Sometimes I wonder. are these kids really learning anything? Is anything changing? Am I actually making any positive influence? It can sometimes be so hard to see, and discouraging when you can't. But yesterday I suddenly realized something:
I no longer have to separate fights nearly every day, sometimes multiple times a day.
I no longer have a student cry about some irritation or frustration every day of the week.
Complaints about someone stealing one of their items have decreased.
I don't know if anything can be accounted to me or not, but whether or not it can, change does happen. Sometimes it just takes a while for it to appear.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Planting, and other sundry things
I'm sorry. I really didn't intend for more than a month to pass without me updating my blog. But as we all know, good intentions are never enough on their own. I'll attempt to summarize the main happenings of the last month.
Christmas:
Christmas was good because my parents and brother came to visit me! We spent time snorkeling, visited a couple of other islands,hiked, and saw a couple of noteworthy places on Chuuk. We also spent plenty of time inside playing games or watching movies when there wasn't much else to do. It was wonderful to see them again. It still didn't feel like Christmas, and I can safely say I think it's the only time I will eat mashed potatoes, bananas, and no-bake cheesecake for Christmas dinner. It made me look forward to Christmas next year. I'm glad the holidays are over because now my brain doesn't have to reconcile the thoughts that it was the Christmas season and I was hot and sweaty with no pine trees in sight.
New Years:
People in Chuuk stay up all night New Years Eve banging out beat and yelling happy new years and other things in Chuukese. They continue this for the next few days, but luckily it starts to taper off after new years day is over. We had our staff party Saturday night which was enjoyable, but on actual New Years Eve I went to bed early and was thankful for an air-conditioner and pouring rain to drown out the noisemakers outside!
Back to School:
School started back up on January 3, and the first day back I had only 8 students. It was heavenly, and I found myself wishing I always had that many students! It was quieter, and most of all I was actually able to help everyone who needed help! It reminded me that I really do enjoy teaching when I'm not constantly trying to keep everyone on task, or unable to help everyone who desperately needs it. This semester does seem better than the last so far, and for that I'm thankful. Last week was our Spirit Week and the students enjoyed the chance to dress up each day. I gave them the tie-dyed t-shirts my mom made for them for their rainbow day, and third grade was ( in my opinion) the cutest class on campus! Friday was Community Service day and we picked up trash alongside the road. It went fairly well, although I did wonder how much of what we were doing was sinking into the student's heads when after filling our last trash bag one of them threw his candy wrapper on the ground. I guess we can't always see the results of our efforts right away!
I sometimes think of my time here compared with the month I spent in the Philippines, and how it is in the planting sense. In the Philippines I was more of a reaper, sweeping in doing fast work gathering in the harvest. Here I'm planting the seeds, and only seeing some of the results of what I do. It's like there is row after row after row to be planted, everyday. Walking along in the blazing sun or the pouring rain (like the mailman!), always planting those seeds. They're both important.... But I realize more and more what a different experience it is to be a planter rather than a reaper.
Christmas:
Christmas was good because my parents and brother came to visit me! We spent time snorkeling, visited a couple of other islands,hiked, and saw a couple of noteworthy places on Chuuk. We also spent plenty of time inside playing games or watching movies when there wasn't much else to do. It was wonderful to see them again. It still didn't feel like Christmas, and I can safely say I think it's the only time I will eat mashed potatoes, bananas, and no-bake cheesecake for Christmas dinner. It made me look forward to Christmas next year. I'm glad the holidays are over because now my brain doesn't have to reconcile the thoughts that it was the Christmas season and I was hot and sweaty with no pine trees in sight.
New Years:
People in Chuuk stay up all night New Years Eve banging out beat and yelling happy new years and other things in Chuukese. They continue this for the next few days, but luckily it starts to taper off after new years day is over. We had our staff party Saturday night which was enjoyable, but on actual New Years Eve I went to bed early and was thankful for an air-conditioner and pouring rain to drown out the noisemakers outside!
