Life in R2 (Kindergarten sort of)

So every three weeks or so we do a new theme unit. Remember - these are 4 and 5 year-olds. We just started a new unit this week called "Firehouse." This week we are learning about firefighters and their gear and equipment (not exclusively - we do other things too). They are very enthusiastic about this particular theme. Because they are are all ESL (English as a second language) one of our primary goals is to increase their language and vocabulary through activities in our themes. After spending time making a theme web on the board, reading some books, doing a science experiment using a candle and a bottle and water to show how fire needs air and looking at posters of their equipment my kids were totally into it. After theme/center time we all line up and go to the bathroom (but it's called a washroom here). The boys all go into the boys bathroom and the girls into the girls bathroom. I have the T.A. during that time so she goes with the girls and the janitor goes with the boys. I wait outside between the two bathrooms so that I can keep an eye on the kids who come out. Well, one little boy comes out of the bathroom and says to me "Mrs. Davis, we were pretending our wee wee's were hoses and we were putting out fires in the toilets!" Well, that's practical application right? I don't think I can use that as a valid assessment though! I had to turn away because I was laughing so much. Too funny! I guess that's boys for you!

Things are going better for me - I'm getting into the groove of teaching at this school and I am able to start implementing more things that I want to do. I have a set schedule for every day and my first formal observation went very well. It was a hard road at first. There were too many new things being thrown at me. New country and people, new modes of transportation to cope with to and from work. It was (and still is) hard to find the right store to get what I needed, all new classroom to set up, new teachers to learn about and work with, new material to teach, new way to do things, new paperwork and 30 new kids who don't all speak English very well. It wasn't just starting a whole new job, it was a whole new way of life. I'll admit - I had some bad days. But I trusted that God brought me here and He would work it out and He is. I feel much more comfortable now and I was extra conscious of it all because I'm teaching the kids how God loves us and takes care of us and living it at the same time.

Now about finding what I need - okay I hate Walmart. Not because of what they sell but because of the people in there. It always seemed crowded and chaotic with long lines. But I have a whole new appreciation for Walmart now. You don't know what you're missing until you don't have it. Talk about crowded and chaotic - that's about every mall here. And the fact that I have to go to a mall or a certain "street" to find various stores and things is a bit of a hassle. It would be nice to go to one store where I could get milk, some eye makeup remover, a laundry basket, and fabric softener, a measuring cup, a sports bra etc. all in one stop. Here I have to first figure out where to get what and then plan my trip. It could literally take me all day to track all of that down here. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying...it's different. If you've lived here all your life you're used to it but for me it's kind of crazy. But we're doing okay.

Now on to Super Typhoon Megi. Yeah - super typhoon! It goes Typhoon, Severe Typhoon and Super Typhoon. Must be because I complained too much about the last one whimping out. Now nature is going to show me! Everything is getting taped up and sealed up here and some parents were telling me today to stock up on food because everything will close if it's bad. Huh. My first "major" weather. I guess they say now it might be the worse in 40 years not 20 years. Dear Megi - I know you want to show off, but really - you don't have to - I believe you. Love, me.
Well, more about it later granted all our windows and electronics survive the weekend. :)
God bless and peace out!

I am a Friend of God

We sang the song "I am a friend of God" this morning in service - one that I have sang a dozen times, but today it struck me differently. What does this have to do with Hong Kong you might say? Well, I started thinking how much more of a friend God is to me now then He was even back in Phoenix. Not necessarily that I need Him more, or that He's blessed us more, though He certainly has. It has to do with teaching the children His stories.
Yeah, as a kid I had a passing knowledge of stories like Adam and Eve and Noah's Ark. But they were like the Easter Bunny to me. I didn't know the heart behind the stories. But now I am responsible for teaching the students these biblical stories and not just telling the story but delving into the meaning and the lesson God wants us to know from them. The bible is so full of instructions for us to be safe, healthy, happy and whole. And that is what is evident to me now in ways it wasn't before. God is my friend and He loves me. We heard in church today that love is wanting what's best for someone - be it friend or enemy. And God wants what's best for me and for you. He teaches us that we should tell the truth and be good to each other, and not seek revenge and to be obedient. It's only through obedience that we can be truly free. And I can see that so clearly when I apply that to the classroom. We talked about the rules in the classroom and how when Mrs. Davis tells you to use walking feet it's not to be mean but to keep you safe. Or how you have to raise your hand before you speak so that everyone gets a chance to be heard and that you listen when other's are speaking. We talk about these rules, we colored a page illustrating these rules and we review these rules. Am I being hard on them? Too strict? No - if they are obedient they will be happier as a result and the classroom a pleasant, safe place to be. As the teacher I know that and they - as the children - don't. So it's my job to help them through that. That is how God is. He's not oppressing me - He's freeing me by giving me boundaries. We are His children.

