3 days to go....
Gosh, I guess it's time I start packing. Well, laundry and then packing. School in Ecuador got pushed back. It's now starting on September 7th instead of the 3rd. This is great news for me because now I'll be there for the first day of school! I'll send out an email when I get to Ecuador (probably Friday) to let everyone know I'm safe and I'll also give more contact details then. I don't want to give out too much info on the blog. Quito is one hour behind Georgia.
But I'm super excited I just got a web cam! Skype is so much fun! My screen name is natalimc. Can I just say though, I hate when stuff comes in that ridiculously thick and stupid plastic. I'm always so excited about something new but I have to practically find a chainsaw to get in the packaging. I nearly stabbed myself wrestling the packaging with my scissors. Seriously? You all know what I'm talking about.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Estoy perdido. I am lost....
Visiting Athens was fun but it made me realize how much I'll miss this place. As far as I know I'll never live here again. I will especially miss The Wesley Foundation!! It has been such a blessing to me over the past four years to attend services there and be involved in the ministry! I made such great friends that really impacted me over the past four years. Wesley and the people I met through Wesley have been such a great support to me that I'm nervous about leaving what I'm comfortable and familiar with. It's so incredible to be at Wesley on Wednesday nights surrounded by hundreds of college students worshiping the Lord so passionately. I hope that I can find a church in the future where I feel the Lord as much as I did at Wesley and where I'm surrounded by such spirit-led people.
The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." - Exodus 33:14
Enough with this sappiness. As much as I'll miss what I've known for the past four years I'm so excited about what lies ahead! While I was in Athens I went to the health center and made sure I was up to date and prepared with prescriptions for whatever I'd encounter in Ecuador. I'll be really safe in Quito but depending on where I travel I could be at risk for some fun things like Yellow Fever and Malaria. I'm just taking precautions.
I also met with my adviser and she was impressed with how prepared I am. I'm very lucky that I don't need a visa because I'll be there less than 90 days total. Apparently they are quite the hassle to get. She also gave me contact information for two UGA girls that have student taught in Quito in the past year. I talked to one on the phone today. She was so helpful and gave me lots of advice on weekend traveling to do. I will be taking the bus to school every morning from my host family's house- I was surprised when she told me all the teachers do this. I'm looking forward to finding out more things like this that differentiate American schools from Ecuadorian.
Probably what I was most excited to find out was that one of the girls that student taught there in the past, Corey, loved her experience so much that after graduating in May from UGA has moved back to Quito and will be teaching at the American School of Quito this year! She's also living with another girl she met while student teaching. How perfect! I bet they can show me the best places to shop, eat, sight-see, and go out! Apparently there are lots of international teachers, especially from Canada. Can't wait to meet everyone when I arrive!
What I'm most nervous about is remember the Spanish I took over four years ago during high school. I guess what better way to learn that to be forced to speak it. Some of the American teacher at Americano (the American School of Quito) take Spanish classes like one afternoon a week. I also might look into doing this while I'm there! I'm sure I'll have some good stories to tell as I struggle to communicate and probably get lost a lot.
The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." - Exodus 33:14
Enough with this sappiness. As much as I'll miss what I've known for the past four years I'm so excited about what lies ahead! While I was in Athens I went to the health center and made sure I was up to date and prepared with prescriptions for whatever I'd encounter in Ecuador. I'll be really safe in Quito but depending on where I travel I could be at risk for some fun things like Yellow Fever and Malaria. I'm just taking precautions.
I also met with my adviser and she was impressed with how prepared I am. I'm very lucky that I don't need a visa because I'll be there less than 90 days total. Apparently they are quite the hassle to get. She also gave me contact information for two UGA girls that have student taught in Quito in the past year. I talked to one on the phone today. She was so helpful and gave me lots of advice on weekend traveling to do. I will be taking the bus to school every morning from my host family's house- I was surprised when she told me all the teachers do this. I'm looking forward to finding out more things like this that differentiate American schools from Ecuadorian.
