I just got the sudden urge to go to bed. I am exhausted and am THRILLED that Monday is a holiday. We have 4 weeks off for Chiense New Year and although that sounds great- I think I would rather those weeks be spread out over time. I am ready to sleep and do nothing on Monday.....even though it will probably be a pretty day and I should do laundry and clean.
Leslie in on 33 of 365. I am on like 11.
1. Trading in a box set of movies given to me by a friend for 3 new movies that I am really excited to experience.
2. Learn how to make biscuits and gravy. From scratch.
3. Oliver Twist was just okay. Who know Dickens was so violent in his stories? Even thinking about A Christmas Carol- it was violent. Still- it went late and I was glad for a good night sleep as well as being able to wake up this morning.
4. Poptarts from my American family here in China. I am going to miss them in August.
5. Boiling down my reason for going back to the US to "God told me too" and "I love Jesus and He loves me so I follow Him" and then explaining that my 3 year old class. Also being able to use the gifts my mom gave me last year for my classroom as an excuse to share and show God's love to that class.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Conviction
It has been a rough week. I am sure if you have been reading my blog- you may understand a bit of what I mean.
I think on the outside- I have managed to smile and pretend my way through the week- but yesterday on the phone I realized just how horrible I had been.
At the risk of sounding whining, I will give you some lowlights of the past week.
1. Our school scored very low on the education department review. Thats bad. Really, really bad.
2. My classes were just okay this week. I am struggling and am not really sure what I am struggling with- making it hard to explain and ask for help.
3. My computer died and I have no idea the cost it will take to fix it.I simply do not have the funds to fix my computer (even though it is in the shop) and pay for a car and pay for an apartment when I get home. Even with saving the majority of my pay from now until August. Money will be extremely tight.
4. I feel very alone. No computer means no talking to friends on skype. Friends here try- but it is so hard to develop deep friendships with people who have children and husbands and home lives that are much busier than mine.
With all that said- I made it to International Fellowship this week. My boss was speaking and honestly, sometimes I don't like it when she does because she tends to fall more on the liberal side of things and I don't always agree. I will admit though a lot of my thoughts have changed in that I now understand what I should be liberal with (my time, my limited finances and my Savior's love), even if I do not always practice it. She spoke about the dinner where the Savior's feet were anointed by Mary. She talked of how Judas complained and how Mary had learned that it was about worship- more than money or status. I was convicted more than once- earlier that we had sung about how nothing compares to the promise that we have in Him. I have sung that song a THOUSAND times and maybe more. And yet today, I thought about the words- how nothing can compare to the Promise. Not even the relationship or the joy that we have been given but the promise in and of itself. The promise that He would meet every need and even if He choose to withhold blessings- He had promised His eternal life. And nothing can compare to that. Not a great review, a working computer, a friend to ease the loneliness. Nothing compares. Easter is fast approaching and I am reminded of why I gave up facebook. I am looking forward to celebrating with my International group and taking time to think abut the cross. The way that was made. The promise that no matter how He answers my prayers- He loves me and willingly laid down His own life- so that I could live-with or without a computer. And the promise of unconditional love and life? Well, nothing compares to that.
I think on the outside- I have managed to smile and pretend my way through the week- but yesterday on the phone I realized just how horrible I had been.
At the risk of sounding whining, I will give you some lowlights of the past week.
1. Our school scored very low on the education department review. Thats bad. Really, really bad.
2. My classes were just okay this week. I am struggling and am not really sure what I am struggling with- making it hard to explain and ask for help.
3. My computer died and I have no idea the cost it will take to fix it.I simply do not have the funds to fix my computer (even though it is in the shop) and pay for a car and pay for an apartment when I get home. Even with saving the majority of my pay from now until August. Money will be extremely tight.
4. I feel very alone. No computer means no talking to friends on skype. Friends here try- but it is so hard to develop deep friendships with people who have children and husbands and home lives that are much busier than mine.
With all that said- I made it to International Fellowship this week. My boss was speaking and honestly, sometimes I don't like it when she does because she tends to fall more on the liberal side of things and I don't always agree. I will admit though a lot of my thoughts have changed in that I now understand what I should be liberal with (my time, my limited finances and my Savior's love), even if I do not always practice it. She spoke about the dinner where the Savior's feet were anointed by Mary. She talked of how Judas complained and how Mary had learned that it was about worship- more than money or status. I was convicted more than once- earlier that we had sung about how nothing compares to the promise that we have in Him. I have sung that song a THOUSAND times and maybe more. And yet today, I thought about the words- how nothing can compare to the Promise. Not even the relationship or the joy that we have been given but the promise in and of itself. The promise that He would meet every need and even if He choose to withhold blessings- He had promised His eternal life. And nothing can compare to that. Not a great review, a working computer, a friend to ease the loneliness. Nothing compares. Easter is fast approaching and I am reminded of why I gave up facebook. I am looking forward to celebrating with my International group and taking time to think abut the cross. The way that was made. The promise that no matter how He answers my prayers- He loves me and willingly laid down His own life- so that I could live-with or without a computer. And the promise of unconditional love and life? Well, nothing compares to that.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
7 Quick Takes #?
My weeks are starting to FLY! I can not believe how busy I am and how much I am really looking forward to next Monday when we get a day off of school.
