I’m grateful that today should be the last day of visa paperwork trials and challenges. I’m heading downtown this morning to get my background check at APD, then taking that and my notarized degree to the Capitol so the Secretary of State can apostille (authenticate) those documents. Once they are authenticated, I can email the pdfs, along with my medical check to my new school. From there, they will send it to the Chinese Govt for authorization to work in China, then email that document to me. I get all that down to the Chinese Consulate in Houston, and 4 days later, I have a Chinese visa!
I’ll be able to relax just a little, but have to start packing everything for shipment overseas. Anyone want to buy an Isuzu SUV with a tranny that is slipping? LOL I’m grateful that the truck has kept running this long... only need it to keep going 4 more weeks!
0 Comments
Wow, just finished a two-hour chat with one of my future co-teachers in Chengdu! Well, little over 2 hours! She gave me so much great info and we had the opportunity to become more acquainted. She LOVES China! In fact, EVERYONE I have talked to LOVES China! I am so excited! The positivity is rubbing off! She told me more about school and what to expect, as well as sending me some videos of class-time during school. Wow, it's a beautiful school! The building is an architectural wonder when compared to old, outdated U.S. buildings. I am so grateful for this opportunity! I am so grateful that technology allows me to make friends BEFORE I even arrive in China!! I am grateful that I am moving to a technologically advanced country that invests in its infrastructure and people. I am grateful that China is expanding and welcoming and modernizing. The more I learn, the more pleased I am with my decision! The more I learn, the more I am completely confident that I will love China--I believe it will be an easier experience than I had in Korea, even! No utopia, no panacea, but a wonderful experience with challenges and success, ups and downs, learning and growing... so much opportunity! So much potential! I am so grateful I get to move to China!! HI am grateful for all I was able to achieve today! Several steps closer to obtaining my Chinese visa, and saved both money and time! Since the FLDOE can't seem print anything faster than 6 weeks out, I sent the official PDF to FedEx, had it sized and printed on nice card stock, then overnighted it to my WONDERFUL Sis in FL, who will take it to her notary friend to get that part completed. From there, I'm hoping the rest of FL Govt has their act together so I can get that apostilled quickly. Let's hope! I'm grateful that I finished all of my medical paperwork required for the visa today, as well! All I have to do is send that to the school and that is one more step complete! Luckily, I can get a local police background check and they notarize it right there as well. Wednesday morning, I'll get that done, and then take the documents I have on hand down to the Capitol for authentication by the Secretary of State. I'm grateful that they will basically do it within an hour or so! Two big checks off the list! The final, last, completing piece will be that stupid FL stuff. I believe that the Chinese Consulate will authenticate my teaching certificate if it is notarized (according to their website). I also have the required signed reference letters proving the 2+ years of required teaching experience, and my contact at school said that those will suffice if I don't get the teaching cert authenticated in time. I'm grateful that it is all coming together! If I can get all these documents to them by Thursday, (Friday in China), they can submit that day, and I may have the electronic go-ahead to send my documentation to the Consulate in Houston! The Chinese Govt first has to "permit" me to apply for a Visa:
...(of course!), when I had my visa photo taken, I went to a specific visa/passport photo place, and found out that they specialize in getting visas and passport paperwork expedited, in addition to taking the photos! So yay! Instead of driving to Houston twice, I give them $100 and they take care of it for me! Whoo Hooo! I am grateful it's all coming together! Now, back to my list! Sigh... :-)) HA! As each day passes, I get more and more excited. I am sooooooo grateful for this opportunity! When I think about all I have experienced these past 3 (hard) years and all I have accomplished to get to this point, it all seems worth it. I will reflect on that more later. I’m thrilled about my new school and coworkers, who I WeChat with frequently. I already have a new friend who shares similar interests and outlooks as I do!!! Yay! Everything is going rather smoothly in regard to getting my Chinese Visa: almost all my paperwork is complete and any (perceived) obstacles that have come up have been easily overcome (like stupid Florida Educ Dept. idiocracy!)