Last Friday, there was a horrible accident about 20 minutes from my school. A bus and large truck collided due to very dense fog and drivers not being careful and speeding. There is an area where the speed limit goes from 100km to 60km and there are large speed bumps. The truck didn't slow down and ran into the bus. A 17 year old young lady was killed.
On Sunday, I drove to school not knowing the accident had happened. The weather was foggy and as a driver had to be very careful and watch for the other drivers too. As my friend Brenda says, "It's not how well you drive, but the other drivers around you...especially here!" Drivers are reckless, speed, and don't follow the "rules" for driving safely. Driving in one lane is an option for them. When arriving at school, noticed there were very few teachers...buses had pulled over in the fog on the side of the road and were waiting for it to clear. So, the teachers who made it safely held down the fort until the others arrived....TEAMWORK.
On Monday, Went out to take out the trash before getting on the bus and couldn't see the other side of the street. My HOF (Head of Faculty) called and said we would be delayed going into school because of the dangerous driving situation. In the desert areas, the fog seems to be more dense. It could be beautiful weather in Al Ain and pea soup fog on our way to school...you never know. If it's this thick here, then it would be really bad on the way to Al Wagan.
We waited an hour to leave and the fog was still very dense, so we pulled over and waited longer. Our principal called because she had just made it to school. Told us to wait that it was still very dangerous. There were buses, large farm trucks, cars, and all sorts of vehicles pulled over on the shoulder of the road. Everyone has flashers on because remember some people don't drive in just one lane and often see vehicles driving on the shoulder of the road on the right and the left. If they get impatient, they just drive around you on the shoulder of the road...
Another hour later and we headed to Al Wagan. As we carefully made the trip, there were policeman pulling over big trucks along the way and would not allow them to continue until the fog lifts....the death of this young girl really made everyone consider how dangerous this weather can be. When arriving at the two speed bumps where the young girl was killed, there were policeman with flashing lights everywhere warning of the fog and changing speed limit. Several trucks were pulled over there. Happy to say that we made it safely to school and had a very short day with the children.
Tuesday morning there was no fog, but the day brought new challenges. Around 12:15, our HOF called all KG teachers in for a meeting. We were all speculating that it would probably be about a revised fog plan or our portfolios (talk about later). No....With a sad heart, she informed us that two of our KG teachers would be transferred. ADEC thinks we have too much faculty. Laura and Brenda will be transferred to schools in Al Ain.
The principal cannot tell them what school, grade level, or boys/girls now....imagine not knowing where you will be on Sunday. My heart broke for both of my friends. There were many questions as to why those two were chosen, but our principal had to make the hard decision. These two teachers have been here for 3 years and have a lot of experience. They will be going into classrooms where the teachers left during the year. Discipline will be a problem and getting them back on track will be difficult. Principal probably thought their experience here would make them better suited for this challenge. Still, it is hard to see friends leave and so quickly.
As you can imagine, everyone was shocked at the news. Then, the HOF had one more bit of news...there are more changes. We all held our breaths in anticipation. Two of our KG1 teachers will be moved to KG2 to cover the two classrooms of the leaving teachers. This leaves 1 English teacher in KG1. She will be a "resource" teacher, spending one hour a day in each of the three classes teaching the English letters, unit theme, and numeracy....whew a lot in an hour! Arabic teachers will have the classrooms the rest of the day. This all starts on Sunday. Again, everyone is shocked. Teachers are very upset about leaving their children....teachers love their children and spend a lot of time each day with them. Bonds are made and young children LOVE their teachers like Momma.
After the meeting ended, we all sat there and looked at each other like...did that really just happen. Mrs. Brenda and Ms. Laura are very close to their Arabic teachers and have been together for years. This will be very hard. As I walked back to the classroom to get my things, decided that we needed to do something for these ladies before leaving. Talked with the other teachers and want to do a potluck for lunch on Thursday. Decided to get fried chicken from a local restaurant and everyone else bring side dishes and desserts. Many locals don't speak English and knew communication would be difficult, so asked Ms. Hend to help. She is one of the few Arabic teachers that lives in Al Wagan. Brought me a menu and arranged for the restaurant to open early to cook the chicken for our potluck on Thursday.
