It's all in the details!

I knew there would be lots to do before I leave but I didn't realize all of those little things that need to be done before moving out of the country.  The apartment is pretty easy; my brother is moving into a new place so he's basically taking all of my furniture, kitchen items and anything he needs.  My daughters have received (and will be receiving) many items.  They are set for life.  My daughter Ally will be using my car and I will donate the one she has been using to NPR.  It's just in the little details.

What things am I keeping and storing? Not much, maybe 6-8 boxes, but I still have to go through everything.  What goes on Craigslist and what goes into a yard sale? What can I donate? I have to cancel cable, electric, etc. like any move but it's a bit more complicated when you are moving to another country.  I have to cancel my phone but my daughter is on my plan.  She has to be set up.  I can't insure my car under my name because I won't be here but it's my car so I have to put my daughter's name on the registration and the insurance.  Lots and lots of little details.

This week.....crunch time!  Stand back everyone....I'm on a mission!

I am NOT moving to Taiwan to find a man.

This may be hard to believe but I am not moving to Taiwan to find a man.  I know people mean well and think that my life must be "less than" because I am not married or in a relationship right now, but I am not moving half way around the world because I need a date.

Going to live and teach in Kaohsiung is the most selfish thing I've ever done in my life.  I'm not doing this to please anyone but myself.  My fabulous daughters live here.  I'm moving away from an incredible family and an incredible assortment of friends.  I'm not doing this because I'm lonely, or unhappy or feel "incomplete". I'm doing this for me.

First, I have always wanted to live in another country where I am in the minority.  What an adventure - to learn a new language, eat different foods, see different sights and truly learn a new culture.  I will embrace each and every new experience.  It's so easy to get comfortable in our lives and stay home.  I want to learn new things and change my life and way of thinking.

Second, I'm feeling a bit disillusioned with how teachers are thought of and treated in this country.  I am not public enemy #1 and I don't get paid too much for what I do.  Seriously, I'd love for anyone to spend a week in a classroom of 23 students, teaching every subject all day while meeting all of the needs and learning styles of each and every student.  This is without and aide in the classroom, without money for materials and with all of those outside expectations and pressures from organizations and politicians that think they know what and how to teach.  Don't get me started!

Finally, and most importantly, I am happy.  For some people it's hard to believe that a person can be single AND happy but I truly have an amazing life, amazing people to share it with and an amazing opportunity ahead.  That doesn't mean I don't get lonely every now and then but I'm not moving 13 time zones away because I'm lonely.  I am one of those people that embraces change and I love a challenge.  I'll be teaching a new grade, in a different country and on my own.  That's pretty freakin' awesome!

I am so blessed and lucky that I get to do this.  My heart and mind are open to all of the possibilities that will be part of living in Taiwan, maybe even meeting someone, but that is not why I'm doing this.     This is ALL for me and I couldn't be more thrilled!

Last Day

Today is my last day at Longfellow Elementary, where I've been working for 1/4 of my life.  I have been so blessed and Longfellow has been one of those places that has enriched me both professionally and personally.  My time here has led me to my next chapter, teaching in Taiwan.

I have been asked if I'm sad to leave.  That's a tough question because I feel so strongly that going to Kaohsiung is the perfect thing for me.  So, to answer I'll say I'm sad to leave such amazing people behind.  I have worked with some incredible people and love my team (Megan and Haley).  I hope we keep in touch.  But I'm not sad to leave Longfellow because it's time.  Time for a new challenge...time for a new adventure!

Goodbye dear Longfellow and thank you dear friends and colleagues.  It has been a privilege.

再见

Kaohsiung - More info!

I've been reading a lot about Taiwan and Kaohsiung, although now I have much more time to focus on learning more.  I leave in just over 4 weeks!  Yikes! 

10 reasons to love Kaohsiung  According to CNN Travel

Here is a website you may like that tells you a bit more about Kaohsiung and why it's a great place to visit.  http://travel.cnn.com/10-reason-kaohsiung-most-unbelievable-city-taiwan-255866

A couple of the 10 reasons make me laugh....you'll see.

Facts About Taiwan

Another interesting website gives some great facts and info about Taiwan.  http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/facts-about-taiwan-10339.html  

Yes, I admit it, I'm a geek and love all of these facts and history.

Check them out and let me know what you think.

37 Days!!

I realized, just now, that I'm leaving for Kaohsiung in 37 days. Holy Mother of Pearl! I have loads to do before I leave.

How did this all happen?

