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CHINA Year 2: Mid-Autumn Festival

9/22/2018

The school year is in full swing and the days are flying by. My schedule for the most part looks similar to last year, for which I am very thankful. I am teaching two sections of 6th Grade English Language Arts, 1 section of 8th Grade English Language Arts, and my fall elective is Middle School Photography I. There are two main ways this school year has looked different for me.

Struggles and Pr-y-r Requests

First, my Middle School English partner is new to ISQ this year. My mentor, partner, and friend from last year got a job teaching at an international school in South Korea. My new partner transferred from one of our sister school’s in China. I am so grateful that she and I have hit it off remarkably. She is also a TCK who grew up in Thailand, so already we have a lot of life experience that allows us to relate to one another more easily. What has been hard about our relationship is that now I am the one “in the know”. Whereas my mentor/partner last year had been working, teaching, and building our Middle School Language Arts curriculum for three years… I’ve taught the entire curriculum only once. I know I really am my own worst critic, but I don’t think I’m doing a totally great job at helping and mentoring her as a new staff member. I do not always know the answer to her questions off-hand. I just don’t like feel like I’m letting her down or not providing her with the amount of support I was given. This is a difficult, but common reality when it comes to life as an expat educator. In one year you can go from being the newbie to being the veteran. I remain grateful that my partner has given me a great amount of grace and understanding as I strive to guide and assist. In many ways, we’re just learning and growing together which is not a bad place to be, just hard sometimes. I would appreciate any and all pr-y-r directed at this daily and weekly work struggle.

The second big change this year relates to a change in our entire school environment. Our school is (along with all our company’s other schools in China) significantly understaffed this year. We had more teachers and families leave last year than new staff have come in. This means the same amount of work and responsibilities has fallen into a fewer number of hands. I’m not complaining on the whole, but I do find myself far more stretched and busy this year than I felt last year (other than during show season). It isn’t unmanageable, but it is a little stressful and slightly overwhelming at times. I’m once again having to learn how to both become a better manager of my time and efficiently prioritize my responsibilities. Again, any and all pr-y-ers are welcome in this area, for both myself and our entire staff… as all are feeling the pressure and strain from the lack of hands and help.

Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival

Last week was Mid-Autumn Festival in China. As mentioned in my previous blog, Mid-Autumn Festival is the harvest moon festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar (always aligning with a full moon). Our national staff helped the students celebrate the holiday by creating a scavenger hunt for them within the school. Along with answering a number of questions about the holiday, its mythology and history, the students had to find 4 characters hidden throughout the school. These four character were Chang’E, Wu Gang, the Jade Rabbit, and Mr. Mooncake.

I’d love to share with you my short and very unpoetic version (the Chinese tales are absolutely glorious in their poetic tellings) of these mythological characters.
Featuring pictures of our in-school characters!

Chang'E & The Jade Rabbit

Chang'E quizzes students as a part of their scavenger hunt.

Chang'E is ready to float off to the moon to escape the greedy students. Can you spot the Jade Rabbit nearby?

To begin, Chang’E was a wise and beautiful woman married to an intelligent scholar and archer named Hou Yi. Hou Yi had an enchanted potion that could make him immortal, but he refused to drink it because he loved his wife too much and wanted to be with her. Hou Yi asked his wife to watch over and protect his potion anytime he was away. One day, when her husband wasn’t home one of his students broke into the home and tried to steal the immortality potion. Chang’E refused to surrender the potion, but when she realized she could not defeat the student she drank it herself to keep it safe. Chang’E was immediately transported into the heavens to live on the moon as an immortal. Her husband, heartbroken at the loss of his wife, discovered that the two could be together for only one night each year. That night was the evening of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, when the moon is fullest and brightest. The two remain separated, but during Mid-Autumn Festival families have reunions and present each other with mooncakes as a symbol of love and loyalty. Chang’E found a companion on the moon in the Jade Rabbit. Interestingly, China’s first two space probes were named after the moon goddess: Chang’E 1 and Chang’E 2.

Wu Gang

Wu Gang came down from the moon to try his luck at cutting down trees on earth!

Wu Gang is another character who lives on the moon. He spends his life cutting down magical trees on the moon. He also harbors a deep unrequited love for the beautiful Chang’E.

Mr. Mooncake

Mr. Mooncake flees the hungry students who want the mooncake he wears around his neck!

Mr. Mooncake on the other hand is not an official mythical character. Instead, he represents the Santa Claus of the mooncakes during the scavenger hunt at our school. He walks through the hallways wearing a mooncake around his neck, trying to escape hungry school children who will do anything for a delicious mooncake!

Thoughts on Discovering Culture & Tradition

It was a really fun experience to celebrate this holiday with my co-workers and students this year. I got to experience the entire celebration first hand since I have switched into a student class for my Chinese language learning (more on that in another blog). We spent the week learning Chinese songs, talking about the myths and traditions, participating in the scavenger hunt, and trying different flavors of mooncakes.

One of the many things I love about living abroad is that there is always more to learn. About culture and tradition. There are always new stories and meanings behind everything. Discovering the inspiration for these cultural traditions is such an enriching experience. Seeing how excited my students and co-workers get makes me all the more eager to learn and engage with the culture. This is a part of relationship building and it is so precious to me.

I look forward to sharing more with you as I grow in my knowledge and understanding of China.

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CHINA Year 2: Visiting Yantai

9/15/2018

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A Weekend Getaway

Having reached my one year anniversary of moving to China, I celebrated by going on a weekend trip to the city of Yantai. Yantai is in the same province as Qingdao, though it lies about three hours north by train. It is on the other end of the Shandong Peninsula. It is another coastal city that lies across the Yellow Sea from the Koreas. Yantai is also home to one of my school’s seven sister schools across China.

My main objective in visiting Yantai was getting to see beloved friends who were a part of my New Staff and Pre-Field Orientation group from one year ago. It was really lovely to see these dear friends and see their city and school (after a year of telling myself I would go visit them). These girls have been to visit Qingdao about four times, so I was long overdue in returning the favor of a visit. We talked about our experiences in the first year, the changes and struggles we are facing in our second years, and even discussed our upcoming December decision about whether to renew contracts or not. It was really fun getting to see their school (they share a campus with a Chinese bilingual school that has more than 1,200 students) and having a game night with some of their co-workers. We also were able to cram in a day full of local sight-seeing!

Here are some pictures and stories behind our adventure!

Yantaishan

We first went to the Yantaishan (Yantai Hill Park) Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1988 and stands just above the historic European district of downtown Yantai. It gives a great few of the harbor and shoreline boardwalk.

As a city, Yantai is less modern and far more spread out than Qingdao. I made the comment to my friend that it definitely felt “more country”, whilst remaining without a doubt a seaside city. This makes sense though because, while Yantai is the second largest industrial city in Shandong, its main industry is agriculture.

We met a man designing wood-burned engravings along the pathway. He was very excited to show us (a group of foreigners) his trade. He told my one friend, “I will write on your piece ‘Wonderland Yantai’! Because this place is so beautiful!” (my friends’ Chinese is MUCH better than mine!).

We walked through a prayer garden with hundreds of red ribbons containing handwritten personal prayers tied around the surrounding tree branches.

Like many other cities in Shandong Yantai shares a span of about 20 years where it was occupied by the Germans. Though never officially a German concession (unlike Qingdao), Germany certainly left their mark in areas with both architecture and street planning. After the Germans lost WWI, both Qingdao and Yantai were handed over to the Japanese. In 1938, a revolutionary movement declared Yantai its capital and sought to overthrow Japanese rule within the province. After China gained its independence from foreign rule, Yantai became an important guard point when entering the Bohai Sea from the Yellow Sea. It is considered a place of vital protection able to prevent an invasion on Beijing by boat.

The Museum of the Chinese Qipao

The most exciting stop of the day was at the Museum of the Chinese Qipao.

A Qipao is a traditional Chinese dress (pronounced ChEE-pow). In the museum, we were able to see the growth and transformation of the Chinese Qipao, first designed in as early as the 1700s, moving all the way up to present day. Many women still dress in red Qipaos for their wedding or other formal, special events.

An article by China Today describes Qipaos in the following way:

“Most of them were made of silk, and embroidered, with thick laces trimmed at the collar, sleeves and edges. The dress empresses of past dynasties wore them. Their style of dress was noted as the highest of standards for Chinese women for several thousand years. [The] Qipao characterize[s] Chinese women's modesty, softness and beauty. Like Chinese women's personality. Like many fashions, the beauty of Qipao stands away from others. Stunning is one of its features from the collar, loop, chest, waist and hips to the lower hem. Qipao completely shows off a woman's figure” (SOURCE).

The staff of the museum were SO excited to show us around and ask questions about our time in China. When we finished our tour they insisted that we try on some in-house Qipaos they have for sale. A good Qipao can range from anywhere between 300 – 5,000 RMB, depending on the style and/or what type of fabric it is made from. I tried on a simple lace dress that was about 500 RMB, whilst the staff insisted my friend Lydia try on a more modern dress that cost over 3,000 RMB. We girls giggled a lot and the staff kept begging we take pictures with them. I’m sure we’ll end up on all their advertising posters at some point in the next few months. Still, we had a lot of fun and it was really interesting learning the cultural history of such a traditional fashion piece in China.

(Chinese) Holiday Season

Everyone in China is currently preparing for the “Mid-Autumn Festival” holiday (also known as “The Moon Festival” or “The Harvest Festival”). The festival always takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar and aligns with a full moon at night. This festival should also be known as the “Mooncake Festival” and celebrates the autumn harvest in China and a few other surrounding Asian countries. It is celebrated with family reunions, drinking traditional wine, eating mooncakes, and observing the full moon. I am looking forward to our school’s personal event on that day. It is a national holiday and therefore a day off for students and national staff. Meanwhile, the school’s foreign staff will go into school and participate in our district-wide National Day of P**yer.

Call Me the Chaperone Queen (upcoming travels)

This coming week (September 25th through 29th) I will be traveling as a chaperone on the 7th Grade Fall Trip again this year. I am looking forward to traveling throughout Shandong with 22 students and seeing some of the most notable historical and natural sites in the province. The week after that (October 1-5) is October Holiday and a week-long break to celebrate Chinese independence. I’ll be traveling as a chaperone on a staff kid youth retreat to the city of Chengdu! Lots of traveling for me in the next two weeks, but I am thrilled to continue building relationships with other staff and students and getting to experience more of this awesome country I live in. Plus, I am looking forward to having many new things to tell to you all!

