A year has come and gone and I find myself in a whole new country and a new setting. I now live in the UAE, Sharjah to be precise. I like it here, all the horror stories I had heard about living here turned out to be nonsense. Don't get me wrong, life here is a bit different than the U.S. or India. But once I got over the culture shock, it turned out to be very nice. Much safer for women than either the U.S. or India, basically no crime at all. There are people of nearly every race and religion all getting along, at least in public..

 I am still teaching English as a second language. Only now I am teaching at a nursery school in the mornings and do private tuition in the evenings. While both can be a challenge, I really enjoy it. Working with children is very rewarding and I find that I don't feel as lonely. I think that has to do with all the love that children give so easily. It is like having 150 grandchildren that I see nearly every day. I also get my share of adult company as well between the nursery staff and my private students.

I am also taking myself back to school thanks to the many brilliant MOOCs  (massive open online courses). I have a great time learning this way and have earned several certificates and diplomas in the past 16 months. I take everything from art, business, genetics, history, even a terrorism, counter terrorism course. My favorite sites are Alison.com, Coursera and Udmey. I preach the benefits of these sites to all my students and anyone else I can.

All in all, life is pretty good now. I live an a great part of Sharjah, near the Art Museum, Art Center and the Knowledge Village. I have a couple of awesome friends who include me in loads of activities and drag me away from the computer on a regular basis..What more could a Gal ask for..

                                               Westford School of Management

                  My first week as a "Soft Skills" and English language trainer at the Westford School of Management has been both challenging and rewarding.
                  My heartfelt thanks to all the staff here, without them it would not have went as well. To Annabelle Alex, manager, friend and master of her domain, she is a role model for both students and staff alike. Sanjiv Menon, our marketing guru. Both intelligent and funny, he makes everyone feel comfortable while inspiring them to give their best. To Soniya and Aswathy for "holding" my hand" in everything for bus and train travel to bridging the language barrier in class. To Elizabeth for her moral support, kindness and for being my shopping buddy. And last, but by no means least, my "trainees". What a wonderful, smart and fun bunch of people. Quick to question and quicker to smile, they are both my greatest challenge and my biggest reward.

                 Our goal at the Westford School of Management is to give our students the best possible education. But our focus is not only on the degree, we aim to create highly informed, innovative and polished profession ready individuals who will be an asset and have a positive impact on the companies, organizations and communities they join. The Westford method of teaching was designed by academicians, and industry professionals in conjunction with employers and other professional bodies to ensure that our students have all the tools they need to go directly from the classroom to the boardroom and be successful in todays business world.

16 days in India

Finally after six years of delays I chucked my U.S. life, packed my bags and boarded Air India. $300.00, no job and four bags of couldn't be left behind belongings. I had heard all the arguments against coming , poor 3rd world country, overcrowded and totally different. I couldn't wait to get here, call it a midlife crisis or clearing my bucket list, either way I did it.
.My first stop was New Delhi.  The sights, sounds and smell of food was nearly overwhelming, so was my first experience with Indian traffic. Kudos to the drivers here, how they master this is beyond Me. After a great meal, another new friend and a few hours sleep at the Hotel Delhi Aerocity I was on a plane to Coimbatore.
The people at home were correct on India being totally different. There is absolutely no comparison between Indian people and Americans. Here a total stranger will help you carry your bags, get you on the right train, show you how to us the ATM here and feed you as well.  Also, here older people are valued for their knowledge and experience and people have a genuine interest in getting to know you.
I also have to give thanks to Facebook, without it I would not have made the amount of talented and wonderful friends I am so blessed to have here. George Samuel and Sarath Sasikumar met me at the Coimbatore airport and took me to my first destination. Beautiful Kotagiri in the Nilgiris Mountains, home of my sister Lakshmi. What a place to stay while recovering from the trip and adjusting to Indian life, wonderful crisp air, busy shops and color everywhere. Wood smoke, morning mist, monkeys and the call to prayer started each day, My first week was more than I had hoped for.

Now I am in Kochi, Kerala State. What an extraordinary place, so diverse, busy and colorful that it takes a while to adjust. It is growing so fast it seems impossible, schools, new businesses and apartment building everywhere.  Here is where I will be for a while, working with the The Westford School of Management I will be teaching "soft skills" and helping students perfect their English language skills as well.  I am indeed in "Gods Country" now and one step closer to heaven itself.

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