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.