THE update- yeah you might want to read this

So I have been told by various family members and friends that I should revive this blog now that I am headed out for my next big adventure! I have been told that people actually read this and care about what is going on with my life- so that is encouraging so here goes

A lot of big stuff has happened in the last year

1. Last summer I completed service as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer in Mexico

2. Moved back to Monterey CA to finish my last semester of my masters.

3. Worked my bum off at school, lived with the sweetest most generous people ever (Kathleen & Peter)

4. Graduated from MIIS with a MA in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) & Language program administration. December 2013

4. Moved to Arizona to spend time with the familia; to Teach at ASU (Arizona State University) & Cat and John's wedding

5. Worked at ASU as a full time faculty member in the American English and Culture Program January- May.

6. Went to San Diego for my cousins wedding and a memorial service for my Bubbie. Went to Utah to visit Rebekah.

7. Moved back to IL to spend time with family and friends

8. On Monday I will be flying to Taiwan as a Fulbright Scholar (TESOL Trainer )- under a year contract.

Now to answer some necessary questions:

What will I be doing in Taiwan?
Let's face it they are going to be better at describing what the gig is so here it is from the website:
I'll be sure to actually describe what I am doing once I am doing it ;)

Grant Description and Purpose

These grants provide qualified TEFL teachers or professors with the opportunity to spend one year as Academic Advisors of the Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETA) program. Advisors work with the American ETAs and their counterpart Taiwanese Local English Teachers (LETs).

The purpose is to enhance the ETAs and LETs professional expertise through visits, observations, consultations and coordination. Through supervising these outstanding American and Taiwanese English teachers, the Advisors contribute and enhance the English Teaching environment in Taiwan. In cooperation with local universities, they also have the chance to enrich their research and teaching experiences. 

Training & Research Activities
I. Primary activity – Professional Development of Teachers:
Instruct Local English Teachers (LETs) and Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs), with the cooperation of local staff and professors at each site. ETAs are co-teachers with LETs in elementary and a few junior high schools. The recipients are a crucial part of the team coordinated by Fulbright Taiwan. They engage in the following:

- Locations:  Yilan、Kaohsiung、Kinmen、Taichung、Taipei
- Orientation: Provide some of the teacher training instruction for ETAs and LETs in August. Teacher training is about 2 weeks, spread over the month.
- Workshops: For each 18-week semester, each recipient runs approximately 4 different Wednesday afternoon TEFL workshops focused on practical applications (rotating weekly among different locations);
- Reports: Provide written feedback on some of the ETAs weekly or bi-weekly reports.
- Teaching observations: Attend and comment on some of each semester’s classroom observations;
- Consultation: Provide, on request, individual advice to ETAs and LETs regarding co-teaching and teaching methods.

Where will you be living?
What an excellent question! I will be living in Taipei, I have to figure out the housing situation aka find a place to live once I get there :( I will be sure to get you my mailing address ASAP if you feel so inclined to write me love notes or send me a post card.

How are you feeling about it? 
Honestly- I am in freak out mode. You think I would be used to this whole living in another country thing since this is country # 5. I am worried about the language I know absolutely no Mandarin (despite multiple hours using Rosetta Stone). I have never lived in a country where I didn't have a grasp on the native language- so this adds to the anxiety. I think it will be a great opportunity professionally. Lot of really new experiences which is both exciting and scary. I am feeling really blessed that I have gotten to see and spend time with so many friends and family before heading off again. Thanks to you all who took planes, trains, automobiles, and time out of your busy lives to spend time with me. Love you all- you know who you are.

By now your eyes are glazing over so a picture or two and I am through.

Graduation from MIIS

Fathers Day

 Until next time an update from Taiwan.

Peace,
Em 

Disclaimer: I have been known to make grammar and spelling errors in un- proofed writing. If your reading this blog you are going to have to live with that :)