Sunday, February 20, 2011

Transition

Well, the time is finally nearing...when I am leaving Asia! This time is different than 2 years ago when I was leaving Taiwan. Much much different. First of all, and most obvious, I am leaving with my fiance, and about to get married in about 2 months. Second of all, I am leaving with the intention of not coming back. Not even letting myself have the option of coming back. For any of you who have spent more than one year teaching English in Asia, I have a feeling you are thinking "yeah, that's what they all say", but its time.

It's time to start a new life with my new husband. Erlo and I have decided there is something valuable for us to start something new together. Obviously, even if we were staying here, getting married is starting new, but for us we want to start a new life in a new place. Together. We are excited about the prospect of being together to start a new chapter of our lives in so many different ways.

So here's the plan:

March 2: Fly to California. Spend time with family, see California, eat good food, prepare to marry.
April 3: Fly to Thailand. Relax on beach.
April 10: Get married
April 17: Go back to California.
April 30: Have a reception in California.
May 5: Fly to Christchurch. Honeymoon in Akaroa, New Zealand.
May 16: Done with honeymoon....look for place to live in Christchurch or Auckland.

And there you have it. When we go to NZ, we won't have a car, we won't have jobs, and we won't have an apartment. It terrifies me. We have money saved, but you never know, right? I think right now is a time to learn trust. Trust that we can take care of each other. Trust that we have made the right decision to have so much time off for wedding stuff. Trust our wisdom in budgeting and spending. But above all, trust in God. Yeah, there's the big one.

But more than anything, I am excited! I just hope the next several months I will be able to soak it all in. Remember the moments with friends and family. Savor the feeling of having dear ones surrounding me in one of the biggest steps in my life. I want to be able to relive the times in my head again and again for years to come. Oh, how great it will be!!