Goodbye Summer 2013!

So it's been a few months since I've last posted and a lot has happened.  After a strong finish to the school year I went back to the states for 3 weeks.  It was great seeing everyone and I'm so thankful I was able to visit, even though it was only for a short time.  It was a little strange at times being back in the American culture and being able to understand the language.  Being home made me realize that my heart is torn towards two very different places.  While I'm in Wuxi I miss my family in America but when I'm in America I miss my Wuxi family.  I'm also reminded of how much I hate "goodbyes" or "see ya laters".  I'm so thankful that when are brothers and sisters in Him that there are truly never any "goodbyes"!

When I returned to Wuxi I began intensive language study which I enjoyed but I definitely felt overwhelmed at times.  It was definitely great to be able to study and not worry about the stresses of teaching though and I'm thankful to have such a wonderful teacher that works with me.  I hope to be fluent enough so when my mom and sister come in a few summers I will able to translate when we travel (I've got some studying to do between now and then.....).  Besides language study I was also a part of our school's English Camp which we put on for local English teachers.  I did a workshop on using songs for English-teaching.  I was a bit unsure of whether or not any of my information would be helpful since I don't actually teach English but I received many positive comments and I feel like I was at least somewhat helpful.  It was also nice meeting other teachers in the area and seeing just how different their schools and our school are.

This week we have begun our teacher meetings before school starts next Tuesday.  It's so amazing how much of a difference one year of experience makes!  I am so much more calm and confident about the beginning of the school year than I was a year ago.  I'm really looking forward to this year too because of the band program.  So far it has been very well received by students and we believe that parents will be very excited as well when they realize it is an option for their children.  Most of our students come from a culture that puts more of an emphasis on instrumental music than vocal music so I am anticipating a very high interest.  Another change this year is that my classroom has moved from the first floor to the fifth floor.  My new room is coming together quite nicely and I love my new office.  I have much more space now and I even have an instrument closet with nice shelving for the instruments.  One thing that I desperately need right now at school is a co-teacher.  We had a lead on someone but they ended up backing out which was a huge bummer.  If you could join me in lifting that situation up I would really appreciate it!  It will be much easier and effective to teach beginner instrumental music with someone helping out.

On a different note I have recently started the Insanity workout.  It has been really challenging but strangely addictive.  I don't plan to use it on a daily basis like most people do but to supplement on days that I don't workout elsewhere (some days are just too hot to workout anywhere other than my air-conditioned apartment).  I'm really trying to take better care of my health this year so I can reduce some of the stress I've been having...so far exercising has really helped! I am also looking forward to running once the weather has cooled off and many of the teachers and I are hoping to run a race in Shanghai this December.  I really would love to try for the half-marathon because I've done 10ks in the past and really want to stretch to an even further distance.  We'll see how that goes with my school schedule but if I do it I will be sure to include it in a post! 

Anyways I know many of you are still enjoying your summers but for those of you starting school soon I hope you have a great new year!  I will try to do better with posting on this blog but I know I've said that before....

Blessings,

Rachel

Here is a photo of Caleb, Hannah and I after I got off the plane in the states when I visited!

Only 2 1/2 days until I am no longer a first year teacher!!!

In 2 1/2 days our school year will end.  In 3 days I will be flying over the ocean to come back to the place I call home.  It still doesn't feel real yet.  I can't picture being in America where everyone understands what I am saying, where I'm not illiterate and where the first 22 years of my life were spent.  I am so excited but honestly feel a little scared of reverse culture-shock.  I don't feel like I am the same person that I was when I left.  Sure I still have the same personality, look the same, etc, but I feel different.  I feel more knowledgable and confident in my teaching.  I feel closer to my Father who has shown Himself to me in ways that I have not experienced before.  I was stretched, put outside of my comfort zone and it was hard and uncomfortable and scary....but I am learning we are put into these situations because it is how we grow the most.  Every need and every worry that I have had this year has been taken care of and not by my own power or will.

 I have so many questions about going home.  Will I act the same as I did before?  Will people understand when I describe my life here?  Will it feel like home?  A wise expat here once told me that the longer he has lived here, the more he realizes his real home is not on this earth but in heaven.  You go home, but people's lives have continued and are different than when you left.  I know it's only been 1 year and so not a ton has changed at home, but I look into the possibility of living here longer and realize that things will change and people's lives will go on without me being there.  It's a hard realization but I know that there is a bigger purpose for me here, at least at this point in my life. 

Looking back at my first year of teaching I can say I feel good about it.  It was definitely tough (as everyone said it would be) but all in all it wasn't terrible.  I have AMAZING students!  They work so hard and performed wonderfully at our spring concert last week (so proud of them!!).  I will be saying goodbye to our seniors on Thursday and I am not ready to let them go!!  It's nice to know, though, that I never have to repeat the struggles that every first-year teacher has.  Next year will surely have its challenges but I have survived a year and have learned so much that will help me in the years to come. 

