Two words: crunch time. I am getting down to the wire and I'm starting to feel a little stressed. I'm so overwhelmed with everything I have to do, but at the same time, I wouldn't trade it. My friends and family are checking to see when we can do something before I go. It's so sweet! I'm really touched by all the gestures. What a wonderful feeling to feel so loved by friends! It totally makes having no free time worth it.
This week is my last week of work. Everyone keeps saying they're so sad to see me go but so excited for me, too. It's pretty much agreed that it's an amazing opportunity and now is the time to do it since I have nothing holding me back or tying me down. I have to admit that having people at work support me is making my last few days much easier. When I had to turn in a two week notice I was a little afraid that it wouldn't be looked on favorably. Thankfully that wasn't the case. What a relief!
Despite my lack of free time I will hopefully be able to pack up all my things before I move to my parents' house next Friday, the 8th. I've packed up some things already that moved with them earlier this month. I also have one load ready to go with them tomorrow since they'll be in town. Then I'll take a load with me when I go check out their new digs this weekend. I'm looking forward to that! I want to see the new Huebner home. Then I'm here next week to pack, finish odds and ends, take care of a few appointments, and spend time with friends. Then I move home to spend some time with my parents for a week before I head across the sea.
My brother won't be able to come to the airport with us to see me off. I was very disappointed when I found that out. David has to work and since he's a college kid, I totally understand the need to make money. Been there. Done that. Whew! So my goodbye with David will be on the 9th at our annual family golf outing. That will be a day of lots of goodbyes. It will be sad but I'm to the point now that I've done so much preparing that I'm just anxious to be there and see everything and start to settle in. Until then, I've got things to do and people to see!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Apartment Pictures
Awhile back, Emily posted pictures of the apartment she and Laura (the girl she spent the past year with) lived in. This is the same apartment she and I will share. I sort of stole her pictures and created an album to share with you so you can see where we'll be living. Apparently teachers beg, borrow, and steal good ideas, so thanks for the pictures, Emily! :) Maybe I'm becoming a teacher already! Haha!
When you look at these, you'll understand that as you come into the apartment, there is kind of a main entryway that is also the central hallway for the apartment. All the rooms "meet" in this entry area. In these pictures, Emily did a good job of giving a feel for how the rooms fit together. You'll see what I mean. I think it will very quickly start to feel like home because it's a very cheerful place. See what you think. Check out the pictures by clicking on this link:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EaOWbJq4bsXHQ
The first door you see is the door from the street that takes you to our building. From what Josh has told me, it is more of a three level house than an apartment building like I'm used to. Each level of this "house" is an apartment of it's own. I guess it's more like a townhouse. Our apartment is the third floor.
Hopefully this gives you a good mental image for where I'll be when I write most of these blog updates. If you're like me, you like to picture things as you read so you'll appreciate the albums I post. Plus, I want to share as much of my experience as possible for you to enjoy with me. :)
When you look at these, you'll understand that as you come into the apartment, there is kind of a main entryway that is also the central hallway for the apartment. All the rooms "meet" in this entry area. In these pictures, Emily did a good job of giving a feel for how the rooms fit together. You'll see what I mean. I think it will very quickly start to feel like home because it's a very cheerful place. See what you think. Check out the pictures by clicking on this link:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EaOWbJq4bsXHQ
The first door you see is the door from the street that takes you to our building. From what Josh has told me, it is more of a three level house than an apartment building like I'm used to. Each level of this "house" is an apartment of it's own. I guess it's more like a townhouse. Our apartment is the third floor.
Hopefully this gives you a good mental image for where I'll be when I write most of these blog updates. If you're like me, you like to picture things as you read so you'll appreciate the albums I post. Plus, I want to share as much of my experience as possible for you to enjoy with me. :)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
One Month To Go
Wow. I can't believe it, but time has flown and one month from today I leave for Albania. Wow!
It really sunk in the other day when we received our flight confirmations. Honestly, I don't know how to explain this part, so I'm sorry if you don't completely understand, but it was one thing to know this is real and it's happening, but it's completely another thing to see dates and times and places confirmed on paper. For me, that was the moment when it truly hit home that this is happening.
Don't get me wrong, I've been preparing for awhile now. I've taken a few language lessons with Josh, who spent a year there doing the same thing I will be doing. I've found people to take over my apartment when I leave so I won't break my lease. I've gone to doctor's appointments to make sure I'm healthy. I went to the Missionary Orientation at Wisconsin Lutheran Child and Family Service. I've packed some of my things for storage already. I got a passport. I'm enrolled in a TEFL Online class so I have certification before I leave. I sold my bedroom set. This has been an ongoing process and there is still more to be done. I have to sell my car. I have to figure out how to pack for an entire year and still meet airline requirements. (If you have any tips on that, please, let me know!) I have to pack and move all of my belongings that will be stored. I have to get immunizations. I have to turn in my two week notice at work. I have to set up an international bank account. But seeing everything, especially the flight arrangements, laid out on paper made this real.
