If I Make it Through a Year, Can I Make It Through 7?

The year I was hired to come to the Sand Box was the first year they sent people out to the Far Far West. One of the options was a very small island and the other was a very remote small town. They even sent out an email asking for volunteers to be the first western English Teachers to work and live in the communities. So, knowing what my chances were, I chose the place with continuous BEACH, I chose the island. The money was great, the amenities were non existent and the night life nil.
The view of the gulf from every window and fantastic sunsets and my very own private beach were amazing.
It was great to have these fantastic perks considering the numerous stressors unlike any I have ever experienced before. Not only did the children NOT speak English, but trying to communicate with a co-teacher who had little, or NO English was truly a challenge. Not to mention trying to establish  Educational Reform where no other English Teachers have yet been.
At the end of each day you are totally exhausted from trying to communicate, play charades and listen to other speak another language that your brain cannot comprehend. Oh wait, did I say at the end of the day? I meant by noon.
Those first two years were brutal, and gorgeous, and isolated.
The first year I saved enough money to make a down payment on a house (which will be paid off this year), took a 21 day Mediterranean cruise, a trip to Germany for the Christmas markets, went home for Christmas & Summer and took a tour (personally designed) of the 7 Emirates.
The second year was Greece, A cross country trip in the US with Washington DC,  Boston, Niagara Falls and the Eastern half of Route 66.
All because I allow my every day life to torture me in ways I never imagined.
At the end of the initial 2 years, I moved into the city. Easier for shopping, restaurants and a more modern apartment (although I prefer my island apartment), but work was not a step forward, but a step back.
Your work life will make or break your experience and it is simply luck of the draw. There is no rhyme or reason to where placements are made. Plus the fact that things can change on a dime. People are moved, let go, leave because they are miserable, or any of another dozen situations. You never know what is going to happen next. You may come into work and find there is a field trip that day, which you knew nothing about previously (for example).
So when I say the 4th and now this, 5th year, have been amazing, that doesn't mean they have been perfect. They have been, however, good enough for me to trust I will be here long enough to pay off my car loan (just bought it, 2 year loan, mainly for cruise control and a USB port).
It seems, through some research on my part, people do choose to leave. Most, when asked, get to a point where they just know it is time to go home, or go somewhere else, or they hit a wall.
There are so many wonderful things, and just as many that are difficult adjustments. In the middle are a myriad of curve balls that you never see coming straight for your head.
How do you prepare for that? I have no idea…
How do I survive it? My curve balls are not hitting near me and I say "ok", "no problem" or "seriously?" and then go with the flow and let all the best laid plans fly out the window never to return.
Go forth and prosper. (always have a backup plan and a 2nd backup plan, and a 3rd and your passport in your pocket).

I am still HERE

I haven't updated this blog, but I will soon and add to it as well.
Some things have changed in the last two years.
With me and with where I am.
I hope you will find the information here helpful, or at least entertaining.
If you have questions just let me know. I will try to address them as soon as I can.