Al-hamdu l-illah

This Arabic phrase meaning "praise be to God" exemplifies how I felt today. I was able to rest for most of the afternoon and write letters to my grandmother and home congregation back in Atlanta. Grandma Rogers is the surviving matriarch of my family at 87 and tells me every time I speak to her that she gets on her knees nightly and prays for me. I really believe that her prayers, my mother's, and others are keeping me in God's graces because I really feel that it is purposed for me to be here. Some teachers invited me to the Abu Dhabi beaches for the Yasalam festival, an event leading up to the big Formula races coming up next week. There has already been community events and outdoor movies. After the races, stars like J. Cole, Brittney Spears, Fatboy Slim, and Wyclef will be performing. (Check out the Yasalam Festival here)

Afterwards, we met some more teachers at a rooftop lounge on the top of the Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown Abu Dhabi. The food was so expensive that, with no shame in my game, I walked right outside of the hotel for a quick bite to eat. For 26 dirhams ($8 US), I got two chicken gyros and a fresh pineapple juice at a Lebanese restaurant. They wanted about $15 US for a burger and fries at the Crown Plaza hotel and you know I wasn't having that! On the way back, I got on the elevator with what looked like a Middle Eastern man and woman. I heard her speak English so I guessed right that they were teachers from America. He just so happened to be really light like me! (If you read my blog from two days ago, you will see that a Middle Eastern man assumed that I was Middle Eastern. I guess that is what I get.) He just so happened to be from the same part of Atlanta as me. Later on that night, we found out that we both graduated from FSU. He finished one year after me! It's literally a small world. They both were a part of the first wave of teachers that came in August. It was great to meet them because they answered all of the questions that we, the newer teachers that just arrived, had for him.

He told me that the educational system here is much more laid back. The students can be rough because many are rich and spoiled, but he also advised me that I would do well after he heard I worked for Atlanta Public Schools, which is known for being a difficult school district. He also told me that he and some friends were going to Thailand for the three week break in December and that I was welcomed to go. He informed me on how to get a driver's license as well as the benefits of buying a used car or renting a car. He even offered to take me to my school on Wednesday because I do not have transportation yet. He told me that his apartment was like a skyscraper condominium that would easily cost $2000/month in downtown Atlanta. I am trying not to get too excited just in case my place is not as nice as his.

After we left the rooftop lounge, Levi, one of the teachers that arrived with me, invited some teachers to his apartment. He was one of the few teachers that has already gotten his keys to his apartment. We pulled up and i couldn't believe it! It was a brand new high rise with marble floors and a great view of the city and ocean. We were all a little jealous but, at the same time, excited for him. They are going all out to impress the teachers and it is working. I'm loving it here! I once again got overwhelmed with joy, thinking praise be to God or as they say in Arabic, "Al-hamdu l-illah".