Abu Dhabi: Three Values

To start this off with a feel from the UAE, here's a quote from a friend here in Abu Dhabi while driving through downtown; "That's not a person. That's a speed bump!". LOL. Fact: Pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way, and it's their fault shall you hit them! Nice huh? LOL.

Alright!! I'm here, and blogging after much debated procrastination!! Then again, how can you blame me? We waited for a month to GET the tickets after selling everything we own (living our lives in limbo) and then when we got to Abu Dhabi, my employer put us up in the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr - a 5-star hotel and resort. We just found out that our stay has been extended for another two weeks in the Fairmont, so OF COURSE I'm busy right? LOL.

I hope you are all well and smiling. Especially as the weather in Canada is getting cooler and cooler. The leaves are going to change, and that much anticipated snow is going to come. Here, I can't wait for winter! It won't be 42 degrees anymore, but a comfy 22-25 degrees. Ahhhh...It'll be so nice to NOT depend on A/C everywhere you go or feel dehydrated every time you walk outside.

So, as I sit here eating my Nutella filled sandwich and drinking a cup of tea, this is my view;

You feel sorry for me don't you? HAHAHAHA! I've sent pictures out to everyone about what I've experienced and saw in the last two weeks, I'll add a link to this site as well just in case I missed you on the email list!

Abu Dhabi: THREE VALUES

The title to this blog is an examination of the country in which I have discovered, thought about, and had much debated conversations about. Thus far that is. I have learned a lot about the "real deal" in Abu Dhabi, and it's only a tiny bit of the outer layer, as you all know it takes years and years with a variety of experiences and challenges to get to know someone or a place really well (and there are always more secrets!).

There is an order of THREE important values that people from Abu Dhabi (The Emriti's) embrace; 

1. Allah (The standard name in Arabic for God).

2. Family (and friends)

3. Work

(1) Allah

Muslims (pronounced Moss-lims, not Muzz-lims) pray 5 times a day. The times change day to day but are published in newspapers, on T.V., and you can even buy "apps" for your phone so that you know.  Adhan, commonly known as the "Call to prayer"  is heard all over the city. It is called out by the muezzin in the mosque five times a day. Adhan summons Muslims to line up for the beginning of the prayers. The main purpose behind the multiple loud pronouncements of adhan in every mosque is to make available to everyone an easily intelligible summary of Islamic belief. It is intended to bring to the mind of every believer and non-believer the substance of Islamic beliefs, or its spiritual ideology. 

When you first hear adhen, it's remarkable. So gentle on the ears, and with such melody. It only lasts a couple of minutes, and everyone will go amongst their business as needed. Muslims can pray anywhere they find a space, but ALWAYS pray towards Mecca (Makkah in Arabic). It is the center of the Islamic world and the birthplace of both the Prophet Muhammad and the religion he founded. Located in the Sirat Mountains of central Saudi Arabia. 

In Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of many mosques around. There is usually one in every community to make it convenient for followers to attend. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is absolutely stunning! Opened in 2007 and features 82 domes, including the world's largest! It has 1096 columns, the largest hand-woven carpet (7119 square meters), and the largest chandelier, made of Swarovski crystals.

(2) Family (and friends)

Relationship, relationships, relationships. Emriti's are all about taking the time to ask about your family, having a cup of tea/coffee, eating sweets (oh lots of sweets!) and getting to know one another. You would never walk into an office and say "Hi Salmeh, can I have that book you told me about!". Ya, it's not going to happen. They would consider it rude. 

Abu Dhabi is a place of maintaining eye-contact and shaking hands. When I first arrived at my new school, I was the first LT (Licensed Teacher) to arrive (there are six of us, but the others got lost - LOL), and I was taken around the school to meet all the Emriti teachers and shaking hands, discussing life and smiling. My cheeks were sore from smiling so much!! The women were so warm and you knew shaking their hands that they sincerely wanted to hear how you were. 

