My Golden Ticket Has Arrived

So it is now official....I take off to Abu Dhabi on August 10th (this Wednesday). I actually found out this Saturday afternoon, but have been so busy with my "Going Away" events. I have to say that things worked out perfectly as far as how this was my last weekend and we had all of our events done this past weekend.  It started out with my really good friend Lynisa coming into town on Thursday. I was excited the whole day and had so much anticipation for her arrival. She arrived at the airport Thursday evening and we had quite the adventure from the moment I picked her up. When we were waiting for her bags at the carousels we found hers. It was easy to distinguish for the fact that her bag was open and her clothes were all over the carousel going round and round. Cricky!!!We both were laughing so hard that we were in tears and others had to help us grab her clothes. It was just too much for us to handle through all of our tears of laughter. Thank goodness there wasn't anything embarrassing being shown. It was unfortunate for my friend, but we both could laugh about it all weekend. This was pretty much how our weekend went.  It was full of laughter and tears from laughter. We met so many new people and made great memories with our "old" friends as well.

@ the boat party :)

   On Saturday is the day we had the boat party. It really was an amazing time and I am so thankful for everyone who went out and made it fun. The weather was awesome and the company was even better. I really hope that everyone else who made it out enjoyed themselves as much as I did.  It was a great way to spend my Saturday. Being out there on the water with great company really gave me the opportunity to enjoy my time here in America one last time before I leave. There was a time on the boat where I found myself alone thinking about my life and the direction its going in. Looking around,  seeing all the other boats full of people enjoying themselves and seeing the boat I'm in full of people with smiles and spilling with laughter made me thankful for my life. These images will forever be in my head when I think back of my life in America. I'm thankful for the time I had this past weekend; it really was a great way to spend my last weekend in America.

Fun with Friends!

            On the flip side, once everyone was gone...reality hit me in the face. Once my friends started leaving I realized that this would be many of goodbyes with people I love here. The biggest hit yet is Romo. On Sunday my friend Lisa; who will be watching him, was visiting and asking questions about him. Which pleases me, knowing that she wants to take care of him the same way that I do. Going through his things and showing her his needs and wants, had me choked up. That was my first true time that I broke down in tears. After this the day continued full of tears and realization that I am going to either have to live a few months or the next two years without my best friend in life. It may sound silly to those who don't know the bond an owner and a dog have, but I know that Romo knows. He has continued to be clingy and won't let me out of his sight. Friday when my friend Lynisa and I were leaving to go out; Romo ran out and hid underneath the car. I thought if he was out in the heat for a while he would come back if I left him be. Fifteen minutes later he still hadn't. I then tried to entice him with his favorite treats (Pupperoni) even with that he wouldn't budge. I decided I would just reach for him underneath the car and grab him. Romo would see me approach and squeeze himself into another crevice of the car underneath where he couldn't be reached. Finally I had to shimmy my way underneath the car to grab him. Romo didn't want me to leave. Even as I blog about this Romo is by my side with his head laying on my feet. I wish he could talk to me so we could share our feelings and make things better for one another. He's starting to mope around next to me and you can see in his eyes that he knows our last days together for awhile are approaching. I never thought it was easy but, never knew it would be this hard. My Mother has been doing a great job though of trying to keep his mind off things and play with him while I am packing up and running around getting last minute things together.
      So I must say that receiving the plane tickets are bittersweet. I'm glad that I finally know when the new chapter of my life begins, yet sad that I know when this one will be closed for a while. I find myself stretched very thin trying to call everyone, hangout with family and friends, and pack all within the next two and a half days. I don't think I will be sleeping much the next few days and will have to sleep on the plane. I will have plenty of time to do that since I won't arrive in Abu Dhabi until Thursday. I leave Austin at five o'clock and fly to Washington for four hours. Then I have a hour layover in Washington and fly out to Doha. I will be on my flight to Qatar overnight and will arrive there on Thursday. I have a few hours in Qatar and fly off to Abu Dhabi. Finally on Thursday I should arrive to Abu Dhabi around 11:00p.m. Abu Dhabi time (7:00 a.m. Thursday Texas time). I will have quite a flight to look forward to the next couple of days.  Hoping that all goes well (Inshallah!)
       Now it's time to buckle down and pack for the next two years of my life, pretty easy huh?! Wish me luck :) Like My Dog- Billy Currington

So...When Are You Leaving?

