Plenty to do while still in the 719

We are just over one month away from leaving and there is plenty to do.

Things left to do:

• Pack the rest of the items going. 
• Pack the items that are going into storage. 
• Sell/give away items that are not staying or going. 
• Finish up paperwork for visa and work permits. 
• Cutting off services to the house, changing correspondances to come electronically (if possible). 
• House maintenance items (spray trees, install bathroom fixture, paint areas outside). 
• Sell our cars. 
• Finish up insurance changes for cars and house. 
• Set up banking to allow for money to be transfered easily.  
• Buy plenty of clothes to make it through the year (for boys and adults), toiletries for the year, and other miscellaneous purchases (power converters, medicine).  
• Make sure that AT&T will hold out account/numbers for when we return. 
• Second round of shots, final dentist appointments, eye doctor visits. 

In early June, we will be taking a trip to Wisconsin to see Becca's family.  It's about 18 hours with stops, so two fairly long days out there.

We will host a garage sale the 14th and the 15th of June.  From there, any remaining items will be donated.

It's hard to believe it's the end of May already.  Time flies when you are having fun!

Going Away Party

Please stop by the Old Chicago on N. Academy on Friday, June 28th any time between 2:30 and 6:00 to say goodbye to us before we leave.  We will also be going to the Sky Sox game afterward.

Vietnam? Why? How? When? Where?

As I have told people about our choice to move to Vietnam, I've noticed that most people ask a lot of questions.  Well, here are the answers:

WHY?

1.  Derek and I have always dreamt of teaching abroad.  We had assumed it was something that we would do when our kids where in middle school or even in college.  After talking to several friends of ours that have taken the International Teaching plunge, we realized that NOW is the time to travel the world with our children.  Now, before they have clubs and athletic commitments.  Now, before they have a group of friends that they can't live without.  Now, when language acquisition is natural and far easier than it will be for us.  Now, while they are young, is the time to do it.

2.  Finances.  I won't bore you with the details, but we will be able to save more money working in Vietnam than we could ever dream of saving here.  If we look at childcare alone, we currently spend close to $1600 per month on daycare.  (That's ALMOST as much as I make.)  In Ho Chi Minh, Owen will go to Pre-Kindergarten (free of charge for teachers), and Oliver will have a full time nanny who comes to our house for $400 per month.  Oh, and she will also do all our cleaning and laundry.

3.  More quality time with our children.  Did you see that about the cleaning and laundry?  Yes?  We will also be able to hire a cook.  If I look at how much time I spend on the weekends cleaning, doing laundry, grocery shopping, and cooking, it's a wonder I have any time left with the boys at all.  And after school everyday, the first thing I do is cook dinner.  In Vietnam, I will not have to do any of that.  Seriously.  I will have evenings and weekends to completely dedicate myself to being Mom.

4.  Expanding our careers.  Derek has been in education for 7 years already, and I have been teaching at the same school for 6 years.  We are ready for a new, exciting challenge.  We both still love teaching and are passionate about what we do, but we need opportunity for growth.  Teaching at the American Academy will provide both of us with exciting new challenges.

How?

One of Derek's colleagues at his current school searched long and hard for an International Principal position at a great school.  When he started at the International School of Ho Chi Minh City American Academy, he was asked if he knew of any good math, tech, or social studies teachers that might be interested is going with him.  He passed the information on to Derek.  We both loved the idea and sent our resumes to the school the very next day.  We interviewed via Skype a few days later, and we were offered the positions on the spot.  We took a few days to really discuss the details and make up our miss before we told our families.  We emailed the superintendent back and formally accepted the positions with a two year contract.

When?

We leave in July.  Yup.  That soon.  Don't worry, we will come visit for a few weeks next summer.  (We get a flight home each year as part of our salary.)

Where?

We will be teaching at the ISHCMC American Academy.  It is in District 2 of Ho Chi Minh City, formally known as Saigon.  

That about sums it up.  If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask!

Motorcycle Lessons

From what we have seen, the main mode of transport in HCMC is motorbikes.  I did some reading and discovered that a motorcycle license is pretty difficult to acquire once in Vietnam, but a current license from the States will transfer easily.  So when a Groupon deal popped up for lessons and a license test, Derek jumped on it.  I can't believe I'm going to learn to ride a motorcycle.  This is something I had assumed I would NEVER do.  Craziness.

Here's a link to a YouTube video depicting some rush hour traffic in downtown HCMC.  Yikes.  Also, notice the children who also ride with both parents on one bike.  Yes, this will be quite the adventure!

Paperwork

I have to say that I really had no idea how much paperwork was involved with moving overseas.  It makes sense, but my goodness!  There is so much to do, and it all must be submitted immediately.  We are (im)patiently awaiting our passports at the moment...

On a side note: I have been doing so much research about Vietnam over the past couple weeks, and I am getting more and more excited about moving there!  I've already drafted a list of travel destinations too!

Job Offer

Derek and I have been offered positions at the International School of Ho Chi Minh City American Academy.  This is an incredible opportunity for our family.  We accepted the positions on February 10, 2013 and will be moving to Ho Chi Minh mid-July.

We have a lot to do to get ready for the biggest move of our lives (so far).  This blog will be updated with our progress, our big move, and our adventure once we get to Saigon.

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