Abu Dhabi is also not a society for complaining. The only ones that seem to be complaining are the North Americans in the Fairmont hotel that are requesting more and more free things (being spoiled I think). When you see 20 women in the school acting like a band of sisters; with respect, trust, compassion, and then come into a group of North Americans, it's quite shocking. Why do we complain so much? Why can't we just chill? What's the rush? Why do we need so much? (and for free). I'm not saying every Emriti is "perfect" - with their average person per capita income being $14 Million a year, they would have little to complain about right? But remember; Money doesn't bring you happiness.

Now, the UAE is 80% expatriates (people that are from all over the world coming here to work). Do they follow the compassion rules too? Well, everyone we approach is in general extremely nice. Always willing to help (but there will always be others that are not - it is reality). 

Rob went to pick up our laundry the other day in this tiny place that his body could barely fit through the door for space and he was in there for about 20 minutes. It was a Pakistani man talking to him about coming here 15 years ago and discussing Rob being from Canada...yadda yadda yadda. He even asked Rob if he had Facebook so he could "add him as a friend". LOL. Yesterday we went to a mall to eat, and at our table (4 seats) was us, and Emriti man, and an Indian man. Enjoying our not-so-healthy splurge on food. At the end, the Emriti man smiled and said "Thank you", and when we left the Indian man knodded his head and smiled to acknowledge our presence at the table. Up to this moment, the only other time I've ever shared a "table" in the mall or at a restaurant was in Europe (and we all know they are entirely chilled out!). Things that make you reflect and go "hmmmm...".

 

(3) Work

Well. I've only been to work for three days. One which was a "PD day" where we met some colleagues in our "family of schools" and doing "teacher stuff". The other two days I went to my school and was blown away from the experience! I expected empty classes, plain walls, and a "meh" feeling in the halls. Instead I got;

Well...Okay! It seems that I've landed in the "jack-pot" of schools! The best part, is that these are not this years resources - more to come! The interesting thing, is that the teachers are all certified with education and teacher training, but not in the "student-centred" approach. So they have all these wonderful resources but no clue on how to use them. That's where I come in! Oh the fun we'll have!!!

So, I'm sure I'll manage in a school that is decked out like the one above, but remember; a school is only as good as the staff (and we've all been in places where the staff/people your working with make it have a "dredge" feeling). From who I've met, and who my leaders are in the school, it looks like it will be a new experience then what I've had in the past. Sitting on leather couches, enjoying a cup of coffee the "tea lady" brings, and eating the most delicious chocolate while meeting my new principal (Miss Salmeh) and the other LT's, it was a great start to our relationship. When I told her my name was "Schumacher" she smiled and said, "Ah, my friends call me "Schumacher" (obviously b/c of the way she drives her car!!! (like so many, the 120km/h speed limit is non-existent!). She is a lovely woman.

It's funny that the name "Schumacher" is always so well known. Rob has come to the understanding and acceptance that people always ask me about my "cousin, brother, or relative" Mr. Michael Schumacher. Then again, I should expect it from a place that has been recently placed on the F1 circuit, drive crazy Ferarri's and cars alike, and known for one of the largest theme parks around (Ferarri World) opening up on October 28th, and of course a building designed by the driver himself. "Good morning Mr. Schumacher, would you like your room cleaned?" (I think Rob likes it!) LOL.

So, there are the three values that I've learned and experienced in my first two weeks here. I hope you've learned a bit, and if not, just for entertainment purposes, enjoyed my experiences thus far, as I have! I'm making a note of learning from these "three values" in my own way, and seeing what I can offer myself in regards to their teachings. School starts tomorrow (it goes from Sunday to Thursday - hard to wrap around that the weekend is Friday and Saturday). 
I hope you are all truly well, wherever you are!

Respect, Compassion, and Smile! xoxo *Mel

Abu Dhabi pics: (copy and paste links into your browser)

  http://picasaweb.google.com/mellyschu/AbuDhabiTheBeginning?authkey=Gv1sRgCLrrnoqOz5ef9wE#

  http://picasaweb.google.com/mellyschu/AbuDhabi2?authkey=Gv1sRgCPSFuo_8iYntnwE#