The million dollar question right now....So when are you leaving?
       This past week has found me playing the waiting game. For a few days I had found myself constantly checking who was getting their flight tickets and then immediately rushing to my inbox to see if mine was there. What worried me the most was hearing that some people could have delays on their tickets and work visas due to lack of paperwork and security clearance on behalf of the U.A.E. Me just being myself, I thought the worst and figured some paperwork had been my hold back. Everyday at least two-three people have asked me when I am leaving. My only response is that I don't know and I'm still waiting on my ticket.
      I did get some relief on Tuesday when I got my work visa from the Emirates. It was great knowing that I'm ticket less due to them having to process so many tickets and not because there is some kind of hold up on my behalf. So, today I still wait for a ticket and an itinerary to be sent my way. Some of the other fellow Licensed Teachers (LTs) have landed in Abu Dhabi today from their flights out yesterday. They arrived around 11:00 am our time and 8:00pm Abu Dhabi time. I can feel it getting closer. Just seeing my work visa and confirming that everything was correct on it made me put a pep in my step.
         I pretty much have most things squared away: my car has a place to stay, insurance for my car is taken care of, important documents scanned, extra passport photos, cell phone cancelled without a fee, appropriate clothing bought, communication resources taken care of, and Romo has a place to stay.....for a while....???
        Most people know that Romo got sick very recently and had to receive emergency care. This changed my perspective on how Romo and I would spend the next two years of our lives. Together...or not?! I initially thought that it didn't seem feasible to take my dog with me half way across the world and put him through all that traveling simply because he truly is my best friend and I want him around. After his incident in emergency care my train of thought completely changed. I feel as if Romo needs me as much as I need him. Anyone who's an owner to any type of animal knows the connection you build with them. Romo and I have been a part of each other's life going on four years now. That is really a long time and a lot of commitment to each other. Romo has been there through some of the toughest times of my life; lapping up my tears. He's also been a part of the happiest times as well. The bond I have with him is far beyond explanation. When he's sick I am essentially his "Mom"and take care of him and provide him with the things he needs.
             So, it's not as if Romo is going away to some random family, but he will be staying with one of my friends. As much as others love Romo around me, not many were keen on letting Romo stay with them while I was gone. Which is a point proven to me. The bonds they share with Romo is a different one than what Romo and I have. So if there is ever another emergency situation I don't want someone to doubt what to do. Pay whatever the amount is....I'll find any way to care care of my pup. Plus he's not someone else's responsibility. I decided I wanted a dog not someone else. So for now he will stay with a good friend of mine and her dog Bolt. This makes for a great situation seeing as how Bolt and Romo get along well and they will have another to hang out with during the day while my friend is at work. I've started working on getting Romo set with all of his requirements so when the time come he can be sent out to the U.A.E. as well. The last thing for him will to make sure to try and find a dog friendly accommodation for him to come join me. We shall see what cards I am dealt while I'm out there.

Bobby Bones Show!!! Name That Tune

        Since all other things are taken care of (besides my packing), I have still been taking advantage of getting out and enjoying things here in Austin. Recently I participated with some of my friends in the Name That Tune contest for the Bobby Bones Show. They are a really big morning show here in Austin and are syndicated in other areas of Texas and the country. That's my name drop for them, just because I find myself listening every morning and laughing with these people on the radio.  I also went to this free summer concert here that Austin has called Blues on the Green. I loved sitting on the grass and feeling the fresh air of a Summer night. I've also have just sat many times outdoors and thought about somethings I take for granted hear that I will not have or see much of while out there. One thing is the rain....I know we're in a drought here in Texas, but when it did rain a week ago I had to film it. The sound and smell of rain is so soothing to me. We may have not had much here recently, but living in a desert...there really won't be that much rain.

Blues on The Green <3

    Today one of my really good friends comes into town for my "official" going away celebration. While she's in town I plan on enjoying my time with friends who I won't get to see for at least the next two years in my life. So much can change in two years, so I hope to take advantage of what's in front of me today.

< Sitting outside and watching the rain. May be my last for a while.

Oh Nothing's Sweeter Than Summer Time and American Honey

Maybe the title of this blog can help explain why I have not blogged in over a month. Nothing has been sweeter than the summer time here in America. Grant it I have never experienced a full summer in any other country, but a year from today it will be the case. I am trying to absorb as much of my "American life" as possible. My thoughts on things have changed so much. I don't just think about life here. I think about my life here and how my life will change living out in the U.A.E.

