Small Victories

15.V.13

Kristen says...

Sometimes I need a reminder about why I want to live this lifestyle.

You know, besides just waking up in the morning and realizing living in another country is actually pretty exciting. :)

I was feeling a little down this morning...I got up when Chris left for work, checked my e-mails and found out one of my favorite people in the world is moving to Des Moines! This, of course, makes me so, so happy...except now I have another friend there while I am here!

 Next I walked on the treadmill, something that would ruin any day!

Then I talked to my sister and two nephews, which in itself isn't depression-inducing, but it did make me see all the fun things I was missing out on (the temperature was in the 90s in Iowa today, and there were water tables to play with!)

We will also "celebrate" the 4-month anniversary of our arrival in Russia this week, with no return trip to the States planned in the near future. 

All that, coupled with missing Mother's Day and a family wedding this past weekend, plus the upcoming Memorial Day, a traditionally-family full day was getting me kind of down.

Anyway, Pip needed to go to the vet to get an annual vaccination, and Chris didn't drive to work today, so I decided to take Pip to the vet. Not only did I successfully drive alone through Vladivostok for the first time ever, I was able to get across what I needed with the minimum of problems. Yay.

But that is not what actually lifted my spirits.

After the vet I decided I needed some cookies (we have found these amazing butter cookies with chocolate glaze here...soooooo delicious!) so I stopped off at the grocery store.

After I'd grabbed some Diet Pepsi and cookies (the essentials, you know!) I was walking toward the milk section when a woman walked up to me and asked if I could help her. In English. 

Surprised, I said yes.

Then she asked, "Do you speak English?"

Of course, I said, "Yes."

Next, "Do you speak Russian?"

Ah. "Yes, a little."

Basically she needed help identifying an item in the deli case, and the woman behind the counter didn't understand what she wanted.

So, I helped.

I asked the understanding and patient woman behind the counter if the food was fish (it was), if it was salted (it was), and if it needed to be cooked (it didn't).

I only had to look up one word during the exchange, which I thought was a good thing.

Turns out the woman was Chinese but had studied English in Canada...what she was doing here I don't know, but I do know that she made my day, because she asked me to help, and I was able to.

And that is why I am here. I very highly doubt that experience could have been had in Des Moines, Iowa (if for no other reason than I would not have learned any Russian if I was still living in Des Moines!)

I miss my family and my friends every minute of every day, but I really treasure the experiences I'm having here, too...which is the point of it all, really.

KF

Impressions

Chris says...

Long, long time since my last post. But here I am with a few things to say...

First impressions a month or so in (in no particular order):

Traveling with a dog is a pain.
-It is unreal how anxious/nervous traveling with a pet in cargo is. I wouldn't have it any other way (most days), but the airlines would do all pet owners a real service if they provided some kind of update on your pet throughout long flights. Better yet, someone needs to invent the thing from Star Trek that beams you someplace in an instant.

Language, language, language.
-I'm in the familiar position (unfortunately) of being in a foreign country without a great knowledge of the language. Lesson learned from Honduras is to get a tutor early, and stick to it...and we're doing just that.

Sun!
-One of my favorite things about Vladivostok so far! It is beautiful outside, bright and sunny! I've been told this will change in the spring/summer as fog will become more common. But, for now loving the sun!

It is furry around here.
-I don't think I've ever seen so much animal fur. Its shocking when you walk around the city and see all these women with beautiful fur coats on. Young women, old women - it doesn't matter. Very different from Iowa...and the US in general I think. I'm sure we'll have pictures sometime soon...

I'm not the only gringo.
-I'm not the only tall caucasian around. I don't know if I blogged about this in Honduras - but I was regularly one of the tallest people in any social gathering with locals. That didn't bother me in Honduras, its just something I noticed. Here, I don't stick out because of my height or complexion - but my language ability and American style of dress.

Opportunities abound...
-On the work subject, there is much good work to be done. Plenty of opportunities for Kristen and I to grow personally and professionally. I'm happy we made the decision we did. I'm still getting my feet wet at work, hopefully I'll be swimming laps in another couple months!

Traveling is great, but its even better when you have a loved one to enjoy the experience with you.
-I really don't know where I would be or what I'd be doing if Kristen wasn't with me to enjoy this experience (life). Words don't and can't do it justice...I am the best me when I am around her, and I'm glad we're experiencing all this together.

My Side of the Story

15/6/12
Kristen says...

Well hello there! Did you miss me? My husband has been very prolific with his blog posts recently, whereas I...have been rather (unusually for me) silent. There are a few reasons for that...

