Day 1 – The Journey Across (Sunday - Monday)

Our day started early by walking our dogs over to the in-laws house for their new home away from home. It was hard but easier than dropping off our cat as our doggies are used to this home away from home. They’ll be well loved.

We were met back at the house with great friends and some family who helped to see us off. Dereck’s brother and niece saw us off at the airport.

Checking in was a challenge as there were some complications with how the airlines made our reservations. We were afraid we wouldn’t make it onto the plane. After 30 minutes with a great problem solver agent, she got the ticket issue resolved and discounted the price of our extra bag in consideration of our patience with the issue. (Yeah!)

Flight 1 of 3: Phoenix to Chicago (~4 hours)

We were coming in for landing into Chicago when the plane did a sudden lift back up scaring most of us passengers. Apparently, an airplane was moving too slow to get off the runway. We literally flew right over the airport as we increased our altitude, turned around, and tried again. Safely landed.

Flight 2 of 3: Chicago to Amman, Jordan (~11 ½ hours)

We got ourselves to the international terminal and went to the ticket agent to see if there was any way to change our seats so that we’re seated next to each other. Good thing we went to the desk because they had to redo our tickets anyways. Got in the massive live for international flights' security. The most fascinating part was observing all the people from many different countries, different languages, dress codes, and passports. With about 40 minutes of waiting to get through security, it was great people watching.

Luckily, for such a long flight it went pretty smoothly. It had about 70 children on the flight. WOW! So many children flying internationally.

Flight 3 of 3: Amman, Jordan to Cairo, Egypt (~1 ½ hours)

The airport literally feels like it’s in the middle of a desert.

At the Amman airport, we walked towards our gate and met up with one of our future coworkers. She recognized my face from the school’s new teacher orientation Facebook group. It was great to wait for our next flight getting to know her.

We landed in Cairo about 7:15pm their time. Waited for about 1 hour to get through customs and was met by a helper, hired by the school, to help us get through customs smoothly. After getting through security and baggage pickup we were met by our school’s director, his wife (also a teacher), and one of the Elementary Assistant Principal’s. We were guided to the school’s staff bus, taken over to the hotel with the Elementary AP and given our welcome packet with all the necessary basics to get through the first few days.

Look at this beautiful view from the hotel.

By the time we arrived in the hotel room, it was about 9:30pm and we crashed.

New Adventure

Most of you know already the exciting news...Dereck and I will be teaching in Cairo, Egypt next year. We are ecstatic.

I'm already impressed with how the staff have been so involved in addressing our questions, concerns, and all the knitty gritty details about this transition. They perform like pros in the process. My favorite thing is they created a Facebook group for us to post any question.

The most common questions asked by our family and friends:

What is the school like?
It is a private international school for K-12 grades.

What will you be teaching?
Dereck - high school math; me - 5th grade math

What will your housing situation be like?
Housing is paid for by the school (Seriously? That is incredible.) and they help us find a furnished apartment within the first few days.

What about your pets? You LOVE your pets!
I made the most difficult decision ever yet. I'm leaving them in the care of trustworthy people as they do NOT travel well. After all, our cat is considered a Senior and it is ideal to keep her and the dogs in Phoenix. I'll miss them like crazy but this is my only drawback to teaching abroad.

Are you crazy?? You're going to Egypt?? It's in the news with all the bad stuff.
Well, no place in the world truly is "safe" and I don't think the level of safety will be any different then the "hood" I live in. As long as I'm careful of the parts of town/country I travel to, we should be just fine. Life is worth living and exploring the world. I don't need to live my life in fear.

Wait a minute...didn't you just finish remodeling a whole house?
Yes we did, and yes we have renter(s). Read the next paragraph.

For the last few years, Dereck and I have been talking about teaching abroad and how much we want to do it. There just never seemed to be the right "time." Then we realized there never will be a "right" time...just do it.

Rewind 11 years ago, I planned on doing a study abroad in college. I was saving up for it. The plans changed when I met Dereck. Instead of doing a study abroad, we got married (the best decision I made). Now I get to teach abroad with my husband, even better.

My love of travel began as a teenager. Traveling to Australia with my parents, Mexico with my Grandma, Mexico for my honeymoon. In High School, I even was an exchange student in Germany. LOVED IT!

Now it's time for our new adventure...the countdown is on: 16 days left.

Almost one year later

Some highlights of the past year (since I've been a slacker in updating this blog):

October - January

Tool & Storage shed was built and stuccoed

January

Superbowl came to town, so did the Seattle Seahawks (my hometown) and their weather

February

 A car side swiped me and took off, requiring me to remove the mirror. You can see the new gash above the door handle.

