We're approaching the 3 month mark of living in a new country and I feel like I've recently turned a corner...a good one.
First sandstorm. Luckily we were at home...I've heard visibility can be an issue if you're out driving.
The Ninja and Rapunzel enjoyed trick or treating in our building!
And went to a trunk or treat that even had a bouncy house!
We miss you!
Culture shock is defined as "the disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to immigration." There are usually 4 stages: honeymoon, negotiation, adjustment, and mastery. Obviously the honeymoon phase is when everything is new, overwhelming, and exciting. That lasted about a month and a half for me. During the negotiation phase the individual experiences anxiety as a result of the differences between the old culture and new culture. Eventually, during the adjustment phase, all of the 'new' begins to feel 'normal,' and in the mastery phase the individual is totally comfortable and considered bicultural.
The adjustment phase is where I've been for quite a while, which I think is a result of being thrown into my new school, classroom, and professional life. It's been hard. I've been very emotional. We've been in school almost 2 months and things that really bothered me (i.e. my students behavior, the general chaos, non-compliance to school rules in general- I have a whole blog planned on this btw) don't affect me like they did.
I've learned to take advantage of my time away from school, to spend as much time as I can resting and enjoying my family and friends. I've learned that I deserve every bit of fun I have- I've earned it. So many things are totally out of my control in this new culture. I have several VERY supportive friends over here (you know who you are), who are the only people who somewhat understand what it's been like because they are in the trenches teaching too. I don't think I would have made it without them.
So, I'm glad to be moving on to the next phase (hopefully) where I'm less stressed, anxiety-ridden, and basically grumpy (lol.) Inshallah!
Now...picture time...
1st tooth lost in the UAE! The tooth fairy found him all the way over here and left him 10 dirhams since it was a top tooth (that's a whopping $2.70!)
Realized I hadn't posted a pic of our lovely rental car. It's a 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer...and Mark even fits in it! We plan on buying a car in the next couple of months but it will do for now.
They were lucky enough to meet up with "Miss Dubai" and "Miss Al Ain!"
We miss you!
