In 2011 I moved from my hometown in Charleston, South Carolina to Dublin, Ireland after losing my dad to Cancer. I lived in Dublin 6 months, then moved to Milan, Italy for six months totaling one year abroad. I had traveled a lot, but I'd spent most of my time in Charleston where I grew up, went to college for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees, then began my teaching career. Moving abroad was a huge step for me.
In June of 2012, I moved back to Charleston and resumed teaching at the school where I'd spent the previous 6 years, Stiles Point Elementary. After two more years there, the itch had to be scratched, so I moved to China!!
A year and a half quickly passed, and although I had not fulfilled my two year contract, I knew it was time to move back home. So many things happened...I took them as signs that it was time to move on.
Not knowing what lie ahead for work, living, or anything else really, I resigned from my teaching position at the International School of Dongguan, packed my apartment, payed $2500 cash to ship things home, boarded a plane, and tried not to look back. These things happened in the short span of two weeks.
My move was very difficult for me because a) I'm not a quitter b) I take my responsibilities very seriously c) I become very connected to people and places and d) I left China with a little anger and disappointment in those I felt had betrayed me. Despite of all this, I knew the future was bright.
On December 19th, I flew from Hong Kong to Charleston. I arrived on a sunny day, my brother picked me up from the airport, and just like that, I was home.
Prior to leaving China, I made a few Facebook posts about coming home to no job. Although some people threatened I'd be "blacklisted" from education for breaking my contract, I had an amazing support system at home and fortunately, a good reputation with those that knew me from before. I was offered many opportunities for work ranging from babysitting to working for my old boss from college to teaching at multiple locations. I also was offered some consulting positions for a few companies and although nothing came immediately in the way of something permanent, I was reassured that the right thing would come along.
Right before Christmas, I interviewed for a position teaching grade 5 at a school where a friend works. I didn't hear from the school over the holidays, but shortly after the New Year, I was offered a contract. They assured me they wanted me from the first minute we spoke, but that protocol with the district had held things up. No matter the wait, I knew this was a great chance for me.
First of all, in order to survive, most of us must have a job. That's the way the world works for the middle class. I also knew that I wouldn't be able to buy a house without a steady income, so although I want to consult, this position made the most sense. Second of all, I felt like Karma was giving me a great big chance to make up for leaving my kids in China. Broken hearted for what I had done to my sweet students in Dongguan, I wanted to make up for it in some way. The position in Charleston was to take over a class that had been "abandoned" by another teacher who left for her own personal reasons. I don't blame the teacher one bit, as I did the exact thing. We each have to look out for our own best interests, after all, but I know what this can do to a group of kids. I wanted, from the bottom of my heart, to step in to reassure these students of their importance and to drive them towards success.
Being that I moved home and felt the pull to "nest" here, I began looking for a house. This process had started in China actually as I searched the web for listings, but one weekend recently, I went to see a tiny little property with a friend, and the next week I set an appointment to view several properties with my realtor. We viewed 5, but one stuck out in both of our minds and so we returned to look at it once again. After a night of reflection, I decided to make an offer.
The next day, during my "new teacher" training for Charleston County School District (my third time to sit through this orientation), I texted back and forth with my realtor who drew up the papers and bam, I was buying a house.
In less than a month of moving home, after so much uncertainty but an unwavering faith, I have secured a job and agreed upon a contract to buy my first home.
I saw a post on Instagram the other day and it made me cry (this of course is not unusual). It simply said, "You wouldn't be who you are or where you are today without all of the difficult times. Be thankful even during the trials."
If I learned anything during the turbulent two weeks in China and then the few that followed, it was that no matter what, the Lord is looking out for me. He has an amazing plan for my life and I'm so very happy to have kept the faith through all I endured to be where I am right now. My house, if all goes well, will close at the end of February. I am thrilled to pieces and I so look forward to the months ahead. Even though I'm purchasing a home and I am certain there will be adventures both good and bad with this huge step in my life, my travels are of utmost importance to me too, and I know, despite my mortgage and other expenses, where there's a will, there's a way. I look forward to my adventures at home and abroad, and I hope you'll stay tuned to hear all about them!
