Packing Up My Life

The time has truly arrived and I am down to my final night before my adventure begins. I must admit I've gotten more and more anxious over the past few days (and a bit emotional). Once again I added to my suitcases, took things out, reorganized and then did it all over again. Paul John has been helping me try to sell my car and it looks like the deal is going to close this week, right after I leave! Happy hour with friends on Friday was a blast and I have to say I'm truly blessed to have such an amazing family and friends. Thank you to everyone for showering me with love and kindness, I promise I will be back, but your making saying goodbye much harder :(

I've already said my "see you later" to my mom who I dropped off at the airport for a business trip this morning and Gracie who I dropped off at my grandma's. I had a rough day, saying "see you later" was was not fun at all and I miss them already. I'm kinda dreading...okay completely dreading, saying the rest of my goodbyes tomorrow. If all goes according to plan, I should arrive in Okinawa on Wednesday, August 19th at 10:30am ( Tuesday, August 18th at 6:30pm in the States). It will most likely take a week or so to get my internet hooked up in my apartment, in the meantime I'll try to use the internet on campus to give you an update on my arrival. Once I get internet I'll be on my way to skyping you all regularly, maybe crying, maybe bragging about how much I'm loving it, maybe a little of both. My first visitor will be arriving on October 5th which I'm already very excited about! Deep breath....here I go, wish me luck, see you in Japan!

Why Did I Decide to Teach Abroad??

What made me decide to teach abroad? I've been asked this question innumerable times over the past few months, weeks and days. The job market in education hasn't exactly been welcoming of us newly credentialed teachers; I love traveling and what better time to teach aboard then now? Things fell into place quite nicely for me with a particular foreign teaching company and I didn't need to look any further. An American, Christian school, with instruction in English and teaching students about God while living in Japan and exploring a new culture and country across the world...what more could I ask for? I'm excited to be able to share my faith with students and challenge myself by stepping outside of my comfort zone. So, to answer your question: there are no teaching jobs here, I am sans a husband/kids and love to travel. After all is said and done, I have faith that this is where I am meant to be right now.

This week has been filled with countless trips to the mall, packing, unpacking, repacking, being frustrated, crying, laughing and most importantly, spending quality time with my family and friends. My cell phone officially was shutoff on Wednesday...it's only been two days and I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel lost without it! That change has definitely made the reality of leaving set in. This week my family had a small gathering for me, in celebration of my impending departure. It was nice to visit with everyone...not so nice to say "see you soon" to people I will miss tremendously. On the upside, I weighed my suitcases and am good to go as far as how much they weigh...I even got to add some items to them (25 pairs of shoes should be enough, right?). Tomorrow, Mom, Lindsay and I are going to try to do a spa day with facials and massages. Then tomorrow night I'll join a few friends for one last happy hour before take off. PJ set up my web cam and we practiced talking on Skype. With the weekend ahead of me and just four short nights left here, I'm ready to relax and enjoy quality moments with those I love most. I'm getting more and more emotional as the days pass, please keep me in your prayers as my final day approaches!

The Countdown Begins!!

So, here is the promised blog I've been vocalizing about over the past few months. I hope you can all follow along as I begin this intriguing, unknown journey over the next 10 months. I will update this blog weekly in the hope to give you insight to my daily life in Okinawa. You can leave me comments if you'd like (and some days I will probably need them! :)
With 10 nights left in the States, the countdown has begun. I will board China Air on Tuesday, August 18th at 1:15 am...yikes! =) I start training on Monday 8/24, school will begin on 8/31.
I began packing my room this past week and am relieved to be very close to finished! Space bags have been my savior in packing, I was able to pack a great deal more than expected. The jumbo space bag fit my comforter, sheets, pillow, memory foam mattress, mattress pad, two sets of towels (I never imagined that would be possible!) and it only takes up the bottom 6 inches of my suitcase. Now I just have to weigh my suitcases and see what adjusting is needed (fingers crossed). My Visa will be ready at the Japanese Consulate in L.A. on Monday and I received my international driver's license. I've met my roommate (who will be the music teacher ) and she is great. Things are falling into place and I am getting more and more excited but a little nervous as the final day draws near. I'm dreading saying my goodbyes but I know it will only be "goodbye for now."