I did it!

I did it. I went to the supermarket by myself!  

After church I had lunch with some other young adults at the church. It was so nice to met others living here. I really think I am going to like it here. There is a group of young adults that meet every Thursday. I am hoping to go this Thursday and get plugged in :).

But this post isn't about that. This is about my major accomplishment! I have been here for 10 days and today I successfully went to the supermarket by myself. I hailed a taxi (unfortunately the most expensive one) and asked them to take me to Big C (the supermarket). It's a little far away so I got a little nervous when it took so long and I haven't quite figured my way around (so the streets all look unfamiliar). But when we got close I knew we were in the right place! There was a big sign that said Big C :). 

I went inside and they wrapped my bag (you have to have your purse wrapped to prevent shoplifting but it also prevents pickpockets). Then I went shopping. I bought a new pillow for my bed because I am borrowing my principal's pillow and sheets because I forgot mine in the States. I was going to by sheets but I don't know the diminisions of my bed, so I will get those next weekend!

I also bought my groceries for the week. Lots of chicken, some garlic, and onion. I also bought a six pack of Sprite and some avocados :). They are super cheap here (less than $1 for a kilogram) and they are big :).  

 At the market there is a lot of fish. That is alway how you know you are shopping in Asia!

I steer clear of the fish, but there is a lot of it! 

I know those!!! They have Goldfish here and they are only $3. In China they were like $6. 

After I chose my groceries it was time to stand in line to pay. Well I had 54 lanes (yes you read that right) to choose from. So I stood in line and waited. With 54 lines it only took like 5 minutes but it was kind of slow for a Sunday. The cashier rang up my groceries and I bagged them myself (this is where working at Kroger comes in handy). I paid (350,000 = $16) and I was on my merry way. 

The registers. There are 54 of them!!! 

Then I got a taxi (again an expensive one but one thing at a time). For some reason some taxis don't know how to get back to my apartment. So he started driving and I just kept getting more and more nervous. The streets are still unfamiliar and I don't see any buildings I recognize. But then I see Star Tower which is a building I know! But my driver turns the other direction. Uh Oh! Now we are entering a part of the city I don't know. So I have to tell the driver to turn around and go back to where I can see Star Tower! Thankfully he is really nice and doesn't kick me out of his car! He turns around and we head back. He turns on a street that looks familiar and I see the park! I know the park! I live straight down the street from the park! So he finally gets me home! 

So I accomplished two things today! I went to the supermarket and I got myself home! Even with getting a little lost on the way, it's a pretty big deal since I have only been here 10 days! And what is even better is I didn't feel scared at all. I know the Lord has me here and he is my protector. Everything is just another adventure for us to go on together :).  

**the taxi to the store only cost me $4 and the taxi home cost me $5. Expensive for here, but actually pretty cheap :)

First week

Wow. I can't believe I have been here for exactly a week! This is crazy! I am having to adjust to everything all over again. A lot of things remind me of China but other things are so new! 

I went grocery shopping on Saturday to get some basic necessities for the apartment. That is an experience in itself. I will have to post again later to just derail the shopping here! 

I went to church on Sunday and loved every minute of it! I really think I am going to like it there (cue song from "Annie" I think I'm gonna like it here). The worship was amazing and the message was great! Then after church we went to the restaurant downstairs and had my first local cuisine. It was delicious!  

Then on Monday, I started teaching! Only 3 days here and I was teaching! Crazy! But I enjoyed it! The kids were great for me and I just really think I am going to love it here! I am constantly lifting these kids up in prayer, they are just so adorable and sweet! I would love to see every one of them come to the Lord!  

My day is actually pretty laid back because this is summer school. I teach for 3 hours straight in the morning (advanced English, beginners English, and then intermediate English). Then the afternoon is spent planning my lessons for the next day/week. I am teaching them dinosaurs right now. There are tons of crafts to do, but I don't have the luxury of going to Walmart or something to get the supplies so we are doing a lot of coloring and cut & pasting! But the kids enjoy it!  

So far I think I am doing pretty well. All I really have to compare it to is China and there I cried almost daily for the first month! I am happy to report that I haven't cried since the first night. I have to give all the glory to God. It is by his strength that I am able to do this and succeed. I am also surrounded by some awesome people here, have a great support team, and all of your prayers! I am praying for you daily! Thank you for your love and prayers (I feel them!)   

Welcome to this Foreign Land

Welcome to this foreign place where you are surrounded by a different language and look different than everyone else. I haven't quite decided if I am enjoying this or am terrified.

I traveled for 25 hours Tuesday-Wednesday to arrive at the beautiful place. I stood in line to get my visa trying to figure out where to go because no one spoke English. Then I had to get my checked luggage (10 pieces). 

I was so tired I went through customs with only 8 pieces :(. So I had to go back in and get the last 2. The customs agent wasn't too happy to see me go through again with another box of books. But I got all the books for the school through customs! Praise the Lord! 

My principal and his wife picked me up from the airport with two other people from our school. They were all so welcoming. The airport seemed far from our apartments but it was a chance to talk to everyone. 

My prinicpal and his wife bought some groceries for my apartment and let me borrow a set of sheet (because I forgot mine) so we stopped at their apartment first. Then we came to my apartment to unload all the luggage I have brought. The 7 boxes of books were no fun but I am glad they all made it through the trip.  

My first day here I slept pretty much all day. I woke up a couple of time to unload some of my own luggage but I would go back to sleep within an hour or two. I got the wifi password around noon so I was able to call home and respond to messages and emails.  

Then around 5:30 my prinicpal and his wife came to get me to take me out to dinner (and get me out of the apartment). We went about 5 minutes to a shopping center and had some delicious "American" food.

I was supposed to go to the school today but I slept too much. So tomorrow is going to be my first day! Please be praying that I do well and that this nervousness goes away. God is doing amazing things!