Working

In most Arab countries, the weekend is Friday and Saturday which means that Sunday is the beginning of the work week. I was told last Sunday when I came in to sign some paperwork that I should get everything sorted as far as buying furniture, getting a phone and getting settled last week. This week, I needed to be here at Abu Dhabi Men's College Sunday morning to start work. I wasn't really given a time, but I figured that it was in the morning and that 8:00 sounded good.

When I was originally making plans to move out here, I figured that it's hot so I bought a bunch of short-sleeved shirts. I hate wearing short-sleeved shirts with ties. I then learned that it's a bit more of a formal atmosphere and most people wear long-sleeved shirts, often with a suit. I only brought one pair of slacks, one short-sleeved shirt and one tie, enough to get me to work and pick up my package shipped air-mail with all my work clothes and stupid short-sleeved shirts. The package hasn't arrived so I'll have to buy some new clothes. All of the long-sleeved ones are coming surface mail and will be here in a few months. ("Oh I won't need those until it's cooler") Right now I'm wearing a suit that I had the sense to bring in my luggage. I'll have to go shopping tonight.

After being dropped off at work by my friend and neighbor Gary, I wandered in and found the workstation that I had been shown last week. I introduced myself to those around me and searched out the people I imagine that I should be reporting to. One of the women sitting at a desk in front of an important-looking office gave me an envelope filled with office supplies and asked me to sign for them. After being introduced to people who I'll be having meetings with, I was told that that the schedules will be out in the next few days but until then, there's nothing I can really do. I'm enjoying the internet access but to be honest, I'm not exactly sure what I should be doing that's work-related. I feel like I need to be here and don't think that it would be a good idea to leave. Time to go get some coffee or something.