Back to School:
School started back up on January 3, and the first day back I had only 8 students. It was heavenly, and I found myself wishing I always had that many students! It was quieter, and most of all I was actually able to help everyone who needed help! It reminded me that I really do enjoy teaching when I'm not constantly trying to keep everyone on task, or unable to help everyone who desperately needs it. This semester does seem better than the last so far, and for that I'm thankful. Last week was our Spirit Week and the students enjoyed the chance to dress up each day. I gave them the tie-dyed t-shirts my mom made for them for their rainbow day, and third grade was ( in my opinion) the cutest class on campus! Friday was Community Service day and we picked up trash alongside the road. It went fairly well, although I did wonder how much of what we were doing was sinking into the student's heads when after filling our last trash bag one of them threw his candy wrapper on the ground. I guess we can't always see the results of our efforts right away!
I sometimes think of my time here compared with the month I spent in the Philippines, and how it is in the planting sense. In the Philippines I was more of a reaper, sweeping in doing fast work gathering in the harvest. Here I'm planting the seeds, and only seeing some of the results of what I do. It's like there is row after row after row to be planted, everyday. Walking along in the blazing sun or the pouring rain (like the mailman!), always planting those seeds. They're both important.... But I realize more and more what a different experience it is to be a planter rather than a reaper.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Island BFFs
10 Reasons why I like Aynee and Jace:
1. They are practical. They think of ways to get things accomplished, and don't want to spend time on unnecessary things. They think of tangible ways to show God's love.
2. They are helpful. Whether it's washing the dishes for everyone, helping move furniture, decorating when it's not their responsibility, adding some of your clothes to their laundry, or helping you carry something, when they see a need they're there to assist.
3. They're thoughtful. Example:
We're at a church meeting, and the pastors wife has brought some food. At the urging of the pastor I take a serving of something I've been told is a banana dish, and return to my seat next to Aynee to eat it. I don't know what it is, but it is not banana, and I find my tongue recoiling at the taste. Aynee smiles, quietly asks "Need some help?" and goes to get a fork.
4. They make me laugh. Watching Jace do "song interpretation" during vespers when his voice was gone, making jokes about english words pronounced in unintentional ways, and making jokes about cultural differences are only some of the things that keep me smiling.
5. We get each other's sense of humor. Sample conversation between Jace and I:
J: Aynee! Come!
H: "Good grief, could you be any more DEMANDING?"
J: "Hannah, be quiet. I did not invite you to be part of this conversation."
H: "I will speak whenever I feel like it, thank you very much."
J: "Hannah. Shush"
H: "Aynee, you see how domineering and rude he is to me? I think we should throw him out."
A: "Jace, stop being rude."
J:"I'm not being rude, she's not allowed to join a conversation unless I say so. Now come."
H: "Jace, calm down, she's coming. Have a little patience for once in your life."
J: levels what is supposed to be an intimidating stare at me
"Did I invite you to join this conversation? No. Aynee!"
And thus it will continue until there will likely be a sudden switch in our conversation, and we'll move on to talking about what to do together that evening, or what we're going to cook for supper.
The truth is that if Jace and I started being polite to one another it would be an indicator that something was seriously wrong with our relationship and that we were most likely mad at one another.
6. They love Jesus. I can see it through their words and actions, and the sacrifices they're willing to make for the God they serve.
7. They like to play. Whether it's games, swimming, or running around in the rain, they like to be involved, and bring people together to start activities.
8. They're good for a serious conversation.
9. They don't take life too seriously, and can keep a sense of humor in a tough situation.
10. They're up for spontaneous activities. And for dealing with the consequences if the spontaneity was a little too rash. :P
Love and Sacrifice
“God… I’m really tired this morning. I just don’t feel like I have the energy to get through another day with my students.”
No, you don’t. That’s why I’m here, remember?
Daily strength. Hourly strength. Minute by minute strength. That’s what He provides. No, I don’t feel strong enough to keep going for another 5 ½ months. But I don’t need to, because God has shown His provision through each moment of each day as needed. It humbles me to realize how rarely I rely on Him when I need Him. How often I let my frustration take control of me, or forget to ask for guidance when I’m not sure what to say or do. But as I let him take control, I find myself learning how big His strength is, and learning new lessons.
