With less than two weeks left until our departure date, I’m
feeling prepared for the impending craziness that is surely about to erupt. All
things that need to be done pre-Asia have been checked off the list – any tours,
hotels, etc. that need to be booked in advanced have materialized into
confirmation letters all organized into my OCD teacher binder, along with
important documents and visas. Paco and I celebrated the less-than-one-month-to-go countdown with Typhoid shots (he was a champ at handling me and my phobia by the way), and now the fernweh is seriously kicking in!!! After all these years of dreaming about moving to or visiting Southeast Asia, I'm actually going there! And I get to share it with an awesome man who is also a great travel companion! Is this real life?!
The only thing not checked off this list is finding a new place to live once we get back. Our host family has told us that having a couple instead of just a single AuPair is too much for them, and in the end, it is a mutual agreement to move on. Evie and I have grown much closer in the last several weeks, and I'm very sad to be leaving my mini-me friend, but I also look forward to the possibilities of teaching English downtown and living on our own. I have interviewed with and subbed for a couple English language schools already, so hopefully one of those will hire me full time once we return. We have looked at a few apartments with no luck, but we will be looking at my favorite yet on Wednesday. Crossing our fingers it's just right for us.
Other than these upcoming trips and changes, we've been surfing almost every weekend. The first big swell of the season is coming in on Sunday, and I am looking forward to some (hopefully) nice, big waves to surf with my new, shorter, faster board. Also, I've picked up soccer (gasp! I know...), and I've really enjoyed playing goalie. Since it doesn't involve running, I'm actually not too bad for a rookie! Our team came in second place for the season, only losing to the team that beat us in the finals. We've been playing in a volleyball league as well, and Paco is improving greatly as a court player! Looks like we're rubbing off on each other in the sports department.... :)
As the holidays approach, I am missing my family and friends more than ever. While I have spent a couple Thanksgivings away from home, this is my first Christmas (and entire Christmas season) that I've been away. Putting up the crazy family Christmas tree is a favorite activity I'm craving, and I miss all the festivities, Christmas lights, parades, and parties. I even miss the Christmas songs on nonstop repeat and the cold weather! You know it's bad when I'm missing COLD weather! Ha! At least we had a really nice "Friendsgiving" this year. An American friend from volleyball hosted an Aussie Thanksgiving - mostly Australian people with traditional American food. We met some delightful people and enjoyed some home cooking. We will be in Vietnam for Christmas, which is not celebrated there, but maybe we can treat ourselves to a nice meal or cooking class or something special for the occasion. I'm sure there won't be a shortage of amazing things to get into on our travels there!
Plumeria, Jacaranda, and Poinciana trees blooming right now!
Merry Christmas to everyone! Give thanks and enjoy your family, friends, and festivities this holiday season!
