I’ve signed and returned my contract (after looking it over several times to make sure there were no misplaced comas or decimals in those numbers), and I’ve submitted my official resignation letter.  It was much harder than I thought it would be.  I’ve been with my district for 10 years, my current school for five.  While, I’ve had many a vent session with teacherly friends about the things I didn’t like, overall it has been a wonderful experience.  Seriously, I’m typing this from the bottom of my heart. I am so incredibly grateful for all I’ve been able to experience.  I could bore you with the list of super-cool things I got to do because of where I work, but I”ll be good and just say thank you to each and every soul who opened doors for me that I didn’t even know existed — and wow am I ever a better person and teacher because of it.  So, yes, my heart pitter pattered a bit when I sent that good-bye letter.  I’m leaving a good thing.

Of course I’m also incredibly excited about where I’m going.  I’ll stay in touch with the friends I’ve made along the way — all wonderful people who will continue to teach and support me (and I, hopefully, them) wherever in the world I plop my pillow.  If you’re reading this blog, I totally expect you to come visit!  There’s always room at my place for you, and I’ll make a great tour guide.

I’ve been making new friends too.  I’ve joined several Facebook groups where I’m meeting people like me (in this first stage) and those who are already there and working.  I can tell I will not be alone, and I have a lot of adventures to look forward to — and those much-needed vent sessions.

Because my students have a lot on their plate right now (thanks to my — and, well, state/IB expectations — cooking it up) I’m back into full swing with them.  Whew!  I was worried they lost me, but I’m back to focusing on them.  I have a few more weeks of major work, and then after that it’s all (for me) fun stuff and getting things ready for next year.  Whoever gets my job will be in good shape.  I’m leaving him/her everything, including copies of my lessons, contacts, and a how-to cheat sheet.

So, right now I’m calm about the big change, and I’m here typing because I don’t really want to finish painting my bathroom — the house is getting all spruced up, so that I can put her on the market.  I guess I better get as in charge of my personal things as I am the job front…

The interview was a pleasant experience, although I could’ve done without all the nerves.  This is the most nervous I have ever been before a job interview.  The people from ADEC were great.  Someone in our little Facebook group described them as interviewers with grace.  They were welcoming and upfront.  During the interview they were extremely nice, but on point with ensuring we answered their questions.  It was obvious they were looking for the right people for their students not just bodies to fill vacancies.  I left feeling good about what they do while also knowing it’s going to be a wild ride.  They told us the horror stories are all true as are the great ones.  So, I know what I’m in for while at the same time not having a clue.

But yeah I got the job.  The email says I’m on the list of recommended hires and that the official offer emails will go out in a few weeks after the council has approved it all.  So, there’s always the chance I don’t get stamped by the council…

Kaylene and I had a wonderful time in Santa Monica.  It was the perfect mini mother/daughter trip.  We also met up with three of the other interviewees and had a fantastic time.  I liked them all, and I’m hoping they get their approval emails soon as well.  We could all be good friends.  There were two other people I met that I liked as well.  I hope to see them in Abu Dhabi.

The biggest shocker right now is that I am in shock.  It’s still sinking in that come August (or September) I’m moving to Abu Dhabi.  And on that note I need to get on with my day.  Wow.  I’m totally falling out of my little box here…

Oh and for my friends who are just learning about this blog because I’ve, well, not talked about it.  I’m going to teach English at an all-girls high school in the UAE.  Holy hell I’m going to be an expat teacher!

I got my authenticated documents back a week or two ago and was impressed by the letter, official ribbon and seals, but I didn’t really look at it.  Today, I’m scanning my documents for the big interview.  My paperwork has a letter verifying it’s all legit, and it’s signed and sealed by Secretary of State John F Kerry.  I knew it had to go to our state department, but I didn’t know the head honcho would be the one required to sign.  How crazy is that?  I’m like CIA official now…

Oy! The best part about February is learning that whew! I’m getting a tax refund and somewhere in the middle is a day off thanks to dead presidents.  It’s normally such a crazy time at work with IB film assessments and drop-dead publishing deadlines, and, you know, all the crazy stuff that goes with work and life.  Just to add even more to the mix we had a shooting at one of our basketball games (luckily no one was hurt, but still it puts the oh shit into your day).  We’re on high alert.  Fear and frustration is draining us. 

My youngest, a high school senior, is suffering senioritis, and not too happy with me putting him on blast on Facebook —- telling all that he cannot see them any time soon.  And how dare we take the truck keys away from him and threaten to do the same with his phone?  And then there’s my other son, but let’s keep my blood pressure down and go back to writing about the without borders thing.

So yeah there’s this job interview next week.  We finally learned the location, which happens to be in a hotel that costs $400 a night (on sale!).  I found one less than a mile away that is much cheaper.  Kaylene, my daughter, and I will be a block away from the Santa Monica Pier and beach.  We’re right across the street from all the shops and restaurants, so I totally plan on enjoying this little trip.

It’s a really bad time for me to get away from work, but it’s also a really good time because I’m ready to kill someone.  As for the interview and Abu Dhabi and all of it I’m as prepared as I’m going to be. I’ve read through what I think the curriculum is, planned what I think I’d do there, answered the questions I think they’ll ask.  I’m now obsessing over what to wear, which is just crazy.  It’s a job interview.  I go in, present my way of doing things, ask and answer a few questions, and deal with whatever happens.  I’m either getting it or not.  

I have a great life here (even with all the damned stress), so no big deal if I don’t get to go overseas next year.  Yeah, I know, I don’t believe that sentence either.  My mind is set on doing this overseas thing.  It’s now or never because, eventually, my children will start having their children and I’ll want to be here for that (oh how they better not procreate just yet).  To keep the wheels moving I’ve also applied for a teaching job in Kazakhstan.  I have my heart set on Abu Dhabi now, but we had an exchange student from Kazakhstan stay with us for a week, and he was a a lot of fun.  It’d be a pretty cool —- literally with their winters —- place to experience as well.  

So, I’m rambling on just to say that I’m really looking forward to next week.  I’m not expecting to know whether or not I have the job yet, but I am totally planning on having some fun with my daughter —- and learning more about the job at the interview.  This trip will be my little sanity break that might just lead to a whole new level of insanity.

We shall see what I post about it next weekend!