greetings from orlando,
alas, my previous musings of a stationary existence did not come to fruition... surprise!
i gave it a try upon returning to orlando after Alaska and the universe defiantly had different plans for me. i couldn't find a job... any job. the car i bought died. therefore i took this as a clear sign that it was time to continue my vagabond ways!
i sat with myself and asked the simple question.... if i could do anything what would it be? the answer was simple, i've yet to explore Asia, Africa and South America..... the daunting step was sorting out HOW?
i applied for work with the UN and embassies and was unable to find anything without a large chunk of time required to wait for a position... just then i got in touch with an old friend from Martha's Vineyard who has been teaching English in Thailand. she connected me with the program she is working with and i secured one of the last slots in the certification course that begins in Bangkok on september 22.
fortune smiled upon me and i went back to MV to garden for the summer, which was arguably the best summer i've had on the island! i lived with Jennie and her son Gabe in their beautiful home in the woods up island in Chilmark. we had a busy summer, filled with work, the beach, cooking and learning how to raise baby chickens and ducks. time flew and before i knew it i was back on the boat returning to orlando to say hello and pack up for 7 months in Thailand!
once i arrive in Thailand i will become a certified TEFL teacher and have a 6 month contract with the ministry of education. i will not know where or which grade level i'll be working with until i have finished the course, but it will be somewhere in/around Bangkok.
there will be many firsts with this adventure: living alone, living in a country where i don't know the language, living in a place much warmer than orlando and living in an eastern culture. i'm sure there are many more firsts i have no clue of yet, which is why i am so very excited to step onto the plane and get my butt kicked!!!
since leaving the ice i have been ready for the next career path, yet i knew i had to let it evolve organically. although it's taken a couple of years, i think i've found my next mode of travel. never one for backpacking, i've been looking for ways to become a part of communities rather than standing outside of them and observing, educators certainly have that privilege, especially overseas. i have known of this opportunity to travel and work for years, but i suppose i wasn't quite ready to jump in...
i'm sure i'll have much more to share on here in the coming months, so... if you're inclined, stay tuned!
i hope this finds you well and enjoying your day.
take care,
grace
here are some photos of my last year...
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hanging with maxxx on orcas island after AK |
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family and friends in orlando |
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popping through a rock at the quarry near gloucester, ma with mimi |
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jack, where are you? |
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sea grass on edisto island, sc |
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botany bay beach, edisto island, sc |
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there once was a tree... |
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bananas on my morning walk in orlando |
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quick trip to sf |
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stinson beach time with kenya |
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monarch breeding grove in pismo beach, ca |
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dad and Deogee just after we completed building and planting the square foot garden |
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my first Persian new year celebration, in Atlanta |
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a quick stop in NYC |
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spring on MV is TOP(S) |
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garden art |
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cherry blossoms |
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Gabe and one of many Menemsha sunsets |
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PEONIE! |
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coy pond blossoms |
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afternoon dips in icehouse pond |
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poppy and diamond pooped after a hard day in the gardens |
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garden love |
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Jessica and Nathaniel came to MV to surprise me at at our performance of the Slave Songs Spirituals choir at the Union Chapel |
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one of the oldest rock walls on MV |
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purple |
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Reverend Phil playing one of his original pieces on the pipe organ at the old north church in Boston where we sang with the Slave Songs Spirituals choir |
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my 1st monarch of the season on MV |
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tiger lily explosion |
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Gabe and the 1st egg of the summer |
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