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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Got My Offer Letter Today!

This ish just got real! I got my offer letter today! More info to come once I read all the documents!

Saturday, May 18, 2013

The Interview

     Today was the day that I have been waiting for, the in person interview with the Abu Dhabi Education Council.  I was up before the 5:30 alarm and I got dressed so quickly.  I left the house at 6:15 even though I knew that I only had to be at the hotel for 8 am.  I was so afraid that something would go wrong.  What if the subway broke down?  What if I couldn't find the hotel.  I figured that being early was better than being late.
     I made it to the hotel by 7:25, so I had plenty of time to spare.  I had some juice , I refused to eat food because I was too nervous for that.  I waited in the hotel lobby, to see if I saw anyone else that looked like they were hear for the interview also. My recruiter recognized me. There were 7 of us that were interviewing that day. Five were interviewing for primary positions and two (including me) were interviewing for middle school positions.  I was interviewing for middle school Science and the other girl was interviewing for middle school English.
   I was happy to see that there was one other black girl, her story is that she has already taught in Abu Dhabi with ADEC but decided to come back to Canada after her two years. Since being back she has realized that there wasn't anything going on in Canada so she wants to go back to Abu Dhabi. She said that she loved living in Abu Dhabi and the scariest thing about Abi Dhabi was the driving. It is not unusual for people to go 170 km/hr there. She said the work/life balance is amazing and you have so much time to travel, you have money to shop and time to relax.
    Before the group briefing my recruiter from Teachanywhere collected my documents and I chatted with the other teachers.  Two of them were newly certified teachers and they were worried that they may not be taken for that reason (ADEC wants teachers who preferable have two years of experience). As we chatted I could tell that I was extremely prepared because some of them were asking questions that I knew the answers to, such as how our yearly flight home was going to be issued (cash). This made me feel good.
   I was going to be interviewed second to last. The group briefing done by members of ADEC as well as two school principals (one Emeriti and the other Canadian) the briefing was extremely informative. I learned that there is a 6 month probation period and that if we were not happy we could come home in those six months without too much trouble. They also told us that we have to bring enough money with us to last until we get paid around Sept. 25th. There is a posibility of an adbance on our forst pay , but it doesn't always occur. I did the math and I should bring at least 2000$ to be safe and closer to 3000$ would be even better. We also learned that if we are located more than an hour away from our school, we will be bused to school with the other teachers in the area.
   The briefing lasted about 40 minutes, then it was time for the personal interviews. When my turn finally came, I was interview by two members of ADEC, one was from Australia and the other was from England I think.  The asked me so many Science questions, I was a bit surprised. I thought I would be asked more classroom management questions or situational questions. Here are a few things I was asked:

  • How would you set up a science unit?
  • Describe a successful science class?
  • Have you taught in a lab? What precautions would you take when teaching in ascience lab
  • Tell us about how you use technology in the class room?
  • How would you assess students at the end of the unit? In the lab?
  • Why do you want to go to Abu Dhabi? (Recruiter told us NOT to answer, "for adventure")
These are the questions that I can remember. They were really impressed because a the end they said, "I think you should start researching Abu Dhabi!" I was ecstatic. I also saw them write 'yes' on my application. 
   The recruiter told me that we would know by 9 pm if we would be recommended for the position.   I checked my email and low and behold I got an email congratulating me! I was so happy. I now have to get my teaching certificate and B.Ed authenticated.  First I have to get them notarized (luckily I have a friend who is a lawyer and can do this for me, thanks E!) and then I am going to take a trip to  Ottawa and visit the Department of Defence and the UAE embassy. When that is done I just wait for my ticket, should be leaving in mid-August.  Three months to get ready!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Wish Me Luck!

The day is finally here.

Tomorrow is the big day!  I am as prepared as I am going to be.  I have to be at the hotel for 8 am.  I am heading to Toronto tonight.

I will let you know how it goes.

I love this quote from Dr. Seuss' story The Places You'll Go, it describes me to a tea!

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.  And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.



Thursday, May 9, 2013

One More Week!

     Until my ADEC in person interview, AHHHHHH!  I am so nervous.  These are the materials that I need to bring for the interview:



Hardcopy:
  • Copy of my CV
  • ADEC application form
  • Colour copy of my passport
  • 8 (yes 8) passport photos (thank God for Costco)
On CD
  • Copy of my CV
  • ADEC application form
  • Colour copy of my passport
  • ADEC Security Form
  • Highest Degree
  • Teaching Certificate
  • Police Check
  • Written Reference
I am going after work to get the photos and then I am done.

I know that the interview is going to be in a hotel in down town Toronto, but still don't know which one.  My rep said it may be the Westin.

I have read and reread all my notes and I will keep preparing this weekend.


Wish me luck!

P.S. The library let me order all the books on Amazon.ca, I even convinced them to let me order the latest version on the travel books.  I ended up saving 40$.  I already got two of the books in the mail!  The internet impresses me all the time.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Owing The Library 140$

A few weeks ago I went to the library and took out every book they had on Abu Dhabi, UAE and the Middle East, I left with four books, I was elated. Last week it was time to bring them back, I put them in my bag and headed to the gym. After the gym, I went to the health food store and bought some chocolate soy milk to drink post workout. I placed the CLOSED chocolate milk container in the bag with the books. When I got to the library my books were swimming in chocolate milk. All four books were ruined. The librarian told me I would have to pay for them 155$ for the books, this included at 10$ administration fee (per book). I was so upset. I asked if there was anyway to wave the admin fees, couldn't she only charge it to me once? Twice? She then told me that if I found any of the books on Amazon.ca at a cheaper price they would charge me that price and not the cover price. I came home and searched, I saved myself about 20$. The sad thing is some of the books have newer versions that are cheaper, but the library wants THE EXACT SAME BOOK .*kicks dirt*.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Now That I Got My Suit And Tie...

I have spent the last few days looking for a suit to wear to the interview. I knew this was going to be a daunting task because of my breasts. They are huge, this I already know. I can get away with a size 16 pants but in a jacket I need an 18 or a 20. I went to Addition-Elle (Canadian plus sized store) and they had nothing. I went to the Bay and found a nice suit in navy blue but the jacket wouldn't button #bigboobproblems. I came home that night dejected. I told my friends my problems me they suggested Laura. I went there on Saturday and found a suit that fit, the sad thing was it was going to be 400$. I was not going to pay that for an ok looking suit. I walked around the mall and contemplated what to do. I decided that maybe the best bet would be to go with a blazer and a nice pair of pants. I went back to Laura and that is what I left with. I nice looking charcoal grey blazer, black undershirt and black pants. All for under 100$! Woot, woot.
Happy that that is done. More to come....

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Passport Is Here

   I got my new passport!  Yeah!  Now I can send the last of my document info to my rep.  I am so impressed with the Canadian Passport Office it only took six business days to get it. 
     Every night all I do is make lists, people that I am going to have to see before I leave.  Things that I am going to have to do.  Only two more weeks until the interview! AHHHHH!

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

The Final Piece of The Puzzle

My new passport arrived today! Yeah! Now I just have to scan it and send it in. I am so impressed with the Canadian passport office, I got mu passport in six business days, can you believe it. The fact that I will no longer be at my school is starting to sink in. I'm really going to miss the girls, they are such great young ladies.
The interview is in two weeks! Yikes....