Speaking Tests, Volleyball, & Cherry Blossoms

That's the abbreviated version of my day yesterday. For more details, read below:

I'm giving speaking tests this week to my students. Each student has 1.5 minutes to demonstrate his/her speaking ability and earn up to 20 of their 100 possible points for their English grade this semester. Pretty intimidating for most of them. (Note: This is the only time I'm able to give grades to my students. The Korean English teachers factor in the speaking test with the rest of the assignments/tests of the semester).

This year, I stressed to my students that I really want them to be as creative as possible. I got so tired of hearing the same thing 350+ times last year. I'm thankful that I was able to have more input in the test content and procedures this year, as opposed to last year. We chose more useful questions and phrases that students might actually be able to use in the future! Although it's not as much of a speaking test as it is a "memory" test, I think the students are learning. As a former psych major, there are still parts of this test that make me cringe. However, steps of progress are being made! [Perhaps I should write a more thorough reflection and place it in my emerging teacher's portfolio]...

After a long day of giving tests, I practiced volleyball for about 30-45 minutes with a few other teachers from my school. We're getting ready for the annual district volleyball tournament. I played last year and had a great time. This year I was hardly even given the option not to play. After another lesson on cultural differences, I'm honored to be playing on the team again. Our first game is next Monday.

Since the weather was so nice when I was practicing for volleyball, I felt inspired to spontaneously go to see the cherry blossoms with one of my co-teachers. We've been talking about it a lot recently. She asked me again yesterday to go, and although I was planning to spend the evening at home, I just couldn't resist the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful evening with my friend and co-teacher. I'm glad I went. We went to Yunjungno, a street lined with cherry blossoms in Yeoido (also home of the largest church in the world - Yeoido Full Gospel Church).

Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me, since this was a spontaneous venture. The good news is, I'm not the only one who likes to take pictures of cherry blossoms in Yeoido:


So thankful for these beautiful spring days...

Welcome Back

Tuesday was a long day for me. Since my flight was delayed from Japan to Seoul, I didn't get back to my apartment until nearly 2 a.m. I slept for about 4 hours, then went to school for a FULL day of teaching - 7 total classes. Needless to say, I was exhausted. I think I visited the teacher's nap room twice - to sneak in a couple of 10 minute power naps.

Although the day was crammed full, I was really blessed by the thoughtfulness of one of my students, Ha-Young. Before I went home, I taught a lesson about Easter. Ha-Young had been particularly touched by the lesson. Upon my return to school on Tuesday, she presented me with this:



So sweet.

Wonderful Whirlwind

Arrived Friday, April 2 at 4:45 p.m. Greeted with roses from Mom. Attended Good Friday service. Played Wii for the first time. Bought lots of Easter candy for my students. Ate Mom's homemade PIZZA. Celebrated Josh's birthday. Went Shopping. Celebrated Easter Sunday. Caught up with amazing family members. Ate homemade cheesecake. Drove to Purdue with Zac, Josh, & Mom. Encouraged by Proverbs 23:18. Hope & Panera. Visited Korean food store. Made 된장찌개 (Dwenjang chigae - Korean soybean paste soup) with Sara. Lunch at Hacienda with my parents. River walk with my lovely family. Ice cream at Coldstone. Tasted Victorian Pantry's delicious Walnut Roast coffee. Sweet deals at a consignment shop. Made sweet potato burritos with Kate & Liz. Lovely phone chat with Jana Alexis. Wedding Rehearsal Dinner. Kate's personal shower. Met Kate's awesome husband. Pizza King. Got my hair done up. Had a ball being Kate's maid-of-honor. Celebrated the marriage of Paul & Katie Cronenwett!!! Enjoyed Caleb's baseball games. Got sunburned. Ate Chick-fil-A. Played Apples to Apples. Looked at Emma's China pictures. Heard lots of country music. Tears. Departed on Sunday, April 11 at 11:25 a.m.

Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs 23:18, ESV

Travels, Travels, Travels

Well, 2010 has certainly turned out to be pretty eventful with travels thus far!
January 12-21: Trip to Turkey
February 12-21: Trip to China with Sara
(no the parallel dates were not intentional, though I like the way it worked out...)
March: actually stayed in ONE country... even the same city the whole time!
April: Trip home for Easter & Kate's wedding

About the April trip...
It's amazing how the Lord has demonstrated His provision to me this year. When I found out about Kate's wedding, I desperately wanted to go, but was afraid it wouldn't work out for several reasons, particularly finances, vacation days, and teaching. God has demonstrated His provision for this trip in so many ways... I'll be working on the list while I'm on the plane tomorrow.^^

It truly is a miracle that my principal gave me permission to go, especially since it's during the regular school year. It's pretty much unheard of to get days off like that. All of the teachers at my school have been in shock - so surprised that I actually get to go. God has really lavished His favor... I'm so thankful.

