Fall

Whoops! I missed a whole month again! Not only have I been too tired to write updates, but also so much has happened I just cannot keep up with it.

Fall is now in full swing and it's just absolutely beautiful. I didn't realize how much I missed fall these past 2 years. It's so gorgeous; I'm just in awe of the trees. I love seeing all the fall stuff too like pumpkins, hay bales, indian corn, apples, scarecrows, etc. If only there wasn't so much Halloween stuff too.

School is going really well, just super fast and it's not slowing down as I thought it might eventually. There's always something going on besides the usual daily schedule and curriculum to implement. My 'to do' list never ends. It's been really challenging, but I love my kids and am enjoying getting to know them more and more. It's a lot of trial and error, as the first year usually goes, but I have a lot of support and am establishing good relationships with the other teachers, especially some of the younger ones. My kids are a hoot and crack me up half the time. Kraig mentioned making a reality TV show of the day in the life of a preschool teacher and I think it would be such a hilarious show--even more funny than when I'm actually in the situation and don't find things funny or don't notice as much anymore some of the weird things the kids say and do. :)

I've just recently hit 3 major teaching milestones for the first year and I'm happy to have them under my belt now. Picture Day, Field Trip, and Parent-Teacher Conferences. The field trips were the worst (see next post), followed by picture day and then today was the conferences and they really weren't too bad at all. Just getting up at 5:45 for them was annoying. :)

I spend pretty much all my time at school...8:30am-7pm. But when I am home, I really enjoy my apartment. Any free time I have is spent decorating and rearranging my space and making it home. However, I am still lacking some major furniture items: couch, dining room set, washer and dryer, end tables, dresser, and a TV. I have learned to live without them, but will be pretty happy to finally get them eventually.

I still haven't found a church yet. There are so many to try in this area and I've been out of town on so many weekends, it's taking awhile to try the ones I want to.

So, things are going well. I've settled into a routine somewhat and am setting up a nice little American life here which feels really great at times and other times feels a little weird and I feel lame for wanting to live here in comfort and familiarity. I miss my adventures overseas sometimes. I am especially missing Taiwan now that my best friend from college moved there with her husband and I hear about what they are doing there. I also miss it a lot whenever I see updates on my church and my friends there via Facebook.

So, all in all- things are going well. I'll try to keep up with this, but I know it'll be hard. All my interesting stories about school and stuff just take so much explanation and background info to make sense, but I'll try to come up with some. :)

Ready or not, here they come!

I've survived my first week of teaching preschool! It was the craziest week I think I've ever had. So many meetings and so much to do before school started on Wednesday. I had to set up my room, get lesson plans together, buy tons of stuff, find out lots of information. Then the kids came and it was even more chaos! My kids are so small and they can't do anything on their own! I'd forgotten how different kids are from 3 years old to 8 years old! I look at the kindergarteners in our school and they seem huge! My kids are adorable though and say the funniest things. They are just learning how to act at school, though, so that's the biggest challenge-- teaching them to stand in line, sit on carpet, put away toys, share, listen to the teacher, follow directions! It's tough! Everything is new to them. I'm really enjoying it so far though. I just hope I can get more sleep and not feel so rushed and like there's so much to do all the time.

I also moved apartments since I was living on the southeast side of Columbus all summer and my school is on the north side. I found a cute 1 bedroom townhouse about 10 minutes from school that I am really happy with, but have barely spent any time in so far! I've been at school for 12 hours or more a day so far. The apartment was a little more expensive than I was planning on and I have a lot of stuff to buy for it- furniture-wise. So, that's a bummer. But, hopefully in time I'll be able to collect some things. Maybe every month I'll get one more big item I need (couch, TV, vacuum cleaner, dressers, dining room table, washer and dryer...). Right now I'm anxious to get internet set up.

I'm feeling pretty blessed though. I have a good teaching job, a nice place to live, my parents only 3 hours away and 2 brothers only 1 hour away. And I got to watch A LOT of the Olympics, more than I expected, which I really enjoyed. Now it's over for another 4 years...

