Preparing for Adventure

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Okay, so I'm cheating by using the blog I already posted on My Space. I am not feeling creative today, plus many of you haven't read this yet :-) Enjoy....

I finally bought my plane ticket to Taiwan! Yes, that means I accepted a job offer! I will be teaching preschool (3 & 4-year-olds) in the 4th largest city - Tainan. My job begins on August 4th, but I'll be headed there early to settle in, get an apartment, get over the jet-lag, & explore the city....

How am I feeling, you might ask. As you can imagine, I feel as if every feeling I could possibly have is flowing through me! Of course, the two most prevalent feelings seem to be "excited" and "scared-out-of-my-mind." I have been planning this since January, but now it is very real.....I AM MOVING TO ANOTHER COUNTRY TO LIVE FOR A YEAR!
It doesn't help that I know no Chinese at all, nor do I know anyone in Taiwan (oh yeah, I'm also not sure I have enough $ to survive the first month or so!) Thankfully, I have made contact with several of the other foreign teachers at my school, and all
Mia familia
Mia familia
A recent shot from when my bro Andrew, my parents, and I were visiting Newport, Rhode Island.
of them seem super-nice. They are going to pick me up at the airport & help me find housing. Plus, I keep meeting the friendliest people from Taiwan. One woman even offered to let me stay with her & drive me around. Somehow, I feel like I am going to fit in at this school & in this country.

Of course, I will have culture shock during my first month(s) in Taiwan (perhaps the entire year,) but I really believe this is the right path for me to take. From my experience of studying abroad, I know that this year will change the way I view the world and allow me to grow tremendously as an individual. Like my very intelligent friend said to me during my fit of nervousness yesterday, "You are standing on the edge of a precipise, and you have to decide if you are the kind of person who is going to jump or the kind of person who is going to stay where you are." (Sorry if I misquoted you! ) After he said that, I knew that I didn't have a choice. This is my dream, and it could be my only chance.
Sunset over the Newport Bridge
Sunset over the Newport Bridge
My last evening in Newport was sad, as I won't be back for at least a year. I will miss my family, but hopefully I'll see many beautiful sunsets in Taiwan 😊
I have to either jump or stand here forever, watching as my life passes me by. So, here goes the jump....Wish me luck!

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Photos

The home I am leaving :(
This is my parents home in The Villages, FL, where I have been living since March. My friend Kelly came to visit :)

Mia familia
A recent shot from when my bro Andrew, my parents, and I were visiting Newport, Rhode Island.

Sunset over the Newport Bridge
My last evening in Newport was sad, as I won't be back for at least a year. I will miss my family, but hopefully I'll see many beautiful sunsets in Taiwan :)

Comments

[Risa]

YAY!!
I can't believe the time has come! This is amazing, congratulations, I am so happy for you! I'll be there to visit at some point!

[Ann]

Wondering
Hi Alison, I keep wondering how you are. Yes, I have talked to your mom. I am hoping you are fine and are finding your way around. Looks like the weather is about the same. Where are you using a computer? Thinking of you, Ann