Moving...

Well, it's been a crazy June so far.  I've been teaching twelve classes a week for IRD, taking care of the baby, and trying to get rid of stuff before the move.  I'm setting myself a challenge to blog more.  In the month of July, I'm going to attempt blogging once a day, even if it's something as simple as a picture and a caption.  It's important to me to keep writing and recording everything that's happening, so I'm going to work on making sure I'm still doing it.

Baby stats from the last doctor visit:
16 pounds even, 26 1/2 inches.  She's now eating purees, Cheerios, ground beef, pancakes and scrambled egg yolks.

Bathing beauty at St. Petersburg Pass-A-Grille Beach

Summer Break

Summer break has begun, and with it the stress if preparing for the big move. My oldest daughter helped out by taking many things back to college with her, but we still have lots to do. I'm also teaching reading this summer, so I don't have as much time as I'd like. I keep seeing folks living on mattresses already and having their bags packed, and can't help thinking "we should be further along!"  

But my other self says, "it's probably going to be August, so don't go crazy!"

In the meantime, we are enjoying summer. We've already been to the beach, the pool, and are now firmly entrenched in World Cup Soccer. My husband is for Mexico and I am for Germany, so we shall see how this pans out. I also just finished my third article on learning styles for Teach UAE magazine. 

Representing Germany!! 

A Tale of Two Emirates

Part of my preparation for moving to the UAE involves, as unscientific as it seems, reading expat teacher blogs.  I diligently check my favorites regularly and am so happy when there's a new entry.  These folks are so brave and thoughtful for helping out those of us who are considering making this very big move, and some of them even pop into our Facebook group to offer advice and encouragement.  Seeing so many varying sides and ways to embrace this journey is making me wonder how my own experience in the UAE will be.  I know I won't be one of the "clubbing" teachers in the city every weekend, just because 1) I'm over 40, and I've pretty much grown out of that stage ;-) and 2) I do have an infant to contend with!  The blogs written by teachers with families seem more realistic to how my life will be, and it looks like it will be awesome!

My awesome roommates  Who needs the club?

So what do I think my days and weekends will look like? Probably pretty close to how they do now - I do know that I want to play more tennis over there, and Jon wants to learn rugby.  If we are placed in Al Ain, there's a club to do both, and I believe our evenings will be spent there.  Weekends will hopefully be times to explore our new country and have fun with Aurelia (and maybe Marley).  I'm not really sure about how much time grading and planning takes, and how much of it can be done at school, so that will be a factor in any free time we do have.

Nearly empty halls on Friday

On another note, I'm writing this blog from my empty classroom.  We have post-planning today, it's mandatory, and my room is already cleaned out. So I've brought my new Stephen King novel and will be diving into that after I'm done writing for the day.  I also need to research and begin writing article number two for Teach UAE magazine (the June issue was released yesterday, so I can officially say I am a contributing writer!).  My middle school team and I will also be going out to lunch later to say a tearful goodbye, and then I will be off to pick up the kids and head to the beach for the evening.  Sounds good - looking forward to many more working/relaxing days like this one!

Keeping Busy...

It's the last week of school here in Tampa Bay, and the students are definitely feeling it.  I can relate in some ways to a high school teacher, since my eighth graders are always "graduating" on me.  The news that I'm not coming back next year has spread through the staff, and everyone I've spoken to has been positive and has wished me luck.  I will miss so many of these great people next year, but look forward to meeting new colleagues in the UAE.

Dress like the students day - I think I nailed it!

I finally cleaned out my closet and the few boxes I had in my bedroom from our move in September.  So much throwing away of old papers and random stuff.  It does feel good!  Many, many bags of clothes for Goodwill as well.  I don't see the point in bringing most of my very old, outdated clothing to my new life.  Like many other moms, I always buy for myself last, and haven't really gotten any "new" clothes (I buy most of my stuff at the consignment or thrift stores) since I've been pregnant.

No rest for the wicked, however.  My boxes came from the Institute for Reading Development last week. This is always the start of "summer" for me, as I have been summer teaching for IRD for several years.  I definitely appreciate their professionalism and the opportunity to teach many different ages and skill levels in one summer.  The money isn't bad either. ;-)  Saturdays and Sundays will be especially fun, as I'm teaching preschoolers and beginning readers on those days.  I love being with that age for limited periods of time. They are so eager to learn and have so much fun with books.

Well, hello IRD boxes! 

While I'm teaching on the weekends, Jon will have time to practice his full-time dad skills before we leave for Abu Dhabi.  I'm sure he's going to do an amazing job!  It's pretty crazy to think that in just a few months, we'll be living halfway across the world.  I hope we're ready, but I know that we'll be supporting each other and be part of a great community of educators and their families.  Till next time!

Dad and Aurelia reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Double rainbow after tornado in our area (we are all fine)