What I want...

What I want...


...Is to Learn.


I have lots to learn.

I want to Learn--

How to think internationally

How to counsel with Asian values in mind

How to apply b*blical truths that speak to Asian teens

More about the TCK life

Counseling ideas that can be intercultural

How to create transition programs

How to create an inclusive school environment in an international school

These are issues that we have been discussing in our Student Services Meetings.  

Yesterday, in our meeting, I said, 

"This sounds impossible.  It sounds like trying to solve world hunger."   

My boss smiled, others laughed, and then he said, 

"Well, then why don't we pr*y about it."   

What I want... Is to Learn.  And Today... That has to start with Pr*yer.   

Six StuCo-ers in Shenyang

I had the amazing opportunity to lead 6 high school students to the ISC student council retreat.  This year, the retreat was hosted by the Shenyang school.  I wasn’t sure where Shenyang was, or what the retreat would hold.  But for some reason, I was trusted to take these 6 high schoolers on a plane, to a city I didn’t know, for a retreat that I’ve never been to before.   A little intimidating… Yes! 

BUT…  I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.

I learned so much about the retreat, about student council, and about my students.  The flight was an hour and half.  I gave the students leadership for everything within the airport. They all speak English and some Chinese, and most of them speak Korean.  SO, I was in good hands!  

Shenyang is a northern city in China.  We didn’t see much of the city, because our retreat center was 2 hours away from the airport.  However, I did notice it was not as clean as Qingdao, and it seemed like it had a poorer population.  I’m finding that Qingdao is pretty unique since it’s more of a tourist spot. 

Here are a few highlights in pictures!   

Bags Packed - We are ready for our van ride from the school to the airport.

Construction Zone in Shenyang.  This isn't a great picture,
but this was my view for about an hour on the bus ride
after we landed in Shenyang.

The students trying to complete a team building activity.

ON A LAKE in Shenyang.  This is our ISQ Student Council
(minus our class representatives).
The lake was beautiful and reminded me of Minnesota!!!

This is the boardwalk to get on/off the boat.
It was a little sketchy!

These lovely ladies are a hungry bunch.  But most Korean teenagers don't like Chinese food.
Those two dishes were only a handful of the food on the rest of the table.
We ate good... even though the kids don't think so.

Life Finds a Way

This week is the first full week of school.  How did I feel this morning? In a word: Intimidated!  Ben would tell you that I was nervous for no reason.  I was anxious going to bed; I was anxious getting up, and I was anxious getting to work.  I think this is how it is every time I start a new job. 

Looking back on my mindset 13 hours ago, I’d say I was acting silly and not walking in faith.  Sure, my day had its moments, like waiting an hour for technology to do it’s part in my job.  But then came lunch, when I sat by a 9^th grade girl who had lived in Africa for the last 11 years.  Africa to China is a major difference!!  I heard she was having difficulties fitting in, and I could see why.  She’s a bit shy, and very soft-spoken, but man is this girl passionate about Africa.  She loved telling me stories… and I loved listening!  

After a few more hours after lunch of dealing more with technology, the bell rang, the students left, and then I had my first meeting with the student council.  If you would have asked me 2 weeks ago what a student council does, I would have shrugged.  Now (thanks to my sister Sara and my friend Jessica), I have a much clearer idea.   Most of the student councilors I had met in the hallways, interviews, or my P.E. class, but I was excited to have them all in the same room.  And MAN, they are very cool people.  We talked about what Student Council stands for, and what they want to be known for.  These are very outstanding students who, I believe, will make a difference how this year is run!  I am honored to be a part of this, and to be a part of their lives.

Washing snap peas with soap.
Apparently, you have to do that here

Even dinner tonight was amazing.  Thanks to my new friend Stacey, I re-created the meal she made for me, and it turned out great.  We even went to the corner store and asked for chicken.  The man didn’t understand me, so I flapped my arms like wings.  He smiled at me and graciously found the chicken breast for me.

