Some of you may be aware, if you've followed Asher's blogs (@abh12345), that we have just recently embarked on a new journey - a big move to the French island of Reunion, in the Indian Ocean.
Just over a month ago, I landed a job on this paradise island as a Montessori guide/educator in a small school. After going through the usual interviews and email exchanges, I was offered the position and couldn't be more excited. Asher being the ultimate "sun worshipper" that he is, was elated at the thought of moving there and, it goes without saying, totally on board.
What could go wrong right?
Well, I have not told you much about my life (yet), but what I can tell you now is that I have had my fair share of surprises when it comes to starting new jobs.
I have almost always worked abroad - away from my home country which is France.
At the age of 23, after finishing my studies in Tourism (I really just wanted to be a professional tourist), I realized how incredibly mundane and downright boring my life was in Paris - I got my TEFL certificate and set out to discover new pastures as an English teacher in Vietnam. Why Vietnam you say? Meh... why the hell not?!
What started out as a year abroad, became a 14 year venture - still working and travelling to this day :)
From Vietnam (7 years) to Japan (1 year), with a few long stops here and there in California, where my ex-boyfriend had his ties, I discovered a new way of travelling which deeply shaped the person that I am today. You see, I was never a huge fan of visiting a country and playing the typical tourist game for a week or two. Yes, working abroad provided me with all of that, but it was also so much more. Living long-term in a country that is so far from anything that resembles home with all its comfort, routine and familiarities teaches you a lot about yourself... A LOT! You learn to observe, to adapt, to take on challenges you would never have dreamed of being faced with. But more on that in later posts.
At the tender age of 30 (yes, tender... I am much older now), needing to give more meaning to my teaching career (if you can call that a "career"), and realizing that education is so much more than a person facing a group of children feeding them with words and knowledge they may or may not use, I took a slight turn and became a certified AMI Montessori teacher. Best decision ever.
I have since worked in Hong Kong (3 years), mainland China (a crazy few months...), and Spain last year. With a few long travelling breaks in between. Of course, everybody needs a break, especially when you are a teacher. To all the teachers out there, take the time to breathe (if you can). This job is so intense, it's easy to lose your sanity :)
Ok focus. I'm rambling.
So here we are, all packed up and ready for the next move to Reunion Island. An easy move for me as it is a territory of France.
For once: no working visa, no extra insurance and other annoying last minute preps. Just a whole lot of baggage to move my life from one place to another, once again.
Sunshine and happy days with my boyfriend, exploring a brand new place filled with exciting discoveries, and to top it off my bosses seem super nice and very professional - at least from the 2-hour long Skype interview I had with them. I mean, a 2-hour long visual interview should tell you a lot about the people you have in front of you, right?
It is a gamble. It is ALWAYS a gamble.
Stay tuned for the next episode where I will tell you all about our arrival on the island, exploring the capital St Denis during our first few days, meeting my bosses for the first time and the insane roller-coaster of emotions that has been spinning my head upside down for the past 3 days... To be continued.
 The treasures left behind by my great-grandfather #3 | _edited.jpg) The treasures left behind by my great-grandfather #2 |
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 FOOD! Nom nom nom |  Winter Wonderland 2 |
“Learning is not a race for information, it is a walk of discovery” - Jane Healy
Hello Miss @osm0sis
I did not know that you're a teacher too and spreading the light of knowldge all over from veitnam to hongkong to paris and all over the world, BRAVO
Teaching is my passion while steemit is my love i give equal time to both things but my aim is quite similar on both sides-- To spread Peace :)
Asher told me that you always bring Quality and here you proved it through those amazing words alongside skilled photography, Wonderful <3
You guys are enjoying your lives through exploring the nature, it is one of the best way to live a life :) My Best wishes and Support is always with you people.
Lets make together this platform a place of affection and brotherhood
Stay Blessed My Lovely People <3 <3
Steem On!
Lovely to meet a fellow educator. Thank you so very much for your kind and thoughtful words.
I hope you will like following our journey through the island and maybe even some other places... who knows?
I am following you too and look forward to reading your stories :)
Thank you so much @osm0sis for your beautiful words, this journey is going to be more beautiful now, credit goes to Asher who encouraged me on every single step of mine :)
He is pretty incredible and works so hard to help a lot of people here on Steemit. Keep steemin' :)
I read Asher posts yesterday and I can only say I admire you a lot. A was also a teacher for 25 years, but I stayed at one school all those years. WIth a husband and three children, it was the logical thing to do at that time. I enjoyed teaching, but reading your post I think your choices are great and courageous. And I really am a little jealous. I am very curious to know how your life will continue in the next days and weeks. I look forward to your next post.
Thank you so much for stopping by @clio. This life is indeed different, but it surely does not lack in ups and downs!
I learn something new every day, whether it be in my job or in my daily surroundings. I live to discover :)
I cannot wait to share the next part of the trip with you and hope it will make you laugh, frown, and surprise you... it sure did to me!