1. It's almost APRIL! Seriously, my mind has been stuck at new years and already we are half way down with this term. In some respects I feel very very far behind. I am ready though to get into April. Sad to say- but I am over the month of March and am antsy for this month to end already!
2. April 11th- I am going to be back on facebook. It's strange though- I thought I would miss it more than I have. It will be wierd to get back on and I am hoping that even though I will be on it, I will continue to use my time wisely.
3. May already holds the promise of being a great month! My birthday, getting to go to HK- albeit for my visa again but still, my New Zealand friend Kristen who I met 4 years ago is coming at the end of May. Kristen is one of my favorite people and I am really looking foward to her coming and staying with Daisy and I.
4. My Monday night crew is AMAZING. I love them. This week the food was just okay- btu the conversation and the games were great. I am hoping that next year when Cara and Joel decide to do another home class that most of my group will head over to their house and to learn more specifically about Jesus.
5. I made Leslie's chicken enchiladas last night. It was my first night in a LONG time that I have been able to sit at home and not have to worry about babysitting or meetings. I went to bed super early and then woke up this morning feeling rested and ready for my Saturday.
6. My computer is being fixed. I am nervous about how much it will be to fix it and what the problem is. Thankfully I did not have to go to Macau or Hong Kong. I took it to a store here in town and they were able to get it fixed! I added something Friday to my busy schedule that I will be needing my computer for. Hopefully I will get it back soon.
7. Thursday was a bad day. We had the education department come to review out school and unfortunately they were not playing fair. They sent a neighboring principal to review us and she marked us VERY low. All of the teachers and my employer were HIGHLY upset.The good news is that Friday came anyway and the world did not stop. I am hoping and praying the teachers and staff have a restful weekend and do not give up because of this. Although we were marked low, the kids there need and deserve the best possible care.
Okay- I think thats all. Hope you have a great weekend!
1. It's almost APRIL! Seriously, my mind has been stuck at new years and already we are half way down with this term. In some respects I feel very very far behind. I am ready though to get into April. Sad to say- but I am over the month of March and am antsy for this month to end already!
2. April 11th- I am going to be back on facebook. It's strange though- I thought I would miss it more than I have. It will be wierd to get back on and I am hoping that even though I will be on it, I will continue to use my time wisely.
3. May already holds the promise of being a great month! My birthday, getting to go to HK- albeit for my visa again but still, my New Zealand friend Kristen who I met 4 years ago is coming at the end of May. Kristen is one of my favorite people and I am really looking foward to her coming and staying with Daisy and I.
4. My Monday night crew is AMAZING. I love them. This week the food was just okay- btu the conversation and the games were great. I am hoping that next year when Cara and Joel decide to do another home class that most of my group will head over to their house and to learn more specifically about Jesus.
5. I made Leslie's chicken enchiladas last night. It was my first night in a LONG time that I have been able to sit at home and not have to worry about babysitting or meetings. I went to bed super early and then woke up this morning feeling rested and ready for my Saturday.
6. My computer is being fixed. I am nervous about how much it will be to fix it and what the problem is. Thankfully I did not have to go to Macau or Hong Kong. I took it to a store here in town and they were able to get it fixed! I added something Friday to my busy schedule that I will be needing my computer for. Hopefully I will get it back soon.
7. Thursday was a bad day. We had the education department come to review out school and unfortunately they were not playing fair. They sent a neighboring principal to review us and she marked us VERY low. All of the teachers and my employer were HIGHLY upset.The good news is that Friday came anyway and the world did not stop. I am hoping and praying the teachers and staff have a restful weekend and do not give up because of this. Although we were marked low, the kids there need and deserve the best possible care.
Okay- I think thats all. Hope you have a great weekend!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
525600 Minutes
525600 minutes. In a year. Thats right. The broadway musical RENT taught me that.
I have about 4 amd half months left in China.
My mind is thinking about housing in the fall, how to pay for classes, and what to do about a vehicle when I get back. The physical necessities. My mind is also thinking about the emotional and spirtual needs of getting back into a culture that has changes- into a life that is not how I left it.
