Today marks my 2-year blogging anniversary! I cannot believe that it’s already been two years since I claimed this little corner of the Internet and made it my own. So much has happened in this time and I’m so thankful to have had an outlet to share it all!
Since I returned home from Madrid in July, my life has felt like such a whirlwind! I’ve hardly had time to wrap my head around it all, let alone write about it here. One move after another, after another, after another. Time is flying by way too fast to even keep track!
I want to apologize if I’ve been a bit absent from the blogging community lately. It’s one of my 2016 goals to be more present here and try harder to keep up with all of you!
Quick recap of my past few months:
In July, I returned from two absolutely life-changing years in Spain! It marked the end of my expat life in Europe (for now) and brought me back to the homeland in the USA. I enjoyed summer at home, traveling up and down the East Coast to catch up with family and friends that I hadn’t seen in way too long! Towards the end of September, I hopped over to the West Coast to visit with friends in South California and then head up to Portland, Oregon to meet up with my parents. From there, my parents, dog and I embarked on three action packed weeks of RV living, exploring national parks and natural sights throughout Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. I then flew on home to New York, spent a few weeks job searching, packed up my belongings and drove down to South Carolina, where I spent the past couple of months working a temp job and living with my boyfriend. woooooooof… see what I mean ….. all over the place…
Last weekend in South Carolina, I packed up my things once again, and made the 13-hour drive back up home to New York.
Well, yet again, my suitcases are out and my bedroom is in complete shambles. Before I could even unpack from my last adventure, it’s time to get ready to pack up and leave again.
In the midst of all this craziness, I found it fitting to FINALLY share my big news today, on my 2 year blogiversary! It’s taken some time to get used to the idea, and I’m still trying to process it all, but I’m now at least ready to make the announcement!
My next big move is…….
Drum roll please….
SANTIAGO, CHILE!!!
I’ve subtly been dropping hints about this move for a while, but with everything else going on, I was still kind of keeping it under wraps. It seemed so far away and didn’t feel real. Now that my departure date is just around the corner, I figured it’s finally time that I share with all my friends in the blogging community!
What will I be doing in Santiago?: I’ve secured an English teaching job with a program called TeachingChile. TeachingChile is a recruitment and placement agency, headquarted in Chile’s bustling capital- Santiago. I’ll be working in a K-12 private school somewhere in this wonderful city, while hopefully finding some time to explore the surrounding areas. More to come on this soon!
How long will I be there?: Well, that’s a really great question. My teaching contract will last one semester (so I’m guessing around 5 months), but I have yet to receive any kind of formal schedule. I’m also hoping to stay and travel a little bit when my job finishes!
How I’m feeling about moving, YET AGAIN: So, so incredibly excited! But, also a bit anxious and really freaking nervous. It’s never easy to make a big move , especially after settling in and getting comfortable at home. Just when I got used to the stability of a solid routine, I’m up and moving again. I’m very eager to explore a completely new continent, and immerse myself in a new culture, but I’m also starting to freak that it’s all happening so soon! Before I know it, I’ll be in the middle of that 10-hour flight and getting used to expat-life all over again!
South America travel plans: I’ve never been to Chile before. Actually, I’ve never even been to South America before. As I mentioned before, I also haven’t received a schedule yet, so it’s been hard to make any concrete plans. For now I’m looking and open to comments, concerns and any and all suggestions! What should I eat? Where should I go? What should I do? I’m looking to all my blogging buddies for help! 😀
So, there you have it! I’m moving to Chile …….. ahhhhhhhh aksdhfjnfmnvasjdkfha !!!!!
Have you ever been to South America? Where did you go? What did you think?
Oh my god Lauren!! That’s amazing!!!! It’s going to be so fun in South America 🙂 I know that Marcella is down there. You guys should get together! Can’t wait to read all about life in Chile!
Thanks Michelle!! I plan on meeting Marcella as soon as possible! So excited that she’s down there! So sad that I’ll be missing you though!! Who knows.. anything can happen 😀
Yeah, like you might stay until I get there 😉 😉 I’m going to slowly try to inception that idea into your head hahaha
I must admit … I’m pretty easily persuaded …. 😀
How exciting!!! South America is a dream place for me so I can’t wait to see all your adventures!
Talk about dream adventures — Iceland is way high up on my bucket list after following along with you!! I can’t get over there soon enough!
Hike the inca trail to Machu Picchu in Peru!!!!
I’m hoping to find time to do this!! It’s been on my bucket-list for so long!!
That’s so exciting! I know that you’ll have a blast not only teaching, but exploring Chile and South America! I’ve never been to South America either, but I’ve always heard great things about it!
Yay yay yay!!! So so excited about this!! 🙂 Please let me know about anything you need. We have just moved into our flat so if you need a place to stay when you first arrive, just say as we have a spare room. If course I can give you all the recommendations you need, and Carlos more so than me!
I’m also curious about which school you’ll be in 🙂 SEE YOU SOON! 😀
Ah Marcella!! I’m so sorry that I’m just responding to this!! It’s been crazy lately with trying to get ready to leave! You are the SWEETEST!!! I’m going to E-mail you now! Can’t wait to meet 😀 😀
Wow!!! Amazing! Definitely go to Peru and Patagonia! South America is amazing
I have some tentative plans to make it to Patagonia! Really hoping it works out!! 😀
This is so exciting!!! You will love South America. I spent the majority of my childhood there (Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil) and I would love to go back and explore more of the continent one day.
Wow I had no idea that you grew up in South America! I’m so excited and hoping I can get to a few of those countries as well!
Great! You too will be there like another blogger whose posts I read!:) Good luck with the move!
Thanks Tanja! 😀
Wow, congratulations!!!! That’s so exciting, looking forward to reading about this next adventure of yours 🙂
Thanks Sara!! Lots of new adventures going around this year! Excited to follow along with yours as well! 😀
Congratulations! I can’t wait to see more updates of your adventure in Santiago! It’s so exciting!
Chile is definitely in my list to go to when I go to South America. I also would love to go to Columbia and Brazil.
Anna Czarina Blog
That is so cool! Congrats! I’ll be reading frequently to see how you like it, I’m always intrigued by teaching jobs abroad and Chile is so unknown to me, it sounds awesome! Hope your transition is smooth! 🙂
Oh MY Goodness! I am so excited to see how you find this! What an exciting next step! 😀
OMG I’m SOOOO excited for you!!!!!!! You’re gonna love Santiago!! It has a very special place in my heart because it was the first place I went to when I left America to travel!! I ended up really loving the city. I have a lot of posts on Santiago, so you’re welcomed to take a look! I’d be happy to answer any questions too, but I’m sure Marcella can answer a lot better than me!! I can’t wait to follow you on this part of your adventures!! x
Whoa, awesome! Congrats! Unfortunately I’ve never been to Chile but I’m super intrigued.
Can’t wait to read your posts and to follow along in your journey!
Green and Turquoise – Travel Blog
Welp I’ve only just seen this so am a little late to the party, but eeeeeeeek Santiago! How exciting! Going to now read what you’ve actually been up to… What an adventure!