What's Shaking?

Nepal was at 11:35 PM on August 30. I had just finally gotten to sleep and then I felt it. For me it was a quick jolt. Others mentioned the wobbly quake that is usual in the valley. We are resting on a lake bed, so quakes take on a seasick wobble.

Each night I go to bed, I prepare for a quake, by having my whistle, light, phone, and passport by my bed. So I was ready to grab and run.

But this quake was quick and nothing fell, so I just took my stuff and went out to the living room. the dogs were going crazy and I saw a lot of lights come on and people come out of their houses to look around. About 10 minutes later there was a small aftershock.
I waited about 10 more minutes and went back to bed.  Never a dull moment!

A Follow Up to Dragon Training

This morning during line up, I overheard some of the students in a class talking. They were talking Dragonese. So I went over and greeted them with a "Howdeedodeethere!" They all responded in like manner.  I asked, "warra you do?"  And they all got these blank looks on their faces. Then one kid broke out in a smile and said, " I am teaching them Dragonese."   I was pleased  and let them continue, until I heard one of the kids say, " na yum yum on di bum!" and they all broke out laughing.  So I leaned in and said, " Is that a big bucket good roarspeak?" They thought for a moment and then one of the kids said, "Na."  But they all giggled.  And so did I ...inwardly!

Later a mom came over to me and said,"My young dragon trainer came over to me last night and told me he loved me in some dragon language.  But what is a heebi jeebi?" I just laughed as I told her.

I am loving this club! 

Fire Breathing Dragon

That is actually true more days than I want to count!

Ellona Ranger Rides Again

Last year at the end of the school year, I signed up to do three weeks of chapel in a row. Not only to the elementary school, but also to the middle school! WHAT WAS I THINKING!?!?!

Something completely different than what I ended up doing, that is for sure.

We are using Heb 10:23-25  as our term verses ...again... and so I as I was preparing for the chapels, I decided to focus on the Bible passage. Since no one else had, I thought it would be safe.  In one version of the Bible, it uses the word...SPUR ON... which got me thinking of horses and cowgirls. Then I found a wooden horse on a stick and a cowboy hat and that meant creative juices were flowing!  What did I come up with?

Ellona Ranger and her trusted horse Goldie! Riding the plains looking for righteousness, justice and truth.    Each week she comes riding in and stops to rest and talking about the word of God with the kids.  One verse from the Hebrews passage each week and the key word in that passage is then unpacked.

Last week it was  Hold Tight and Ellona, who is a distance cousin to the more famous Lone Ranger,  talked about that time that she and Goldie had to outrun a prairie fire and Goldie jumped over Rattlesnake Gulch!  Ellona had to hold tight as Goldie jumped. That  memory reminded her of  a story from the Bible of three young men in a furnace ( with participation from volunteers) and how they held tight to the promises of God even in the face of death by fire!

The first time I did it, it was for the middle school - Grade 6-9. I was quite jittery and it was a bit rough, I thought.  It was the first time I had ever done a chapel for a middle school. After the chapel, I was quite rattled. ( and I ain't talking snakes) But I got some positive feedback. In fact the high school students heard about it and asked why they didn't get any drama in their chapels.
:)

The next day I did it for the elementary and felt more in my element!  Kids have been pestering me about where Goldie is all week and in line up Goldie and Ellona get mentioned frequently by others. Makes me grit my teeth though.

This week is Episode 2   Spur on!

Speaking Dragonese

In How to Train Your Dragon Club today, we learned to speak some Dragonese, the language that dragons speak to each other. Very few da wingless... I mean....humans can roarspeak...I mean talk to a greenclaw... I mean...talk to a dragon. So the kids loved it. Dragons are not the cleanest of speakers and a lot of what they say is very ...crude. They talk a lot of about biting, eating, sleeping and having to perform bodily functions. So I was a bit concerned with what to teach this young, impressionable minds. But we did okay. So here was one of the conversations:

G: So dragons are not known for being loving and lovable. They do not display affection much. Therefore if a dragon were  to say to you, " Me likee" what do you think it was saying?

S1: I like something
S2: I like me?
G: Close. They use the word "like' for our word ...( and I drew a heart on the board here)
S3: I know.. I love me.
S4: No I love you.
G: That is correct!  "I love you.. me likee, is I love you. So when you go home, give your mom a na breathy and tell her, 'Me likee, but na do di heebi jeebis.'"

