Work in progress - more photos and text to come.

why i love working in a kindergarten!

I've been thinking recently that this is the first time in my life, that I've looked forward to going to work Monday mornings. I feel incredibly blessed that when i realise it's sunday evening and that yes, tomorow is monday and that I have to go to work, I'm not filled with dread. I'm like "ohh I can't wait to see little Clarissa and Bocco again. This is by no means a disrespect to my previous jobs, because I have always, despite my moaning, enjoyed working and have put my all into them. But I've never before 'looked forward' to work. It was always just a means to and end. I guess it's what everyone always talks about that mysterious 'job satisfaction.'

I love working with kids. They get so excited about everything, and get hyper really really quickly which can be exhausting. I mean take this morning for example. I don't really have any interest in the Olympic relay that's happening today, as most of you know, i'm not the greatest sports lover. But i wore red today, as i was asked, I got into the spirit of the day, because the kids were excited and the teachers had put a lot of effort into the day. So I'm sitting in my office, doing another lesson plan and all of the sudden the Beijing olympic song comes on "welcome to beijing" thats the only bit I know, but it's always being played on the bus. It goes round and round in my head it drives me mad. lol. Anyway, I dash outside to see all the kids waiting and singing and chanting because they know the 'runners' are on they're way round the school. They're sooo excited.

It reminded me of when i was in London and it was the Queen's Jubilee. I wasn't really interested, but I could literally feel a rumble of anticipation and excitement come from my left "the Queen is coming" she whizzed by and the rumble moved to the right. I couldn't help but get excited.

So the runners came running round, and i just started laughing and crying (no actual tears came out of my eyes because I was mortified I was crying over a relay and DID NOT want any of the teachers to see me.) They were dressed in these coloured jumpsuits, running and waving and the boy with the flame looked soooo proud. He lit the flame and everyone was cheering.

Ok, you're thinking I'm nuts. But it's things like that, as to why I LOVE working in a kindergarten. Because the kids excitement rubs off on me. Their imagination, their playfullness and for a few minutes I'm a better person. then i go back to the office and am cursing my computer, because Word is playing up and I can't get to my lesson plan.

Take me away from the kids, and i lose my sense of excitement over what i would normally shrug my shoulders over. To these kids anything is possible. I was reminded of a blog i read about this by Mark Russell who was talking about being a big kid. In it he said

"When Jesus said we need to be like children he wants us to get our sense of excitement, our sense of joy, our sense of the possible back."

:-) I want to be excited about silly things all the time, without having to be around children. I want to get my childhood sense of wonder back.

Beijing Mission Trip 2008 - Planting Seeds

Hey all!

Right, so I'm back from the most amazing week in Beijing with Church. It was unbelievable, soo much fun, so challenging, in ways I didn't expect, And I'm still trying to digest what happened, so forgive me if I don't go into too much detail as it's going to be long enough just telling you what we did. Let alone what I learnt. Which was soooo much.







Ok. So Thursday.
We arrived late to The Care for Children Centre because our plane was delayed so we had a very late briefing and introduction. We were told we would be going to the Great Wall of China the next day. I almost burst into tears I was soo happy. It's been a dream for soo long and here it was being given to me on a plate. The Centre where we were staying was so nice, we were living in luxury to what we were expecting. we had camp beds and were sleeping in rooms of four. Some people were staying in a hotel nearby, so we had to walk for 5 mins in the cold for a shower. But who's complaining? I was expecting to smell very bad for a week.

Friday was amazing. We went to the Great Wall and it was so misty and there was still lots of snow left, so it was really atmospheric. It took my breath away. We walked along there for a while, and took lots and lots of photos. And the even more awesome thing, could it get any better... we tobogganed down from the Great Wall on like a shoot, and it wasn't even over quickly. oh my gosh, it was so much fun. That evening the Centre was hosting a Friday Night Live for the local youth where Mark Russell was speaking. He was a great speaker. We were basically serving there, I was serving drinks and many others were greeting. It was a really successful evening.

Playing Chinese Whispers!

Saturday was the Care For Children Carnival, which was so much fun. We were basically serving again, doing anything that was required, be it being a clown or Minnie Mouse or helping park, or face painting. I told you it was so much fun. In the evening we went to BCIF which is Beijing's biggest international church for a prayer meeting which was awesome. People were really filled with the Holy Spirit that evening.







