So Far, So Good!

We've been here just over a week now, and it's pretty surprising to me just how smooth this transition has been! I would never say perfect, because there is no such thing, but certainly calm, peaceful and refreshing. The apartment is ample space for us, with nice large rooms. We are starting to "cozy" it up a bit, with rugs, lamps, etc. The school is great... Blair and I both have really large classrooms and most of the tools we need to get started teaching. The staff and administration at school have been the best. All of the new teachers, about 25 of us, have really gotten to know each other well, and have begun to depend on each other as well. Some of us ride back and forth to school together each day, so the drive time is a nice time to get acquainted and talk about things to do in the area, places to visit, the best prices for this or that, etc. We are a very diverse group... US, Canadian, Australian, Irish and South African. Hearing the wonderful accents is pretty wonderful! The administration is terrific... very professional, yet realistic too and most helpful is getting us settled in.
We have visited many malls (the thing to do in Dubai) as we are continuing to shop for things. Plus, the malls are the most beautiful you'll ever see. Even if we aren't "shopping" just walking through is a treat! Most of the malls have HUNDREDS of stores... international, local and American. We've eaten McDonald's, KFC, Chili's and Coldstone Ice Creamery, to mention a few chains. But we have tried a good bit of international cuisine as well... Indian, Thai and Mediterranean mostly... and it's all good!
The day of worship here is on Friday, so we visited a church that I had heard about and read about online. Redeemer Church. They meet in a local hotel, which is common here and it was a wonderful experience. We met many super friendly folks and have been invited to dinner with a family this week! We are looking forward to going back and seeing what God has planned for us there.
Grant has an iPad and staying busy investigating that until school starts on Sept. 5. He goes to the mall with a friend a good bit, so he is adapting well. Blair is making friends (imagine) and hoping to start playing basketball soon, with some other teachers. They are going with a couple of teachers from school to the Duke basketball game being played here in Dubai this week... how fun will that be, for Grant to walk into a Duke game wearing all Carolina attire... he wants them to know he's from NC of course!
Guess that's enough for now... I'm adding new pics to the blog, so take a look if you want. Also, some of you have asked about sending us mail... if you go to the bottom of our page, click on the school website, their PO box is at the bottom. You are welcome to send anything you like to our attention at that address. They will put in our teachers box.
Please feel free to email us anytime as we LOVE hearing from folks back home. Also, if you SKYPE, please let us know. If you have never experienced it, it's pretty cool, and it's FREE!
Until next time...