Nerves, Fun, all in One

Wow, what a week it has been so far. Where to begin? Monday was the first day of work for all staff. It involved meeting together in the common basement area, we had worship time and then devotional with our campus principal. The rest of the day consisted of classroom setup. Honestly, it was pretty overwhelming! My classroom is quite large and very VERY well stocked with pretty much anything and everything I need. If there is one thing that Morrison has a lot of (and there are many things that it has in abundance) it is resources! They have a workroom full of supplies that are for the teachers to take and use as they need it. Tons of bulletin board borders, stickers, whiteboard pens, laminating machine, you name it and it’s probably there! Everyone has been very helpful, especially Elaine and Lynne, the first grade teacher and former second grade teacher who is now the curriculum director for elementary and high school.

Even though things have gone smoothly, I am quite stressed out about next week, and the whole year really. There’s a lot to be done, a lot to think about, read about and plan for. My classroom is pretty close to being ready for Monday, but there are worries, which unfortunately have been keeping me up at night. I had a dream on Monday night that all of the posters kept falling while I was trying to teach, and that the kids just weren’t listening, and the parents were upset. Well, chaos, basically. Though I’m sure I know someone who knows all about those posters falling down (yes Becca, you!).

Then last night I went to bed at a quarter to 12 and was awake by 12:30 nervous and imagining the worst-case scenarios for today, which was a System Professional Development day. All staff from Kaohsiung and Taipei came and I met the other second grade teachers. The day turned out to be pretty good, albeit my exhaustion and fears which were pretty accurate. I was lost all day! Thankfully my colleagues are incredible and supportive and I look forward to working with them as a team as much as possible!

After PD day, Lynne took Natalie and I to pick up my painting that my amazing Dad painted for me before I left. The frame is spectacular! Then we went to B&Q which would be the Taiwanese equivalent to Easy or Homecenter. I bought some plants for the classroom and one for my room here at the apt. I also bought a new shower curtain, and these cool little plastic things to organize my “intimates” seeing as my closet has a lot of storage space, but no drawers.

Upon arriving back to the apartment, I made myself some dinner and headed back to the classroom to drop off the plants and do a little work. Ellen came and helped and then also helped me leave at 7:35.

We wanted to do something “relaxing” so she took me to the night market down the street where we walked around and I was able to get a whiff of stinky tofu for the very first time. Man! That stuff really is stinky! We walked around a bit and then went to Crazy Sue’s (a tea shop in the Village) where I ordered Lemon Green Tea, half sugar in Chinese with no help and the lady actually understood exactly what I said. It was pretty exciting. It was a great day!

Needless to stay, the nerves brought by stress about teaching are still pretty strong, so please help me by praying for strength, for peace and for God to give me the ability to prioritize what needs to get done NOW, and what can wait. The stress and fear of what to come have helped remind me that He brought me here and will sustain me. I need not fear, I need not be anxious. This is easier said than done, and the flesh is weak. So any prayers are appreciated!

Enjoy the pictures!!! There are lots this time!

The door to my classroom from the inside.

The desks before I moved them all around and put them into groups.

Classroom jobs! Look familiar to anyone?

Ellen holding one of my new plants in front of my bulletin boards!

Happy that my bulleting boards are up, as well as the fruits of the Spirit posters!

So excited to go to the night market!!!!

Quite the Taiwanese snapshot at the night market. This was right before I got a whiff of the stinky tofu.

Chicken claws. Yes...that's food!

Cockroach poison. I love that there's a whole stand dedicated to these!

And last but not least, 柠檬绿茶半糖, Lemon Green Tea Half Sugar!!!