Stepping out of my comfort zone and putting miles between myself and my closest team of support was a huge move for me. But as much as I knew I would miss everyone, I never looked back. Some girls grew up dreaming of their perfect wedding or future home, many saved for their perfect car, but for me it's always been a about travel. Call me a dreamer, wanderluster, or hopeless travel bug.... I have always wanted to travel the world and live in other countries. The opportunity to learn other languages, experience other cultures and meet people while maturing myself..... This is exactly where I am meant to be (at the present). August 2013 opened the newest and biggest chapter of my life to date.
September was full of busy tasks like visa applications, trips across Dublin to perfect ongoing applications, interviews for teaching positions, & settling in past "holiday-mode" and into "life here". The epic wait for applications and timing was unknown and I had to draw upon faith and patience in ways I'd yet to have to before. I was able to enjoy my first fall in Ireland: rich in color, fresh air, Oktoberfest, exploring the city and having a real break from work to get to know responsibilities here. Everyday was a new adventure, even with work involved! Being in a new place though taught me how to stay connected with friends and family where ever I am and get to know the company of myself on my own. Did I mention I knew next to no one here? Have you ever read a buzzfeed online about how hard it can be to 'make new friends in a new city over age 24'? It is! But you just roll with it! It's a memory and something you go through when you move, ya know?
In October I went on my first trip to England and stayed in London over a long weekend. Londontober was incredible! I felt like I was walking through history (because I was) both from the books I read in school and of my own life. It was an amazing trip (*See Londontober post from a different entry) and I would love to visit London again. I'd never had time off like this before and after loads of saving, planning, and starting new things in Dublin- it was beyond a gift and treat to go on this holiday! The photo above is me on Oxford Street. The white lanterns draped throughout the city were the first things I noticed when the sun came up. Aren't they cool? This trip symbolized goals I had for this move, steps I was taking for my future, and having a wish and actually getting to see it through. You really can live your dreams (I'm sorry to sound cliche, but actually I'm not sorry). It takes blood, sweat, and tears sometimes and doesn't always come at the time or in the exact way you picture it... but it can still happen and might just be better than you wanted! Before this trip I was frustrated, because I really wanted to be settled and in my new job already. But now looking back, how amazing I could be resting up from 2 very big years of teaching in Georgia and visiting an iconic city like London? Why was I making myself feel guilty for something out of my control and also so special? It's human nature I suppose, but really.... we just all need to get out of our heads sometimes!
November was the start of the holiday season for me and it was the first Thanksgiving I spent away from home and family. It was tough loving the adventure I was on but wanting to share it in person with the people I love the most and not being able to. I've said it once and I'll say it again a thousand times, technology is a great thing as it's helped me stay connected to everyone!
Christmas, New Years, and the end of 2013 flew by! I was volunteering in a school and experiencing just what it's like to be a teacher in another country. I was also enjoying all the new traditions of Christmas in Ireland! I was so blessed to join a fabulous school with wonderful administrators, teachers, and students for 3 months. They all welcomed me and made me feel like such an important part of their school. This made me homesick for my own roots again in a school, but having had the time to get to know the differences and similarities hands on in a school system here finally had me feeling prepared and confident to be in charge again. I wasn't sure how being a volunteer would go, but being accepted and placed in such a great school was the perfect fit. It also reminded me of my teaching practice at UGA and made me nostalgic as well as crazy for having to 'go back in time' in a way. While it was humbling and not easy the whole time, I never felt like I was taking a step backwards. Everything was a step forward and preparing me for each new door on my way to a job. I could honestly feel like I was getting this and that much closer to a job, but it was just taking time and I wasn't sure how much longer I could go without a proper job. All I was waiting on was for "Santa" to bring me the prezzie with my name on it. It didn't come right away, but not too long after January 1, 2014 I received a job offer! That was a pivotal moment in my life! Hooray I could stay! From holiday to volunteer to part of the community!
That brings me to January 2014 and the re-birth of this blog.
Thanks for reading and for being such great supporters.
Cheers,
M
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