I know, I know...the blog has been deathly silent for the past five (has it really been five?) months. That is partly due to that fact that life in Ecuador is just that, life. No longer caught by surprise by that man peeing on the street corner, or the countless iguanas crossing the road. I hate to say it, but it's all become part of the expected. Even our vacations are becoming a bit repetitive. I could tell you about how I went paragliding over Thanksgiving, but I'm pretty sure I have a post about that. I could wax elegantly about school life, but let me check....yep, got those too. Not wanting to repeat myself over and over, I've let the blog lapse a bit. There has been no new news to report.
That is, until now.
This overseas living and teaching tends to have its own rhythms. In November, the wave of decision comes crashing in. Will you stay and renew your contract? Or, will you throw caution to the wind and try your luck with somewhere else. For those who choose to stay put, their overseas living resumes a sense of normalcy. But for those who are taking their chances with the great unknown, life becomes a turmoil of indecision, questioning, waiting, hoping, and general panic of "Oh my word, I have quit my job and have no where to go. Please don't make me live in my parent's basement" until the months of February and March. That is an incredibly long time to live in panic and worry. Trust me...much longer than you would think.
Dave and I decided in early November that we were ready to move on from the wonderful adventures of Ecuador. It was a really tough decision, but one that we felt we were ready for. We knew that this decision would send us on an emotional roller coaster until we could figure out what was going to happen next. And an emotional roller coaster it was; I bounced from having to bite my tongue so I wouldn't beg my director for my job back, to questioning whether I even wanted to continue teaching for the next two or so years. Working at a book shop was starting to sound mighty appealing (all those books! everywhere you look! heaven!)
We eventually decided to try to find another overseas position; with the understanding that if that did not pan out, I could start searching for that book store employment. We signed up for the annual overseas fair in Boston, crossed our fingers, and went on living life in Ecuador for three l-o-n-g months.
The time of the job fair has finally arrived, and let me tell you--it has been a whirlwind. Dave and I arrived in Boston on Wednesday, registered for the fair on Thursday, begged for interviews from 7:00-12:00 on Friday, began interviews at noon until 10:30 that same day, and went back for second and third interviews today. We met so many incredible people, looked at some many interesting and progressive schools, and interviewed with just about a country from each corner of the world. We interviewed with Turkey, Lebanon, Senegal, Vietnam, Eritrea (yeah, I didn't know where that one was either), Connecticut (I know! What?), Hong Kong, and Brazil. We met in formal interviews, we skyped, we mingled at the cocktail party, we met in 2nd interviews, and then 3rd interviews. It was exhausting, exhilarating, and eye-opening.
And it all led to the pivotal moment of our overseas living wave. The job offer. The next assignment. The next life changing adventure.
Here's your hint:
Hope to see you there and stay tuned for a whole new wave of adventures at the Richert Ranch.
That is, until now.
This overseas living and teaching tends to have its own rhythms. In November, the wave of decision comes crashing in. Will you stay and renew your contract? Or, will you throw caution to the wind and try your luck with somewhere else. For those who choose to stay put, their overseas living resumes a sense of normalcy. But for those who are taking their chances with the great unknown, life becomes a turmoil of indecision, questioning, waiting, hoping, and general panic of "Oh my word, I have quit my job and have no where to go. Please don't make me live in my parent's basement" until the months of February and March. That is an incredibly long time to live in panic and worry. Trust me...much longer than you would think.
Dave and I decided in early November that we were ready to move on from the wonderful adventures of Ecuador. It was a really tough decision, but one that we felt we were ready for. We knew that this decision would send us on an emotional roller coaster until we could figure out what was going to happen next. And an emotional roller coaster it was; I bounced from having to bite my tongue so I wouldn't beg my director for my job back, to questioning whether I even wanted to continue teaching for the next two or so years. Working at a book shop was starting to sound mighty appealing (all those books! everywhere you look! heaven!)
We eventually decided to try to find another overseas position; with the understanding that if that did not pan out, I could start searching for that book store employment. We signed up for the annual overseas fair in Boston, crossed our fingers, and went on living life in Ecuador for three l-o-n-g months.
The time of the job fair has finally arrived, and let me tell you--it has been a whirlwind. Dave and I arrived in Boston on Wednesday, registered for the fair on Thursday, begged for interviews from 7:00-12:00 on Friday, began interviews at noon until 10:30 that same day, and went back for second and third interviews today. We met so many incredible people, looked at some many interesting and progressive schools, and interviewed with just about a country from each corner of the world. We interviewed with Turkey, Lebanon, Senegal, Vietnam, Eritrea (yeah, I didn't know where that one was either), Connecticut (I know! What?), Hong Kong, and Brazil. We met in formal interviews, we skyped, we mingled at the cocktail party, we met in 2nd interviews, and then 3rd interviews. It was exhausting, exhilarating, and eye-opening.
And it all led to the pivotal moment of our overseas living wave. The job offer. The next assignment. The next life changing adventure.
Here's your hint:
Hope to see you there and stay tuned for a whole new wave of adventures at the Richert Ranch.