New beginnings

I've decided to start a blog so that I can share my adventures as I get ready to move overseas to teach English. So, let's just start with a little background information...

I completed my Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate in May and am now certified to teach English as a foreign language. It's a good name for the certificate, don't you think? :) Anyways, my goal is to get a job teaching English somewhere other than the US that starts January 2010. I'd love to end up in Europe to be near family living in Belgium and Germany, however, I'm just excited to get out and try new things and am open to going pretty much anywhere except the Middle East.

You may be wondering what I'm doing now and what I will be doing between now and January. Currently, I'm finishing up my role as an Area Coordinator at the University of Wyoming where I've worked for 3 years. My main responsibility (aside from running the hall and working with the RA staff) is to coordinate our two-week RA training program that occurs in August. So, since I love training so much (this is true - not the typical Suzanne/Q sarcasm), I've decided to stick around to help out with my last training. My last day at UW will be August 24, which is the first day of school here.

On August 25 the adventure begins! I'll be heading to Jackson Lake Lodge in Teton National Park to work as a waitress/hostess/whatever they need me to do. I'll live at the lodge with the rest of the staff. I'm really excited for the change of pace and the opportunity to work with and meet people from all over the world!

My work in the Tetons ends Oct. 5 and then I'll head to CA to run a half-marathon with my best friend, Cate, and hang out a bit. Then I'll head north to Portland and Seattle and my mom will fly out to visit family in Washington. We'll drive back to CA and then head back through Laramie and on to Iowa (hopefully visiting friends along the way) before heading out for my new job.

I'm actively searching for jobs that start in January 2010, however not much is posted at this time. I'm optimistic, and the research I have done has shown me that most jobs are posted 3-4 months before they begin, so there is no need to worry! While my future is uncertain - I do have a plan for the next six months, and I know that whatever occurs after that will be fabulous!

I'm most excited for this new adventure and will keep this site updated as there is more to share! I will also use this once I get to my new location in January...so make sure to bookmark it and come back often!