"Movin on Up Like The Jeffersons: My First International Flight"

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~ Marianne Williamson

The day had come for me to board my first international flight.  I was sick all the way up to boarding the plane. I had previously cleaned out my room and packed up all the things I couldn't bring with me right away and placed them neatly in the closet. I was only allowed 2 bags and up to 50 pounds each for the weight.  Carrying those bags to the car seemed like I was toting around two dead bodies; My mom was super nervous about me meeting the weight requirements., so I told her to bring trash bags just in case I needed to get rid of some things.

When I arrived to the airport, I located my terminal. I was told by my UAE recruiter that I needed to arrive 2-3 hours early to ensure everything goes smoothly with time. First of all, this was my 5th flight ever in life, so I was unaware that they even had an international side. And to my surprise, I was glad that the international side was less crowded and  less busy. Check-in was a breeze, once I rid myself of things hoarded in my luggage (I was paranoid about not meeting the weight requirement so I immediately took things out of the two duffel bags I had, which was totally unnecessary because they checked my things  without even weighing them; I got lucky I guess and I wish I hadn't even bothered because I am dying without my purses, shoes, cute jeans, hair products, and fragrances). 

Once I received my boarding passes ( I had 2 leg flight-one to Doha and a connecting flight to Dubai), it was time to say farewell to my mom, niece, and friend.  My aunt had called and prayed over me through the phone and my cousins called as well to wish me safe travels. I was prayed up, pumped up, and ready to roll. I took a couple of selfies with my family and they hit the road. It was just me. All alone. About to take a step forward into the future without looking back. 

I went through security and proceeded to search for something to eat (My stomach was feeling somewhat better but all I could stomach was a Sprite and saltine crackers). I reached the gate, plugged up my phone into the charger, and sat to create the most inspiring Facebook post thus far in my life. That inspirational post was suddenly erased as I decided to keep it short and sweet with pretty much letting my internet family know that I was headed over to Dubai (I think my sickness interfered with that moment lol). The outpour of shock and love was great and it made me that much more excited about what I was getting myself into. You see, many knew of my struggle with having my job rescinded and moving to Columbus to be closer to my family for awhile. So they were just as inspired by my perseverance as I was. 


I tried to take a quick nap, but there was no time. 6:00 pm had arrived and it was time to get on that plane. I looked up to see the crew walking in: the flight attendants looked dashing with their hair pulled back in buns, burgundy uniforms, and pearls around their neck...very sophisticated and professional looking. I felt I was in great hands.

The flight wasn't nearly as bad as I hyped myself up to be about. The passengers and I were fed dinner, snacks, and brunch and entertained with a variety of awesome movies that we could watch on our personal screens. We were also provided with a variety of items that would bring us comfort during the duration of this long flight: blanket, pillow, sleeping mask, toothpaste and toothbrush, ear plugs, and socks. I ate a little bit of the food, seeing as my stomach was still queasy, and got in a position to fall asleep; one that wouldn't leave me with a crook in my neck upon waking up.

Once I had made it to Doha,

the trip was pretty much over as the flight o Dubai only was about 30 minutes. I landed in Dubai and immediately felt like bursting out with Drake "We made it", but I opted for the Williams Brothers gospel hit "Still Here" with the lyrics of : "Through it all, I made it through another day's journey, God kept me here." I used the Marco Polo App to video chat my mom and friends and let them know that I had arrived, that I was safe, and that as soon as I could get to W-Fi again, I would let them know that I made it to my accommodations and all was well. I probably looked like a crazy woman attacked by bees as I swarm around the airport in excitement. The sight was a little bit overwhelming, but beautiful. There were many people about but everything seemed so glamorous and full of energy: very quick paced.

As I headed to baggage a claim, a man dressed in uniform holding a sign with my entire name was waiting for me. He escorted me to get my passport stamp only to disappear and reappear quickly with a beautiful bouquet of red roses. A smile as big as Texas came across my face. I had already felt thought of, appreciated, and welcomed. I was helped with my luggage and escorted to the transportation for the teacher accommodations. The 20 minute ride there was quiet yet scenic as I took notice of my surroundings; the cars and traffic, the sand, the extravagant hotels, etc. it had finally hit me at that moment that I was actually doing all of what I planned to do. I felt this was the start to a wonderful journey.  