The timing is really perfect - Easter weekend, spring break with (most of) my family, and Kate's wedding!!! I only wish that there was more time to catch up with everyone I've been missing...

Well, speaking of time, I think it's about time for me to get some rest so that I can avoid jet lag as much as possible!^^

Transitioning to a New Season

I've been anxiously awaiting spring here in Seoul, and I think it's finally almost here! When I first started to see flower buds on the trees a couple of weeks ago, I was overwhelmed with anticipation. I'm so ready for spring!!!

Random things that have happened over the past month:
- Said good-bye to Sara
- Started a new school year with 350 new students, 350 former students, 2 new co-teachers,and four former co-teachers
- got to re-connect with some former teachers over dinner
- learned to send text messages in Korean
- had an "extreme makeover" sermon series at OEM (my church)
- started reading Keith Green's biography, No Compromise
- tasted cactus chocolate
- hosted a birthday party at my place
- it snowed three times (after I thought spring already came)
- experienced God's amazing provision (once again) through a dear friend at church. I inherited a bunch of clothes from her sister... God is amazing - He knows EXACTLY what I need!
- received a drive-through campus tour of Seoul National University via a friend who works on campus
- celebrated the baptism of a former small group member
- learned how to cook 된장찌개 (dwen-jang-chi gae; a bean-paste soup) from my Korean "big sister"
- taught my students how to answer the question, "How are you?" without responding, "I'mfinethankyouandyou!"
- noticed my little rose bush beginning to grow wildly (and begging for a bigger pot!)
- attended a former small group member's long-awaited wedding
- tasted chrysanthemum tea
- started teaching an elite class one night each week
- taught my 3rd graders about Easter
- prepared a speaking test for 1st & 3rd graders (to be taken in a couple of weeks)

Although this month started out pretty rough, I'm really thankful for God's faithfulness and provision. There have been so many blessings, amidst the many challenges.
Looking forward spring...

Coping with Change

Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear; rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto,--do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely through all things; and, when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms....The same everlasting Father who cares for you today, will take care of you to-morrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.
- Francis de Sales (quoted in Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss)

To say the past couple of weeks have been challenging would be an understatement. It's almost embarrassing how faithless I can find myself, yet God still continues to be SO faithful.

For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
Psalm 33:4

I will betroth you to me forever;
I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,
in love and compassion.

I will betroth you in faithfulness,
and you will acknowledge the LORD.
Hosea 2:19-20

Though I am incredibly unworthy (which I've been reminded of in multiple ways), somehow He still loves me. I don't understand it.

...the love relationship is why God created you. That is far more important to Him than what you do. - Henry Blackaby, Experiencing God

God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
I Corinthians 1:9

He's ALWAYS been faithful to me...
for that, I'm thankful.

China Trip Highlights

• Got to re-connect with my Chinese friend Penguin. Met her family, celebrated Chinese New Year, observed an ancestor ritual service, played Dutch Blitz, learned Chinese paper-cutting, and had opportunities to water the seeds that were planted 2 years ago.

• Tasted lots of interesting foods: dumplings, lamb, duck, tons of fish, eel, pig's tongue, black eggs, dumplings, pig skin, shaddock (delicious fruit), tangyuan (sweet sesame-filled rice cakes), dumplings, bamboo sprout, cabbage, sweet & sour pork/chicken, beef-flavored candy, fried bananas, sugar-glazed strawberries, dried fish, dumplings... and so much more!
  
  
• Learned more about Chinese culture and superstition (ex: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/11/slideshow.chinese.new.year/index.html?hpt=C2).
  
  
• Revisited Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Wanfujing, the markets etc. in Beijing; also got to experience a Chinese Tea House and the Ming Tombs for the first time.
  
  
• Got scammed by a rickshaw man. It was pretty scary, but thankfully our Father really protected us. Psalm 91 became the theme of our trip.
  
  
• Got to re-connect with a family working in Beijing (and re-visited my old stomping grounds).^^
  
  
• Was blessed and convicted by Sara's incredible servant heart and selflessness (and noticed my own flesh coming out more than I would have liked). I'm so thankful for a grace-filled friendship!
  
  
• Treated ourselves to cheap manicures and a hotel (rather than a hostel) on the last night in Beijing.
  
  
• Obtained a greater appreciation and love for Korea.
  
  
• Felt a sense of closure when we were leaving China; knew that it would be okay if I never returned.
  
  
• Sensed the Lord confirming what He's already been placing on my heart concerning the upcoming months.