Olympics

It's 8-8-08, so that means....the Olympics start today!! I am so excited even though no one else seems to be! To me the Olympics are what March Madness, Super Bowl, NBA Finals, (and whatever the baseball equivalent is) are to other people. But mine only comes every 4 years, so it's even more exciting. I just think all the countries coming together in one place is just really beautiful and just plain cool, even if they are competing against one another. It's not because I lived in China that I'm excited since I didn't even see any Olympic venues and I don't even like the country (I did see plenty of merchandise though and that was almost 2 years before). I just think the Olympics are so interesting and are such a phenomenon in and of themselves. But...I guess that's just me since I have yet to meet one person as excited as I am. haha.

Someone asked me during the last Olympics who I cheer for (since they knew I wasn't very patriotic). It's a good question and I think it has changed a little because my level of patriotism has fluctuated quite a bit in the past 2 years. But, I guess if all these countries were competing in the same event my choices would be: #1 Philippines, #2 Thailand, #3 Taiwan, #4 USA (but mostly because America wins a lot and I like to cheer for the underdogs). Philippines always trumps all, but Thailand and Taiwan are hard to choose between, actually. But if it's other countries and the USA, I would cheer for the US. :)

Miracle!

I don't know if it counts as a miracle, but the big news is that I got a job! I actually got it a week ago and completely forgot to update my blog until now. It just blows my mind that I was in such despair in my last post and then BOOM! God answers my pleas! Actually, writing my last 2 posts and spending some time with God really helped change my attitude and I felt excited about whatever God had in store for me next. And then, I interviewed with Worthington Christian Schools and got a job offer. I'll be a preschool teacher in their new Early Childhood Center, teaching 3 year olds! School starts the 20th and orientation and stuff starts on Thursday, so it's happening quick, as I figured it probably would (if it happened at all). So, I spent this week looking at apartments near the school since I will have to move at the end of this month. Hopefully soon I can meet with the other preschool teachers, look at the curriculum and try to figure out what in the world I'm doing! I'm really nervous because I've never taught this age before and am so used to kids who can at least write their names! This will be quite the adventure. My only experience with preschool has been 4 and 5 year olds VBS and Sunday School and my interactions with 3 year olds has been pretty limited to my cousins' kids and a few other random kids.

But, I am extremely excited about this and just very, very relieved to have a job and to know I will be making enough to live on and hopefully have some to save as well. This school was actually my first choice school all along, but I just never expected to be in the preschool department. The school is very good and well-known, loves Cedarville grads, and seems to have a strong sense of community. It's connected to the Grace Brethren Church. It's in the more wealthy part of Columbus which the way things worked out is kinda funny to me. So, my days as a blue-collar worker are winding down (3 days left!) and I'm about to start another adventure.

#18

Today is my 18th spiritual birthday, marking 18 years since I first accepted Christ as my Savior. I can't believe it's this time of year already; it makes the year seem like it went by really quick, which it did. It's been an important year spiritually as I had some really challenging times and learned a lot, especially while I was in Taiwan. Last August I did a really great personal Biblestudy using the book Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It was quite challenging and "world-rattling" for me. My mom also did the study and it was great to dialogue with her about it over Skype. :) Last January I read another revolutionary book called The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. The ideas in the book profoundly affected me and challenged me. If you haven't read it- you really need to. Another spiritual adventure was co-leading a Biblestudy at the Pearl from September to March. The book (The Fight by John White) was quite convicting and thought-provoking but the most beneficial part was having a group to be accountable to and to be able to really share my heart with. It was so encouraging and uplifting to be able to discuss our thoughts and convictions and share with each other in our ups and downs. Becoming part of the Pearl's leadership team last fall also gave me accountablity and encouragement as well as a chance to develop leadership skills and branch out. Sometime last fall I started going through the Old Testament chronologically in my own time with God. It has been quite the challenge to engage in some of the books and stories and progress has been slow. I recently decided to take a break from the OT and switch to the Gospels for a bit.