Have a happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
Don’t forget to look at the moon and dwell upon Him that made it!

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CHINA Month 12: A Year of Color

8/24/2018

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365 DAYS. COME. GONE. HERE.

I did it.
I have lived overseas in China for one entire year.
My first year in China is complete and has come to an end.

How would I describe it in one word?

I have so many memories.
How can I put the experiences of 365 days into one word?
If I had to pick I would say my first year in China was COLORFUL.

"That makes no sense. Explain," you say.
"The colors ae no longer the same," I reply. "China has changed them. China has changed me. The colors are not colors alone... they are places, people, and things that have been poured out and overflowed into my life. It has been a year full of color."

BLACK

Black is lonely nights when I miss people (and my puppy) the most.
Black is my first mask that I wore through a few weeks of bad winter pollution.
Black is the tapioca pudding pearls inside a delicious warm cup of milk tea.
Black is my camera that has walked hundreds of miles with me and become a way for me to see things in the world I never would have noticed before.

GREY

Grey is the rainy and cloudy days I have come to love because they mean water for stray dogs and clean air for the next few days.
Grey is the thousands of bricks that make up the Great Wall of China and my awe at finally seeing it in person.
Grey is stone statues and sculptures that decorate the country with culture and history.

BROWN

Brown is my fingernails after I’ve given Oliver a good long scratch.
Brown is the hundreds of gallons of tea I have consumed since moving to China (though that wasn’t a big change from when I was back in the U.S.)
Brown is the dirt from days and days of construction work and transformation Qingdao went through to prepare for the Global SCO Summit this past summer.
Brown is the wood of ancient temples, manors, and walkways that I visited throughout the year.

CRÈME

Crème is the color of the stairway to my fellowship where I look forward to hearing from my Father’s Love Letter and being with the body from a completely different country and culture.
Crème is pet-sitting and loving on other people’s dogs to help me miss mine a little less.
Crème is the tasty clams, scallops, and oysters that deck seaside celebrations with friends.
Crème is long walks on sandy beaches.

WHITE

White is the school bus coming to pick us up every morning as my roommate and I make a mad dash to be on time.
White is 3 days of snow that lasted only a short time, but made for wonderful pictures and memories.

PINK

Pink is the plethora of sun parasols and umbrellas that are used by men and women in rain or shine.
Pink is my uncharacteristically bright cartoon kitten face on my bus and subway card.
Pink is the fragrance of the millions of spring flowers planted in the month before the SCO Summit.

PURPLE

Purple is the hotel behind which I met Oliver, Brownlow, Dodger, and later Oliver’s puppies Aladdin and Koda.
Purple is most of the Christmas decorations that I inherited for my first Christmas tree in China.
Purple is my kindle cover which has allowed for me to bring as many books as I can imagine to China with me (even though 30 boxes of real books are sitting in storage in the U.S. waiting for me).

BLUE

Blue is the sky and the ocean on the clearest days.
Blue is the salty spray of the ocean breeze reflected in the morning glow of day.
Blue is our school colors and the sight of the happy mascot dolphins across athletic fields and outside the school library.
Blue is the Skype logo that means I am about to talk to friends and family far away.
Blue is the pillows decorating my bed and the soft blanket I sleep beneath every night

GREEN

Green is the growth of a 30 plants and counting in my house.
Green is the trees and bushes nestled beneath sky scrapers and around asphalt roads.
Green is algae lined beaches with hundreds of tourists enjoying the summer waves.
Green is the evergreens outside my windows where I wave to friends walking by and people watch from my reading bench in my window.
Green is pieces of broken glass from famous Tsingtao bottles worn down by the pounding sea day after day.
Green is the subway logo that transformed transportation for everyone in Qingdao and helped me to be more adventurous than ever.

YELLOW

Yellow is the lights illuminating the city at night.
Yellow is the sound of firecrackers celebrating wedding, holiday, or birthday along with hours of fireworks set off to impress the presidents of 16 Asian and Middle Eastern countries.
Yellow is the only leaf color we seem to get when fall rolls in.
Yellow is the honey I buy locally to sweeten another cup of tea.
Yellow is the shade of my roommate’s cat Percy’s coat when he got into my vase of flowers featuring some very fertile lilies.

ORANGE

Orange is the mangos, carrots, tangerines, and other delicious fruit bought from the fruit market on the weekends.
Orange is sunrises and sunsets that seem so much larger and closer than I ever imagined they could be.
Orange is the coat of Shere Khan in Mowgli’s hands as he learns what makes him special is his blend of cultures and experiences in life.

RED

Red is delicious red peppers that creates my favorite spicy dishes.
Red is paper lanterns at Lunar New Year… along with red money packets, prayer ribbons, and every communist banner set up along roadways and intersections.
Red is scratched hands and legs from hiking adventures that bestowed incredible views.
Red is May Fourth Square and other iconic Qingdao sights.
Red is the faded stamps that now decorate my passport.
Red is a flag that will always be names and faces and landscapes instead of stereotypes and historical ignorance from now on.

AND SO MANY MORE

There are a million more colors that I have fallen in love with during my first year in China... this is only a twinkle of all that these colors now represent for me.
More than anything, every color is a piece of a flag that is no longer an unknown land.
Those flags are the faces of students and friends.
Those flags are the taste of exotic foods and beautiful cultures.
Those flags are homelands of beloved people who have filled my life with more color than I could possibly ever imagine.
It is my pr*yer that these colors would grow more vibrant and root deeper and deeper into my heart in the years to come. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for creating out and challenging me to seek these colors that He has created in daily life.
Thanks for following YEAR ONE!

WHEN I SEE THE RAINBOW...

Genesis 9:15-17
“When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between G*d and every living creature on earth.” Then G*d said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.”

Ezekiel 1:26-28
“Above this surface was something that looked like a throne made of blue lapis lazuli. And on this throne high above was a figure whose appearance resembled a man. From what appeared to be his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor. All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day.
This is what the glory of the L*rd looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me.”

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CHINA Month 11: Doors Wide Open

7/23/2018

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A number of friends and family have reached out to me to ask why I did not come back to the U.S. this summer after teaching for one year in China. The school I work for and its leadership organization gives staff between contract years (for me being between year 1 and 2) three weeks of vacation. After those three weeks are over staff are required to return to work during the final five weeks of the summer. I knew before I came that I probably would not go back to the U.S. this summer. Actually, I was looking forward to being in Qingdao this summer, especially considering the fact I arrived over 6 weeks after my planned arrival date due to VISA issues last year. I was looking forward to spending some more time getting to know China through the course of my summer.

The question you have now is probably something along the lines of,
"What are you actually doing in China this summer?"

TEACHING ENGLISH CAMP

Here I am leading our 66 campers during our 'Morning Rally'. It is a time of singing and dancing to wake students up and get them excited for the day!

Staff between contract years are required to participate in leading and teaching an English Summer camp hosted by our school. In previous years, the school has had the benefit of bringing in summer teams of teachers to assist with the camp. This year however, has seen a real tightening of regulations and limitations when it comes to obtaining a work visa in China. These new restrictions meant that, in addition to being on a new campus and in a new location, the school’s summer camp was going to look very different this time around.

I’ve really been looking forward to this summer camp for a number of reasons. First, I volunteered to head up and lead the ‘Morning Rally’ portion of the camp day. There was not much planned outside of the fact that this would be a time for all of the students to get together and do activities as a group.

Something you may or may not know about me is that I worked at a summer camp in North Carolina for four years both during and after my time in university. Also, when I was in high school I participated in our Pennsylvania home fellowship’s VBS program for four or five years. I believe these experiences prepared and equipped me to be the perfect person to lead the ‘Morning Rally” portion of our summer camp. My goals for the “Morning Rally” have been to get kids moving, singing, and engaging with the English language. I also pick songs and topics that align with my heart for “character” building (read: truth-based songs).

If you want a glimpse of some of the songs we are singing you can visit my YouTube playlist HERE.

The most special thing about our summer camp is that it is open to both foreign and LOCAL students. You see, in order to attend our school during the regular school year, students are required by law to have a foreign passport. National administration has instructed that no native passport holders may attend a foreign-run school (for obvious reasons due to conflict of background and beliefs).

Local students are encouraged to attend public school or pay to attend Chinese private school. A lot of people are surprised when they hear that I am teaching in China, but only a very small percentage of my students are actually Chinese—and only ethnically at that. They all will have been born in and be a passport holder of another country.

This means that our summer camp is very special because ANY student can register and attend. As a result, of our 66 total campers only 22 of them were actually our own students. The rest all attend Chinese private, public, or Korean private schools in Qingdao! What an open door! I am so thrilled to be investing in China first-hand through camp! The students I am working with this summer are students that I would never even have a chance to interact with without this camp (unless I went to teach at a Chinese school). I am so honored to have this opportunity to love on and pour into the lives of these wonderful students.

I am working specifically with students aged between 5th and 6th grade. Our students though fall into a range of skill levels when it comes to their English language comprehension and ability. It is really enjoyable to make them laugh and watch them grow as we practice reading, writing, speaking, and listening in English. I took a TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) course in university, but didn’t really enjoy it. It is a totally different ball game to teach English Language Arts (from the stance of a native English speaker). I do believe that teaching English during this camp has challenged me to be more creative and innovative as an instructor. I am asking hard questions of myself, “How can I turn this simple vocabulary worksheet into an opportunity for students to improve their English and grow in confidence when it comes to speaking in a foreign language?” We’ve done everything from playing charades and listening to “School House Rock” songs, to writing stories of our own and sharing them in new and fun ways. It is hard, but again, I really think working at this camp is pushing me and growing me as a teacher.

Another part of our summer camp that I deeply cherish, is that I am getting to spend more time getting to know our national staff. Many foreign staff (who are not in between contract years like myself) travel to their home countries for the summer. This means that there is a lesser number of international teachers in country at the moment. In the absence of this ‘safety net’ of familiar culture and language, I have been provided with a wonderful open door to continue building relationships with my co-workers who are nationals. It’s easy during the school year to get caught up in working with the same people (those who are in the same department, on the same hall floor, share an office space, etc). Yet, now teachers from all departments and grade levels (the majority of them being national staff members) are all working together through the course of the English camp. It is a wonderful time of learning and growing together.

STUDYING CHINESE

The second focus for staff during their working summers is completing and extensive study of the Chinese language. I had about 2 weeks of daily two hour one-on-one classes at school. This little diagram below is the most accurate depiction of learning Chinese I have ever seen.