I eventually got the mirror fixed: purchased a used car part from a car part wholesaler $40, spray paint to match the car $8 and installed by me.

March

My mom and oldest sister came into town. We went to the Renaissance Festival, Japanese Friendship Garden, Fractured Prune Donuts, and explored downtown.

April

Participated in my first Bubble Run ever - I would totally do this again

June
Spent time in Utah visiting family

My sister's girls (except for her oldest)

Taught my grandparents what a selfie is

Spent time with Dereck's brother and cousins playing card games

July

Spent time out in the pool

Attended the Meldrum Reunion in Lincoln City, OR

Ate S'mores on the beach

Jogging on the beach

Life Goes On

Although the house renovation projects came to a stumbling halt once summer hit and our income became severely limited to only covering the bills, we have been hard at work in other ways.

Summer School was a blast!

My two TFA (Teach For America) teachers that I observed and mentored.

She may not quite be on task but putting the tape on her bun....funny.

Worked on Dereck's mom's bathroom after their plumbing had flooding issues. Too bad I didn't take an after picture. New shower pan installed, new sink installed, new plumbing in the bathroom. Bathroom is now functional!

Earlier in the summer, Dereck installed the mailbox. The old one literally had fallen off its post.

Willy and Janie love their yard space. This is how we find them when we get home. 

We also returned to work for a new school year. Coaching is back in session.

I'm incredibly proud of these students. They all tested above grade level on the beginning of the year STAR Math test (a product our school uses on the computers that tells us what grade level that student's abilities are at). Only 4 of these students are current 4th graders. All the rest of the students in this picture are current 5th graders. Last year, most of those kiddos were barely on grade level. Also pictured is our school Principal and Assistant Principal.

On my birthday, I walked into our staff meeting to find my grade level had worked with the students on putting theses together. It made my heart melt. I got to leave the meeting early to head to a bowling alley downtown with Dereck and attended a Stand Up Comedy Show next door to the bowling alley.  I had a splendid birthday!

Plus I had a double white headed zit on my chin for my 30th birthday. See it?

Then the next day, Dereck broke two of his toes. One toe has 4 total breaks in it while the other toe has 2 breaks. He has to wear a medical boot for the next few weeks.

Today, I was extremely amazed with this class for working so hard. I literally saw EVERY student on task or helping their neighbor. This class usually has a hard time staying on task. Plus, I had 3 eighth grade helpers during this time. I had them assisting students one-on-one.

Look at the above "ST Math" wall (I need to change it to say STAR Math). Each colored section represents the 4 fourth grade homerooms. The cards represent each student. The names below the red line are all the students in that class that are behind grade level in Math. The names between the green and red line are on grade level. The names above the green line are above grade level. This is what I'm working with this year. Here is to hard work to get these kiddos on grade level!!!

Settling In

Now that we're moved in, here's proof that we put up pictures within the first week (instead of waiting 2-3 years like we've been known to do in the past).

Guest Room/My office - Dereck and I decided with such small rooms, and because I sometimes drive him crazy if I'm doing work at home on my computer, that I would have my "office" in the guest room. Therefore, I'm paying tribute to my Seattle homage.

Next to my computer is my Bachelor's Degree and my new distinguished award: Teacher of the Year award

Up close on my award

In singing fashion to the popular song...."I Feel Happy"

In the hallway (Dereck didn't like where I had it at the Townhouse since it was the only spot left at the time this was received, above the Toilet. He wasn't keen on peeing and seeing a picture of us. Neither did our male friends. I don't blame them.) Thus, it takes center stage in the Hallway here.

Due to having no closet in our Master Bedroom, this is our wardrobe closet from IKEA

(Yes, it really is true. We don't make our bed and Whisper loves to sleep on my side of the bed. Probably because she doesn't get accidentally whacked on my side of the bed.)

My side

Our socks, underclothing and the like drawers

His side

Whisper is queen of the bed

Last week, it was back to work for me with Summer School. Our program partners up with Teach for America and I become sort of the "mentor teacher" to two "student teachers." I only had to lesson plan and teach the first two days until the student teachers took over for the remainder of the program. I sit in the corner, observing, taking notes, giving guidance, and have fun watching "fresh" ideas come into play into the classroom. Here is a prime example with a fun game called "Captain's Coming." This rendition reminds me of the Fruit Basket game we played growing up.

"Captain's Coming" game - Mermaid was the phrase called so each student has to wave and say "Howdy Sailors." Yes, it's hilarious watching the students but the fact that the male student teachers doing this is beyond hysterical. 

With that, we've started taking it easy at the house. Almost too easy since we're barely getting any projects done. We did create the shelves for our linen/bathroom closet but I was in no mood to prime and paint the shelves yet. That will come in time as well as putting up the door for the closet.