Easter Sunday. The sun comes out. Back again to BCIF in a different location for another service where the Vine Band were leading worship. Was really fantastic meeting people from BCIF and sharing with them. In the afternoon most had free time but I was on the Drama team, so we rehearsed for the evening's event. Sunday night live. This was for all ages and the Vine (us) were leading it and Pastor John spoke. Was a great evening. The drama went really well. It seemed to really strike a chord with people. I was also really challenged that evening by praying for one of the guests. I really stuggle with praying out loud and would normally want to run for the hills. But I was in a situation where I felt I should just go for it. And it seemed to go well. You never know what seeds you plant and what the outcome is. That seems to be the theme of the whole mission trip.

Monday... up at 5.30 to go on a 3hr bus ride to the orphange. Unfortantely it took 4 and a half, and we had originally planned to leave at 1 because we needed to be back at the Centre for 4. Some people went back for the Jackie Pullinger event in the evening. I stayed on with most to spend more time with the children and we left at 3. We basically were playing with them and getting to know them. I won't be putting photos of the children on facebook as the orphanage specifcally asked for us not to, which is completely understandable. So unfortunately I can't show you photos of the Orphange. In the evening we went out for dinner which was yummy.

Tuesday. up again at 5.30 for another bus ride to the orphange. I got to spend a couple of hours with a baby called Siu Lo (I think, I can say it better than I can spell it) He had a cleft palette and was so adorable. I was holding him and singing to him until he fell asleep. Was so special.

Grossed out!

Then we went for lunch which was a very interesting experience. we were served dog. I was like no no I don't want to eat it, but I tried a bit. It turned my stomach. I don't recommend it. and I feel very very bad about it. In the afternoon we went back to the orphanage where as a group we sang to the orphanage. We learnt one in mandarin. They seemed to really enjoy it. Oh, the others knocked down a wall, so as a team we had to shift the bricks from one side of the courtyard to another. Was a great teamwork exercise.

Argentinian restaurant

In the evening, after another long bus ride we went to an Argentinian restaurant where lots of us ate some sheeps testicles. I had a very strange day. LOL. I felt like I was doing bush tucker trial. So guys deserve more credit.



Today, Weds. Most of us, (some stayed behind) went to Tiananmen square. Which was great. Was really great to actually to see Beijing city as the Centre was about an hour away from the city. Unfortanely by then my camera wasn't working. Then we went back for final debriefing and then it was off to the airport.



So, it's been an absolutely amazing week. It was completely different to what I expected and really changed my perception of a mission trip. We really built a great relationship with the people from Care for Children and the orphanage. Planting seeds as we all call it....

My favourite photo

Kung Hei Fat Choy (Happy New Year)

Year of the Rat

It's been a while since my last post, but as it's been Chinese New Year i've been really busy. Mum, Dad and Theresa came to HK for the holiday which was great. It was so nice to see them and show them HK. Was nice being a tourist again, getting to see the tourist points again.

At the peak

Weds:
We went up to the peak to see the amazing view of Hong Kong. It was a little foggy but quite clear considering the time of year. Had dinner at Bubba Gump which is always good. :D

Portuguese architecture in Macau

In a theme park in Macau

Dragon parts getting ready to perform

Tues:
We went to Macau which was awesome as I've never been there before. Was really bizarre as it is China, yet with portugese colonial buildings, with vegas thrown in. Was really interesting, and we went to the Venetian for dinner, and gambled like $20 on a slot machine, but didn't do so well. LOL.

The covered bits are escalators - the longest ones in the world

Shopping for a Chairman Mau bag!

Soho

Soho

Market at New Year

Junk in the bay

Friday:
we looked round Soho but unfortunately most things were closed as it was still a holiday but they all found it interesting seeing the streets of HK. In the evening me and theresa sat for 4 hours at the harbour waiting for the fireworks. Mum and Dad went off for tea at a hotel. The wait was well worth it. We had a great view and the Fireworks were amazing.

Gold Coast Hotel

Dragon at the Gold Coast Hotel


Balcony off Mum and Dad's room
Evening view

Saturday,
Me and theresa queued for 2 and a half hours to go on the recently opened cable cars to go up to the Buddha. Mum and Dad were really tired, so they went back to the hotel for the day. Was the wait worth it? hmmmm... well the cable cars WERE amazing. But the waiting was dire. especially after the fireworks the day before.

Dim Sum - the little boy took a shine to Dad!

Mong Kok market

Sunday:
me and jenny took our families to the Vine for Church to show them where we've been going, which was nice. We then all went out for Dim Sum with our Plus group (bible study) and they LOVED that. we had soooo much food that we didn't finish, but it was good for them to really experience that. Later in the afternoon we went to mong kok ladies market.