Listen, I knew it would be hard. I knew that Chinese would challenge every piece of understanding I have of language, writing, and communication. What I didn't know was how mentally exhausted I would be from finally getting the opportunity to study Chinese daily over summer break. I definitely grew a lot through the course of these classes, but I recognize I still have a long way to go! Pr-y-rs for this passion are welcome. I truly believe by studying and growing in my Chinese language that my Father will open more doors for me to share my testimony and live out my conviction that my L-rd speaks EVERY language.

WHAT'S NEXT?

I finish up with camp this week on Friday, July 27th! It has been a memorable three weeks. Teachers head back to school for in-service week on Monday, August 6th. New Student Orientation is then on Monday followed by the first day of school on Tuesday, August 14th! I cannot believe I am headed into my second year of teaching in China. Not only that, but it will also be my 5th year of teaching! That's crazy. I am grateful to my heavenly Father for walking with me this far. I also would like to take a moment to acknowledge the people and pr-y-r warriors who helped get me where I am today. I know I couldn't do any of this on my own. I look forward to spending the rest of my life following where He leads me!

Click through the slideshow below to see some more highlights from this summer!

SUMMER 2018
PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

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Navigating NEW ZEALAND: The South Island

7/22/2018

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Photo by Abi Roy

I’m finally getting around to writing Part 3 of 3 of my New Zealand blogs! Over three months after our adventures ended, I finally have my final written memoriam of our experiences there. I’m still in awe of the fact that Abi and I were able to travel to such a colorful, inspiring place and do so many unbelievable things all in ONE WEEK! Hurrah for a BUCKLIST ITEM COMPLETE!

The second half of our spring break travels was just as thrilling and beautiful as the first, though with a lot more driving! I mean, what do you expect? The South Island is twice the size of the North Island and we did the entire length of the east coast and back in about five days! Get ready for a tale of farmland, coastlines, fantasy battlegrounds, and encounters with amazing people!

My cell phone's data tracker (follows our GPS movements) through the South Island

Photo by Abi Roy

Driving from Picton to Waianakarua (337 miles)

After we disembarked the Cook Strait Ferry, we set off on our longest leg of the journey yet; driving from Picton to the country village of Waianakarua. Yeah, I still don't know how to say that one. This drive remains without question my favorite driving scenery of the whole trip. One second we were driving through open grasslands with signs to watch for wild horses, the next moment we were passing through picturesque old towns, before suddenly we were along paradise-like mountains that bordered the ocean. It was breathtaking throughout the journey.

Photo by Abi Roy

WAIANKARUA FARM

The evening after our ferry ride we stayed overnight at the home of a lovely woman who lives in the country on a little farm with two dogs, some chickens, sheep and pigs. It was just so pleasant and domestic (in the best way). I could easily imagine myself settling down one day in a place like that, surrounded by animals and gardens. Still, our picturesque retreat in Waianakarua did not last long because that day we had a bit of a trek south. Indeed, we were headed to the southernmost town in all of NZ (more on that later).

Driving from Wainakarua to Bluff (198 miles)

MOERAKI BOULDERS

Our first stop on this drive was to see the famous Moeraki Boulders. I believe it was I who discovered this "recommended pit stop” when researching places to visit along our route in the South Island. Prior to our arrival at the boulders, both Abi and I confessed we didn’t expect much from the location. We were actually pleasantly surprised and impressed to discover a fascinatingly strange natural phenomenon there. Imagine a beach scattered with what looks like a cross between some sort of weird alien pod invasion and a unguarded nest of dragon’s eggs. It’s weird, but totally awesome.

Here’s the thing, I am no scientist, so I am not going to sit here and type out my clueless understanding of what is so cool about these boulders.

Here’s what I liked learning (and think I understand) about them. These boulders are almost perfect spheres that are surprisingly not manmade, but instead created by nature (erosion over time). Inside they are made up of different rocks, sediment and minerals. The coolest part is that at their center they contain a type of calcite crystal. This crystal can cause cracks in the boulders (and as you see in some of the pictures) and a number of them have been completely broken open as a result. They are old boulders (scientists don’t agree on how old), but records state that some boulders that have been 'excavated' and studied have been found to contain the bones and fossils of dinosaurs. Whilst the Moeraki Boulders are not the only example of this type of natural wonder in the world, they are extremely rare and unique.

You can't tell me that doesn't look like a dragon egg. My 15 year old self is reliving her hopes of becoming a Dragon Rider someday, haha

KATIKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE

After enjoying some touristy time in the Moeraki Boulders Gift Shop, Abi struck up a conversation with the store’s cashier. Abi expressed that she had two big goals for this NZ trip the first was to go shark cage diving [HERE] and the second was to see some wild seals and penguins. The cashier told us about the nearby Katiki Point Lighthouse. She said it was less frequented by tourists than another nearby penguin/seal viewing location called Shag Point (the location we had planned to visit next). I am so thankful for that cashier because we had an amazing time at the Katiki Point Lighthouse.

We got up close and personal with New Zealand Fur Seals! At one point, Abi even was investigated by a curious little pup who got so extremely close it was unbelievable. He was totally fearless. There were also many Spotted Shag (Maori word: Parekareka) birds scattered across the beach where the seals lay dozing in the warm sun. What I remember most from this day was how water was such a striking color blue with the grass complimenting it in a rich green of gorgeousness. I found myself once again thinking, “The only way I’m going to be able to describe this place to anyone is if I tell them it looks fake.”

Other than all the seal time, we also were able to spot some type of large sea mammal splashing in the ocean way in the distance. Even with my strongest zoom lens on the fancy camera, I couldn’t make out what kind of animal it was. Whatever it was, I can tell you it seemed to be having a lot of fun!

We were a little disappointed to learn that the penguins usually did not come into shore until late afternoon (it was still early morning and we had to get back on the road). BUT, we didn’t leave totally empty handed when it came to seeing penguins. A young couple hiking along the same cliffs as us spotted ONE lonely little Yellow-eyed Penguin sitting on a cliffside nearby. They pointed him out to us and we were so excited! This breed, the Yellow-eyed Penguin, can only be found in NZ and is the largest of the NZ breeds. I can now officially say I’ve seen my first wild penguin (from a loooooooong distance away, haha)!

After getting back on the road for a while, we stopped at a fish and chips shop where I tried Elephant Fish for the first time. The waitress recommended it to me as her favorite type of fish (though explained that it is actually more closely related to a breed of shark), so I thought “Why not?” I will now recommend it to all of you. If you get a chance to try Elephant Fish, do it! It’s delicious.

BLUFF

A few hours later we arrived at the 'almost literal' bottom of the world. It is the town of Bluff, New Zealand. A striking contrast to cities like Auckland and Wellington, Bluff boasts a resident population of under 2,000 people. It is the southernmost town (excluding the island town of Oban) on the South Island (and practically the world).

Bluff boasts three main attractions to the rest of the world. First, it is one of the final jumping off points for many expeditions heading to Antarctica. Second, it is renowned for having the tastiest oysters around. Lastly, it is famous for being one of only three locations in the world to have a “certified” shark cage diving experience (“certified” meaning legal & safe for both the humans and sharks, haha).

Antarctica was not on my Bucket List this time around, but I tried the oysters and they were indeed delicious! The shark cage diving, well that was the #1 thing on Abi’s list when coming to NZ. And after a good night’s rest, that’s where we were headed.

You can read about Abi and my Shark Cage Diving Experience in Bluff, NZ
in a separate blog post HERE.

Driving from Bluff to Greendale (356 miles)

After a deep sleep — that can only come after you’ve come face to face with a Great White Shark and lived to tell the tale — we packed up our bags and were headed back north on Route 1. We stopped at a lovely little coffee shop in a nearby town and ate a delicious proper breakfast (we’re talking omelets, bacon, home fries, etc.)! Then, we were on the road again headed back up the coast.

I have to repeat how thankful I am for the beautiful landscapes we were able to enjoy all around us as we drove. NZ is the most breathtaking country I have ever travelled to and I can’t think of a better place to “Oooo and Ahhh” out the window while enjoying singing show-tunes with a great friend like Abi.

OAMARU

One of my favorite spur of the moment pitstops was a little town called Oamaru, NZ. We had passed through it on the way to Bluff and I noticed the stunning antique buildings, statues, and reminiscent aura of the streets that reminded me of a town straight out of World War I film. It was the historic precinct of the city and we had a blast as we perused little shops, drank tea, ate biscuits, and even scouted for penguins along the coast (no luck), before ending up in a little antique book store in town.

The shop was called “Slightly Foxed Secondhand Books” and we spent far longer in there than anyone could imagine (well, maybe you can imagine how long two English teachers spent in a bookshop full of old books…) I was beyond delighted to discover a FIRST EDITION HARDBACK COPY of “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” published in 1961. FIRST EDITION PEOPLE! It was on sale for 80 NZD (which is equivalent to about $50 USD). Did I need it? Probably not, but imagine finding a first edition a novel that means so much to you whilst you are in NEW ZEALAND (the country where portions of the movie adaptations were filmed)!!! I bought it. I also bought a first edition of “Peter Pan” by J.M. Barrie for about $25 USD (because I love British Literature and “Peter Pan” was one of the first books/plays that I fell in love with in the third grade).
I know those books will remain be my favorite ‘souvenirs’ to bring back from the trip.

WALNUT TREE COTTAGE

As the sun was setting, we arrived in the farm town of Greendale to stay at our final AirBnB of the trip. It was a little cottage that the owners called Walnut Tree Cottage. It was a quaint little one room cabin in the family’s backyard. And, as the name properly name suggests, it sits right under a lovely walnut tree. This very quickly became my absolute favorite place to stay during the trip.

Photo by Abi Roy

First of all, the family was absolutely lovely. They were having a family reunion with relatives who lived in Australia and Dubai and were home for a visit. As soon as we arrived, the wife made us some delicious tea, she offered to let us do some wash, and she was just was so interested in talking to us about our trip and our lives living abroad. It was really kind for her to be so interested in investing in her guests as individual. The family was so enjoyable to talk to and I enjoyed being able to share a bit of my testimony with them when discussing my decision/motivation in moving to China.
In the morning, after a good night's sleep, we were served a delicious English breakfast (we paid about 25 NZD extra for it, but it was worth every penny) before heading out on our last day in NZ.

To end well we were hitting up some natural sites and another one of my personal top wish list locations!