On Wednesday evening, called the restaurant to place the order. The first 3 people did not speak English......#4 spoke broken English. Too many words in a sentence can cause problems, so I spoke to him in broken English. Said, "Bukarah (Boo Kah rah)---Tomorrow chicken Al Wagan Primary 11:00 in morning. He said, "Iowa (Yes)" and he asked me how many pieces, plain or spicy, and delivery or pick up. Felt good about it. At 10:00 pm my cell rings....it's the restaurant. A 5th person who speaks very good English repeats my order back and confirms. At 11:15 pm, 5th person calls back and asks if I'm coming to pick up the chicken. They had cooked the chicken for 11:15 pm, not 11:15 am. I explained that it was for tomorrow morning. He said, "Oh My GOD!" I think the #4 employee was in trouble...I had a restless night worrying if the chicken would arrive tomorrow. Then I remembered what Hanaa always tells me...."What can we do?" She has taught me to worry about things less....
Valentine's came to the UAE and the fog was back. Hour late pick up time and not a bad drive. I drove because carrying food for the potluck. School started an hour late and the morning flew by. At 10:00, I called the restaurant....no answer. Hanaa said, "What can we do?" I said..."Breathe". Around 10:45, my phone rang and it was the restaurant. 5th person confirming we would pick up chicken at 11:00. At 11:00, sent person to get chicken and wasn't ready. At 11:40, 5th person calls back and said the chicken is Khalas (finished), so sent Ms. Hend back with dirhams.
For those of you who know me well, I have a plan A, B, C, and D for everything. At 12:15, still no Ms. Hend with the chicken... APT (Arabic People Time) is different than my time. I arrive 10 minutes early and try not to be late. Makes me feel like a bad person if I'm late....not here. When I was just about to have to "BREATHE", Ms. Hend came around the corner with the chicken! She said, "No chicken....he made CAMEL instead....then she broke out in a smile....
The EMT's gave Mrs. Brenda and Mrs. Laura a small gift in appreciation for their time at Al Wagan and our love for them. We set up a buffet line outside of our KG Conference room. Potlucks bring out your best cooks. Good variety of food and we all left with full stomachs but sad to know that our friends would not be there on Sunday when we returned.
This week has been emotional and draining. The schedule has been off at school and everyone knows how the children act when they are off schedule. Decided to give myself a Valentine's present. In just a few minutes, leaving for a Desert Safari and will spend the night in the desert. Will post pictures when I get back. Until we meet again!
On Sunday, I drove to school not knowing the accident had happened. The weather was foggy and as a driver had to be very careful and watch for the other drivers too. As my friend Brenda says, "It's not how well you drive, but the other drivers around you...especially here!" Drivers are reckless, speed, and don't follow the "rules" for driving safely. Driving in one lane is an option for them. When arriving at school, noticed there were very few teachers...buses had pulled over in the fog on the side of the road and were waiting for it to clear. So, the teachers who made it safely held down the fort until the others arrived....TEAMWORK.
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| Fog in Al Ain. |
On Monday, Went out to take out the trash before getting on the bus and couldn't see the other side of the street. My HOF (Head of Faculty) called and said we would be delayed going into school because of the dangerous driving situation. In the desert areas, the fog seems to be more dense. It could be beautiful weather in Al Ain and pea soup fog on our way to school...you never know. If it's this thick here, then it would be really bad on the way to Al Wagan.
We waited an hour to leave and the fog was still very dense, so we pulled over and waited longer. Our principal called because she had just made it to school. Told us to wait that it was still very dangerous. There were buses, large farm trucks, cars, and all sorts of vehicles pulled over on the shoulder of the road. Everyone has flashers on because remember some people don't drive in just one lane and often see vehicles driving on the shoulder of the road on the right and the left. If they get impatient, they just drive around you on the shoulder of the road...
Another hour later and we headed to Al Wagan. As we carefully made the trip, there were policeman pulling over big trucks along the way and would not allow them to continue until the fog lifts....the death of this young girl really made everyone consider how dangerous this weather can be. When arriving at the two speed bumps where the young girl was killed, there were policeman with flashing lights everywhere warning of the fog and changing speed limit. Several trucks were pulled over there. Happy to say that we made it safely to school and had a very short day with the children.
