Don't go crazy!

(Okay, so the title doesn't really have to do much of anything with this post, but i did tell my class "don't go crazy" about 10 times when i gave out my phone number to them.. hahaha.. that was a BIG risk for me considering that they could text me everyday, give my phone number out to students, call me at wee hours in the morning for no reason... so I told them to not go crazy... and so far they haven't, bless their hearts...ummm now get ready for possibly the longest blog update and maybe the most honest one too. haha... find somewhere comfortable and grab a nice drink too while you're at it ;) i hope you can get a better glimpse of my life here and be encouraged as well!)

Today is "National Holiday" in China... it marks the 60th year of communist rule.. i always thought 50, 75, and 100 would be a big year to celebrate but I guess 60 is a big number and a big deal in China. Apparently there's lots of parades, China flags, and country pride everywhere this week! I'm just thankful to have 8 days off to rest and enjoy and relax. Maybe a little bit of fall cleaning, spending time with students, traveling around the city, doing things I never get to do during normal school weeks...

Yesterday was perhaps the most "up and down" day I've had so far... some of the best, sad, painful, most awkward moments you could possibly experience in china! I'd like to call this part "All in a Day's Work" because this all really did happen in 24 hours.

It all started with a horrible stomache-possible-food-poisoning-episode that kept me in anguish and pain most of the night...it happens about twice a year for me and each time i feel like fainting and then dying.. but somehow He carries me through and allows me to recover with caring roommates to help a sister out.

Then off to teach my dear SWEET juniors (who i think are loosing interest in English and life...please keep that class in your thoughts!)... when i went to the chalkboard i found a very innapropiate comment in very small letters so that I could only read it... after a hard night and having an unmotivated class, that comment on the board did NOT help... I was very sad and hurt by it and once I found out who wrote it I talked with that student outside in the hallway and had to tell him how I felt and how it was VERY disrespectful, rude, and NOT okay to say that. ahhhhh the joys of being a teacher, right? anyways I told him that I forgive him and I know he's a smart student but that also was not OK... sighhhh never expected something like that to ever happen.

Had lunch with some of my new students... it seems to always be a group of 5 students...4 boys and 1 girl... and me. haha but it was an interesting lunch, especially the food.. i told them that i can't handle spicy food, especially with my stomach episode last night, so with a little saddness (because most of them love spicy food) but with eagerness to please their foreign teacher.. they order... so much sweet food! hahaha.. oh man.. let's see we ate sweet soup that tasted like candy and then deep fried carmelized bananas and deep fried carmelized potatoes! haha it's always awkward eating those because the carmel gets stuck ALL over your teeth and by the grace of the Father it comes off somehow! hahaha..

Afterwards I had a class with my new sophomores and we talked about National Holiday and I had them make posters of persuading a foreigner to come to China... so they had to draw pictures, foods, famous places, and things to show how exciting China is... i also busted out some crayola markers I brought from the states and they FLIPPED. hahaha.. but something you also have to know, is when students draw or get "creative" in china... in American standards it's maybe like a child's artwork or not that... artistic/creative. hehe but they try and it's sweet! Anyways I presented all the posters to class and their faces LIT up with "ooo's" and "ahhh's" when they saw everyone's poster!!! It was really hard not to laugh and be amazed- at THEIR amazement! :)

So after THAT, I made my way over to the school radio broadcasting room to be "interviewed" as a foreign teacher and heard by thousands on campus. So that was fun. I tried my best to take advantage of a good blog story and take pictures and videos of the experience. ah nut, I can't send the video, too big.. maybe next time. for now pictures can give you a glimpse of it all!

While at the radio station one of my new students who was a dear friend last year, I'll call her "Rebecca", was there trying to interview for a position there... afterwards I invited her over to the old campus to have some korean food delivered to my apartment... it was just GOOD to be with her, talk to her, listen to her and encourage her since she's had a hard month and is new to the family. Laura and I were able to think with her and lift her up on this long random wednesday... He's a good Dad and takes care of us indeed!! It was a perfect way to end such a rollercoaster day... lifting others up and remembering His goodness.

Thanks for reading and keeping posted with my random spurts of blog entries!! hehe Enjoy a few pictures for your life.



lunch with my new students 4 boys and 1 girl


this guy at the broadcasting was TRYING not to be in the picture.. haha


dariana and i about to start the radio program!