Greendale to Devil’s Punch Bowl (75 miles)

ARTHUR'S PASS

We drove from Greendale to the outskirts of Canterbury, NZ before entering Arthur’s Pass National Park. The park was actually the first established on the South Island in 1929, and is named after famed land surveyor and cartographer Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson. It is the home of some of the most awe-inspiring natural sites I have seen in my lifetime. Crystal blue rivers lines with pearl-colored pebbles. Domineering mountains sporting every shade of green mixing in with the new fall colors that were beginning to arrive. All the while draped beneath treacherous rock faces and cliff-sides. Miles open canary-yellow grass fields envelop mysterious forests of pine and juniper firs. Just driving into the park alone was captivating, gripping me with awestruck bewilderment.

Photo by Abi Roy

CASTLE HILL

(in Maori 'Castle Hill' is known as Kura Tāwhiti
meaning “the treasure from a distant land”)

Our first location was an area known as Castle Hill. The official tour site describes Castle Hill in this way, “The hill was so named because of the imposing array of limestone boulders in the area reminiscent of an old, run-down stone castle. The front of ChristChurch Cathedral in Christchurch was made from Castle Hill limestone” (SOURCE).

I heard about Castle Hill because the 2005 film adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” filmed here. In fact, any avid film fan would recognize these unique rock structures as the location where Aslan and his newly freed Narnia reinforcements arrive to help the Narnians led by Peter and Edmund in their final battle against The White Witch.

NOTE: Film clip contains SPOILERS for "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe"

I wandered around the battle field for what felt like ages, trying to distinguish exactly where which character had stood and fought. It just made me really happy to (again) stand in a place that I knew to be a physical form of Narnia. The sun came and went from between stormy clouds giving the entire site a whimsical, almost other-worldly feeling. It was stunning and dangerous all at the same time. This natural formation presents a striking display with its rolling hills littered with jagged, fearsome rocks. I found myself pondering life deeply as I climbed over and slid between different rock faces... dreaming, imagining, and being filled with humble joy.

DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL

Our hosts in Greendale suggested we drive a little further after Castle Hill in order to hike up to Devil’s Punchbowl, a landmark considered the most impressive waterfall in Arthur’s Pass National Park. After a semi-strenuous hike up to the lookout area, it was wonderful to feel a cool spray falling on heated skin and weary muscles.
This area of the forest is also known to be home to the NZ native bird the kiwi!

One interesting fact I learned about the kiwi bird is that as a bird it lays the biggest egg in comparison to its body size. Kiwis are nocturnal though, so we sadly did not get to see any in the wild. Another thing we discovered during our time here is that the people of NZ do not like to be called “New Zealanders”, but instead, “Kiwis”, like their iconic bird.

After hiking back down from Devil’s Punchbowl, we hit the road to Christchurch, NZ to make our evening flight back to China.

Devil’s Punchbowl to ChristChurch (88 miles)

We finally dropped off our rental car exactly nine days after we picked it up in the city of ChristChurch. From ChristChurch Airport - after a delay - we flew to Auckland, Guangzhou, and finally about 16 hours later we arrived back in Qingdao. Immediately the next day we were back to school wondering if it was all a dream!

Photo by Abi Roy

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

How can I express what this trip meant to me? I regret to find that I do not wield the best skills in writing and language to paint a worthy picture of NZ and the impact this trip has had on me. The colors, the people, the moments of terror and bliss, exhaustion and exhilaration, laughter and surprise... I cannot find the words to give color and life to this enchanting place. It was magic and adventure, and honestly the best trip I’ve experienced (to date)! My favorite part of this journey was how in CONSTANT awe I was at my Father’s creation. This world is so big. The more I see of it, the more I realize how much I haven't seen. I do not know if I will ever have the opportunity to return to NZ again in my lifetime (I sure hope I do!). Still, I pr-y that I am forever enraptured by the faithfulness and wonder that comes from being in a relationship with the Almighty. To know Him is to see the world in the most fulfilling way. I could see and feel His glory and majesty throughout our travels in NZ.

New Zealand, you were the best. Thank you for reminding me that…
If ever I stumble through an enchanted wardrobe…
or if I find an aged grey wizard standing outside my door asking if I want to go on an adventure…
or if I have a new friend ask, “Do you want go on a trip with me? I’m buying the tickets today!”

No matter my lack of confidence, fear, or uncertainty… if the Spirit gives me assurance that it is okay, I must say “Yes” without hesitation. I obey His call. I follow where He leads. I know I am never alone. He walks with me, guides me, teaches me, and is continually revealing Himself to me when I step outside of my comfort zone. To see the world, is to see the glory of G-d and be moved by the story He is writing in every breath of it.

I will choose to never be one who “listens to fears” and I will walk confidently in the knowledge that “not all those who wander are lost” when they walk in the footsteps of the Master.

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I Got an F in Homesickness

7/4/2018

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"SO, DO YOU FEEL HOMESICK?"

This is a question that people ask me a lot and not to be rude, but I think it is a horrible question. Of course, I get homesick! Everyone does! It is a normal and expected part of life, especially when you've moved to another country. Asking someone “If” they are homesick is a not question because it's almost like setting them up to be judged. If they say "No," then you think they're heartless. If they say "Yes," people assume they must be adjusting to their new life poorly.

Something else that frustrates me about the question is that I do not get "homesick" in the way I think most people expect.

Below are two better versions of what you may think are the same question, but actually lead to more honest and thorough answers.

When do you feel homesick?
What makes you homesick?

Before I share my answers to these questions, I have to explain something.

When people ask me if I’m homesick the first thing I say is, “I feel homesick, but not for a specific place or America or anything like that. I feel homesick about people and relationships.”

Let’s look at my answers to these questions and flesh these thoughts out a bit.

WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED

When I first moved to China, there were two times of day when I felt the most homesick. They were when I left school to go home and when I went to bed. The reason I felt most homesick at these times is because this is when I missed my dog Benji the most. I hadn't started to miss my family yet because I was still able to talk to them often via technology. The physical loss I felt from not having my dog was painful. I hated going home to an empty house where I lived with a stranger (my roommate is nice, but when we first moved in together we really were complete strangers from totally different backgrounds, thrown into living together). I hated that my apartment did not feel like a home because my beloved dog was not waiting on the other end of my work day with a wagging tail and happy spirit to greet me. To go along with that, I hated going to bed because I missed the warm presence sleeping at my feet, protecting, comforting, and just giving me that feeling of comfort that creates a home.

You see, one of the first things I did after graduating college, other than renting my first house and starting my first job, was getting Benji. Sure, I didn’t go to a pet store and necessarily pick him out (read about how Benji became my family HERE), but the decision to keep him and the three years where we did EVERYTHING together was life-changing for me. We travelled across the east coast and south together. We moved to different homes, went hiking together almost every weekend, and really he was my one constant … in a way my first constant in a life full of change and transition. Now, I am in China… full of new-ness and change without my constant beside me.

I know that I have a Heavenly Constant that is worth far more than my furry four-legged friend, but still… those were the times when I felt greatest level of homesickness.

A few pictures my family has sent me of Benji since I left.

ALMOST ONE YEAR IN

At this point I have been in China almost a year (UNBELIEVABLE) and though it would be nice to tell you the homesickness for Benji has lessened, that would be a lie. I’ve just gotten better at living with it.

Meanwhile, in the past two months, I have discovered something else that causes me great amounts of homesickness. Through May and June, I have felt a homesickness for missing out on important events in lives of people I love and care about deeply.

In May (actually at the same time as “The Jungle Book” was premiering), my sister graduated from her undergrad studies. Then in June, my baby brother graduated from high school. The daughter of a close friend was married in a wedding in which I’d overheard and sat in on many a conversations about. My family attended the annual Memorial Day reunion picnic. One of my best friends from youth and his wife are expecting their first child (today actually)... and so much more!

I find myself sitting in China realizing that I am missing all these things… and it hurts.

My brother Timmy captioned this photo in this way: "Congratulations Nick! I'm so proud of Nick and the life decision he's made. Nick has decided in his future to help people and become a traffic cone, so that people drive safely on the road. He's a real servant to the people. #trafficconeuniversity #classof2022"

My family and grandmother celebrate Kelly graduating from Wingate University with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology! She even was chosen to formally pray for her fellow graduates as a part of the ceremony.

Every Memorial Day Sunday the Mannings have a family reunion and holiday picnic! This is the first year in many that I have not been able to attend. I was able to Skype in at one point to say hello at one point.

It's also not about the events themselves even, but about being present with these people whom I love to celebrate these milestones by their side.

Social Media is such a wonderful tool to stay connected with friends and family, especially when you live on the other side of the world. I am grateful that I don’t have to wait months or years before hearing from/seeing those I love who are far away. Yet, I think social media and seeing all these important events I am missing being present for is one of the biggest causes of my homesick. Knowing I am not there. I will never have a picture with my brother or sister on their graduation day. I won't get the phone call from my friends when their baby is born. Little things like that have become much more painful in these past few months.

A SIDE EFFECT OF BEING A TCK

I know I share about being a TCK (Third Culture Kid) a lot, but it’s because living abroad has revealed to me so much I knew about myself, but could not always comprehend in a way that I could explain to others. Every month I am in China, sharing these pieces of myself gets easier... and harder at the same time.

When someone asks me questions like, “Where are you from?” or “Where is home?”, I have hesitated my whole life. In my heart I want to say Senegal, I felt a longing and homesickness for that country ever since we left when I was a teenager. Still, as much as I long for Senegal to be my home, even when I was there I was a foreigner, an alien. I lived in America on and off from birth to last year for about 18 years of my life, but it never felt like home. I have lived in over fifteen towns and cities, five countries, and 3 continents throughout my 27 years of life.

Home to me has never been a house, a neighborhood, a state, or even a country. Home is where the people I love are… and because of the life I’ve lived, the people I love, those people are all over the world.

I have come to understand that no matter where I live I will ALWAYS be homesick.
It is a blessing and a curse.
It is the fate of the TCK.

AND YET...

As a believer in J-s-s Ch--st, I believe that my true home was never meant to be on this earth.

No country, no people, no nation will ever be where I belong.

I have come to know what it is to be a wanderer without a home.

A nomad without a place on the globe to return to with the knowledge that it is MY PLACE.

My true home is NOT on this earth. It never was and never will be.

My true home is being prepared for me by the Son of Man, the Son of G-d, who took my death, my guilt, my failures upon Himself so that He could give me a FOREVER home.

