Spirit Week

April 16-20 was Spirit Week at school! This is the week right after our big test week. Each day is a different dress day and on Thursday we had our field day (which we call Olympics Day). It is such a fun week. Our students and staff get so involved in the dress up days. I love see everyone's outfits. This is probably my favorite week of the year. It takes a lot of prep, but it is so much fun and the smiles make it work it!

This year the Olympics Day fell on my birthday. It was so much fun to see our students and staff having so much fun! It was like giving myself a birthday gift. I got to walk around to all the different locations and watch different classes play some of the funniest games! At the end of the day I was exhausted though, so I spent my birthday at home with some awesome friends. We made chicken quinoa salad and played an Escape Room in a box (a birthday gift). It was a great lowkey kind of birthday! Love it!

My staff also surprised me on Monday with a birthday staff meeting. They were somehow able to keep it a secret! This is a big feat especially because I am the one that usually calls the staff meetings, so to call a staff meeting without me knowing about it is kind of difficult. I later learned that it almost got ruined a few times throughout the day, but I had no idea. They did a great job! Everyone made different American desserts to share with the staff. Surprisingly, everyone loved the treats! 

Color Day... each grade was a different color, we finally had enough grades to make a complete rainbow!!!

Super Tuesday : Heros and Villains... Are they not just adorable?!?!?!

Wacky Wednesday... everyone wears their craziest clothes combination.

Olympics Day!!! So much fun!!!

Then on Friday we had Royalty Day and the Awards Ceremony. This is just a special week because it builds so much community between the staff and the students. 

Update! New

So I realize it has been a long time since I have written a post! These past two months have been crazy! Starting graduate school has taken up a lot of my free time when I am not doing things for school. I started a transition to a new position at school (more to come). I have done some traveling, for work and fun. 

Let's begin in January.... started grad school at Concordia University. Focused a lot on school to get back in the swing of having assignments due and have to calculate the due dates for here in Asia. But it went really well. 

February was Tet. The school had a Tet Fair, which was so much fun. The students and parents worked together with the homeroom teachers to put on a booth to sell traditional food and fun things. The students are expert sales people! I spent about $50 at the market, supporting each class. I loved it! For the Tet Holiday we had 10 days off. A friend of mine was going to Prague and invited me to join her. The tickets were surprisingly cheap. So I went! First time in Europe. I went to Prague and Rome. I was only there for 6 days. So I basically go my feet wet and now I am praying that God takes me back!

After Tet holiday, I went to Kuala Lumpur for a school training. I am still amazed at the opportunity God has given me here. The school paid for me and 4 other colleagues to go to KL to get training for something we will implement over the next couple months and into next year. 

Now brings us to March. I have officially passed my English classes at school to my amazing friend. Thankfully she still lets me check in on them and help in any way I can! I have attended 2 parent meetings for parents to learn more about Gateway and for us to smooth some parents concerns about our school. I love that the parents care so much about their child's education. 

This month has also been difficult because I have learned that many people are leaving. I signed on for another year. It was a difficult decision but feel God has great plans for this journey. But staying for a 4th year means I will experience more people leaving. Many of the people I started this journey in Southeast Asia with are leaving. I have found myself crying many nights in my room asking God what he is doing. He always answers! He is with me and He will provide what I need. There are some great people coming and some great people staying. It is going to be different next year, but it is going to be great!

Now a school development... We are currently searching for a principal for next year. It has kind of been an up and down journey this far, but we are praying the perfect person is coming. So please join me in prayer for the person God will provide for us. The school is developing rapidly and some amazing things are in the works! I am constantly amazed at what God is doing at the school!

Back to School.... GRAD SCHOOL BEGINS!

In November, I applied to two different graduate programs. This was something I had been praying about. I wanted to start my Masters degree but I didn't know what to study or even how I was going to afford it. When this opportunity came about, I was amazed at how God opened up all the doors. 
I was accepted to both graduate programs I applied to, and chose to attend Concordia University. I started my first graduate class, Intro in Education Administration, on January 8th. I am really excited to be begin this journey and see what all God has in store for me. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be taking this class while having an administrative role at school. I am excited to use what I learn in my classes to help my school.
Please continue to pray for me on this journey, as I try to find a balance between work and graduate school. 
1 week down 7 weeks to go for my first class!