goodbye bali . . . . .

I'm sitting here in my second to last class with one of my favorite groups of kids. I've been putting off the feelings of sadness that are going to come when I leave Bali. I'm not sure what the best method is, suppression or acceptance. Don't get me wrong. I'm really excited to see everyone at home. And I'm super stoked to move on to a new place. It's just difficult to get close to a group of people, be it students, teachers, coworkers, or friends, and have to leave them after just a year. That's the name of the game though. It's going to happen at least a few more times, so I have to deal with it. Leaving Korea was especially rough for many reasons. It was my first experience abroad. Also, I taught Kindergarteners who stole my heart (excuse the cheese fest). So when I was preparing to leave Korea, I just overdosed on really sad movies. Sophies Choice, The Notebook, Schindlers List, etc. I'm not sure if Tom would be down for that this time... In other news, we have begun the application process. We have interviewed with a school in Istanbul, and have another interview next Monday with a different school in Istanbul. We still haven't nailed down where we want to go, but we are particularly excited about a job opening in Casablanca. Keep your fingers crossed for that one. Granted, we have a long list of places we'd like to travel and there are lots of jobs out there. So we are very fortunate to be in the position we are in. A school in China actually emailed Tom and just offered us jobs, without so much as an interview. I told Tom the only way I'd consider staying in Southeast Asia again would be for lots and lots of money. Or for a seriously solid amount of money and a six-month contract. Korea has been mentioned... [villainous music plays] On another random note, I know I have been awful at posting pictures. Once I get home and get all of my technology tended to, I'm going to make a shutterfly or photobucket or whatever those photo pages are, so that everyone can browse through my escapades. We don't have any big plans for the remainder of our time here. I'm going to try and get my PADI SCUBA certification. Hopefully I can get that done before I leave here. I remember watching an Alvin and the Chipmunks movie when I was little and they scuba dived. I was so anxious and wanted to be able to breathe underwater. I'm getting excited just thinking about it! haha. This is a must-do. And finally, as you all know, America has re-elected Barry Obama to the presidency for four more years. I couldn't be more excited or happier about the future of our country. Here are just a few other things that massively changed history in our country on Tuesday: More women than ever have been elected to the Senate. The first openly gay woman was elected to Congress. The first practicing Hindu was elected to Congress. Marijuana was legalized in Colorado and Washington, and medical marijuana legalized in Connecticut and Massachusetts. If heavily taxed, this could do wonders for states on the individual level. These are huge steps forward to what I believe is a more accepting and open-minded nation, one where I may actually choose to raise a family. Not trying to get all political here, but hey, it is my blog. I've tried to avoid voicing my excitement about all this on spacebook, so this is my venue. Even if you aren't excited about Obama, be excited that all the political hubbub is over. And on that, I will say goodbye.