February

It is amazing how much my life has changed in just one simple calendar year. Last year, February of 2009, I spent the first weekend of the month in Boston at an International Teacher's job fair in Cambridge, Mass. I hardly left the hotel due to the intense schedule of interviews, networking and information sessions. The fair was for teachers who were looking for jobs in international schools but last year the competition was so high due to the slump in the global economy and the fact that so many teachers already teaching in international schools did not want to leave, or budge. So I did my best, put on my pearls, nicest black suit and heals and flew to the freezing cold Northeastern city of Boston where they were experiencing a significantly cold day of 12 degrees Fahrenheit.

As I exited a lovely presentation on a school in Italy, I was overwhelmed with all that was going on around me and on the verge of having a panic attack. I picked up my cell phone and called Adnan. Now, at this time, Adnan and I were just friends. In fact we were slowly re-building our friendship. I do not know which forces of the universe were working in the winter of 2009 but they were definitely trying to pull us back together. Adnan gave me a really good pep talk and I went back to the job fair. I left the job fair without a job at an international school. However, I had impressed my contact at Search Associates, Sally Jo Gordon, who put in a good word to Delice Scotto, my current boss who telephoned her to ask about me the week after the Boston fair. Boston was a great experience but let me just present a picture of what life was like a year ago.

Last year, 2009, in February, I was single. Yes, the one word most women in their mid-to upper twenties hate hearing. I thought that all of my past relationships had extinguished and I had no future prospects. I lived in a small apartment in Montrose, Houston which for those of you who do not live in Houston should know that it is the fabulous area of Houston where gay people live. So I would take off every morning to go teach in Pearland, return home to my cute apartment and sometimes have a chat with a gay/straight friends, cook some dinner (probably vegan at the time) and go to sleep. Now I had great friends who were keeping me afloat but my love life was non-existent.

Slowly, and in a very strange way, the forces of the universe started working their magic. First, I was offered my dream job in Dubai, U.A.E. It was around that time last year when I began writing this blog. I accepted the job. People were happy for me and all but I was scared. Scared that perhaps I would never find a real lasting relationship, especially in the Middle East. Would I have anything in common with anyone. Not to mention the fact that my contract read two years.

I really can't describe why it happened but Adnan and I began hanging out again. Eventually, it took a few months, we got back together, started dating again and never looked back. My life a year later is beyond wonderful. I am living in Dubai, working in a fabulous position and although I am not staying on next school year, I would never give up the time I have spent here for any other in the world. I am engaged to be married this summer which makes me a cute little fiance. I have wonderful friends in Houston, Seattle, Indiana and Dubai ! I have a wonderful, supportive, amusing, and loving family who is always there for me. I was just amazed a few weeks ago when my boss said she was headed to Boston for the same yearly International Teacher's job fair how far my life or my journey has taken me over the past year. I felt that it was appropriate to share this with everyone. Happy Valentines Day and life is good!