A Day of Exploring

Ernie and I decided to find a beach today since I really wanted to see some water. So we set out on an adventure. We took the train a few stops to Wu Kai Sha. We saw some beautiful scenery on the way. Then we got off the train and walked on what looked like a seldomly used path and then down a random road. There were signs that said Whitehead Golf Club or something like that. But we just wanted to get to the water. Then Ernie peeked through the trees and other foliage on the side of the road and saw a little beachy area. So we climbed down and we had a beautiful little area all to ourselves! It was so peaceful and relaxing and beautiful. We stayed a while and then we made our way back to the train station and took it back one stop to Ma On Shan. There are two malls there. We were hungry but the issue is that a lot of the local places are in Cantonese and the people speak Cantonese so ordering is hard for us. But I had our little cheat sheet and we were able to get a seat and actually order our food. That was fun! We got some Dim Sum items and also a noodle dish. I had fresh carrot and apple juice and Ernie had a coke and we drank jasmine tea. We ate with chop sticks although they offered us "American's" forks. I was pretty proud of our ability to do that. Then we went home and by the time we got off the train it was raining, so we had a light jog in the rain. It was so fun! We got home just in time - then it started pouring buckets of water.

To see what today looked like I'm sharing a link to photos on Picasa. I think I'm doing this right - who knows!

http://picasaweb.google.com/111125336105726794698?authkey=Gv1sRgCMWlldW1x-mkHQ

I think you can go to this link to see. You may have to highlight it - copy and paste it. It worked for me.

Ironing

I chose to title this entry ironing because that is what stage we are at right now. The wrinkles are ironing themselves out. Let me explain...

When we moved into our apartment things seemed fine although a bit strange. However we just assumed that's how it was. I mean the light switches are on the outside of the room and you have to flip the switch for the water heater for the bathroom and the kitchen and separately. So any deviation from the norm seemed normal. But over time we started to notice some things getting worse. For example, our shower. If you turned it on hot and ran it, it got nice and hot. But as soon as you turned the faucet toward the middle for a not so scalding temperature it would go ice cold. So then you'd turn it back to hot. Usually you'd get a decent temperature for a minute or two. Then it progressively got worse and it was either very hot or very cold and very hard for us to actually be under the water. Problem two, our toilet started leaking. It has a little pipe out the side of the base (overflow or something I guess) and there's a little drain on the floor. I think it's a precaution so your bathroom never floods. Except ours was - little by little the water creeped until more of the floor was wet...well, finally this week they replaced some part and now it's bone dry there (yay) and my principal Tim (Mr. Hong Kong as he's otherwise known because he knows so much about here) said why don't you run your sink on hot just barely while you shower and that should keep the hot water running in the shower. See, it's a unit that flash heats the water - not a tank. So something is awry with the pressure and sensing. They are still trying to figure out a solution but at least in the meantime we can be clean! So those are two very big reliefs to us.

It seems that plumbing problems follow Ernie and I like the plague. When we moved to Chandler from Tucson we lived in a brand spanking new apartment but the first time we used the new washer it flooded. Then we moved to our San Juan address in Phoenix. The master bedroom toilet just kept running one morning and we found ourselves ankle deep in water - that was a fun process drying all that out. Then in our last place the toilet handle had to be jimmied and the fixtures were from the 1920's. The sink in the kitchen had separate spigots. While charming it was a bit unpractical. So I figured here we'd be home free. But I read that scripture the other day that says "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33 Boy isn't that the truth - but it's okay because there's something bigger going on and I'm not gonna let a little plumbing get me down. Instead I'm gonna do some ironing!

Video of my classroom in Hong Kong

We found a new church!