----
Of the four love languages, one of my greatest is physical touch. It’s been a joy to me as my students have grown closer to me through the months, and many freely share their hugs, hold my hands as we walk, and compete to be the one to sit on my lap in chapel. One of my students is especially needy when it comes this area, and usually I am happy to return her hugs, wrap my arm around her as well, and let her clamor into my lap. This week however, everyone seemed determined to push me off the edge of my patience. It seemed every moment I turned I was met with someone needing help, asking a question, or complaining. Again. This was not so unusual, but for some reason this week it was frequently accompanied by someone’s small hands. Then came Thursday, the last day before the Christmas program.
“Teacher!” My arm is vigorously shaken. “Teacher, when are we going over to the church?”
I take a deep breath. “Remember that I’ve asked you lots of times not to grab and shake my arm because I don’t like it?
“Oh yeah. Sorry. So when are we going to the church?”
---
“Teeeeeeeeacher, my stomach hurts!” A small body plasters itself against me, hanging from me and almost knocking me over.
“I’m sorry it hurts. Have you been drinking water?”
“Yes, teacher, I’ve drunk lots of water like you always tell me to, but it still huuuurts.”
“Ok, you can call your mom if it’s really bad, or you can just sit there at your desk and rest.”
2 minutes later.
“Teeeeacher, my stomach is hurting!” The small body once again grabs my arms and hangs from them.
“Did you call your mom?” “Yes, but she doesn’t have a car to come get me. But teacher, it hurts!”
And so it went every five minutes for the rest of the day until lunch which apparently cured my student’s malady. This was accompanied by students randomly coming and grabbing me in sudden balance-unsettling hugs on their way to the bathroom, or to sharpen their pencils, and more arm grabbing and shaking when someone needed help or a question answered.
Then it was time to go to the church for Christmas program practice. Then came my little clinger, wrapping her arm around my waist. “Teacher, I’m going to walk over with you.” We walked over to the church, bodies pressed close together. We made our way down the aisle, and over to our designated pew, where she immediately transferred from my side to lap, and proceeded to sit there for the next two hours as the room became warmer and warmer. “Teacher, I’m hot.” “Well, you know,” I replied in a hopeful tone, “if you sat on the pew right next to me you wouldn’t be so hot, because our bodies make extra heat when you’re on my lap.” She vigorously shook her head no, and snuggled even closer against me. And so we stayed that way the end of the practice, with a bit of relief when it was the elementary students turn to present up front.
It was hot. It was long. And I didn’t want her sitting on my lap making me hotter, slowly limiting the circulation to my legs. Especially after being shaken and hung on all morning, and really all week long.
I was tired of being touched.
But it was what she needed, and wasn’t I there to meet my students needs? Wasn’t I there to share love in the ways that my students needed it? My student missionary service wasn’t just about sacrificing things that I miss at home, about adjusting to a different life, about teaching my students about math, English, or even about God. It was also about this. Holding a child on my lap when what they needed most was to feel the touch of someone who cared about them.
And it was this that God brought to mind as we finished the program and I surrendered my will again as we walked out of the church, bodies so close we looked almost like one being.
No, you don’t. That’s why I’m here, remember?
Daily strength. Hourly strength. Minute by minute strength. That’s what He provides. No, I don’t feel strong enough to keep going for another 5 ½ months. But I don’t need to, because God has shown His provision through each moment of each day as needed. It humbles me to realize how rarely I rely on Him when I need Him. How often I let my frustration take control of me, or forget to ask for guidance when I’m not sure what to say or do. But as I let him take control, I find myself learning how big His strength is, and learning new lessons.
----
Of the four love languages, one of my greatest is physical touch. It’s been a joy to me as my students have grown closer to me through the months, and many freely share their hugs, hold my hands as we walk, and compete to be the one to sit on my lap in chapel. One of my students is especially needy when it comes this area, and usually I am happy to return her hugs, wrap my arm around her as well, and let her clamor into my lap. This week however, everyone seemed determined to push me off the edge of my patience. It seemed every moment I turned I was met with someone needing help, asking a question, or complaining. Again. This was not so unusual, but for some reason this week it was frequently accompanied by someone’s small hands. Then came Thursday, the last day before the Christmas program.
“Teacher!” My arm is vigorously shaken. “Teacher, when are we going over to the church?”
I take a deep breath. “Remember that I’ve asked you lots of times not to grab and shake my arm because I don’t like it?
