March 30, 2010

Well...I am on spring break now and I am trying to check items off my list. I was able to find a great deal on a backpack at REI. The guy told me I should be this certain backpack but it was $250.00. I asked him if there was anything in the $100 range. He took me over the the clearance rank and told me that these were last year's models and was that ok...I told him, I didn't care if they were 10 years old, they were great. I got a great backpack for $160.00. WAHOOOO. Thanks Aunt Mary Jane for your great bargaining skills!!!

I also got the electric outlet converters. Man those are PRICEY!!! Those almost cost as much as the backpack.

I have been continuing to talk to Katerina. She is the teacher that is going to be living in my house and teaching at my school. She seems WONDERFUL. We seem so much alike and I really am feeling better about this process with her being the one that I am exchanging with!!!

I will be updating with some pictures soon so stay tuned. In exactly 4 months, I am beginning my new life journey. My heart is already starting to race a little faster each minute!!

March 13, 2010

So I figured out that I have 21 weekends left before I leave. That seems like a lot but I know that it is going to go quickly. I told myself that I have accomplish something each weekend so I don't over load myself in the end. Today I went out and got my passport pictures. The program said that I should take 10 passport pictures with me to Europe in case I need documents overseas. LET ME TELL YOU, passport pictures are pricey! It cost me 45.00 to get the 10 pictures...YIKES.

I also got an email from Katerina and she seems like a great person. She sent me some pictures of herself, her daughter, and her partner. Their city is beautiful and I am a little nervous that they are going to feel let down when they come here. Lake Stevens is far from historic and Arcitectural. I seem to be getting the better end of the deal and I just really hope she find the beauty in what this place can offer.

March 12, 2010

I got all the paper work in the mail today. It had all the information that I need to know before I go as well as all the paper work that I need to fill out/complete before I leave. There is a lot to do. There is a lot to do that I didn't think I would have to do. My head is really pounding. There is so much to do and I don't know where to start. I tell my students to write a list and that is what I have done. I am going to try and get somethings checked off the list tomorrow so that is going to be helpful.

I told my staff and students today about my trip. They seem to be excited for me. A couple students want to follow my blog so I am excited about that.

I did email the exchange teacher today so I am excited to hear back from her. I am sure that once we start our dialogue, things will seem a lot more easier. Keep you all posted!

Preparations

I have just found out that I am going to the Czech Republic to teach for a year. I applied for the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program and was accepted. I just found out that I am going to Tabor, Czech Republic. I will go and live in a teacher's house there, and she will come and teach here and live in my house. We are exchanging lives essentially.