So every Sunday since I got here (except the one I arrived on) has been sad for me because I was missing Faith Assembly. The first Sunday we went to ICA (International Christian Assembly) and it was okay. It seemed more like a concert or show then a church though. Then last Sunday we were wanting to go to a different church and that morning we set out to figure out how to get there and we couldn't and we missed the other service and didn't end up going anywhere which really bummed me out. For some reason I really felt this was an important church to check out. So then, I asked my principal if he could tell us how to get there because it's the church he and his family attend. So he said they'd meet us at the train station at the stop near the church and drive us over so that's what we did. We got there and went in and it was a very small sanctuary with wooden pews and the front was similar to Faith Assembly - a cross over the baptismal. I liked the look and feel of it. Worship was awesome - I knew all the songs. The pastor was American (not that it matters but it was nice to see someone from my country) and his message was great. Then they sang another worship song at the end and had offering and closed with a worship song. Then leaving we waited to meet the pastor and someone little came up behind me and hugged my legs - it was a student! How neat! My principal introduced us to the Pastor and he said "New teachers" and greeted us warmly and said he'd love to talk with us sometime soon. The middle school principal and his family attend there as well as several other ICS teachers so there were familiar faces and greetings. That was nice. Overall I was so happy and cheerful and full of God that it was a welcome relief! The church is called KIBC - Kowloon International Baptist Church. Yes, it's a Baptist church but honestly I don't know the difference. It was just good. I guess the 11:00 service is more traditional - they have a choir but I don't know what that means. I liked it there. Oh and they announced they were starting their Christmas Choir soon. :) It was a cozy church - hard to find here. I don't want to go to a church and sit in an overflow room. Anyway, then we walked back to the train station (the MTR) and had lunch and went grocery shopping.

Ernie and I did well navigating this weekend and that was cool. There's just so much to see and do and it doesn't even cost any money - just going around and seeing things is fun. I hated window shopping and malls unless I was out to get something specific before in the U.S. but now every store and every mall is different and it's just amazing. Can't wait to get paid and maybe do some real shopping.

Tomorrow night we're having tacos at Jens apartment across the hall and Friday night the 7th floor is having a potluck. Should be fun. And we have a snowman stalking our floor. Hee hee! I got back from the somewhere yesterday and there was a stuffed snowman at our door. I think it's from the storage unit where our washers and dryers are. So we put it in front of someone else's door and it keeps being moved around. It's so funny to come home and see! Well that's all for now. I'll try to post a video. I'm learning...

Live in Hong Kong goes on...

Almost 3 weeks in - I can't believe it! I feel like I have learned soooo much in the last three weeks - more then I've had to learn in the last three years combined. But I can do it. We got our official Hong Kong ID cards. They are serious here! It has a chip in it and they digitally take your thumbprints and that's on the chip. It's crazy.
I can live here and function as I would in the U.S. however it's so different too. It's so hard to explain. I live here and work here and am experiencing everyday life not just as a tourist. But I am still aware of all the differences. Like when my kids are eating snack sometimes I just don't know what they are eating. I ask them and they don't know how to explain it. Or in our breakroom there are candies and cookies and different snacks - some by companies I've heard of like Nestle but the actual product is something I've never seen in the U.S. or it will be something totally different for me like these rice crackers with seaweed flakes that we ate yesterday or sugar cane juice in a juice box or chrysanthemum tea in a juice box. So different. Also, I'm starting to recognize cantonese words. I have no idea what I'm hearing but I'm am picking up a pattern. It's probably like if you heard the word "the" in English over and over in conversations. You might think - oh, that's familar - but you have no idea what it means. I really would love to really learn another language. I'm goingt to make an effort.

I'm really liking my school and my team. They are kind and helpful to me and it's a bonding thing to do devotions and pray together every morning. For that I am so thankful. Our principal Tim did the devotion this morning and it so hit home I wanted to start crying right there.