“Oh yeah. Sorry. So when are we going to the church?”
---
“Teeeeeeeeacher, my stomach hurts!” A small body plasters itself against me, hanging from me and almost knocking me over.
“I’m sorry it hurts. Have you been drinking water?”
“Yes, teacher, I’ve drunk lots of water like you always tell me to, but it still huuuurts.”
“Ok, you can call your mom if it’s really bad, or you can just sit there at your desk and rest.”
2 minutes later.
“Teeeeacher, my stomach is hurting!” The small body once again grabs my arms and hangs from them.
“Did you call your mom?” “Yes, but she doesn’t have a car to come get me. But teacher, it hurts!”
And so it went every five minutes for the rest of the day until lunch which apparently cured my student’s malady. This was accompanied by students randomly coming and grabbing me in sudden balance-unsettling hugs on their way to the bathroom, or to sharpen their pencils, and more arm grabbing and shaking when someone needed help or a question answered.
Then it was time to go to the church for Christmas program practice. Then came my little clinger, wrapping her arm around my waist. “Teacher, I’m going to walk over with you.” We walked over to the church, bodies pressed close together. We made our way down the aisle, and over to our designated pew, where she immediately transferred from my side to lap, and proceeded to sit there for the next two hours as the room became warmer and warmer. “Teacher, I’m hot.” “Well, you know,” I replied in a hopeful tone, “if you sat on the pew right next to me you wouldn’t be so hot, because our bodies make extra heat when you’re on my lap.” She vigorously shook her head no, and snuggled even closer against me. And so we stayed that way the end of the practice, with a bit of relief when it was the elementary students turn to present up front.
It was hot. It was long. And I didn’t want her sitting on my lap making me hotter, slowly limiting the circulation to my legs. Especially after being shaken and hung on all morning, and really all week long.
I was tired of being touched.
But it was what she needed, and wasn’t I there to meet my students needs? Wasn’t I there to share love in the ways that my students needed it? My student missionary service wasn’t just about sacrificing things that I miss at home, about adjusting to a different life, about teaching my students about math, English, or even about God. It was also about this. Holding a child on my lap when what they needed most was to feel the touch of someone who cared about them.
And it was this that God brought to mind as we finished the program and I surrendered my will again as we walked out of the church, bodies so close we looked almost like one being.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The Longings of our Hearts
I've put off writing this blog partly because what I felt like saying kept changing, and partly because it wasn't something I wanted to think about even more than I do. But a student mission blog would be incomplete without it, and I would feel I was lying in some way if it was not included.
The fragrance of homesickness has become like a wafting odor drifting around everything I do; sometimes so light I barely notice it, and sometimes so thick it fills my nostrils and I can hardly breathe. I expected homesickness, of course, but I did not really realize the depths to which it would probe, or the way it would be like a dye, tingeing everything. I’ve never lived somewhere before where every memory of my life previous to moving there made me miss something because everything is different. Example:
A caring individual sends me a package, and inside the package is something padded with plastic bags. I pull out a walmart bag. Oh! A walmart bag! I haven’t been to walmart in months. I kind of miss having everything I need in one store… I miss driving to walmart. I just miss driving. I miss nice roads, actually. And going faster than 15 mph! Ahh, what fun to it will be to just go 50 mph again! I miss going to town all by myself too. Driving in the car, all alone… I miss driving more than 10 miles away from where I’m living too. ...I just miss independence.
It’s not that I’m not enjoying much of my time here, but I’ve been dismayed to find how hard it is to cast off the shadow that homesickness seems to spread across everything I experience. I stand gazing at a beautiful palm tree and think “I miss oak trees, fall colors, seasons….” I sit next to the warm ocean gently lapping its water onto the shore and wistfully imagine myself bundled in my yellow coat with a bright scarf, snowflakes drifting down on me. Some days it is a fight to remind myself to soak up what I have to enjoy here instead of being trapped by what I am used to, and expect. I am often frustrated by how much I think of how glad I will be to return home, when coming here was something I looked forward to with eagerness for so long.
