To My Middle School Students:

To My Middle School Students:

I hope that you enjoy this blog about my adventures living and teaching abroad. I am glad that I get to keep you all updated in this way and know that, even though I am not technically your teacher anymore, I will always consider you my students. Feel free to leave comments, to email me with questions, or just say hi :]

Monday, June 3, 2013

Reminder to Calm Down



This is hilarious.  Here I am, freaking out like I have never been abroad before.  I woke up today in a panic that I am unprepared and have made bad decisions.  Then, I thought of looking back at my old blog from before my trip last year.  It seems like I have a pattern of not trusting myself and the process.  I want to get better at doing those things.  This post is a good reminder and helps give me perspective.  I was scared then, and everything was ok.  I think my favorite part is the *note to self* at the end... as if I knew I would need the reminder :]   It's just like when I had you guys write to your future selves to remind yourself of things.  I told you I do it, too!







Tuesday, June 12, 2012


The approach....

I seem to process things easier when I think externally... so I thought I'd start writing now
 - even before I go.

Here I am... about to embark on a journey- a journey of which the seed was planted eight
years ago. When I was in college, I imagined studying abroad but I was too scared to go to
a country where I would not know the language.  I planned to go to New Zealand! 
I researched and planned, but it never happened.  I didn't go.

It is interesting how the desire to study abroad stayed, while the new desire to study
Spanish emerged.  Perhaps it is all perfect that I am going now, instead.

I am nervous about many things:
- That I won't know enough to communicate when I get there
- That I keep second guessing myself on my choice of programs
   and countries
- That my host family won't like me
- That there is so much unknown
- That it will be so freaking hot!

... and more importantly, I am also excited about many things:
- The unknown
- The possibilities
- The people I will meet
- The people who's stories I will hear and share
- All that I will learn
- The world that I will see with a new perspective

*Note to self to remember in life - You have a tendency to freak out before a big trip
and to even not want to go, anymore.  It is ok.  You've done this process before.
It will be awesome.

- "Shift your approach, breathe, and go smoothly."   

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