New Dawn, New Day, New Life

Within a short period, I went from one of the highest/ happiest moment to one of the saddest moment in my life. In a period of a week, my life as I knew it and as I planned it came into place and fell out of place. 

In light of the new development, my heart is fixed on progressing. I have taken a conscious decision to make my life about me (this is new for me). A conscious decision to be happy, strong and confident. 

I guess there is no other option for me but to be happy and strong. What else do you do when you get a joyous news that fills you with so much happiness and in less than a week you are hit with one that takes away the happiness. 

Well here is what I did, I cried so much eventually tears stopped running, didn't eat or drink for some days to the point where remembering the previous minute was a chore. Then, it hit me, that I don't do we'll being sad and miserable. My beautiful smile is allergic to misery. So here I am, it is very hard but I will make it a daily mission to be true to myself, strong and happy.

This TERN is on a roll, the sky is no longer the limit. It is just another gate to another adventure. 

Sitting at an airport gate, heading to NC to visit my mother, I look back and realize there is just this life and I am going to live,  laugh and love till I can't no more. 

For those that know me personally, you know my mother is everything to me. I called her sobbing like a baby to share my sad news and here is her response (To those who know my mother, I am sure you can predict her response). 

      "Adunni, no need to cry. May God continue to bless you. You wil never know sorrow. There is no reason to cry, please wipe your tears, take a shower and give thanks to God for everything." 

I do know my mother and somewhere deep down I anticipated that response but I couldn't help thinking she didn't hear me due to my endless stream of tears. So again sobbing I told her what had happened (play by play). She said "Oko mi (My dear), I heard you the first time. This is not the time to cry but a time to get closer to your God, ask for forgiveness, strenght and happiness. 

I did as she said and till the end of time, I will continue to say my mother is one of a kind. She went through the same ordeal and always wished she had someone then to help when she needed it the most. I will always love you (Iya Hajarat); may your days be long in good health and wealth. 

These past couple of weeks she has been there like a mother should, like a sister should and like a friend should. She  raised me to be strong and dependent but still held on tightly when I needed her the most. 

This is why I am taking time out of no time and spending money I don't have, flying to NC, to visit her, and other family member that have always and I know will always be there for me. 

Enough of the sob story. 

Before China, I will be in NC for 5 days to return Monday night. Then I will be heading to Runaway Bay, Jamaica (long over due vacation) with one of my all-time favorite. 

So you see why I am loving it 😃

Not a lot of trips before China but I know this is the begin of many more to come. 

I will try to update before Jamaica, if not, see you before the big MOVE

So ... Did I accept the offer?

It has been a very long couple of weeks. Trying to figure out what the next course of plan would be should I accept the offer or turn it down? What this would mean for me now and my career aspirations.

Like I said in my earlier post, this would be a stepping stone to other interesting and career changing opportunities. I would need to quit my current job, move to the other side of the world away from family, friends and foes.

The uncertainty still remains as I am not sure what to expect, I am yet to arrive at answers to some of my questions. Some of which would not be answered until I commence on this new adventure.

So far, it has been a rocky road, one that I hope someday I will be able to look back and smile. I have been very excited about this offer and have been reading on Jinan, Shandong as well as China. Some reviews have been encouraging and some not so much. All in all, one thing is for sure - keeping an open mind provides some form of cushion.

Great Wall of China

 

I am sure with any decision in life, there are bound to be challenges and obstacles that makes you want to run the other way, change your mind, regret the choices you've made or wish you could time travel back to the past. I am hoping this is not one of those instances. I am anticipating lots of travels, time and wallet permitting.  

So ...

Did I accept the offer?

Yes I did.

I gave in my two weeks notice at work, started packing up some of my things that I will be taking with me the rest of my stuff I have found a storage space for (a bit skeptical about safety). FYI - Packing is not fun, especially when you have to consider airline baggage allowance. Although I am able to send some of my stuff over once my Visa is confirmed, I have been warned postal/ courier service to and from ... is not very reliable.

Enough of my packing dislikes.

Looking forward the next 12 month of UPs and DOWNs, happy and not so happy, culture shock and new experience. 

What's next ... 



Moving Soon ... Maybe, maybe not

Lots of question going on in my head. Should I accept this offer? If I do, am I able to commit to blogging my experience? The first and last time I took to blogging was over a year ago. I can't say for sure if I did a good job, if anyone read it or if anyone is going to read my new postings. I guess I have to try to know the answer to that.

OK then; one question answered. If I do accept the offer, would I be able to blog occasionally, maybe weekly or bi weekly (not daily like my last one)?

So what is this offer I am referring to? I have just been offered a teaching position in Jinan (济南), capital of Shandong (山东) province in Eastern China. This will be an experience of a lifetime. It is the start of something new, the beginning of an end as I have been with my current organization for over 5.

Although I am super excited about the role and the opportunity teaching abroad would bring, not to mention the experience, I am also sceptical and a bit scared.  It is after all a new place far away from family and friends. What if it is not what it is shaped out to be? What if I don't enjoy it as much as I thought? What if I embark on this new chapter and it exceeds my expectation, loving it so much, I don't want to look back?

Hmmm ... lots of "WHAT IFs" So ... 

Will I be accepting the offer? You will have to stay tuned to find out.