I am glad to report that while it is not gone, I find myself adjusting more and more, and homesickness is not so strong any more. The mornings when every day I fought back the tears as I missed everything familiar and looked at what seemed to be an endless amount of time remaining have gone. The loneliness of finding everyone likeable but having no close friends has disappeared as time has been wrapping more and more cords into the ropes of friendship that have been forming.
I’ve learned more here than ever before what it is like to trust in God to give the strength you need for every moment of every day. And while I’m sure the cloying odor of homesickness will never go away, and has not spent its full power yet, I am confident in the sustaining power of my God, who gave up much more than I can ever comprehend.
The fragrance of homesickness has become like a wafting odor drifting around everything I do; sometimes so light I barely notice it, and sometimes so thick it fills my nostrils and I can hardly breathe. I expected homesickness, of course, but I did not really realize the depths to which it would probe, or the way it would be like a dye, tingeing everything. I’ve never lived somewhere before where every memory of my life previous to moving there made me miss something because everything is different. Example:
A caring individual sends me a package, and inside the package is something padded with plastic bags. I pull out a walmart bag. Oh! A walmart bag! I haven’t been to walmart in months. I kind of miss having everything I need in one store… I miss driving to walmart. I just miss driving. I miss nice roads, actually. And going faster than 15 mph! Ahh, what fun to it will be to just go 50 mph again! I miss going to town all by myself too. Driving in the car, all alone… I miss driving more than 10 miles away from where I’m living too. ...I just miss independence.
It’s not that I’m not enjoying much of my time here, but I’ve been dismayed to find how hard it is to cast off the shadow that homesickness seems to spread across everything I experience. I stand gazing at a beautiful palm tree and think “I miss oak trees, fall colors, seasons….” I sit next to the warm ocean gently lapping its water onto the shore and wistfully imagine myself bundled in my yellow coat with a bright scarf, snowflakes drifting down on me. Some days it is a fight to remind myself to soak up what I have to enjoy here instead of being trapped by what I am used to, and expect. I am often frustrated by how much I think of how glad I will be to return home, when coming here was something I looked forward to with eagerness for so long.
I am glad to report that while it is not gone, I find myself adjusting more and more, and homesickness is not so strong any more. The mornings when every day I fought back the tears as I missed everything familiar and looked at what seemed to be an endless amount of time remaining have gone. The loneliness of finding everyone likeable but having no close friends has disappeared as time has been wrapping more and more cords into the ropes of friendship that have been forming.
I’ve learned more here than ever before what it is like to trust in God to give the strength you need for every moment of every day. And while I’m sure the cloying odor of homesickness will never go away, and has not spent its full power yet, I am confident in the sustaining power of my God, who gave up much more than I can ever comprehend.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Exterminators
We were washing dishes by the sink, and I carried my plate over next to where Aynee was. Across the floor scuttled the cockroach I had witness running down the wall right next to my bed that morning. "I'm going to kill that cockroach!" cried Aynee. "It might go IN my bed tonight! I think it's the only one here." She grabbed a broom, and proceeded to search for the dark corner it had hidden itself in. I saw two dark whiskers on the other side of the door frame waving ominously. Aynee advanced, wielding the broom, and struck. Suddenly, a dark whirring object the size of a hummingbird flew over our heads through the doorway.
"AAAHH!!" We screamed, and backed toward the shower room. Aynee wildly waved the broom in it's direction, and the cockroach veered through the air, and seemed to come closer to us.
"AAAHH!!" I jumped into the bathroom behind Aynee, ducking behind the door. Coackroaches on the floor are bad enough, but when they are flying in the air, it feels as though even in their much smaller size, they have a distinct advantage over you.
"Jace!" I yelled. "JAAAACE! Come kill this cockroach for us! Come on Jace!"
The voice from the other room assured me that he would be of no help when it came to insect extermination, and no blond figure appeared. Realizing that more help might be needed, I heading into the other room to find the other broom. "I'll get a broom, and then we can trap and kill him" I told Aynee. Now we searched again for where the cockroach had gone to. I saw him run into the other room.
"Quick!, I yelled, "catch him before he gets up speed to fly!" A laugh came from the figure who had yet to extract himself from his chair across the room. "What do you think it is Hannah, an airplane?"