So, it's been quite the year with God....He's brought me challenges anew and many, many blessings...now, I'm just wondering what He's up to since obviously once again my plans are not His plans....you'd think I would've learned my lesson with the whole China thing...but once again I had my whole year mapped out and nothing is falling into place....so, I am trying to trust God, especially with my finances, but it's really, really hard. So, we'll see where He takes me next. I am confident that He closed the door to Taiwan for a reason, so I'm just waiting to see what that is. Pray that I keep trusting Him, rely on His strength and don't get so easily discouraged and worried. Thanks! :)

Disappointments and Weddings

Well, once again I am falling behind with this...well, summer '08 is half over and while it has flown by; it has been quite different from what I expected. I never expected to be completely living a blue-collar life this summer. Working at Merry Maids has been a very humbling experience and I have gotten to see first hand the struggles of the working class population of America. I am hardly making any money and can barely get all the bills paid and since I didn't work for 3 months and ate up all my savings....money has been extremely, extremely tight this summer. It's been really difficult, honestly. I've never had much money, but I've never been in this dire of a situation. The most depressing and degrading/humbling part of this summer has been having to live a blue-collar life when I've had a college degree for a year and a half already. That really hits me hard while I'm scrubbing people's toilets or down on my hands and knees washing their floors in the most degrading position possible....I just want to cry sometimes thinking about the $80,000 I spent to get a college education only to find myself barely making ends meet 18 months later at a minimum wage job. I've been holding on to the hope that this is just for the summer, however and I will get a real job and be making close to $30,000 a year. However, that has been a huge disappointment because I have yet to have any leads on a job for the fall. I'm now making back-up plans for when September rolls around and I have no "real" job. Things have not been going as planned and it's been quite disappointing to say the least. Living with Kevin and Kraig has had it's moments of fun, but has also been a real challenge. My car is also turning out to be quite the disappointment and bad deal.

The only things that have NOT been disappointments about moving back to America and this summer have been the 2 eagerly anticipated weddings I attended this summer. I was so relieved after the first one that finally something I had hoped would work out and be fun actually was. I first attended the wedding of two friends from Taiwan and also got to reunite with several other Taiwan friends who were in the US at the time. It was a wonderful reunion and so much fun. It was great to hear what's been happening at the Pearl since I left and to just catch up with each other. It was such a blessing.

The other wedding was in Bermuda and was the wedding of Melanie Hitchcock, my best friend and roommate from college. I was honored to be in this wedding as a bridesmaid with my other best friend from college, Katie Wheeler. Katie and I traveled together and had a great time catching up after 20 months apart, being involved in the wedding and getting to re-discover Bermuda together since we also traveled there together in May of '05 with Mel. The whole Bermuda trip was just wonderful; like a dream! It was such fun to help out with pre-wedding stuff, meet and hang out with Nic's friends and family, and just be in a tropical paradise again! Mel did a lot of work and the wedding was absolutely beautiful and so smooth. The only things that would've made the trip even more perfect was if I had gotten more sleep while I was there (we stayed up late talking every night!), gotten to go snorkeling (we just never had the chance), and if I hadn't been completely broke. But besides that it was a great trip (9 days!) and such a fun experience to be there to see Mel get married to a wonderful man. I am so happy for both of them. They are actually going to Taiwan in 3 weeks to teach English for a year or so. I am excited for them, but wish I could be there with them. I'll get to see them hopefully a few times before they leave though.

So, yeah that's been my summer: working hard but not making much money, trying to pay the bills, living with my 2 brothers, and going to fun weddings.

Looong time, no write

Well, it certainly has been a long time with no updates- 2 months. I didn't update because it felt at times that there was nothing to report and then other times there was suddenly too much to write about and I couldn't summarize it well enough. But, seeing as it has been so long, I really feel that I should do a little explaining.

• Since May 7 Kraig and I have been living together in an apartment we've rented in Columbus, OH. The apartment is in an ideal location, convenience-wise and has been working out nicely. We've enjoyed settling in, decorating, and setting up a nice little life here for the summer. We've also enjoyed exploring Columbus and sharing stories about the horrors of Columbus drivers, who are the worst I've encountered in America!
  
• Last night our newly settled routine was interrupted by our long lost brother, Kevin, who has joined us here. It is unclear whether he is joining us long-term (meaning until our lease runs out at the end of July) or what. On May 13 we dropped him off near the Indiana border to begin his walk across America. He shortened what was supposed to be a 3 month trip down to 1 month by hitch hiking along major highways. He got to his destination of Seattle, finished his adventure and that's why he's back here with us again.
• I've been working for 2 weeks at Merry Maids here in Columbus. It is a very blue-collar job and working environment (well, my co-workers) and is a very humbling experience especially when I think about that $80,000 Bachelor's degree I have! It is ok though as a summer job. It is much better than Kroger or the daycare I worked at one summer. Kraig and I live in a very low-income area of town too and we are quite low on money too, so it's been quite the blue-collar experience.
  
