NEW adventures!

Hello, all! I know it's been a long time since my last post but I'm bringing the blog back! I have accepted a job teaching K-8 music at an international school in.....wait for it....wait.....Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon), Vietnam!! In order to keep those interested up-to-date with my new adventures in Asia I figured I would bring the blog back to life. I was going to wait until I left to start posting but I figured why not start now??

So moving to Vietnam isn't as easy as just packing a suitcase, grabbing your passport, and jumping on a plane. Oh no.....it's MUCH more complicated and I'm hoping I can get all of my paperwork done before I depart! 1) I need a visa. The company is currently waiting to receive a Letter of Approval from the Vietnamese government for that so I'm just waiting on that now. 2) I need a work permit. That is much more complicated. I need a criminal background check (waiting on that from the state of FL), Medical Check (still not entirely sure how/where to get the right thing), and my degree (I currently have some mystery hold from the School of Music and they are closed until next week so I can't even get it lifted until then). Once I have these things I have to get them notarized, state sealed, and then send them to the Vietnam Embassy to be validated before sending it all to Vietnam. How I'm going to do all of this before I leave, I don't know...but I'm taking it one step at a time. I might be able to get the permit after I'm there but my head is currently swimming with all of the things I have to do. The problem is I can't even get much done until next week because everything is closed for the holidays. I also feel like a pin cushion getting all the recommended vaccines (so far I've gotten typhoid, Hep A, and a polio booster....I still need rabies and Japanese Encephalitis).

This is what I know: I'm leaving January 28th to arrive in Saigon on the 30th (yes, it will be a total of about 36 hours from Tampa to Saigon....ugh). When I arrive someone will pick me up at the airport. The company will put me up in a hotel for up to 14 days and arrange for me to see apartments. Hopefully I will find one quickly because I start teaching the following Monday, Feb. 6. That's about as much as I know right now. I'm just trying to trust that everything will work out and I'll find my way. I'm absolutely terrified to leave everything I've ever known for SUCH a different place but I'm also really excited. I wanted adventure so here goes....be careful what you wish for! Haha It's going to be a grand adventure and I can't wait for it to begin! I will be there for at least a year and a half (my contract is through July 2013) and then who knows....

Well, here's to my new grand adventure! *clink*