Stanley market

Tai Chi at Stanley

Outside the Jumbo restaurant

Inside the restaurant

Monday:
We went to Stanley market and the Temple nearby and then onto the Jumbo restaurant which was great to see but far to expensive to eat at. So we went back up to the peak in the evening for dinner. We had an amazing view of the city, but unfortunately couldn't see the lightshow too well because of the fog.

Shrines on a pavement

Tuesday:
Mum and Dad explored the city a bit more and mum found her wool shop that she really wanted to go to. Me theresa, jenny and her sister Katie all went to Ocean Park and went on all the rides and saw the Pandas and jelly fish and sharks, oh and seals. Was a great day. was really warm as well which was weird.

Wednesday was the final day, showed the family Tuen Mun and just chilled until it was time for them to go.

Did I cry? of course! lol!

Christmas in the Philippines

So I've had a very strange Christmas. Hasn't felt like Christmas at all.

We flew to the Philippines on Thursday 21st late. The plane was delayed by an hour which was annoying. Particularly because two random drunk guys were talking to us, then decided to start screaming at the flight attendants because the plane was an hour late. He was escorted away by the police. Much to our relief. We arrived much later than expected, so our pickup from the airport wasn't there so we had to wait awhile, so we finally arrived at 7 am (we were meant to arrive at 4), so we decided to go to bed. and slept all day. bit of a waste but we were exhausted. Late night flights are a bad idea. We had dinner in the hotel restaurant then went back to bed. I know, I know.. we were TIRED.

Saturday was the best day ever. we went scuba diving, which was soooo much fun. we met a couple of swiss guys and a couple of canadian guys who work in Japan, Greg and Derek. they did the island hopping tour, but weren't impressed so we decided against doing that. Scuba was amazing as I said, i screamed a little bit with the mouth piece in when some fish swam right up to my eyes and stared at me. we were feeding them bread.

Sunday we did the city tour with greg and derek. and another guy John, Was really interested seeing the city. Wasn't what i expected at all. Very run down and very dirty. Cebu is a very poor area. was really sweet, we were followed by lots of kids as we were foreign. They were so funny. Funniest thing though was seeing dogs in nappies. animal cruelty?? pics are online.

Monday we had a lazy day and stayed by the pool. we went to the beach later in the afternoon but it was a bit of a disspointment. Cebu seems to be somewhat lacking in beautiful beaches. In the evening the hotel put on a Christmas party with lots of food (they changed the menu specially because most of the guests were western) so we got to have TURKEY!!! whoop. there were games where I won alongisde greg a free body massage. Greg had already had one so he was sweet and gave it to Jenny. we were planning on paying for one the next day anyway.

So Christmas day we opened our presents. Very strange not opening them with Theresa. I was half asleep aswell. We spent the day by the pool and having our 3 hour massages, which was awesome. Christmas day we actually had pizza. HAHA.

Boxing day we spent packing and by the pool. This was the day i burnt half my face. . was the hottest day so far.

The plane was delayed again by an hour which was annoying but coming back into HK airport was great. We got out so quickly cos we didn't have to queue. Our HK id cards made sure of that. Is all so high tech. This is officially my favourate airport.

Is good to be back home in HK now.

where we stayed

by the pool

Fireworks to bring in Christmas day

doing the macarena

the apple eating contest. he won. after eating 5 apples as quickly as possible. he looked like he would throw up.

Derek

great singer

greg and derek

Taoist temple

The fort

Guitar factory

Didn't know this photo was being taken

Church

they were gonna travel like this

cute kids who followed us

another nativity scene

a dog with a nappy on

a soldier

Mactan Shrine continued

Mactan shrine

scuba instructor dino

santa

a jeepni

nativity scene

Cebu Philippines for Christmas!

Despite the forecast for rain every day it hasn't really rained. it's had spitty spots and it rains overnight,, so we've been fortunate there. It is very hot, humid as there is a lot of cloud. haven't had a 'sunny' day yet, but are still really enjoying ourselves. we went scuba diving on saturday which was amazing as you can probably imagine, and yesterday we did a city tour with a couple of candaians who have been teaching in Japan for the past 10 years. it was really interesting. today we are having a lazy day with our books. Tonight is the hotel christmas dinner and party which should be fun.

Click on the photo gallery:
http://www.cebugardenresort.com/index.html

180 Christmas party - Bollywood style