On Our Way

Over 2 years have passed since we decided to apply for another teaching exchange.  The first time we applied was in September of 2010 for a 2012 exchange.  This was to prove unsuccessful.  While we felt disappointed that this had happened, in hindsight it proved to be the best thing for us.  Not only was this first exchange to a place that would cost double in airfares but also it would require Brendan to enter the classroom once again.  This is something that he is not at all enthusiastic about.  His passion resides in teaching PE.  We knocked that exchange on the head and put our hat in the ring once again hoping that a different and more suitable exchange applicant would be found. A female PE teacher from Edmonton (single and living in a 2 bedroom apartment) was found. We got excited and I in particular wore rose coloured glasses thinking that we could easily live in a small apartment. We accepted the exchange from our end.  However the school the lady taught at was looking for a female PE teacher and unfortunately Brendan did not fit that bill (he would look terrible dressed in a skirt – and his legs are far too hairy!!!) So we were back to square one. 

In September of 2011 we once again applied for an exchange.  This time God had it in his plans for us to be successful.  Thinking back it seems to be the best timing for us.  Caleb will still have one year of primary school left when he returns from our year away, making the transition to high school a little smoother.  Seth is not in grade one and has learnt the basics of formal schooling which will make it far easier for him to transition into a new system of education.  Obviously the boys have been a major priority in all our decision making.  At the end of the day we want them to be happy and to be able to make the most of this truly remarkable opportunity.

So in June of 2012 we found out that a teacher had been found to exchange with and more importantly  ticked all the boxes for Brendan (PE, middle school, big but not too big a city).  Thus began 6 months of frantically getting ready to leave the country for a year.  Passports had to be reissued, work and study visas had to be applied for, a teaching certificate for me had to be sourced and a ‘to do list’ as long as your arm had to be written and systematically completed.  All this whilst Brendan worked a full time job as a PE teacher as well as working at his second job (the busiest it has ever been!!), me working three days a week, both of us working hard to finish house renovations, and trying our best not to neglect our poor children. 

Thankfully with a lot of hard work, generous help from family and friends, big doses of patience and love and keeping our eyes on the final goal, we got to the finish line (the evening before we left!!!)  With much relief we left the Gold Coast after saying some sad goodbyes to our close friends and neighbours.  Strangely these feelings of sadness were intertwined with feelings of utter elation and excitement that at long last we were on our way to writing a new and adventurous chapter in our lives.   

Our last dinnertime meal in Australia was a BBQ hosted by Lauren and Brad with prawns, salad, snags and steak.  Bren’s Mum was there along with Nanny, Bumps, Zac and Harry.  It was a lovely way to spend our last night in our home country. 

On the day of departure we were met at the airport by the Somerwil’s and Aunty Barb, The Georges and of course Nanny, Bumps and Mel.  We all held it together pretty well until it was time to go through customs in readiness for boarding our flight.  Tears flowed and hugs were firm and long.  Again this sadness aligned itself with joy.  It is such a strange and unusual feeling.  It is exciting to think that our trip to Canada has encouraged our families to want to make the trip themselves.  All being well we will see all of them at some time in the new year.  If not then they will participate in our adventure via our blog, emails and facebook. 

And so here I am sitting on the second leg of the flight to Vancouver waiting for our dinner to be served. It is dark outside.  The boys and Brendan are watching the little screens in front of them.  Caleb is playing a game, Bren is watching a movie and Seth is listening to music.  After dinner we will all try to sleep the flight away and hopefully feel refreshed when we arrive in Vancouver in a little over 11 hours time.  Fingers crossed!!!!

“ What you get by achieving your goals 

is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. ”

- Henry David Thoreau