Shortly before I turned four, I moved to southern Spain. My dad was in the military. We were actually supposed to go to Italy but, three weeks before our move, orders were changed and Rota was our new destination. It. Was. Amazing.
We lived in Spain for three years. I spent my summers traveling around Europe. I lived in a tiny, safe, friendly little town. In school we learned Spanish starting in first grade. I would spend my afternoons outside, wandering around base with friends. Each holiday was spent with all the neighbors. There would be 40 people at one house. It was fun. It was a great way to spend my early childhood. It’s what I want for my boys.
I have had the strongest desire to move to Europe recently. It has always been there but lately it has really been tugging at me. We can’t move overseas right now. We are in Ca for at least another year. After here we have four “options”, one of which is to stay put. The other three are Florida, Hawaii, or Japan. We have a few month to decide on which order we want to list our preferences but, lets be real, it doesn’t matter how we order them, we will get what the Navy needs from my husband. (Hence the quotes around options above.)
After the next tour, we *may* have the option to move to Europe, most likely to Germany. This is when it is supposedly easiest for us to be stationed in Europe. My husband can take a joint tour job and the boys and I will traipse around Europe. At that point, the boys will be 5 and 10. How perfect!! But (and it’s a BIG BUTT), I hate the cold. I struggle in southern California with the chilly weather. I had a hard time in the winters in Jacksonville, Florida because a few days would see highs in the 40’s. I’m that person who needs a jacket when it’s 73*. Eek!
Maybe we will be sent to Japan next and I’ll learn to live in the cold? Maybe I’ll be that ridiculous American wearing 3 pairs of pants, 5 top layers, a hat, scarf, multiple pairs of socks, boots, and a ski mask to leave the house when it’s 35*? And, let’s be real, when I would leave for work in Jacksonville on those cold days, I would most certainly be wearing all of that, minus the ski mask. Maybe I’m getting way ahead of myself and we won’t be given the opportunity to live in Germany?
Sigh. I think I’m going to watch another House Hunters International.
-KB
Teacher Life, Military Wife 
My husband will actually be heading to Rota in the near future! In my wildest dreams, I never imagined the Marine Corps sending us to our current duty station, but now that it has, we’re so stoked to see what else it has to offer! We just PCS’d from SoCal to Virginia… of all places (face, meet palm). I taught Kindergarten in Oceanside and now that we’re here in Norfolk, I have no clue where to start.
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I have a few friends in or recently moved from Norfolk who are teachers. I haven’t lived in VA since I was 3 but they may be able to help you! Also, there is a Facebook group called MilSpouse Network for Teaching Professionals. If you’re not already a member, I would suggest joining. There are hundreds of spouses with a vast wealth of knowledge about teaching all over the US and overseas. Check it out!
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Oh, wow! I didn’t know about that, and I consider myself one of the “seasoned.” Ha! Thank you so much for the recommendation, I appreciate it!! 🙂
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