• I haven't found a job for the school year yet. I was offered a position at a small Christian school and almost took the job, but really did not feel any peace about it and so declined the offer. I'm still hoping this one other Christian school is interested or that a public school in a good district is interested.
  
• We were able to get the cellphone family plan worked out and have been enjoying that for quite some time. I am enjoying having a NEW phone as I haven't had that pleasure since I was 16.
  
• Oh yeah, and obviously Kraig got back from China ok. We've enjoyed swapping stories about China and Taiwan and practicing our Chinese skills and accents. I don't miss Taiwan as much as I used to, mostly just on Sundays when I miss my church in Taiwan and when I see my friends' pictures on Facebook. I've been church-hopping here every Sunday, which isn't that fun.
  
• A week from tomorrow I will be attending the wedding of two friends from Taiwan, which I am really excited about! I can't wait to share in their special day and to get to see those friends and a few others again. And it's an added blessing for me that the wedding is only 3 hours away for me.
  
• On June 29th I will be leaving for my big trip of the summer-- the wedding I am a bridesmaid for in Bermuda! I will be there until July 8th. I am so excited!!! A chance to go to Bermuda again, see my best friend from college get married to a great guy, be in another wedding, travel with another best friend and experience Bermuda together again. Have a break from work, just relax and have fun for week---I can't wait!

Well, I think that's everything. It's been really cool to see how God has faithfully answered each prayer request and item on my "To Do When I Get to the US" list. The only thing left is a job for the fall. Thanks for your prayers and sorry about the loooong hiatus.

3 Weeks In

I've been back in the US for exactly 3 weeks now. It's been very interesting. A bit bumpy at times, but very fun too. I feel like I haven't gotten much accomplished because I thought I'd be living in an apartment by now and just today I finally got my new car legal to drive. I bought a used '98 Kia Sephia on Monday from a Cedarville student and finally got the title, registration, and plates all worked out today. So, this afternoon I took it for the first real spin since the short test drive. It's great! I love it! It doesn't have automatic anything or cruise control, and has quite a few scrapes on the body, but does have a cd player, excellent sound quality and an air-conditioner that works great! It also is more comfortable and turns better than my previous car- a '93 Honda Accord.

I've applied for several Christian school jobs in Columbus, but haven't heard back from any yet. I'm debating whether to apply to public schools since Christian schools pay even lower than I expected.

Apartment hunting has been the biggest challenge so far. Kevin, Kraig and I were hoping to live together this summer in Columbus. Obviously, there are hundreds of apartments in Columbus, but finding ones that offer 3 month leases has been difficult. And then we've gotten caught in a catch-22 because most apartments won't let you lease if you are unemployed. But we can't find jobs unless we know where in Columbus we'll be. You need an address to get a job and you need a job to get an address! You can't win! Fortunately, I have found a few places that are a little more flexible and will allow you to lease as long as you can pay for the whole 3 months up front. So, I'm still looking into those places and also looking into subletting from Cedarville students.

The cell phone is at a stand still because we are trying to get a family plan, but waiting on Kraig to get back here from China. Things are more complicated and expensive than I expected and everything is taking twice as long to do!

So, that's the update on my "to do" list. I've reunited with several friends in the area, but still have many more people to call/see. I've gotten to spend a lot of time with Kevin and gotten to know Kraig's girlfriend a little. I've enjoyed many of the things I missed from America: driving, Arby's, Dr. Pepper/Cherry Coke, Mountain Dew, Cheez-It's, Mexican food, American bread, cheese!, instant meals, many other foods, Wal-Mart, Kohl's, American TV, the smell of fresh cut grass, fresh American air, corn fields, and many other things I'm sure I'm forgetting to mention. My favorite thing, by far is the English everywhere!! I can read and understand everything and even eavesdrop on people in public! :) This doesn't necessarily mean I can figure out how to do things here in America! It's a complicated place with so many rules! But, I'm slowly figuring things out and trying to get settled. I'm very anxious to get into an apartment and finally unpack my suitcases and stop mooching off of Kevin! :)

Things that have changed in America since I left:
- Americans hate Bush even more than before. There's even a cartoon called Lil' Bush that mocks our president! Only in the USA...
-People are even more obsessed with global warming, saving energy; being "green"
-Gas prices, of course have just continued to climb. It's been between $3.25-3.49 lately.
-Cedarville has finished the outer construction of an entirely new building for the Bible department!

