I wish I could say it's been a great week since I last wrote. I can't say it's been awful, because it truly hasn't been, however, it's been trying at times. Getting ready for RSM, trying not to die, not having a real weekend, getting sick on Saturday night, and just plain RAIN! I will not complain about it, though, as I've done my fair share of it recently. I always try to live in the moment and try to be where I am and no-where else, but with my mind, it's hard to keep it in one place, but that has been my challenge this week. To live the moment and be here fully. Afterall, the next moment is not guaranteed. Just because you wake up in the morning does not mean you will go to sleep that night. We should be thankful for all moments and live them each to their potential.
I haven't really had a chance to write, not did I really say too much last time I wrote, but I was contemplating the shortness of life. What brought this around? Well, apart from friends that have died in the last couple years, it is also about a friend of mine from elementary school in NY. She had cystic fibrosis, and passed away last Sunday (the 12th). I can't say we were extremely close, but we were definitely in classes together and sang in chorus together, and I can picture her in our kindergarten yearbook in Mrs. Freshauer's class.
I haven't received news from home in a good long while, and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I tried to call home last week, but could not get through. I haven't had any news about Sky, so if you know something, please tell me. He's in my prayers and on the hearts and minds of some of my friends here as I've asked for prayers to be sent his way.
Also, if any of my family is reading this: E-mail me!!!! It's the most convenient way to stay in touch with me. I have to bring my laptop up to school in order to skype, and that's not always easy (especially in all this rain).
I did get some news today that I can't wait until it's time to share it! I know some people here read this, though, so I really shouldn't say for now, but it really makes me appreciate God's timing and grace.
Have a happy rest of the week and I'll get back to you guys soon!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Community
We were not created to live alone. We were not created to deal with death. We were created to live in community with eachother sharing our lives and everything we have. Sharing our hearts, our emotions, our mundane.
But in today's world, it is so hard to have that. People mess with other peoples' hearts. People don't think it matters what you do. People wonder why they always feel alone and are always searching for the next new thing out there.
Because we're not supposed to be isolated. We're not supposed to have to build walls just so we don't get hurt (again). We need to tear these walls down and build real relationships where we share with eachother, where we spend time with eachother.
I think one of the best parts of India is tea time. Where we all head to the staff lounge for tea/coffee, a snack, and conversation. Where we talk to people instead of sitting in our office, isolated from the rest of the school. I thoroughly enjoy talking to people, whether they're the same people I talk to everyday or someone I just happen to see every few days. It's good to hear how their work is going and to get out of "band world" for a bit.
It's good to step outside ourself and be there for a friend who needs us. To say "it might not feel good today, but it will pass". It's good to be able to say "well, we're all busy today, but November is right around the corner". To be there for someone else. This is one reason India has a leg up on the world. Most schools teachers get into the staff lounge after a huge day with too many students and gripe. But here, yea we gripe, that's true, but more often we go up there and we talk to each other like people. That's kind of nice.
This has no point. I'm really busy, and sometimes stressing, and sometimes crying over the dumb stuff, but even just the small breaks in the staff lounge are a great release and a chance to be a person amidst all the "teacher" that I have to be.
<3
But in today's world, it is so hard to have that. People mess with other peoples' hearts. People don't think it matters what you do. People wonder why they always feel alone and are always searching for the next new thing out there.
Because we're not supposed to be isolated. We're not supposed to have to build walls just so we don't get hurt (again). We need to tear these walls down and build real relationships where we share with eachother, where we spend time with eachother.
I think one of the best parts of India is tea time. Where we all head to the staff lounge for tea/coffee, a snack, and conversation. Where we talk to people instead of sitting in our office, isolated from the rest of the school. I thoroughly enjoy talking to people, whether they're the same people I talk to everyday or someone I just happen to see every few days. It's good to hear how their work is going and to get out of "band world" for a bit.