" It's not goodbye, but see you later"

"It's time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I'd much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure. "  Ernie Harwell

I was sleeping in bed waking up to the day of THE most important Falcons game of the season. My nerves up to this point had truly gotten he best of me. I emailed the school secretary each week after my documents were sent in to get an update on where I stood for being approved with the Ministry of English in the UAE and still no word. I decided to stop stressing and pressing the issue and have faith that what was meant to be would be. Once I let go of my fears and worries  and let God handle the situation, it was then that I finally heard back from my new school about my approval. Something told me to check my email and sure enough when I did, I received word that things were a go and that they were ready to book my flight to the UAE. I sat there with my head on the pillow simply taking it all in with a smile. I felt God whisper in my ear "I told you not to worry". Everything was officially OFFICIAL.

I emailed the school secretary to inform her that I would be ready within one week; this gave me time tie up lose ends and say my final goodbyes .

My daughter's birthday was around the time I was due to depart, so this made it even harder for me. However, I am glad I was able to be with her on her birthday because it made it that much more special and memorable for both her and I. I definitely had some obstacles and unforeseen stress triggers throughout that day and this of course led to a trickling effect of negative vibes. I was battling a force of confusion and hostility as I wonder if I truly was making the right decision with going away and leaving her in the states. But I knew deep down that I was making the right and best choice for our lives and that the time we spent apart would be well worth it; the plan was to get myself together in all avenues of my life, so that I could give my daughter something that most people only dream about. It was time to get out of my own head and away from the negativity. 

I took one last selfie with my pookie poo, kissed and hugged her goodbye, and left my daughter in her granny's drive way. I was game for her seeing me off at the airport but she was unable to make it; looking back on it now, it was for the best because I probably would have been an emotional wreck.

That evening, I partied one last time with my friends; seems to be like a tradition now actually because when I left for Houston, we did the exact same thing. Man, what good times. My bestie cooked my favorite buffalo chicken dip, I brought the chicken wings, the girls brought the spirits, the boo brought the charm, and the laughter and conversation was the seasoning to a chilled but fun and memorable night. My family and friends truly keep me grounded. They inspire me just as much as I inspire them. It is good to keep a circle around you that motivates and encourages you while wanting to see each other win. I am a true believer that people cross your path for a reason be it for a season or a lifetime. I've gained and I've loss, but all the people in my life be it past or present helped to shape me into the woman that I am today. Saying goodbye is like declaring an ending; It definitely wasn't a goodbye to certain few, but in fact, a see you later...

 

"New School, New Hurdles-What I needed to go to private instead of public?"



These hurdles represent the stages I went through from turning in my documents, to waiting over an extended period of time, to finally getting the flight confirmation and heading out to the UAE.

Ok. So received my job offer to teach English and accepted it. Now, it was time to get down to business collecting the necessary documents to make everything official for visa purposes. Since I was going through the private sector, guidelines and expectations for documentation more than doubled. Instead of only needing my degree and certification attested, I had a number of items I had to send to Proex to get attested:

1) An experience letter showing at least 2 years of teaching (I got my previous employer to complete an employment verification letter)

2) My high school diploma and college degree

3) Transcripts from both the high school and university level

4) My police clearance (I had to go through FieldPrint online and make an appointment to get my fingers prints scanned and a background checked completed. I got my results back via email and pdf file the same day)

I also needed a copy of my passport, 2 letters of recommendation, a medical clearance (I got a generic physical from the doctor's office), a statement of my total years of experience both in the UAE and in the states, a completed MOE Self introductory form (this was emailed to me from the school), and at least 10 passport photos that I would need upon my arrival.

Having my Proex documents attested was a complete hold up: 1) I had to quickly come up with about $500 to get them done and 2) the turn around for receiving them was around 2 weeks. But I was able to get the funds and email everything to the ProEx coordinator; my wait time ended up being less than two weeks.  

During the wait of getting my documents back, it was time to finally break the news to close family and friends. I also used the opportunity to have fun in my city and spend quality time with loved ones while once again making arrangements for my daughter's schooling and living accommodations. I decided to withdrawal her from her school in Columbus  and have her start fresh in Conyers where she would be with her dad. Time was moving quickly as I had to make arrangements while dealing with other personal matters. I grew anxious in the process hoping that this go around, it wouldn't be a repeat disaster of an offer being rescinded. I had to put all of my trust in God and remain faithful.



"If at first you don't succeed, TRRRRRY TRY again!"

This post is to share my story specifically to those who didn't get the answers they were looking for right away: when doors were closed and you had to continue to praise Him in the hallway while you waited your turn.

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time" Thomas Edison

I had a sudden medical situation with someone I care deeply about that I decided to give my undivided attention to. This meant finding a way to be released from my contract so that I could focus without added stress or pressure. It was a tough decision to make, but my mind and heart was just not focused on teaching at that particular moment. I was very appreciative however for being able to work with a great staff and  administration; although the work environment presented itself with challenging situations, the relationships I had built with other teachers and students, at the end of it all, seemed to be worth it. During my short time in Columbus, I was also in a position to catch up on all the time I had missed with family and friends while being away in Houston. However, I was still feeling like something was missing. I was feeling as if I was not living out my true purpose and full potential. It was during this time that I decided to not fully give up on my old opportunity. I used this sudden "release" to  pursue teaching overseas again.

