Strem Talks

One of the things that I kept hearing while I was getting ready to leave the states was people being envious of me being able to go on this adventure and not think twice about it. It's true, too. I got the email about my job offer, jumped up and down for a  bit, and then within half an hour of receiving it, I sent my signed contract back with an email accepting the offer. I consulted no one. I didn't even have to think about it. I had made the decision as soon as I had my Skype interview that if I got this opportunity, I would drop everything and take it. I've been thinking about this a lot and while it's a fantastic opportunity and I'm so excited to be able to do this, here's what I think... When my contract wasn't renewed at the first school that I worked at, I was devestated. I had seen these kids grow up and had been lectured by these students that I wasn't allowed  to leave the school until they graduated. It was one of the worst days I had at that ...

My dad said something to me yesterday on the phone that resonated (it also must be noted that I love living in Africa because people, not only my father, now feel obligated to talk to me when the situation presents itself...yay Africa!). Anyways, I can't remember the context but my dad said something about "it's not convenient..." and I responded with, "Well, my life here isn't really built for convenience..." This had me thinking about my first week in Ifrane. Most of the people I talk to have made comments about this seeming like a lot of fun. I walk to the various market stalls almost daily and I'm able to pick up fresh produce, freshly baked bread, and freshly butchered meats. Although I don't speak the language(s), I'm able to navigate my way downtown and have brief interactions with the people around me (whether it be a smile and a nod, or Thursday when a very upset baby dropped his ball and I handed it back to him). To my friends back ...

Tomorrow will mark my first full week in Ifrane, Morocco. When I first went for this opportunity, I was excited but also very concerned about how I would react to being on my own on a completely new continent for at least a year. I have always been the kind of person who values being surrrounded by the people that she loves (and I love fast and hard, it's kind of my MO). So yesterday when I was chatting with a friend of mine online and he asked if I loved it already, I was surprised. "I'm not going to say I love it yet, I like it a lot though." So I decided to write about the things I really like about this place and how this week of adjustment has been going.  When I landed, I was exhausted. I sat down on my couch for a few minutes and cherished the silence (as I had been in an out of airports or cars or rest stops for 14+ hours). I looked at my four bags and decided to start to unpack. This was also a shock because I had joked the previous day with one of my closest...

I was never actually aware of this when I was a child, but when I was a bit older after my grandfather passed away, I heard stories of my grampa finding pennies and saying they were pennies from heaven. I thought it was a cute little story and didn't think much of it at the time. As I got older, it became a strangely relevant presence in my life, but we'll get back to that.  First, a little backstory. My grampa was a hilariously interesting man. He was gruff, but he was also one of the sweetest men I knew when it came to his grandkids. I've heard stories of him being a bit hard, but my generation of the Strem family never really saw that side.  By the time we came, he was older and moved to Florida with my grandma Emily, so when he did see all of us he was just happy to be around the chaos (and trust me, it was a lot of chaos).  The other thing about my grampa was his name. When I was around 21 years old, I went and got a sunflower tattoo as a memory of this great man, an...

So I landed in Casablanca around 11:00 on Friday morning. After winding my way through customs I went to find my luggage. Having four bags, I tried to find a luggage cart and much to my dismay, I could not find one. I find one piece of luggage and am standing there waiting for the second one.  A bit off topic, but I have to mention the biggest pet peeve of someone who has been in and out of airports all week: Why in the hell does everyone have to stand RIGHT NEXT TO THE BELT?  Why do you pull your luggage off and place it RIGHT NEXT TO THE BELT? Do people realize they are not the only ones desperately searching for their luggage? If everyone stood back and placed their luggage back behind them, everyone would be able to get to the belt and get their luggage, but NOOOOOOO we all have to come first. Stupid human nature.  Anyways, I eventually find an abandoned cart and pack it with my luggage, only to find out why the cart is abandoned: it is broken. "Well, it's better than...

My sister and I were talking before I left the U.S. about how nervous I was for this opportunity because I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.  If you've never heard this expression, it just means that bad things usually come in groups and one shoe will hit you and shortly after the other will come down and hit you again.  The reason I have lived by this statement for as long as I have is because I have been hit with an inordinate number of shoes in my lifetime.  After a week spent with my best friend from college and her two wonderful daughters, I was at the Atlanta airport ready to begin this crazy venture.  First shoe: I had to check all three bags because the man checking me in at the counter said it was too big and would not fit on the plane.  The bag designated to be my carry-on has all of tehe things that are most important: my diploma, my birth certificate, the binder where I put all of my teacher memories, my grandmother's pearls. Things that are a...

So, I am currently thinking about what it means to leave the continent. I am terrified and exhilerated and there are several other exclamations and expletives that fit my mood at this exact moment.  I should be in bed, resting before a very long, very harrowing journey.  However, I find myself incapable of sleep at the moment.  As I sit here, wondering about what the future holds, one thing has stood out to me about other people's reactions to my current adventure.  So many people are so enthralled with this idea that I am leaving my entire life to move to another country/continent to do something bold. Some talk about how jealous they are.  Many talk about how excited they are.  Most have the same general comment: "I don't think I could ever do that..." Which leads me to my next post and the most Stremiest-Talks style post I think I've written in a long time.   I've spent the last week with my best friend from college which means I went back in time r...

As most of you are (well) aware of at this point, the adventure was getting closer and closer.  With the impending deadline fast approaching, I started to get increasingly nervous.  I started to wonder if I had lost my absolute mind.  What if this is a terrible idea?  What if I hate it?  What if I sit in my apartment and never actually do...well...anything?  The doubt crept closer and closer, my emotions became more and more intense and I started to realize that it was actually going to happen.  I said goodbye to all the people I loved who I would be leaving behind. There were cards, and hugs, and joy, and laughter, and fun.  Yesterday, I officially packed the remainder of my belongings into one of my best friend's car and my adventure officially began.  As I pulled through downtown Northampton, I was laughing and crying all at the same time.  Remembering all of the best times I had in that town and unsure when I would see her again. N...