It's Good to be Back!

I know I know, I haven't blogged in a month, but here it goes.  I flew home for the holidays to surprise my friends and family, they had no clue I was even coming as I told them I was going to Ireland for the holidays.  I arrived at 11:30 on Sunday the 15th of December, was picked up by my best friend and one of 4 people people who knew I was coming home.  She drove me to my sister's house to surprise her.  I had this whole plan worked out where I would surprise her, she would drive me to my parent's house to surprise them and my dog.  The plan worked perfectly, everyone was surprised.  I cannot thank Justine enough for keeping my secret and picking me up from the airport!  
On Monday, I ventured to Federal Way to surprise Daniele at school.  This was an extra special surprise for me because she was super bummed out that her boyfriend was sent on a mission for the Air Force and would be gone over the holidays.  Well, I walked into her classroom and she burst into tears! I spent some time in her classroom talking to her students about where was teaching and what it is like. I also brought Moe in to visit, he was so excited to see kids!
Tuesday was a big day of surprises, I arrived at my old school early in the morning to visit with Ann who also kept my secret.  It was like old times sitting in her room with Moe, my Starbucks and good conversation.  One by one each teacher and staff member arrived.  They walked into the Ann's room, saw Moe got really excited and then looked up and saw me and were even more excited!  The next few days included me helping with the school's Advent program.  
the greatest surprise of all time came Tuesday afternoon when I surprised Dylan as he returned home from school.  In the video I have you can't see him on the bus, but his face was in SHOCK!  He was stunned one because I was there and two because he thought his mom got a new phone because she was holding mine to record his reaction.  He ran off the bus and gave me the biggest hug!  I cannot express to you how much I missed him, he is like my little brother and will always be.  It makes me sad that I won't be there for his big moments like I have been the past 5+ years, but thanks to technology, we can make something happen.  
The rest of my time at home was spent with family and friends and of course shopping at Target, the UAE really needs to get one, like yesterday!  My brother and sister in law came up from California for Christmas as well.  They were the other ones who kept my secret.  It was great to have everyone together for the holidays, it made coming home that much more complete.  As my time dwindled at home, I realized how grateful I am to have such amazing friends and family that support me.  I said goodbye to them with a heavy heart, but I was weirdly excited to return to my new home.  I never thought I would consider Abu Dhabi my home, but I truly do.  
Returning was not as easy as it was going home.  My flight in NY was delayed because of snow for 3 hours, yes we sat on the plane for 3 hours, finally took off and I ended up missing my flight in London. I was rescheduled on another airline to leave in 3 hours, I was exhausted and worn out from not sleeping much the night before and not really being able to sleep on the planes.  I arrived in Abu Dhabi at 2 am, stinky and tired.  My baggage did not arrive with me, I tried to get a rental car and they didn't have any until later that morning, so I hopped in a cab and went to Casey's where I showered, talked with her about being back home and then fell asleep for 4 hours.  We  woke up and visited with Lindsey for a bit then went out to shop at the local Carefour to get a few things.  We also stopped at Jones the Grocer to enjoy the goodness that IS their food!  I eventually got my bags at the airport that evening as well as a rental car and arrived back at my place at 11 pm only to wake up and get ready for school.  
School these past two weeks have been interesting.  We don't have a HoF anymore, so communication between us and the Arabic teachers isn't really happening.  They did appoint Pepper to be acting HoF, hopefully that will help with the communication issues.  We had this Sunday off because of the Prophet's birthday.  We took the kids to the Mosque in town where they were taught how to pray.  It was sooooo cool to see them all pray.  We also took them on a field trip to the park around the corner from the school.  It was a beautiful green lush park, it was completely surrounded by a wall so you forgot you were in the desert since it was so green.  The kids had a blast playing all day!  
Here are some pictures from my trip home, enjoy!

Former 8th graders and Moe, so happy 13 of them showed up to visit!

picnic in the park!