Our "oven," but it does the job!  Two chicken breasts
baked to perfection in under 25 minutes

Ben’s finishing up his last lesson plan for this evening, and then it’s time for some “Lie to Me,” our TV show of choice for the past 2 weeks.

We are doing okay… Life has found a way.

"There" Becomes "Here"

This is written by someone who also moved to China this month.  I met her at orientation, and her written words are my sentiment exactly, minus the Canadian part.  

By Melanie Gagnon:

There, blue skies abound. And if you're lucky, you'll see a few stars every now and then.

Here, it's either hazy or cloudy, with the occasional blue sky. Though bluer than other places, I'm told!

There, I knew where everything was, and if I didn't, I knew how to find it.

Here, I don't know where anything is, and I don't know where to look.

There, everyone - almost everyone, that is - drives automatic.

Here, standard is ... standard.

There, a few posh apartments and condos have fences and guards keeping people out.

Here, every complex/compund/work environment has a uniformed guard who controls access.

There, I drink straight out of the tap.

Here, I don't dare.

There, I ate with a fork, spoon and knife and knew what I was doing.

Here, chopsticks make me feel incompetent and like a barbarian!

There, every label is English AND French.

Here, I'm lucky if the label has English on it.

There, I knew what areas to stay away from late at night, and I got nervous if I was by myself.

Here, I can go wherever I want whenever I want.

There, honking is reserved mostly for angry moments.

Here, honking is a way of communicating all kinds of things, but mostly, "I'm coming, so get out of my way!!"

There, women bare their midriffs, and then some, to get attention.

Here, guys bare their midriffs, but only to cool off.

There, I would rarely take a cab.

Here, I've taken them more than buses.

There, gyms are indoors and costly.

Here, most gyms are outdoors and free.

There, the rules of the road are strictly enforced and followed - more or less, anyway.

Here, everyone drives wherever they want; even on the sidewalk!

There, no one spits in public.

Here, it fazes no one.

There, eating at home was the norm.

Here, eating out is common.

There, smoking is banned pretty much everywhere.

Here, smoking is allowed wherever.

There, I could handle tough questions like, "there's no barcode on this item. where did you find it?"

Here, "Would you like a bag?" threw me for a loop for a while.

There, a person buys a boxed item without opening it up to see what's inside.

Here, I can be as nosey as I want.

There, water cooler bottles are about 5-10 bucks a pop.

Here, they cost just over a dollar.

There, bumping into Quebeckers is not uncommon.

Here, it's more rare, thus much more exciting.

There, an air conditioner is used in summer, and a furnace in winter. And a window is usually required.

Here, one unit is used for both.  And they drill straight through the brick to the outside.

There, hand-holding has significant meaning.

Here, everyone does it.

There, I was the housekeeper.

Here, I pay one to keep house for me (it's less than 2 CAD an hour!)

There, I blend in.

Here, I stand out.

How To... be a wife in China

There is great thing about becoming a wife in the country, state, and city that you know…

You know how to be a good home-maker.

•       You know the best places to visit for a restful evening and how to get there.
•    You know how to make a relaxing evening in, making the “just so right” comfort food, or even dabble into a new recipe with the most confidence.
•    You know the best stores with the best deals.
•    You can understand money, and use it wisely.
•    You recognize the food that your husband likes, buy it, make it, and eat it.
•    You know the general issues of your home, know how to fix them, or at least can easily find someone to help.
•    You can be baking, sautéing, cutting, saucing, and setting the table without a defect in the kitchen or too many technical issues.
•    You can clean up just nice enough without flooding the bathroom or squinting in the mirror because the lighting is so dim.

So far, none of this is possible in China.

I’m new at this.

And I feel like I’m starting over in everything.

Tomorrow (Tuesday), I’m not going into school because there isn’t too much for me to do yet.  However, I’m going to be working from home.  I’m going to research, pray, talk to others, and figure out a few things. I’m not perfect, and starting over is hard.  It will take time figure out the best way to be a good wife in China.