a bit of both. And once the drama starts, it's REALLY hard to stop. Especially when you're me and want to listen to everything everyone has to say about whatever issue is supposedly at the root of any given drama.


(Note for posterity: just about all workplace drama - all manufactured drama in general, come to think of it - is an issue of pride, and whose pride is going to be sacrificed on a given day. Bleh.)

I am so not into drama that when I am bent on creating my own (and let's face it, everyone has those moments), I go to my rant blog. Everyone should have a rant blog. Mine is set to super-extra private and is not attached to my other blogs. It is where I go to express my psychological ugly side. Some people use actual journals instead of blogs, but I like the blogging. It feels like I've put my negative energy away from myself. Journals are great for secrets and writing trashy novels and making lists (my journals are all half shopping list, half daydream), but secrets and lists are things to be kept. Ranting is something that, when I'm done with it, I want far from me.

And then I listen to some classic Tim Minchin or Russell Brand clips, have a laugh, and carry on with my life.


Still not posting.

Until something comes up.

Which it hasn't.

Yet.


Thank pete.









(ps - sometimes, when I'm in a really dark place, I watch Josh Groban on NMTB or listen to this song. And I can't help but be happy again!)

pps - or this:

best song in the WORLD

Interview.

I have been avoiding this post since Sunday, when I had my interview. First I was exhausted (flying in and out of New York in one day is one thing. Making it a 23-hr journey on 3 hours of sleep....slightly less than wise), then I was deeply disappointed, then I had already gotten into the swing of chatting obsessively with other applicants on facebook, going over and over and over, trying to identify the outcome in perceived facial tics and compared questions. Big surprise, that got me nowhere fast. But today I have the day off, no real obligations, and time. Therefore I'm finally posting about the interview experience. Here are things you Simply Must Do: Dress Conservatively.


No, more conservatively than that.


No, now really.


Better. But button that collar. And I hope that skirt goes at least mid-calf. And you'd best not have naked legs! Next, now that we've got the appearance settled, are your bits of paper completed, in triplicate, and labelled accordingly? In a file? With the check list they gave you? And, just in case, have you made colour copies of everything? EVERYTHING? No? Well, do that. Also, have it all on a usb drive. Great. So now the superficial stuff is all taken care of. Well done. NOW it's time to prepare for the questions. Prepare for the questions. ADEC's history with Western teachers is chequered, you might say. They are very concerned that you'll do a runner. They're also concerned that you'll be an embarrassment to them, to your principal, to education itself. In past years the interviews may have been chatty and easy, with a pleasant conversational vibe - but those days are over now. They want teachers. (Hard to say exactly what they want, as I know well qualified and highly interesting teachers who haven't been hired, but I think that's even more reason to prepare thoroughly.) You need to have a good understanding of pedagogy and jargon, and you need to have a strong handle on classroom management. Be aware that "saving face" isn't just an East Asian custom, it's an everyone custom.

Wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.

 I was interviewed by two women who work for ADEC but are Western (Canadian and Scottish). They were very well trained in not giving anything away, to the point that I left that interview sure I didn't get the job. After the preliminary document check and whatever, the questions were tough, with follow-ups and challenges. My degree from a seminary was challenged (not "Oh surely this isn't a real degree" but "We do not want proselytisers") both at the beginning and end of the interview. There were questions about integrity (have it!); working with a principal who doesn't want you there (pick your battles!); how will you handle complaints because your students are used to getting EVERYTHING they want, including A's without achievement (document document document!); what your classroom will look like (student work! word walls!); how you will measure achievement (rubrics!); getting the quiet students to talk (multiple intelligences! group work!); etc. I used current non-political news to develop a classroom project on the spot. I talked about the necessary use of technology to both celebrate and inform my students and their parents. I talked about real-world outcomes and preparing my students for their actual lives, be that marriage or university or both. Over the course of my interview, I found that all my months of voraciously reading blogs, books and websites had been useful. I felt prepared. I was prepared. It was good. Then they hit me with their flags.

1. my appearance. It wasn't as conservative as I posted above (though it WAS as conservative as picture 2).
2. my reason for leaving the UK. I put "family emergencies". I should have written "visa expired". Both are true, but the second one would not have raised any flags. Family emergencies has been the excuse for other teachers to disappear like a thief in the night and has become an excuse as transparent as "Not tonight, honey, I've got a headache."
3. my World Mission past. They were really quite concerned about the fact that I used to be a missionary (they asked, I didn't volunteer - I'm not stupid) and that my MA came from a School of World Mission. I feel I responded well to that last concern, as I too am quite against proselytising.

