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I don't have to work for the next 14 days, YEAH!!! I wrapped up everything with my job and now I must finish cleaning the house and move out! My parents arrive in two days so we can head first to KY to see my grandma, then to AL to drop off my stuff at my parent's house and finally to Guatemala. I am soo excited and can not wait to get there!
I will be living in a house with three other people (all of us teachers), we have all meals provided for beside Sundays, not to mention free internet and cable at the house. I have free Spanish lessons every month for two weeks, and I get paid on top of all of this!! I am not looking to save much money, that is not what this adventure is about...but it will be nice to have some cash on the side. This was a great deal that I just couldn't pass up...and now in 14 days I will be living there!! Did I mention that I only work from 2-6pm?? 4 hours...that is it!! This is going to be the best adventure! The only downfall is that I must leave the country every 90 days, but who cares - another reason to travel to Belize or Mexico or home!
I will probably be away from the computer for some time since I will be traveling with my folks. I will update when I arrive in Guate!!! And I will post some pictures.
Thanks for reading!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
A Little Insight
Reality had finally hit me on Thursday night while I was out for some wings with my coworkers. After saying goodbye to my boss (that was very difficult), I realized how soon it was until I would be gone from this place. I just want to say what an amazing women she is, and how much I have appreciated her soo much - words would not do her justice right now! I hope everyone in their lives experiences what it is like to work with someone so great! ...
One by one people started leaving, and I was left with my two former program assistants...I am not very good at goodbyes, I actually like to avoid the topic. But since I have been trying to stay in the present and think about everything that I am going through - it was hard to sit still with them. I can remember wondering what this day would be like, what it would feel like, and I just can't believe that I am here now. It was always so far away, something that I wasn't able to touch, to really know. And now that I am here with just a few more days left, I can tell you that it is an uncomfortable feeling to have.
I left the restaurant with my girls and made my final goodbyes and best wishes to them and headed home for some alone time. I needed to be by myself, and just think. The next day would be my last at Maryland, my last day with the people that I have grown to love and to know. I really hate goodbyes!
Friday was a great day, and fantastic way to end my job! I am so thankful for this experience...I learned a lot about myself and now I am ready to begin my journey!
My parents arrive in 3 days to pack me up and head to their home. I fly out on the 25th...13 days from now! I begin my job on the 28th..........WOW!!!
I still don't know how I am going to teach yet. I have material, but I don't have any information regarding age, level, or how many I will have at one time. This is a little crazy. I plan to just roll with what I have for now!
Packing and cleaning with consume my weekend! Here's to sleeping in!!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
My List
Things to do before I leave!!
1) Finish work in 3 days!
2) Pack
3) Clean the house
4) Take my bike apart
5) Get shots
6) Figure out how the hell I am going to teach (thanks to MB I have found a lot of helpful worksheets)...but still
7) Buy very important items (ha - any reason for shopping)
8) Go dancing (salsa - with some friends)
9) Figure out how to download books to my kindle!!!
10) See my Grandma
11) Download music to my Ipod
Yeah for 16 days left!!
1) Finish work in 3 days!
2) Pack
3) Clean the house
4) Take my bike apart
5) Get shots
6) Figure out how the hell I am going to teach (thanks to MB I have found a lot of helpful worksheets)...but still
7) Buy very important items (ha - any reason for shopping)
8) Go dancing (salsa - with some friends)
9) Figure out how to download books to my kindle!!!
10) See my Grandma
11) Download music to my Ipod
Yeah for 16 days left!!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
One More Weekend
"One more weekend left." As these four words were uttered to me this evening, an urge of panic ran through my veins. I am trying to stay in the present moment - to remember what I am feeling, to sit with these thoughts, and to enjoy every moment I have with my roommates, coworkers and friends...I mean, how many times am I going to go through this process of moving to Guatemala?? ...I want to enjoy these moments. Truthfully I have been struggling with these feelings for the past several weeks though. I never thought of myself as an anxious person, but the closer and closer I get to my leaving date, the less I can breathe. This is a really exciting time for me...but I am ready to just be there. I am enjoying spending time with my friends, but this feeling of heart-pounding nervousness has to end!
I need to remember that I will be there soon enough...I don't want to regret not enjoying the time that I have with the people I care about. I feel that I am being selfish and I hate that I am acting this way.
