Bucket List

Inspired, or maybe kicked into overdrive, by my last post and the realization that I have maybe six weeks left in the United States, I began thinking about how I want to spend that time. People I want to see, places I want to visit, experiences I'd like to share, conversations I'd like to have.

All in a big thought bubble above my head now .... but I think I can divide my time into four main chunks. Details to come.

July 3-11: I will be showcasing Phoenix for and traveling to Mexico City with one of my favorite people in the world.
Bucket list:

July 11-17: Moving out of my guest house downtown and into my parents' condo in N. Scottsdale.
Bucket list:

July 17-31: Flying home to Wisconsin to meet new and (new to me) babies, see old friends, my family and soak up small town Americana.
Bucket list:

August 1-departure: Final days in the valley.
Bucket list:

Climbing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2zyeVRcbs

I walked into my last dentist appointment on Friday (no cavities!) and as soon as I laid back in the chair, I heard this song, "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus playing. I know, I know. Not normally my style, but my kids sang this song at their Christmas concert and hearing it brought back memories of playing the CD in class and having their little voices ring out practicing the lyrics -- even the boys :) And I starting missing their faces so much.

Then, as I started listening to their voices in my head and the song on the radio, I heard the lyrics for what felt like the first time. And it synced to everything that has been sliding in and out of my head over these last few months, and for perhaps, much longer than that. I'm 29 years old and have lived a life so far filled with much grace, joy and laughter ... and this song sang in eight-year-old squeaky off-tune voices inside my mind in that dental chair reminded me that I have much more life to live, many more obstacles to jump, children to teach, people to meet and experiences to grow from. Although it has not and will not be easy, I always say, 'The good stuff is never easy to obtain, otherwise everyone would have gathered baskets full by now.'

As the hygienist came to take x-rays, she asked several questions (which I struggled with as my mouth was full of plastic and cardboard) about what I do and then about moving out of the country in August.

Her: "Are you married?"
Me: "No."
Her: "Do you have kids?"
Me: "None of my own."
Her: (Sigh) "I've always wanted to do something like you're doing, but I got pregnant."
        "Are you scared?"
Me: "Yes."
Her: "Where is Abu Dhabi, exactly?"
Me: "Near Saudi Arabia -- the middle east."
Her: "Is it safe there?"
Me: "I have heard it is the safest country in the middle east."
Her: "Do you have to cover everything on your body when you go out?"
Me: "I hope so, temperature gets to 130 degrees."
Her: "You're joking, right?"

It's interesting to watch people's (usually complete strangers) faces when they hear where I am going. First look registered is shock, then worry, followed by confusion. The questions they ask are stereotypes ... most of which I hope I can disprove upon arrival.

Dang, I will be on a plane headed as far from home as one can get in six weeks or less ... am I ready for this?!?!

Waiting for my 'What if?'

This is the most excruciating part of my journey so far.

Waiting.

 I'm not the best waiter. At first, I didn't mind and felt sort of relaxed about letting someone else on another end do some processing after running amok trying to get a document updated by the Arizona Department of Education and sending those revised documents off to become authenticated by the state, the US Embassy and the UAE Embassy.

But that was about a month and a half ago. I haven't heard from Footprints in ages (when I e-mail my rep to check in, she just says there is "nothing new to report yet, waiting on visas,") and am ambushed by millions of new posts on my Facebook threads of teachers moving to Abu Dhabi in August. Comments and questions such as, "Is coconut water easily available?" "Make sure you purchase international life insurance or change your existing life insurance policy so you are covered," "How soon after we arrive in AD does our health insurance kick in?" "Living Will, Living Trust, Power of Attorney, Pour Over Will, Advance Health Care Directive ... get it in order before leaving!" "What are you doing with your car while in AD?" "What bank have you found that will wire money internationally for free?" "How can I watch American TV in the UAE?" "Do I need the magic jack AND a VPN AND the Buffalo router in order to fool my computer into thinking it is still in the US?"