If I ever feel sad that my homesickness does not look the way people often expect it to, I remember this truth.

I was not MEANT to find a home here, therefore, I will long all the more for my true home… an eternal home with the K-ng of K-ngs.

Philippians 3:20-21
"But our citizenship is in heaven,
and we eagerly await a Savior from there,
the L-rd J-s-s Ch--st,
who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself,
will transform our lowly bodies
to be like His glorious body."

Qingdao Harbor, China (Photo by CETtrip)

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Navigating NEW ZEALAND: Shark Cage Diving in Bluff

7/1/2018

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Image by Abi Roy

Let’s be honest, this what you have all been waiting for… the sharks.
And a story of how I survived being near them… kind of.

Flashback to my spring break trip and April 4, 2018. My travel buddy Abi and I have driven from the city of Auckland in the North Island all the way to the bottom of New Zealand's South Island (in about four days). After arriving at our AirBnB (in one of the most southern towns in the world), Abi and I chased after a good night’s sleep before facing southern waters and the Dustbin of the Deep the next day.

Our adventure began at 5:00 AM when we met with the crew and shark team at the Shark Experience in Bluff, NZ. The crew was really cool and nice. The team was made up of a father-daughter duo and a professional diver name Tittles (can’t forget a name like that, but he is awesome). There were about six guests headed out on the boat with us. Two of them were professional divers, while the rest newbies and landlubbers like Abi and I.

We loaded up the boat and headed out about an hour south to the shore of Stewart Island (Rakiura) along the Foveaux Strait.

Our Skipper Mike warned us that the seas were a bit “choppy” today. I’ll be honest guys, I had about twenty minutes of enjoying the gorgeous aurora sunrise behind us as we headed out to sea… before spending the rest of the voyage heaving my breakfast over the side of the boat. Yeah… I’d love to say I was cool, but it was rough seas for this girl.

When we arrived, we were each given a thick wetsuit. I don’t think I’ve mentioned yet that it was much colder in Bluff than anywhere we’d been so far on the trip. We watched the fall colors get brighter and more vibrant the further south we drove. New Zealand was heading into fall and considering that Bluff is practically the bottom of the world... it makes sense that not only was the air colder, but the ocean was more than a little chilly. Still, we headed out as the boat was tossed around, rocking constantly as wind and waves pushed against it.

Then, we arrived and dropped anchor along the coast of Stewart Island. The crew took a little bit of time to explain some of the basics and rules. Keep your hands, cameras, and really - ALL other body parts - inside the cage at all times. Climb out of the cage if you feel at risk or something goes wrong with your equipment. Don't stay in the water for more than 30 minutes (because you could get hypothermia). And lastly, don't be stupid and die.

Those of us who hadn’t ever been scuba diving before would be getting a lesson and a practice run in the cage with the equipment prior to going in officially for an extended viewing period. Our first task, putting on our wetsuits. As hard to get on as you probably can imagine, the suits were super thick and not very flexible. To put them on, you have to basically roll the suit on backwards. Then we got gloves, boots, masks, and head covers.

This cage cage is not like the ones you see in films. Instead, the cage is completely connected to the back of the boat (no hanging from a cable that breaks off into the depths). Also, the cage has a railing and tight wiring all around to prevent any overly excited sharks from flipping into the cage accidentally. Meanwhile, Tittles – a professional scuba diver and trainer – went in with each of the newbies on our first go. Before going in we were required to have heavy weights strapped onto our torso. The purpose of these weights is to help keep you grounded in the cage as the water rushing in and out (plus the rocking of the boat) prevents you from having any sort of secure footing when inside.

The first time we went in the cage we had to display two skills before we could be in by ourselves. The first skill was to be able to “clear your mask”. It’s probable, because of the rushing currents, that at some point your mask will end up with a lot of water in it. By lifting your head, holding the mask down and blowing air through your nose, you are able to clear your mask of this excess water. The second skill is in case your mouthpiece comes out at some point during your time in the cage. You must calmly take a deep breath, remove the oxygen mouthpiece from your mouth, hold your breath for a few seconds, then put the mouthpiece back in and begin to breathe again. Sounds simple, right? Think again.

I had no idea what to expect as I climbed into the cage slowly. They had already begun baiting the sharks by sending a half of a giant tuna fish through a grinder before stirring it up into the rolling waves. Once in the cage, I was totally overwhelmed. Having never used scuba gear before it was easy to forget that I could actually breathe. I found myself holding my breath as I turned away from the ladder to face where Tittles stood motioning for me to begin my mask clear.

I felt panic rising, I couldn’t breathe!
Colorful fish darted around the cage eating the pieces of churned up bait floating around us.
The water was rushing in and out of the cage around me and it was all I could do to keep holding on to the ladder and not slam into the walls with the raging currents.
My mask was filling up with water at my nose and I could see Tittles motioning to me, but all I could feel was an overwhelming sense of panic.
I couldn't breathe!

I began to p—y… and suddenly I felt calmer. I could breathe, I just had to concentrate. It felt strange. To be surrounded by water, but breathing normally through the mouthpiece I held tightly between my teeth. It was then that I realized I hadn’t put my feet into the ropes at the bottom of the cage and that was part of the reason I was getting tossed around so easily. I focused on getting my feet in the ropes. Then, I looked at Tittles.

He gave me the hand signal to ask if I was okay. I gave a thumbs up in return. He again motioned for me to clear my mask. I felt the panic returning. I looked up and sloppily held my mask while pushing air out of my nose. It wasn’t a great clear, but I had gotten most of the water out. Now was the real test. Taking the mouthpiece out. It honestly was so terrifying. I took a deep breath, then removed the mouth piece. Staring at Tittles waiting for him to give me the okay to put it back in. He did. I put the mouthpiece back in and immediately breathed out in a rush. After clearing the tube, I began to breathe normally again. I had done it! It struck me that I was okay and I could do this. I just had to not psych myself out within my own head. As I processed my relief, Tittles grabbed my arm and pointed.

There he was. A Great White Shark swimming just a few feet outside the cage.

It passed slowly, I gripped the hand rails, amazed and surprised at how unhurried the shark swam by the cage. This animal appeared nothing like the raging Hollywood version I knew.

My test was over. Tittles motioned for me to climb back out so someone else could come down and have their test. I started to climb out the wrong ladder exit, but Tittles fixed me and I climbed out correctly. Mike helped me pull myself up (with a wetsuit and giant weights strapped to your chest it’s a lot harder than you may think). Mike asked, “Did you see the shark?”

“I sure did!” I said after breathlessly removing my mouthpiece. I climbed out before watching others, including Abi climb in for their practice. On the boat we got a few more glimpses of the dark grey body gliding by in the dark water. Once everyone had passed their “test”, it was all systems go to spend an extended period of time in the cage.

Image by Abi Roy

I must admit to you that when I envisioned shark cage diving, I imagined peaceful seas with the sun beating down overhead. I also imagined an angry Great White thrashing outside the cage trying to capture the bait dangling overhead.

So, you can imagine my surprise in discovering the most peaceful thing about shark cage diving was in fact the sharks themselves. They swam by the cage at a snail’s pace, just observing before disappearing into the murky distance. Then, they would be back around again, just to look, curious about the four divers in the cage. They were so calm, graceful, and unhurried.

I have now come to the opinion that humanity does these creatures a great injustice when we choose to portray them only as man-eating, revenge seeking monsters of Davy Jones Locker. Don’t get me wrong, I’m under no disillusion that the rows of razor sharp, icicle-like teeth aren’t used to inflict major damage, but that’s only a part of their need to survive. At one point I looked the shark, I swear he looked me in the eye, and I saw those teeth and had this “WHOA” moment of terror followed by simple awe at the strength and enchanting nature of this beast.

While the sharks were peaceful, the most horrific and violent portion of the trip was the cage itself. I can only describe the sensation of being in the cage as feeling like you are inside a washing machine.

As I explained earlier, the sea was particularly rough that day. Our skipper Mike told us on a scale of 1-10 – 10 being they don’t take the boat out – our day was a 7. He told us that the waves crashing into the boat were up to about 30 feet in height (over 9 meters). I’m not exaggerating. The waves were constantly rushing in and out of the cage as it rocked harshly from side to side. You, meanwhile, are in all this gear, wearing weights to keep you grounded with your feet tucked into a rope beneath you just being slammed over and over into the sides of the cage or the divers beside you.

After about twenty minutes in the cage, your mouth and throat begin to get extremely dry because you cannot swallow only continue breathing in dry oxygen. All of the pain and discomfort is worth it though, when a 11 foot (3.4 meter) Great White Shark swims by you over six times, getting so close you feel as though you could reach out and touch him (no one did, ha). After about twenty minutes of awesome shark interaction a pair of us still in the water were hit by a giant wave that lifted the cage up out of the water before slamming it down again. It knocked the air out of my chest, jostled every bone in my body, and it was at that moment I decided I was finished. I'd seen the shark more than enough times to be satisfied with the experience and I was in a lot of pain. I climbed out of the cage, removed the weights and mouthpiece from my body and then, I am not kidding, I immeidatley proceeded to be sick over the side of the boat… again. I probably should mention that wasn’t the only guest who was sick through the course of the trip, which I suppose is a small conciliation to my pride, but still... it was not fun.

The shark I had one-on-one time with would move on before an even larger 13 foot (4 meter) female would come by toward the end of our outing. Strangely, while we were out there a Discover Channel boat (filming a documentary) also came out and began baiting only a short distance away from us. I was able to see three more sharks from above water before our team packed it up and moved our boat to another location near Stewart Island. At this spot, we could see a bunch of seals napping on nearby rocks.

The crew prepared a lunch at the sea for us, but I chose not to eat (because if the boat ride out was any indication of what the boat ride back be like for me, it wasn’t worth the effort). Abi and I struck up a conversation with a nice Minnesotan couple who was road-tripping through the South Island in a rented camper van. It was fun to swap stories of the things we’d seen and loved about NZ throughout both our journeys so far.

When we finally made it back to Bluff, a trip that went over as well with my stomach as I imagined it would (READ: not well at all) we were gifted certificates of introductory scuba course, as well as, a “Congratulations for surviving a shark cage dive” certificate. I shall show both of them off with pride!

Once on solid ground, Abi and I showered, scarfed food (I was so unbelievably hungry, and we ironically got some take-out Chinese from a little restaurant right below our AirBnB, haha). After discussing all our thoughts and processing through what we had actually seen and done we went to bed WAY early, haha. I remember I was so tired that the coldness of Bluff almost! didn’t bother me that night.