On another note, I am ready for my parents to be here!! :) I can't wait to hang out with them and show them more of D.C.. Oh how I am going to miss the train system .... as well as grilling in the backyard, shopping at Marshals, and watching crap tv. :) The things we do to entertain ourselves!
p.s. What the heck am I suppose to teach the students? And how.....hmmm...I have been putting this question off. But since I will be teaching in like, ummm....22 days, maybe I should start thinking about this.
I need to remember that I will be there soon enough...I don't want to regret not enjoying the time that I have with the people I care about. I feel that I am being selfish and I hate that I am acting this way.
On another note, I am ready for my parents to be here!! :) I can't wait to hang out with them and show them more of D.C.. Oh how I am going to miss the train system .... as well as grilling in the backyard, shopping at Marshals, and watching crap tv. :) The things we do to entertain ourselves!
p.s. What the heck am I suppose to teach the students? And how.....hmmm...I have been putting this question off. But since I will be teaching in like, ummm....22 days, maybe I should start thinking about this.
Friday, June 4, 2010
The Best of Good Byes
Yesterday was a really great day at work! I arrived to my job, began working on my last project and later went to lunch with some of my coworkers. It was very fun and a great group of people to be around. They surprised me with a going away gift!! I was very surprised and excited to see that I had a tie dyed shirt among other items - p.s. I love wearing tie dyed shirts right now! :)
We headed back to work, I had my exit interview, and then went back to wrapping up my project. My boss came to me and told me we had a meeting with another coworker, which I was clueless about and started to become a little worried. I am usually pretty diligent about this kind of information, so I was thrown off. We walked downstairs to go meet him, and on the way passed him - I didn't think anything about it...so, so naive.
I ran into one of my student employees on the way to the outdoor center and talked with her about work, not realizing that she was not actually going to work, but to a surprise that I was going to end up at myself. My boss decided it was time to go outside and check on something and took my to a pavilion where all of my student staff and coworkers were waiting on me. I still didn't even understand at this point what was going on (in part because I didn't have my contacts in so I couldn't see their faces). I was so confused on why my boss was taking me outside to this group of people??
When I got close enough to realize what was going on, I saw they had set up a little party for me! I was again, so excited! There was cake...and a pinata!!!! Of course I got spun around and swung the bat, missing the pinata three times - making myself look like a fool - but it was all in good fun. Look for it on facebook soon! I did break the darn thing on one hit when I finally gave up and realized they were playing a trick on me. They had the thing set up by a pulley system, and would raise it high when I was about to swing! Yeah, real funny! ha
Overall though, it was a fantastic day!!
I am sad to leave, only 5 more days of work...but then I think about where I am moving to, and I can't wait!
I will miss everyone at work - it has been a good run. I learned a lot, experienced a lot in DC, and will always remember this place!
We headed back to work, I had my exit interview, and then went back to wrapping up my project. My boss came to me and told me we had a meeting with another coworker, which I was clueless about and started to become a little worried. I am usually pretty diligent about this kind of information, so I was thrown off. We walked downstairs to go meet him, and on the way passed him - I didn't think anything about it...so, so naive.
I ran into one of my student employees on the way to the outdoor center and talked with her about work, not realizing that she was not actually going to work, but to a surprise that I was going to end up at myself. My boss decided it was time to go outside and check on something and took my to a pavilion where all of my student staff and coworkers were waiting on me. I still didn't even understand at this point what was going on (in part because I didn't have my contacts in so I couldn't see their faces). I was so confused on why my boss was taking me outside to this group of people??
When I got close enough to realize what was going on, I saw they had set up a little party for me! I was again, so excited! There was cake...and a pinata!!!! Of course I got spun around and swung the bat, missing the pinata three times - making myself look like a fool - but it was all in good fun. Look for it on facebook soon! I did break the darn thing on one hit when I finally gave up and realized they were playing a trick on me. They had the thing set up by a pulley system, and would raise it high when I was about to swing! Yeah, real funny! ha
Overall though, it was a fantastic day!!
I am sad to leave, only 5 more days of work...but then I think about where I am moving to, and I can't wait!
