Flying by...

I can't believe how quickly the days are flying by.  Our weeks seem to start and end with a blink of an eye.  I wonder... is it because I'm getting old?  They always say that the weeks and months take forever to pass when your a kid, but gosh it sure seems that each day that passes it goes quicker and quicker as an adult.  That can be a little depressing to be honest.  I am hoping the time is flying by because we are so darn busy these days.  The preparation for moving continues and we are selling lots of stuff.  Although I loved all my stuff in my house... my furniture, my decor, etc., it sure is freeing to rid ourselves of "stuff".  Our living room is pretty much empty now - the large sectional couch (gone), the big screen TV and home theater system (gone), not too mention wall hangings, and lots of little things here and there.  It's already the last half of February and I swear it seems like it was just Christmas time!  We are getting things in order and getting more excited day by day about our move to Ecuador.  I'm making lists and lists of things to do before we go... last minute doctor, dentist and eye doctor appts, immunizations, trying to plan when we can sell our cars (and not be stranded), planning a garage sale... etc..etc..  I am honestly looking forward to a much simpler life in South America! Not too mention a much warmer one with lots of sunshine!!!!!

The decision was made... Guayaquil, Ecuador here we come!

There is a first time for everything!  What a great saying that is. Everyday... most of  us make choices or decisions in our daily routine lives that may change or impact our life greatly.  Well, the first weekend in December 2011 was one of those times for Dan and I.  We boarded a plane for Atlanta, Georgia on our way to an International Teaching Job Fair.  We had thought about it... talked about it... and dreamed about it, but this year we decided to do something about it.  It all started a couple years ago when Dan and I had heard about teaching abroad and the experience and opportunities it can provide.  We did some researching and found that it just may be something we would be interested to do.  Last year Dan actually applied to several schools and got a couple Skype interviews... one with a school in Jamaica and one with a school on the island of Dominica.  The interviews went well, however Jamaica was needing to hire a "teaching couple" (that's when both spouses are certified teachers), and Dominica, although looked beautiful and sounded great ~ it did not have much for Samuel (very few students his age and no sports except soccer, and even that was not organized teams).  So, needless to say we opted to wait another year and see what happened.  During the summer of 2011 we talked about moving abroad a lot decided to look into it further and proceed with our dream.  In August I enrolled in college, online, in a bachelors program for Teaching K-8.  I began in September and plan to accelerate my program.  This way, I too can teach and Dan and I can have more opportunities as a "teaching couple" if we work abroad, and also share our teaching experiences. In early October Dan applied for the teaching fair in Atlanta, Georgia.  He was approved (they verify and confirm his teaching credentials, etc.).  We booked the hotel and booked mileage tickets on Delta (yeah for mileage tickets... it saved a lot of $$).  Then it was waiting time.  We did not tell anyone about what we were doing, except close family.  I went along for moral support and also just in case Dan got an offer, we could research and talk about it.  I'm really glad I went.  Although I could not attend the initial meeting with him, I did attend some of the school presentations with him.  I also sat in the lobby bar area and researched schools for him - making lists of schools, benefits they offer, pay, etc.  This was helpful because when Dan was in lines for interviews he could call me and I could tell him the latest updates on job openings, what schools looked good, and I would direct him towards schools that we were interested in.  While sitting in the lobby bar area I could also listen to other job fair attendees and recruiters talk.  This was helpful!!!  Besides, they had Starbucks coffee, great bagels for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, and a nice Merlot in the evening! After 2 nights, 3 days  of the fair, Dan ended up with 3 interviews.  A school in Jamaica, a school in Guatemala, and a school in Ecuador.  All along ever since he first thought about teaching abroad he has said that he would want a PE teaching job with coaching opportunities.  Well, the job in Ecuador was just that!  Dan interviewed with the school's Director and it went well.  Before we knew it the Director was interviewing me for a teaching position to teach computers to K-5!  I couldn't believe it!!  We returned home with the possibility of Ecuador being in our future.  By mid December... after a phone interview and a couple emails the job offers came.  Once we accepted them via email, the official contracts were drawn up and sent to us in the mail.  They were received and signed in January.  Wow!  It's really going to happen... we are moving to ECUADOR!  We are going to be living in South America for at least 2 years!!!  How awesome is this!!

Sam has been a part of the discussion from the start.  He was excited about the possibilities. Now that it is definite, he is still excited, but he says he is 50% excited and 50% sad.  The sadness is because he will miss his friends and family.  He hopes he can email them, Skype them, and he is begging me to let him have a facebook (nope, not yet!).  But, every morning Sam looks on my iPhone and checks the weather in Guayaquil Ecuador.  Typically it's around 77-81 degrees.  Because it is so close to the Equator the temperature is usually between 75-85 degrees year round.  The school we will be at has an Olympic size pool, and swim coaches, so Sam will get to continue his swimming there, which will be great.  Of course the pool is outdoors, which will be nice. 

We have begun to sell things in preparation for our move.  We will be leaving sometime in July because we need to be there by July 23rd.  We have sold the motor home as well as many household things.  It is actually a great feeling to sell stuff.  Makes me feel free of clutter!!  Time is going by so fast, and July will be here before we know it.