Last weekend in Seattle

Song of the day... "It's been a long, a long time coming. But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will"

It's been a typical rainy Seattle Sunday and I'm actually enjoying the dreary weather. 2 more days and we will be in sunny Vietnam! Well, I guess I shouldn't jinx myself on the sunny part, after all it is still rainy season in SE Asia. I can't even put into words what I am feeling. Folks, the English teacher is speechless. This past week as been a roller coaster of emotions...I'm excited...then nervous...then stressed..then scared...then excited again. This week has felt like a blur of one giant day. We drove to Portland and back and secured our non immigrant visas, which in lay man's terms means I can work in Thailand. Getting that done is a huge relief.
Teaching English in Thailand has been a dream of mine since my early 20's. With my 30th birthday approaching and an amazing man to escort me, I decided to pursue my dream. I have no teaching degree, experience, or background, and in all honesty I am not the most fond of kids. I sound like the perfect candidate right? Ha. I do, however, have drive and passion, and I love to travel and experience new things. Teaching English in a foreign country will definitely be a challenge, but I figure even if I fail at least I can say I tried it and it wasn't for me.
To teach in Thailand, the government requires all teachers to be a native English speaker, have a bachelor's degree, and a TEFL(teaching English as a foreign language certificate). I choose to go through a program that provides the 3 week TEFL training course in Thailand and then offers a guaranteed 6 month placement. I do not yet know where or what age I will be teaching. The only information I have so far is that I will be placed in the South. Not knowing the full details makes the adventure that much more exciting.

Last night we had a small "Steph and Zach are moving to Thailand for cheap massages" party. Admit-ably, yes, I am moving to Thailand for cheap massages, but there is so much more to it. I decided to make a goal/bucket list for things I want to do/accomplish while in Thailand. This list does not include any goals for myself in regards to teaching. I have another list for that:

-Trek in Chaing Mai
-See Pai
-Learn to really cook Thai food
-Have a full conversation in Thai with a native(can be a short one)
-Have the knots in my back completly massaged out of me (there's the massage goal)
-Ankor Wat
-Live a simpler life
-Cure my addiction to screens(phone, ipad, ect..)
-Malaysia
-India
-Write a blog (let's see if I keep this up)
-Become a better photographer (just bought new camera, on my way!)
-Learn to meditate and do it daily
-Singapore
-The Gibbons Experience in Laos

And so much more! If anyone has any Asia recommendations please do share