Eleven months ago I was on the phone with my mother, and I said something she never thought would come from my mouth.
"So, mom, what would you think if I did a month of my student teaching abroad?"
Laughter followed. Then silence.
"You're serious? Rachel, that means you would have to get on an airplane."
"Yea, I know."
I'm her only child that has never (and has up to this point, had refused) to board an airplane. Mother knows all too well that I'm the fiercely independent one of her bunch, and once I've set my mind on something it will happen. So today I sit in my small apartment in Bowling Green, Kentucky, staring at nine small pieces of paper, each with their own "to do" list of sorts:
- Items to purchase
- Copies and documents to have ready
- Carry-on must haves
- Checked luggage must haves
- Personal article must haves
- Assignments for WKU
- Assignments for Greenwood High (where I've student taught the last 12 weeks)
- Before leaving apartment
- What Mom needs to know/have
I'm sure another couple of lists will be made this week as I actually start packing, but for now this is enough to send me into a state of panic, but for now, this will suffice. I look forward to finishing my second degree with such an amazing experience, and I feel so blessed to be able to take part in this program. From the first thoughts of student teaching abroad, I've come a long way, as I will board an airplane for the first time in my life in approximately 164 hours. Wow... It seems hyperventilation is in fact real, as the thought of flying still terrifies me to the point of tachycardia and dyspnea.
I can do this.
I WILL do this.
But right now I need my inhaler.
"So, mom, what would you think if I did a month of my student teaching abroad?"
Laughter followed. Then silence.
"You're serious? Rachel, that means you would have to get on an airplane."
"Yea, I know."
I'm her only child that has never (and has up to this point, had refused) to board an airplane. Mother knows all too well that I'm the fiercely independent one of her bunch, and once I've set my mind on something it will happen. So today I sit in my small apartment in Bowling Green, Kentucky, staring at nine small pieces of paper, each with their own "to do" list of sorts:
- Items to purchase
- Copies and documents to have ready
- Carry-on must haves
- Checked luggage must haves
- Personal article must haves
- Assignments for WKU
- Assignments for Greenwood High (where I've student taught the last 12 weeks)
- Before leaving apartment
- What Mom needs to know/have
I'm sure another couple of lists will be made this week as I actually start packing, but for now this is enough to send me into a state of panic, but for now, this will suffice. I look forward to finishing my second degree with such an amazing experience, and I feel so blessed to be able to take part in this program. From the first thoughts of student teaching abroad, I've come a long way, as I will board an airplane for the first time in my life in approximately 164 hours. Wow... It seems hyperventilation is in fact real, as the thought of flying still terrifies me to the point of tachycardia and dyspnea.
I can do this.
I WILL do this.
But right now I need my inhaler.