From sea to shining sea

After work yesterday, we were able to pull of the road and walk in the sand and look at the Red Sea.  The sand is not as white as Florida - at least the section where we were - but I can't wait to go swimming in the Red Sea.  I have uploaded pictures of the Red Sea:

This is actually the inlet, not the open sea, so the sand and water was kind of dirty.

Elena, me, and Tracy - all Grade 1 teachers!

The only mosque in the country that is right on the Red Sea (this is the open sea, not the inlet).

And for you teachers reading....an empty classroom at the new school building.  All of the classrooms are the same size and layout, so this will give you and idea of what mine looks like.  They are still moving in furniture and supplies, so I won't have it decorated or anything until next week or the week after.  Today, we marked on the walls where we wanted our 9 (yes, 9) bulletin boards.  You can't even see the entire classroom in this photo.  I will definitely post pictures of mine once it is done.
On that note, the government has pushed the school's start date to October 17th due to the swine flu, so we get almost another month to prepare.  Hopefully, I won't get too bored.  I'm kind of glad we have this extra time so I can learn the BC curriculum.  A lot of the teachers are at least somewhat familiar with it since they are Canadian, so I need to brush up on all of the learning outcomes (what we in Florida would call "Sunshine State Standards").
Ramadan is almost over, so we will finally be able to get into a "normal" schedule next week - after Eid. Apparently, there are many sales during Eid - sort of like Black Friday - so we may check those out in the next couple of days.

Things to ask our Father for:
* One of the believing teachers I had been in contact is not able to come, and I am still waiting on the other one to arrive.  Ask for fellowship of other believers, because right now I just have Eric's sermons to listen to by myself.
*Ask that I will be well-prepared (especially with this month of planning time) to teach a class of 24 Grade 1 boys (yes, all boys).
*Ask for the Spirit to work in all those I come into contact with, whatever their nationality.  Ask Him especially for sweet relationships with the Arabic teachers at the school...that we will learn from each other and that the Good News will be evident through my words and actions.
*Ask Him for rejuvenation, as we are still trying to get used to Saudi time.  Ask also for rich fellowship between all of the teachers - that we won't get tired of each other, or get on each other's nerves.
*Praise Him for providing an amazing principal, assistant principal, and friendly teachers to fellowship with and learn from.
*Praise Him for providing the "little things" like familiar foods and comforts of home.

P.S. Something interesting that happened today was when some of the teachers got locked in a supermarket during prayers.  Stores close for prayers 5 times a day, even if you are still in them!  One teacher was in the middle of checking out when they got locked in.  The rest of us waited 30 minutes (or maybe a little less) for the doors to be opened.  We will have to get better about timing our shopping trips.