I understand that the way you chose to live does not lack in ups and downs, c' est la vie, isn't it?
I like to be surprised so I await your next post with impatience.
C'est la vie. Exactement :)
Preparing my post today but may post in the coming days.
I only realized you're a sadist..to be continued, really?Were you lured to go there perhaps??
Yes! I mean, perhaps! They certainly didn't give us all the details.
Obviously..so ul go ouch!! It's gonna be an adventure everyday you think? Is that why she got sick??
That's the plan yes!
And I think part stress, part climate - you don't realise how much water is required to keep hydrated. We are on it now though 😊
They do have coconuts right? Taste better everytime☺😊
Seems more of a banana island but if I see a coconut I'll give it a whirl!
Bananas?? Errr too much and they'll give you constipation🤣🤣
Oh no now I have the coconut song in my head
How's it? Got a nice sounding one😙😙
Yes! MOOHA HA HA HAAaAAaAAaAA!
This is gonna be interesting😙😙
Bon ben t'as gagné un voyage à la Réunion, pi voilà tout! ahaha
Finalement c'était un bon plan. Asher à l'air d'apprécier aussi. Alors faites de belles photos et de belles rencontres et racontez-nous tout ça. Bises
Exactement. On voit le bon cote des choses sinon on s'en sort pas. Et puis on sait bien tous que franchement, y'a pire. C'est un changement de programme, faut juste se réorganiser. Et blogger blogger blogger!
Mes blogs me mettent des heures a écrire et on a une tres mauvaise connection alors patience, ca arrive :)
Where's my french dictionary😍
Same place as mine I think!
Yeah lolsss!
So great to read about your adventures, you've been on my mind and I've been wondering how things are going! Looking forward to more. You two make a well-matched pair ;-)
My dear Ruth, you have no idea how stressed I am for not being able to keep up with my steemit life as my "real" life has been taking over like crazy over the past few weeks...
It should all settle down a bit soon as we will be learning to adjust to new routines and hopefully relaxing a bit more.
Thank you for the compliment. I look forward to sharing the best part of this adventure soon.
Big hugs sent your way :)
Oh... I can't wait for the next episode!
The preview pictures look great, but the actual words suggest something different...
Yes, building up the suspense... Stay tuned :)
Thanks for dropping by @connecteconomy
ah! sounds like so much fun! so much yes to this:
that is one of the biggest blessings, imo, of traveling not as a tourist, but as a human on the ground open to where life takes you. i traveled that way in my 20s and oh! do i miss it! i'll follow along eagerly as you two explore the island (saw the waterfall post!) and your life unfolds there. i'm excited for you :)
Yes stay tuned to both our blogs as I think you may be in for a few surprises.
Glad to have you on board @mountainjewel :)
expectantly waiting for the surprises @osm0sis ;) love surprises! (and love that you made your name unique with the # in it!) XO wren @mountainjewel
Travelling and living in other countries is a great teacher. You learn things about yourself that you had no idea were there. I am looking forward to reading more about yur experiences.
Thanks @cecicastor. Part 2 coming soon (to a theater near you.. Ha!
You're a real adventurer! Living the dream, at least, that's what I'm reading in your blog now - don't know what your follow-up posts will tell us... Will follow your story :-)
Living one of people's dreams yes.. so I've heard ;)
It's not always a walk in the park though, as you will see in my next post.
Glad to have you on board @soyrosa.
@abh12345 really rocking the sweet life, I never knew you could have fun this much 😂😂😂😂😂
Best of luck with this next chapter. It sounds so exciting. Can't wait to hear all your adventures.
Thanks @eroche. Hope I won't disappoint! Hope you are doing well... with all that's been happening since Christmas, I have been quite out of touch :(
Nive new avatar by the way!
Looks very happy moments for both of you. Paris is great place for tourists. The tower is first in mind when one think about French . Keep smiling and make the journey remarkable :)
Thank you so much @azizbd. We will try :)
Thank you for sharing this part of your life story. It is beautiful and inspiring! And yall look like a sweet couple!!! Blessings!!
Thanks @schoonercreek :)
Have a wonderful new life !!!!!
Merci Roxane. J'espère que tout va bien pour toi :)
It is wonderful to share your adventure with you!!! It's a beautiful life 🏝❤
Thanks @yogajill. Glad you like it :)
Life is beautiful, just have to understand it! thank u for sharing @osm0sis :)
Thanks for the wisdom @faresellouz :)
Woah your so amazing!!! you've been to a lot of places and venture out you're also a teacher at the same time,teaching is one of the best job ever because your not only to teach but also to learn new things, goodluck to your new journey have fun and God blessyou😘
Very true @maane. Thank you for dropping by :)
An interesting post you add some beautiful art.Excellent photography ..
Thank you @jakir007
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