1) I've been busy! Whether or not someone else is orchestrating it, moving from one country to another is NOT easy! There are lists to make, last-minute things to buy, oh, and the little matter of removing a cute 11.9 kg pooch named Pip from the country. I have now made two! trips to the airport this week alone for this very reason...it wouldn't have been so hard if, on Tuesday, the cargo office I'm coordinating with had actually given me a name and telephone number of the person I was talking to, instead of just picking up the phone for me, having me talk to a mysterious person at the other end, and then promising to send an e-mail that never came...at any rate, with the help of a VERY nice gentleman named Franklin I got it mostly figured out today, and still had time left over to get Pip checked out by the vet too...so theoretically Pip is set to head out with me...theoretically. Over the past two years I've learned not to count anything in Honduras as official until it is actually happening...and even then sometimes things change!

2) I'm still teaching! Ok, so technically this last week it was tutoring, and next week it's a 2-hr writing class, but still, it takes time out of my day. One of my bestest friends here taught our AP Environmental Science class, and few of her students managed not to pass her class (to be fair, I had a few that didn't pass my class either!), and so in order to be ready for their recoup test next week, one of her students asked me to tutor them for the exam...which is super-funny since my science skills are only slightly higher than my math skills...but, with a little effort on my part (and a little help from the study guide and textbook) I think I did a pretty good job...I guess we'll see if the student passes the exam next week!

3) I'm a little overwhelmed! Ok, maybe "a little" is a little of an understatement...imagine, Chris applied for the SD last August (like, the first week of school!) and we have been working, planning, hoping, and maybe even praying a little for news since then. Each e-mail and phone call (we got your application, we want you to interview, you passed your interview, your medical clearance is done, your security clearance is done, and then just over a week ago, welcome) was exciting, but we couldn't really say much about it, because at any time it could be the last thing we heard...(which was super-hard for me, let me tell you! The things I wanted to blog about! Chris was gone for an entire month in January due to the date of his interview and I barely blogged at all that month because I couldn't say anything about him being gone or the reason why. Later, we had inch-wide bruises on our arms during our medical clearance testing from our tuberculosis test (negative, btw). Fun anecdotes that aren't as funny when they're not fresh--although I do have a picture!)

  Anyway, after months of "sitting, waiting, wishing", everything is now moving really, REALLY quickly. We've only been "official" for a week+ but it seems like every morning Chris wakes me up (Oh, did I mention it's summer? ;) Tutoring doesn't start until after 10am for a reason!) two or three times with new information; packout scheduled, housing found, details that I have no say in planned...for a control freak like me (yes, I admit it, it's true) it's very hard to sit back and come to terms with the fact that I have nothing to do with any of this. Chris has to be the contact on it all!

I have to say, it is nice, in a way, but also kind of hard to swallow, especially since we've been pretty much on our own here in Honduras, making things happen in spite of everything for two years now. So this whole the-government's-in-control thing is weird! And unsettling! And kind of cool...and I'm just going to have to get used to it, and I will...but it's taking some time.

Plus we don't know where we'll be in 6+ months, which is also freaking me out! I mean, we knew we were coming to Honduras a full 7 months before we moved down here, and we're under that time frame for the next move now, and won't know for at least another 6-8 weeks...eek!

DEEP BREATH

Anyway, I've been dealing with all the change and information and lack of information in the most constructive ways I can think of: see #s 1 & 2 above, and follow this link to my brand new tatting blog!

You see, with Chris back in the blog-o-sphere it's not going to be a one-woman show any more here at TeguciWhat (or whatever we decide to change the name to) so I decided that it was time to create something that I could control and plan and implement wherever we are, and also give me a place to further explore my hobby and other stuff like that there (movie reference? I don't remember).

Anyway, for those of you who liked the tatting posts but wanted to skip the travel stuff, Tatting All Over the Place is for you...for those of you who groaned when it was tatting post and like the others, stick with TeguciWhat...and for those of you who like both, check both often or subscribe via e-mail to get posts both blogs sent directly to your e-mail inbox!

But enough of that...I realize after reading this post over that it sounds like I'm complaining, and maybe I am a little, but I have to tell you, there are some things I am REALLY excited about...so it's time to play a little good news/not so good news...


Good news: Chris and I get to meet our niece for the very first time in just under two weeks! And we get to catch up with our nephews, siblings, parents, and other family members! Yay!
Not so good news: We have to say good bye to friends, both here in Honduras and at Principal Financial Group, Chris' work home for over 7 years (in case you're keeping track, yes, that's more than the entire time we've been married and, thanks to the paid pre-senior year summer internship and afternoons of work throughout his last year of college, Chris got me a beautiful engagement ring. I don't take that lightly!) Principal has been an AWESOME company to be associated with, and I'll admit a source of stability for me the past two years...I took pride and hope that if, for whatever reason, everything collapsed in Honduras we always had Chris' job with Principal to go home to. It's a bittersweet parting, I assure you.

