Diamond

So I'm not to great at this discipline thing in keeping this up-to-date. My apologies to anyone who actually reads this. But here's my second attempt at some sort of consistency. 

This is a multi-faceted journey. One with many sides. The relationship side. The loving people side. The spiritual side The new-culture side. The adjustment side. The language side. The exploration side. The teaching side. And many more.

It’s hard to process it all while in the midst of it, but I’m beginning to be intentional about it. So here’s a thought.

Who knew that the little girl who ran out of the Christmas play because she was so nervous would end up standing alone before 220 teachers, leading classes and prompting discussions, and that without fear.

When I first got here, I didn’t really know what was to come. I was thrown into the sessions without training, and the first class I taught was not the most natural thing. I loved it, I felt comfortable, but nothing like I do now. I got dinner with a former student (a head teacher in a school in Beijing), but she saw me in the classroom for a few minutes first. She made a comment that now I don’t seem as shy. I seem more comfortable, more confident, more at ease. I never really thought about it until she said that.

I’m not sure that I’ll be a teacher forever. Or if I’m even good at it. But for now, in this season, I enjoy it. We’ll see what comes about in the next few years, but I’m going to try to live in the present, at least most of the time J

Another try

I’ve been really bad at this whole consistent updating thing, but I’ve decided that my September’s resolution will be to be more consistent.

I’ll fill in up to this point as I have time, but for now, I’ll start from august 20 until now.

I arrived back from a camp in Gansu province, on the other side of china, and was plugged into the session of 400 people. I helped with that session for 3 or 4 days as it was ending. Then we had one day of rest and on the 20^th a smaller group of 18 came for a session. I got to teach the “MoMo” class (morning motivational), diction, and PE time. It was quite fun actually. I really enjoyed it. I had trouble getting out on time, but it was for good reasons. It was a blessing to be able to share that time with those students (15 English teachers, a dance teacher, and 2 students).  Some awesome conversations happened during dorm visits (where we go up to where the students are staying and say hi or just hang out with them). It was sweet to see how each of the students changed over the short 2 weeks they were here.

            Many came in very shy, hardly speaking, but by the end we were all laughing together and during dorm visits I had to set a time limit. Of course, there were some bumps and some students who didn’t follow one of the rules, but from my perspective it was a great experience. This is the longest I’ve been with the same group and had actual classes to teach, and I’m excited about the relationships that were built. In the classes, we talked about never giving up, about telling people what they mean to you, about forgiveness, value, the power of love, integrity, and more.

            We have our first big break of 10 days and then we start a session of 360 students with 8 facilitators, so that will be a new experience as well.

            Although I still often feel tired, I’m thankful for the time here so far. It’s a journey to get to know the other facilitators (my co-workers), as we all come from different backgrounds and perspectives. I look forward to getting to know them better. I know in such close proximity, conflict is inevitable, but it can bring us closer, too.  I got to rearrange my room when my roommate left, so now I brought a piece of an old couch into it and the other bed out. I’m hoping to do some paintings to decorate with.

            I don’t get to learn or practice my Chinese much since for each 2 week session no one is allowed to speak Chinese, but I’m hoping to make some time to read the book I’m trying to learn from. I’ve gotten to use the little I know, and each conversation is a win. It’s quite humbling (again) to attempt to learn a new language. Most of the food here is great, but some of it doesn’t sit the best in my stomach, so I’m still figuring out what makes me feel sick and what is best to eat. This week I got dinner with a friend, and we went to a place that served foreign food….and real burgers!! We ate burgers  and salad, then got gelato. It was quite fun. Then I went back to the same place 2 days later with the other facilitators. Twice in one week. And my body’s feeling it haha.

            It’s great to be with the students, but it’s also great to be with friends. To get lunch, to just talk, to have a small group together. I look forward to going deeper in friendships and making new friends.

            There’s an update up until now. So many more details left out, but who really wants to read all the pages that would come with that J