All in all, I walked out of there utterly demoralised. Every bit of perspective was absolutely blown, and I was full of dread and anger (in equal parts). I have spent the last six months focused almost obsessively on learning everything I can about this job. Researching the country, the education system, the overhaul, the language. And for all that to be wasted because the interviewer didn't like my shirt? I couldn't believe it. And I couldn't believe I'd been so stupid as to tell EVERYONE what I was aiming for. People at work, friends on facebook, family...and now it was all for nothing. And I had to go back and accept my fate as one who is doomed to stay at home. In South Carolina.


And this is what I've been mulling over for the past few days.

Nonstop.

Obsessively.

Shamefacedly.

Angst-ridden.

Trying to decide on a course of action for after I heard the news officially.

Failing.

Trying not to cry like a little girl who just dropped her ice cream cone because this didn't work out.

And finally it was time to suck it up and post my experience, bring the blog to its right conclusion.

Today.

I didn't want to.

Instead I decided to watch House Hunters International.











Then my recruiter called me. This was it. The final nail in my coffin.























And they're offering me a contract. 

Interview!

Today I received notice via email that my in-person interview will be on the 6th of Feb in New York.

Hooray!

I posted the same on facebook, but had to delete it because of the hysterical control-freaking it caused in my mother.

Boo.

So I've decided not to say anything to anyone until the job offer is in hand. Meanwhile, I'll just do some quiet celebrating in my head.

<hooray>

Useful Information

from December 2010

I realise it's been awhile since I posted anything useful. So today I'm going to remedy that by giving you a paperwork update.
Three months ago (I can't believe it's been that long already!) when I received word that ADEC wasn't hiring secondary teachers for December placement, I kind of went into suspended animation for awhile. Instead of using that time to collect bits of paperwork from around the country and around the globe, I focused instead on finding work that would not utterly destroy my soul in the (now) year before I leave (hoping, of course, that I'll even get hired with ADEC, which is always but a hope until the contract is signed). Some might call that change of focus practical and responsible.

I suppose it would've been more practical if anything much had come of it. Oh well. That's a story for another day.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, I started hearing about new applicants and THEIR paperwork quest. And that's when I realised, I hadn't done a darn thing but study Arabic (I'm up to about 60 words and havealmost got the alphabet figured out). And I thought, Get on the ball, Amy!


So on the ball I have got. Happily, I have a portion of the required paperwork from my last international sojourn. And while that one didn't end well (I came back to America, and ended up spending an entire year working retail. Part time.), it did give me some useful experience. Better still, it gave me a whole sheaf of already-scanned documents. And referees from two different countries. Win.

Of course, now it's holiday time. So getting in touch with teachers and principals and department heads, etc, to get your reference letters is a bit of a challenge. Challenge met! I have heard from my three referees just yesterday and expect letters in the mail soon. And I have another one from my last adventure.

Which leaves me with the following:

• passport-size photos (purchase to have on-hand, also scan and upload)
• certified teacher certificate (have on-hand, just need to scan and upload)
• background check (I'm going the county sheriff route, just need to take the time to get downtown)

I feel good about this. Other than the letters of reference, everything's do-able in about 2 hours. So even though I slacked off on my paper collection for 3 months, I'm still in good shape for January interviews. I just need a presentable interview blouse. And (alas!) a pair of pantyhose or something.

Stop.

from October 2010

Today I got an email that put a bit of a damper on things.

Dear Amy,
Thank you for your continued interest in the  public school teaching positions in Abu Dhabi.
As discussed, we are happy to extend an in-person invitation to you based on your pre-screen telephone call, experience, and credentials. We have, however, been updated by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) with regards to their current needs for January 2011. This will be a smaller mid-year intake of teachers, which does not include secondary English teachers.
That said, we will be holding our next interview sessions, for a start date of August 2011, early in 2011. These interviews will be for a large intake of approximately 1000 teachers, both primary and secondary, set to begin work in September of 2011. We will be inviting you to those interview sessions once details have been arranged.
Again, thank you for your continued interest in this very exciting educational reform. The success of this reform initiative will rely on the experience, enthusiasm and dedication of teachers like you. With that in mind, tell your friends and colleagues about Teach Away and these exciting and lucrative teaching positions!
We look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,
L--
Teach Away Inc.

Yeah.




When I think logically (not my strongest suit, it must be said), I have to admit that it'll be far easier to get everything sorted to go over to the UAE next September instead of in January. I'll have almost a year to save up some money, rather than a couple of weeks (and those weeks include Christmas, remember). I'll have more time to collect and numerously certify the vast assortment of paperwork. I'll be able to dip my toe back in the teaching field (through subbing, I hope) for several months before I go.

Maybe I'll even get skinny.

Maybe.

And when I sent in that original application, back in August, I didn't expect anything to happen until next year anyway. I just got caught up in the possibilities when Teach Away contacted me so quickly. So now I can take my life off hold and go about the business of being a responsible adult again. It will be good to make responsible decisions again.