I definitely like my afternoon class more then my morning class right now. I have some very high maintenance boys in my morning class. They are managable but they drain all my energy! I have some super cuties too. They are just such sweet children and the fact that I get to share Jesus with them just fills my heart in ways I couldn't imagine. We pray before snack each day and yesterday I prayed and they just clasped their little hands and bowed their little heads and they prayed so ferverently with me it was almost heartbreaking to see. Then today I asked for a prayer helper to prayer and to hear their little voices say "dear God please bless this food and keep us healthy..." and then they all say "amen" together was just the highlight of my day. I know I'm in the right place and I've had to do a fair amount of "extra" praying these few days so I was able to share with my kids about when you're scared or in trouble you can just pray "Jesus help me" and He will because He sure has given me peace and strength these past few days and weeks.
Academically I can't believe how much higher these kids are then all the kindergartners I've taught in the U.S. even my high level kids. These kids can already do things that are in the curriculum for kindergarten in the U.S. They can write their numbers, they know their numbers, they know their colors, they can all write their names, they know their days of the week, they know their shapes. I've been doing some informal assessment type activities and games and that's what I've determined. Some might be a bit better then others but in general they are much more advanced. They also listen better (mostly - not all). It's still a busy and tiring day but I can see so much potential for the year.
Ernie is also enjoying his job. He says his students are eager for the help he gives them and he seems to be enjoying his team. He got to experience the high school and middle school opening day praise and worship sessions. He says it was awesome. We are going to grow alot this year leading devotions and participating in chapel.
Well, that's all for now. Hopefully I can get into a routine now and feel a bit settled. Up until now every day has been different. Then I can go exploring some more. :) Love to you all!

An Amazing Experience

This is bound to be an interesting blog post. I'm speaking for Ernie and I here. Yesterday (Friday for us) our school took us to a place called Crossroads for a team building activity. Okay, whatever we think. But it was so much more then we expected. First we were told to dress comfortably so we did. Then someone told us to leave all our jewelry at home, so we did. Half the staff went in the morning session and half in the afternoon (elementary and kinder and some student services - like Ernie's team - went in the morning). We loaded coach buses and had a lovely drive somewhere. I could see the ocean and bridges and trees and mountains and it was so pretty. Then we turned in to Crossroads. Crossroads is a charitable institution in which we have some sort of relationship with I think due to community outreach. They get shipments of items from hotels, offices, hospitals, anywhere really of things that are replaced or upgraded but are still good. They do global supplying to countries in need. It's really quite involved all that they do. I'm sure you could google them if you want to know more. They also do these simulations for various groups. They've had CEO's of Gucci and UN people and all sorts of famous people partake in them. One is slum survivor where you have to build your own shack and live like people in 3rd world countries do for 24 hours. Our task for the morning was to learn about refugee camps. But first we got to shop in the free trade store and we bought some yummy chocolate and coffee and I got some earrings and some little chinese slippers - like an ornament. Then it really began.

We were brought up to a room with cushions and told to sit. We were giving some background on the simulation we were about to partake in. We were from Afghanistan and we were given some history and culture awareness so we could get into our "roles." Then we were given ID cards with a new age and identity. I was Alike Murr, 10 years old, with no money suffering from malnutrition. Ernie was a middle aged man, engaged and with money. Us women had to wear scarves to cover our hair at all times and we were not allowed to talk to men not in our families. Then we were told to have a minute of silence to think about the situation. Then the simulation began. We were led out of the room and someone was yelling at us to hurry, hurry. We were shuffled to a room and a "man" was telling us that war has broken out and we have to flee but we can find safety if we go with him but then the lights went out and soldiers with gun came in and began "shooting" and telling us to keep our heads on the floor. It's amazing how immediately you are a different person. They were tapping people on the shoulder and yelling "You, man" or "You woman go" and you had to go through a door. I kept peeking and they'd yell "Head on the floor - don't move!" Then I got tapped and hurried into the next room which had landmines (I think they were balloons under the straw but it was very real) and you had to be extra careful where you walked. Then you got ushered into another place where you had to show your ID and the guards took every possession you had. Then you got sent into the "camp." We had to fill out forms and then we were told to try and find our "family." You had to find someone with your last name on the ID card. Of course I didn't so we were told to make groups of 7. Me, 5 other women and Fabian made a family. We were given a piece of canvas cloth and sent to make a tent out of it. The soldiers were everywhere yelling at us and we had to drape the canvas over a wire, secure it down with bricks and then it was lights out (meaning nighttime). The soldiers yelled at us to get in our tents and you couldn't talk. There was only room to huddle. Imagine if that was real. I was 10, alone, no money and I couldn't lay down or get up to go to the bathroom. It was very scary. They yelled at you if your hair showed and all that. Then the lights went on and it was morning. The soldiers yelled to get up and line up. Then if you needed the hospital you got in one line, food another, school another. I went to get food but I had no money. You had to have money to buy a bowl for water and food so the guy told me if I had jewelry I could get a bowl. Basically I had to go around and beg. Think if that were real. I tried but I couldn't get food then that was the end of the first "day." I went to bed hungry. Then in the "middle of the night" they yelled alarm and made us all get out and line up. Someone had a weapon in camp. They made us put our hands on our heads and shined their flashlights in our faces and tried to get someone to confess. Then they "found" the weapon and dragged the guilty party away. Some people lost their shoes. People were pawning their watches and bracelets for food. Fabian got us a water bowl the second day but they wouldn't give us water unless we had a food dish too. I tried to go to the hospital but they told me to go eat. I explained I couldn't and they told me not to talk. Fabian teamed up with another family and so we could get some bread and water. We all only got a bite. That was the second day. That night there was fighting in camp and someone got taken away. The third "day" a rich visitor came. We were told to smile and act happy. He asked some of us refugees if we got the blankets he sent and the medicine. The head "guy" "translated" for us and it was amazing how corrupt it was. The rich man would ask if we got the blankets and the head guy would translate did we have tents. So then we'd nod yes and the rich guy assumed we were saying yes about the blankets but we had no blankets. Course it was all in english and make believe but eye opening. That day I went to school. Then the simulation was over. All said it took 40 minutes. Then we talked about it.

