More gifts from my little friends :)

He told me it's a man with a bow and arrow....you tell me if you can see it. 

A very crinkled crane... love the effort

Changing Faces...

I love when my old students come back and have lunch with me! It was such a treat to spend the afternoon with these girlies...For fun we decided to take some pictures.  I told them to make four different faces...isn't it obvious...?

Pile up

Why is it that when tough things happen they seem to always pile up on top of each other.

I think it all started a couple of weeks ago when I was leaving on a trip and was working really hard to get all my sub plans done and then in the midst of it found out that my grandmother had passed away.  It wasn't a total shock, but it still surprises you when anyone from your family passes and I was sad that I couldn't be there to say my final good bye.
But after that it just seemed as if thing after thing started to happen and I got worked up about each one.  I'm pretty good when it comes to stress, in fact most of the time, I thrive off of stress and I do really well when there's a little bit of pressure.  But you can only take so much.
This week I was finishing up report cards and grading kids work when an unexpected phone call happened...my cat Tooly, whom I've grown up with for 14 years passed away last night.  Thank goodness for good friends like my friend Wendy! She understood my sadness and even shed a few tears with me :)
I know that a lot of people would say there are a lot worse things that could happen then having a cat die, but after having built up all this emotion the past couple weeks and the fact that Tooly was something special and truly was an answer to little 9 and 11 year old Meg and Hannah's prayer, I just feel tired.
It's also a feeling so far from home, family and loved ones during the holiday season.  I love skyping my family especially when they're with my extended family, but every time I feel like it tugs at my heart strings a little more.  I love them to death and know that I am so lucky to have the technology to instantly communicate with them, but it doesn't make it any easier.
I'm in need of a break.  I only have three days of school left, but I could use some prayers. I know that God is in control, but it just seems like things at home are changing faster and faster and less and less is staying "normal".  I am ready to do whatever it is God is calling me to do, but today I need a little more help from him.....

...and I want to remember these two lovely ladies that I loved.

My grandma Beebe (1926-2012)

and my kitty.  She was the shape of pear, but I sure loved that pear. (1998-2012)

Rest in peace you two. Love you lots.

Little People Little Letters

Being in elementary can be really hard.  Not only do you have to get up early and go to school every day but there is math to be figured out, stories to be written, books to be read, and lots and LOTS of learning.  It can be streeeeesssful....so much so that I received this little letter from a couple of giggling little second graders.  The little laughs made my afternoon :)

I'm pretty sure my fourth grade girls had no idea what they were doing, but I politely informed them that the second graders had a collection going on and they would like the fourth grade to try and resist from moving it around. haha so funny

Where are you Christmas?...

After living in the Philippines for almost three years now I have grown accustomed to celebrating christmas almost 4 months out of the year.  As soon as September 1st hits the malls start playing the christmas spirit and the count down begins to the big day.  I can't imagine a life without Christmas, the day in which we take time to remember the birth of our Lord.

Recently I was able to attend a conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  It was an amazing experience where I was able to learn so much and meet so many other people who shared a heart for the international teaching.  The conference however just happened to land smack dab on top of Thanksgiving.  I was dissappointed about missing this delicious holiday but I thought, what the hey, I'm always up for new experiences and I've been wanting to go to a conference where I would be able to meet with other teachers from around the southeast Asia area.

I have visited Thailand before and absolutely loved it, but this time I was met by a different experience.  It was still beautiful and the people were friendly the culture was as colorful as I first remembered it, but there was something missing. I went throughout the week trying to figure out what it was that was missing.  I thought perhaps it was the fact that I totally missed thanksgiving and went along my day as if it were nothing more than an ordinary Thursday.  But as the day came and went this strange feeling remained.  I couldn't shake it.  Finally one day as I as talking with my good friend Becca we realized there wasn't any signs of Christmas.  No decorations, no music, no special sales, no nativity scenes, and no churches.  As I walked around the city I realized that apart from good ol' Starbucks there was no sign of such a significant holiday.  But this isn't a significant holiday to someone who strives for enlightenment.  Why would a country that is soaked in idolism and tradition be interested in a Christ's birth?

It made me realize though just how blessed I am to be serving in a country where Christmas has such significance.  It's true there may be times when it gets lost in the hustle and bustle, but at least it is present.  I am honored to celebrate such a day in which my Savior humbled himself to my level and desired to be one of us.  Immanuel, God is with us.  This season I am reminding myself of the reason for our celebration.

Becca and I sending off a Thai lantern.  It just so happened that it was the Loy Krathong Festival.

A few good women.

Blessed by these two ladies...enormously.  It was so fun to have mom and Hannah come visit and hang out with me in my world over here in southeast Asia.  My mom has been here once before but it was really cool for my sister to be able to come out.  She was affectionately called "the clone" at Faith Academy.  Many people had to take a second look when she was walking by.

*notice my mom's "crazy socks" (they got be apart of our crazy sock day)

At the American Cemetery

Even a little relaxing by the pool!

High Tea at the Peninsula Hotel

Then I forced my mom to hike the smallest active volcano in the world. Though it doesn't seem small when your hiking in 90+ heat with 80% humidity.  They were troopers...notice the sweat marks mmmm

Taal is a small volcano within a larger volcano.

Looking back at what we accomplished. Not only is the trail dusty but its hot a littered with horse poo.

So blessed to have them here.  I think I wore them out by the time they left, at least I know I was exhausted.  Things have gotten back to normal, but it is always hard when family comes and leaves.  Looking forward to seeing them again in 7 months.  Praying that the holidays are warm and joyful instead of feelings of homesickness.  Can't wait to celebrate thanksgiving and christmas in the cold again.

Happy Halloween!

It was a fun Halloween in 4th grade this year.  I think the longer I am away from the states the more I miss the fun of dressing up and being silly for Halloween.  And this year we were blessed with a couple of very special guests :)

the most attractive 4th grade teacher...not boasting or anything

The kids came into class with some "spooky" music and a "creepy" teacher welcoming them into the classroom.

After reading "The Teacher from the Black Lagoon" we started right away on our little craft project that I had my mom and sister lead them in.

Jack-o-Lanterns are hard to come by in the PI so we made due with some cute little satsumas.  Not only were they totally cute, but my room smelled like citrus ;)

the end product

A fun day with Miss Cosper, Miss Cosper and Mrs. Cosper :)