Well, we have not updated this blog in ages. Since we last updated, we went to Abu Dhabi to watch the Capitala World Championship match. Nidal and Andy Murray played, and the underdog (Murray) took the title. We went with a few friends, and really enjoyed our time. For New Years, we went into the desert and camped. It got off to a later start than we had hoped for, but the night in the end turned into a lot of fun, sitting by the campfire, having some wine, and looking up at the stars...

After that, time seemed to slip away. We were completely swamped with reports, testing, and our holiday to the States. It's been nearly a month since we left for the States, which we can NOT believe, but it was such a great time to be back home--seeing everyone and meeting the two newest members of the family... We did not want to get on the planes; it was hard leaving everyone. But honestly, we were surprised how much we missed Al Ain and the people here. The relationships we have formed abroad are close--they have become another family.

Being back at school has been oddly wonderful. Before we broke for the January holiday, Chris and I did have some reservations about being back. My work load was more demanding than it should have been, and we were unsure of the curriculum, teacher shortage, and administration tensions... However, now that we have returned, it seems to be all sorted out. We arrived to school to find 4 new teachers (just in the Girls' School), a plan to continue the IBO program, and our principal, Christine, really seems to be on top of everything. My girls have finally gotten into the classroom routine, and I have almost no discipline problems any longer. My biggest challenge, as a teacher with them, has been creating motivation. I have asked them what their goals and dreams are, and of the 30 girls that I teach, 85% of them, aspire to be a mother and a housewife...Most of them are already betrothed, and they will marry within 5 years...tough getting them to care about English literature, grammar, poetry, reading, etc... They do, however, seem to enjoy school, and seem to like me...which is helpful. =)












Since we've been back, we have been up to Dubai a few times. The Dubai Shopping Festival was during the last month, and we went to three malls in one day--a feat in itself. We found Deira City Center Mall, which has 100s of shops, including those that we would shop at all the time...New Look, Gap, Banana Republic, Promod, etc. (The picture is Deira City Center) We didn't spend too much, but we had a nice time just looking around. Then we went to Festival City Mall, where Ikea is, bought some non-made-in-China dishes (just for you, Mom), and had lunch at Carino's (an American Italian eatery). The last place we went to was the Dubai Outlet Mall. Even though it's an outlet mall, the shops are still very high-end and expensive. We've found that it's a rare day when we find something...however, they do have one store that does sell primarily Gap clothing... =)

We just learned this week, that we are going to have a spring vacation! They are taking away a 4-day weekend and giving us the second week of April off...It's--for a lack of a better word--sucky timing as Mom, Steve, Jim, Erin, Sarah, and Colleen leave right when our vacation starts... However, it does leave Chris and I some time to take a possible trip--any suggestions? We are thinking Egypt, Jordan, or Thailand...a week, though, is an odd amount of time...

Well, this weekend has already been eventful. Chris has played football with some guys from work and around time off and on. The second time he played, he broke his wrist. Since we've been back, he's played once without injury...however, last night, his luck ran out. Chris collided with a few players, and he ended up with a nasty cut above his left eye. We went to the ER, and he needed 6 stitches. His eye today is all swollen, purple, and nearly shut... I am not sure how keen he is to get back on the field. Other than letting him rest, we are having a relaxing time... We will meet friends tonight, probably go up on top of our roof, and watch the sunset and have some takeaway schwarmas... Tomorrow we signed up to do the Terry Fox Run in town...we are going to walk...hehe. It's just refreshing to still be apart of the charitable events like we were back home...

Upcoming...we bought a coupon book for Dubai, and we are planning on going to Ski Dubai, on a Dhow cruise, and do some other touristy Dubai things...

Well that's a bit of a catch up for all of you. We miss and love you all!