It has been two weeks since I last posted and I name it
this? Well. I’ll tell you about it in a bit. ;)
The past couple weeks have completely flown by. With what, I
don’t know. Probably school, food and people. Or something along those lines!
People - Joel and Jane Klammer are awesome. I feel like we
are in and out with things going on at school and with Bible studies and
dinners and sleepovers, but they are fine with it. They are so welcoming and kind.
Always willing to listen about our day at school. Ready to share with us
stories of their own experiences. It is a good environment to come home to
during student teaching. And Aaron just keeps us on our toes. Never know when
we’ll need a password to get out the door or be attacked by an very zealous
Star Wars character. Which one? I don’t know, I don’t know Star Wars that well.
(Don’t judge me. I am likely to grow in this knowledge the next few months.) It
is like coming home to the little brother I never had. His laughter is so
infectious. Makes any day better!
Food - Another nice thing is that the Klammers like to try
the traditional chinese food, and will have Ping, our Ayis make the traditional
food she knows. But they also enjoy some of our traditional comfort foods as
well. They know it is nice to come home to something familiar like chicken-pot-pie.
I hope to come home at a decent time starting this week so I
can watch Ping make the traditional food. I would love to be able to cook a few
traditional dishes when I get back. Ping is awesome and very sweet. I wish I
knew more Mandarin, but she does know a bit of English. If we doubt ourselves
on a pronunciation she is willing to help. We also asked her if she knew how to
make this certain dumpling we have had a school a few times, and she is now
planning to make it this week I think!
Some other food we have tried this week includes Bubble Tea,
and Indian food. The later took strange effect on us, though it was enjoyable
at the time, and the former was an experience. Has anyone ever had bubble tea?
I had my first bubble tea my first week here. It is tea (typically with cream
and sugar) with tapioca balls. Imagine the Big Fat Straws you get at Panera
Bread with the smoothies. The Tapioca balls are about that size. And when you
suck them up with the tea they feel like bubbles in your mouth. They literally
do. So it is an interesting combination of sipping and chewing which must take
place in order to finish said tea. I wonder what my face looked like when the
first “bubble” made it up the straw. However, it is all the rage here. Even KFC
sells it. I think it is pretty good, but I could do with about half the amount
of “bubbles.” If you can find a place that sells bubble tea it is definitely
worth the experience.
School - The Kindergarten Team, including Mrs. Nurre are as
great as ever. We have lots of fun! (Notice in the picture there is not only
Mrs. Nurre, Beka, Michelle, Misha, and myself, but also “Mushie.” “Roomie” did
not make it into the picture.)
They are always willing to explain things to me. And they
are very encouraging. As is everyone else at the school.
The Kiddos – I have been teaching more the past couple
weeks. I must say the first time I got all them through calendar and down to
chapel all in one piece, I was so happy! I made it through the first 15 minutes
of the day! And we were all alive! Realistically, however, my obvious struggle
is with management. But I try to pick up tricks and reflect and learn from each
instance. It is only week three. I have learned that if you read a book, they will
come. And they will be attentive. So guess how I am going to start some of the
math lessons this week?!? Even with all my struggles managing them I do love
each and every one of them. I just wish could spend more one on one time with
them.
Oh! I got my first piece of fruit this last week! No, it
wasn’t an apple, it was a mandarin. But I know it’ll be the best mandarin I
will have ever eaten! I need to remember to write a little thank you note for
it… And for the record it has also been determined just this past week that I
am Miss Miller, not Miss Melon, nor Miss Mailbox. Though I made sure to
compliment them on how they figured out they all started with the same the letter/sound
of “M.”
A favorite scenario of the week? The littlest girl in the
class turning around, looking me straight in the eye and telling me, “You look
young!” I wanted to retort, “Well, you look younger, so you still need to do
what I say!” But I didn’t. J
This week has already been full of surprises. I am doing all of the
morning meeting activities (calendar, devotions etc.), and math, as well as a
religion lesson, and a mini-lesson in reading. The last religion lesson was the
Good Samaritan. We did a dramatic retelling of it. The donkey was the most
sought after part. But I think it was beneficial because by actually going
through the motions I believe they will be much more likely to remember the
story. This week is Ruth and Naomi though. No donkeys… Sad day. With devotions
I do always try to wrap it up in Christ – as I will with this religion lesson.
And sometimes it feels redundant what I saying to them; didn’t I just say the
same thing yesterday? But, I figure if I need a daily reminder of what he has
done for me, so do they. And I am likely the only one they hear it from. That
is very eye opening. I hope I tell them enough! Please keep them and all the
school and teachers in your prayers. It is amazing the presence they have here
and the influence they can have on the children.
Wow. That should probably wrap it up for now. I have a
bazillion other things in my head. But they can’t all come out at once. For
example: Us girls have decided we are going to Taiwan for October Holiday.
Don’t worry, two teachers from CISS will be accompanying us, Beka and James,
they know Mandarin. Also, Heidi and I had our first moon cake experience this
weekend. Then Ellen recently had her first experience traveling on the back of a
bike. We are all very proud of her bravery. And Justin? He had his first real
volleyball game. He is the head coach! (Mr. Salotti, if you are reading this, I
have pictures I will be sending.)
And are you still wondering about the title of this post? I am
really bad at titles. It just so happens that Mrs. Nurre’s class is named the
“Shining Stars,” and Beka’s are the “Monsters” and Mr. Graham (Misha) - who
graciously allows his class to name themselves - ended up the “Sparkly Rainbow
Huskies.” Fun, right?!? You know you all want to be in Kindergarten! (I will have to ask
Michelle the name of her class!)
Have a blessed week. And Christ is with you! Remember your
baptism!
(Please continue to keep Ellen and her Mom and family in
your prayers as, from what I hear she is likely to start treatments soon.)
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