Areas of reverse culture shock for me:
-People wearing shoes in the house instead of taking them off at the door and wearing slippers! I just can't get used to it again- it feels so wrong!
-Remembering to throw the toilet paper in the toilet, not the trash can! I've gotten so accustomed to not flushing T.P.
-The lack of recycling in most places. After Taiwan's obsessive recycling; I feels so wrong to just throw everything away together!
-The sun sets so late! I had forgotten about that! It's so weird to still be light out at 8pm!

Conclusion of My Taiwan Adventure

I've learned so much this year; I can't even put it into words. It has truly been an adventure. It had A LOT of bumps, but it was honestly an amazing adventure. I wonder if it will all just feel like a dream in a few months or years--"yeah, remember that one time I lived in Taiwan? That was random." Or if I will think about Taiwan everyday or remember what I got out of this experience. I came to Taiwan with 3 main goals: 1. See what it's like to teach English 2. Get some experience and make some money 3. Investigate if God has called me to minister to the Chinese people through missions some day. Did I accomplish those goals? 1. Yes, I don't like teaching English, especially in a cram school. 2. Yes, I got experience in many things, hopefully grew up a little and did make some money; not as much as I thought, but pretty good for my first job I guess. 3. Hmmm, this one is a toughie because I am still not sure; I will just wait on God's direction.

So, all in all, 2 out of 3- pretty successful, I guess. I wanted an adventure and I got one. "So, now, Lord, what's the next one?" :) For now, it's farewell Taiwan, hello America!

Tug of War

Today is the day! I'm flying back to America in 13 hours! I simply cannot believe this day has come. I'm actually leaving Taiwan and returning to the US. This is it. My heart is engaged in a bitter game of tug of war, though. I get this awful empty feeling and start to cry as I think about leaving, yet I remember how I've longed for this for so long. It's like I'm chickening out at the last minute and wanting to stay here! I'm trying to remind myself how much I've looked forward to this, but the other half of me is just heart-broken at the thought of leaving and maybe never coming back. There are so many things drawing me back to the US, yet at the same time there is so much I'm leaving behind here. I just feel so mixed up. In my head all this year, returning to the US was going "home," but suddenly all the old feelings of Asia being my home are returning and I'm just heart-broken about leaving it. (SIGH). Will it ever end? Being a TCK is way too emotional. I don't know where I belong or if I will ever be able to live contentedly anywhere.

I worried that the moment I've been waiting for for so long with eager anticipation will be overshadowed by the grief of leaving. I've been looking forward to the moment the immigration officer in Chicago stamps me back in and says, "welcome home," but once I land in America, it may also hit me (as it has in past trips) that Asia is long gone especially when I see all those white faces and I'll want to run up and hug every Asian I see. I know I'm worrying about it too much (and on top of these worries- I'm worried again about fitting in, all the details I have to work out, that it will be obvious that my English has deteriorated over the past 18 months, etc) and because I've done this so many times, I should be cool as a cucumber. But it's precisely because I've done it so many times that I have these worries because I know myself and can remember all those other times and the feelings I felt then. I'm sure, though that seeing Kevin outside the airport and then seeing many other friends and relatives and places and things I've missed will overcome the feeling of "oh no, what have I done? I've made a terrible mistake in leaving." I'll probably run through the cycle three or four times throughout the journey---sad-terrified-relieved-excited-nervous-sad-terrified-relieved-excited, etc, etc.

