Size of the World (28/31)

  28 of 31 - SOLSC 2021

"Have you ever read the picture book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day?" I inquired.

"No, but we watched the movie," she responded.

"I suppose the 'even in Australia' line doesn't land quite the same when you are Australian."

"No. It doesn't."

This got me thinking. 

 "Outer Mongolia" no longer seemed far off when we considered a job offer in Ulaanbaatar. Timbuktu isn't unimaginable when you have friends who live in Mali. 

The world is so small when you are an expat. Not only have I walked a mile with lots of different people, I have heard the stories of even more. 

The world may be small, but when borders shut down, flights are grounded, and airports cease to operate the miles stretch once again.

And then technology shrinks it again. I am so thankful for chats and emails, video calls and messaging. This year would have been much more difficult without it. (Forget about school and work for the moment.)

What about air mail? There were times that even mail became difficult because flights were not operating, therefore cargo was impacted. With the Ever Given blocking the Suez we are reminded that ships still contribute to the movement of goods, though I don't know of any mail that travels via ship any more.

I am comfortable with ambiguity; the world is small and extraordinarily large - all at the same time.

The Perfect Quote (27/31)

  27 of 31 - SOLSC 2021

Lamenting with a friend who has been in her house, with kids spanning multiple age groups, for more than a year. Her husband's work schedule has had her very isolated and at times it has been extraordinarily hard.

We have found solace in knowing that one another are both choosing the cautious path, even as others have made more social decisions. 

"Will you be going home for a visit this summer?" I asked.

"The expense of it is way too much for all of us, with flights and mandatory quarantine. (If we can even get flights as they are limited.)"

"Any chance of someone coming to visit you all?" I inquire, hopefully.

After explaining the extended circumstances with the summary being that it isn't possible. She tells me, "Anyhow, it is what it is."

I am thinking that it is all pretty crappy and I feel awful for her as she keeps a positive from on the tough situation that doesn't seem to end.  "Even in Australia" is the line that comes to mind. I catch myself as I start to type. The line, though so fitting, doesn't apply here. Why? She's from Australia.

How many does it take? (6/31)

6 of 31 - SOLSC 2019

"Kristi knows where you are going," the head of facilities tells the driver, as I join the other teachers. 

I don't, actually, but Google Maps does. I open the app, type in the name of the school hosting the PD event, press 'start', and hand the phone to one of the gentlemen at the front of the bus.

We don't have just one bus driver, rather three. One is driving us there now. The other two are along for the ride to see where they need to pick teachers up at the end of the day. 

Before relinquishing my phone, which is what the feeling turns into as I realize that the small bit of work I had planned to do on the 17 minutes Google Maps had predicted for our route, won't be happening.

We teachers chat about this and that as we wind our way through Dammam. Turning back towards the front of the bus I notice that instead of following the directions Google is giving, the three of them are in a heated discussion - passing my phone around; zooming in and out on the screen.

This is when I wondered, "How many male drivers does it take to follow the directions they have in front of them?!"

#toosoon

As I strategically choose my seat in a conference room in Dubai, voices from a table across the room reach my ears.

"Seattle is on the one yard line and..."

"Jim, is it really necessary to ruin the day before we have even begun?!" I can't help but exclaim.

Jim looks up, pauses, and then says, "Oh yeah, you are from Seattle, aren't you? We are talking about decision making."

I quickly find something else to occupy my thoughts as I know how that conversation is going to end.

#STILLtoosoon #gohawks

Intensive PD

My bags are packed and my boarding pass is downloaded on my phone; five days of intensive learning lie before me. 

The introvert in me is taking deep breaths: all day in a conference room with who knows how many people, evenings of social engagements, sharing a hotel room with a dear friend - they will all take their toll.

The friend in me is excited. I get quality time to catch up with a friend I haven't seen since June. We get to learn together and play together as well as one-on-one time for all the life we have to catch up on - and in person is better than any way technology connects us. The bonus of getting to see other friends who I have previously worked with is an advantage of international teaching and traveling.

The learner in me is cautiously optimistic. I like what I know of this presenter from what I have read and heard. I hope that day after day I am still glad I chose to spend the time and money on this intensive, (and I do expect it to be intense). 

Deep learning takes energy and breathes new life into my professional life. I have tried to be prepared for both.

Off I go!