Leaving...

So it was officially announced to parents that I am departing for Korea next year. I had no idea how much I was loved until I got the outcry of sadness from parents whose kids aren't even kindergartners anymore! I have also found amazing support in the parents who are trying to find me anyone they know over there to make sure I know at least one person and am safe! I love this community and will miss it dearly. Today I received this email from one supporter:

Read about your new adventure today in the WWW and I think it's great (albeit a bit of a loss for the incoming k's), but what an experience. I think it's great that you will take advantage of this opportunity, which I am sure will change your whole perspective for the better and enhance your "world view". It will surely make you a more well-rounded teacher with so many unique experiences to differentiate you from the crowd and will contribute to making you a better citizen of the world. What I am really trying to say, that I have already said on numerous occassion is that Ms. Puffer - you are the COOLEST!

If there is anything that we can do for you, either to prepare or while you are at your new post (care packages from home - in case you get homesick) or a list of contacts in Asia that would be willing to put you up for a night here and there in case you get an opportunity to travel around on school vacations, let me know and I will figure out a way to put it together. In the meantime, just as I from time to time send you updates on the boys, we would love an occasional, if only similar to a holiday time email to let us know how things are going with you, we would love it! You have my email address. Please feel free to use it, if only to BCC on something cool now and again. Don't be a stranger. The whole family is really, really proud of you and excited for your future endeavors!

Warm Regards Always,
J

My new school has some pretty big shoes to fill!

Friends Abroad

The greatest news I could have gotten...beside all of my friends and family moving to Korea...is that I have one friend from college living in Korea right now. She and I played basketball together and she was somewhat of a mentor to me. I was so glad to learn I will not be completely alone there, and that the one person I will know is someone I look up to and trust. What great news! Who would of thought that I would have a neighbor in Korea that I new from Vermont :)

My latest realization...I am 6ft tall and will have to buy all the pants and skirts I will need before I leave. My guess is that my tall needs will not be met in Korea! I guess this gives me a reason to shop...GAP and Macy's here I come!

My first welcome to Korea is an email I received today:

Dear Mr. Ginger,

I guess in Korea Ginger is not a distinctly female name :)

Stuff for sale!

So I am moving to a fully furnished apartment in Korea. I have to figure out how to sell/give away all my stuff. Now I'm not a pack rat by any means but I have a LOT of stuff. As a teacher I get a lot of homemade gifts and so they begin to collect. I am overwhelmed at just the possibility of going through it all. I can't imagine how long this will take me but I will guess about 2 months since that is all the time I have!

Sooooo...Everything Must Go ha ha :)

New Adventures

So here goes nothing...I am embarking on an incredible adventure. I will be teaching kindergarten in an international school in Korea called Chadwick International Songdo. I was offered this opportunity about 2 weeks ago. I am excited, nervous, and overwhelmed! I am excited at the opportunity before me to start up a new school and teach in an IB program. I am nervous at the prospect of moving to a foreign country that I have never been too and where I don't speak the language. I am overwhelmed at how little time I have to pack up/sell my things an be ready to start a new year in a brand new/unopened school.

Wish me luck! (I have a feeling I will need it!)