Ernie's "family" got asked if they wanted to escape and they said no. Another group said yes, because they reasoned it would be better then there but they got sold into human trafficking. Ernie had money so he could buy food. His experience was quite different. I was lost, alone, scared and couldn't get food. In reality I would have died there or would have had to sell my body to get food through the soldiers. That's the reality. It's amazing how quickly you become compliant and submissive and tried not to bring attention to yourself. There was no justice there, no rights. The "head guy" said that was our only hope for safety and we had to make the best of a hard ground in a crowded space under a canvas drape. And that was a good circumstance. An african man who had played a soldier in the simulation talked about his experience in a refugee camp in Africa several years back. I recalled how members from the African church spoke at our church on the fourth of July about their time in camps. I never knew that's how it was. You can see pictures, you can hear about it but this experience was amazingly eye opening. 42 million I think was the number of displaced people groups. And there aren't any countries that are really throwing their arms open wide to welcome them. And if you have war in your country and you finally leave the camp and go home, what will you find? If your house is habitable then maybe someone else will be living there. Then what? We weren't asked for money or to do anything but think about it. It was life changing. And I kept thinking thank you God for this experience. I feel so blessed to have had it and so blessed to not be in that position. But the only thing separating them from me is circumstance. Natural disasters, war - none of us is immune. So next time you meet a refugee be welcoming. Smile, engage in a conversation. I'm sure there will be more to follow this up but that's for another time.

For lunch we were served a "slum" meal.Lentils and Daal over rice. We had to eat with our hands in the "slum village" on the campus at Crossroads. We had to wash our hands in buckets with soap, one with disinfectant and one with water. Then we drank soda out of plastic bags with straws. Craziness! But it was really good.

On another note - I found my "spot to go." At Ma On Shan - 3 stops on the train, very easy to get to. It has two great supermarkets, two malls (and when I say mall I mean any kind of store you could need - not like the U.S. there aren't any Targets or Walmarts) and a movie theater. I can get everything and anything I might need on a regular basis there. So that's good. My friend Jennifer and I spent the morning checking it out and then grocery shopped. Having to carry everything back on the train makes you think twice about what you buy so that's good! I have some meals planned so we'll see how that goes. Tuesday is when I meet my students and then they are mine on Wednesday. Please pray for a smooth beginning. As I am every year, I'm a bit nervous. Especially being in another country. Well, that's all for now!

Our first video posting

I figured out how to upload our first movie to this blog. I hope it works. Please leave a comment if it did. Thanks!