T minus 27 days

Well, the decision has been made, the flight has been book (I leave August 26th) and I anxiously await my invitation papers from China so that I can confidently get my work visa. To say that I'm excited is an understatement, to say that I'm nervous doesn't give my feelings justice but to say that I know this is exactly where I need to be is completely correct. This journey hasn't been an easy one. My original plan was to teach abroad after I graduated from UMD in 2007, but through a series of life events and hesitations, I never went through with it. I think when I was in the moment I had regrets in my decisions, especially when I promised myself I would. But looking back, I honestly don't think I was ready for such an adventure. My choice to stay in MN all these years brought me to grad school at Hamline University, a job at Community of Peace Academy and the knowledge that teaching truly is my calling. I don't think I would have figured that out had I not stayed in Minnesota. And now I'm here, grasping the door handle to a new adventure; one that I've dreamt of for years.

I will be living in a city called Ningbo. It's just South of Shanghai on the Eastern coastline. I will be teaching a school called Shane English and it sounds fantastic. Run by Western management, I will recieve full training, my own classroom (and TA!), quite a substantial salary and the opportunity to meet amazing students from another country. I look forward to the chance to create a learning environment for my students that is both educational and fun. Hopefully the schooling I've recieved at Hamline will set me up to be a successful 1st year teacher.  

As I amp myself up for this journey, there are a few things I anticipate I will miss a lot while I'm away:

- Family and friends

- Megan, Caitie, Maddie and Emily's weddings (and probably more--as well as babies)

- Snow on Christmas

- Cheese (a rarity in China)

- My iphone

- Community of Peace Academy and my amazing family there

- Belive it or not ... school work

I'm sure many more things will be added to this list the moment I step off the plane, BUT there will also be many amazing things that I will gain and I can't wait to find out what they are...

I'm going to keep updating my blog throughout the year with pictures and stories, so keep checking back! (It probably won't be very exciting until the beginning of September)

Hannah