We poked around with our brooms, and he raced under the refrigerator. With our brooms we brushed around the refrigerator, moving the items under the table next to it. I shined my flashlight behind the refrigerator. Where was the beast? Glancing at the top of the refrigerator, I saw the two whiskers waving just over the edge of the top of a large bowl. "There he is, Aynee!" I shouted excitedly, "on the top! He must have climbed up the back." I sighed at the turn of the events - I really hated that coackroach above my head again.
We held our brooms high, and struck simultaneously. The coackroach fell the floor, causing us to jump backwards.
"AAAAHH!!"
The cockroach once again raced for the safety of the underside of the refrigerator. "Not again! We can't let him climb up the back again!" I cried. Aynee and I took hold of the refrigerator, and began to move it away from the wall. We brushed all around with our brooms. "There it is!" Aynee shouted, and shoved her broom against the wall. The cockroach darted for a new location to hide.
"AAAHHH!!"
The good thing at this point was that we had apparently either injured or frightened him into being unable to fly, and I felt better about this advantage being taken away from the roach.
I waited by the side of the refrigerator, and with proddings from Aynee, the cockroach appeared by the wall. I shot my broom back into the small space, smashed it into the wall, and pulled it out. The coackroach laid on the floor, and began twitching and trying to move.
"AAAHHH!!"
We began vigorously smashing the roach with our brooms. Cautiously, we moved them back.
*twitch* *twitch*
Smash! Smash! Smash!
Convinced now that the cockroach was really dead, I began sweeping it to the door, keeping its mangled form far away from me. Opening the door, I swept it far out into the night, convinced that even it's little cockroach ghost would not have the courage to enter the apartment that night, and face the terrible combination of me, Aynee, two brooms, and a fierce distaste for bugs.
"AAAHH!!" We screamed, and backed toward the shower room. Aynee wildly waved the broom in it's direction, and the cockroach veered through the air, and seemed to come closer to us.
"AAAHH!!" I jumped into the bathroom behind Aynee, ducking behind the door. Coackroaches on the floor are bad enough, but when they are flying in the air, it feels as though even in their much smaller size, they have a distinct advantage over you.
"Jace!" I yelled. "JAAAACE! Come kill this cockroach for us! Come on Jace!"
The voice from the other room assured me that he would be of no help when it came to insect extermination, and no blond figure appeared. Realizing that more help might be needed, I heading into the other room to find the other broom. "I'll get a broom, and then we can trap and kill him" I told Aynee. Now we searched again for where the cockroach had gone to. I saw him run into the other room.
"Quick!, I yelled, "catch him before he gets up speed to fly!" A laugh came from the figure who had yet to extract himself from his chair across the room. "What do you think it is Hannah, an airplane?"
We poked around with our brooms, and he raced under the refrigerator. With our brooms we brushed around the refrigerator, moving the items under the table next to it. I shined my flashlight behind the refrigerator. Where was the beast? Glancing at the top of the refrigerator, I saw the two whiskers waving just over the edge of the top of a large bowl. "There he is, Aynee!" I shouted excitedly, "on the top! He must have climbed up the back." I sighed at the turn of the events - I really hated that coackroach above my head again.
We held our brooms high, and struck simultaneously. The coackroach fell the floor, causing us to jump backwards.
"AAAAHH!!"
The cockroach once again raced for the safety of the underside of the refrigerator. "Not again! We can't let him climb up the back again!" I cried. Aynee and I took hold of the refrigerator, and began to move it away from the wall. We brushed all around with our brooms. "There it is!" Aynee shouted, and shoved her broom against the wall. The cockroach darted for a new location to hide.
"AAAHHH!!"
The good thing at this point was that we had apparently either injured or frightened him into being unable to fly, and I felt better about this advantage being taken away from the roach.
I waited by the side of the refrigerator, and with proddings from Aynee, the cockroach appeared by the wall. I shot my broom back into the small space, smashed it into the wall, and pulled it out. The coackroach laid on the floor, and began twitching and trying to move.
"AAAHHH!!"
We began vigorously smashing the roach with our brooms. Cautiously, we moved them back.
*twitch* *twitch*
Smash! Smash! Smash!