My Peach Buell Bell Ice Cream

 One thing that comes to my mind immediately that I have not blogged about is Fourth of July. America's Independence Day. Seeing as how that is an American holiday, this past one of 2011 will have to hold me up for the next two years. This year though I didn't just see it as another time to celebrate with fireworks at night. Actually due to the drought there were no fireworks in the locations I was at. I spent the whole day thinking how much I love being an American and how grateful I am for those soldiers who are out there fighting for the freedom I have today. Realizing how much I have taken these things for granted the past 26 years of my life. For my Independence Day I spent it relaxing without much with an agenda. I had an awesome dinner and great conversation with a lot of laughter. I couldn't have thought of any other way I'd like to have spent my day. We had a great American dinner of hamburgers and peach Buell Bell ice cream ( I think that this is more Texas).

Proud to be an American

  So going into July I spent about a week in Houston checking out some things that it had to offer. I had quite a bit of fun while I was there and very grateful that I did it. I may not have traveled as much this summer as I usually do (due to expenses), but it was a nice get away from "my reality". One thing that I also realized as I drove to the East side of Texas is how much I will miss trees. There are trees every where here in the hill country but, they are huge going to the East side of Texas. It's so breath taking. I will miss the greenery of Texas and hope to enjoy the desert on the other side of the world.

Driving to East Texas

 Off my list of accomplishments for the summer; I was able to complete " Going to the Lake". I didn't care which lake. Austin, Houston, Dallas....I just wanted to go to a lake. I have not seen on a map or have I heard of any lakes out in the Middle East. Beaches yes, but not lakes. I was invited to spend a day at Lake Austin on a Saturday. What a wonderful day to spend my Saturday. Nothing to do except feel the wind breeze through my hair and feel the cool water on my skin. It was so refreshing and wonderful to get to go out and spend a day on the lake. I'm not sure that even if there were lakes out in the U.A.E that it would be spent the same way that "Americans" spend their days out on the lake. Hanging out on a boat, swimming, skiing, wake boarding, and various other activities. There's a possibility that I am wrong on this. It's the unknown right now, but will become my life within the next few weeks.

Lake Austin on a Saturday

 Another event that I think was a huge one for me was watching on T.V. the Shuttle Atlantis fly off into space for the very last time in history. Coming back to the United States in the next two years; NASA's programs will no longer be the same. I'm a nerd and love the whole NASA program. Maybe if I wouldn't have missed my field trip in fifth grade to NASA I could possibly be an astronaut today. I love being a teacher and wouldn't change it for the world, but the possibilities are endless and you just never know.

One of the Emirate Stamps

 During this time of not blogging I have even made some more updates with getting my self set up to move out into the U.A.E. My documents finally came back from Washington. They are actually very cool. Hilary Clinton signed them "officially". No stamp with a pad....it's a real signature that she had to do. She had to confirm my documents herself and sign her name at the bottom to verify. The documents also have the U.A.E. stamp which I also find to be very intriguing. It makes the process seem more real. The stamps let me know that this is my life and pretty soon its going to happen.

Documents from Washington

  Speaking of that, they are already quite a few people who have received their "golden ticket"(flights to the Emirates). They are already flying out as soon as next week on August 3rd. Then you have the rest of us who are patiently waiting for our "golden ticket". They say that we may not know even until the day before we flight out when we will leave the states. I am hoping for more notification than that, but have already started packing my clothes into my duffle bags just in case. I'm also trying to make sure that I am sqaured away with all technology and different ways that I hope to communicate with family and friends. I have also practiced Skpye and I love it. It's a wonderful feature for families who live far away. I should have had Skype for many years now....I don't know why I didn't. It's too much fun and too simple to use to have not had it all this time.

Funeral

  I have to admit though, that this Summer has not all been a walk through the park. It's had it's struggles and questions. Loss of friendships, deaths,loss of jobs/income, and illnesses. The Summer has also been quite a struggle and assume that I am being prepared for the tough road to come in my future. Moving to a new country will also not be a walk in the park much like my Summer. Maybe since I have been able to make it through these summer struggles, then I can fight through the tough months in a new country. I am doing my best to prepare for the road ahead, but nothing really prepares you like experience does. I am grateful for all these struggles that I have been a part of because they have all made me stronger, wiser, and not to take life for granted.
 So needless to say so much has happened in a month and I know that there was more I had wanted to put into this blog. I'm going to get better at my blog updates. There's just to much happening right now to not blog.
  Thank you all so much for reading my blog as well. I have discovered many people who read my blog. Please feel free to read and even share with loved ones. I hope that everyone will get a better understanding of what I am going through by reading this blog. Also, leave a comment so I know you have visited if you'd like and feel free to ask questions. My hope is to be able to answer them whether now or even in the next few months.
"Couldn't wait to get going, but wasn't ready to leave.....American honey"
                               Lady Antebellum-American Honey