How it all happened...

Many people have asked me about the new job in Dubai. I have to admit, I wasn't really looking. I love Turkey. I love Bilkent. The people here are sweet, passionate, and respectful. After finishing my degree last fall, I knew I wanted a leadership position in curriculum, instruction and/or assessment in a K-12 environment, but I thought I would stay here another year or two and see how things developed. As most of you know and have experienced, find a job in today's day and age takes time. So, I reorganized and updated my resume and started looking at some of the options on Linkedin. I clicked on a few jobs and uploaded my new resume. A week later I had an email request to complete some formal paperwork. I actually received the request when I was in Thailand and my computer was not working, so I had to complete it when I got back. So, I replied to the email and said I would submit later when I returned home. Once I returned home, I submitted the paperwork and received an email request for an interview with the principal. Then, I began to get nervous. Oh no, what happens if this actually goes through and I get hired? Oh crap, I need to get myself together and review some things before this interview. The secretary told me the interview would be via Facetime.

The interview went well and the principal said he would probably recommend me to the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) for an interview. So, a week later, I had an interview with her too. Our interview was mostly a conversation together, which was nice because I was able to explain my ideas and passion for K-12. This position is for a curriculum coordinator at one of the school systems managed by AMSI in Dubai. There are currently three school systems with a fourth one to open in the fall. The job is exactly what I want to do - supporting teachers, curriculum implementation, etc. and all with American curriculum. Hooray! After the interview, I received a contract a few days later. So, I had a tough decision to make - stay in Turkey or go to Dubai. I have been teaching for 18 years. I love, love, love teaching. It is truly my passion. But I am also ready to support teachers full time. I want this to be my primary focus at this time in my career. So, I accepted the job. Then, came the fun part - the PAPERWORK. The new job wanted two things attested. I had no idea what that meant, but I was soon to find out. 

Attested is basically like a glorified notary but with government officials. My highest diploma and a criminal record needed to be attested. For the diploma, it needed to receive approvals from the Secretary of State, Department of State, and the UAE embassy in the country in which the diploma was received. So, when is it all said and done, it cost me about $350 to get this done because I had to send my diploma to the U.S. and then pay a service to run it around for the approvals. This will take 4-5 weeks (but of course the new job wanted it in a week). 

Secondly, I had to get a criminal record attested from Turkey. This is where the problems began. I called the UAE embassy here in Ankara and they told me that I could print out my criminal record from the online system, take it to the ministry of foreign affairs, and then bring it to the UAE embassy for attestation. So, I went to the Post Office (twice) to get my password and then my colleague helped me to navigate the site (in Turkish). I printed my record and headed to the ministry. When I arrived to the ministry, I went through all of the security, walked to the building, and took my place in line. Nearly an hour later, my number was called. The guy took the paper and threw it back at me while muttering something in Turkish. I told him I don't understand. I also gave him a piece of paper that a colleague had written for me in Turkish requesting attestation. He repeated whatever he said and when I didn't understand, he wrote something on the paper. When I tried to use my phone to call a friend for help with the language, he said no. At this point, I was getting upset. I repeatedly told him I didn't understand while he proceeded to push the next number. I refused to move, so he told me to sit down next to the window. When the next person came up to the window, he asked him to translate for me. The guy was from Sudan and he translated that I needed to go to the governor's office and then back here. So, I called a friend (and maybe cussed a bit) and then got directions to the governor's office. When I arrived at the governor's office, she also threw my papers back at me and did not speak English. I asked her if I could use my phone and she said yes. When I called a friend, he translated for me and we talked back and forth. She said that I needed to get the record printed at another office and that foreign governments do not accept the online version. When I told her what the UAE embassy had told me, she told me they don't know Turkish law. Apparently, either does the ministry of foreign affairs. 

By that point, it was time for me to go back to work after roaming around the city for three hours. Essentially, I had started with steps three and four of this five step process. So, I headed back to work and vowed to start anew in the morning. This time a friend met me in the city to help me with all of the paperwork. First, we picked up the criminal report, which was easy, but took some time. Then, we went to the notary down the street. My friend was translating for me and come to find out, the notary spoke English! That was the only place that spoke English in this whole process except the UAE embassy. After the notary, we got the necessary stamp in the city and then headed to the foreign ministry for step four. My friend was not allowed in, even though I argued, so I struggled to get it done.

