Settling in

We are finally settling into our new life here in Dubai as a family of three.  Evan is doing so good at nursery.  He doesn't cry or anything.  There are about 6-8 kids there and two nannies that watch them.  He loves going to the beach and park with us.  He is also in love with the trains and airplanes here.  Paul is doing well.  He is busy looking for work while Evan and I are at school.  Hopefully something will come through soon.  The sponsorship stuff is almost all done.  I went last Thursday to do all the paperwork.  What a process!  First, I have to get all my documents together (this in itself is no small task!).  Once I had everything together I had to go to a typing center.  There, they fill out all the paperwork and put it in Arabic.  Good thing all my documents were there and attested beforehand.  Then, I have to go next door to the immigration office.  I take a number and sit.  After about an hour, it is my turn.  I go to the counter just to be told that they can't serve me there because they don't have the authority to grant the visa because I am a woman sponsoring my family. WHAT?!?  Really?  I have to go to the head office in the city.  So, I take a bus to the metro and walk to the immigration building.  Once I finally find the department I need I am ushered into a women-only lounge.  There were about 30 people ahead of me.  It didn't take too long.  I was able to get it approved and get the paper right away.  Now for the process to be complete we have to leave the country and re-enter.  So, the plan is to go to Oman this weekend to get the stamp on the passport.  It will be about 1.5 hour drive.  We will rent a car and make a day of it.  Hopefully there will be something to see in Oman. That is all that has been going on this week.  School is OK for me.  I don't love what I do, but I don't hate it either.  I am struggling to put aside everything I learned in teacher's college to cater to what the parents want to see.  Some things are so backwards and crazy here.  I feel like I am at times attacked because of the Arabic/English divide, even within the school structure itself.  There is a double-standard for the staff here.  It makes me so angry and sad.  My prayer (and you can pray too) is that I will have the heart of a servant and to be a light in this school. I am including some more pictures so you can see some more of Dubai (and Evan).

Beach rules

My KG1 Class all dressed up for Eid.

Evan at a mall

CAMEL!!!!!

Evan checking out the bridge/fountain at church