One thing I haven’t mentioned yet, is that Abi bought a waterproof GoPro just to take into the cage with her and video her shark cage experience.

This means that below I have some actual footage Abi recorded during the time we were both in the cage together. The fool you see waving like a crazy person is, of course, me... and the shark is the 11 foot Great White I first mentioned.

This is the moment when, I could swear to you that, I made eye contact with the shark. Maybe it’s in my head, but it was a cool moment to watch him going after the tuna bait the crew was dragging through the water above the cage. You can hear the currents rushing forcefully in and out and see how intensely the cage rocks around us.

Despite the date error in the top left hand corner, this is underwater film is actual footage Abi took during our time shark cage diving in New Zealand! This shark was estimated by the crew to be about 11 feet (3.4 meters) in length.

I am really glad that Abi dragged me along to go shark cage diving with her. I mean, I definitely have learned that all my dreams of becoming a pirate and living a life at sea are not really plausible anymore, but nonetheless it was an incredible adventure.

I also love that, after this experience, I will never think about sharks in the same way. They’re beautiful. They are also fierce and threatening. Though this combination of attributes makes me think that they are not unlike their Creator in capacity for both wrath and stillness. I'm hearing the faint whispers of a line about Him not being tame as I reflect on the majesty of these masterful deep-sea predators. I feel grateful to live on an earth with such a awe-inspiring G-d and to see pieces of His character and passions in all of His creation.

Image by Abi Roy

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CHINA Month 10: Qingdao Hosts Global Summit

6/23/2018

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The closest I've ever been to the world...

If you've stuck with my blog over the past few months, you have probably noticed my passing mentions of the large international Summit coming to the city this summer.

As I write this, the event has come and gone in a whirl. With the arrival of thousands of foreign dignitaries, the press from hundreds of countries, and major changes to the city all around us, the efforts of months of preparation finally were put to the test. I think I mentioned more than once the amount of construction that was met in every street corner - roads, lights, and landscaping galore! The government brought in thousands of policemen and military from across China in the past month. I felt for the first time as though I understand what it is like to live in a military occupied city (however, the occupying military was thankfully our own). Shops, schools, factories, and other major businesses were completely shut down, roads cut off, public transportation halted and in some parts of the city, residents were given a curfew then later told they were not allowed homes for up to four days with their curtains drawn at all times. My fellowship was told it could not meet during the weekend the events took place. Even our neighborhood, which lies a little further outside city center (where most of the attendees of the convention were staying) had a rise in security measures that the Iranian president (and his party) was staying in the seaside hotel about a ten minute walk from our apartment.

For residents of Qingdao, the Summit can certainly be described as having been an inconvenient domination of our lives for the past few months. However, the city itself does look beautiful now and the entire event certainly brought Qingdao to the forefront of of global news. This means I've been able to find lots of great videos with information and footage of the city I call home!

Below, I have included news coverage of the entire SCO Summit Opening Ceremonies (organized and directed by the same man who did the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Olympics). The actual Lights and Fireworks Show is only about 20 minutes, but the introductory coverage of Qingdao is really informational. I have written up a breakdown of the timestamps (for those of you that don't have an hour to watch the entire broadcast), so you can skip to the parts you are interested in watching. The segments in red are ones I recommend (though it's all fun and fabulous)!

After that, I have a few more videos related to Qingdao! They all give a really good look at the history, culture, and the beauty of this awesome city! I hope you check them out sometime!

VIDEO SEGEMENT BREAKDOWN

3:55 - 6:32
Behind the Scenes Information about Gala

6:33 - 9:09
Inside look at Lights & Fireworks Show (repeated elements from previous segment)

9:10 - 11: 59
Unique history and highlights about the city of Qingdao

12:00 - 13:05
International influence in Qingdao, connection to SCO

13:08 - 17:47
First Look at Qingdao the night of, some of the cultural background on the show, & a discussion of the Qingdao people's perspectives on this event

17:49 - 20:28
Segment on Qingdao's signature & world famous beer (Tsingtao Beer)

20:29 - 23:02
Segment on Qingdao's Automated Port

23:06 - 26:52
Discussion of symbols, popular attractions, & historic icons in Qingdao

26:53 - 27:52
Segment on the Sailing Culture, Qingdao is home to China's Olympic Sailing Center (Segment is interrupted by the start of ceremony)

SCO 2018 INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT
OPENING CEREMONIES

27:53 - 28:52
Qingdao skyline lit up for SCO Gala, beginning of the ceremony

28:52 - 31:21
Global SCO Leaders arrive, including 16 Presidents and Prime Ministers (information on SCO and the influence of this Summit)

31:22 - 32:11
Formal Welcome

32:20 - 53:57
OPENING CEREMONY BEGINS
LIGHTS & FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA

53:58 - 58:10
News anchors reflect on the event & recap important moments (cuts off)

PHOTOS RELATED TO THE SUMMIT

CHINA Month 10: Beijing Summer Break Trip

6/15/2018

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My summer vacation began with a bang as I headed with close friends and their four children to Beijing, China’s capital city. We were ready to see some of China’s most renowned sites and experience hundreds of years of Chinese history in the second most populated city in the world.

OVERNIGHT TRAIN

The first stop for my friends (Sarah, Chris, and their four children) and I was on Wednesday night (June 10th) we were taking a 9 hour sleeper train from Qingdao to Beijing. I was unsure what to expect when it came to the night train. The cars are built with rooms containing a set of bunk beds (four beds) to a room. My friends’ family of six had one room, whilst I shared a room with strangers next door. It was a little weird at first, to be alone in such a small space with three unknown people. Still, once I settled into my top bunk and burrowed into the surprisingly plush pillow and blanket, I found myself adjusting (while not necessarily comfortable) to a state of more or less contentment. I couldn't say the sleep was good, but it certainly wasn't terrible. The train also had squat toilets (a standard expectation for Chinese public restrooms), but it’s a whole other ball game trying to balance (I’m still working on perfecting my ‘Asian squat’) while you’re in a shifting train car. You're welcome for that mental picture, ha. The train still stopped into other stations on the way and the rattling of the car made any type of deep sleep impossible, but it was nice to be able to lie down and ‘rest’. We had a small breakfast on the train, some oatmeal packets with hot water and hard-boiled eggs. Then, we were off!

Jonathan (8) and Nora (6) enjoying life as top bunk people!

Emily (2) and I smiling on the bottom bunk

TUKTUK RIDE

When we arrived in Beijing it was around 6:30 AM, so the first thing we did was take the Beijing Metro to our AirBnB on the outskirts of the city. When we arrived at our final subway stop we realized we still had about 15-20 minutes of walking to do to get to the apartment. This would have been with all our luggage and four children ages of 2, 3, 6 and 8, and not to mention our tiredness in tow. That didn't seem like a fun option.

Outside, however, we discovered that there were little Chinese tuktuks for rent at about 2rmb per person (2rmb = .31 cents USD). We were like "Let's do it!" The kids were beyond thrilled. We thought we could make it by splitting up into two, but the truth of it is that tuktuks are WAY smaller than we realized. Still, we’d made a commitment and crammed into the back. It was hysterical as limbs were twisted between suitcases and all of us were practically sitting in part on top of one another. The children thought it was the best thing ever and I couldn't help, but laugh at what we must look like to all the people driving by. It felt like a fitting way to begin our trip to the Chinese capital and a city of over 21 million people. Get ready for the crowds!

4 people, 3 backpacks, and 1 suitcase crammed into the back of a tuktuk! The last suitcase was on the driver's lap!

Quora.com Image

THE EXPAT MECCA

After settling into our AirBnB and getting ourselves cleaned up from our overnight train journey, Sarah and Chris informed me that they were about to take me to THE MOST IMPORTANT STORE IN THE WHOLE WORLD for expats living in China. IKEA.

To be honest, I don’t know that I had actually ever shopped at an IKEA before this moment, but since moving to China it's all I've heard about. Cities with an IKEA in them are coveted by the entire expat community. I think it is a combination of the plethora of items found in IKEA, whilst being able to read all the signs and labels in English, and the fact that they carry quality Western household items that are difficult to find in China (simple things like fitted sheets or good long-lasting spatulas). Our city of Qingdao actually boasts the IKEA headquarters in China, but surprisingly does not have an official store itself. A great loss to us (so I've been told). Therefore, this first stop into the IKEA in Beijing was a fun experience for the whole gang.

I was surprised to find that store rules and etiquette are very different in China (I mean I was kind of not surprised at the same time. You guys I'm sure have figured out that this is a common theme of living life abroad). I was intrigued and a little shocked to find people taking full-on naps in showroom beds and sitting at desks working on laptops throughout the store! Only in China!

Meeting up with Qingdao people in IKEA!

THE "GREATEST" WALL OF CHINA

Early Tuesday morning, our gang headed out with a tour guide to our first historical Beijing location. After about a two hour drive through and beyond Beijing city limits, we arrived at the Mutianyu section of The Great Wall of China (or our as three-year-old Henry informed us all, “It’s the Greatest Wall of China!”).

Promotional Photo for California Adventure's Ride "Soarin' Around the World"

It’s hard to describe what it was like to actually see The Wall. I mean it’s one of those places you’ve seen in countless books, movies, and photographs… and yet, to see it in real life with my own eyes had me feeling a mixture of excited thrill and quiet awe.

I recalled that in April of 2017, I went to visit my best friend Molly and her husband in California. We spent a day at Disneyland and California Adventure where she insisted we go on a ride titled “Soarin’ Around the World”. It was a immersive, authentic, "full senses" flight around the globe to some of the world’s most stunning places. I remember being in the air flying with the wind in my hair and my feet dangling below me when we flew through the clouds over ‘The Great Wall’ and I remember that I began to tear up. I felt the wetness rise as I thought, “I am moving to China and pretty soon... someday soon I’ll be seeing The Great Wall in person.” As we rode up to the wall in a ski lift and the solid stone blockade came into view, I realized that the day I had thought about on that ride had now finally arrived.

It is such a grand and imposing sight, a symbol of Chinese strength and history. The section we were at was of course one of the newer and maintained sections, but even just to imagine the centuries of history that had been present through it's existence was humbling. At the same time, The Great Wall is also known as the largest cemetery in the world. Built over the course of three Chinese dynasties – the first section begun in 221 B.C. – and 13,000 miles in length, up to as many as 400,000 people (many slaves and prisoners of war) were killed during the ages of its construction. Most of the bodies of these people were buried in the foundation of the wall itself. It’s sobering and awe-inspiring at the same time to think about the history within these mountains and the stones beneath our feet.

