excited, nervous...more excited than nervous

Paul and I have known for a few weeks now that we're (hopefully) moving to Abu Dhabi. To teach, of course. Everything is progressing and we're even to the point of bequeathing our stuff to family and friends. Thanks to Paul for the analogy of us dying and giving away our worldly processions, it is somehow morbidly fitting. It is SO exciting to think about picking up our lives and literally moving halfway around the world! I can't wait to experience a new location and culture. The title of my blog may be misleading...I'm not nervous about moving to Abu Dhabi at all. I can barely contain my excitement! I want to tell everyone I talk to and shout it from the rooftops. My trepedation comes from the fact that we don't officially have our work visas yet because our security information and medical exam paperwork is still in process (we have our final doctor appointment for testing on Friday to do an audiogram which apparently is a hearing test). So far, everything has been normal and we're very healthy (and have numerous tests including EKG's, xrays, spirogrpahs, exams, and labs to prove it! haha) There is just a lingering, constant hum of fear right behind my left ear that reminds me that our plans are not finalized yet. We are constantly assured via email, however, that the final tests are "formalities" and that we should be packing our bags. So we are. Actually more accurately, we're getting rid of the immense collection of material things that we've just recently realized don't mean nearly as much to us as we thought they did. That's another blog entirely, though, I think. I guess I should start closer to the beginning...

Wanting to live and work abroad, Paul and I began applying for international teaching jobs through a variety of avenues. A month or so ago, an opportunity presented itself for us to actually interview with a private school from the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi (UAE's capital). Once we scoured the school's website and spoke with the head master of the school and high school principal, we KNEW that we couldn't turn down this amazing offer! I think my dad had it right when he called it a "working vacation adventure!" The people at the school are amazing, dedicated, friendly, funny, and passionate about education. The school is fairly new, it will be starting its third year but this will be its first year to have an elementary school. Paul and I are very excited to be a part of the growing process with admin, teachers, parents, and students that love learning and value education. We will teach an American curriculum and nearly every class is taught from K-12 in English by native English speakers. Apparently, there are teachers from America, Australia, Britain, and all over the world moving here to teach.

So, my nerves control my excitement to a point...and I don't really tell many people that we're moving. Not yet anyway. Hopefully the paperwork will be finished soon and I can shout from the rooftops. Or at least post it on my facebook status- which now seems to be the equivalent to said shouting. :)