Two years ago today I was in training for my CELTA (certification to teach English) and I was actually in a classroom about to give a lesson as my instructor was sitting in the back grading my every move. I had prepared a overhead slide to talk about 'bare infinitives' when the lights went out. It was my first 'holy sh*t- what the h*ll do I do now?!?!?' moment. I've had so many since that dark afternoon...
Two years ago I had just made the decision to switch careers and give teaching a go... And was about to make the decision that led me to Taiwan.
And now as I make my final preparations for my next teaching assignment in Estonia, I am reminded how time deceivingly creeps forward and that I've actually been teaching for nearly 2 years now.
I got laid off from Nortel in January of 2001 - man, that's over 4 years ago!! H*ll, even 9/11 happened 4 years ago next month. Yep, time continues to be a total mystery to me.
Friends and relatives have been asking me if I am excited about Estonia. My answer of 'not really' catches people (and me) a little off guard. Don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to the year in so many ways but not like a kid jumping up and down . I think if I was heading to a big, exciting city (like Paris, Tokyo or NYC) then I think I would feel more like that kid.
I do know once I get on that plane and especially the first couple of weeks walking around that beautiful and ancient city, I will be thrilled beyond belief.
It's weird. In many ways, I know exactly what to expect and yet, I do not. Heading into Taiwan a year and half ago, I was totally clueless as to what to expect. I had no idea what was going to happen, when and from which direction.
Estonia should be a much different year for me than Taiwan, for so many reasons:
- I know the language and grew up with the culture. (I say this hesitantly as the culture has changed much over the fifty years of Soviet occupation)
- Estonia is a northern country much like Canada with their share of snowy winter days.
- The food I grew up with will be there - sauerkraut, potatoes and blood sausage.
- I have been teaching now for nearly two years and have a level of confidence that I didn't have heading into Taiwan.
- The energy of Tallinn will be much different than that of Taipei. I anticipate a very European feel with cars driving within the rules of the road and not on the sidewalk. :-)
- I will be teaching adults and not children. Also, I will be travelling to company locations in Tallinn and teaching onsite.
- China does not currently have missiles aimed directly at Estonia. (well, not yet anyway)
- My beloved Leaf games start at 3am, Estonian time. In Taiwan, I could hear them over the internet at 8am over coffee :-(
- I'm expecting no giant cockroaches in my Tallinn apartment. I look forward to the normal sized roaches once again.
Some links on Estonia....
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