Random Thoughts

New Home Base: Seattle, WA

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The next decision of the next chapter of my life has been made. Next year my wife and I will move to Seattle, WA and be based out of there for whatever is next for us.

seattle
View from our Condo

It has been 10 years since we lived in the States and we’re excited to go back and reconnect with friends and family as well as live in our condo that we’ve renovated over the past two years. 

I’m still planning on consulting and working on projects that I’ve always wanted time to work on.

If you’re looking for a consultant/presenter/speaker in the U.S. know that my flights just got a lot cheaper starting in June. 🙂

Seattle will be a great place to be based out of as I’m still only a 10 – 15 hour flight from Asia (Yes…I said only….if it’s not over 20 hours it’s not a long trip). Seattle has a great international airport and direct flights to most of America as well. I can’t think of a better place to base myself out of; Close to family, friends, an International airport, and of course the Mariners

How long are we “coming home” for? That’s a good question. If we look at the data that is my life…..

Since I graduated high school here’s how long I’ve made it in any one place:

Numbers given in years:

2 – Community College
1 – Eastern Washington University
1 – Washington State University
1 – Spokane, WA
2 – Aberdeen, WA
3 – Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
3 – Shanghai, China
4 – Bangkok, Thailand
? – Seattle, WA 

I get itchy feet…plus you never know who will come calling or what “job” will look exciting when and where and have us moving again.

For now I’m excited to consult, speak, write, teach, work on projects that might come my way, and poke the box

Life’s a journey and I’m just traveling it.

I started blogging in 2005 and found it such a powerful way to reflect and share my thinking about technology, this generation, and how we prepare students for their future not our past.

14 Comments

  1. We just made the long trip home from Jeddah to our condo in Seattle. Three weeks of PNW bliss! Congrats on deciding what is next.

  2. Congrats on your decision! I am considering applying for international jobs for the upcoming school year. Do you have any advice for a young teacher looking to move and teach abroad?

    • Jeff Utecht Reply

      Hi Cheryl,

      The recruiting process for next year is already well on it’s way. If you haven’t signed up for an International Job Fair then that would be the first thing to do. Search my blog for International recruiting and there are a couple posts to help get you started. Best advice for a first time young overseas teacher….the world is your oyster…..keep your options open and consider anything!

  3. Jeff, such a major decision to make after the excitement (an uncertainty) of international teaching. Really pleased to know you will be still just a step away from Asia. My best wishes for the transition over the next year.

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  5. Tim Winterfeld Reply

    Jeff,
    Congrats on living in Seattle, My wife and I have a condo in Seattle and we love it. BTW we will be going to one of your previous schools next year, Yanbu in Saudi. Looking forward to seeing you at SFS this Spring.

    • Jeff Utecht Reply

      Congrats!

      Great memories being in Yanbu. Great little school. Make sure you get a lot of diving in….still miss that. Haven’t found anywhere else that is as beautiful to dive as the Red Sea Saudi coast.

    • Leslie Thompson Reply

      Tim,
      I’m the IT Coordinator at Yanbu now and started after Jeff left for China in 2005. I’m leaving after 7 years. Jeff is right: it IS a great school, but has almost doubled enrollment since Jeff’s days, so not so small anymore. The diving here is amazing, but for me, I’ll miss our wonderful students. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!

      Please feel free to write with any questions. You can get my email from Paul.

  6. Quite an exciting change for you guys. Will have to hang out when we’re visiting family near Seattle! Bet you’re thrilled to live in your beautiful condo! Congratulations on your decision!

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