This summer has gone by SO extremely fast!! As I have been entangled with getting my shipping all straightened down (imagine trying to fit your life into five 22 gallon buckets...) I have also been working through intensive online training for my new job. It is a different kind of busy and I have had the opportunity to slow down and actually experience some down time of 'vacation.' And I tell you, it sue is all it's cracked up to be...I should have tried this sooner. ;)
Anyways, as I was working through one of my assignments last night, it occurred to me....in a little over two weeks (16 days to be exact) I am going to be on a plane to CHINA!!! Wowza! You know that feeling when you realize something is coming that logically you knew was coming, but now it's here??? All this preparation has kept me so busy I have not had much time to think about it, but reality is coming and it is coming quick!! Don't get me wrong here, I am VERY excited about this move and experience. It has just been a realization that is hard to ignore. I'm really going to miss my parents and the rest of my family. To those whom we have spent years seeing on a consistent basis, it's hard to imagine that in the fall I will not be starting with the 'ole Bordeaux staff, living in the quaint little town of Shelton. Instead, I start school mid-August!! in the BIG CITY of Beijing!
Change. We can handle it, we are adaptable by nature, but dramatic changes (and even small ones) can really put you in a tumbler. How do we adjust to things we do not know? They say you don't know what you don't know...that's where I am. I am not scared of this change, I am not nervous. I just honestly don't know what I don't know. I have gotten more and more adaptable to changes over the years and thrive on finding myself in new situations. I have a strong personality (mostly due to the experiences God has granted me with to make me strong) and a desire to live, learn, and experience. I can honestly say my son is exactly like me. :)
Change is coming and quick. For now, off to crafts with my mom and son.
Amanda :)
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Work Permit!!!
After waiting and waiting, I have finally received my WORK PERMIT and invitation letter from the Chinese government!!! I am now ready to apply for my VISA!!! Documents are in the mail, and the Visa will be here in the next week or so....Only 20 days until takeoff!!!
Our Temporary Home
It has been just over a month since my last log-in. (YIKES!!) I cannot believe how much has happened in the last month. To start things off, my computer got a MAJOR virus and was out of commission for about 3 weeks. When I got it back, everything was wiped clean and I ended up going out to purchase Windows 8 and Office to have the programs which were on here before (they were work related and since the job ended, so did my Microsoft Word programs...) Despite the lack of computer, I made it through the last week of school, completing all of my progress reports before Monday of the last week. Lucas and were at school until 9:30pm Thursday night, cleaning and packing up my classroom. This made the last day of school nice, because I was able to have my room checked off and was out of there by 1:30!! Goodbye school!
After that, despite the fact that it was now, officially SUMMER, I had another excruciating week of work ahead of me. I had just that one week to pack up my house!! We had been working since March, slowly going through things, but since I wanted to keep the "homey" feel, I had a lot to do. And that weekend, two people came over to my hose and said that EXACT THING! I wanted to cry. You can't say that to a person who is packing up the whole house!!! But, all it really did was motivate me to work harder. I was determined to be completely done by moving day (8 days from the last day of school). I worked my tail off that week, getting everything packed, cleaned, vacuumed...
And all the while, I was also trying to create a happy "goodbye week" for Lucas, which was why I created "The week of Lasts" where we looked at all of the things that we usually did around Shelton, and did them one last time. Looking back, I may have been crazy to plan in hours of fun time amidst the packing frenzy, but it sure made leaving the house much, much easier.
I had most of the stuff done by Friday, which was the Goodbye Party Lucas planned for his friends. We (my friend Kelly and I) moved boxes to the garage so there was open space in the house, then Lucas and I decorated, set up activities and wrote "Goodbye Friends" on his ice cream cake. Friday morning was a lot of fun!!! Lucas' party started at 10am with pancakes (his favorite). We had an address book where his friends could write their address and I had them trace their hands for a "LOVE & HUGS" blanket. I am in the process of cutting all of the hands out of fleece and stitching them onto a fleece blanket. That way, whenever he (or me, who am I kidding) is feeling homesick, we can snuggle up in it. We also had planters and the kids planted "Forget me Not seeds along with a popsicle stick flower of us as a little memory for them. Then the kids played, and BOY did they play!! There were 12 kiddos there along with us 6 mommies. It was a great time!!!
