Live your life!

It's strange how different forms of a message or reminder comes to you. I have been living, let me repeat LIVING, not visiting but LIVING in the UAE for over a month. I had to reiterate that for myself because I still can't believe I'm here. I've had a chance to really digest that this past week outside of the hotel in my apartment (with no cable). Which, prematurely brought upon a little dosage of homesickness.... Why am I here? So far away from my TEAM: my support system. What am I doing here? Fortunately, I have access to the internet and listening to Pandora, TI and Rihanna's song Live You Life comes on. And, it dawns on me. That's exactly what I'm doing, living my life. That is the precisely what brought me here, to live my life, and Smell the roses. :-) TI says in this song ( yes, I'm quoting TI, and yes I had to google the lyrics). "Some move away to make a way." And, I've moved away to make a way to continue opening doors for continuous growth, experiences, and challenges for the future. I am so thankful for this experience thus far; and the support that I received from my family and friends. It was not easy leaving them, but they make it easier for me to continue "living my life" here with their support.

Distractions

I made it! I finally found out about my ticket on August 5, 2011. Scheduled to leave out of Atlanta THURSDAY August 11! LESS THAN A WEEK, here I was planning to leave in a couple of weeks and now I have less than a week!!!!! So, after a slight panic attack I go into over drive finishing up everything.

I pulled out of Huntsville Tuesday to head to Atl with my mom and aunt. We left a few hours later than planned. So couple of hours after driving I realize I left my secret stash of cash at my temporary home (my grandad's). We turned around and backed tracked. We got there and realized it was packed away with my things in my trunk..... Distraction 1 My level of stress was off the meters. My 3 bags were over weight.... Distraction 2 Lost in the airport.....I get to my terminal, found a bar had a glass of wine then discover that my debit card has been used in Italy!!! Distraction 3

Determined that these distractions will not break me or ruin my experience! I board the plane and travel all the way around the world. And, I've been having the time of my life thus far.


Worry is like a rocking chair. You may feel like you're doing something but it won't get you anywhere.

Whirlwind

        This opportunity to teach abroad happened like a whirlwind.  Chantal, my coworker and friend, emailed me (the end of May) information for the last rounds of interviews to teach in Abu Dhabi.  I initially thought OMG, Abu Dhabi, Sex and the City 2..... Oh how I would love to visit there!  I navigated around teach away website....Then reality sank in: FAMILY, HOUSE,  JOB SECURITY, FRIENDS, MY LIFE is all here in Huntsville.  So, I dropped it.  I didn't look into it any further.. Until, the next week I was with my aunt and I brought it up.  Her thoughts were "Tiffany that would be a great experience for you."  I thought, yeah it would be a wonderful experience, BUT.........I let it go again... Until a few days later, driving to Florida with my mom and niece I then expressed my interest of moving to Abu Dhabi to my mom.  "Do it!, apply for it Tiffany, " was her response. "Girl, I will be coming over to Abu Dhabi to visit you!"  My mom was so positive and so supportive in just my desires to endure in this experience, I mustard up the courage to apply. 

         Two days later I had my phone interview, two days after that Sonya and I drove to Atlanta for my in person interview....Okay, let me rephrase that last sentence.  Sonya drove me to Atlanta.  :-) My nerves got the best of me that morning.  I was going on interview, haven't been on a job interview in over 6 years and this is for a position to teach in ABU DHABI!!! My interview went great. I was interviewed by a principal and a "curriculum specialist" from the UAE.  During the interview I was fascinated by the principal jotting notes from my responses in Arabic. After waiting about 20 minutes, I was offered the job then and there!  I signed my contract the following day and next month I will be moving.

The Beginning

       I reflect on yesterday, Independence Day. Listening to the Meridianvillers continue to pop their firecrackers a day after the 4th and for the next week to come I'm sure.  I am thinking of how TOTALLY proud I am to be an AMERICAN well actually a JAMERICAN (can't forget my roots Ma)!  As I'm reflecting on this past month and how I have been planning and preparing for the move of my LIFE.  This is only "The Beginning." All of my 30 years of living (yes I am claiming 30, and I will this time next year also) I have only lived in Huntsville.  Moving away my freshman year in college to Tennessee doesn't technically count, especially since I came back home to AL so often.  This is my first move, and it is HUGE.........
               My grandmother use to love to tell me when I was born my doctor said LOOK OUT WORLD  HERE SHE COMES.  I always wanted to live up to that! HERE IS MY CHANCE!