A White Christmas!

I honestly cannot remember the last time we had a "White" Christmas here in Middle Tennessee. But, this year Mother Nature DID NOT disappoint! It was gorgeous! I had a wonderful Christmas, my last one living here full time. Neeley, Tommy, and their dogs stayed here with me and Soph. They left on Christmas night before the big snow storms hit!




We had dinner with Kay and Col on the 23rd.





One the 24th Munner came over for dinner and Blaker's got his gift from me a little early. The house looked absolutely beautiful and Mom's lasagna was delish!




My Christmas Day was a very international one. Most of my gifts were for the big MOVE! I got new luggage since I only have one suitcase. My old cell was not GSM, so I got one that is, and then my Momma got me the charm that shaped like a passport for my charm bracelet. My sweet sisser got me a dual voltage hair dryer and straightener. And ladies, no, the Chi won't work there. Im pretty bummed about that!

Brazil's Rising Star

60 Minutes did an episode about Brazil's future good and bad. My whole family watched it tonight! Take a look at my future home.

Brazil on 60 Minutes

60 Minutes did an episode about Brazil's future good and bad. My whole family watched it tonight! Take a look at my future home.

I'm moving to Brazil!!!!!!!!!!

It is TRUE! I know to some of you this is not "news" as you have known the whole time, but to most of you, I think you might be reading this with your mouth hanging open. I've accepted a position teaching 6th grade Social Studies and English at the American School of Brasilia (aka Escola Americana de Brasilia, aka EAB). It is an American School, following American curriculum, and for those of you who worry about me, fear not all the instruction is in "Ingles." I will be living in Brasilia, Brazil which is the countries capitol city. I am so excited yet so scared. I made this blog a couple of months ago to keep track of all this craziness, but from here on out I plan to use it to let all of my family and friends keep up with my shenanigans and new life in Brazil.
meus amigos até mais tarde (until later my friends)
Katie

AASSA Fair

So, I just got home from the AASSA fair, where as Im sure you read, I accepted an offer. It was crazy, exciting, frustrating, nerve wracking, and neat. It was basically like sorority rush, on steroids. Here is a quick rundown for those of you who want to read on.

Day One: I got to Atlanta before the Orientation session and that is where it all started. I met several nice people who I was able to keep up with during the fair. It was your basic orientation session but surprisingly made me much more calm about the whole situation.

Day Two: It started off with a sign up session. Basically the whole room is full of schools who have positions listed. You go up to a table and have under a minute to show them your resume, explain who you are, what you've done, and what position you are looking for and then they will either say they will meet with you or turn you down. I was waiting for the soup nazi to pop out and say "No job for you!" Then you attend interviews for the rest of the day. It was long and tiring, but after that brief 30 minute period, I knew who I did and did not want. The weird thing was that at the end of the day one of the schools I met with offered me a job. I was shocked and appalled all at the same time. Who knows someone well enough after 30 minutes to offer them a job. I mean this is a two year commitment. The one thing I didnt realize was that the schools I was interested in wanted to know why I would turn down a job. It was a little uncomfortable. But, I thought my reason was valid.

Day Three: I was asked back by several of the schools, two schools did not ask me back. The two schools I was REALLY interested in did ask me back so I cancelled every meeting but them. Risky I know, but I didn't see the point in meeting with someone I wasn't going to take a job with. I first met with Graded, one of my top schools, and had a great meeting with their headmaster, then I met with the American School of Brasilia and had a great meeting with them as well. It was obvious that they were looking at the same 5 candidates and ironically, the headmasters used to work with one another and are great friends. In the end I accepted the job with American School of Brasilia.

The AASSA fair was great and if you are ever looking for a job in South America, I highly recommend them. I spent two days there, but I met lovely people, cried way too much, and changed my life.

Im really excited about my new school, new boss, new city, and new life. Only time will tell how this all turns out!

The bags are packed by the front door with care...

Im packed, Im ready to go (which is different than actually being mentally ready), I've printed directions, I've cleaned the car, My car ride mix is ready, Sopherina is getting picked up in the a.m. by her Nona, and I feel like I could vomit! Im heading out in the morning. Ill try to write while I am there, otherwise, I'll post after I return...

