FINALLY!!!!

After a LONG LONG day yesterday driving to DC and back, sitting in the embassy, tears on the phone with the passport office, endless google searches, emails galore, countless calls to CKGS to complain about BLS, days stress and worry. MY VISA IS FINALLY READY!!!!

I have never dreamed this process would take soooo long...but I am so glad that it is OVER. I am glad that we decided to drive back to the embassy to talk to someone, I think that in this transition between companies that our things were out of sight/out of mind. The staff at the embassy were very nice and helpful and it was completely unlike my experience at BLS. The only regret I have is not driving over there sooner! Oh well... and now next stop...MUMBAI!!!!

Hardest part is over!

So I just told my students I am going to India. They took it really well!! They asked me great questions about the food, people, clothing, exchange rates, weather, housing, religion, shopping, just about everything I have asked other people about Mumbai. Oh...and for me to send them food. LOL They are funny. I told them we can Skype next year, and I am giving them my blog info so they can keep up with my travels and adventures.

Hey Lucas!!!! I have enjoyed teaching every one of you this year, and I will miss you next year!!! As Ms. Smith always says...go out and make me some A's!!! - Ms. Turner

Caution...construction ahead!!!

So I have reached what I refer to....in my head, as the summer construction part of my move. Why? Summer construction is always ill timed, it interrupts what would other wise be a quick, seamless and pain free experience. It adds unnecessary time to your journey...ok ok I bet you get it.

So I'm in my summer construction phase of moving abroad. I now have no idea where my passport or employment visa is. Did I lose it...NOPE. I drove 5 hours to Washington DC to drop my paperwork off in person to avoid this VERY thing. Problem is...summer construction. The company that had been handling and processing the Visa's here in the USA for travel to India, changed  to a new contractor the week after I went. Was I worried? NOPE. Why would I worry? I did everything right LOL...the new company emailed me yesterday to say they don't "have it currently" I don't know what that means...but they have 6 weeks to find it or I may have to bring the thunder LOL LOL. This should give an idea of what is going on in the US with this transition.  Visa chaos

Second snag, the school I will be teaching at helps to handle the relocation costs for shipping. So what did I do, chose a company the school has no partnership with, so instead of billing the school this company has to bill me...my fault my fault. I mean, there goes my summer money out the window, but not even really that bothered. Am I panicked yet...NOPE.


Then the shipping company that was coming this MONDAY to pick up my stuff informs me that they cannot ship my items without my passport and visa....oh the ones that are lost somewhere in an office or bin in DC?!?! Oh ok. And for some reason the guy keeps asking me when do I think I will get them!!! How many ways can one say, "I HAVE NO CLUE" He's nice and all but COME ON!

The good news is, I got my background check...I apparently am not a criminal LOL

Lists

So, as the continued excitement of moving to Mumbai settles in, the reality of ACTUALLY getting there has as well. There are about 20,000,000 things on my to-do list, and what I notice is that the more I do...the LONGER the list gets.

Move out of apartment - Check
Secure a storage - Check

Oh wait, before the items can go into storage I have to sort them, India or USA. Then resort THOSE items: items to go in the suitcases vs items to be shipped....AND THEN SORT THOSE ITEMS...items I need access to versus items I can pack in vacu-seal bags.

I am trying to figure out what I really need to take and what is just me trying to hold onto items for comfort. There are some items that I am taking strictly for funsies. I also am torn between the idea of taking items and just buying them when I get to Mumbai. While I could get rid of my pots and pans and buy new ones, that just seems wasteful and lazy. But then again every item I take is another $$$$ I pay!

I'm at work thinking about all of the things I need to do, I am eating going over my lists, I am asleep having nightmares about forgetting something on my list...wait...where is my list!?!?!?!?!?

It all happened so quickly!!

Soooo, you know the quote "when you make plans God laughs"...I now know exactly what that quote means. When 2014 started out, I was sure I was going to grad school. I was POSITIVE the next step in my life was to start the fall of 2014 in a Ph.D program for Special Education. I spent all my monies applying to programs, because I was SO sure that was the plan for my life. Well March of 2014, I received all of my rejection letters, had my moment of devastation and said, "Well what now!?!?!"

Well here is what! I decided to start applying to teaching positions outside of North Carolina. I was ready to embark on a new adventure...I had no idea what was in store for me. 

Long story short, I applied for a job. I followed up my application with an email to the principal over Easter weekend. To follow were the quickest two weeks full of interviews, reference checks, Skype calls, emails...and then the Skype call of them all!!!! I GOT THE JOB!!!!!

What is the job you ask?!?! Well on July 26th, I am leaving for MUMBAI INDIA!!!! I will be working for the American School of Bombay as an Academic Specialist (Special Education Teacher) for the Elementary School. 

FAQ:

Am I excited? YES YES YES YES YES

Am I nervous? YES

Is my family excited? YES YES YES

Is my family nervous? YES (my brother and uncle particularly)

So I am creating this blog so that my family and friends can keep tabs on me as I embark this great adventure for the next two years! 

God may have laughed...but now I am laughing too!!!