Saturday Morning

Good morning!

It is Saturday morning. We are all up, well, at least I think we are all up. Nick spent the night with a classmate. Since he has to be at school in a little while to work the soccer concession stand, then I'll assume he's up and moving.

Ben has left the apartment and gone to the Shui Nan market. This is a large morning outdoor market-- a great place to buy your fruits and vegetables, and anything else you may need. Carl and I were there last Saturday morning and were only able to see a fraction of the stalls. We were taking a break from furniture shopping... on our bikes. Yes, not the easiest way to shop for furniture but you do what you have to do. And, yes, we did make a purchase! I am very proud of Carl's ability to communicate despite the lack of a common language.

Abbi has just finished cleaning the kitchen. She decided homemade waffles were the only thing that would satisfy her this morning. She also has to be at school in a short time to sell concessions.

Jake is on the couch reading something....

Typically at this time on a Saturday morning, Carl and I would be out on the tandem exploring one of the many bike trails. We chose to forego this tradition this morning. A typhoon passed by Taiwan during the last 24 hours and it has been just crazy windy. The other reason is I have been fighting a cold/sinus infection and my head.

I think Carl and I are going to brave the wind and head over to the market. I bet you would like me to take the camera and get a few pictures.........

Here I Am

Hi! Remember me? I know. I know. You've checked and you've checked, but each time greeted by only old posts. Thank you for caring enough to continually check up on us.

So why have I been so negligent? The answer is short and simple-- time. Or more precisly the lack of it. Since the beginning of school, I have been averaging at least 13 hours a day in my classroom. Some days its more, some days its less. Saturday and Sunday are not exempt- although only a few hours each.

I am hoping the long hours will begin to fade away as the year progresses. This school year began with several new curriculum, as well as, a new grading system being implemented. There has been an incredible amount of information to learn and apply. I am not the only teacher spending a lot of extra time in their rooms. Its easy to do since everyone either lives on the campus, or within walking distance.

And have I ever mentioned that I never learned to type?

I have many, many great stories, pictures, and thoughts to share. So please, don't give up on me......

 

Missing in Action

Will I Ever Have Time?

I have so many things to share... pictures, stories, and thoughts but there simply isn't enough hours in the day in which to share. School began this week and I have been spending almost ever waking hour in my room trying to keep my head above water.

First Day of School

Please pray as we begin our first day of school at Morrison Academy.

Here We Are

After only three hours of sleep, I woke up my first morning in Taiwan in time to watch the sun rise over the distant hills. These were taken from our living room balcony.

Twenty years ago, Morrison Academy was in the country with a small village nearby. Today, the city of Taichung has grown and enveloped the campus and the adjoining village. The area of green trees in the above picture is the Morrison Academy as seen from our balcony. The brown building with the white vertical stripes in the bottom right hand corner is the school's gym. It only takes us 5 to 8 minutes to walk from our building to the front gate of the school.

The hardest part of our first week has been the lack of routine. We all have routines... how we make our breakfast, shower and dress in the mornings, wash the supper dishes, shop for our food.... We left our routines in America. We have no established patterns in which to rely upon. Everything is new-different. But with every change eventually comes normalicy. We know the patterns, the routines will come but it takes time for these to develop. We eagerly await these to come!

Stay tuned in.... coming soon.... bings, chicken feet, and the typhoon!

My blog has gone Chinese- literally! All the blogging directions and action keys are in Chimese. Hmmmm..........This could be a problem! We have safely  arrived. More to follow when jet lag has passed.