Graduation- here we come!

We are getting ready to go to Boston for my graduation- I'm so excited. I am really looking forward to a handful of days on the coast, playing with the kids, relaxing... sounds so great! Both Lalee and Alex are getting cameras for their birthdays and we are going to give the cameras to them when we go to Boston- it will be a lot of fun to watch the kids and see the trip through their eyes- see what they think is neat. I am looking forward to graduation. It has been a lot of work and having that sense of closure on such massive project.... I'm looking forward to it.

Pete got drum lessons for fathers day (an early gift). He's been really enjoying it. I hope it's something he will be able to do for while- he has always been good at music. The kids are anxious for school to be out. Becca's school is already done and she gets so frusterated when Alex and Lalee still get to go to school and she doesn't. It's beautiful. I should record it and play it for her when she gets to be a teenager and doesn't want to go to school anymore. I'll plan on posting some pictures from Boston when we get back :)

I'M DONE!

I finished my last class for my Masters degree last night. It was a very bitter-sweet moment. I am psyched to have a summer (and well the next couple of years) without school, and it couldn't have come at a better time as we are preparing for this move. I was sad as I've become really close to my cohort members. Plus, school has been my life for SO long. Overall, I would say I am more relieved then anything. At times I had my doubts about making it to the end. But I DID IT and got a 3.87 GPA. :)

I go to MA to take my licensing test tomorrow. Then we'll all fly out on May 26th for my graduation. We've rented a house on the beach for the week. Sandi and Dan and DaNette and Christian are going to join us- hopefully it will be full of great memories and relaxing moments.

UMass MEd school counseling, Dartmouth Cohort

A video I put together at the end of grad school for the cohort.

April Showers

It's been a kick-back week. I am starting to get antsy for my internship to conclude. It was been a great experience and I've enjoyed working with the counselors at SHS. I am feeling like a lot of the things I was supposed to learn, I have learned and that the counselors are too busy with routine stuff to really expand to new areas where I might increase my knowledge. I sent my applications out to all the DoD schools in Okinawa this past week and heard back from most of them indicating they are not anticipating any openings. I have mixed feelings on this. Part of me is incredibly sad that the career I have spent the past 7 years of studying and preparing myself for may not be open to me right away. The other part of me is very peaceful and knows that somehow everything is going to work out. Although I do plan on following up with the remaining schools, I think I will just need to be comfortable with the idea of moving to Japan without the security of already having a job waiting. I'm sure there are greater plans out there than I understand. I guess its all about faith :) I have thought a lot about continuing my schooling the first year and working part time as an English teacher. I really need to get my teaching certificate and I have found a school where I could do this and get a second bachelors in 18-24 months. This would be the wise thing to do. The fun thing to do would be to pursue the graphics design degree / program I've had my eye on for a couple of years- now that would be fun! The GI bill becomes available to me in September and now I don't have to worry about paying for school- the possibilities are endless and exciting.

This week it has struck me several times just how fortunate I am to have such great friends. We have been really blessed the past couple of years to have close friends our own age to confide in and to be part of our lives. I really love 'em and its going to be hard to leave them. Thank goodness for technology and the conveniences of keeping in touch it provides.

I am really looking forward to this next week. We have spring break for the whole week. I have to get some homework done. Besides that I am looking forward to spending the day with Dari as we create a slide-show for her lesson. My kids are so pumped that Aaron and Tyler are going to be spending some time with us. We are also planning on going to Lava Hot Springs with the family this weekend. Should be fun. If it's good weather, I want to plant some flowers. That's about it. I'll try to post some pictures next time.

A 'day' in our life

While on facebook (I know, that happens way to often!) I noticed this link to Shuttercal which is a website where you upload one picture a day and creates a daily calendar. I LOVED the idea and of course Pete said it would be fun too. I know there is a fairly good chance we won't take a picture every day but I think it will be really fun to see our lives protrayed through pictures. Here's the link if you want to take a look...
http://www.shuttercal.com/calendar/naeandpete/

Cars and Japan- major no no.

I am quickly learning that this is not going to be simply another move. Pete and I went car shopping the other day. We figured if we were going to have the same car for the next four years we might want to get something that will last and not give us problems. We found some great cars and I was getting really excited about it. Pete wisely suggested we find out the regulations before buying a car. After visiting numerous websites and then TMO we found out we won't be allowed to take any vehicles with us. Rather, we will just be buying a vehicle there. Each family is limited to one 4-wheeled vehicle and one 2-wheeled vehicle. Needless to say, this put a quick end to the car shopping and began a search on the best methods for storing vehicles long term. This is going to be an even bigger adventure then I had originally thought!

Oka-banana

We told our kids about Japan this week. It was cute. Lalee immediately wanted to go online and find out where the closest swimming pool and park are. Alex was somewhat concerned about needing to learn Japanese but excited about the moving idea- that kid is always wanting to move. And Becca has been going around the house saying Oka-banana. Apparently that is how you say Okinawa in 4 year-old. Pete and I have been talking about all kinds of stuff this week, keep a vechile, sell them both, which pieces of furniture we are keeping and selling, etc. It is going to be great. I'm not even nervous about getting a job anymore. That was my big concern but I figure I will do whatever I can this spring and if I don't get a job then I will go to school and teach English next year while I substitute at the schools and then I will be able to apply next year. I feel good about this move. Much better then I was ever able to convince myself to feel about Albuquerque. I want to pull out the calender this weekend and fill it full of times to see our families. That is the one part of this that still feels sad, being so far away from everyone we love.