Random updates

I spent all of my writing energy on my teaching philosophy statement that the university requested so they can hire me, so this post will be more to update everyone on the events of the week rather than an themed essay.

I did finally hear from the university.  The boss thought that HR had already contacted me and started the paperwork process, but they were busy with beginning of the year stuff.  So now we're in motion, and I have to provide them with some documents and then get the official pay rate offer.  Sounds like I could begin teaching next week at the earliest.  However, I still don't know what I'll be teaching or what time, so specifics are still up in the air.

Also, they're moving along with the villa.  It has been painted and some repairs have been made.  We had it painted turquoise, and we love how it turned out!  Now they have to finish up some things and clean it.  It's looking like Thursday or Friday of this week for our move-in date.  We're oh so ready.

Woody's half-way through his first official week of work with his night schedule (1 - 10 PM).  Griffin and I miss him in the evenings, but we're making it work.  And there may be potential for moving to days at some point in the future.

Tomorrow morning Woody and I are going to go to the beach before he has to go to work!  Griffin will be in school, and Woody doesn't work until 1, and I'm not working yet, so we're going to make the most of our time.  We're only 10 - 15 minutes away from a very nice beach.  I may not be able to run outside as often or as easily here as I did in Texas, but something Dubai has that Arlington doesn't have are beautiful beaches and wonderfully salty gulf water.  So I'm going to make it a point to go to the beach and play in the water as much as possible.  I'm hoping to eventually learn to paddleboard so I can get a regular workout in at the beach.

Griffin is settling in at school.  It's amazing how good the routine is for him.  He already seems more independent and confident.  Also, his writing and cutting interest and skills are improving exponentially.  He also already has a best friend that he talks about, Ewan.  Apparently he and Ewan fight over who gets to have red as their favorite color.  

Overall, we're doing great and are enjoying what Dubai has to offer.  The next phase will be about moving into our place and me starting work.  We're so busy that the time is flying by.  Crazy to think we're halfway through Sept already.