update on my life... oh boy!

After almost two months of not updating my blog, i have finally found the time to actually sit down and write about what's been going on with me (also becuase people have been bugging me as well!). These past few months have been filled with so much change and excitement and fear and fun all wrapped up together :)

TORF:
I decided to sign up for the Teacher's Overseas Recruiting Fair to see what opportunities would arise. I had no idea of the roller coaster weekend that it was going to bring! Looking back at this past year even from last May, it just amazes me to see how God's hand has worked in delicate and detailed ways.
Last May I did a placement teaching at an international school in Hong Kong. At first I wan't going to teach at this school, but things ended up being arranged for me to teach there. And here's where God really works in humourous ways! Two days after I arrived to teach, my host teacher broke his neck. As a reuslt, he was hospitalized and I was forced to teach all his courses. I remember being so stressed becuase of all the extra lesson planning. However, I found that I enjoyed the school and the students even more becuase of the situation. I left the school feeling like it was my home. I wasn't aware of it at that time, but God had already placed a burden on my heart for those students and the school. I saw so much potential in the things that those students could do. They were all so smart and talented! This "passion" became something that I tried to run away from. Maybe becuase I didn't want to move to HK, maybe becuase I didn't want to face it. haha, i remember discussing this with Ricky on many occassions. If it wasn't for him, I think I would have run away from God's calling altogether! thanks P!

Well, to make the story shorter, the same school ended up coming to this recruiting fair at Queen's. I tried my best not to think of that school and wanted to get interviews from other schools. But as it turned out, I ended up receiving an interview scheduled for the very last day of the fair. I had so many interviews during the weekend, that when i finally got to the HK interview I was just relieved to end the weekend. I was running on no sleep and no food becuase of my nerves. But in that interview, I felt God give me an overwhelming sense of peace. This was the most peace that I had felt in a long time. I heard his voice just reassuring me that He knew best. So I walked out of that interview grinning (almost like a dork!) haha....

God confirmed it with me a week later when I got an offer to go to Hong Kong. I am blown away by his plans for his children. I finally experienced what I had heard so much at Urbana about God's Calling. If God is calling you to do something, it doesnt' matter how impossible or how out of your comfort zone it will be, He will make it happen. This is probably the biggest lesson that I've learned in my life to date.

So, with that long story condensed into a short (hopefully coherent) version, I'm off to Hong Kong for two years. And what a coincidence, i think i have a boyfriend there right now... ;)

Placement:
I did a 4 week placement teaching Grade 7 and 8 in Newmarket. This was the most amazing experiences becuase i absolutely loved my host teacher. We got along so well and even went to hang out after school. You know you love your practicum when you spend more time with your host teacher! The students were amazing and i miss them so much. They were all so sweet becuase they gave me a "teacher survival kit" for when i start teaching next year. Even though the drive up to Newmarket was hell especially during ice storms, but it was all worth it :D

March Break:
Well, my march break was pretty relaxing. I got to spend some time with friends, make gourmet dinners and sketchy "apple blossoms". Also I was a coach for TC. That was the most tiring two days of my life. Just the energy and screaming that I did was incomprehensible. For people that know me, i'm usually not the loud type. But for TC I ended up trying to get my team all riled up that i lost my voice by the end. It was an awesome opportunity to serve especially the age group that I want to work with :) Praise God for all the work that He did in those two days!

UNICEF:
For the past 3 weeks, I did a placement at UNICEF Canada's headquarters in Toronto. Going into this placement, I was soo excited becuase this has always been my dream. I ended up working with the Manager for Education for Development. This was a perfect combination of my interests in teaching and my passion for international development. It was a blast getting to know everyone in the office. I met people who had been in Afganistan, UN representatives in other countries and UN ambassadors.
In addition, I was given a project to oversee, which was to create a teacher's manual for Deborah Ellis' new book "Our Stories, Our Songs"!! I couldn't believe it becuase I had heard of her before and i knew that her books were always so inspiring. So for the 3 weeks, my eyes were opened to the HIV/AIDS crisis in African countries such as Malawi and Zambia. I can honestly say that it was a life changing experience to work and produce this manual. There is so much crap that goes on in the world, especially to children. I know that I myself am one of those people who often turn a blind eye away from these situations. It often seems depressing and hopeless to think of others who are suffering immeasurable injustice, but i realized after doing this project, that even the little bit counts. The proceeds for the manual will go towards helping children with AIDS in Africa. Even though this money may not be a lot, in the end it will make a difference.
I think God taught me through this project and opportunity at UNICEF that in order for His work to be done, it doesn't necessarily always have to be in the form of missions or evangelical projects, but even non-religious organizations can be viewed as a ministry. Moreoever, even applying my knowledge on curriculum and teaching is a form of ministry.
By the end of the placement I had completed the book (by the grace of God!) and it looks like it's going to be 110 pages and counting more! woo hoo.. hopefully i'll get to see the published copy before i leave :)

Anywho, that was a shortened version of everything that's been going on in my life so far. Very jammed pack. hopefully these next few weeks in Kingston will be relaxing... haha... last time in Queen's (sniff) with the education peeps!!

Oh, and, i'd just like to congratulate jenny on her baptism... haha PAD loves you!!