I will miss everyone at work - it has been a good run. I learned a lot, experienced a lot in DC, and will always remember this place!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Ohhh the Joys of Packing
MB and Sean started to help me pack last night (Monday - the last day of May). It all began with a list (MB looooves lists), which initially was a good idea - except that I had trouble keeping to the list. The list consisted of categories of clothing, misc, and bathroom accessories. Come to find out, I have way too many clothes. I have (or thought so) paired down a lot of clothes over the last several months in preparation of my move; however, last night I realized that my pairing down basically sucked. ha ha
I thought organizing my clothes, shoes and bathroom accessories was going to be fun and provide me with some relief...haha...I was sooo very wrong. Sean - the most laid back person I know - quickly was overcome with stress, carrying a discerning look and attitude...basically telling me I had way too much stuff and he didn't think I would be able to pack it. That in turn made me stressed and then I pretty much stayed awake anxious all night worrying about how much crap I have, about traveling with all of my stuff, and what in reality I need. I know that I don't need all of my clothes, probably not even half of them - but there is something to be said of having your belongings that makes you feel comfortable...esp when you are moving to anther country.
I managed to organize (more like shove) my stuff into a suitcase and backpack. I think I did really well! The only things that are left to pack are my bathroom accessories, my computer (which I will carry on) and my books. Speaking of...I have an estimate of 28 books that I plan to take with me. Here's the thing, I love to read. I will need something to occupy my time, and shipping them will cost me an arm and a leg; therefore, I am bringing them!!!!
I felt a little bit better when I woke this morning and headed to work...but then reality slapped me across the face again when I realized how many days I had left at work, what I still had to do in preparation of me leaving (shots, how am I going to pack my bike, doctor visits, cleaning my house, bills, etc). So now I have decided to stop thinking about what is happening and just go on about my business each day. I will try not to freak out inside so much!
On a side note, I talked with my soon to be boss and she informed me that the school and around Antigua was not hit as bad at the city. That made me feel a bit better. I sure hope the airport will be open on the 25th when we fly in?? My heart goes out to those families in need. I wish I was there, helping in the community where I can, instead of sitting on my bed procrastinating from cleaning and the 116 other things I need to do. It is hard to explain but I would rather be in the Guatemala now, in the midst of this disaster, then on the outside looking in. At least if I was there, I would know what to expect.
I guess I will go pack for a couple of hours...
I will not freak out that there is a whole in the city of the country that I am moving to...I will not freak out.
I thought organizing my clothes, shoes and bathroom accessories was going to be fun and provide me with some relief...haha...I was sooo very wrong. Sean - the most laid back person I know - quickly was overcome with stress, carrying a discerning look and attitude...basically telling me I had way too much stuff and he didn't think I would be able to pack it. That in turn made me stressed and then I pretty much stayed awake anxious all night worrying about how much crap I have, about traveling with all of my stuff, and what in reality I need. I know that I don't need all of my clothes, probably not even half of them - but there is something to be said of having your belongings that makes you feel comfortable...esp when you are moving to anther country.
I managed to organize (more like shove) my stuff into a suitcase and backpack. I think I did really well! The only things that are left to pack are my bathroom accessories, my computer (which I will carry on) and my books. Speaking of...I have an estimate of 28 books that I plan to take with me. Here's the thing, I love to read. I will need something to occupy my time, and shipping them will cost me an arm and a leg; therefore, I am bringing them!!!!
I felt a little bit better when I woke this morning and headed to work...but then reality slapped me across the face again when I realized how many days I had left at work, what I still had to do in preparation of me leaving (shots, how am I going to pack my bike, doctor visits, cleaning my house, bills, etc). So now I have decided to stop thinking about what is happening and just go on about my business each day. I will try not to freak out inside so much!
On a side note, I talked with my soon to be boss and she informed me that the school and around Antigua was not hit as bad at the city. That made me feel a bit better. I sure hope the airport will be open on the 25th when we fly in?? My heart goes out to those families in need. I wish I was there, helping in the community where I can, instead of sitting on my bed procrastinating from cleaning and the 116 other things I need to do. It is hard to explain but I would rather be in the Guatemala now, in the midst of this disaster, then on the outside looking in. At least if I was there, I would know what to expect.
I guess I will go pack for a couple of hours...
I will not freak out that there is a whole in the city of the country that I am moving to...I will not freak out.
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