Despite my excitement and enthusiasm my nerves are starting to set in. Mostly though, there's one thing I am most certainly NOT looking forward to--departure day. I know that sounds strange, right? That's fine with me if you think it's strange. Without a doubt though, I am not looking forward to that day. I will be a roller coaster.
We leave from Chicago at 5:30pm CST. I will wake up that day and as I pack the last of my things and load the car with my family I'll just be thinking, "Oh man. In x hours we leave for Chicago." Then when we leave, I'll be thinking, "Yikes! In x hours I'll be at the airport." Then we'll be at the airport and I'll be thinking, "Oh no! In x minutes I have to say good bye. To my family. For a year." And then that time will come and I will be that person. You know, the one who is crying and making a scene at the airport even though they're not trying to make a scene. It won't be loud and boisterous, but it will be obvious that something overwhelming is going on. Then, after I've said goodbyes, we'll go through security and we'll have to wait at our gate for awhile. This will be pure torture. I will have to be sitting there, knowing that my family is just lots of yards away in the same building but I can't see them or talk to them.
Once we're on board the plane, I will get nervous about take off. Although I don't have a fear of flying, I don't exactly understand how planes work, so they me a little nervous. (Plus, when you're that high in the air, if something bad happens, there is nothing to protect you. But let's not think about that...) I hope that once we take off, I'll stop crying somewhere within the first 2 hours of the flight. Then maybe I'll be able to talk with Emily, calm down, and eventually fall asleep.
That's pretty much where my thought process is on all of this right now. I'm excited, but I'm so nervous about saying goodbye on the big day. I think about it and get teary eyed. Part of me thinks that if I cry now, I won't cry on that day but my common sense tells me that's not true. The water works will be open for business. In fact, the flood gates will be open and it might be a catastrophe that has never before been seen. ;) Hopefully it will only be sad and not traumatic.
At the same time, it really is amazing looking at how God has worked all of this out. It's all falling into place, despite little bumps and potholes along they way. No road for a sinful human being is perfectly paved. God has been guiding this from the start and has put me in this incredible situation. When I'm sad at the airport that day, I think he will be looking down on me from heaven with a loving smile on his face, saying, "Katie, Katie, Katie. The best is yet to come." And you know what? That's exactly the truth. And you know what? His Son and his angels will be guarding, protecting, and guiding me every step of the way.
It really sunk in the other day when we received our flight confirmations. Honestly, I don't know how to explain this part, so I'm sorry if you don't completely understand, but it was one thing to know this is real and it's happening, but it's completely another thing to see dates and times and places confirmed on paper. For me, that was the moment when it truly hit home that this is happening.
Don't get me wrong, I've been preparing for awhile now. I've taken a few language lessons with Josh, who spent a year there doing the same thing I will be doing. I've found people to take over my apartment when I leave so I won't break my lease. I've gone to doctor's appointments to make sure I'm healthy. I went to the Missionary Orientation at Wisconsin Lutheran Child and Family Service. I've packed some of my things for storage already. I got a passport. I'm enrolled in a TEFL Online class so I have certification before I leave. I sold my bedroom set. This has been an ongoing process and there is still more to be done. I have to sell my car. I have to figure out how to pack for an entire year and still meet airline requirements. (If you have any tips on that, please, let me know!) I have to pack and move all of my belongings that will be stored. I have to get immunizations. I have to turn in my two week notice at work. I have to set up an international bank account. But seeing everything, especially the flight arrangements, laid out on paper made this real.
Despite my excitement and enthusiasm my nerves are starting to set in. Mostly though, there's one thing I am most certainly NOT looking forward to--departure day. I know that sounds strange, right? That's fine with me if you think it's strange. Without a doubt though, I am not looking forward to that day. I will be a roller coaster.
We leave from Chicago at 5:30pm CST. I will wake up that day and as I pack the last of my things and load the car with my family I'll just be thinking, "Oh man. In x hours we leave for Chicago." Then when we leave, I'll be thinking, "Yikes! In x hours I'll be at the airport." Then we'll be at the airport and I'll be thinking, "Oh no! In x minutes I have to say good bye. To my family. For a year." And then that time will come and I will be that person. You know, the one who is crying and making a scene at the airport even though they're not trying to make a scene. It won't be loud and boisterous, but it will be obvious that something overwhelming is going on. Then, after I've said goodbyes, we'll go through security and we'll have to wait at our gate for awhile. This will be pure torture. I will have to be sitting there, knowing that my family is just lots of yards away in the same building but I can't see them or talk to them.
