I hope I haven't deterred you by my boring title. But today is Monday, and I always appropriately bookmark my lessons with blue post-it notes on Monday (...pink for mardi, orange for mercredi, yellow for jeudi, and my favorite color, green, for vendredi!) Teaching has forced me to become much more type A than God originally created me to be. So, while there are too many cups, pens, and random food items on my desk to allow for anything else to be placed on top of it, at least I'm mastering the the art of rainbow organization with sticky notes. Anyone else glad that the fruits of the Spirit list wasn't "love, joy, peace, organization...."? Amen.
"Sticky"! What an excellent transition into my next awesome Monday topic. I have to write about the weather, because every time I call someone back home, each and every person asks "how's the weather there?" Well, I dropped out of Stats 201 at OSU in the Spring of '08, but I know enough to know that the probability is high that others of you readers are asking yourselves the same exact question. Well, here's what you need to know: a dehumidifier machine sucks up about a half gallon of water per day out of the tiny microcosm of an atmosphere that is my 9' x 11' bedroom, and each day I use enough hairspray to start a small-scale forest fire.You see, people of Asian ancestry, like most of the residents of Taipei, tend to have very coarse, straight hair, allowing them to resist the humiliation of looking like Albert Einstein in front of their classes of high school students. 85% of Caucasians* however, do not have this luxury in their genetic make-up, and forge it with John Freida hair products in a humid climate. And you know how when you get out of the shower, you're much warmer when you dry yourself off? Well, I'm sometimes freezing to death, even while clothed, because eeeeentsy-weeeeentsy water droplets are landing all over me at any given moment.
The frequent rain has also disabled me from taking any pictures, with the exception of my facebook profile picture, because I choose not to participate in tourist activities in inclement weather. No one enjoys looking at a photo with blurry dots all over it thanks to rain drops on the lens. This actually reminds me of my favorite video right now (which is also my cell phone ring tone) Julian Smith: Red Eye Flashes Twice. It's rather comical, especially for you photo-taking fiends. Anyhoo, I'll post some more photos of my surroundings within the next coming weeks as the weather improves. Whether or not I assimilate further into this culture and flash the peace sign with every flash of my camera is yet to be decided.
*This statistic is completely falsified and was not an actual homework problem in my Spring quarter Statistics 201 course at OSU and should therefore not be taken seriously.
2/11/2011
my young age, with great odds: Week 1 in Taipei
Foreward
I don't truly enjoy blogging. I secretly wish my blog was my personal diary. And I don't know who my audience is, and therefore I don't know how to write something you'll like. Theoretically, I can be candid and talk about whatever like who cares no one cares come on we just want updates on your life in Taiwan, but for me, writing isn't that simple. A lot has to do with my own perfectionism..."should I say "bitter smelling tofu" or "tofu emitting a fragrance of sweaty vinegar socks"? And two hours later I've only written 700 words. Words are too precious to waste. A blog entry should serve a greater purpose for both reader and writer. Anyway, I wrote this blog last Wednesday after my first day at school and saved it as a draft until now. Oh, one last disclaimer: instead of saying "at work," I say "at school," --a habit which may or may not wear off.
I cannot wait for my first-week jitters to go away so that I will stop tearing my fingernails off. It's a habit I've had since I was a kid. But this is the best stress I think I have ever felt in my entire life. This week, I started my first "big girl" job. And I couldn't be happier with it.
I wasn't wanting a teaching job, but I was waiting tables until 1:00 am every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night while my liberal arts diploma was beginning to smell musty. I was living in Tucson, Arizona, and one night I came home exhausted and smelling like spicy calamari. "What am I doing with my life?" I asked myself for the bajillion-willionth time. I googled "French teacher christian school," and clicked on the first search result. What are the odds?
Now, here I am in Taipei, Taiwan, teaching French to bright yet weary high schoolers who have been without a French teacher thus far this school year. Most are of Taiwanese nationality. The school is a Christian private school based on American curriculum and traditions, complete with weekly chapel and the daily teacher's morning prayer meeting. I love this aspect of my job. The only battle I foresee being fought is: the religious, monotonous routine in which the flesh takes so much comfort, versus my spirit, which is desperate to remain sensitive to God's continual willingness to give us more of himself, if we'll have him.
The city has been echoing with fireworks until the wee hours of the morning in celebration of Chinese New Year. But I've been sleeping well, Thank God for my very comfy bed. On Tuesday, when the school and all the local shops and restaurants opened back up, patrons lit off firecrackers in order to scare away any ghosts that may have invaded their businesses during the vacation. The only shops open during my first week were all the 7-11's. If you think there are too many starbucks' in the States, you should see how in Taipei, l-i-t-e-r-a-l-l-y on e-v-e-r-y block, there is a 7-11. There's also a Costco here, and I was happy to see that they sell Tillamook Cheese and Kettle Brand chips. No Stumptown coffee, though.... but one day. One day.