Then Saturday morning, I went and picked up the U-Haul truck (those things are NOT cheap!!! They really get you with that whole $19.95 plastered on the side of the truck). This was my FIRST time driving one of these and boy, they will just rent them to anyone I guess. So I got it home, and at 1:00, we started loading. My neighbors and friends all came over to help. There were a total of 10 adults and 12 children involved in this activity. The adults moved, loaded, and cleaned, while the children "helped" when they could and otherwise played. It was so much fun for them. At one point, I think ALL of them were in the empty bedroom with all of the blankets and pillows, hiding, diving, and tossing them around. They were all SO GOOD! Pizza came at 3:15ish and we all settled in the kitchen on the floor and ate. By 4:00, we were DONE!!
It was in these last two days when I had the full feel of what wonderful people I have in my life. Selflessly they all came over helped, and played. I feel so blessed to have them all in my life! It was another wonderful day. After everyone left, Lucas and I got ready and went to Superhero Adventure Night for our last time at the Children's Museum. The next morning, my parents drove over to drive the truck back. We had a few small things to get done and load the last of the stuff, but about an hour after they got there, we were on the road. We took our last pictures at our house, and did a little walk-through video saying goodbye to our house, then we were off. (Now this was the long day) We were unloading the truck into the storage unit before 3pm and my brother Paul met us to help unload. Now this was tricky...Kelly (I deem her MASTER PACKER) really got that stuff into that truck well. The trick was to UNload it all and sort it to make sense of how we were fitting it all into the 8x10 unit, from the 14' truck (granted we were taking the couch to my parents house). But, we got everything we needed to into one unit, then headed to the house to unload the house and China stuff there. Our new room was pretty packed with stuff. By 7:30 we were back at the house, truck returned, ready for dinner (and a nice long relaxation time....) In addition to the wonderful friends, I also have an amazing family! Both my parents and my older brother made roundtrips of 5-7 hours JUST to help us move!!! How great is that?!? Family really is amazing!!
So now for last week...I cannot specifically tell you what was accomplished, it's again been a blur. But I started my training for the PYP programme at my new school (Primary Years Programme). The school is an IB school (International Bachelorette) a school based on the inquiry model of transdisciplinary teaching, which sounds amazing!!! As of now, I am 2/3 of the way through that training. My necessary documents to get my Visa will be here tomorrow, then I can send off for the Visa, and the plane tickets have been purchased. We've had play time, pool time, and lots of great times with my parents! I have unpacked boxes in the room and created two large boxes that have gone to goodwill....with MUCH more of that to do!! And last night, I started again going through t
he China boxes. I need to cut down the stuff that I am bringing, and am packing it all into plastic tubs now, so it's a bit more protected and durable. I have a lot more to do, but at least now we are settled here at my parents house and getting this stuff all done, little-by-little.
And the countdown....in just 21 days, we will be ON an AIRPLANE moving to CHINA!!! This is still really hard to wrap my head around....we are ACTUALLY doing this!!! So. Cool!
After that, despite the fact that it was now, officially SUMMER, I had another excruciating week of work ahead of me. I had just that one week to pack up my house!! We had been working since March, slowly going through things, but since I wanted to keep the "homey" feel, I had a lot to do. And that weekend, two people came over to my hose and said that EXACT THING! I wanted to cry. You can't say that to a person who is packing up the whole house!!! But, all it really did was motivate me to work harder. I was determined to be completely done by moving day (8 days from the last day of school). I worked my tail off that week, getting everything packed, cleaned, vacuumed...
And all the while, I was also trying to create a happy "goodbye week" for Lucas, which was why I created "The week of Lasts" where we looked at all of the things that we usually did around Shelton, and did them one last time. Looking back, I may have been crazy to plan in hours of fun time amidst the packing frenzy, but it sure made leaving the house much, much easier.
I had most of the stuff done by Friday, which was the Goodbye Party Lucas planned for his friends. We (my friend Kelly and I) moved boxes to the garage so there was open space in the house, then Lucas and I decorated, set up activities and wrote "Goodbye Friends" on his ice cream cake. Friday morning was a lot of fun!!! Lucas' party started at 10am with pancakes (his favorite). We had an address book where his friends could write their address and I had them trace their hands for a "LOVE & HUGS" blanket. I am in the process of cutting all of the hands out of fleece and stitching them onto a fleece blanket. That way, whenever he (or me, who am I kidding) is feeling homesick, we can snuggle up in it. We also had planters and the kids planted "Forget me Not seeds along with a popsicle stick flower of us as a little memory for them. Then the kids played, and BOY did they play!! There were 12 kiddos there along with us 6 mommies. It was a great time!!!
