You'd be a good teacher

November 17th, 2015
Breakfast with travel mate from Colorado at Rosie's Backpackers

We were just enjoying our food and coffee but this sweet girl started to compliment me. I have been blown away by this darling, who I dubbed "Mittens" on the trail. She is an amazing listener and wise beyond her years. I don't even know if I brought up my career ideas or my goals of trying to sort out what's next, but she began to volunteer her opinion that she gathered while we spent 5 days slogging through the bush on the Hollyford Track.

"You are observant and compassionate. Those are the two things you need it order to be a good teacher."

She has done long term substitute teaching and expressed that she's met quite a large amount of teachers and therefore is able to distinguish the qualities of a good one versus one who is lacking.

"You'd be a good teacher. You'd be great in outdoor education, something like Outward Bound."

Awesome. Can I list you as a reference?! Haha. No seriously I might. For those type of jobs they ask for a field log and I'd hope that they'd want references be the people who have been out on the trail with you. Obviously Katie would be my number one. But this girl is a newbie to the trail and therefore really got to experience my teaching side. Which, really all came from Katie. "She taught me everything I know," regarding the trail. I repeated this line multiple times during our 5 day excursion. Miss that chica.

Today, November 21st, I commence a 6 day volunteer job/work for accommodation and food on a sailboat! Check it out:
http://www.elwing.co.nz

About a year and a half ago, I made a list of activities I wanted to do while traveling. A sailing or fishing trip was on that list (see screenshot below). So, not only am I stoked that I get to work and live on a boat, with kids, while doing my favorite adventure activities like hiking and kayaking, around an island, but I'm achieving a goal...more than a goal, a dream! This will literally be a dream come true. And to too it off, check out the skipper - he used to be an Outward Bound instructor!
http://www.elwing.co.nz/about/the-skipper/

I know it's not going to be easy. Just to start, the weather changes about every five minutes here, and its been quite at and cold. I also haven't had any responsibilities since beginning of May. And to top it off, my knees are still massively messed up. They just hurt all the time. I will have to do my due diligence in stretching and relying on tiger balm and advil.

Regardless, this week could very well be the best week of my life. It could be life changing. I am so beyond grateful and feel so ridiculously lucky for this opportunity!

I'll likely be out of reception until Friday afternoon, which would be Thursday evening for y'all - Thanksgiving. I'll, at the very least, drop a quick note that I'm safe and back on the mainland. I'm positive there will be too much amazing stories and I will be too exhausted for anything more than that. I've already booked a private room in a hostel with free WiFi for that night so I can video chat with family and get some good solid rest.

Woohoo! So excited.

Cheers,
Tash