As you are lifted into the mountains the wall suddenly appears

Henry and I enjoying the ski lift up to The Great Wall of China

We walked/climbed through at least five west tower sections before heading back to where we had arrived. Then, we turned this very profound and contemplative visit into one of laughter and silliness by tobogganing down the mountain from the wall to the entrance of the city. This hilarity was made so much more enjoyable by the excitement and enthusiasm of my friends’ four children. The giggles and smiles as we raced down the track below the wall made my heart light and joyful. Seriously, if any of you are planning to travel to The Great Wall, make sure you sled down the mountain afterwards. It’s too much fun.

You can see The Great Wall in the background as Nora and I slide down the mountain in a toboggan!

Before heading to lunch we stopped in the village shops below the mountain where I tried my hand at bargaining for the first time. I’m horrible at it apparently because I ended up paying way too much for a set of postcards. Our tour guide was shocked when I told her how much I had paid, haha. I have so much more respect for my mom and how skilled she became at bartering in the Senegalese markets. "Foreigner’s tax" is a real thing, people... and it is annoying.

I had to convince myself not to be too bitter or mad at myself for falling into the trap because the truth is these people are just trying to make a living. This one guy just kept telling me (in Mandarin) how pretty he thought I was, in order to try and get me to buy more from him. I at least knew not to fall for that one. Sigh. The good news is I can only get better at bartering the longer I live in China.

THE SUMMER PALACE

After some harsh overnight rains (that we didn’t realize at the time was causing serious flooding and severe damages back home in Qingdao), we headed out to the Emperor’s Summer Palace in the northwest corner of Beijing.

The Summer Palace was first built between the Jin and Yuan dynasties (1153-1271). It is known for its beautiful waterways and gardens. The river it sits along once connected to the Emperor’s Forbidden City and four other palaces in the region. This meant that ancient government officials could move between palaces and royal residences without ever going near places occupied by common folk. The Summer Palace is built on Longevity Hill (the theme of longevity and life was displayed throughout the palace grounds). The Palace and many of it's surrounding buildings had to be rebuilt and mended twice throughout history after a French/British invasion during the Second Opium war and later on during the Chinese Boxer Rebellion when it was attacked by military forces made up of Japanese, Russian, British, French, German, Italian, Austria-Hungarian, and American troops.

Before exploring the grounds, the gang had a great time taking out a six person paddle boat on Kunming Lake. It was so still and peaceful on the water and we were surrounded by breathtaking historic buildings while large dragon boats rode smoothly past us in the water. The kids had a blast ‘trying’ to peddle the paddle boat and waving at people in passing canoes.

We then went on to explore the buildings throughout the Palace Complex. The most interesting history to me had to do with Express Dowager Cixi, or “The Dragon Lady” as history would label her, and her influence and presence both within and without the walls of the Palace. She would ‘rule’ two generations of young emperors and influence a number of significant events in Chinese history. I definitely would like to read more about her and how she gained so much power during a time in Chinese history when women were often denied power and significance.

Each and every hand-painted painting on the boards above this hall is a totally different image.

Other notable things about the Summer Palace was the attention to detail. From sculptures representing the royal family or cranes symbolizing long life hidden throughout the architecture... to ancient trees growing tall and strong (another symbol of longevity), the ancient gardeners and architects created the Summer Palace with great care and consideration for not only beauty and comfort, but regality, symbolism, and distinction. It was beautiful in all aspects of the word.

HUTONGS OF BEIJING

In the late afternoon, Sarah, the two older kids, and I headed into town to visit a traditional Chinese Hutong area. Hutongs are alleyways that feature traditional buildings, homes, and shops. Lined with vendors and trees the street was bustling and lovely.

The city of Beijing used to be covered with these hutongs, but many were destroyed to make way for modern highways and high-rise buildings. In a few areas of the city, these streets survive (though very much commercialized now) and give us a glimpse into what life was once like for people. After seeing construction feats such as The Great Wall and the Summer Palace, the Hutong gave us a glimpse of the common person’s “ancient China”.

CHINESE ACROBATIC SHOW

Our evening then consisted of seeing a show by Chinese acrobats at the Beijing Chaoyang Theatre. The show consisted of amazing feats performed by talented athletes. The kids LOVED every second of the show. Displays of balance, strength, focus, and incomparable precision left the entire audience gasping and cheering with the thrill of the athletes accomplished exactness.

The best part of the show for myself and the kids was when Sarah (their mom) was chosen to help with a funny clown act on stage. She was forced to balance a spinning plate on a thin stick that the clown kept pulling up on to make longer and longer until the plate was almost touching the ceiling of the stage. We were all dying with laughter at the trick, but more so at Sarah's surprised facial expressions.

Overall, the show was fun and the performers extremely skilled and athletic. Sarah and I laughed a couple times at the dramatic excess braided into the acts. Sarah also described the show as being pointedly Chinese in presentation and production. The most memorable part of the show for me, was how into it the children were. From ladies twirling umbrellas on their feet to ten to fifteen fanned dancers on a bicycle pedaled by one girl, every act captured the children’s undivided attention.

Promotional Photo

Sarah balances a spinning plate on top of a rod that just keeps growing!

TEMPLE OF HEAVEN

On our last day of the trip, we went to a destination I really wanted to see in Beijing. An stately compound of holy and sacred buildings that were built for emperors to hold annual ceremonies of prayer. One of my big goals when going to this place of spiritual significance was to pray.

However, my prayers were directed toward a King with a very different presence than that of the Taoist deities or ancestral idols of harvest and good fortune. The words of my heart were lifted to the L--D whose kingdom is beyond the limits of this world and its many flaws. Lyrics to a Chris Tomlin song are brought to my mind even now as I write this.

“You’re the G-D of this city.
You’re the King of these people.
You’re the hope of this nation.
You are.”

Despite the limitations and hidden truth, despite the persecution and struggle, I believe this is true with all my heart. I feel honored to have been chosen to be in this place and watch the work HE is doing here in THESE people and THIS nation.

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

PARENTHOOD &
OTHER FINAL THOUGHTS

Our trip concluded, we headed back to Qingdao on a day fast train (about a five hour journey). I learned a few more things from this trip that I want to share here.

First, I have so much more respect 1. For parents in general. 2. For my parents. Watching my friends Sarah and Chris navigate travelling to another city with four kids, I cannot imagine what it was like for my parents to travel to and from AFRICA with four children. I mean how many meltdowns in the middle of the airport must they have dealt with on a regular basis? I cannot imagine. I think I now understand why parents have days where they get to the end of the day and say to themselves, “my child survived today. We’ll call it a success.” Parenthood is hard, man. Kids are a little scary sometimes.

Yet, they bring so much genuine fun and adventure into the world.

I am genuinely grateful and appreciative to have been along for this trip with this wonderful family and their children. It’s amazing how the innocence and simple pleasure of a child can help you see the world and it’s pieces in a whole new light. Not to mention, throughout my time in China this family has been a constant support and encouragement to me on a daily basis. Also, they’re just a lot of fun to be around.

I have been blessed by my Father that whereever I hang my hat, I have been gifted families who really makes me feel cared for and love me with a love beyond blood or human capacity. I know that HE is faithful through the hands of HIS people.

This trip was a great way to start off my first summer break in China! There are many more adventures to be had over the next two months, so be sure to stay tuned!
Blessings to all!

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CHINA Month 10: The End of the Beginning

6/8/2018

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ISQ's Class of 2018

Happy summer, friends!

Due to the multi-national SCO Summit taking place in Qingdao this week, our school year was forced to finish (even earlier than the timing we were first told) on Tuesday, June 5th. This meant after “The Jungle Book” ended, it was a dangerous short track speed skate to the end for me and my students!

Amidst the chaos of classes, late nights, and hours of grading, there have been many "End of the Year" Events to mark the completion of my first year of teaching abroad! Here are pictures and stories about most of them!

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Right after the end of "The Jungle Book", I celebrated my 27th birthday in China on May 15th. Though tired and getting over a cold (which showed up right after the end of show season), it was fun to get together with some wonderful friends and eat delicious food (a Korean dish known as Dak-galbi). I am thankful for the transformation and changes that year 26 of life provided me. I am comforted, hopeful, and excited to see what my Father has in store for year 27.

HIGH SCHOOL SPRING BANQUET

Our school's version of prom, the High School Spring Banquet is a highly anticipated event for our students. I was blessed to be asked not only to chaperone, but also to play paparazzi (aka "red carpet" photographer) for the evening. I loved everything about it. Though I love teaching middle school, I do miss having high school students in my life. Every opportunity I've had to spend time building relationships with high school students since arriving here has been a wonderful highlight for me. This evening, the theme "Under the Stars", was a great opportunity to enjoy interacting with high schoolers on their special night. The dinner was at a fancy local hotel and I made an interesting discovery about myself during the course of the banquet.

After going through the buffet line, I sat down at my table and realized that I had been given only a fork, spoon and knife as utensils. I found myself surprisingly annoyed and even a little frustrated to discover there were NO CHOPSTICKS TO BE FOUND! As soon as I voiced that thought out loud, my whole table began laughing hysterically. I realized in that moment that perhaps, I really have settled down well here in China.

"THE JUNGLE BOOK" T-SHIRTS

Some of the cast and crew of "The Jungle Book" celebrated it's completion by wearing their show shirt to school. Since I designed the shirt I can't help, but want to show it off! People are still coming up to me and raving about the show. I am so grateful to the L-rd for blessing this production in such a big way! I have my own big shoes to fill for next year, that's for sure!

MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTIVITY AFTERNOON

The Middle School student leadership known as GRMS (pronounced "germs"; standing for Grade Representatives of Middle School) planned an exciting after-school game day a week before the end of the year and it was a blast!. We played outdoor sports such as kickball and battleball before heading inside for a rousing game of "Vegetable" (see pictures). Part of the "Vegetable" game involved me getting to whack my students with a pillow... BEST THING EVER! Then, we had fried chicken and watched the movie "Wonder". It was great time of laughter, energy, pure fun, and relationship building for all.

LADIES FAREWELL TEA

A few of the liaisons of our company hosted a "Ladies Farewell Tea" at a local hotel to give the women of the school a chance to gather and say goodbye to those who are leaving our school this year. It was a fun afternoon of questions (to see who knew the departing women best) with some cool prizes. I myself won everything from tea to a yoga mat to a hair dryer! Though it is hard to say goodbye to so many, I am thankful for time of fellowship and commemoration of the work being completed through these faithful servants in China.