! I even woke up to some weight loss—hoping it’s not all from the stomach flu I had for 3 days LOL! I’m attending yoga class again this AM with my BFF, and have been keeping my exercise pretty consistent. I started using MyFitnessPal again to track calories; to put earnest effort into losing weight before I depart so I don’t have to buy a bunch of new clothes! I’ve decided to learn from my experience traveling to Korea (And all the wisdom of living abroad I gained in Korea) and ship everything over except for one suitcase and a carry-on. I’ve already download an voice-recognition translator App that speaks in Mandarin what I input in English!!! Although my list of TO DOs seems to grow daily, I am also striking through items as well. The biggest relief has come from China entry-required medical tests for (not as expensive as I thought) and having my Sis in FL helping me with the ****wits at the Florida Dept of Ed so I can get my teaching license notarized in a timely manner! Yay! I’m grateful that it is all coming together. I’m grateful that I am achieving my goal of living in China! I’m grateful that I am achieving my goal of working at an IB International School! I’m grateful for my awesome new flat! I’m grateful for no more roommates (especially the inconsiderate messy one!) I’m grateful I can once again get a dog!! I’m grateful I get to live in Chengdu! I’m grateful that I have heard so many positive comments about China and Chinese people from expats who have lived in China for years! In fact, the ONLY NEGATIVE I have heard about living in Chengdu is the air pollution—but masks during winter and indoor air filtration devices solve that, so hey! WhooooooHoooooo! So grateful for all that is BECOMING!!! I think that was my motto for 2010. This year, year of the dog, it’s “wo nang sheeng”: I can do it! I had no idea how easy everything would be and for that I am so grateful!
I have to get all these medical exams and questions answered by my Dr., and I’m like: “None yo biz!”. Luckily, my Dr said most of these would be covered in a general exam, excluding the chest x-ray and EKG. I don’t end to spend $1000 on vaccines either. The exams cost only $160 together, vaccines around $200, plus my follow-up with her $250. Considering I thought this would be thousands of dollars, I feel like I’m getting a discount at $600 for everything! Yay! The last few things I need are documents I am waiting to receive so that I can get them authenticated (by state for Fed, not sure yet) and a criminal history check, which I’ll finish next week. If I can get everything to the school in Chengdu by the end of next week, they will be able to file for my visa, email me paperwork, then I can get my visa started before Chinese New Year, when everything shuts down for 2 weeks! This will be perfect because then I can leave early as I hope to do, to arrive a week prior to start date of March 5! I want to start fresh and rested, not jet-lagged and time changed zombified because I arrived a day or two before I am due at school! It will all work out easily... it has so far! And I CAN DO IT! I am so grateful everything has been easy! Yay! THE BIG NEWS: I am moving to China!I can finally make this public, since I am telling the parents today at a meeting after school.
I was contacted by a school in Chengdu at the end of November, but told them I would respond after winter break. When I followed up with an email, after researching the school and the city, I was very keen. It is an International Baccalaureate program school, which is very highly regarded around the world in the primary and secondary education market. In working abroad, I am firm in my decision to only teach at an IB World school, because their philosophy mirrors that of progressive ed; progressive ed is the exact opposite of the failed American system of Common Core Standards and “teach-to-test”, rather than “teach to think”. The IB system is an holistic education approach which emphasizes socio-emotional learning and inquiry-based curriculum; in other words, the IB considers the whole child, not just the part that sits at a desk all day, like in US public schools. Obviously, my philosophy is one of holism, too! We had an interview scheduled for the middle of vacation, but it did not happen, due to a power outage, and thus, no wi-fi, on my interviewers side. We rescheduled for Wednesday, January 3rd, my first week back at school after winter break. I was interviewed by the PYP Director of the school, who told me I was his top choice for the position available in one of the 5- and 6-year-old classrooms. That was nice to hear!! He reiterated throughtout our 90-minute discussion that I was the teacher they sought after. Within an hour of the interview ending, I had a job offer arrive in my Inbox! Wow! So I told him I would think about it and get back with an answer quickly—they were seeking a start date of March. I sent a page-full of questions (literally), and he sent me contact info for two teachers at the school. I was satisfied with the answers, and more thrilled with the prospect, and then even more excited after I talked to the two teachers in China. The hurdle for me was the start date of March 5, which was not flexible, although they offered me another opening in September. Beginning in March would give me very little time to prepare to MOVE TO CHINA, as well as give my current school time to find a replacement. I was hoping for at least three months to ease out, work with my replacement, and most importantly to me: give my students time to adjust. But, my instinct said “Do this now!”, my research said “This is a fantastic opportunity!”, my goals/desires said “This is what you’ve been working toward!”