Since it's almost midnight, I can officially say, or freak out: 2 DAYS!!!!
It's really hard for me to believe that it's Thursday. It seems like this week just started. How time flies and keeps creeping closer and closer to my departure date. My two suitcases are pretty much ready to go. My HUGE one is already in the car and the one in my room just needs a few more things in (sheets that were washed, clothes that will be worn over the next two days, etc). I'm taking a big bag for my carry-on, filled with all my electronics (laptop, ipad, ipod, and kindle) water bottle and a change of clothes (in case my suitcases get lost). I'm shipping 2 boxes full of school stuff and 1 box of winter clothes.
I'm really surprised that I got my clothes/life into 2 suitcases. Granted they are jam packed! Full of clothes in vacuum-packed bags, toiletries, medication, and oodles of pictures of friends and family. A was with me as a purged my closet and packed. She laughed as I talked to all my articles of clothing as I threw them away or insisted they come with me. That's what friends are for: Loving you when you are crazy.
I'm getting my phone "unlocked" tomorrow and ending my phone plan. From what I read, I'll still be able to text people with iMessage when I'm on WiFi. This better be the case or I will be lost these last two days without being able to communicate with my friends. I'm also selling my car, Nikita, tomorrow. Yes, I totally name my cars.She's been with me for the past four years and has seen 3 different schools. She's never done me wrong and I'll be sad to part with her. However, I won't miss driving. I'm also having lunch with a former 3rdie tomorrow. She was definitely one of my favs from last year. It's soo sweet that she wants to stay goodbye.
It's so hard for me to believe that I've been teaching for almost 5 years. This year will be my 5th. My 5th graders from my first year will be 9th graders!!! Same as my 4th graders that I interned with the year before in NYC. It makes me feel so old because I remember those days like they were yesterday.
Mom was saying today that she wondered what my life would have been like if I had found a job in NYC and not come back to Florida. She thought I'd probably not be moving to China because I'd be content where I was. I said it might have taken me longer, but I would have done it.
I can't imagine what my life would be like if I had stayed in NYC. It would be so different. I'd still be the queen of Broadway, seeing shows as much as I can. I'd be walking to wash my clothes at the laundry mat. I'd be living in the heart of Brooklyn or Queens in a little one bedroom paying an absurd amount of rent.
But just imagine what I'd be missing: the closeness of family; an extremely hard/stressful first year of teaching with the most amazing team of women I could ever ask for; the ups and down of charter schools; directing four musicals; meeting strong and hardworking teachers who taught me so much; getting back into theatre; meeting and bonding with an eclectic groups of girlfriends who I adore and love with all my heart.
As much as I miss NYC, I wouldn't trade my experience coming back home for anything. It's helped shape me into the teacher and person that I am today. As one of my favorite actresses said, "Things happen for a reason and in their own time." I am a firm believer of that.
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