Chasing My Dream

Diane Height

Chasing My Dream

In less than a week I will be returning to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to teach 1st grade at an international school.
Ulaanbaatar is 6100 miles from my home in Southern California and just as far culturally. A land-locked third world/developing country situated between Russia and China. It is, however, a country that is changing.
This will be my second year.
About two years ago I separated from my husband of only a few years. A good decision, but I was left with the scary thought of what do I do about money. Both of us retired the year before, me from teaching, with dreams of travel and growing old together.
The divorce will be final in a few weeks.
Needless to say, I didn’t know what to do. But I’m a survivor.
I met with a dear friend who helped me redo my resume and during the meeting he asked me, ‘what have you always wanted to do.’
I sat there for a few minutes with a thought swirling around afraid to say it, but finally tentatively I said, ‘live and work in another country.’
Seven months later I was off to Mongolia to teach English to Mongolian children leaving friends and family which included my 2½ year old grandson behind.
I was excited and scared and still am.
But then I discovered at the age of 64 that I could make a difference for myself finding dreams that I thought long gone. I sometimes chuckle because many of my friends think I’m the bravest person they know.
I’m always asked what is the worst and what is the best about being in Mongolia.
Well, since I’m a gal from Southern California I can say the weather was the hardest. For three months it was -30degrees (that’s 30 below) and snow was on the ground for six months. Instead of looking at the blue Pacific Ocean and green trees, I was staring at brown trees and white snow that got progressively dirtier.
The best were several things: knowing that I was accomplishing a major feat in my life, getting to know the Mongolian people/culture and having more time to smell the roses even if there weren’t any roses for six months.

Article appeared in All Things Girl Online Magazine