Then Saturday morning, I went and picked up the U-Haul truck (those things are NOT cheap!!! They really get you with that whole $19.95 plastered on the side of the truck). This was my FIRST time driving one of these and boy, they will just rent them to anyone I guess. So I got it home, and at 1:00, we started loading. My neighbors and friends all came over to help. There were a total of 10 adults and 12 children involved in this activity. The adults moved, loaded, and cleaned, while the children "helped" when they could and otherwise played. It was so much fun for them. At one point, I think ALL of them were in the empty bedroom with all of the blankets and pillows, hiding, diving, and tossing them around. They were all SO GOOD! Pizza came at 3:15ish and we all settled in the kitchen on the floor and ate. By 4:00, we were DONE!!
It was in these last two days when I had the full feel of what wonderful people I have in my life. Selflessly they all came over helped, and played. I feel so blessed to have them all in my life! It was another wonderful day. After everyone left, Lucas and I got ready and went to Superhero Adventure Night for our last time at the Children's Museum. The next morning, my parents drove over to drive the truck back. We had a few small things to get done and load the last of the stuff, but about an hour after they got there, we were on the road. We took our last pictures at our house, and did a little walk-through video saying goodbye to our house, then we were off. (Now this was the long day) We were unloading the truck into the storage unit before 3pm and my brother Paul met us to help unload. Now this was tricky...Kelly (I deem her MASTER PACKER) really got that stuff into that truck well. The trick was to UNload it all and sort it to make sense of how we were fitting it all into the 8x10 unit, from the 14' truck (granted we were taking the couch to my parents house). But, we got everything we needed to into one unit, then headed to the house to unload the house and China stuff there. Our new room was pretty packed with stuff. By 7:30 we were back at the house, truck returned, ready for dinner (and a nice long relaxation time....) In addition to the wonderful friends, I also have an amazing family! Both my parents and my older brother made roundtrips of 5-7 hours JUST to help us move!!! How great is that?!? Family really is amazing!!
So now for last week...I cannot specifically tell you what was accomplished, it's again been a blur. But I started my training for the PYP programme at my new school (Primary Years Programme). The school is an IB school (International Bachelorette) a school based on the inquiry model of transdisciplinary teaching, which sounds amazing!!! As of now, I am 2/3 of the way through that training. My necessary documents to get my Visa will be here tomorrow, then I can send off for the Visa, and the plane tickets have been purchased. We've had play time, pool time, and lots of great times with my parents! I have unpacked boxes in the room and created two large boxes that have gone to goodwill....with MUCH more of that to do!! And last night, I started again going through t
he China boxes. I need to cut down the stuff that I am bringing, and am packing it all into plastic tubs now, so it's a bit more protected and durable. I have a lot more to do, but at least now we are settled here at my parents house and getting this stuff all done, little-by-little.
And the countdown....in just 21 days, we will be ON an AIRPLANE moving to CHINA!!! This is still really hard to wrap my head around....we are ACTUALLY doing this!!! So. Cool!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Moving Meetings!!
Ni hao! We have been well underway with packing and going through things. In an effort to make the transition easier for my son, I have organized "moving meetings" for us to go through his things. Our first was the Stuffed Animal Moving Meeting, where we put all of the animals on the floor of Lucas' bedroom, and started by telling all the animals, "We want to start by telling you that we love you all, but we just can't take all of you to China with us." We then went through all of the animals and Lucas decided if the animals were "China, Storage, or New Home." After the animals, we had the Book Moving Meeting where we went through all of the books. We have been doing daily "China Chores" in order to keep focused on the move and making progress towards our new adventure. We have quite a lot done, but still so much to do! The good thing about packing up your life?? You get to make a super cool BOX FORT with all the boxes of your belongings. :)
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Packing up My Life
Ni hao! Over the past few months, I have been working to sort and pack up my life. I have been looking at my life as: China, Storage, New Home (give away). This has caused a lot of thought and reflection on things that I have held onto for years, for what reason??? I look at some things and wonder why in the world they have been taking up space in my house. I am finding that I can live on a dramatically smaller amount of things than I have been collecting in my house. As I move from one section to another, one room to the next, I am leaving behind only "China items" that will be making the trek with us. It has left some feeling of bare-ness in the house; empty shelves, large open areas in rooms, but honestly, it is a breath of relief. I have for a long time been trying to organize and get rid of things, feeling suffocated in this materialistic life. Yes, like others, I have comfort and enjoy my "things," but honestly, it has felt good to clear out. In this particular situation, I have gathered a large number of packed boxes in the living room, which have served as a "box fort" for my son.
