It's 2015 Already?!?!

Happy New Year Everybody!  In the blink of an eye, half a year flew by and here we are in 2015.  Where did the time go indeed!  So I totally failed at my mission of updating my blog at a consistent rate but really so many things have happened in my life and in the world around me that the task has truly slipped my mind.  Where do I even begin?  I guess it only makes sense to start from where I left off..July of last year (so weird saying that).

I landed in Chicago after a long 14 hour direct flight.  No easy feat as it was incredibly uncomfortable being stuck in such a small space - sleepless, restless, tired, and cranky.  Being on the plane with friends did make the time go by just a little easier.  I spent a little over a week in the Windy City and got the opportunity to meet up and catch up with awesome friends over great food and venues.  The time spent away from love ones does make you appreciate everything and everyone you have at home that much more.  It was so nice that everybody took time out of their busy schedule to chat and bond.  Some even opened up their homes to me so I could spend the night with them at their place.  I am truly blessed with such incredible people in my life.  I love and miss them tremendously, every single day.  Then I returned to my hometown in Pure Michigan and spent as much quality time as I could with my family.  It was not as relaxing as I had hoped - my parents had a lot on their plate and really needed me to help out with a lot of financial, medical, and business-y matters.  Meetings, appointments, and paper work filled up my time there.  I love being able to be the ultimate problem solver for them but it did put a damper over the happy family time that I had in my mind.  I guess that's just how life goes sometimes.  I did enjoy being able to celebrate my mom's birthday with the entire family there.  It was the first time in almost 15 years that the 7 of us (mom, dad, and 5 daughters) were in the same place at the same time.  You bet your bottom dollar that we took pics to commemorate such a monumental moment! haha  We ate at a traditional Chinese restaurant with the little ones running around and being rowdy, crazy, and loud.  I loved it!  In a snap it was time to go back to Abu Dhabi.  

I was jet lagged for quite a while but somehow managed to buy a car (and that was a whole other adventure for a future post), take care of a few things for the apartment, and return to work.  It has been a super hectic school year, especially having to teach grade 6 boys at an all-male school as a female with no co-teacher even though I'm supposed to have one.  Plus the classes are more filled this year than the previous.  It's been a tough challenge.  Despite the circumstances I've been making it work by staying focused on my purpose, steering clear of drama, and remaining professional with everyone at work.  Just brush the dust off your shoulders and let each day be a new day.  It's really important to smile, positive self-talk, seek support from friends, and give yourself some slack from time to time.  And let me tell you Trimester 1 was crazy long...15 weeks long!  Everyone was desperate for the 2-week winter break.  So believe me you'll need a glass half full attitude to make it.  Plus it doesn't hurt to always have something to look forward to during these long trimesters, may it be a concert, a friend coming to visit, a birthday party, a fabulous brunch, a trip over a long weekend, etc.  I did travel to Hong Kong with a friend I met here over the National Day, 5-day holiday (what a gut-busting, foodie vacay...yay!) and then my parents came to visit me during winter break so I stayed in town.  We had an awesome, awesome time together - I took my parents all over Abu Dhabi and Dubai and they cooked and cleaned and spoiled me every day by bringing my home to life with their voices, laughter, and presence.  I was devastated when it was time for them to leave.  My heart aches just thinking about it and I miss coming home to them from work.  I believe God will give me the strength to make it and I treasure the great memories I had with my parents for it's been a long time since I've seen them so stress-free and happy.  

Well that's all for now folks!  I gotta get to my lesson planning for next week so no time to add pictures to this post but I will put them up when I have a chance, hopefully soon, like "before the week ends" soon.  Wishing everyone the very best in the meantime and hoping 2015 treats you well with happiness, good health, and prosperity!