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Confucius

I had signed up with a new recruiting agency (Edvectus) by completing an online profile and uploading all of my documents using their portal and was quickly contacted by a new recruiter.  It seemed as if I was interviewing  a lot with the intent of someone finally giving me a shot; my patience was wearing thin and my emotions were in overdrive, until one day, my recruiter strongly suggested looking into other countries besides the UAE. I was very skeptical about it at first but decided to go for it anyways, which led me to interview with a couple of schools in China. I felt as if all the interviews I had completed (even through some of the technical difficulties with Skype) were conducted very well: I was very professional, was confident in my answers, and was extremely hopeful for an offer. But once again nothing was panning out. I was really concerned and felt the no call backs were due to my lack of consistency with being at one school, but I was determined to stay focused while knowing that 1) some things are just out of your control in life and 2) if one door closes, another one would open and right on time.

 

I had a conversation with my recruiter about why no one was choosing me and question myself. She replied:

 



"Yes I understand your frustration. Myself and my colleagues are equally baffled by this. I don’t know what the reasons are  at the moment but I hope to find out. In any case, during our Skype chat, I really did not see anything you presented which seemed problematic. It is possible that they are going with more experience as positions in the UAE are very competitive.

 

I am hoping for good news at least from one of the schools.

 

 

Best wishes"

 

After this conversation, I was in preparation for what would be my last interview that would be conducted via telephone. It was around 5 AM in the states, which means it was around 2 PM UAE time. I remember stepping outside of my apartment in the cold brisk air, saying a little prayer of encouragement to myself to pump me up, and inhaling and exhaling one time deeply. Then, the phone rang right on schedule.

During this interview, I was asked specifically about the following:
1) Why is it important to revise and edit yearly and daily plans?
2) How do I plan to utilize technology in which the students are using it as a tool for learning?
3) How do I handle discipline concerns?
4) How well do I work with others?
5) Am I flexible?
6) How well do I adjust and adapt to new situations and circumstances? Does being in a new country for the first time pose a threat to my environment?
I also was asked specifically about my situation in regards to starting a new school each school year. I had to explain that one, I worked in the same district while teaching in Houston, just at different schools based on need, and two, I had to immediately find work my third year teaching once I was informed that my job offer was rescinded.
The principal was impressed by my answers and offered me the job without thinking twice. Since it was a telephone interview, I was able to express my enthusiasm with body motion rather than vocally. I jumped up and down in the parking lot of my apartment complex and ran around like I was told that I had just won 1 million dollars tax free all in silence, then, quickly pulled myself together to accept the job offer.  I remember immediately texting my friend who was in China and letting her know the good news before anyone seeing as she had been through this process with me since I decided to get back at it with the overseas job hunt. I received my official letter of offer via email and was given specific directions on how to respond from my recruiter. The process had begun once again.

"You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space." Johnny Cash
 

This was a VERY special yet overwhelming moment in my life. I just remember crying tears of joy and thanksgiving.  I was so filled with gratitude and praise. I was emotional at the thought of simply deciding to take it upon myself to go to God with what I wanted and work with Him to make it happen; it was a very proud moment of achievement. The entire situation with making life altering plans and things not panning out the way you expect them to but staying in the fight by overcoming the setbacks and detours really proved to me that I could have anything I set my mind; that if I TRUST in His will for my life, and stay positive no mater what comes my way, that all will work out eventually.  The seed had been planted and now the beautiful flower was beginning to grow. Getting this job offer truly marked the beginning of a new and improved Erica; one who was more humble and focused on positive energy. I felt purposeful again. I felt like my destiny was  reemerging and life as I knew it was about to take a topsy turvy turn for an even brighter and promising future.  

 



"Diaster turned Deliverance: What happens when your offer is rescinded?'

They say if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. I had finally decided to accept all of the responsibilities that came along with starting this new position overseas soon:

1) Turn in documents for authentication:
I had to complete a ProEx Authentication Request Form, scan my diploma and teaching license in pdf format, and email everything to the ProEx coordinator for process. Payment could be made via money order sent through the mail, however, I decided to utilize their PayPal account through the coordinator's email address.. These were fees for 2 documents:
-DC Notarization and authentication fees $84.00
-U.S. Department of State fee of $16.00
-Embassy of UAE fee of $90.00
-ProEx Delivery Corporation service fee of $125.00
-FedEx return shipping fee $25.00 (continental USA only).
The turnaround time was approximately 2 weeks.