The other day I counted, only 67 days until we fly to China, which now is down to 65. I've thought quite a bit about friends, leaving, my past, and everything under the sun that would cross your mind when making a big life change. I've been thinking a lot about where I am, where I have been and where I'm going. I'm excited for this change and really am hoping to find my place in this world. I don't feel that I have been there yet, but know that I will find it. Everywhere I have been I feel has prepared me for where I am going, I just don't think I'm there yet. As I near the end here, I find myself recognizing more and more my love for this small town, but my dreams are too big for this place, my desires too wide. It's a freeing place to be, knowing that you are following your dream. This small step, these little actions, have taken me farther forward than I have been in a long time. And it feels good. I think I'm on my way. I am not sure where my place is, or how long it will take to get there, but the mere thought of where I am going and the possibilities of what that entails.....fantastic!!
These last two months are going to FLY by. My posts will increase as we make this journey and the next phase of my life starts. There are so many unknowns, so many adventures, and difficult times we will be going through in this phase, but we will be strong and will emerge resilient, well-rounded, and on the way to where we are meant to be. This world has so much to offer, and world, I'M READY!!
Until next time!
:)
The other day I counted, only 67 days until we fly to China, which now is down to 65. I've thought quite a bit about friends, leaving, my past, and everything under the sun that would cross your mind when making a big life change. I've been thinking a lot about where I am, where I have been and where I'm going. I'm excited for this change and really am hoping to find my place in this world. I don't feel that I have been there yet, but know that I will find it. Everywhere I have been I feel has prepared me for where I am going, I just don't think I'm there yet. As I near the end here, I find myself recognizing more and more my love for this small town, but my dreams are too big for this place, my desires too wide. It's a freeing place to be, knowing that you are following your dream. This small step, these little actions, have taken me farther forward than I have been in a long time. And it feels good. I think I'm on my way. I am not sure where my place is, or how long it will take to get there, but the mere thought of where I am going and the possibilities of what that entails.....fantastic!!
These last two months are going to FLY by. My posts will increase as we make this journey and the next phase of my life starts. There are so many unknowns, so many adventures, and difficult times we will be going through in this phase, but we will be strong and will emerge resilient, well-rounded, and on the way to where we are meant to be. This world has so much to offer, and world, I'M READY!!
Until next time!
:)
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Dreams Come True!!!! (It's OFFICIAL)
I got the contract today!!!! What a great start to the day! After sharing this information via social networking, I was reminded of how long I have been talking about this as a final decision! One friend, Cindy, reminded me that last June after flying across the country to see Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney in Nashville, I had begun talking about this wonderful adventure. She said, "You did it, you rascal!" It reminded me of the man I met from Detroit, who is the vice president of a non-profit company in the city. After a casual conversation about life, travel, culture, and dreams, he had told me "go to China" as he boarded his plane. I was reminded of a conversation last fall with one of my long-time best friends, who told me, "way to go! I'm so proud of you Amanda! Way to make your dreams a reality!" There was so much support and excitment for us as we are heading to embark on this fantastic adventure.
There were so many steps that have gotten me here. SO many people who played a role in reminding me of my dream, and more importantly to GO FOR IT!!! With the fast pace of life, sometimes we get so caught up in the day-to-day that our dreams take the back burner, they get set aside because there is something that is SO IMPORTANT that needs to be done NOW. But when you think about it, what is more important than living your life?? What is more important than the relationships and experiences? I have struggled with this over the past year. As you noticed with my long absences between posting last year, I did not complete my Happiness Project as intended, though it awoke in me a fire for change. I have actively decided to make changes to my priorities, giving those most important to me the best of me. Don't get me wrong, I fall short sometimes, no one is perfect. But the reflection that follows helps me make better choices next time. I am an active, busy person, and looking around my home, there's always something that "needs to be done. But again, is it that important the it must be done NOW?? I have come a long way since last year with this, but still, there is room for improvement.
My next thirty years started with reflection of where I was, a reevaluation of my life, my dreams, and my goals. I have taken back my dreams. Taken steps to get there. And you know what? I'm almost there!!! In four and a half months, we will be in BEIJING, CHINA!!! To everyone who helped me get here, thank you!!
Amanda :)
There were so many steps that have gotten me here. SO many people who played a role in reminding me of my dream, and more importantly to GO FOR IT!!! With the fast pace of life, sometimes we get so caught up in the day-to-day that our dreams take the back burner, they get set aside because there is something that is SO IMPORTANT that needs to be done NOW. But when you think about it, what is more important than living your life?? What is more important than the relationships and experiences? I have struggled with this over the past year. As you noticed with my long absences between posting last year, I did not complete my Happiness Project as intended, though it awoke in me a fire for change. I have actively decided to make changes to my priorities, giving those most important to me the best of me. Don't get me wrong, I fall short sometimes, no one is perfect. But the reflection that follows helps me make better choices next time. I am an active, busy person, and looking around my home, there's always something that "needs to be done. But again, is it that important the it must be done NOW?? I have come a long way since last year with this, but still, there is room for improvement.