Good news: We get to go watch the US Olympic swimming trials in Omaha with almost my entire family while we're home! Go team!
Not so good news: Chris' class starts in DC in mid-July (ok that's actually good news, but read on, dear reader). The Olympics start in London in late-July. We cannot be in two places at the same time. Qué triste. Yes, it is true, we are forgoing our Olympic dreams for this, something that really, really, REALLY hurts...but as I keep rationalizing to myself, there will be another Olympics in 2 short years, maybe even in the country we move to... (hey, I'm a Cubs fan...eternal optimist here!)

Good news: Being in the States means I get to have all the tatting stuff I ordered today... :)
Not so good news: It was expensive! And we have to pack/ship it, perhaps to a storage facility for 5+ months...

Good news: We have an apartment in DC reserved for us, Pip can stay there with us, we will be able to catch up with many friends who live in the DC area, and Chris is excited about his new opportunity. Oh, and I get to spend 5+ months in WASHINGTON DC WITH NOTHING TO DO BESIDES VISIT MUSEUMS, WALK AROUND, AND BE IN WASHINGTON DC!!!!!!!!!
There's not really anything I can "not so good news" counter that with...6 months of museum hopping?! Seriously, be still my nerdy, history-loving heart! I already renewed my subscription to Smithsonian magazine in anticipation of July-November. Woot!!!

So, it's not all sunshine and daisies here...there are good things happening, but also things I'm sad about. I will miss Honduras, my AWESOME school, our beautiful apartment, and ESPECIALLY all the wonderful people we've met here, but I am really excited for our short trip home, an extended stay in DCland, and of course the "Great Unknown" as I call it...

I hope you'll stick around with us after our TeguciAdventure is over and our new adventure begins! There will be lots more to come, I'm sure! :)

KF

An exciting new adventure...

Chris says...

We're about to undertake an exciting new adventure! I recently accepted an Information Management Specialist (IMS) position with the United States Department of State.

How did this happen?

One short answer could be, "I applied". Another might be, "With patience".

A longer-ish answer is (take a deep breath): August 2011 I applied for the position after having a number of conversations with myself, Kristen, and many, many others. By January 2012, I had been asked to go to Washington D.C. for an interview. By May, I had passed all clearances (what a process). Finally, this past week I received and accepted an official offer to join the State Department.

Why did this happen?

"Because we're nuts!"

It is true, we're nuts - but that's not why we're doing this. The easy answer is: the same it was last time.

The longer answer for me is: we still have a desire to live abroad, and I've learned something about how I want to work.

The Principal Financial Group has been a wonderful place for us. I have had so many great opportunities and have had the privilege of working for and with some of the most talented, hardworking and humble people I have ever met. I cannot say enough about the company and the people - it truly is a great place to work. That being said, this Honduran experience brought about some questioning of the status quo (and that's putting it lightly). One of the things I started asking myself was about what I wanted out of my job/career. After having quite a long internal conversation and many, many discussions with Kristen and others - I figured out that right now, for me, I know that I can be successful working remotely...but working remotely is not something I want to continue to do for any length of time. I've learned that, for me - there is some intangible about being in an office setting that cannot be replicated, no matter how good your video conference or communication capabilities might be. I know now that how I want to work includes some interaction with my team beyond phone calls, emails or video conferences.

Many, many other reasons exist that answer the question, "Why we are doing this?", but the explanation above hopefully provides some insight into the personal reflection process that this initial experience has triggered. It's been a great learning/growing opportunity - and I can't wait to start the next phase!

One closing note - thanks to all the family and friends that have been been supportive throughout this process. It's been a long time coming...hope you can all come see us wherever we start this next chapter!

Origins--the Kristen POV

1/19/10
Kristen says:

I second everything Chris said! :)

Speaking for myself, I can't think of too many places (in the US) I'd rather live than Iowa. Even with the ice and snow of winter, (it was beautiful this morning, by the way. If I'd had my camera with me when I went to school I'd post a picture on here) Iowa is a great place to be and be from. We may be seen as a bit backward by some more "cosmopolitan" societies, but I think the rural aspect of our state holds a lot of our charm.

Yet, I personally jumped at the chance to live and work outside the States. For one, I have wanted to visit South/Central America ever since I had a Paraguayan (well, actually, she was Chinese but going to school in Paraguay) pen pal when I was in 4th grade. Plus the Galapagos Islands are SO CLOSE to Honduras (or at least, closer to Honduras than to Iowa), I'm sure I'll get to visit there while we're there.