Probably what I was most excited to find out was that one of the girls that student taught there in the past, Corey, loved her experience so much that after graduating in May from UGA has moved back to Quito and will be teaching at the American School of Quito this year! She's also living with another girl she met while student teaching. How perfect! I bet they can show me the best places to shop, eat, sight-see, and go out! Apparently there are lots of international teachers, especially from Canada. Can't wait to meet everyone when I arrive!
What I'm most nervous about is remember the Spanish I took over four years ago during high school. I guess what better way to learn that to be forced to speak it. Some of the American teacher at Americano (the American School of Quito) take Spanish classes like one afternoon a week. I also might look into doing this while I'm there! I'm sure I'll have some good stories to tell as I struggle to communicate and probably get lost a lot.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
New Phase
I'm in the process of trying to find a new background fitting for writing about Ecuador. So hang in there while I play around with some options.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Nothing but perfect...
Yesterday I left Fripp Island. I was about to say my last summer has officially passed by, but that’s not true for teachers. Thank goodness! A few fellow interns and I caravanned to Atlanta where we explored Centennial Olympic Park and went to the Braves Game. It was a good time even though it poured on us, the game was delayed almost two hours, and we lost. Looking on the bright side, we got better seats than we paid for and we had one last hoorah! It was very sad to leave the beach and all the friends I had made. However, I’m so glad to be enjoying the comforts of home again (even if it is just for two weeks).
Today my two intern friends and I woke up early to hot coffee, French toast, bacon, and strawberries made by mom. Then I sent Erin, Amy, and their new baby turtles Tommy and Donatello on their way back to North Dakota- just another 30 some odd hours to go.
Mom and I went to see Julie & Julia! I absolutely loved it! It was so inspiring and fun! I would love to live in Paris. I want to be married and live in a quaint and quirky apartment- someday, no hurry. I like to cook- although I’m not nearly motivated enough to take on 524 recipes in 365 days. Who has the time or energy? Sometime I just want to come home and microwave. My other problem with cooking is how picky I am about foods! I really wish it wasn’t so, especially because I love to travel so much! I should be trying new things. Apparently, guinea pig is a delicacy in Ecuador. I’m just not brave enough for that.
Now I’m lounging around back in my pajamas about to nap through a storm. Perfection. I’m just going to put the thought of unpacking and packing again out of my mind for the time being.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
I'm really going to miss Athens this fall!
I made this choice to study abroad in the fall knowing I would miss out on my last semester in Athens, Georgia. I'm getting pretty sad about that as all my friends are moving back to Athens. Cluster E education majors are starting their student teaching by going to pre-planning this week and the first day of school is just around the corner. I wish that I could go to planning and the first day of school in Ecuador but they just won't allow me to.
It weird that lots of my friends have graduated and moved away or are looking for jobs. Another couple of my friends are graduating this December and May. This December is going to be pretty quality with my birthday, graduation, and Christmas. What more could I ask for after 3 months in Ecuador? I know, a job. I'm nervous about job hunting from abroad and trying to find a full time teaching job beginning in January. My back up plan is to live at home and substitute teach until I can get a full time teaching job (most likely in August). I'm sure things will all fall into place in time. Right now I'm just going to work on putting together my resume and collecting recommendations!
I'm sure going to miss, roommates, friends, football season, and Wesley in Athens!
It weird that lots of my friends have graduated and moved away or are looking for jobs. Another couple of my friends are graduating this December and May. This December is going to be pretty quality with my birthday, graduation, and Christmas. What more could I ask for after 3 months in Ecuador? I know, a job. I'm nervous about job hunting from abroad and trying to find a full time teaching job beginning in January. My back up plan is to live at home and substitute teach until I can get a full time teaching job (most likely in August). I'm sure things will all fall into place in time. Right now I'm just going to work on putting together my resume and collecting recommendations!
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