The food at school is pretty good. We sit with the students in the cafeteria and yesterday two girls asked me "Miss Kern....can we ask you something?" I said, "Of course." They asked "Do you have a boyfriend? Hehehehehehe!" I told them no, and one girl delighted with encouragement and said "Me too!" I wasn't sure what to think of two of my 9th grade students having this much of my personal information in their gossip folders. There is a steep learning curve for me here. I am the youngest teacher at the school, and in some ways I can relate more with my students than with my co-workers. This will probably change as I assimilate more into my grown up life. Next week is Spirit Week, though, so growing up might have to wait until the week after. Monday is Crazy Hair Day, and my homeroom is going to kick ass. I need to get on the MRT (the subway--which is brand new and awesome) right now and search for some sort of party store for my own costumes.Other things on my to do list: Find a hiking group, attend Bread of Life church, learn how to write the characters my Chinese name, Ke Kai Xi, which means "Triumphant, Victorious Hope."
Afterward
Speaking of Hope, I wanted to share my favorite Bible passage lately: Romans 8:24-27 ESV.
24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Lastly, thank you for all that have interceded for me during this big transition. I can feel your prayers and each and every one has been answered. I have been incredibly blessed.
I don't truly enjoy blogging. I secretly wish my blog was my personal diary. And I don't know who my audience is, and therefore I don't know how to write something you'll like. Theoretically, I can be candid and talk about whatever like who cares no one cares come on we just want updates on your life in Taiwan, but for me, writing isn't that simple. A lot has to do with my own perfectionism..."should I say "bitter smelling tofu" or "tofu emitting a fragrance of sweaty vinegar socks"? And two hours later I've only written 700 words. Words are too precious to waste. A blog entry should serve a greater purpose for both reader and writer. Anyway, I wrote this blog last Wednesday after my first day at school and saved it as a draft until now. Oh, one last disclaimer: instead of saying "at work," I say "at school," --a habit which may or may not wear off.
I cannot wait for my first-week jitters to go away so that I will stop tearing my fingernails off. It's a habit I've had since I was a kid. But this is the best stress I think I have ever felt in my entire life. This week, I started my first "big girl" job. And I couldn't be happier with it.
I wasn't wanting a teaching job, but I was waiting tables until 1:00 am every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night while my liberal arts diploma was beginning to smell musty. I was living in Tucson, Arizona, and one night I came home exhausted and smelling like spicy calamari. "What am I doing with my life?" I asked myself for the bajillion-willionth time. I googled "French teacher christian school," and clicked on the first search result. What are the odds?
Now, here I am in Taipei, Taiwan, teaching French to bright yet weary high schoolers who have been without a French teacher thus far this school year. Most are of Taiwanese nationality. The school is a Christian private school based on American curriculum and traditions, complete with weekly chapel and the daily teacher's morning prayer meeting. I love this aspect of my job. The only battle I foresee being fought is: the religious, monotonous routine in which the flesh takes so much comfort, versus my spirit, which is desperate to remain sensitive to God's continual willingness to give us more of himself, if we'll have him.
The city has been echoing with fireworks until the wee hours of the morning in celebration of Chinese New Year. But I've been sleeping well, Thank God for my very comfy bed. On Tuesday, when the school and all the local shops and restaurants opened back up, patrons lit off firecrackers in order to scare away any ghosts that may have invaded their businesses during the vacation. The only shops open during my first week were all the 7-11's. If you think there are too many starbucks' in the States, you should see how in Taipei, l-i-t-e-r-a-l-l-y on e-v-e-r-y block, there is a 7-11. There's also a Costco here, and I was happy to see that they sell Tillamook Cheese and Kettle Brand chips. No Stumptown coffee, though.... but one day. One day.
The food at school is pretty good. We sit with the students in the cafeteria and yesterday two girls asked me "Miss Kern....can we ask you something?" I said, "Of course." They asked "Do you have a boyfriend? Hehehehehehe!" I told them no, and one girl delighted with encouragement and said "Me too!" I wasn't sure what to think of two of my 9th grade students having this much of my personal information in their gossip folders. There is a steep learning curve for me here. I am the youngest teacher at the school, and in some ways I can relate more with my students than with my co-workers. This will probably change as I assimilate more into my grown up life. Next week is Spirit Week, though, so growing up might have to wait until the week after. Monday is Crazy Hair Day, and my homeroom is going to kick ass. I need to get on the MRT (the subway--which is brand new and awesome) right now and search for some sort of party store for my own costumes.Other things on my to do list: Find a hiking group, attend Bread of Life church, learn how to write the characters my Chinese name, Ke Kai Xi, which means "Triumphant, Victorious Hope."
Afterward
Speaking of Hope, I wanted to share my favorite Bible passage lately: Romans 8:24-27 ESV.
24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Lastly, thank you for all that have interceded for me during this big transition. I can feel your prayers and each and every one has been answered. I have been incredibly blessed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)