... plus, the contract is generous, the school appears perfect for my teaching style... so I AM DOING IT! I’ve talked to 4 of my future co-workers, Chengdu is wonderful city, I’ve joined overseas FB groups to get more info, and ... Suffice to say I accepted the position Monday morning, told my co-teacher Monday afternoon (who was happy for me and fully supportive), informed our school’s (new) Director on Tuesday (who was also fully supportive and offered a congratulatory hug while exclaiming: “Great job manifesting, Gina!”), and made the announcement to the rest of the staff that Thursday at our weekly meeting. Another serendipitous moment came when my replacement was hired within one hour of the staff meeting! Everything about this job offer and acceptance has been easeful: it is all happening smoothly. To me, this is another sign that I have made the right decision. Plus, my gut instinct has no tickling-naggling-weird warning signs going on. SERENDIPITY, once again! I have missed you, thank you for your reappearance in my life! And that is part my gratitude for the day: SERENDIPITY, along with a great opportunity, a great future, moving to China, and an unstressful departure from my current position! I am grateful for all of this, and more! We are holding a parent meeting tonight, because we couldn’t schedule one any earlier. I’m feeling anxious about that; my parents trust me and I love their children. Thus far, I have felt only excitement about the job and move as I have been so busy with errands, phone calls, and paperwork to obtain a visa—I haven’t had time to feel sadness about my departure. Plus, it’s not like I’m leaving forever, I’ll always return to visit every few years, (but I hope I never, ever, ever have to live in the US again)! Wow! I went from interview on Jan. 3, to acceptance on Jan. 8, final day at current school Jan. 26, and a departure date the last week of February (which as of today, is only 35 days—5 weeks!— away!! So much in 3 weeks!
Snowy with a 100% chance of Hygge and spicy chai! BWAAAAHAAAAHAAA! But really, third time this season it has snowed in the not-so-great-metropolis of ATX! City and school district declared shut down and so school is out today! Yay! I get to read, catch up on paperwork, watch movies, stay warm, relax... and be grateful for the day off! I’m grateful for the research about well-being and neurobiology/chemistry that has become more prevalent the past decade. It’s astounding! Neuroscience once proclaimed the belief that neurons could not regrow or repair once damaged—so glad they were wrong! Advances in the studies of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, trauma and development, and neurobiology have proved that we can change our brain chemistry, molecular biology, and our very DNA! Yay! Anyway, it fascinates me and I am grateful for this day when I can spend some time researching these topics! Also feeling extra grateful for friendships, today and this week. I love you, Peeps! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Wow, there is just too much going on! And I am grateful for it all! Reveled with a large group of people I did not know (expect for a few) and actually enjoyed it! Months back, I would have stayed for the shortest possible time that etiquitte allowed, felt anxious the entire time, and ducked out as soon as I could. The Goddess has returned! I was my usual bouncy, funny, erudite, loqaicious self and stayed at the party for 4 hours!!! I had a blast and talked with many interesting people, and of course—made new friends! Ah, sigh. I have missed my Self!
I awaken in the morning, a bit tired, but then start thinking of what is to come, and then get so excited that I don’t need coffee, Ha! In fact, I’ve been sleeping about 7-8 hours, and although that is inadequate and I am tired, does not halt my day, like it would have a few months ago, when I was constantly tired, even after 9+ hours of sleep! yay! In fact, I have cut my caffeine consumption substantially! I no longer NEED it! I have returned to ENJOYING it! Also, I am starting week 4 of consistent yoga practice, yay! (Though I need to jump on the cardio train because I’ve got to increase my endurance and strength for upcoming hikes!) Wo nang sheeng 2018! I can do it 2018! Damn, it’s finally going to be a great year!!! YIPPEE!! |
Gina is......grateful for the past and the future! Archives
November 2018
Categories |