Moving to Germany

I mentioned in my last post that I applied for a position in Wiesbaden, Germany. I found out on Friday that I got the job. Kristie and I are very excited about his new prospect. It's a job in the Europe Area office working with Language Arts curriculum for all the schools in Europe, and it will entail traveling to schools and meeting with teachers. While this is not an administration position, I will be out of the classroom. I was a bit sad about that, until I started the think about angry parents, grades, essay grading, etc. It all started to feel pretty good after that!

The best news of all is that we will be living in Europe, the main reason why we joined DoDDS in the first place. We are looking forward to all the new traveling that is before us. And, now that we'll be living in a locale that is more appealing, perhaps we can warrant a visit from friends. Start thinking about it.

The downside of accepting this job is that it starts earlier. We'll leave Portland to go to Germany on July 30. This, along with my workshop in D.C. in June, cuts down on the summer.

We have a few questions for you Portlanders to help us this summer:

1. Do you know of a place to rent in Portland from July 1 - 30? Perhaps someone from school or church needs a house-sitter, or is between rental contracts?

2. We are looking to borrow/rent/buy a car for those same dates. Any possibilities?

3. We also may need short-term housing for Aslan as we are trying to get her to Germany. (We are even considering leaving her in the States this upcoming school year to see what the work travel load is like, but I'm sad even thinking about it).

I know this may be a lot to ask, but please keep your ears opened for us. We'd sure appreciate it.

I'm going this week to make flight plans. When I have the exact dates, I'll let you know. I hope that we can see each other this summer. For you Rhode Islanders, I'll be there from July 1-7.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Waiting

Kristie and I had our morning lattes on our porch yesterday as we listened to a Korean version of “YMCA” piped through street speakers. Are the Village People finally catching on in Songtan, South Korea?

Two months since I last wrote. Here’s a run-down:

1. Applied for a job transfer to Europe.
2. Did not get a job transfer to Europe.
3. Went to Hanoi, Vietnam.
4. Applied for a job with the Europe education office.
5. Still waiting.

Riding Like Tom

I finally got back on my bicycle yesterday for a twenty-mile ride. Ignoring the saddle sore, I got back on today for another twenty. Korea is not conducive to road bikes (or mountain bikes, or cars, or people, etc.), so I find that the best riding is around the flight line on base. There’s nothing like riding with F-16s and the U-2 taking off as you pass a dozen Patriot missiles aimed towards North Korea. I feel like Tom Cruise in Top Gun, only without the motorcycle or the leather.

Four weeks from today is when Kristie and I will be on a plane headed towards Seattle. We have to wait to hear about that job to see if Aslan will be joining us.

I’m listening to “Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah” right now. I’m teaching The Catcher in the Rye this week. There is no connection.

I’m trying to only put one space after periods, since that is now the correct way. It’s difficult, and I challenge you to try it.

Michael Bolton's Burning

Yet another reason why I’m ready to leave Korea.

Michael Bolton Concert
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
March 31 - April 1
A concert of Michael Bolton, two-times Grammy and five-times American Music Award winner, will take place in Seoul for the first time. He sells over 50 million albums over the world and is referred as to the icon of blue-eyed soul. He will burn the floor of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts with many hit songs of his regular and irregular albums. Tickets are priced from 88,000 won to 198,000 won. For information, call 1588-7890.