Just when you think its getting better :(

Elle had an awful day at school. I ended up in the counselor's office talking to her about the situation. I did meet Elle's teacher and she seemed nice. I think there is a combination of things going on - Elle is not happy so she is looking for reasons for not like the school but I also think that many of the teachers are not American and expect kids to behave differently. For instance Larry told a friend at work the name of Elle's teacher, he made a nasty face. Elle's teacher is Arab and Larry's friend thinks that Arab teachers tend to dismiss children with learning disabilities and those who are having a harder time adjusting. From Elle's perspective this is true, though of course we haven't mentioned this to her. Also Elle came home today and said that the ELL teacher told her that she needed to work on her manners! WTF! Heavy sigh. :(

Another big downer is that we learned that our container will NOT arrive into Dubai until September 10 and it will take at minimum 4-5 days to clear customs. This will be in the middle of Ramadan so 4-5 days would be considered very fast. From our experience in what we have been told so far we will be very lucky to get our things by the end of September. I about went nuts when I heard the news about our container.

I hate to complain so I'm not sure when our next post will be. I am trying my best to remain positive.

Common Sense

Maybe it's an American thing but we expect a certain level of common sense from all people. You don't get that here. Many workers have never done the jobs that they are doing before, but you would still think that they would learn from day to day. Heck, I would expect them to learn even hour to hour, build upon the skills that they are learning, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. I suppose that I shouldn't over generalize, but I don't think that I am. There are so many things in our villa that are off. Like the place you put dishes to drain after washing them. It should be slanted just a bit and the water should drain back into the sink - right? Maybe the person who installed it had never seen one before so they didn't know. That's just one tiny example of so many things here. Each villa in this complex is different - but not supposed to be ya know.

This is a little thing but it sure helps me to understand why labor in the US is paid so much more. There are much higher expectations levels there than here. I need to the a guy to come install a dishwasher, but I am thinking of just doing it myself. I'd bet ya $50 that I would a better job!

Job offer

I received a surprise call today from the high school office of Dani and Elle's school. They wanted to know if I might be interested in a job there. So I went in for an interview this morning. Everyone is very nice and the job would be a piece of cake - office assistant type thing, do whatever is needed. Of course the role is way below my qualifications but the job was more to keep me busy and allow me to contribute to and accomplish something each day. I am going to give it the weekend to think it over, but I am pretty sure I will turn it down but offer to help on a part-time volunteer basis they find someone. I would like more time to figure out my right from my left before jumping into a full-time job. But very nice to be asked!

Happiness at last?

Funny how a small thing can really make a big change. I braced myself for a very angry Elle as I was picking her up today after school. Her class was one of the last to come out as I stood there sweating it. When Elle saw me she was all smiles and immediately apologized that the nurse had to call me 2 times today. I was in shock! I think the nurse helped a lot by empathizing with Elle about the stress of a new school and new city. Elle also said that she met 5 new friends today. Oh and Elle said in the car this evening, "Mom, if a little kid ever asks me what it is like to move to a different country, I will tell them that if you are in a new school things will get better and it will be fun." You can't imagine how good it felt to hear that.

Larry had to work late tonight so the girls and I went out. First we took Dani to the doctor to check on her leg burn. That was a different experience - the doc looked like he hadn't showered - greasy hair and unshaven and his office and examing room was all in one room. But when he opened his mouth all was good. Funny German guy who was great with Dani. He said that her burn is healing fine and there should be minimal scaring. The nurses were great too. They cleaned and bandaged Dani's leg back up with very little pain. Dani was happy about that!

After the doc visit we went to the pharmacy nearby that the school nurse recommended would have all of the bandage supplies needed. Many times its hard to find what you need here. After that we were off to an art supply store int he plaza next door. I bought some awesome handmade paper, paint and brushes. I feel a cool project coming on. Then we got some dinner and went to the school uniform store to get some extra pants, a hat, 2 more ties and 2 sweaters (its cold in the air conditioning). Our final stop was at the grocery store and cable TV kiosk in the store. Slingbox is awesome but if the internet is down then our TV is down... we just can't have that!

Well that's all for tonight. Boy am I one happy camper!

Shipment update

Our container has arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Of course now it has to transfer ships and come to Dubai. Here are a couple of pictures of the ship that our container road on from New York to Jeddah.

New Delhi Express - one is of the ship full and one empty.

Volunteering and a possible job

During the new student orientation on Monday it was mentioned that the elementary school needed more teaching assistants. So on Tuesday I applied. We'll see what happens. It would be pretty cool to work at the girls' school and get to see them during the day but also have the same holidays and such. I also got a call from the parent organization. I am going to work in the school store 1 or 2 days a week for a couple of hours. Fun! :)

The School Nurse - 2nd Day of School

Yes I have heard from both the elementary school nurse and the middle school nurse all in one day... Elle doesn't feel good and wants to come home and Dani's leg needs bandaged and she needs to go see a doctor.

Made an appointment for Dani to see a doc right after school. Hopefully I can both find the place and a place to park.

As for Elle I asked the nurse to keep her at school, tough love. She has to make this transition however gut wrenching it is for Larry and me.