These lessons bring me closer to His nature. We stay on one story for a week. We pray together and we learn together. I can see how God was sad when people made bad choices. Just like I am sad when a student hits another student in anger or something like that. I want to say - but you know better! Why did you do it? Now we have this issue we have to deal with. But that's how we all are isn't it? The Pastor today talked about how - even as adults - when someone wrongs us we have that "playground reaction." But really, that's not the way we should respond. Mature faith requires us to pray for our enemies and that is hard. But when all is said and done it's what's really right. I am the teacher but I think God is using this situation to teach ME. If we would just listen to Him like I want my students to listen to me then all would be well. I don't mean that everything will be perfect in your life - things still happen in the classroom even if we do follow all the rules - but when those things do happen we know how to best respond and handle it. Some verses I think apply:

Genesis 6:5-6 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

Matthew 18:3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:14 Jesus however said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them; for it is to those who are childlike that the Kingdom of the Heavens belongs.

Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

I've heard people say that being a Christian is too strict and that God is a tyrant and so on...but when you love God back (because He already loves you) then you want what He wants for you. You want to be obedient because you see that it is out of love that He asks us to do certain things. Not that we always do - sometimes what we want to do and what we do are two different things. But that's a whole other path I could go down...Ernie found this book in the giveaway pile in the breakroom and it's called "None of these Diseases" by Dr. S.I. McMillen and it was written in 1968. I started reading it and it brought revelation to me as well. God gives instructions in the Old Testament that are law for the Jewish people so you might say why follow some of that as a Christian - Jesus frees us from the law (again - a whole other path I could go down but I won't right now) but it talks about thing like how the bible gives instructions to Moses on cleansing the hands after dealing with the dead or infected but for so long Doctors and students in hospitals would do autopsies and then go perform surgery and wonder why the mortality rate was so high. I quote "At long last, in the year 1960, man finally muddled through. He learned, after centuries and at a frightful cost, what God gave to Moses as inspiration." There's MANY other instances like that and I'm only 3 chapters in. I believe God created us and therefore knows what is best for us. Plain and simple. So through all of this - when we sang "I am a friend of God" I truly understood it this morning.

Well, that's all my ramblings for now. Good for you if you made it all the way through - I know it's long. God bless!

My Experience at the Doctors in Hong Kong

I thought this was blog-worthy just because healthcare is always such a hot button issue AND with things being so crowded here I expected a nightmare and not feeling well I put it off. However, I knew I had a sinus infection and had no energy and felt miserable so I finally gave in at the gentle urgings of my co-workers. I was going to take today off to go to the doctors so I was typing up sub plans when Cora, the Amin Assistant at our kindergarten gave me a card to a doctors office open until 7pm. I called and they spoke English and set me up with an appointment for 6:10. I called Ernie and he sweetly suggested to meet me at the train/minibus area so we could go together. I took him up on his offer and finished my sub plans quickly and left. We found it fairly easy - it was on the 13th floor of a place called Grand Central Plaza. I went in and it was a small room with sort of built in benches on either wall and a counter to check in. I filled out a minimal amount of paperwork and then waited. They brought me my patient number so if I need to return I have that. Then a few minutes later I went back to the doctor who was in a room behind the counter. She was very nice, spoke English and listened to me. I explained how I'd been sick twice in a month and my previous sinus issues and how I was prone to sinus infections. She checked me out in the normal way and determined that yes, I did have an infection. We discussed antibiotics (me being pretty knowledgeable about them at this point). Then I sat in the waiting room for a few more minutes and I was kind of worried because with our insurance you pay first and then they reimburse you later. I didn't have a whole lot of cash on me. So then I was called up to the counter and given my medications right there. No taking a prescription to Walgreens and waiting another 30 minutes. Then came the bill. It came to - altogether - $30 American dollars. Wow - that's all? I couldn't believe it! That was my co-pay for urgent care back home. And I got my meds, three different ones - And it wasn't busy - And they were very nice. Not a bad deal. God totally took care of me. And I got a doctors note for staying home to rest today and boy I needed it. I put it off because going to the doctors back home was always such a hassle. Long waits - 30-40 minutes past appt time and then you were finally seen and then you leave and have to drive to Walgreens, turn in your prescription and sit there for 30 minutes when all you want to do is crawl into bed. I didn't have to drive - the bus was right there when we were done and home I went. Such a blessing. Which is a good thing because the doctor told me that in the winter the winds change and blow from China, bringing all the pollution from the unregulated factories and I guess it gets REALLY bad here. Like so bad you can see the air around you. She told me to wear a mask or I'd have a hard time. Nice. I guess it can't be ALL good here can it? Well, that's all for now. Blessings!