Finally, I was able to go the UAE embassy here in Ankara with all of the required docs. Not an easy task, but it is done. Geez!

10 days to go!

As I sit here on my balcony for the umpteenth time, listening to another storm roll  in on this beautiful summer night in Ankara, I am thankful. I am thankful for this experience of working here at Bilkent. It has finally hit me that I am leaving, so I am in a mad rush to get in one more trip, meet one more friend, go to my office one more time. There have been a lot of things going on, so I thought I would try to catch you up.

sunset from my balcony 

view from my balcony 

I will be leaving Turkey on July 22 flying through Germany and the East Coast to head to St. Louis for about a month. After a month of visiting friends and resting a bit, I will head over to Dubai some time mid-August. My hope is that I will receive all of my household goods during the week before orientation, so that I can unpack and get settled. I do much better when I am settled and everything is in its place. So, here is what has been happening over the last few weeks.



Holiday Time
At the end of Ramadan, we had a long weekend, so my partner and I headed to Bodrum to spend the holiday with his family. Bodrum is stunning. It is on the coast of the Mediterranean with bright blue seas. This was my third time to Bodrum, but the first time staying in a summer home. A lot of the people here seem to have summer homes that they can enjoy during the warm months. We stayed with my partner's family, which of course, made me miss my niece and nephew even more. I can hardly wait to see them. The family would go to the beach in the morning and the pool in the late afternoon. This was really smart so that everybody didn't get too much sun, but was always moving and enjoying vacation. The drive was the worst part as we drove through mountains and well, Turkish drives don't always obey the road rules. There were many times when I closed my eyes and maybe overcorrected my partner a bit too much. I had a hard time containing my control freak nature, but I tried. It was a lot to do in just four days, but I am so thankful for the experience.

huge pool at Can's family's place

love the yachts

the beach was pebbly and the water rough

cotton candy on the beach!

Black Sea
I went on a day trip to the Black Sea, specifically Filyos with one of the tourism agencies here. The trips that the tour guide plans are always fun with many different activities. This one was just a day at the beach, resting and relaxing. I had never been to the Black Sea and it was on my list, so I was really glad that I could fit it in. The day was bright and sunny, but turned cloudy and started raining as we left. On the way out. we stopped by some ruins and took stunning pictures in lookout area just above the beach. I try to take in these moments and burn them into my memory for when I am sweating in the desert this fall. Turkey is honestly one of the most beautiful countries in the world. From the seas to the mountains to the amazing food, it is just spectacular.

panoramic 

The ruins are also amazing here. There are ruins everywhere and in this case, they were trying to create and exhibit of them, so a guard was there protecting them. It was just breathtaking.

Car is Gone!
I have been walking to work the past week or so since I sold my car. My walk to work is gorgeous with tree-lined paths and stunning scenery. It is about two miles to work, so if I walk to and from, I get about 10,000 steps. I have also been walking to the gym, so the steps add up! But I definitely miss my baby car. She was very good to me and tolerant as I learned to drive a stick shift.

walk from my office to library

Dr. Akagun

Laser Eye Surgery
I had corrective eye surgery in early June and boy, was it an experience. I have been wearing contacts/glasses since I was ten years old. I knew several of the expats here had laser surgery, so I asked the expat community and they referred me to Dr. Akagun. Now, my prescription is high, so I knew it would be miracle if I could actually see without contacts/glasses. But it worked!! The first few days really, really sucked. I slept for like 48 hours and I could not deal with the sunlight. But about day 3 or 4, I turned the corner. I could see so clearly. It is still very weird for me to get up and not have to put on my glasses or take out my contacts at night. I still have to use drops during the day and an ointment at night, but my eyes feel really great. Hopefully, the dryness will disappear soon. The doctor was very sweet and I would recommend her to anyone. It was a bit difficult with the language (other than the doctor) in the clinic, but overall, it was a good experience.

after 

before

getting ready 

yeah, I rocked those glasses