It's a new year
Ever deal with writer's block? I have a lot of things I could share about but no fully formed ideas. But since I've neglected this space for over a month now I need to start somewhere. So here's a list of random pieces from life this last month.
1. The holiday season away from home is a whole lot easier the second time around. Thanksgiving hasn't been a big deal to me since I was blessed with 2 Thanksgivings a year during college (the benefits of being an American at a Canadian college). But Christmas last year was pretty rough. This year it was pretty good. I got to celebrate Christmas 4 times! 1) with islanders-- big party at my house. 2) with island brothers and sisters and teammates. 3) with teammates. 4) on a neighboring island with the team there. It was a really great season of remembering our Savior in the midst of a culture that doesn't observe Christmas in the slightest.
2. I have a new kitten. His name is Djimbo-- means "song" in the local language. He's really sweet and playful and a lot of fun to be around. Still working on the litter box training though. Eesh.
3. My language skills still seem to be improving. I've had several fun opportunities to speak truth to islanders and my language skills have been able to handle it. Pretty exciting! I'm stoked about that.
4. Music is a delightful thing. I'm doing an ethnographic study on music in island perspective-- in the process of learning all about the types of music here and perceptions of music. My team is also hosting an ethnomusicology seminar here next week. I'm excited to see what songs and new learning comes out of that experience.
5. Teaching is still fun. My normal classes finished up in December then we had the busyness of Christmas and celebrations. Now I'm back from a short break on a neighboring island and doing two English clubs and one review class for students who didn't pass Level 1 the first time around.
6. I'm still tired. My vacation was restful and relaxing but on my return I jumped right back into "normal life" with very little transition time. Do pray that I can do what needs to be done this next month and rest in Him along the way.
7. Singleness... is. And I feel like I'm constantly reminded of it. It has advantages. It has disadvantages. It sparks conversations with islanders. It sparks long journaling sessions by myself. But at the end of the day it is what it is. And I seek contentment based on Him not based on me and my circumstances.
Basi. Finished. Done. Until next time!
Bonus: here's a couple pictures of me with a pet lemur (not mine). His name is Fig and he wears a diaper.
1. The holiday season away from home is a whole lot easier the second time around. Thanksgiving hasn't been a big deal to me since I was blessed with 2 Thanksgivings a year during college (the benefits of being an American at a Canadian college). But Christmas last year was pretty rough. This year it was pretty good. I got to celebrate Christmas 4 times! 1) with islanders-- big party at my house. 2) with island brothers and sisters and teammates. 3) with teammates. 4) on a neighboring island with the team there. It was a really great season of remembering our Savior in the midst of a culture that doesn't observe Christmas in the slightest.
2. I have a new kitten. His name is Djimbo-- means "song" in the local language. He's really sweet and playful and a lot of fun to be around. Still working on the litter box training though. Eesh.
3. My language skills still seem to be improving. I've had several fun opportunities to speak truth to islanders and my language skills have been able to handle it. Pretty exciting! I'm stoked about that.
4. Music is a delightful thing. I'm doing an ethnographic study on music in island perspective-- in the process of learning all about the types of music here and perceptions of music. My team is also hosting an ethnomusicology seminar here next week. I'm excited to see what songs and new learning comes out of that experience.
5. Teaching is still fun. My normal classes finished up in December then we had the busyness of Christmas and celebrations. Now I'm back from a short break on a neighboring island and doing two English clubs and one review class for students who didn't pass Level 1 the first time around.
6. I'm still tired. My vacation was restful and relaxing but on my return I jumped right back into "normal life" with very little transition time. Do pray that I can do what needs to be done this next month and rest in Him along the way.
7. Singleness... is. And I feel like I'm constantly reminded of it. It has advantages. It has disadvantages. It sparks conversations with islanders. It sparks long journaling sessions by myself. But at the end of the day it is what it is. And I seek contentment based on Him not based on me and my circumstances.
Basi. Finished. Done. Until next time!
Bonus: here's a couple pictures of me with a pet lemur (not mine). His name is Fig and he wears a diaper.
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