For awhile.

On Culture Shock...On Lies

Recently (within the past few days), I've read a lot of negativity, on the TA facebook page, on ESL Cafe, and on the blogs. And SOOOOOOO much of it comes down to accusations of lying.

That's right. Teachers have begun to publicly accuse the government organisation that has brought them to the UAE as a part of a 10-year education reform, of lying. Of being untrustworthy, scamalicious, thieving liars.

It's very very difficult for me to believe.

Then again, it's not. It seems that many of the teachers hired over the summer have never travelled outside the US before (it seems that a majority of the complaints come, predictably, from Americans), or if they have, they have never encountered problems that their perceived status as Americans couldn't solve. These seem, for the most part, to be people who have always got their way - or at least always gotten what was promised them.

Let me be quite clear: there are always a few people whose problems or complaints are legitimate and cause for concern. This is NEVER the majority. And I am very sorry for those encountering legitimate and very trying situations. And I hope everything gets sorted out soon.


Now. Back to the whole lying thing.


Sometimes, being a Protestant or being raised in a Protestant-based society can pose problems for us once we leave the US. Or indeed, once we leave the comfortable mostly black-and-white concept of reality we grew up with. Everyone in the international working world is aware of the concept of saving face, but we seem to apply it only to Far Eastern cultures (Japan, mostly). Dear teacher, do you really think only the Japanese are concerned about saving face? It just takes a slightly different form in Middle Eastern culture.

My feeling is, take the concept or the essence of anything that's said, and leave the exact wording behind. It's about presenting a calm and prepared and unified facade, whatever's going on underneath. Problems are not solved, they're consensus-ed. The goal in most dilemmas is to reach an agreement through discussion or debate or back-room dealings.

Example: ADEC says "You will receive an AED20,000 furniture allowance." The essence of that statement is: "We will make sure you have some shelter of some sort. Furnished."

ADEC says "You will be paid on the 30th of each month." Well, honestly. Deadlines in a people-oriented nation? See my last post for thoughts on that. The essence of that statement is: "You will be paid." Sooner or later.

Teach Away says "Be ready to fly out on 1 August." The essence...actually, the essence in this instance is the same. But "be ready to" and "you will" are two very different realities.




See, situations like what's happening now with new Western teachers in the UAE are more about preparation and perception than any kind of underhandedness or deviousness on the part of ADEC or Teach Away. The facts are: this is a HUGE education overhaul. This is a HUGE undertaking of both people and resources. 1000 is a HUGE number of people to transport overseas from a handful of different countries, and then to house and pay and organise. The ADEC office in charge of all of this HUGE-ness is, in comparison, quite small. A few people. Maybe a dozen. Probably not 100. And they're still hiring more people for January and then for next year.

ADEC is trying to turn the UAE education system into a bilingual education system. In less than a generation. And this is the forefront. Militarily speaking, these first 2 years are like the grunt on point in a scouting mission: whatever dreadfulness is out there will obliterate the point man, but everyone coming after will have a smoother time because of it.

ADEC is not lying to us. Not as we perceive lying in our forthright American culture. They are telling teachers what they think the teachers want to hear. They are telling them what is more or less true. They are giving the company line. We are just not used to being told anything other than the facts, regardless of how dire. Or if we're promised something, we expect the promise to pan out, and quickly.

Seriously, can you imagine going to your principal or the School Board in the US and saying, "But you promised!" when something doesn't go as expected? How far do you think that'd get you?

It's just not America over there. It's the UAE, and like it or not, your personal comfort is not their priority. Your expectations are not their priority. I'm sorry, it stinks, but they're not out to get you. And they're not lying in order to get their hands on your money or anything like that. It's just a big Gordian knot no one's figured out how to cut yet. So in order to prepare, do your research. Read about Abu Dhabi and more important, read about the business culture there. (I recommend Culture Smart! UAE, or similar.) Get used to the idea that your plans are not of any importance at all. And try to remember that you're one of THOUSANDS, and there's just one guy in the office trying to sort everything out. (Also, make copies of EVERYTHING - EVERYTHING!!! - before you hand anything over.)

Sooner or later, someone will find a sword.

On Culture Shock...On Time

from October 2010

A lot of people say a lot of things about culture shock. And, I mean, why not add my .02 to the collection? I probably haven't got anything new to add, but I think I'll still talk about it.

First, my lovelies, it is muy importante to understand that the UAE is a Middle Eastern country. (What? I hear you ask, Really? No need to be snarky, people!) What this means is that the culture of the UAE is not time-oriented. It is people-oriented, even event-oriented. Time, timeliness, and silly little things like deadlines are pretty much of least importance, rather than most.

