So it begins! I am officially in Portland at my first professional development conference. The NWEa Fusion conference is held here annually. This city is amazing and I am getting a slight hint of what life might be like when I finally get over to Dubai. I walked around and explored a bit tonight and hopefully can do the same tomorrow evening as well. I cannot believe we are at the 40 day mark for my departure and it is becoming increasingly hard to realize what I am going to have to leave behind, in regards mostly to my friends and family. I have had such a wonderful last couple of weeks being with high school friends and college friends and hanging out with those that really mean a lot to me, and it is hard to realize that I won't have easy access to seeing those people whenever I want to. Yesterday I went on a beautiful kayak excursion around Lake Calhoun, Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake. It was so unreal that I was still in the city! I was so relaxed and enjoying the beauty of the lakes and again was struck with the bittersweet reality of leaving. I just keep reminding myself of what a crazy opportunity that has been presented to me, and I know I am making a good decision by going abroad.

Beginning!

SO! I decided a blog would be a good way to share my travel experiences as well as my first year teaching experiences in a foreign country. I have never lived outside of Minnesota, and I think I even shocked myself by deciding to literally move to the opposite side of the globe. With encouragement from a good friend with abroad teaching experience, I am thrilled to begin my teaching career abroad.

I am very excited to be joining the teaching staff at the American School of Dubai (www.asdubai.org). I am teaching two sections of 6th grade math, two sections of 7th grade math and one section of advanced 7th grade math.

Not only will I be posting travel experiences, videos and photos, but also just posting things about everyday life adjustments to living in a new country. I am sure it will be challenging and fun at the same time.