END OF YEAR BANQUET

The End of the Year Banquet (similar to the Ladies Farewell Tea) is an opportunity for our school to both say farewell and honor all staff. The company gave gifts to staff who had been working with the school for a certain number of milestone years. Fifth, tenth, fifteenth, and twentieth year employees were awarded with gorgeous Chines scrolls containing calligraphic Scripture. I (along with a few others) were awarded with cheers at "surviving" our first year as staff members.

My favorite parts of the night were the testimonies shared for two special families leaving our school this year. The first was for our Head of School and his wife (who teaches second grade). After 14 years with ISQ, they are moving to Shanghai to work at another school. A little fifth grader who has attended our school since she was in kindergarten came up and read a speech about how both our Head of School and his wife changed her life. She shared the impact their "hellos", teaching moments, and constant kind words have had on her young heart. I am telling you, it was a beautiful testimony and I doubt there was a dry eye in the auditorium. It reminded me again how precious our students are. Amidst the stress of grades, lessons plans, standards and formalized testing... to know that you have made an impact in a young person's life makes teaching the most rewarding and important career in the whole world.

After that, our Middle School B-ble teacher and his wife came up. They have been with the school for almost 25 years. He has taught every age group and almost every subject in his many years at ISQ. He has also become my friend and someone whom I look up to and respect deeply. We worked together quite closely. In the fall of last year, he was one of the other chaperones on the 7th Grade Fall Trip with me. One of my students told me that I was "the second funniest teacher in the school" only behind him, haha.

He came to China as a single man and met his wife (who had also moved here from another country) while here. Their children (one a senior and one an eight grader) have attended our school since they were in Pre-K. The person who spoke for them is a national member of our custodial staff. She has been at our school since it first opened, and therefore knew the family since their start here in China. I was absolutely blessed by her sharing (in her native tongue which was then translated for us into English). Her words were so heartfelt, touching, and genuine. She shared how when he first arrived she couldn't comprehend why a young, unmarried man would move across the world to teach in a small school for foreign students in her country. She then explained, as she got to know him, that she was more and more inspired by his heart for people and doing his Father's work.

Tears welled up in my eyes as she shared this. I thought of the film "Dances with Wolves". My mother has loved that movie for as long as I can remember. I recall her once telling me that the film was a beautiful story about building relationships that go beyond cultural boundaries. The protagonist, an American officer, befriends and integrates into a midwest Native American tribe (Sioux). The bond that is built is one that surpasses both cultures. Despite their differences and the dangers they both face, at the end of the film the Native Americans tell the man (played by Kevin Costner) that he is no longer an outsider in their eyes, instead, he is a brother.

In the same way, this custodian's words spoke words of family and love toward this incredible couple. In their many years of service, they had forged a bond with China in a way most people cannot dream of building. These were relationships of love and trust and a close bond of one KNOWING and being KNOWN. I was inspired by their commitment, their faith, and now their obedience in leaving behind the only world they've known as a family. Their oldest just graduated and they will be moving to the States (for the father this is the first time in over 20 years; for the wife it is the first time ever). I cannot imagine the many emotions their whole family must be feeling. Yet, I can see their faith and their assurance that this path is not one of unknowns, but instead a path blanketed in the comfort of a Heavenly Light that guides them.

I do not know how long I will be in China. I do not know what my Father may ask me to do in the coming years. I do know that someday I hope someone will speak of me in the same way these two couples were spoke of before their obedient departure.

IMPROV GAMES

On the second to last day of school, Middle School students could sign up for teacher led activities. From board games to a mock project runway (where all outfits were created from the paper of torn down bulletin boards) the options were creative and fun group activities. I led an activity of improv acting games (think "Who's Line is it Anyway?"). It was hysterical! I had students pretending to be teachers and creating a statue garden from things found in an airplane bathroom... by the end of the day my sides hurt from laughing so hard. One thing I must note about teaching Middle School is that these students are far more brave and imaginative than adults give them credit for being!

8TH GRADE SUNSET CEREMONY

An important aspect of TCK (Third Culture Kid) life is commemorating important life events. The reason? TCKs spend much of their lives in transition. With people coming and leaving constantly, experiencing changes in culture, relationships, and perspectives... it can be easy to lose one's self and be distracted from the things that keep you grounded. Therefore, our school puts a great emphasis on celebrating milestones. The Middle School hosts a special ceremony called "Sunset" for eight grade students who are moving on to high school.

This ceremony includes the opportunity for the eight graders' teachers to speak to the strengths and growth of each individual student, as well as, praise the class as a whole. This was my first "Sunset" ceremony and I was touched and thankful that my school is so focused on providing a solid foundation for our students. My Father was in the entire ceremony and it was so fun watching these young people walk across the stage signifying the setting of the sun on their middle school life. Now, when the sun rises again they will be high schoolers. Some of our students will not be returning to ISQ next year (this will forever be common in international communities), so this ceremony was also an opportunity to bless and give these students the proper farewell they need.

I am very proud of these students and thankful for the impact they have had on me as a teacher. I SO look forward to seeing who they become as they step into the high school and the rest of their lives.

CLASS OF 2018 GRADUATION

Not the last event of the year, but certainly one that marks the approach of the end was the Class of 2018's Graduation Ceremony. This was a special moment for a lot of reasons. It was the first graduation held at our school's new campus. This was also my first graduation to attend as a teacher where I was not a high school teacher.

The reason that is meaningful to me is because for the past three years prior to China I taught 12th Grade English. In my last year teaching in the U.S., I remember standing at graduation with tears in my eyes because I realized that I had taught 96% of the senior class (shoutout to LHS' Class of 2017). This graduation felt different because for the first time none of these kids were "mine".

Yet despite this fact, I was blessed to realize that I had developed relationships with a number of these graduating seniors even whilst not having officially taught them. This realization was so beautiful to me... because if I was still teaching in the U.S. I never would have even crossed paths with students of other "school" levels. However, because I teach at a small international school in China... these cross school/grade relationships are made possible. In that small graduating class, which had the representation of at least 11 different countries, there were students I knew and loved.

The keynote speaker for the graduation encouraged this class with inspiring words and I would like to share a particular portion with you all.

"In the Greek and Roman Empires, humility was considered one of the worst traits that you could have. A much more important trait was honor. This idea that the more strength you show, the more glory and honor you get for yourself, your family, even your nation. This meant that people very rarely did anything that could be seen as weak. You would only do something nice for the poor or those inferior to you if it got you honor in some way.
Until J-SUS.
But J-SUS chose to put others before himself. Over and over again he chose to give up his honor to serve those who were considered inferior [...] J-SUS chose humility. He chose forgiveness [...] So, as you move on from high school learn to be humble. Learn to put others first. Learn to value everyone..."

You can watch 6 minutes of his speech during of the graduation ceremony HERE (see: 00:00 - 06:00).

A FEW THOUGHTS

As this school year comes to an end, I am in awe that I have already reached this place. It seemed a million days away in August of last year when I missed the first week of school due to VISA struggles.

Here I am.

My first year of teaching middle school finished.

My first year teaching in China complete.

I can only describe the emotions of my heart as being relieved and thankful. I did not finish this year on my own. My Father walked with me. He's always been faithful to me. My family in the U.S. spoke words of support and encouragement into my ear on the hardest days. Many, many friends pr-yed for me in a way I have never experienced before. Last of all, I had a team of G-dly and wonderful community members here in China cheering for me every step of this journey.

As we head into summer, I find myself strangely excited for next year already! I love where my Father has me in life right now. I am far from where I hope to be, but I know that I do not walk alone and that being wholly in the Will of my Father is the safest place I will ever be.

Thank you to all of you who supported me through this first school year in China. It is the hardest thing I've ever done, but I am overwhelmed with the knowledge that I am exactly where G-d has called me to be.

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Struggles and Pr-y-r Requests

Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival

Chang'E & The Jade Rabbit

Wu Gang

Mr. Mooncake

Thoughts on Discovering Culture & Tradition

A Weekend Getaway

Yantaishan

The Museum of the Chinese Qipao

(Chinese) Holiday Season

Call Me the Chaperone Queen (upcoming travels)

365 DAYS. COME. GONE. HERE.

BLACK

GREY

BROWN

CRÈME

WHITE

PINK

PURPLE

BLUE

GREEN

YELLOW

ORANGE

RED

AND SO MANY MORE

WHEN I SEE THE RAINBOW...

TEACHING ENGLISH CAMP

STUDYING CHINESE

WHAT'S NEXT?

SUMMER 2018​PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

Driving from Picton to Waianakarua (337 miles)

WAIANKARUA FARM

Driving from Wainakarua to Bluff (198 miles)

MOERAKI BOULDERS

KATIKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE

BLUFF

Driving from Bluff to Greendale (356 miles)

OAMARU

WALNUT TREE COTTAGE

Greendale to Devil’s Punch Bowl (75 miles)

ARTHUR'S PASS

CASTLE HILL

DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL

Devil’s Punchbowl to ChristChurch (88 miles)

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

"SO, DO YOU FEEL HOMESICK?"

WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED

ALMOST ONE YEAR IN

A SIDE EFFECT OF BEING A TCK

​AND YET...

The closest I've ever been to the world...

VIDEO SEGEMENT BREAKDOWN

SCO 2018 INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT​OPENING CEREMONIES

PHOTOS RELATED TO THE SUMMIT

MORE VIDEOS ABOUT QINGDAO

OVERNIGHT TRAIN

TUKTUK RIDE

THE EXPAT MECCA

THE "GREATEST" WALL OF CHINA

THE SUMMER PALACE

HUTONGS OF BEIJING

CHINESE ACROBATIC SHOW

TEMPLE OF HEAVEN

PARENTHOOD & ​OTHER FINAL THOUGHTS

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

HIGH SCHOOL SPRING BANQUET

"THE JUNGLE BOOK" T-SHIRTS

MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTIVITY AFTERNOON

LADIES FAREWELL TEA

END OF YEAR BANQUET

IMPROV GAMES

8TH GRADE SUNSET CEREMONY

CLASS OF 2018 GRADUATION

A FEW THOUGHTS

Archives

Categories

SUMMER 2018
PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

AND YET...

SCO 2018 INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT
OPENING CEREMONIES

PARENTHOOD &
OTHER FINAL THOUGHTS