Convinced now that the cockroach was really dead, I began sweeping it to the door, keeping its mangled form far away from me. Opening the door, I swept it far out into the night, convinced that even it's little cockroach ghost would not have the courage to enter the apartment that night, and face the terrible combination of me, Aynee, two brooms, and a fierce distaste for bugs.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
21
The morning of my birthday dawned wet and dripping, and as I looked out the window, I groaned, envisioning having to cancel our class picnic, and keep 20 third graders excited about a picnic cooped up in a classroom. It would, without a doubt, turn the day into the worst birthday of my life. God, I begged, please take the rain away for our picnic, PLEASE! Two hours later the sky was cloudy but had ceased it's raining as we headed down the road toward the Blue Lagoon for the picnic.
The picnic went fairly well, with only a few wanderers who headed off to areas outside the limits, one injured foot, and one fight. Only one fight?! you may ask. Yes. I've been learning that only one fight isn't so bad for children who have grown up not being discouraged from using their feet and hands to settle any minor grievance, whether real or imagined. This was plainly shown to me as I hurried out of the water towards the fighters, shouting at them to stop, as the adults on shore simply sat and watched, not seeming at all disturbed or inclined to stop the fight. Aside from those disturbances the day was filled with splashing children, a constant group of clinging children, and requests of "throw me again, throw me again!" One of the parents bought a birthday cake, and the children sang to me before I blew out the four candles that adorned its top.
And the rain request? I got a sunburn.
After the picnic I washed the coating of salt and sunscreen from my body, and prepared to leave to get my hair trimmed. You see, it had already been cut. This is how it started:
Friday night: Aynee and I look at pictures on my computer. Aynee tells me that I look cute with bangs, and that I should get some again.
Tuesday night: I am inspired to take Aynee's advice. "Aynee, let's go in the bathroom and you can give me bangs!"
This was the reason that on Wednesday afternoon Aynee and I headed to the Beauty Salon at Blue Lagoon to have my new bangs re-fashioned, and I ended up coming back with a few new layers as well.
The evening held a gathering at the principals apartment to celebrate my birthday, and also as a farewell for the Filipino couple who have been here for months doing construction. It was filled with good food, and many birthday wishes. :)
The truth is, I felt all day like I was only pretending it was my birthday. Many years I wished I there was warm weather on my birthday so I could have a swimming party with my friends. This year I had warm weather and went swimming. But the lack of cold weather made it feel like my birthday wasn't really happening, and that I was making up a birthday when it actually wouldn't be happening until fall was REALLY here.
The picnic went fairly well, with only a few wanderers who headed off to areas outside the limits, one injured foot, and one fight. Only one fight?! you may ask. Yes. I've been learning that only one fight isn't so bad for children who have grown up not being discouraged from using their feet and hands to settle any minor grievance, whether real or imagined. This was plainly shown to me as I hurried out of the water towards the fighters, shouting at them to stop, as the adults on shore simply sat and watched, not seeming at all disturbed or inclined to stop the fight. Aside from those disturbances the day was filled with splashing children, a constant group of clinging children, and requests of "throw me again, throw me again!" One of the parents bought a birthday cake, and the children sang to me before I blew out the four candles that adorned its top.
And the rain request? I got a sunburn.
After the picnic I washed the coating of salt and sunscreen from my body, and prepared to leave to get my hair trimmed. You see, it had already been cut. This is how it started:
Friday night: Aynee and I look at pictures on my computer. Aynee tells me that I look cute with bangs, and that I should get some again.
Tuesday night: I am inspired to take Aynee's advice. "Aynee, let's go in the bathroom and you can give me bangs!"
This was the reason that on Wednesday afternoon Aynee and I headed to the Beauty Salon at Blue Lagoon to have my new bangs re-fashioned, and I ended up coming back with a few new layers as well.
The evening held a gathering at the principals apartment to celebrate my birthday, and also as a farewell for the Filipino couple who have been here for months doing construction. It was filled with good food, and many birthday wishes. :)
The truth is, I felt all day like I was only pretending it was my birthday. Many years I wished I there was warm weather on my birthday so I could have a swimming party with my friends. This year I had warm weather and went swimming. But the lack of cold weather made it feel like my birthday wasn't really happening, and that I was making up a birthday when it actually wouldn't be happening until fall was REALLY here.
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