It's time for my (Ernie's) perspective

What an amazing place, Hong Kong! In some respects Americans are very lucky to have what we do: Average size house/apt is about 1000 sqft. In HK is it maybe 400 tops, and they often live with multiple generations, (grandma, grandpa, etc). NOBODY owns a house! Everybody lives in a 50 story housing unit, EVERYBODY! Very FEW people own a car, I would say about 95% of HK's do not own a car, they take public transportation: Train, Bus, mini bus, walk, taxi… Including Veronica and myself!
I feel very safe here, as opposed to let’s say, some parts of Thailand or the Philippines or Phoenix for that matter. I would have no problem allowing Veronica to take off for the day adventuring into downtown HK by herself.

The Gorgeous Veronica!



Not to dump on American youngsters, I once was one, but HK is still an adult run country. The media has not taken over the rearing or development of the children here in HK. In the US MTV, Lady Gaga and Paris Hilton are more important to American youngsters in general than their parents; here in HK children as a whole have great deference for adults. This city is very clean, even though it is packed. Even on Sunday afternoon while jogging, I can stop to use a public restroom and find a worker inside cleaning. Although people are not paid very much, they are working! People live within or below their means, not above.
Our school is amazing and we have about 1100 students. This is the biggest shocker of all: Out of 1100 students I have seen, 2 are overweight! In the US I would easily say about 1/3 of any class is overweight. A big difference is when given the choice of ice cream, candy or other junk food, children in HK would most often select dried, shredded, cuddle fish!











Also, the cafeteria at our school is furnished with fresh local produce each day, and they cook everything from scratch! There is usually a fish option, but always noodles, rice and vegies.






Travel Section: We already went to Macau, a 1 hour hydrofoil ride from HK. Macau is a nice, small Portuguese country/SEC or special economic country/zone set up by China (or something like that).


Next we are going to a secret location for our 10 year anniversary. Veronica knows we are going somewhere, but I can’t post where because it is going to be a surprise! It will have a large white sandy beach, between HK and Australia and between the Maldives and Guam. That is all I am going to say!



Until next time: Go Cowboys!
PS: Just talked with Greg Collins in Australia, he and Natasha may be coming over for a visit soon!

More Adventures...and random stuff

So it's been a while since I wrote on here. That's because I've been busy doing so no time to write about it. Tonight I have time so here goes. I have lots of little thoughts and random events to string together so I hope I don't lose anyone.

As I sit here on my couch I have realized some new traits in me that make me more like a local. I tried the whole polite excuse me thing for a while but when you're on the train and the doors are about to close and you have to get off and you say excuse me and no-one moves you have to physically push people out of your way. I know - sucks - but that's the way here sometimes. Believe me those doors are unforgiving. They aren't like the elevator door where if you stick something in the way they will open back up. Nope...they will close on you or whatever you stick in there and stay shut and the train will start moving...how do I know that? Well...one day a lady stuck her newspaper in the door. It shut and she was able to yank it out as the train pulled away but barely. Then a woman stuck her bag in the door. The doors closed and her bag was stuck in the door as the train started to go. We all reached to help get it for her but then the train guy noticed and the train stopped with a halt almost knocking us all on our fannys. It was actually pretty comical. I took a picture. I'll try and post it. Don't get in the way of train doors - they are merciless...

The next trait is my ability to weave through large crowds at a fast pace. I am improving. Always on my toes here. It's almost like a video game sometimes and the more I "play" the better I get. People are always shopping here. Always. Bizarre.

The next thing I noticed was my after work snack was dried seaweed and these soy and seaweed flavored rice cake snacks. Huh. And I like it. I had sushi from the grocery store for lunch Sunday. It's much different here. I had some kind of roll with flying fish roe on it. Ernie made faces at me but it was really good. A little strong on the wasabi though. A bit painful for my nasal passages. Eric - I thought of you. I do eat my American food when I can find it though. Last night we had burgers from this place called Triple O's - I guess it's a Canadian chain. Oh - it was sooooo good. So don't worry too much.

I have become a great navigator. I managed to map out my whole trip to Wan Chai on the main Island to get some art supplies. Then Ernie said can you find a Subway (the sandwich place) and I found that too and mapped it out and off we went and we didn't even get lost. I love the trains here - they are so easy to use.