The kids cracked up.. because that sentence means  "Give your mom a hug but  no kisses!"

Most of the conversations went the same.

So that was our club today. At the end of the class, one student returned and said,"Thankee!"  That made me smile and I sent him off with a "Toodleoon"

Thick Mint

A friend and I found a new (for us) Israeli restaruant the other day  while wondering around Thamel, and ordered a mint lemonade. It was quite hot outside (36') and we figured a mint lemonade would be very refreshing. And it was!

I just thought it was interesting that the mint, which was freshly ground, was so thick in my cup that I could stand my straw up in it and it would not fall over.  So I had to take a photo to prove it. >

Alien-looking Plant

I thought this was the coolest looking plant I have seen here. 
I have hunted all over the internet, but I can not find the name. Does anyone have any idea what kind of plant this is? 

MoMos for Dinner

Last weekend I was invited to my language teacher's home for momos. It was a good visit and she laid out a spread.  Here are some photos:

Hanging out

Momos in soup

The last two bites

Almost done

Picutres from a vacation

Wrestling on the carpet

Laying Low

It does not seem to be a good day as an American to head to the ATM. Every where I go, people look at me and shake their head as the dollar continues to rise higher and higher against the rupyee.

The veggie man was listening to the news and muttering about it this morning, and the guards at school showed me the newpaper as I walked in the gate today! 

So I think I will go under cover of darkness to get my pay out of the machine.  

Long Day of Dragon Training

Today we taught our dragons how to breathe fire. It was a hot and exhausting training! Some of the trainers almost hyper-ventilated!  But we got through  the training without burning down the school and keeping the "flames" out of each others faces..
Another week done! Next week Dragonese!

Has There Been Racism Shown to Asians?

That was the question of the day today in US History class.  So we talked about two incidents of discrimination against Asians - against the Chinese in the 1850-60s and the Japanese in the 1940s.  it seems that everyone is asking what the question of the class it... and when I mention it we get into some great discussions.  This time, many people seemed surprised to learn  of the Internment camps in Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, and California, that the Japanese-Americans were send to. I must say I am learning a lot!
Today, in need of some writing, I had the students write about a time they or someone they knew was discriminated against because of skin color or race. It was quite sad to read their accounts and see how these students felt.  But it helps me to know them better and Ienjoyed that.  On to the Bible Belt on Wednesday!

Barefeet Bowling

Last night I joined a group of people and went bowling. The bowling alley had shoes but when given the option of bowling in our barefeet, we all decided that was a safer option than putting our feet in shoes with no socks. I had a good time and once I had a feel of the lane and found the few bowling balls I could handle ( the alley staff choose the balls you could use and put them on the rack for you. Plus we were sharing all those balls with another group playing in the lane next to us) I was able to get over 100. So I decided to stop while I was ahead and came home for some peace and quiet.

Bars on my Windows!

I came home today to having bars on my windows. I have needed them, especially on two of them in one of the bedrooms, that could be easily gotten in to.

I had mentioned it  the fact that they were needed, when I moved in.  So it was nice to have the security now.

 However, the two windows that needed it, didn't get  any bars and my big picture window  in the living room that didn't need anything, got one!  I feel like I am in jail.  Sometimes, they just don't have a clue!

US History - Alaska

Today, we studied Alaska. Actually we studied Seward's Folly. I can prepared to class with my prezi,  a can of Alaskan salmon I had, and with the assurance of ice cubes in the freezer.
We talked about the purchase of Alaska and every ten miuntes my alarm went off so that a couple of the students could read out to the class, facts about Alaska, that I handed out.  Then when I finished the presentation we opened the can of salmon, which they were not sure they wanted to eat at first... but after the first bite they were sold and I had to rescue some for me.  We then went outside to practice being rugged Alaskans by having a melting ice cubes in our hands competetion. It took about 9 minutes for the "cold -blooded" winner to declare victory. One of the students said I should have made them stand on one foot as they  tried to keep the cubes from melting... hmmm. good idea for the next time!
 I finished the class with my take-away- that no matter how people ridicule or say your ideas are dumb, keep pressing forward and striving to reach that goal! That is what Seward did and look at the benefits the US reaped!

My Trip through US History

I think I have mentioned that I am teaching US History to the seniors. It was been quite a new experience for me and I have been enjoying the challenge.

