Living my Life while Smelling the Roses

This blog initially began as an outlet for me to document my experiences in the UAE.....now its 4 years later.  During this time I've kept an journal.  This year, my final year abroad I plan to make an conscious effort to update my blog.  My new Mac will definitely come in hand!!

Really amazes me, that I've stayed here for 5 years.These five years away from my family and friends have been difficult.  But it also has been a great ride with traveling, meeting life long friends, becoming conscious, facing fears,  reclaimed sisterhood, exposure to the world for family and friends.

Smell the Roses is a phrase that means to enjoy or appreciate what is often ignored. ...Living here for 5 years, getting into a routine of life it is easy to not stop and "smell the roses."   As my first week back to school comes to an end.  I remind myself that it is important for me to "smell the roses" daily. Today was a rough start to my Thursday.  I found out 2 people I know from back home passed away.  Finding out the heartbreaking news in one of the worst way possible, reading it online! After a quick phone call to my fabulous sister, for a little encouragement, I began my day. At the end of the day a parent of a student I had a couple of years ago stopped by my classroom to say hello.  This year her daughter is in with my previous co-teacher from the pass four years.  (3 out of 4 years I had to share my teaching time with 2 classes 2 co-teachers, this year AS OF NOW I'm in just one class for the entire day)  It is customary for women that know each other well to cheek kiss to indicate friendship.  During this greeting I told her that I loved the perfume she was wearing.  The mother proceeded to pull the full bottle of perfume from her purse and give it to me.  I insisted it was not necessary, she stressed that I take it.  Something so small but sweet definitely brighten up my day.

I will end this with an thought provoking post my sorority sister posted this week:
Anything that annoys you is teaching you patience.
Anyone who abandons you is teaching you how to stand up on your own two feet.
Anything that angers you teaching you forgiveness and compassion.
Anything that has power over you is teaching you how to take your power back.
Anything you hate is teaching you unconditional love.
Anything you fear is teaching you courage to over come your fears.
Anything you can't control is teaching you how to let go.

With my final year abroad ahead of me.. I plan on Living my Life while Smelling the Roses!

<3 Tiffany

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!