I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve.

I am currently full of so many nerves it is just ridiculous. This weekend is the AASSA fair and I am hoping to walk away with a contract for the next school year. It is unbelievable that this has come so quickly, 3 months ago I never thought it would come. Just the thought of it makes my stomach fill with butterflies. I spent the whole Thanksgiving break working on things for this. I have made a portfolio, emailed schools with my resumes, purchased outfits to wear, and did all the simple things you would never think I would need to do like print head shots of myself to submit with my resume. Don't you know the photo-gal at Target` thought I was the vainest person on planet Earth?

On the whole I am really excited and at the same time, a nervous wreck. Im just trying to not get too excited. I have been on 2 other job interviews over the past 2 years. I didn't get the positions and it was really disappointing. I just can't be let down like that again. So, I am just going to be me...or maybe that is a bad thing. hehe!

Ill try to update from the fair.

And so it begins...

Well it has started. I am officially on my way to begin the process of teaching abroad. Here are a couple of the things Ive started:

1. I made a website. I know...right! Even I cant believe that I could do it but it wasn't that bad! I just used my iweb and got mobileme for 1 year. I would let everyone see it but since this blog is public and my website is private I would have to give everyone and their momma the info.

2. I have registered with AASSA, the Association of American Schools in South America. They host the first job fair of the year and since South America is my first choice regionally, it made since for me to try their fair first.

3. I've gotten all but one letter of reference but Wednesday I am going to make sure the last one gets submitted!

4. i signed up with TIE (The International Educator), which is a website that schools use to post job openings. I've already found two openings! Which brings me to number5!

5. I've contacted two schools with openings that meet my credentials. Which meant finishing my resume and cover letter.


The only thing I am lacking are video lessons for my website. I've tried but some of my kiddos this year are less that cooperative, shocker! haha! Overall, I am feeling pretty good. I am kind of riding on the philosophy of whatever will be, will be. Im not trying to overthink it or get too excited. I figure, if this is the path my life needs to take then God will steer me in the right direction.

So much to do, and Im running out of time...

When I first decided to do this, I knew I needed a game plan. I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed with all the things I need to do. Its not that any of them are incredibly difficult, it is just a little intimidating. Believe it or not, jobs for the 11-12 school year become available beginning in October. Soooo, since it is now September, I figure it is time to get the ball rolling.

Here is what i have to do:
Step 1: Do things to make you more marketable: make a website with your info, video recordings etc. and start researching all the schools you would be willing to go to. My website is almost done and Ive been searching the international school review website like crazy!!!
Step 2: Register - Believe it or not there are agencies that recruit teachers for American schools abroad. I have to register with these agencies in order to be a prospective candidate.
Step 3: Job Fair - Once you are accepted as a candidate, you attend a job fair where they do a series of interviews and possibly offer you a contract. Possibly, you can also walk away with nothing.

Ive decided to register first with AASSA (Association of American Schools in South America). They have a job fair in Atlanta in December. For those of you who are questioning South America. I sure hope you don't think I'm stupid enough to go to some drug-cartel country with crime problems. I'm looking to go to a larger city like Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, or Rio de Janeiro. If I'm not accepted or nothing turns up at the job fair, then I will probably sign up with Search Associates as well as search individual schools online and interview via Skype.

I'm not sure how this will all turn out but it is amazing how quickly it is going. I mean, in July when I made this decision, September seemed soooo far away. Now I am thinking that I am running out of time...

So many ideas...

You know how every few months you decide that you want to mix things up at your place, change it around, ya know, just not have it look the same. Well, lately that has been me. It all started a couple of months ago when my friend Holly came to town with her hubs and kiddos. I wanted her opinion on what to do with my bathroom. Soooo, I put two paint sample colors up on the wall. Fast forward to nine months later and it was still there, staring at me as if it were scolding me for another thing I had started yet, not finished. I guess you would say I am an idea type of girl. The follow through portion, not so much! So, after nine months I finally finished the bathroom! After the bathroom, I got the idea, "I should paint the closet too!" This time I followed through on it as well. Then I started thinking about my den, my entryway, the office, you name it. When suddenly I had a reality check. Why should I do all these things if I MIGHT not be here in a year. Which in tern led to my thinking, why should I put my whole life on hold for something that may or may not happen?

