Today's weather in the afternoon was relatively cool. A nice change from the previous million degree weather.
It's only been 4 days since our students have arrived, but me and the students included feel like we've been here FOREVER. I've been here not even a week but I've felt every minute and every day of work.
Learned more about Chinese medicine and a lot of other stuff that goes with it. More and more appreciative of the knowledge of the ancients.
Feet hurt...like crazy. Felt like my judgment in logistics was undermined today. So mad I skipped out on work for a half hour. Thank Father I wasn't noticed.
That's it for now. Too tired to write anything insightful today.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Gov Skool Part 3, Day 3
Today was crazy. And I think possibly that might have been an understatement.
After lunch we watched the Paraguay v. Japan game. Surprising how many people had World Cup fever, or then again it could have been like 3 days since anybody has watched T.V.
I got a ticket while being parked in parking garage? QUESTION MARK? The fine however is not what I read it out to be. Grateful for that.
My boss treated me to a frappuccino?!? (Caramel flavor!) Very thankful for that.
Shopping trip to Willow Lawn for Academy related business. Intense, exciting, and nerve racking...all at the same time.
We had to send one of our students to the hospital. Poor guy dislocated his shoulder playing ultimate frisbee. Good thing we have MCV close by, hopefully they've patched him right up. But I'm not worried, MCV is one of the best in the country.
I almost went into oncoming traffic because my boss and I were rushing back to tend to the emergency. Thank Father we got back safe.
Took 30+ orders for bubble tea to be partaken at TT Lounge!!! (which means free bubble tea for me! EXTREMELY grateful for this)
Decorated a student's door with bday wishes and streamers with my RAs and girls from neighboring suite...reminds me of the all the planning (read: plotting) for my dear CCF.
Thought I had my car stolen because I thought I left my keys on top of my car but in actuality I left them in boss' office.
Preparing for the next day. Cakeness and all. Cleaning out a box full of arts and crafts, trying to figure out what still can be used. Still need to learn this exercise so I can demonstrate. Not feeling it now. Gonna turn in.
Praise the Lord, I'm still kicking. Gotta keep fighting. This war ain't over.
After lunch we watched the Paraguay v. Japan game. Surprising how many people had World Cup fever, or then again it could have been like 3 days since anybody has watched T.V.
I got a ticket while being parked in parking garage? QUESTION MARK? The fine however is not what I read it out to be. Grateful for that.
My boss treated me to a frappuccino?!? (Caramel flavor!) Very thankful for that.
Shopping trip to Willow Lawn for Academy related business. Intense, exciting, and nerve racking...all at the same time.
We had to send one of our students to the hospital. Poor guy dislocated his shoulder playing ultimate frisbee. Good thing we have MCV close by, hopefully they've patched him right up. But I'm not worried, MCV is one of the best in the country.
I almost went into oncoming traffic because my boss and I were rushing back to tend to the emergency. Thank Father we got back safe.
Took 30+ orders for bubble tea to be partaken at TT Lounge!!! (which means free bubble tea for me! EXTREMELY grateful for this)
Decorated a student's door with bday wishes and streamers with my RAs and girls from neighboring suite...reminds me of the all the planning (read: plotting) for my dear CCF.
Thought I had my car stolen because I thought I left my keys on top of my car but in actuality I left them in boss' office.
Preparing for the next day. Cakeness and all. Cleaning out a box full of arts and crafts, trying to figure out what still can be used. Still need to learn this exercise so I can demonstrate. Not feeling it now. Gonna turn in.
Praise the Lord, I'm still kicking. Gotta keep fighting. This war ain't over.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Gov Skool Part 3, Day 2
Logistics.
When going well, things seem to fall together into the right place. When it's not, it's a perfectionist's nightmare.
Scheduled places with no easily accessible (read: locked and left with no key) entrances, folks who close at odd hours, people who can't answer the phone, folks who can't return calls, people making ridonkolous requests, and a whole plethora of mishaps.
After all was said and done, I realized everything could have been a lot worse. I'm grateful to the Father they weren't.
Part 3 is helping me remember how much more flexible I have to be and far I will be stretched.
On the much greener side/plus side/silver lining part, the French and Japanese Academies have been very helpful in the lifting of my spirits. This is the second year in a row that makes me want to pick back up my français and learn more fervently (日本語) nihongo.
Ending this night with some cold pizza. Bonne nuit.
When going well, things seem to fall together into the right place. When it's not, it's a perfectionist's nightmare.
Scheduled places with no easily accessible (read: locked and left with no key) entrances, folks who close at odd hours, people who can't answer the phone, folks who can't return calls, people making ridonkolous requests, and a whole plethora of mishaps.
After all was said and done, I realized everything could have been a lot worse. I'm grateful to the Father they weren't.
Part 3 is helping me remember how much more flexible I have to be and far I will be stretched.
On the much greener side/plus side/silver lining part, the French and Japanese Academies have been very helpful in the lifting of my spirits. This is the second year in a row that makes me want to pick back up my français and learn more fervently (日本語) nihongo.
