Who are you, what are you doing here, and what is your purpose?!
Don't you just hate when someone says "tell me about yourself"? How do you answer such a question? If you're like me, and your mind runs faster than the speed of light (299,792,458 m/s), you start thinking well:
I always come up empty handed, and saddened so I go with the generic things like "my birthday is_____" etc.
This was me last summer. I was asked the tell me about yourself, and pushed the deeper thoughts, the soul stirring questions that need answers to the back of my mind, as they scare me. We humans are creatures of habit, rarely every like change, and find comfort in the known.
The signs were clear: I felt my happiest in along time on our first excursion across the Great Pond. These deeper questions were coming up with out invitation or provocation. They were keeping me up late at night! I was no longer happy! Two good friends applied to teach over seas and urged me to apply as well. But fear of change, and the unknown lead me to decline.
Both ladies were hired to teach in Abu Dhabi! Congratulations ladies! I'm excited for them, but a twinge of jealousy as it was so easy for them to just make the decision and go! No, we were not in the same state, but knowing they were here in the the same time zone as I gave me a sense of comfort. Seeing their posts of a great life (though stressful sometime on the professional side) was just awe-inspiring!
I was still urged to apply, but I still didn't know if I should. Then the messages came stating their school was expanding to secondary education (my realm). I was excited. One of my friends explained how she has already talked me up to her AP, who was waiting for my cover letter and CV. On a whim, I sent the information over. My friends said how impressive my CV was and would hire me. Of course you would ladies, we're friends! But the proof was in the pudding! Documents delivered to AP on Sunday, e-mail in my inbox on Monday morning requesting a Skype interview on Monday evening!
The whole day leading up to the interview, I was on edge, heart racing, mind all over the place. How I manage to teach my classes of 30 plus that day, and remain sane still amazes me! I rushed home, and wrote and rewrote talking points, and questions to ask (as per my friends advice). But when the Skype call came through, I believe I died a thousand deaths in the 0.5 seconds it took me to accept. Talking to the AP was a breeze, it really just felt like a conversation we shared information about where we're from (me from New York, her from New Jersey), and all there is to do there. She told me she loved my CV and cover letter, and like what she heard. She asked if I was interested in coming in January or August 2015. I told her I couldn't leave my babies (no matter how much they stress me out) in the middle of the year. So we agreed on August 2015. I was told not to be alarmed if I didn't hear anything in the coming weeks as break was coming up.
And there it was Jan 13, 7:06am CST: "Kindly be informed that your ADEC Position Application for SY: 2015-2016 was already approved. We will keep you posted of the next step."
Then Jan 27, 2015 12:44am CST I received my offer letter!! Guess who is going to find her purpose?! Guess who is getting back to her happy! Guess who will be reunited with her circle of positivity, of encouragement, of crazy (my friends)?!
Now the roller coaster ride has begun! The stress of authenticating documents. I'll save that for another post!
- My birthday is Feb. 22
- My favorite color is purple
- I despise repeating myself
- I love food, music, and fashion!
I always come up empty handed, and saddened so I go with the generic things like "my birthday is_____" etc.
This was me last summer. I was asked the tell me about yourself, and pushed the deeper thoughts, the soul stirring questions that need answers to the back of my mind, as they scare me. We humans are creatures of habit, rarely every like change, and find comfort in the known.
The signs were clear: I felt my happiest in along time on our first excursion across the Great Pond. These deeper questions were coming up with out invitation or provocation. They were keeping me up late at night! I was no longer happy! Two good friends applied to teach over seas and urged me to apply as well. But fear of change, and the unknown lead me to decline.
Both ladies were hired to teach in Abu Dhabi! Congratulations ladies! I'm excited for them, but a twinge of jealousy as it was so easy for them to just make the decision and go! No, we were not in the same state, but knowing they were here in the the same time zone as I gave me a sense of comfort. Seeing their posts of a great life (though stressful sometime on the professional side) was just awe-inspiring!
I was still urged to apply, but I still didn't know if I should. Then the messages came stating their school was expanding to secondary education (my realm). I was excited. One of my friends explained how she has already talked me up to her AP, who was waiting for my cover letter and CV. On a whim, I sent the information over. My friends said how impressive my CV was and would hire me. Of course you would ladies, we're friends! But the proof was in the pudding! Documents delivered to AP on Sunday, e-mail in my inbox on Monday morning requesting a Skype interview on Monday evening!
The whole day leading up to the interview, I was on edge, heart racing, mind all over the place. How I manage to teach my classes of 30 plus that day, and remain sane still amazes me! I rushed home, and wrote and rewrote talking points, and questions to ask (as per my friends advice). But when the Skype call came through, I believe I died a thousand deaths in the 0.5 seconds it took me to accept. Talking to the AP was a breeze, it really just felt like a conversation we shared information about where we're from (me from New York, her from New Jersey), and all there is to do there. She told me she loved my CV and cover letter, and like what she heard. She asked if I was interested in coming in January or August 2015. I told her I couldn't leave my babies (no matter how much they stress me out) in the middle of the year. So we agreed on August 2015. I was told not to be alarmed if I didn't hear anything in the coming weeks as break was coming up.
And there it was Jan 13, 7:06am CST: "Kindly be informed that your ADEC Position Application for SY: 2015-2016 was already approved. We will keep you posted of the next step."
Then Jan 27, 2015 12:44am CST I received my offer letter!! Guess who is going to find her purpose?! Guess who is getting back to her happy! Guess who will be reunited with her circle of positivity, of encouragement, of crazy (my friends)?!
Now the roller coaster ride has begun! The stress of authenticating documents. I'll save that for another post!
LOVE IT!!!
ReplyDeleteYayyyyyyyyyyy hurry up and come!
ReplyDeleteI told you, I'm on the way, I'm just walking.....well swimming now, I'm a quarter of the way across the Atlantic! I stopped for a break on a whale....he's nice too! LOL
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