Once we're on board the plane, I will get nervous about take off. Although I don't have a fear of flying, I don't exactly understand how planes work, so they me a little nervous. (Plus, when you're that high in the air, if something bad happens, there is nothing to protect you. But let's not think about that...) I hope that once we take off, I'll stop crying somewhere within the first 2 hours of the flight. Then maybe I'll be able to talk with Emily, calm down, and eventually fall asleep.
That's pretty much where my thought process is on all of this right now. I'm excited, but I'm so nervous about saying goodbye on the big day. I think about it and get teary eyed. Part of me thinks that if I cry now, I won't cry on that day but my common sense tells me that's not true. The water works will be open for business. In fact, the flood gates will be open and it might be a catastrophe that has never before been seen. ;) Hopefully it will only be sad and not traumatic.
At the same time, it really is amazing looking at how God has worked all of this out. It's all falling into place, despite little bumps and potholes along they way. No road for a sinful human being is perfectly paved. God has been guiding this from the start and has put me in this incredible situation. When I'm sad at the airport that day, I think he will be looking down on me from heaven with a loving smile on his face, saying, "Katie, Katie, Katie. The best is yet to come." And you know what? That's exactly the truth. And you know what? His Son and his angels will be guarding, protecting, and guiding me every step of the way.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
I'm moving!
As you have read from the front page of my blog, I will be moving to Albania in a month. Why am I doing this? Yes, I understand that to some it may seem crazy. But to me, it fulfills a lifelong ambition. Since I was a kid I've wanted to teach in another country. Finally, I asked myself, "What am I waiting for?" The time was right and there were opportunities available and God let everything fall into place.
To answer another question that is probably running through your mind, no, I am not going alone. I will have a partner in crime. :) Her name is Emily. And guess what? We're related! Her mom and my dad are cousins. So my cousin (third cousin to be specific--I figured it out) and I will be living together, working together, traveling together, and probably driving each other crazy. Just kidding!
Where exactly will we be, you ask? Excellent question! First of all, Albania is a European country that is bordered on the east by the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. Albania is north of Greece, west of Macedonia, and across the sea you will find Italy. Size wise it's comparable to the state of Maryland. I've learned so far is that it is a beautiful country, not just because it borders the sea, but because it is also a very mountainous country.
I'm sure your next question is something about where we'll be living, right? Another very good question. We will be living in the capitol city of Tirana. Emily and I will share an apartment.
I should also tell you that Emily has already been living there for a year. With me, she will be spending her second year teaching and living in Albania. It is very reassuring for me to be going into this with someone who "knows the ropes," so to speak. She's lived there, knows her way around, can communicate effectively, and will be a great tour guide and teacher for me.
We will be teaching English classes to people of various ages and levels at two different centers. One is in Tirana and the other is in the coastal city of Durres. For now, that's about all I know of it. Once we arrive there, we'll have a month or so to learn more, recruit for our classes, plan, and prepare.
Please continue to read this and send the link to anyone you feel might be interested. I welcome comments, and in truth, will look for them frequently. This is especially true for once I'm actually there as the time difference and not having a phone will limit my communication with family, friends, and others.
I am very excited to be doing this and am excited about the people I will meet, things I'll see, do and learn, and the perspective I will come back with. Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned!
To answer another question that is probably running through your mind, no, I am not going alone. I will have a partner in crime. :) Her name is Emily. And guess what? We're related! Her mom and my dad are cousins. So my cousin (third cousin to be specific--I figured it out) and I will be living together, working together, traveling together, and probably driving each other crazy. Just kidding!
Where exactly will we be, you ask? Excellent question! First of all, Albania is a European country that is bordered on the east by the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. Albania is north of Greece, west of Macedonia, and across the sea you will find Italy. Size wise it's comparable to the state of Maryland. I've learned so far is that it is a beautiful country, not just because it borders the sea, but because it is also a very mountainous country.
I'm sure your next question is something about where we'll be living, right? Another very good question. We will be living in the capitol city of Tirana. Emily and I will share an apartment.
I should also tell you that Emily has already been living there for a year. With me, she will be spending her second year teaching and living in Albania. It is very reassuring for me to be going into this with someone who "knows the ropes," so to speak. She's lived there, knows her way around, can communicate effectively, and will be a great tour guide and teacher for me.
We will be teaching English classes to people of various ages and levels at two different centers. One is in Tirana and the other is in the coastal city of Durres. For now, that's about all I know of it. Once we arrive there, we'll have a month or so to learn more, recruit for our classes, plan, and prepare.
Please continue to read this and send the link to anyone you feel might be interested. I welcome comments, and in truth, will look for them frequently. This is especially true for once I'm actually there as the time difference and not having a phone will limit my communication with family, friends, and others.
I am very excited to be doing this and am excited about the people I will meet, things I'll see, do and learn, and the perspective I will come back with. Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned!
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