All in all I am extremely excited for this next week and all that is going to happen.  I cannot wait to land in America and give my family a big squeeze!  I know my 3 weeks at home will go by all too fast but I'm trying to focus on the time that I do get.  Hopefully I will get to see as many of you as possible while home...if not, I will be home all summer next year!!

Blessings,

Rachel

Below:  Our PE teacher and I after the spring concert last week...the look of relief!

Home Stretch!

So I feel like I am running a marathon and I'm on my last little bit of the race...there's not a whole lot of energy left in me but the end is in sight!  We have a little less than 8 weeks left of school and I know it is going to fly by.  I have recently been struggling with a bit of homesickness but through Him I am overcoming it.  I have to just stay focused on school and my students on not on the fact that I will be vacationing in Montana with my family 2 months from now. I can definitely say I have had a pretty good year considering it has been my first year but I am so ready to be a second year teacher (I heard it gets much easier after the first year)! 

In school, my main focus is shifting towards our spring concert which is the last Friday in May.  I am definitely more confident going into this concert than the Christmas concert.  The students are working really hard and I'm excited to show our community what they can do.  Recently we have also started an introductory after-school activity for our future band program.  We are going to incorporate this into the school-day next year but wanted to start some students now.  Hopefully this will help them to be even more successful with it next year.  Our school is very blessed to have the quality of instruments that we just purchased...so nice!  I definitely have a lot of curriculum for the program to bring back from the states this summer though.  I'm excited to be more involved with band next year and to offer this elective to the kids.

We just came back to school from spring break about a week ago.  I spent a good portion of my break in Seoul, Korea with extended family.  They live on the military base and it definitely felt like I was in America some of the time (oh and I also was able to stock up on some greatly missed items such as Cheetos and Yankee Candles!). We also went to the Demilitarized Zone...talk about scary!!  I even had to sign a waiver that basically is said if I die it's not the Korean governement's fault (really reassuring haha).  I am glad I went though because it was really interesting.   It was also great to see my family and it definitely gave me a little bit of a "family fix".  It was also then that I discovered the show, Duck Dynasty.  HILARIOUS!  We spent many evenings watching it while I was there!

In case any of you are wondering I arrive in the states on June 8th, but I'll be on vacation with my family until the 15th.  I'll be back in Smithville then so if you are going to be around let me know and I'll try to see as many people as I can!  I come back to China on June 30th.  Such a short time!!  I'm hoping to make the most of it though!

Anyways things here are going well, all things considered, and despite my occasional homesickness I am really enjoying my teaching experience here.  I still can't confirm if I'll sign up for another two years when this is over but don't be suprised if I do!  Miss you all and I hope to see you when I am home!!

Rachel

Is tomorrow really March 1?!?!?!?!?

Hello friends and family!  I know it's been awhile since my last blog post...I wish I could say I have a good excuse but I don't :)  Wow this year has gone by fast!  It's already almost March!!! A lot has happened since the year 2013 has started.  After our Christmas break we had 5 weeks of school and then another 2 week break for chun jie (Chinese new year).  I must say that I love being at an international school where we can celebrate American and Chinese holidays! 

This semester a few of my classes are different.  I have a praise band class with some really talented kids and my high school choir class grew from 6 to 20!  I think that might have to do with the fact that we are going to the ISC Choral Festival in a few weeks in Tianjin but I still like to think it's because they like the class ;)  I'm really excited for this trip.  My students will get to perform with students from 5 other schools and work under the direction of a university choral director from New York.  They are also commissioning a piece and the premier will be at the concert with the composer present in the audience (no pressure...)!  This year is also the first year that they are going to have a band festival in addition to choral festival.  I am excited because I am the only brass teacher in all of our ISC schools so I get to lead brass sectionals.  On that note I should mention that in the past few months we have purchased and received instruments and, as of this week, have started an after-school band.  Because of after-school sports practices we have only 10 students in it right now but we are expecting a pretty good turn-out next year when band will be part of the school day!  I AM SOOOOOO HAPPY TO BE TEACHING BAND!!!!  Don't get me wrong, I have really enjoyed teaching choir, but my heart is in instrumental music!  This class will also take place of my general music class for middle school which for most music teachers is a challenging class to teach (its a big challenge for me). 

The Father is continuing to teach me and show me things that He has planned.  A long-time struggle I have dealt with is anxiety and self-doubt.  This has been magnified since being here.  The enemy knows this is my weakness and he is constantly attacking me with it.  I lose a lot of sleep but really would rather not resort to sleep-medication to help cope.  Depending on the time of year it gets better and worse but He is continually showing His faithfulness in being right beside me in my struggles.

I am looking forward to summer and being with my friends and family.  I am also creating an extensive list of items I want to bring back (many of the items wouldn't be on there if there was  a Bath and Body Works here lol).  I am excited to be going home and being somewhere that is familiar but going home doesn't seem real to me right now, it kind of feels like a dream.  I come home on June 8 and will stay until the beginning of July so if you're around let me know!