Our visas have arrived! Much earlier than expected and such a massive relief. What a tedious process it has been for each of us to obtain this one document but as it always turns out, well worth the effort. When combined with our work permits, we will be official and legal teachers within Thailand. I came across this little quote the other day and I sensibly believe it sums up our journey thus far. “Hard work and determination have made it easy. That is our secret. That is why we win.” :)
Last week we attended a Teach Abroad Webinar. We learned what we can do to ensure a smooth farewell and harmonious arrival. In just one hour, we gained knowledge about what we need to bring, what we should not bring, what we will be expected to wear, how we will get around, what teaching supplies we will be given, how orientation will be arranged, what communication capabilities will be available, etc. We then proceeded to discuss exactly what we will need to cancel, store, sell, and basically rid ourselves of over the next 13 days. It was a rather liberating conversation. Jason sold his 4-Runner and we have been solely dependent on the old green Volvo. This alone has been an interesting experience. It so quickly and blatantly revealed just how flexible we can be when challenged by considerable change. I have no doubt that we can and will stay balanced and rational through the upcoming culture shock.
As I pick up my traveling backpack, I think about how truly amazed I will be to figure out what I can fit into this very limited space. Even more so, I think about how surprising it will be to find out what I can justifiably and effortlessly leave behind. Although our return plane ticket already states that October 24th will be the date of our US homecoming, we really cannot wrap our minds around the idea of coming back so soon. We frequently joke back and forth about making the right connections with the locals of Bali and lining up some type of work enabling ourselves the time and funding in order to live on the unbelievable beaches until something like 2015.
Hey, it could happen.
"We are in fact what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
No comments:
Post a Comment