ANNND…I’m off. I’m off on another adventure. Today I begin
my 10 month teaching stint in Panajachel, Guatemala (well it’s only 10 months
for now- right mom J?)In
the past week, I presented my Master’s thesis, packed up my apartment in
Tacoma, jumped off the pier on a rainy afternoon into the Puget Sound with my
MAT teacher friends in celebration, drove away from the University of Puget
Sound (a place I’ve called home for the past 5 years )and today I said farewell
to Kenmore and people that make it home.
And I thought moving to a new country was going to be a whirlwind…. All
joking aside, this past week has been pivotal, and I so appreciate all the
support and encouragement that’s been provided by all you friends and loved
ones out there. Even though I’m the one hopping on the airplane, it’s because
of all of you that I am brave enough…and crazy enough to do something like
this!
I will arrive in Guatemala city tonight and will stay in a
hotel near the airport. Then tomorrow morning, I’ll be shuttled into the town
of Panajachel and to my home, where my future roommate and house pet (yes, she
brought her cat Tabitha along!) I will be teaching a 2nd/3rd
grade split class at the Atitlan Multicultural Academy:
Teacher training is on Friday and I will meet my students at
open house that afternoon! It’s so exciting thinking that I have a whole class of future students out
there, hopefully looking forward to our year together as much as I am!
I’m soaking up the last few tastes of the states (Starbucks
and McDonald’s) in the Dallas airport. It’s rare that I binge on a quarter pounder
so I think this meal marks the beginning of a year full of adventure..? While
there are a lot of uncertainties (like whether or not I’ll ever enjoy Starbucks
again after tasting the purity of Guatemalan coffee, how many students will
show up in my classroom on that first day, and who will learn more, my students
or me?) a few things are for certain: I am so grateful and blessed for this opportunity
and am so looking forward to sharing my first year teaching journey with you
all. I will keep this blog updated as much as possible but know that I am
thinking of you all and want to thank you for all your constant support
motivation!
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ReplyDeleteLOVE IT. Love you!! Can't wait to hear about your exciting life....and mostly about Guatemalan coffee.
ReplyDeleteSo exciting! Good luck and best wishes for your journey ahead... bookmarking this blog! Love.
ReplyDelete-Caitlin E
I am so excited for you. Can't wait to hear more about the adventures ahead... inside and outside of the classroom. Mary S. WMS
ReplyDeleteAllison, Ellen Wastell forwarded this to me. I am thrilled to hear that you have taken on such an interesting and important global education and community opportunity. I look forward to learning more and wish you the best, as always.
ReplyDeleteWow, Allison, this is so amazingly cool! So proud of you.
ReplyDeleteI have a student, a dancer, who is really interested in UPS, and i was going to have you show her around....how did i miss the fact that you had graduated?? I may tap your bro for that.
Enjoy Guatemala!
Lisa