As my time to depart gets closer, I've been asked how my heading to Taiwan came about. Well, here's my tale. First, let me begin by saying that responsibility weighs heavy on me. That doesn't mean I dislike being responsible and don't value the duties and responsibilities I take on. It means that I take responsibility seriously. When my dad passed away this fall, I realized that I wasn't a daughter anymore. I also am not a wife and am not in a relationship. My daughters are 22 and 25, so the responsibility of mothering, although always present and amazing, isn't as demanding and time consuming as it used to be. I felt untethered for the first time in my life. I felt like I had only myself to answer to.

That's powerful!

So, I found out my present principal had decided to go to Taiwan and I let her know that I needed a reference because I had decided to teach abroad somewhere. She put me in touch with the superintendent in Kaohsiung and we starred to email back and forth. Come to find out, he is from Maine and was coming to visit his family at Christmas. We met and I knew immediately that this was the right fit and place for me. I've always trusted my gut and it was telling me...HELL YES!

I took the contract home, read it and signed. I haven't had a second of doubt, even though I'll miss so many people, especially my daughters. Since I made my decision, I have met so many people from Taiwan and have had so many coincidences that support my decision.  It just feels like I'm meant to do this.

So, that's my story. I hope you follow me on my adventures.

Crunch Time!!

 

My apologies in advance for the little rant and rave I'm about to have.  Here goes.....Things would be so much easier if people didn't keep adding things to my already full To Do List.  Any teacher knows that the end of the school year doesn't "wind down", it "revs up" until the last day and then we have those pesky things like portfolios, report cards, cleaning out the classroom, etc. before we are finally done for the summer.  I still have a unit of math to finish teaching before I give the benchmark test AND the end-of-the-year test.  I still have a science test to give and correct.  Only 8 days of school left and I'm feeling the time crunch.  I feel like my head is spinning already and then I'm handed yet another thing to take care of.  Sheesh!

On top of that, I'm moving to Taiwan people!  We are talking about my leaving this half of the hemisphere in exactly 45 days!  45 DAYS!  Although my things are on a slow boat to China, literally, I still have lots to do before I board that plane.  I'm moving out of an apartment, I'm packing my things, I'm selling things, helping my brother move into his own place, putting a few things in storage....you get the picture.  I also have a daughter who is getting married and a bridal shower to host this Saturday.  I'm on To Do List overdrive!

Okay, rant over.  All that being said, I'm looking forward to school being done on the 20th so I can focus on looking at what I'll be teaching in Taiwan, learning some Mandarin and spending time with the people I love most before I leave.  I will miss my students, can't help getting attached, but I'm ready for that To Do List to get much shorter.

Deep breath.....and another one.......okay.  I can do this!

 

And......they're off!

This is it!  These are the boxes being shipped to Kaohsiung.  Before they packed everything with a year's worth of paper and cushioning to protect things, there were 3 small boxes, 4 medium and some clothes.  After packing, they had 11 boxes.  Come on!  Admit it....you're impressed. 

They put these boxes in a shipping container, then they will put a bunch of stuff around the boxes to prevent things from sliding around and falling over, load it on a cargo ship and off the container goes on a sea voyage.

You can see how little space my boxes took up in the shipping container.  Seems amazing to me that this is my life in boxes.  To get some perspective, here is one of the moving guys in the box. 

There are only 2 boxes of clothes in there and that includes coats, cooler weather items and bulky things.  There is also one box of shoes and boots since, in Taiwan, I'm considered a BIG girl.  Good luck finding size 10 shoes over there!  I had to be prepared.

So, off my little boxes go to meet me in Taiwan when I get there. 

一路順風 [一路顺风] (yī lù shùn fēng)  That's Bon Voyage in Mandarin.

Wednesday is "D" Day

All packed up, inventory list complete, boxes are ready and extra items purchased for my packing day on Wednesday.  All totaled I will be shipping 3 small boxes, 5 medium boxes and that pesky microscope.  That's it!  I plan on storing one box of winter clothes I won't need in Taiwan, some artwork and a couple of boxes of memorabilia.  That's it.  I found myself packing a box, walking away for a few hours or a day or so, going back and taking half of it out.  It's amazing what little we really need - we are burdened with possessions.  This is actually a very freeing process; or at least that's what I'm telling myself to alleviate some stress.

Here are two sites I'd love for you to check out, if you are at all interested.  First, the school I will be teaching at is Kaohsiung American School.  The website is kas.tw.  A new, state-of-the-art school is being built right now and is going to be ready by April.  I am so excited to see it all and to be part of a K-12 school.

As of today, I will have much more time to focus on learning Mandarin, looking at the curriculum I'll be teaching and learning more about Kaohsiung.  I am fascinated by a place that is such a blend of ancient tradition and modern living.  A great site that has much information about Kaohsiung is:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/taiwan/southern-taiwan/kaohsiung-city#ixzz2vpMi00XF