Thoughts on Taiwan

My suitcases are all packed, I checked out with my landlord after cleaning the apartment for 3 hours, I've said my goodbyes to people and places; I'm "ready" to go. It's hard to believe this is it- I'm not just leaving on another trip; I'm really, really leaving this time. I don't know if I'll be back to Taiwan anytime soon, but I know I'll be back to Asia eventually. I always return. :)

I laughed at and thought Taiwan's tourism slogan was so dumb when I arrived here, but I've come to realize it's true: Taiwan: Touch Your Heart! :) There will always be a special place in my heart for Taiwan. Here are some things I liked and disliked about Taiwan itself.

Liked
-cheap food
-markets- night and wet ones- where you can buy just one mango if you want; you don’t have to buy a whole bag of something
-public transportation, esp. MRT :) my lifeline
-yummy juices and teas and so much selection
-convenience stores everywhere
-street vendors
-palm trees and semi-tropical foliage
-cheap dental and medical work- an outstanding healthcare system
-no tipping
-do a good job with recycling
-easy access to food from around the world
-the currency: nothing less than a dollar, no fractions or decimal points
-lushness and forestyness and mountains
-I feel safe from crime/there are gun laws
-I can pay all my bills at convenience store
-milk tea, especially almond milk tea
-drink shops everywhere and the cool shrink-wrap lids
-night markets
-the famous "Asian fingers" (V/peace sign) in every picture or done after you have done something noteworthy.
-Taiwanese youth and their quirky styles and behavior.
-all the random parks
-graphic warnings in the elevators about possible injuries in an emergency
-relatively clean for a city
-technology, even in the restrooms!
-people saying "take a rest" instead of just rest or relax
-funny mix-ups with English grammar- "That gift is coming from me"
-Taiwanese always taking pictures, usually of food, themselves just doing normal things or taking self-portraits

Didn’t Like
- weird looks I get in public (like I have something in my teeth or spilled something down my shirt)
-not being understood and then getting frustrated at myself and others
-not being able to be completely free to do what I want b/c of the language barrier (like have stuff delivered, repairmen)
-Aggravatingly annoying garbage truck jingles (Fur Elise)
-most of the local delicacies -boiled stuff, fermented tofu, congealed pig's blood, seafood
-expensive taxis
-subtitles, especially when they block things
-obsession with corn- they put it on everything!
-the difficulty in learning Chinese
-the sound of Mandarin- it got annoying
-creepy Buddhist things
-everything in cm, kilos, and celsius
-the date written backwards and use Taiwanese years
-someone always has to help me do things like communicate with landlord, PO, bank, etc.
-people always trying to practice their English on me or shouting “hello” at me on the street. Just leave me alone!
-no indoor heating in winter
-mildew and mold grows like crazy
-Taiwanese obsession with money
-squatty potties
-stalkers--old students and creepy men on the bus

Happy Easter!

This was a really weird Easter for me because I had to say goodbye to my parents again and to Thailand yesterday and then tonight was the night I've been dreading for 9 days (since I found out I'm not coming back)--saying goodbye to my church. It was really heart-wrenching. It reminded me of saying goodbye in high school after graduation. I guess it's harder outside of America, because I know I'll always have some connection or return to America because I'm a citizen there. But saying goodbye after high school and tonight was different because everyone is from different places and I have a lesser chance of seeing these friends again. They made a beautiful scrapbook for me which was so touching and I will cherish it forever. I'll probably never find a church like The Pearl again; it's so unique. I will miss it dearly. So, it was hard to celebrate Easter when I'm feeling so emotional and saddened, but it is because of Jesus' resurrection that I know I will see these friends in heaven one day. "Here, there, or in the air" as the saying goes.

Matthew 28:6
"He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said."
他 不 在 這 裡 ， 照 他 所 說 的 ， 已 經 復 活 了。

Bangkok: Version 5.0

I'm back "home" in Taiwan again after a wonderful 11 days in Bangkok. It was so precious to spend so much time with my parents and I just adore Bangkok, so I love every chance I get to visit. This was my 5th trip in 5 years! I went 3 times in the past 14 months alone! It is the perfect place to spend a vacation. Thailand has such a rich and exotic culture that is simply fascinating. Not to mention it's warm, tropical, cheap and has such fun shopping, sightseeing, and great food! It reminds me more of the Philippines than Taiwan does, which I also like. But of course, a big draw for me is having my parents there! It makes it feel like home to me and so comfortable. Bangkok, like many big cities is just simply alive and bustling with activity. I also enjoy watching all the tourists in Bangkok. They are everywhere and from everywhere; it's so interesting. I just love Thailand in general. I love picking up more words, cultural tidbits, and getting to know my way around more each time.