Enough. I am not even thinking about half of these things! I didn't know I was suppose to. And now that I am, I am stressing out because I don't know the answers to any of them!

Finally ... a comment with calming properties.

"As I sat all evening going through years of papers, I thought we are all so brave and inspirational. For us to take such massive leap, uprooting years of routines, friends and so much more, we deserve credit. Whatever the outcomes are, we took the leap and should be proud as there will be no 'what if'. :)"

{Purge}

Went back in to Brunson-Lee today to finish cleaning, packing and purging to get my room ready for the new teacher. It was a hard to swallow looking at the door that joined Mandy's room to mine, knowing that next year, she would be connected to someone else. Browsing through old binders and folders and desk name cards of students that I had for an entire year and those who called Brunson-Lee home for only a short time. Looking at all the table and chairs and remembering the personalities that had occupied them over the last 1,000 days. The spirits of so many kids who have come and gone from this room will travel with me across the Atlantic. Well-behaved and helpful, hurt and homeless, motivated and defiant. I have learned and loved you all. 

Wrapping up at 48th & McDowell

It's hard to even do this. Write about my last day at Brunson-Lee. I sort of don't have words, which is why I've included several pictures to do some of the speaking for me. (Sigh.) Here we go.

 

 

 Had a hard time sleeping the night before, my mind was frantically searching, thinking, remembering and contemplating. Bounced out of bed before my alarm Friday morning (I know -- this NEVER happens), and started getting ready. Tried not to think about the significance of this day, but my stomach started cramping up anyway. Thank goodness my friend Shannon was there to calm my nerves. :) Out the door earlier than normal to get to a final morning meeting. Drove down the freeway with my windows down and music loud. Taking Ernesto's advice and breathing deeply.
 

 

My beloved school on our final morning together.

 

 Morning meeting, sitting next to my girl. Filling out 301 paperwork and got recognized for my time at B-L with kind words and a gift, along with the handfuls of other staff members who were leaving for their own adventures. (Miss you, Kaitlyn, Brittany, Kristen, Amanda, Christy, and Annie.)
 

 

 Got to my room to find these monkeys sitting outside my door. They damn near tackled me with hugs. We got our classroom ready for the last day.
 

 

 By the time I picked up my class outside on the playground and walked back to room 111, my desk was immediately filled with flowers, cards and gifts from my sweet boys and girls.

 

"Dear Ms. Warriner, thank you for helping my daughter. You are a special person for our family. Good luck in everything you do."

 

"Dear Ms. Warriner, There's no words to express my gratitude for helping me to deal with (student), he has changed a lot even at home. He used to be very shy and now he's more open to talk and express his feelings. Thank you so much, and it was a very blissful year having you as my teacher too. God bless you."

 

{Choked up}

 

And then, found this note taped to my door from our academic coach:

 

 

 

 

 We enjoyed our morning together, watching Michael Jackson music videos, chatting, cleaning and watching Matilda. Lunch time, waiting in line proved to be too much for them to handle :)
 

 

 End of the day photo -- Clarence didn't make it to school today. He's the only one missing in this class shot. Remember when bunny ears were cool?
 

 

 Then my room was empty. And this is my cry face. :(

I cried because a student broke down crying and clinging to me like she would never let go at dismissal and more than one followed suit; because a father of one of my boys came up to me, shook my hand and said "Thank you so much;" (I cried in front of him as he said that -- how embarrassing!); because my principal was watching me walk back to my classroom with a trail of kids following me because they didn't want to go home; because several moms came into my room and couldn't express their words in English very well, so they just looked at me with wet eyes and hugged me instead; because when everyone left, my room was silent and I knew this experience for me was over and another one was about to begin.
 

 

So, as in some cases where emotions run high, I ran to Casey Moore's Oyster Bar with the rest of our staff and drank, laughed and reminisced.

 

 

My personal and professional life has been enriched beyond the stars by this school, team, co-workers, students and community. It has been one wild ride.

See you later, gators.

Much love <3