 In one class, the question was

WHO WAS JEFFERSON  DAVIS?

So I made these 'puppets' and placed them in front of the class and asked them which one was Davis. They started to eliminate the people, taking out Lincoln first. I thought that was interestingly eerie, but he has the most recognizable face, so it was a given.
 As they discussed and pointed out people I would explain who they really were and what role they played in the fight.

They finally pointed to the Davis puppet and I proceeded to tell them about this poor man's very sorrowful tale. He never really had a lot going for him, and like Lincoln had been put in a very difficult spot.

It was very interesting for me to read and study up on this man and his part in the Civil War. I learned so much about each of these men and the role they played in shaping the identity of the USA.  I'm glad I am taking the class.

Next class... Seward's Folly, or How America bought a refrigerator with a freezer.

Who Needs to Work Out!?

Not me!
In the last two days I have been on the run from one class to the next, up and down stairs numerous times a day, and back and forth to my office too many times to count.  I actually walked into my office after I finished my After School Club ASC and said," Hello Office. Enjoying the quiet?!"  Glad it didn't answer me back.

So what is all this running around about. When I am the sub finder for the elementary and when there is no one on the list... except you...you get to be the sub. Fortunately the class I have been subbing for as the past two day has all its prep times at the same time I need to be in the high school teaching. So I just drop the kids off at a related arts class and then run up to the high school to teach my 55 minutes before running down to the Elementary class again and start teaching in there again. Then today we started our ACSes today and I had signed up to lead one...How to Train Your Dragon.  I should have offered to do - The History of Earwax  or skipping to 100 by 2s.  I had 13 kids in there eager to learn how to train a dragon... but that is another blog.

Then I had to run across town to get some supplies for my next class, before stopping at school to get my computer and then finally head home. I am wiped out!  I am hoping that I don't have to sub on Wed.  We will see.

By the way, I am not complaining... it is good to be busy and be tired from a good day of work!
 Just glad I have a couch and a pitcher of ice tea near by 'cause I am not moving for a while!

Where the Sidewalk ... Holey Moley, That Looks Dangerous!

 I read in the paper the other day that the govt had made the decision to work on beautifying the city. Oh really?!  Because of the monsoon rains this year, they were delaying the work on the roads, but wanted to keep all those they hired busy, so beautifying the city was the next best thing I guess!
What exactly does that mean? Well it means making SIDEWALKS!  and that has been happening like crazy!
The other day as I was walking to school, I came across this new sidewalk. Everyone was walking on it because it was so new, so I jumped up on it too. ( and when I say JUMP, I mean JUMP! The curbs were about a 12 to 14 inches high: not sure if that was to help keep vechicle travel off it or add some built in bending exercises for the citizenery?)
So there I was cruising with the others down the sidewalk and then BANG ... this hole!  I was amazed, although I am not sure why, since I have seen this problem elsewhere. But there is was... this gaping hole!
My first thought was, "Glad I wasn't walking through here at night!"  and my second thought was, " I hope no sight-impaired person comes along here by themselves." It was pretty deep.  I scooted around it and kept going. Sure enough about 20 yards down the sidewalk, there was another hole.  This pattern went on for a while and i  got a good look a the sewer system of the country.
Now I do believe that in my home country, we have taken the issue of protecting the public from danger a bit too far(then again,  maybe most people need that protection). However, I see the value of having at least some warning/protective measures in construction areas too, especially after living here. There are many times that I think - you know it would be good to have had a bit of a warning that something was wrong.

I am happy to report that I did walk by the area again a couple days later and the holes have been covered. I just wonder how many people fell into them first?!

Quirky Sign

There were a couple things about this sign that made me giggle, but the best one was the the third item down on the list. I am still trying to figure that one out.

Of course, item six also left me confused as to the real meaning of  the adjective,  "light"?!

I guess I just needed a giggle today!

One Week Done

It was a great start to the school year, but I am glad for the weekend.  It will give me time to catch up on lesson plans and all the other work I need to get done. I feel like I am behind a bit already! But that is fine. My main problem is that I keep doing new projects  - like making a flying dragon for the library and creating a toteable US History bulletin board, since I don't have one in a classroom. People keep trying to give me jobs and I keep passing them along.  I really need to focus on my job description and my teaching.  So this weekend... that is the plan!
I will keep you posted. 