A few things I did this time were: spend a day being total tourists in an actual tour group (we saw the famous floating market, a monkey show, a wood carving center, an elephant show, a cultural show, and a gem gallery), go to the forensics museum, go to The Well (a ministry to help prostitutes in Bangkok escape that life), go on my dad's famous "Ken Cole Tour of Bangkok," go to 3 of my favorite places to buy Thai stuff, go to church at the Asian Institute of Technology, eat out a lot, go swimming 7 out of the 11 days, hang out with several old friends, meet/hang out with some of my parents' friends, eat my mom's homecooking, and of course catch a couple of movies at the malls. Did I forget anything? :)

It was a great time and I was just as sad to leave Thailand as I am to leave Taiwan. It was hard to say goodbye to my parents again too, but it was much easier this time knowing that I will see them in July and all of next year afterall!

Answer

I finally got my answer from Morrison Academy today: NO. They decided on someone else for the position I wanted. So, this means of course that I will not be returning to Taiwan in August or for all of next year as I was hoping. So, I'll be hopefully settling around Columbus, OH eventually, depending on the job situation. I'm really caught between emotions right now because their answer wasn't really a surprise, but now I know for sure I'll be saying goodbye to all my wonderful friends in Taiwan and to Taiwan itself in a few days. This thought just breaks my heart. It's going be rough. But, I'm also excited about what God has in store for me in the US next year. I am at peace because I know it's God's will and he had a reason for sending me to Taiwan and a reason for leading me away. I am trusting Him and look forward to what He has for me. But, yet...leaving is never easy, of course and not knowing his plan YET is hard as well. But I'm really excited that I'll be able to reunite with family and friends in the US for longer than just a few months. Both options had pros and cons and now I know the answer and feel at peace, but torn between feeling sad and disappointed and feeling excited and hopeful at the new options.

In other news, I'm in Bangkok with my parents and having a great time as always. It's 90 degrees here, by the way! :)

Freedom and Mixed Emotions

This past week was my "week of freedom"...and a lot of mixed emotions. I spent it mostly relaxing, but did get quite a few errands done including doing my local taxes, going to the dentist, sending another box to the US, wiring money to the US, contacting schools in OH, and more packing and cleaning. But, I did have fun too! I went shopping twice in Taipei and unsuccessfully tried to find some touristy sights. I also slept a lot and just relaxed. On Saturday, I organized a hiking trip to a nearby national park with mountains and lots of flowers. It was really fun and it was so nice to be outside enjoying the perfect spring weather! On Sunday, my 2 small groups had a goodbye lunch for me at TGI Friday's. It was really fun and special. Then some of us went KTV-ing afterward, which was my 2nd time to do it Taiwan. It was a lot of fun! This time we were on the 9th floor (the whole building is KTV rooms) and we had an all-you-can-eat buffet included in our deal. It was great! Then after church I had to say goodbye to a few friends I won't see again before I leave because they will be out of town. It was hard to say goodbye not knowing if I'm coming back yet.

In fact, the whole week was a little hard when I was out in public because I kept thinking if it was my last time here or there and just looking at everything around me and thinking about leaving kept making me choke up. Since I'm guessing Morrison is going to say "no," I think I've already started the psychological leaving and grieving process. I'm extremely excited to get back to America, but now it's hitting me that I'm leaving Taiwan and Asia again. Definitely mixed emotions. I feel very caught in the middle...as usual. I'm also starting to get a little nervous about going back to the US. The reverse culture shock and seeing people I haven't seen in awhile and feeling kinda out-of-it, like I've been living under a rock for the past year and a half. This is the longest I've been out of the US since 2000! I'm also afraid when I get back, I'll forget all the things I've learned here and Taiwan will just seem like a dream and that I'll immediately wish I was back here again instead- that's my biggest fear: regret. But, then again, who knows? Maybe Morrison will say "yes" and I won't have to worry about that. I'm supposed to get their answer this week.

Yangming Mountain Outing

Small Group Goodbye Lunch at Friday's

A KTV building...it's serious business here!