I am picking up some words too. I don't know how to spell them but hiyah, hiyah means yeah or yes, Hi-itsa (sounds like that) means the next station is, djo san (sounds like that) means good morning. My daan means check please and mmm goi means excuse me or thank you. I recognize other sounds but don't know them as words yet. But that's pretty good for two months.

Other random stuff - Asian women shouldn't dye their hair lighter - it turns orange. My hair is destined to be frizzy and gross here no matter what I put in it so I give up. Older people here are always exercising or doing some sort of movement on the walking/biking path. It's neat. I think they are on to something here...they really don't have the same deodorant here but not too many people smell...when the wind blows from China it's really smoggy here. When the wind blows from the sea it's nice. I like walking so much most days. I don't mind the rain here because it's never usually for that long. It's not easy to run a few quick errands. You have to go to the malls mostly for stuff and that's always a process. Or there is a "street" like kitchen street or sneaker street with shops all of that nature. But that's okay. There are deals to be found.

My classes are sweet and adorable and we are having a lot of fun together. They have started bringing me pictures most every day. I love praying with them and teaching them about life. It is a blessing. And I am humbled and honored that God would choose me to do such an important job as teach these little ones about Him. He has blessed us and provided for us so well to be able to do this.

Okay, trips we've done - we went to Central and to Soho and had Mexican. It's really neat there and we barely explored it. We took the world's longest escalator - the mid-level travelator. It was cool. We took the ferry across the harbor. We took a special boat to the Island of Macau. It's actually a separate SAR (Special Administrative Region) and so our passports got stamped. We had dinner at an amazing Portuguese restaurant called Fernandos that's famous. I took pictures. We had fun, we got lost, we found our way and it was interesting. We had Japanese curry, we went to the fire dragon parade for mid-autumn festival which is a big holiday here. It's almost like Thanksgiving for us where families get together and have a feast. The children brought me mooncakes and we had a lantern parade. Again - I took pictures.

We've just been living every moment we can with lots planned for the future. We will have to see what tomorrow brings. :) I cannot believe this week will be October 1st. We have been here 2 months and 3 days already. Wow - time is flying. Well, until next time...much love to you all.
Veronica

Another Update from Hong Kong

Right after I posted the last blog entry I came down with a horrible head cold. That's all it was but it kicked my butt! I was down for a good four days and missed two days of school. My first Hong Kong bug! I've been told I'm in for a lot more. Bummer - my immunity was finally pretty strong last school year and I only suffered from allergies...well after the experience of living out here I ought to be pretty tough!

I was on my way to school today and it hit me - I'm living in Hong Kong! It's been such a whirlwind that sometimes you just have to step back and see the experience for what it is. I've always wanted to experience another culture and not just as a tourist. And here I am. And I was thinking - it's so different to live here then to just visit and how cool is that?

We had dinner last night at the apartment of another couple from our school ICS. They are originally from California. He teaches middle school science and math and she taught the grade above me but has two kids and stays home now. Ernie coaches track with him. They've been here five years. It was our first experience in a true Hong Kong apartment. Up until now we've been bouncing around the 7th floor here and we all have basically the same apartments. This couple lives on the 35th floor of their building! That's higher then the tallest building in Phoenix which I believe has only 32 floors and they weren't at the top. I thought it was so cool but Ernie wasn't so fond of being up that high. Their views were amazing but apartments here are tiny! Tiny!!! It makes our school apartment feel so spacious! Mostly it's the kitchens. They don't really have built in ovens - they don't do that here. It's all counter top convection ovens. But I guess they don't really bake much so it's all good for them. We Americans struggle with that...there are plenty of bakery's around though. :)

The weeks are going fast here - we are always so busy! There are plenty of things to do and see when we aren't working. And Hong Kong people keep long hours. They work late and do stuff after - we are the lame ones who go to bed too early. It's a crazy, exciting place. I am looking forward to our long four day weekend in two weeks though - I feel like I've been working since I got here and need more then two days off. So that will be good. It's fall festival or something like that. It's all about the mooncakes right now. That's really interesting. There are several stories that go with them and who knows what the right one really is. It's kind of like mythology. Anyway, they are filled with sesame or lotus paste and some have chocolate but not like a chocolate cake. It's an interesting texture. I like the lotus paste ones a lot and my co-workers were surprised and said I like so many things that I must have Asian somewhere in me! I didn't care much for the sesame one - I don't much like sesame. I guess most Westerners don't like mooncakes at all. But everywhere kiosks and shops have opened up selling them. Hagen Daaz even does them here. It's huge. So that's neat to experience.

Well, that's all I can think of for now. I'll try and take more videos or something soon! Thanks for reading.

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.