I wouldn't say that I am the most religious person. But, I most certainly believe in God and that God has a plan for you. I consider myself to be a little bit of a late bloomer. I do everything a little behind my friends. But, even I question why I should put my whole life on hold for a year. I mean if God has a plan for Katie Osteen, he/she will let it happen. So, Im going to live my life as is until Im told otherwise. Heck, i might even sign up for online dating. Since that is the modern way of meeting someone in this social networking, IPhone carrying, tech savvy, modern world we live in.

I don't know, I could sit twiddling my thumbs for a year and possibly end up exactly where I am and disappointed that i wasted time or I could get out, live life, move or stay and not regret anything. Im thinking the later sounds like the way to go!

So far, I've taken painted the bathroom and closet as well as reorganized my entryway and put some of my photography on display. I've included some pictures below.






I also found this little owl a couple of months ago at my grandparents while we were cleaning it out. I L-O-V-E owls and seeing this little guy everyday brightens my spirits. I put him on the table in the entryway, every time I see him he reminds me of my Grandaddy!

School Days, School Days, Good ole Golden Rule Days!

Another August has come and to me, it still means the same things as when I was a child. School Supplies, Getting ready to meet new people, and counting down the days till Christmas Break! Starting at the end of July, I begin getting ready for the inevitable. I usually always feel for weeks like I am ahead of the game, unfortunately, the day before school starts I instantly realize all the other things I have to do! I used to make my room look different every year but nowadays I seem to just add on to the things I really like. I love to use art in my classroom. It is so easy with History since so many moments have been rendered by famous artists. As I was hanging my "historical portraits" I realized that this might be the last year I set up my classroom at Page. Okay, to be truthful, it was more like, "how am I going to take these with me if I don't come back next year." But I digress. I think this will be a great year at Page. We have a new principal who seems like he will do a really good job. Ive had my students now for 2 days. The first day I thought that it was going to be a long year, if you know what I mean. But, the second day was MUCH better.

Here are some pictures of my room this year:
Welcome to Room C-4!


I always like these flags! I switch them out based on which battle we are covering.


I love my Republican/Democrat Clocks. They were a gift from a former student.


My Great-Great-Great- Grandmother's dress from the 1880's. That is her picture above the dress. The only thing scarier than her picture, is that all of us have her eyes!!!



The Parent-Teacher Store had owl bulletin board set that I "had" to have. I think it is mighty cute and I think all my ChiO gals would agree!!! :)


Some of the art I keep for use in the classroom. No, they aren't the originals. Shocking, I know!

How did I get here?

I know that everyone says it, including myself, but "how did I get here?" When I thought about my life when I was younger, I never imagined it being like this. I always imagined being married with kids, you know, the whole, "American Dream" thing. But, instead I am 30 years old and life hasn't turned out quite the way I planned to say the least.

Don't get me wrong, I have a very nice life. I have good friends, an amazing family, cute house, and sweet dog who just wants to love me to death. What more could a girl ask for...nothing, really! But, I feel that my life has become stagnant. Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of people feel this way, my friends tell me that they feel this way about their life. But, why should I stay in my day to day life if I feel that it is "STAGNANT"? I have nothing holding me back, nothing keeping me here. I think that people who have children at least feel like they are living for something and not just living. Their life has some sort of purpose. I don't feel that my life necessarily has that right now.

30 has been an amazing year for me. Nothing major has happened but I think my way of thinking has changed. I have learned that no one else can change the path of my life except for me. So, I started thinking that if my life was so plain jane, so humdrum, so stagnant, why not mix it up and that is exactly what I have decided to do.

I have decided to do something different, something exciting... I've decided to teach abroad! It is July 2010 so obviously this is something that will take place next year. All the jobs for this year have been filled. I have been researching how to do this for several weeks and am starting to get an idea about what I will need to do. Hopefully, this blog will follow my steps along the way and when I have a contract, I can reveal it to my friends. And if I don't get a contract to teach abroad, well, I can just hit the delete button! haha!