KTV fun!

Unemployed!

Whoooohoooo! I'm free, I'm free, I'm free!!! I never have to teach English again if I don't want to!! Today was my last day of work for Shane English Schools of Taiwan! I just cannot believe this day has finally come. I've been waiting for this day for so long! It's so unreal! I don't think it has really hit me yet because I don't feel as relieved or ecstatic as I imagined I would. I think I'm just exhausted. It'll probably hit me as I leave for Thailand in just 8 days! :) Then I'll really taste the freedom. I still have a few details to deal with here before I leave like doing my Taiwan taxes.

It was weird saying goodbye to my students and several gave me goodbye gifts. I was touched, but never felt like crying like I usually do when saying goodbyes. I'm glad to be done with them all and the job itself, finally!

Tonight my bosses had a farewell party for me at a nice buffet restaurant with all the teachers and TA's. It was a pretty fun time, though I hate being the center of attention. We went really crazy with taking pictures, so it was a fun evening.

Ahhh, I can't believe I'm done, which means I'm unemployed now too...but happily so! :)

Most of my students



My farewell party


My gifts

Got it!

Today I bought my tickets to the US! I will be leaving and arriving on March 26th, Wednesday on Asiana Airlines, then transferring to United from Chicago to Columbus. I'm so excited!! I got a really good price too because I went through a travel agent here. So, as planned, I'll go to Bangkok from Mar. 10-22. There are still a lot of details to work out with leaving, but at least I can actually sleep this week now that I finally have my ticket. There have been some restless nights recently. And I only have one more week left of work, well actually 3 days because Thursday is a holiday. Yay!

Funny Story

This past Thursday was the last class I had with one of my private students because next Thursday is a holiday. So, he decided our last day was a good day to take my suggestion and try McDonald's because he's never been there. So, I asked him all about his first McDonald's experience. It was humorous. The only thing he liked was his Coke. He hated the french fries the most! (My favorite part of McDo!) But instead of just throwing them away, he put them in his briefcase to take home to his dog later (after our class)!! hahahahhaa. Taiwanese are so thrifty. It would never cross my mind to take food I don't like at a restaurant home to give to my pet and do it nearly 3 hours after I bought it. hahaha.

Yay!

Praise the Lord!! My replacement teacher arrived in Taiwan today! I'm so relieved! This means that my last day of work will be next Saturday, March 1st! Yipee!!! I'm so excited!

So, this is my plan for the next month:

1. Feb. 25-Mar. 1st = Last week of work
2. Mar. 3-9 = do checkout procedures at work/pack/spend time with Taiwan friends
3. Mar. 10-22 = go to Bangkok (and while I'm there- get Morrison's answer)
   
4. Mar. 23-24 = last minute things/say goodbye to friends
5. Mar. 25 = Fly to America!!

We'll see how things go! My plans generally don't work out like I imagine, so... Anyway, there are still lots of details to work out and my head is spinning with details about flights, packing and "closing up shop" here. So, basically, I just have 4 weeks left! Crazy!

Let the sunshine in!

Today I woke up to quite a pleasant surprise: Sunshine! We haven't seen the sun shine here for well over a month now! It's been rainy every single day and very dreary and cold. I knew something was different while I was waking up because I was actually a little warm in my two layers of pajamas and socks under 3 blankets. Then I saw the beautiful sun shine coming in my window! Yaaaay! And even though it's still freezing inside, the weather outside today wasn't that bad. So, maybe there's hope that this terribly icky weather may be passing.

The cold weather has been even more intolerable since I got back from Korea because even though it was a lot colder there, I got to experience the joys of indoor heat (mmmm, the toasty floor and heated mattress cover make me smile just thinking of it). So, coming back here to being freezing again inside and outside is just terrible. The other day I was wearing 5 layers on my torso, 3 layers on my arms and feet, and 2 layers on my legs and I was still cold inside. That is just not right. I was so cold this week, I almost broke down and bought a portable heater fan! But, reason kicked in and I was reminded of the economic stupidity of buying a heater to use for just a few weeks. Yes, that's right, a few weeks, folks! I'm down to 6 weeks on my countdown, but it could very well be more like 4 if this new teacher arrives this coming Thursday.