Guys. Seriously. WRITE THAT DOWN. The UAE is a people-oriented, rather than time-oriented culture. Now copy it out 100 or 1 million (or 1 dozen) times until the concept sinks in. Then practice your waiting skills. Because honey, you will wait. A lot. Like right now, when you will have to wait for the rest of this post, as I am at work in my Western time-oriented job, and I have to go punch a time clock two minutes ago.

There. I'm back. As a people-oriented rather than time-oriented person, I missed my scheduled break, in which I was going to write more of this post, and make it about more than just the time issue, but there you go. I was busy chatting with customers, so didn't take my break at the scheduled time, so missed it altogether (because I am still in a time-oriented culture, friends) and now have to blog after work. Which is what I'm doing now. Hello!

Anyhow. Back to the people vs time thing. As I read notes and discussions and other blogs, I'm finding that so-called culture shock is really more of a time shock than anything.

Full Disclosure: I've never lived, worked, or even travelled in the Middle East, let alone the UAE. But I have lived, worked, and travelled in other people-oriented cultures.

Thailand - laid-back, we'll get there when we get there, don't worry, it's okay. Jamaica - almost off the charts in its laid-back approach to life (island time ftw!) Even Ireland, though a Western European country, is more relaxed about time and schedules and things like that. Italy - well, we all know about Italy, don't we? Siesta country is good country; I support the siesta. Actually, even London, where I most recently lived and worked for a year, was less uptight about schedules and times than we are in the majority of the US.

London still falls under the Western time-oriented culture umbrella, though. Dang Protestant work ethic.

I feel at least slightly mentally prepared for the people orientation of the UAE (where, if someone comes into your classroom mid-lesson, you stop and help the person; there is no come back later) in that it is my psychological preference (according to the Myers-Briggs personality test, which you can take in essence here) and a good portion of my international experience.

A number of teacher blogs (see list, right) talk about the frustration with time, solid answers, definite times, schedules, approximate dates, time, deadlines, and time. Also time. Especially wasted time spent waiting for things that may or may not happen.

So let's talk about time.

The best and easiest solution to the culture/time shock is to always bring something to do. An eReader is dead handy when you don't know how long you'll be waiting. A camera or a sketchpad or a quilting block might also work.

Next, start practicing now for weeks of exercises in futility. My recommendation: hang out at the DMV. Better, pretend you're in 1985 and do everything without the modern conveniences of wifi and computers and mobile phones and all the rest. Try reading this page with a super-slow 1990s dial-up modem. Write a letter. Cook meals from scratch without the pleasure of a Kitchen Aid, a microwave, or a reliable stove. Camp. Do these things not because the UAE is backwards, or behind, or not modern (oh boy, are they modern!) or anything so ridiculous. Do these things instead because they will give you a new and more relevant concept of time. Then, for a real glimpse into how time is used in the UAE, repave the sidewalk in front of your house, using a herringbone pattern of different coloured bricks, by hand, stopping daily at around 1, for a couple of hours, then knocking off entirely at 4 or 5. Start in front of your door. Leave piles of things wherever you like, regardless of convenience for people like the postman or your children, etc.

Because some things, like personal convenience, are not of premiere importance. In fact, personal convenience comes way down the list in Middle Eastern culture. Again, not because they're somehow backwards or unworldly (seriously, have you seen Dubai?), but because as a culture they have different priorities. And your personal schedule? It's really no one's priority but your own.

I don't think I can emphasise that one enough.

There's a phrase I'm reading quite often: schway schway. It means slowly slowly, or like the water, or something like that. In essence it means, don't worry, it'll all work out, chill.

This is an important concept for all of us Westerners to bear in mind as we go through the process of interviewing and hiring and starting to work in Abu Dhabi. Just chill. Do what you can, then trust that it'll all work out. Because one way or another, it will.

Promise.

Not Really An Update

from September 2010

So I'm on the Teach Away facebook page a lot. (A lot.) Today the 4th group of September start teachers got notice of their departure date. Very exciting for them, and you can bet I'm feeding off their excitement. (For future readers, should there be any, about 900 teachers were hired this summer to start teaching in September. With such a huge number of teachers, as well as August/Sept encompassing Ramadan, and the simple act of multi-national (primarily CAN, US, UAE) planning, organizing was a trifle discombobulated, and teachers were told to be ready to depart 1 August...but the last group will be leaving by 15 Sept.) And I'm reminding myself that my email full of questions is not a top priority for the office when they are arranging flights and hotels and all the rest for 200 teachers this week. The last message I got from Teach Away (and Laura, my recruiter) was positive. Everything will be fine. It'll all work out. This is the direction of my future, and that's all I need worry about right this second.

Anyway, I'm really pleased for those teachers who are now leaving the US, and really eager to join them.
Staying positive...