When we first decided that we wanted a "globe trotting adventure" we naively thought that we would be able to pick a location, move there, live for awhile, take in the sights and experiences, and then easily move to another location. Just like that. While this may be the experience of a single person this is definitely not the experience of a family of five trying to have an adventure AND employment at the same time.
That's why some of you may find this post confusing. Last June, Nathan and I made the decision to move abroad. This decision was followed by two months of intensive research. In August, we found our desired location.... Santiago, Chile! We LOVED the country! This beautiful country has mountains (skiing!), beaches (bikinis and swimming), loads of organic veggies and fruits, an urban art district, and more. Plus, our good friend Esther had a house there! It felt serendipitous. We spent the next three months focused on Chile, I was looking at every school possible and Nathan was looking for a job in many different areas ~ water treatment, multi-national companies (Coke, Pepsi, Kodak, etc...), the electric companies, etc...Months of sending out resumes led to nothing.
Then in early November I went to Atlanta for the Association of American Schools in South America teacher recruiting fair which led to a contingent contract with a very famous school in Guatemala. The contingency was on Nathan being able to land a job with a Guatemalan company. Another round of intensive research began, consisting of Nathan pumping his resume out to 10-20 companies a day. Nothing. Ultimately, they gave my job to another deserving individual. Nathan and I were on the hunt again.
November and December came and went with a few leads but nothing final. Then January came, a new year and a new lead. One that eventually would be our landing place. Over the holidays my mom connected with a gentleman that served on the Clear Creek County School Board with her. She found out that this gentlemen was the Head Principal of a school in Dandong, China. I connected with him a few short weeks later. Three Skype interviews later I was offered a contract in February. During this time, the company was also interested in Nathan because he was in the process of completing his TESOL/TEFL certifications (which, by the way, was a six month program ~ Nathan completed it in two!). Nathan, then had three Skype interviews with two of the three administrative leaders for the school. After a few bumps in the road, Eagle Bridge International School gave Nathan his own contract.
While we jumped for joy because we received not one but TWO contracts, we did, reassured, do our due diligence and think about everything that this huge move will entail. We've thought about the kids adjusting, what their school experience will be like, what this move might to do our families, financial security, future job opportunities that may or may not transpire when we come back to the states, etc... Believe us when we say that we've talked and researched and talked and researched and talked and researched some more. Two weeks ago we made the official decision, signed our contracts, and began the final stages of our move.
We still believe (and desire) to land in South America as this is truly where we want to spend an extensive time in but for now we get to see the beautiful and culturally rich country of China.
We will be having our going away party ("it's not goodbye, just see you later" party) on June 22nd. Location and details coming soon. Please come by for a drink and a farewell hug. We then leave Denver on July 15th. My mom will be flying to China with us helping us get set up in our new apartment and then gallivanting through the amazing city of Beijing with us.
Up ahead: not one but two garage sales to sell our belongings, selling our minivan (it's been such a GREAT van!), saying goodbye to our two sweet doggies, saying goodbye to coworkers, and moving out of our house. It's going to be an emotional but exciting 80 days ahead....
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