Ending this night with some cold pizza. Bonne nuit.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Gov Skool Part 3, Day 1
Move-In Day for anyone everywhere is always one of the hottest days of the year. Thank you Father for the invention of A.C. and drinking fountains that disperse cold water.
So grateful for the enthusiasm of the team this year. Very grateful to be working alongside two of my own former students that I once took care of (LS and JC). Shout outs to both of y'all!
My feet hurt too. I should be used to this by now, seeing how it is Part 3. So grateful for this comfy couch I'm sitting on though. Thanks to Father for the coffee table as well. My feet don't hurt as much.
In all my needs and complaints, He has provided. He is TOO good to me. I just gotta keep on remembering to obey Him.
John 14:15.
So grateful for the enthusiasm of the team this year. Very grateful to be working alongside two of my own former students that I once took care of (LS and JC). Shout outs to both of y'all!
My feet hurt too. I should be used to this by now, seeing how it is Part 3. So grateful for this comfy couch I'm sitting on though. Thanks to Father for the coffee table as well. My feet don't hurt as much.
In all my needs and complaints, He has provided. He is TOO good to me. I just gotta keep on remembering to obey Him.
John 14:15.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
pre-first day of Gov Skoolness
The students come in about 10 hours.
Anxious. Excited. Restless.
Hung out with my team and the Japanese RAs over froyo and a movie. All of which were/are awesome.
I'm still up correcting typos on like 30+ pages of journal topics for them chirren. I foresee a lot of late nights ahead. Luckily UVA prepared me for this and it doesn't hurt that I'm a veteran at this Gov Skool business now.
The war starts soon. hahaha.
Anxious. Excited. Restless.
Hung out with my team and the Japanese RAs over froyo and a movie. All of which were/are awesome.
I'm still up correcting typos on like 30+ pages of journal topics for them chirren. I foresee a lot of late nights ahead. Luckily UVA prepared me for this and it doesn't hurt that I'm a veteran at this Gov Skool business now.
The war starts soon. hahaha.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Gov Skooling
3 years in a row.
I've concluded a long time ago that I was crazy but me going back a 3rd time, I'm a certified nutcase.
I didn't go when I was in high school (application was TOO long and I ain't feel like filling it out) and now I've gone one time too many.
The hours are long, working literally from the time I wake up until the time I sleep. Sometimes even overtime and extended night shifts. I run back and forth all over campus in 90-100 million degree weather (Ptown was 105 today?!) moving people, boxes of stuff, etc. etc. I get fussed out by MULTITUDES of people, regardless if it was my fault. Too many times I can't even sit down to enjoy whole meals (emphasis on MEALS). Endless phone calls for a million things to be done or to be yelled at. Catching some sickness from something or someone. Dealing with bellyaches, real problems, and worst of all...high school drama.
Here's the silver lining...
Plenty of exercise, free food, all the milk tea I want, free housing, no dishes to wash, I meet some of the most brilliant and the funniest folks VA has to offer, field trips, restaurant trips, free Slurpees, weekly shopping trips on grant money, fooding experiments galore, face painting galore, yelling at the top of my lungs for hours on end, hustling all kinds of people with no English being spoken, memories that last a lifetime, people that I'll never forget, and best of all I live 5 minutes from TT Lounge.
Gov Skool Round 3...I'm coming for ya.
I've concluded a long time ago that I was crazy but me going back a 3rd time, I'm a certified nutcase.
I didn't go when I was in high school (application was TOO long and I ain't feel like filling it out) and now I've gone one time too many.
The hours are long, working literally from the time I wake up until the time I sleep. Sometimes even overtime and extended night shifts. I run back and forth all over campus in 90-100 million degree weather (Ptown was 105 today?!) moving people, boxes of stuff, etc. etc. I get fussed out by MULTITUDES of people, regardless if it was my fault. Too many times I can't even sit down to enjoy whole meals (emphasis on MEALS). Endless phone calls for a million things to be done or to be yelled at. Catching some sickness from something or someone. Dealing with bellyaches, real problems, and worst of all...high school drama.
Here's the silver lining...
Plenty of exercise, free food, all the milk tea I want, free housing, no dishes to wash, I meet some of the most brilliant and the funniest folks VA has to offer, field trips, restaurant trips, free Slurpees, weekly shopping trips on grant money, fooding experiments galore, face painting galore, yelling at the top of my lungs for hours on end, hustling all kinds of people with no English being spoken, memories that last a lifetime, people that I'll never forget, and best of all I live 5 minutes from TT Lounge.
Gov Skool Round 3...I'm coming for ya.
that baby...
Go listen to Stevie Wonder's song "Isn't She Lovely?"
The other day AC wanted me to go to EVMS with her. BB was tagging along. (read: chauffeuring)
Why not? I needed a break from the research I was doing anyway.
Apparently AC was getting a sonogram done. This would be the last one before little HC makes her debut. I've always heard and read about these, but never actually witnessed one.
It was weird. And fascinating. And intriguing. And just WOW. I heard HC's heartbeat. I saw her spine. I saw her puffy cheeks. I saw the hair on her head. All of this on this black and white screen. All of this, even before she was born.