Yet- today I was reminded that I only have about 198765 minutes left in China and those are slipping away- wasted by me focusing on other things.
198765 minutes.
In the words of RENT- how do you measure a year in the life?
It's my precious little student Charlie's and my precious friend Yuki's birthdays. Today for atleast some of those minutes- I plan to celebrate them.
I have about 4 amd half months left in China.
My mind is thinking about housing in the fall, how to pay for classes, and what to do about a vehicle when I get back. The physical necessities. My mind is also thinking about the emotional and spirtual needs of getting back into a culture that has changes- into a life that is not how I left it.
Yet- today I was reminded that I only have about 198765 minutes left in China and those are slipping away- wasted by me focusing on other things.
198765 minutes.
In the words of RENT- how do you measure a year in the life?
It's my precious little student Charlie's and my precious friend Yuki's birthdays. Today for atleast some of those minutes- I plan to celebrate them.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
I remember growing up whenever Mr. Turner would come and talk to us in chapel, he and Mrs. Turner would read us this story. I don't remember the entire thing but the gist was that this little boy had a very very bad day.
I wanted to move to Australia yesterday.
My computer decided to have issues, my allegries decided to flare, the taxi driver over charged me, Daisy's computer did not want to play the last 10 minutes of our movie and gosh darnit my smoked chicken did not turn out the way it should have.
Plus I had to wake up this morning.
I need to move to Australia. Apparently there are no bad days there. :)
I wanted to move to Australia yesterday.
My computer decided to have issues, my allegries decided to flare, the taxi driver over charged me, Daisy's computer did not want to play the last 10 minutes of our movie and gosh darnit my smoked chicken did not turn out the way it should have.
Plus I had to wake up this morning.
I need to move to Australia. Apparently there are no bad days there. :)
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
GST I think I am on like 6 of 365
1. The warm sunshine making me want to play outside all day with my students.
2. Having my oldest class sing the song we have been learning to my employer and watching her reaction.
3. Learning a new breakfest recipe from my friend Joanna's blog http://eslteachertravels.blogspot.com/ and hoping I can try it soon.
4. Getting a e-mail from my best friend and getting more and more excited to hopefully go and see her when I get back to the states!
5. Sleeping in for 15 minutes this morning. It was needed and great!
2. Having my oldest class sing the song we have been learning to my employer and watching her reaction.
3. Learning a new breakfest recipe from my friend Joanna's blog http://eslteachertravels.blogspot.com/ and hoping I can try it soon.
4. Getting a e-mail from my best friend and getting more and more excited to hopefully go and see her when I get back to the states!
5. Sleeping in for 15 minutes this morning. It was needed and great!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
#4
Alright so it's Tuesday not Friday but whatever. It's the first day in a week that I have had time to sit down and write anything.
So here are my seven quick takes:
1. This week has been CRAZY! Monday night I had dinner with some newfound friends from the Pharmacy school. I got to share a little bit. Please, please keep praying for them. They have many questions and I want to answer as honestly as I can. They will be coming over to my house for dinner this Monday night.
2. Wednesday. My bosses birthday. So in honor of that, I bought a small oven. I LOVE it. I wish I would have invested in one sooner. I made her a cake with cookies on the top and little pieces of melted dove bar inside. Needless to say it was AMAZING. The night before my roommate and I had practice making a cake- she was so excited to use the measuring cups I had found in Macau. I am hoping to give the oven to her when I leave.
3. Thursday night. Oh Thursdays. I love Thursdays. My friend, Cara, was spending time with her friends from the US so my roommate and I hosted Thursday night at our house. It was great! I had a blast playing games, cooking dinner and talking with these incredible ladies who want to learn.
4. Friday. I taught my students a fun song from my childhood- a Mr. Turner song- and it was so much fun to hear them laugh and sing along. Then I got to play mommy to three incredible kids while their parents were out of town. Thankfully, I did not have to take care of them overnight but for the 6 hours I did have them- it was lots of fun hearing their conversations and watching movies and playing legos with them.
5. Sunday. I watched a video with my International fellowship about a man who was born without arms and legs. It was a moving testimony followed by a great conversation and great food!
6. The following Monday. I hosted my first English corner at my apartment. The broccoli was too salty and I started cooking too early- but the apple pie was incredible! We played UNO for a couple hours and the college students all had a lot of fun. I was tired afterwards, but it was worthwhile to develop new friendships with great people. I am having them over again next Monday. Hopefully the dinner will be better :)
7. Tuesday. I am celebrating today but updating my blog, baking a cake and waiting for my roommate so we can make cheesecake and watch Friends. Yay for rest! Tomorrow starts the craziness all over again.
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