It's good to step outside ourself and be there for a friend who needs us. To say "it might not feel good today, but it will pass". It's good to be able to say "well, we're all busy today, but November is right around the corner". To be there for someone else. This is one reason India has a leg up on the world. Most schools teachers get into the staff lounge after a huge day with too many students and gripe. But here, yea we gripe, that's true, but more often we go up there and we talk to each other like people. That's kind of nice.
This has no point. I'm really busy, and sometimes stressing, and sometimes crying over the dumb stuff, but even just the small breaks in the staff lounge are a great release and a chance to be a person amidst all the "teacher" that I have to be.
<3
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Of Mice, Men and beaches....
I had a wonderful, relaxing, amazing, and refreshing three days at a beach called Varkala in Kerala. I pulled a muscle in my back on the first day, however, so I didn't go down to the beach after that day. I pulled it in the water (letting myself get pounded by waves and body surfing... you know, the good stuff), so it was well worth it. You may be like, "So why didn't you at least go sit on the beach?" Well, the beach is down a cliff, so you have to go down stairs. Sore back plus vertigo means a Melissa that isn't going to make it, lol. I'm only peeling a little bit after all the sun, and I'm so glad to be tan!
On the way back from Varkala, we had an overnight train. At one of the stations where we stopped, a man came up to the train window and tried to open the window. He was really persistant. It was quite scary. The mouse mentioned in my title has to do with the mouse that plagued our carriage. O, India. It was really nice to have hot showers at the beach, though!! (I still don't have hot water at my house)
Since being back I've done a bit of sleeping, ate at Tibb's last night, and tonight I think I'm going to Fay's before volleyball. It should be a good night.
It's RSM month, which means that I have to stay after school to wait for students to drop in. This means that there might be a whole lot of updates this month. :-)
I had my first "evaluation" as a probationary teacher today, and it went well. Pratap (my HOD) even said "good job" at tea this afternoon. That is quite refreshing. Any kind of observation makes me nervous and it's good to know the first one went well. We began talking about the spring trip today as well, and there is a possibility I'll be going to Bangalore again. :-)
Tomorrow we're recording the AMIS auditions, and if we're done in time, I'll go to CE. If not, I'm going home and going to bed.
Hmm... not much else going on in my life at the moment. It's retreating monsoon season now, so rain's come and are very heavy when they do. My clothes have been trying to dry for days and it's just not happening. I'm going to pull some of them in and put them in front of the fire tonight (I've gotten quite good at lighting a fire).
Keep praying for India and the persecution here. And pray for the missionaries throughout this country. Some you know, some you've heard of, and the many that we don't know.
I guess I'll write more some other time.
PEACE!
On the way back from Varkala, we had an overnight train. At one of the stations where we stopped, a man came up to the train window and tried to open the window. He was really persistant. It was quite scary. The mouse mentioned in my title has to do with the mouse that plagued our carriage. O, India. It was really nice to have hot showers at the beach, though!! (I still don't have hot water at my house)
Since being back I've done a bit of sleeping, ate at Tibb's last night, and tonight I think I'm going to Fay's before volleyball. It should be a good night.
It's RSM month, which means that I have to stay after school to wait for students to drop in. This means that there might be a whole lot of updates this month. :-)
I had my first "evaluation" as a probationary teacher today, and it went well. Pratap (my HOD) even said "good job" at tea this afternoon. That is quite refreshing. Any kind of observation makes me nervous and it's good to know the first one went well. We began talking about the spring trip today as well, and there is a possibility I'll be going to Bangalore again. :-)
Tomorrow we're recording the AMIS auditions, and if we're done in time, I'll go to CE. If not, I'm going home and going to bed.
Hmm... not much else going on in my life at the moment. It's retreating monsoon season now, so rain's come and are very heavy when they do. My clothes have been trying to dry for days and it's just not happening. I'm going to pull some of them in and put them in front of the fire tonight (I've gotten quite good at lighting a fire).
Keep praying for India and the persecution here. And pray for the missionaries throughout this country. Some you know, some you've heard of, and the many that we don't know.
I guess I'll write more some other time.
PEACE!
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