Tuesday morning there was no fog, but the day brought new challenges. Around 12:15, our HOF called all KG teachers in for a meeting. We were all speculating that it would probably be about a revised fog plan or our portfolios (talk about later). No....With a sad heart, she informed us that two of our KG teachers would be transferred. ADEC thinks we have too much faculty. Laura and Brenda will be transferred to schools in Al Ain.
The principal cannot tell them what school, grade level, or boys/girls now....imagine not knowing where you will be on Sunday. My heart broke for both of my friends. There were many questions as to why those two were chosen, but our principal had to make the hard decision. These two teachers have been here for 3 years and have a lot of experience. They will be going into classrooms where the teachers left during the year. Discipline will be a problem and getting them back on track will be difficult. Principal probably thought their experience here would make them better suited for this challenge. Still, it is hard to see friends leave and so quickly.
As you can imagine, everyone was shocked at the news. Then, the HOF had one more bit of news...there are more changes. We all held our breaths in anticipation. Two of our KG1 teachers will be moved to KG2 to cover the two classrooms of the leaving teachers. This leaves 1 English teacher in KG1. She will be a "resource" teacher, spending one hour a day in each of the three classes teaching the English letters, unit theme, and numeracy....whew a lot in an hour! Arabic teachers will have the classrooms the rest of the day. This all starts on Sunday. Again, everyone is shocked. Teachers are very upset about leaving their children....teachers love their children and spend a lot of time each day with them. Bonds are made and young children LOVE their teachers like Momma.
After the meeting ended, we all sat there and looked at each other like...did that really just happen. Mrs. Brenda and Ms. Laura are very close to their Arabic teachers and have been together for years. This will be very hard. As I walked back to the classroom to get my things, decided that we needed to do something for these ladies before leaving. Talked with the other teachers and want to do a potluck for lunch on Thursday. Decided to get fried chicken from a local restaurant and everyone else bring side dishes and desserts. Many locals don't speak English and knew communication would be difficult, so asked Ms. Hend to help. She is one of the few Arabic teachers that lives in Al Wagan. Brought me a menu and arranged for the restaurant to open early to cook the chicken for our potluck on Thursday.
On Wednesday evening, called the restaurant to place the order. The first 3 people did not speak English......#4 spoke broken English. Too many words in a sentence can cause problems, so I spoke to him in broken English. Said, "Bukarah (Boo Kah rah)---Tomorrow chicken Al Wagan Primary 11:00 in morning. He said, "Iowa (Yes)" and he asked me how many pieces, plain or spicy, and delivery or pick up. Felt good about it. At 10:00 pm my cell rings....it's the restaurant. A 5th person who speaks very good English repeats my order back and confirms. At 11:15 pm, 5th person calls back and asks if I'm coming to pick up the chicken. They had cooked the chicken for 11:15 pm, not 11:15 am. I explained that it was for tomorrow morning. He said, "Oh My GOD!" I think the #4 employee was in trouble...I had a restless night worrying if the chicken would arrive tomorrow. Then I remembered what Hanaa always tells me...."What can we do?" She has taught me to worry about things less....
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| Something special for Valentine's? |
For those of you who know me well, I have a plan A, B, C, and D for everything. At 12:15, still no Ms. Hend with the chicken... APT (Arabic People Time) is different than my time. I arrive 10 minutes early and try not to be late. Makes me feel like a bad person if I'm late....not here. When I was just about to have to "BREATHE", Ms. Hend came around the corner with the chicken! She said, "No chicken....he made CAMEL instead....then she broke out in a smile....
The EMT's gave Mrs. Brenda and Mrs. Laura a small gift in appreciation for their time at Al Wagan and our love for them. We set up a buffet line outside of our KG Conference room. Potlucks bring out your best cooks. Good variety of food and we all left with full stomachs but sad to know that our friends would not be there on Sunday when we returned.
This week has been emotional and draining. The schedule has been off at school and everyone knows how the children act when they are off schedule. Decided to give myself a Valentine's present. In just a few minutes, leaving for a Desert Safari and will spend the night in the desert. Will post pictures when I get back. Until we meet again!
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