I keep coming back to this, but hands down this IS something to be remembered. He knew us when He knit us in our mother's womb. He made us fearfully and wonderfully.
Psalm 139.
The other day AC wanted me to go to EVMS with her. BB was tagging along. (read: chauffeuring)
Why not? I needed a break from the research I was doing anyway.
Apparently AC was getting a sonogram done. This would be the last one before little HC makes her debut. I've always heard and read about these, but never actually witnessed one.
It was weird. And fascinating. And intriguing. And just WOW. I heard HC's heartbeat. I saw her spine. I saw her puffy cheeks. I saw the hair on her head. All of this on this black and white screen. All of this, even before she was born.
I keep coming back to this, but hands down this IS something to be remembered. He knew us when He knit us in our mother's womb. He made us fearfully and wonderfully.
Psalm 139.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Oh My Papa
I was recently told, jokingly, that Father's Day seems more like an afterthought. We plan days maybe even weeks in advance for Momma but it's ridonkolously last minute for dear old Dad.
To some degree this is somewhat "justified". But not really. Dads like anything you give them. I truly think that the thought truly does count on this day. And if you're a father and you think otherwise, well you need to man up and deal with your macaroni jewelry.
But joking aside, we really need to love and edify our fathers now and those soon to be. Helping those and others already striving to be truly men after God's own heart.
Much love and mad shout outs to our Heavenly Father.
Happy Father's Day!
p.s. BE A MAN!
To some degree this is somewhat "justified". But not really. Dads like anything you give them. I truly think that the thought truly does count on this day. And if you're a father and you think otherwise, well you need to man up and deal with your macaroni jewelry.
But joking aside, we really need to love and edify our fathers now and those soon to be. Helping those and others already striving to be truly men after God's own heart.
Much love and mad shout outs to our Heavenly Father.
Happy Father's Day!
p.s. BE A MAN!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
alumnus status
On a sunny afternoon in April, IB, SL, and I were riding what was then the Blue Route leaving Barracks. Sitting near the back of the bus, we overhear this phone conversation this girl was having…“Girrrl, guess what? I am a F-O-U-R-T-H year, FOURTH YEAR! Yeeeaah girl!”
This, presumably, junior/third year was so hype to be a fourth year. Her hypeness was infectious, I was feeling mad hype. Grinning ear to ear.
This was 2 years ago. It was about the time I was finishing my second year and those words have been scorched into my memory since. I tell you this story to tell you this story…
Fast forward to a sunny Sunday morning in May. I stand on the North Lawn with literally thousands of fourth years. Overdressed for the weather, all of us wearing black. I thought back to 2 years earlier…Chiiillld, I am G-R-A-D-U-A-TING!
In the midst of this sea of black, I had one of those “revelations”. I didn’t know anybody in this crowd, looking and feeling as lost as lost can be. After an eternity of wandering, I stumbled upon my first year hall mates and took a million pictures with them. Slowly, but surely enough I saw more and more people I know, also doing the same.
In that span of time waiting for commencement to start, my first through fourth years fast forwarded in front of me. We're marching now???
Stepping down from the Rotunda, onto the Lawn, and into the masses was surreal. The masses of Halloween on the Lawn don’t even hold a candle to the people there that day. For the first time in a long time I remember what it truly means to have人山人海. At the same time I could not help but 笑容可掬, just like I did 2 years earlier.
Of course following commencement exercises (aptly named, emphasis on the “exercises” part) were the obligatory millions of pictures taken with la famiglia. Eating and hilarity ensued. Moving out for real, for real was so sad. Au revoir IRC, you will be missed!
It’s been more than a week since that Sunday. Where has the time gone?
This, presumably, junior/third year was so hype to be a fourth year. Her hypeness was infectious, I was feeling mad hype. Grinning ear to ear.
This was 2 years ago. It was about the time I was finishing my second year and those words have been scorched into my memory since. I tell you this story to tell you this story…
Fast forward to a sunny Sunday morning in May. I stand on the North Lawn with literally thousands of fourth years. Overdressed for the weather, all of us wearing black. I thought back to 2 years earlier…Chiiillld, I am G-R-A-D-U-A-TING!
In the midst of this sea of black, I had one of those “revelations”. I didn’t know anybody in this crowd, looking and feeling as lost as lost can be. After an eternity of wandering, I stumbled upon my first year hall mates and took a million pictures with them. Slowly, but surely enough I saw more and more people I know, also doing the same.
In that span of time waiting for commencement to start, my first through fourth years fast forwarded in front of me. We're marching now???
Stepping down from the Rotunda, onto the Lawn, and into the masses was surreal. The masses of Halloween on the Lawn don’t even hold a candle to the people there that day. For the first time in a long time I remember what it truly means to have人山人海. At the same time I could not help but 笑容可掬, just like I did 2 years earlier.
Of course following commencement exercises (aptly named, emphasis on the “exercises” part) were the obligatory millions of pictures taken with la famiglia. Eating and hilarity ensued. Moving out for real, for real was so sad. Au revoir IRC, you will be missed!
It’s been more than a week since that Sunday. Where has the time gone?
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