Back to school

The foreign teachers at our school had a week off for Christmas. My roommate and I went to a mountainous city in the south of the country. It was amazing and refreshing. I came back refreshed and ready for the next three weeks of school before the Lunar new year.

The first day back to school was forever long. I forgot that even though I had the week before off, the kids were still in school. So they haven't had a break since August. Let's just say we are all looking forward to the Lunar new year so that the kids can have a break! 

So many things happened that first week back to school. We had a student get pushed down the stairs and he chipped his tooth. An adult tooth. All the foreign teachers knew this day would come, sadly it was the day we came back to school. This poor student still hasn't gone to the dentist.  

The next day, one of my student's shoes were taken from the shoe rack outside of our classroom. She had them after lunch, but when it was time for snack her shoes were no where to be found. We search all the halls and all the rooms. Still no shoes. Finally we made the decision to look through all backpacks because we couldn't send this girl home without shoes. After looking through all the backpacks, still no shoes. One of our admin found the shoes in a box on the first floor. Still no one knows how they got there. The mystery of the shoes. 

The next day, one of my students pushed another student in the canteen. This is very abnormal behavior for my students.  All I can think is that they are in need of this week vacation coming at the end of the month. Can you say countdown???? LOL 

Also, coming back after Christmas raises the question of plans for next year. I am still praying about what God has in store for me this next year. Will I still be here or will I move to another country. "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, Let me walk upon the waters, Wherever You would call me, take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronge, in the presence of my Savior." Oceans (Hillsong United). 

Lots To Be Thankful For!

​Thanksgiving was last week and who would have thought it would be so busy in a land that doesn't really celebrate Thanksgiving.

I had my 1st graders glue their turkey on their plate :). "but it's still alive" many of them said! LOL.  

This year at my school the foreign staff taught the students about Thanksgiving. My first graders learned about turkeys (known here as western chicken) and my third graders wrote essays about what they are thankful for. Then on Thursday our school prepared a "Thanksgiving" meal for the students. I told my kids that they would be getting to eat mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, and turkey because that is what we told the kitchen to make. However they got this:

They tried to make a Thanksgiving meal... :( 

This is legit Thanksgiving food! 

​After school my housemate and I went to our pastor's house for Thanksgiving dinner. It was a pitch-in/potluck meal. I made homemade rolls! Others made bacon green beans, carrot soufflé (I stayed far away from that!), mashed potatoes, corn & zucchini casserole, and honey baked chicken! It was soooo delicious. We wondered why we only did this once a year. I think we are going to have another one in December :). Friends help make Thanksgiving special!

Love the family God has provided here! 

Handel's Messiah! 

​On Friday, I joined my country director and his family at the opera. We had dinner at this little Italian restaurant down the street where we ran into other people from church. They were going to the same performance; Handel's Messiah. After dinner we walked to the opera house. Wow! The opera house is gorgeous! The architecture was amazing! I can't believe it took me over a year to come to a performance here! Handel's Messiah was amazing! The choir was beautiful and the orchestra was amazing. This was such a great way to begin the Christmas season (even though my Thanksgiving wasn't over yet!).

Church family at the opera! 

Cookie Decorating! 

On Saturday, I planned a cookie baking & decorating party with a coworkers family. They have 5 girls that like to bake and decorate cookies. We made 3 batches of sugar cookies (one for them, one for us, and one for advent at church). I started mixing cookies at 10am, and finished baking and decorating at 3pm. Lots of work and tired girls, but so much fun and a great Christmas tradition to carry on.

Teaching my language nurturer (teacher) how to make cookies ;) 

​I also made homemade roll (Texas Roadhouse) for the Thanksgiving dinner we had that night. I have learned that homemade rolls are actually super easy even when you don't have a stand mixer! I took rolls to the dinner and we had some delicious food! My friend made smoked turkey!!! (My first turkey of Thanksgiving) and others made green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing. It was such a delightful Thanksgiving meal! Then after dinner we watch 2 episodes of the new Gilmore Girls!!!!

Our girl gang Thanksgiving dinner (minus a few important people). 

On Sunday, the international women's club had a charity Bazaar at one of the international schools in the city. My housemate and I went to that at 10am. Many of the NGOs and other businesses have tents set up to share about their organization and sell products to raise money. It is a great place to get souvenirs and learn about other things people are doing in the city. They also have many concert to showcase the different nationalities. The church has a multicultural band that was the closing ceremony! I was supposed to sing with them, but they kept pushing back the time and I already had commitments with my team!

After the Bazaar, I headed to my country director's house and we had another Thanksgiving meal! Yes, I am pretty sure I had more Thanksgiving meals here than I ever did in the States.  Since there are many nationalities on our team, this was some of their first Thanksgiving! Super excited to share this wonderful thankful holiday with friends around the world!

I am so thankful for everything God is doing in my life. Even though I am on the other side of the world, away from friends and family, God has provided such amazing friends and coworkers that I am truly blessed to have in my life! God is here! Even in the midst of the rough times and hard times and the times I want to just quit. I am reminded that he has me here for a purpose and he shows me a glimpse of what he is doing here! I know it's not going to be easy, but I am so thankful to God with me!

Was even included in my family Thanksgiving photo in America (I'm on the phone :)) 

Teachers' Day 2016

Last Friday our school celebrated Teachers' Day! This is such a big event in the country. Everyone knows about Teachers' Day. The parents go all out and give lots of gifts :). ​

Just one of the huge flowers from the parents.  

​My school had a celebration all morning on Friday. We played teacher bingo with interesting facts. Then groups of students drew each teacher. It was a lot of fun! My students are so sweet! 

The drawings of me and the P.E. teacher.  

My 1B class! Aren't they adorable!!!! 

After the games each class did a performance. Many classes sang songs. My 1st graders did a song and one of the kids dressed up in a tie and cute glasses. Oh my goodness melt my heart! My 3rd graders put together a skit where they said something about each of their classes and the teachers. Their performance was bilingual! So cool! At the end, my students gave each teacher a handwritten card and a flower. It was super sweet. ​

After the celebration with the whole school the parents in my class brought gifts and flowers to our class. They had a little party for the teachers of 3B. I told you it is a big deal here! ​I am truly thankful to be the teacher of these amazing students. They may drive me crazy most days, but I wouldn't trade them for the world! 

Just some of the beautiful teachers at my school!