Business Time

Moving to Hawaii from the beginning involved a strange decision-making process. Every practical inch of me said "don't go! it will cost too much money!" After weeks, months, and possibly even a year of ignoring these feelings, I still went ahead with the move. Why? It was a gut feeling. What a crazy dream I would be fulfilling by moving to such a different land than Minnesota. Even right before departure this summer, I decided by using all of my practical techniques to not move. Family convinced me to do otherwise, so once again, you get my drift. Aloha.

Part of the problem was the crazy amount of debt that would undoubtedly stack.  Graduate school in state is rather expensive, never mind out of state graduate school, in possibly the most expensive place in the USA. Add it up people. I'm in over my head. Have I gotten on the plane to move home? No. I'm sitting in a nice little coffee shop, waiting to get the oil changed on the Buick.

You are probably thinking "why doesn't he just transfer to a different school that would cost less money?" You sure have a lot of thoughts today! This program is VERY unique. I am learning how to teach in the schools. Applying practice to theory just about every day. Doesn't that make sense? In fact, only 2 of my courses are taken at the University in order to earn my masters degree. I love school, and I think that school at least is fond of me.

So, where does this leave me? Well, am in the process of speaking with my professors about what I should be doing, some ideas to think about, and also what is best for the long run. In the end, I plan to teach in Minnesota. This is important, because this means that I probably want to be doing my student teaching in Minnesota so I can develop some relationships with teachers and schools. It may also mean that I will transfer schools (either in December or in May). I should emphasize the I MAY transfer part of my statement. Still calculating to see what will be the most advantageous for cost in the long run. If I start a program all over next fall, I am giving up a year of working, meaning sacrificing a year of wages. Then what's the point? Especially if I am really happy in Hawaii.

I think that I am happy in Hawaii. This is still to be determined. Having lived in 4+ residences already this year (going on 5 one week from today), I am beginning to understand that happiness takes time. My mind is so misplaced- I don't know what part of the world I am living in, or why I am here. On paper, it is very clear as to why I moved to all of these different places, but if you were to get inside of my head, I really wouldn't know if I was living with the Vavataga family on 56 Pathik Crescent in Suva, Fiji, if I was living at Argyle House in Minneapolis, living with the Wellman family in rural Minnesota, or living with the Golden Girls in the exclusive Portlock Community of Hawaii Kai. WHO KNOWS!?!?! What a year, eh? I guess if I died tomorrow, I couldn't say that I died bored.

So anyway, the decision-making process is in place. If you know me, you know that I will change my mind 80,000 times in the next few weeks, and once I am settled, and feel good about it, I probably won't change my mind. Unless the wind blows me a different way.

Still no job. Interview at a school tomorrow. (fingers crossed)

Postcards are available. Just give me your address! They even come with a Hawaii surfer dude stamp!