Travel aside, I am very excited to TEACH outside the US. This is a new facet to an overseas experience for me: before student teaching it had never occurred to me that I could find a job that I would actually want overseas. I always figured I'd be Chris' carry-on for overseas living, not the other way around. I feel tremendous responsibility for this designation: I want to make sure Chris has a positive experience, since he is doing this to fulfill my dream. (Although he doesn't seem too upset about it, does he?! :)

Obviously as a first year teacher I don't have a ton of experience teaching here en los Estados Unidos (thank you RS), but the semester I spent in London aside, all of my education has been in America (in Iowa, for that matter). I'm excited to work and collaborate with teachers from other countries and states, and to teach students from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Discovery School seems like an awesome place to begin.

All that aside, and totally changing the subject, we had Indian food tonight for dinner. First of all, yum, and second of all, will there be Indian restaurants in Honduras? Chris and I were discussing (OK, Chris was reminding me) that I can't bring all 1,000+ books in my library to Honduras. I wonder if any of the cookbooks will make the trip? And will all the ingredients we're used to be readily available? So many questions that will be answered in less than 6 months!! :)

KF

Origins

Chris says:

The story of how the Finks decided to go to Honduras...(part 1?)

Both Kristen and I have been abroad and loved the experience! Kristen has spent time traveling with her family in addition to spending an entire semester in London during her undergraduate studies. I have travelled with my family outside the country as well (though not as much as Kristen) and I spent a couple awesome weeks in France during high school.

I can't speak for Kristen, but from my perspective (specifically with France) - it wasn't just a vacation. It was really a great cultural experience. I loved getting out of Paris and heading east towards Germany to our family stay location (Besancon). Don't get me wrong, I completely enjoyed being in Paris with all the history, architecture and food - but it was a little too much like any other big city in the States. So, heading east and having a week or so family stay with a terrific family was very, very cool. Like I said, it wasn't just a vacation - but a real (although brief) glimpse into the French.....and what makes them tick......it was a chance to see how we (as humans) are the same and different all at the same time.

Enough of that rant - I guess what I'm getting to is that I think both Kristen and I enjoy learning about and immersing ourselves in a different culture than that of Southeast/Central Iowa. It's not that we don't like Iowa - in fact I think it's the complete opposite. We love (?) Iowa.....maybe not all parts (long cold winters?), but there is definitely some fondness for "home". And that's how it should be. For me, this interest in living/working someplace else is all about - Experiencing Life. That means lots of things to me, and may (and probably will) be an entirely different post.

So, I guess that's the mindset from my perspective when we got married. As Kristen worked through her Master's program we had a number of talks about what the next few years would look like. Knowing that we were leasing an apartment, and our only real responsibility was our dog - it seemed that there wasn't a whole lot to tie us down to the Des Moines area when Kristen graduated (family not withstanding of course). I work for a global company (Principal, you're awesome!) that has a history of being a great place to work and before Kristen's graduate studies, I had actually interviewed for a couple of positions abroad.

When Kristen student taught, one of her teachers had actually taught with her husband in Africa. Through this student teaching experience, we learned about the University of Northern Iowa's abroad fair. I guess its a pretty big deal for international schools. Each year, hundreds of schools post open positions for this fair. Interested teachers can register for this fair (for a fee of course), post their resumes and begin the interview process. Kristen did this for the 2010 fair. She was able to apply to a number of positions in many different countries including India, Taiwan, Egypt, Mexico, Argentina, Honduras, and the U.A.E. After about a week or so of applying, she received a call from the director of the Discovery School in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. This kind of surprised the heck out of us - we weren't actually anticipating a whole lot until we were actually physically present at the UNI fair. In any case, this phone call turned out to be a phone interview of sorts. A few weeks later after a number of emails back and forth, the position was offered to Kristen.

Then the real work began.....

I had breached the subject of this international experience thing with my team lead and we were working on figuring out what the heck that would mean to my position, etc. Kristen and I had 10 days to figure out if we wanted to accept this position in Honduras or take a chance that something else might come along at the fair. Keep in mind PFG hadn't officially given me the 'OK' that they would be good with me working remotely. In the end though, Kristen and I did a lot of talking....and I did a lot of work with my team leader and others at Principal.....and it really came down to #1) there is no reason why PFG/Chris can't make this work and #2) Why the heck not - we're 26 now....and its an opportunity to do something that not too many people get the opportunity to do.

Alright, enough for now. Happy MLK Day everyone......I like days off!