So here is how it goes...first time living in a new Country and an incredible one at that, first time teaching at an international school, first time teaching IBDP Business and Management, first time attempting to learn some Mandarin (Ni How)...and now first time on an E-Bike...an electric bike. And do you know what has scared me the most...the E-Bike.
It might look sane but it is fast and heavy...Im sure we will get used to it. Just like i Will get used to riding on the right hand side of the road with cars turning on red.
Jump in and see what happens...The new Country is amazing...lots to see and lots to experience...little frustrations along the way (not speaking Mandarin is one...hopefully we can rectify that)...the new school is incredible...what a way to begin with a brand new building and shifting in all the furniture and resources...well moving it around some if not actually me physically shifting it.
Trust your team...I rely on my amazing and talented and incredibly patient wife who keeps me balanced and grounded and helps out with so many things that i would never be able to cope with. My new Faculty is full of talented, committed and passionate people who work extremely hard and produce great results but are also nice people to be around. I rely on them to get the job done...but at the same time they often ask me if they can help me.
Touch base with your safety net...My family back in little old New Zealand, it is great to be able to skype and facetime them..just phone calls wouldn't do...they can share a little in the sights and sounds and see where we live and now that we can blog they can read up on our thoughts and lives without having to wait for an email....although those are good as well.
Never lose Faith...Even when the honeymoon period is over when the frustrations of not being able to speak the language threaten to boil your blood..enjoy the moment...where else can you get chased down the street by the trolley man at Walmart because he thought you were stealing the trolley...or where you can with simple sign language negotiate over the price of a Pineapple...more complicated than you would think.
Support your team...Those that rode in on the same horse as you...arrived at the same airport...took the same amazing ride from the airport at whatever time in the morning...they need your help too. No matter how tired and exhusted you are from emotionally dealing with everything...lend a shoulder to cry on, a hand to help up and any advice you can give...as Kid President says..."We are all on the same team"....look him up on Youtube...is great and