My next thirty years started with reflection of where I was, a reevaluation of my life, my dreams, and my goals. I have taken back my dreams. Taken steps to get there. And you know what? I'm almost there!!! In four and a half months, we will be in BEIJING, CHINA!!! To everyone who helped me get here, thank you!!
Amanda :)
Sunday, March 10, 2013
The Waiting Game...
What has been the hardest thing you have had to wait for? It seems that the size of the thing for which you are waiting tends to be comparable to the time it feels like it takes for that event to come. I have made my choice, accepted an offer, and am waiting now for the final contract to sign. Before actually spreading the word to all, I want to make sure that it's all in place and lined up. It'd be a REAL bummer to have something happen and have already told everyone. So, now, I wait...The human resources department told me that I should receive it by Tuesday (China time) which will be Monday here. So, for now, I wait.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
"Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction, ends up being the biggest step in your life. TIP TOE if you must, but take the first step!"
OK folks! It has been about 8 months since my last post. Since I have not shared this site with anyone, it's really just for me right now. Well, me and whoever out there ran across this randomly, to which I say THANK YOU for reading! The past month has been an exciting blur for me. Last summer I decided (finally!!!) it was time to look into teaching overseas. In September, I signed up for a very inexpensive online recruiting site recommended by someone I know. I looked regularly at jobs that were posted, though never taking "the leap" to go that final step. In December I turned 31 and then 2013 started. I was rejuvenated with excitement and yearning for the next step of my life, which I felt was beyond where I am now.
Over the past few years, I have found myself again after removing myself from a toxic situation. I have gotten back to my desire for more. I've never really been one to be content with where I am, simply because I want to do, see, and learn more. My Daddy always told me I could do anything. Both my parents always instilled in me hard work and appreciation. My positive outlook on life paired with all these things fostered a desire to see the world. People and new cultures are fascinating to me. I have always wanted to go to China and this was my first choice of places to go and visit. As I began to think about the possibility of seeing more, I got more and more excited. At the end of January I was interviewed for a special education position three times at one school before they told me that they had already offered a contract to another person. They later offered me a different position, then a week later, took it back. I was DEVASTATED!!! But, I needed a new plan. Life is what you make of it. I found a quote a while back that said "Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction, ends up being the biggest step in your life. TIP TOE if you must, but take the first step!" Every little step has taken me a little farther. I then sent letters of interest for 6 other schools. I got two other interviews and two more job offers. Then another school sent me a letter of interest. So, at this time, I had four job offers!!! I weighed my options and finally made a decision.
So, that's where I sit now. I am awaiting the official contract to come and have realized that in less than 5 months, I will be in CHINA!!!
I am SO EXCITED about what this adventure is going to bring for us. It was a series of small steps that led me here, but it just has felt SO RIGHT each step of the way. People keep asking me if I'm scared...and no, I'm not. It feels really right for me, for us. NOW is the time. I honestly believe that God has a plan for us all and that we will end up where we need to be. I had been waiting for this, then realized that Life is what you make of it, I was tired of waiting for a door to open, so I built one.
Until next time...(sooner than 8 months from now)
Amanda :)
Over the past few years, I have found myself again after removing myself from a toxic situation. I have gotten back to my desire for more. I've never really been one to be content with where I am, simply because I want to do, see, and learn more. My Daddy always told me I could do anything. Both my parents always instilled in me hard work and appreciation. My positive outlook on life paired with all these things fostered a desire to see the world. People and new cultures are fascinating to me. I have always wanted to go to China and this was my first choice of places to go and visit. As I began to think about the possibility of seeing more, I got more and more excited. At the end of January I was interviewed for a special education position three times at one school before they told me that they had already offered a contract to another person. They later offered me a different position, then a week later, took it back. I was DEVASTATED!!! But, I needed a new plan. Life is what you make of it. I found a quote a while back that said "Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction, ends up being the biggest step in your life. TIP TOE if you must, but take the first step!" Every little step has taken me a little farther. I then sent letters of interest for 6 other schools. I got two other interviews and two more job offers. Then another school sent me a letter of interest. So, at this time, I had four job offers!!! I weighed my options and finally made a decision.
So, that's where I sit now. I am awaiting the official contract to come and have realized that in less than 5 months, I will be in CHINA!!!
Until next time...(sooner than 8 months from now)
Amanda :)
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