I've had a really good time so far, snuggling into warm coats and hats and gazing wide-eyed at tiny little wisps of snow flurries. I've gone to parties, dinner, movies, and gotten to spend quality time with my family. Christmas Eve was a flurry of dinner and gifts, while Christmas Day was a pajama day enjoying my niece's fascination with her new tool bench and old Christmas movies. The Garfield Christmas Special never gets old, and neither does a Muppet Family Christmas. I love the old Charlie Brown Christmas, and Disney's Christmas Carol. Curling up inside a cup of tea with Mom on one end of the couch and Homestar sprawled in a nearby chair is home to me.
As I enjoy shopping for smaller pants (YES!!) and looking forward to a fantastic island wedding, I'm rather haunted by a decision I have to make. It's been creeping around the back of my mind for weeks. I was very depressed before I left Dubai, because this decision is looming.
I have to decide if I am staying abroad; my contract is up in June.
Soo....what to do....
Choices? There are several.
- Look for another position abroad. This would mean another two years.
- Stay in Dubai for a third year.
- Move back home.
The time is coming; I have to make a decision. I have a feeling the sooner I decide the better off I will feel.
Choice A, signing on in another country, is tempting. New school, new place, different administration and people...but it means another two years. Frankly, when I have this conversation with my coworkers they always seem surprised to find that I don't want teaching abroad as a permanent career. I planned on spending a few years abroad for teaching experience and travel opportunities and then taking that experience home to teach Reading and ESL in our schools. I don't think I want another two years abroad. I also can't think of any other place I would like to live. Sure, there's places in Europe (would kill to live in Florence or Rome), but the taxes and cost of living are killers. I wouldn't save a dime.
Choice B, staying in Dubai a third year, well, that's got its issues. You see, the investors are clamoring for a return on their investment. So next year, they are going to overcrowd our school. They are taking away classrooms from most of the specialists except for art and music. I will get a smaller room, wouldn't put it past them to put me on a cart actually. Their standards are about to take a dive in an effort to pack the school and get tuitions so the school turns more of a profit. This is one of my big issues; this is a for-profit school. Sticks in my throat, it does. Personally, I'm not done travelling yet. However, Dubai is still the best location to travel from. I can get anywhere from Dubai in 15 hours or less. Daily life is pretty easy. Most people speak some semblance or at least a few words of English. Many signs are in English. I have some good friends there; I have a small social network established. Professionally, three years' continuity at one school looks better than two. I have an excellent and experienced teaching partner; I want to be as good as she is when I grow up.
Choice C, coming home...
I'm not going to lie, I've been frustrated and lonely enough to seriously consider it. I miss my family and friends. My nieces and cousins are getting bigger, and I'm missing chunks of their lives. My smallest niece doesn't really know me. That hurts a bit. I'm missing important events, like weddings, babies, etc. I miss nerding out with the gaming crew, dressing like a pirate, and kayaking at night on Nockamixon. Still, a couple of wise friends reminded me that friends and family will still be there whenever I decide to come home. And it is still home, mind you. A friend got kind of upset when I referred to Dubai as home the other day. Home is where I live, but the real home is with my family and friends.
There are other issues, but they're kind of silly. I feel like I'm getting old sometimes, and so many of my friends are paired up, having families...I don't want to all of a sudden turn around after staying abroad and I'm 40 with four cats...Yeah, I'm being silly. I get like that sometimes. I'm a rather distrusting, self-preserving sort when it comes to relationships so letting guys get close is...difficult. LOL I know, can I make my life any more difficult?? Sheesh...don't listen to me. I'm an idiot.
Sooo, what to do, what to do?
I'll be honest. I am leaning toward a third year in Dubai. Professionally, it gives me more experience and continuity. Financially, I will come home with a gratuity big enough after three years that I could float for a year in the US while trying to find a job. Personally, I would be able to travel more to places like Australia, Greece, France, Italy (again ;), and wherever else I can get to. It would also give people more opportunity to save their pennies and perhaps meet me abroad someplace :)
I don't know, I go back and forth. I have until January 15th to commit...or be committed LOL
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