30 years

This past weekend many of my high school classmates met in CO to celebrate 30 years of impacting the world!  All of us have taken different paths through life and yet as I reflect on my own education, I am thankful for all that my teachers, children homes parents, friends, and adoptive family poured into my life when I lived in PNG. All of that , good and bad, mixed together to form who I am. And God used that to get me where I am today, doing what He has willed!

May we all continue to walk the path taht God has chosen for us and seek glory for His kingdom!

 Thanks UHS Class of 83!

First Day and oh so NOISY!

And so it begins... the first day of the school year and I am looking forward to Christmas break already. Okay.. not really but there are two weeks off in OCTOBER!!!

It was a good day. There was  a lot of energy on campus and everyone was excited about the new start. During the recess, I was in my office which right above the picnic tables and playground. Both Dan, who shares my office and I were working and I said, " What is all that noise?!" He laughed,  " Yeah .. it;s been so quiet this summer that the noise seems a bit deafening."  We figured we would get used to it eventually and probably not hear it at all in a week or so.  Throughout the day, I kept hearing unusual noises and had to remind myself that students were on campus again.

Here to another NOISY year! 

Morning Message

This morning I was reading in my devotions the fifth chpater of Ecc. when this  verse jumps up and slaps me.  

'Ecc. 5 2 [b] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.'

I had to read it a couple times just to be sure I was reading the right words and I was...but it shook me to my bones. The last couple days have been tough ones and I have been struggling to know when and when not to say something.  So I knew this was what God was asking me to think about and practice today!  I know it is on oath taking, but it was a good reminder to just watch my tongue and use it to glorify God. 

Just to make sure I got the message, I chanced to meet up with a friend and she was lamenting the issue of people's words and how they can build up or tear down. I mentioned the passage I had read this morning and she said, " I need to go home and read that whole passage!' I just smiled. 

When I got home, I sat down to work on my computer and flipped on my music.  I hit play and the music started and I almost fell off my chair laughing!  It was Phillip, Craig and Dean's song, " Let my words be few"  I think I know what I will be working on for a while! 

Meeting Together!

Every once in a while, I get an invitation to visit a village church and I never pass the invite up!  So the other day I hopped on the back of a motorcycle and headed up the valley hills to a church I had been to before. They actually had moved to a new building and I was excited about seeing some familiar faces in their new place. Fortunately it was not raining and the sunshine was wonderful as we sped towards the church.
When we got to the new site,which was a much bigger and  well constructed building than the former place, most of the ladies in the women's fellowship had gone home for lunch, so we sat around talking and watching the kids play for a while. There were a lot of kids crawling and dancing around. The study got started and slowly the church filled up until there were about 40 women there.  I am amazed to hear the testimonies and stories of the Christians and all that they have to deal with. The church is strong and growing here..God be praised!
Afterwards, I pulled out my camera and took a couple photos. It was the first time that people seemed happy to have a photo taken and of course everyone wants to see themselves.

 It is a joy to worship with believers from all over and I am thankful for these opportunities!

My Affirmation Poem

The other day we were asked to write a note of affirmation to someone at school. We were given four minutes to complete are note, which can put some limitation on what to actually written. I could not think of one person, so I just started writing and then when I got done, I said, "Yep that sounds like so-and-so!" So I wrote their name  on the top and put it in their pigeon hole.  I am not sure that is the right way to affirm someone, but seeing that  they don't read my blog, they won't know ... so no worries!

I did want to share the poem.  I am thinking of maybe starting a line of cards! Let me know if you are interested in investing in the company stock plan:

You are like an Xray

transparent through and through

You are the hanger, I am a coat

I like to hang with you

You are like my glasses

that give a clearer vision

Or like the equal sign in math

bring together long division

First Day with All Staff

There is something wonderful about meeting together with all the staff at school!  For months now we have been hearing snippets of the stories of how folks were called to come and serve at the school, but to actually put faces with the names and hear "the rest of the story" as Paul Harvey used to say is like a cupcake with sprinkles on top or a door with a  welcome mat out front.  I got out my camera and just started to snap photos all day long (I know, so unusual for me) and already most of the staff is groaning with having to pose. But they will be thanking the photographer at the end of the year when they are looking at the yearbook and remembering with smiles..:)
So here starts another year and seeing the will of the Lord unfold!