2) Make arrangements with my apartment complex to move out before my lease was up in November

3) Donate items that I could not take with me while packing up items that I could

4) Finish out my teaching contract in Houston and donate a majority of my teaching materials to the school

5) Make arrangements for where my car would be located (I no longer had to worry about my car because Houston had a terrible storm that caused major flooding to my vehicle which was eventually totaled out through insurance)

6) Make arrangements for my daughter's schooling and living accommodations (I had decided that although her father and I were not together, the best place to be during my absence was with him back home in Atlanta; this way not only was she getting to spend time with him until her departure, but other family members on both sides of her could visit with her and spend time as well).

Once the school year was over, I had decided that my remaining days of waiting for that email with my visa and flight information would be spent back home in Atlanta with family and friends. I moved in with my sister to save money until departure while making sure to enjoy myself in my city: eating all of my favorite foods, hanging out at all of my favorite spots, and spending time with all of my favorite people; this of course included. I was having the summer of my life.....

          

 

.....until that devastating day in June (right before my birthday) when I came across a Facebook post in my ADEC Hopefuls group.

On June 12, 2016, a young lady posted that her job offer with ADEC was rescinded and that she heard more jobs would be cut. I had never even heard of the word "rescinded". This of course made everyone nervous  for a variety of different reasons. I remember simply praying that my name wasn't in the bunch and emailing my recruiter to see exactly what was going on. She responded stating that the rumors were in fact true, but she didn't know who was on the chopping block because to her knowledge, everything was random, but she would let me know something as soon as she found out anything. My heart raced and I felt an anxiety attack occurring. So many thoughts ran through my mind but it all was silenced with a plea to God.  By the end of the day, I received an email. My head pounded and my heart was beating so hard, one could probably see my shirt move as I went to press inbox. I clicked on my recruiter's name, and sure enough, my name was on the chopping block. So many emotions lead to so many tears. I remember feeling sad, angry, and confused but most of all SCARED. I was scared of what was to happen next. Remember I had given up everything for this opportunity in hopes that in July, August, or September, I would be on a plane headed to another country for the first time. Now all of a sudden, I was left without employment, car, a place to live, and money. I had a daughter to consider, so what was my next option?

I hit the internet pavement running. I was determined to turn this situation around. If I was unable to work for this organization, I would find one that I could work for is what I thought as I researched different avenues. This was not to be a forever setback. I pulled myself together quickly and began working with my recruiter to line up something else. While my recruiter worked with some of her connections to see if other schools were hiring,  I completed more applications on my own directly with schools, signed up for other recruiting agencies, and waited patiently for something to pull through. But nothing pulled through. And I was heartbroken. This investment I made and risk I took had both become apart of me, like carrying a child. August was approaching soon; it was time to do some serious soul searching about what was to come for this school year.

Long story short, I had ended up moving to Columbus, Georgia and teaching 6th grade reading and writing. It took me a while to come to grips with what had just happened with me losing my job before it even started and having to start all over again unexpectedly at a new school in the states. I took it as a sign from God that it just wasn't my time. But little did  I know, what He really had in store.

"So What Now?......Get Your WAIT on!"

Everything was officially turned in to my recruiter. My last black history month stamp that was stored away in my wallet was placed on the last envelope I had tucked away in my desk drawer and both had been eagerly mailed during an unanticipated extended lunch to the local post office. The last PDF scans of the last much waited documents had been uploaded and emailed. I had about 3 months to close out my Houston, Texas chapter of teaching and living: I had a brand new car, lease on an apartment, teaching contract to complete, and things needed to be either cleaned out, tossed out, or figured out how in fact they would get back home to Georgia where I decided to reside until getting my "Golden Ticket" to the UAE (hopefully by the end of summer).

You see, ADEC brings over new recruits in groups (Groups 1, 2, 3, etc). Each group leaves during different time periods (usually monthly) one after another starting in July. And you don't know which group you are apart of or when you you will get the infamous email with your clearance and plane ticket. So, it truly is a waiting game. So while you wait, it is important to be productive and PRAYERFUL. 

Some things to consider months before your departure....(While you Wait)
Preparing To Go Checklist

Packing List

Also, the Footprints website has a list you can check out for essentials. 

As I look back on this particular situation, I can't help but to be in awe of what God had brought me through and to. I had came to Houston with two duffel bags, a dollar, and a dream and was leaving Houston in my sister's SUV that was packed from side to side and front to back with possessions I had accumulated  over the past two years (I'm obsessed with thrifting, shopping, and decorating). She had previously taken a load for me during a visit prior to this haul. I was truly grateful for my support system.