The end of the school year:  Benchmark testing is over, the countdown to the last day of school has begun, and the kids are done! My teacher friends completely understand what a busy time of year this is.  Most of us would argue that it is as hectic and frantic as December.   Now, add to that baseball, guitar lessons and this little distraction that is preparing for an international move!  Overwhelmed only begins to describe how I am feeling these days.  If only I could clone myself...One of me could go to school and do my job, while the other of me could stay home, receive calls from the shippers and begin the task of packing. 
In anticipation of our move, we hosted our first garage sale earlier this month.  I managed to clean out all of our closets, most of the kitchen cabinets, bedside tables and Tully's toys before this sale.  There is still plenty to clean out and, Teacher Friends- I have barely scratched the surface of my books!  What to ship, what to store, what to sell, what to trash? It is a huge process, but it feels so good to clear the clutter and lighten our load!  I anticipate another sale either late May or early June. 
Earlier this month I received access to the New Teacher Orientation webpage from ASB.  Needless to say, I spent a weekend reading and having so many questions answered!  We now know what is provided in our 3 bedroom/3 bath apartment.  When they say "fully-furnished", they mean it!  We really will only have to pack what we absolutely can't live without!  As we learn more about our future home, it is pleasantly surprising to realize how much is actually available there!  Looks like we will be able to purchase just about whatever we need, with the expection of chocolate chips and garlic salt!  The website provided us with a detailed checklist of things to do with a timeline.  The priority right now is choosing a shipper.   How surreal!  I'm choosing a shipper for an international move! 
The school also provided a Google calendar for our first full week in Mumbai,  New Teacher Orientation week!  We will arrive in Mumbai on Wednesday, July 27 and be taken to our new home.  Over the next several days, we will get settled into our apartment, shop at the home goods store in Bandra, buy home electronics, visit Phonenix Mills (which looks like a very nice mall!),  and visit the market.  The school will arrange for us to convert US$ to Indian Rupees, establish cell phone and internet services, banking and all other matters of business.  Dinners will be held with our Superintendent, Principals and we will attend a traditional Indian Cultural event.  On the weekend, we can request a car and driver so that we can check out our new city.  So much to look forward to!
In the meantime, Rick is wrapping up his Bachelor's Degree and will graduate May 21st.  Tully is playing baseball and has games and/or practice 2-3 times a week and guitar lessons on Wednesday.  I am so far behind on Lit Lab homework it isn't even funny!  I am going to HAVE to dedicate some serious time to that and soon!  In my spare time, I am cleaning out and determining what to ship and what to store. 
As busy as it is, I am thrilled to have the opportunity that is before us!  10 years of dreaming the dream that we are now preparing the live.  It will all be worth it come July 27!