And then ... the RAFT floated away.

Easter Sunday

It's Easter Sunday!  

Happy Resurrection Day!

1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... 

I was musing a bit with my roommate yesterday about Easter traditions . . . here are some happy memories from my growing up years . . .

• Decorating eggs with dye, crayon, stickers, or plastic wrappers (depending upon the year!)
• Dropping grocery store sunny daffodils into the vase on the table
• Going to bed the night before in pink sponge rollers or tied rags all covered by a "grandma" scarf
• Waking up to streaming sunshine on new grass (or sparkling snow--depending upon the year!)
• Gleefully finding a basket filled with neon plastic grass, plastic eggs, jelly beans, and chocolate!
• Skillfully applying malted milk ball egg "lipstick"
• Wearing cute little ankle socks with frilly lace ruffles
• Unrolling all those curlers and becoming "fluffy"
• Piling into the car for the Sunrise Service at church
• Piling my plate with Mom's egg bake (because you truly can't trust anyone elses on Easter Sunday---it's a known fact that all egg bakes are NOT created equal) and coffee cake at the Church Breakfast
• Going to Sunday School
• Going to the regular Church Service
• Going HOME and tearing off my Easter dress and fancy socks . . . finally!
• Setting the table for the yummy deliciousness of ham, scalloped potatoes (hopefully the cheesy ones), and healthy stuff like salad and jello and pull-apart buns and pickles
• Stuffing myself on Mom's amazing cooking and feeling like taking a nap....
• But instead  . . .Washing dishes (because who needs a dishwasher when you have three perfectly fine ones (aka daughters)?
• Washing more dishes (there were always a ton because my mom likes LOTS of serving bowls)
• Washing even more dishes (Ick--to this day, I really strongly dislike washing dishes!)           ....and then, glorious naptime

Actually, I don't think I liked naps at that time in my life, so I probably curled up with a book or played a game with my sisters or something.  Hopefully no fighting was involved on Easter Sunday :)

Ah, but I'm forgetting one of the key things that I associate with Easter Sunday:

Special Music by The Miller Family

My parents LOVED Southern Gospel (still do!), and my mom was always on the lookout for a new song for us.  She'd listen to our local Christian radio station (KTIG 100.1FM @ that time) and find a winner!  She'd order it at the Christian bookstore in Brainerd, and off we'd go. Here's are a couple of songs that we sang on MANY Easter Sundays . . .
(UPDATE: I'm trying out a new audio embedding program, and it's not exactly working as I'd like it to!  So, here's a playlist with the songs I've tried to embed below.  Hopefully this one works for you!)


When He was on the Cross (this version is sung by Jake Hess)

Jesus Built a Bridge

Singing as a family is an amazing thing.  I used to think that EVERYONE had to do this, but since those naive years, I've learned that it's actually pretty rare to be in a family where everyone sings . . . on key AND with harmony. We sang songs in the car, and when I think about it now, I'm thankful for all the crazy games of "Can you find a harmony for this song?"  At the time, singing together did not always bring out the best in us (especially when we had to practice for church!). However, it's lovely to see how those memories fade and the pleasant ones brighten as years go by.

Instruments were added...my dad played guitar, and my mom played the hymns on the piano.  Eventually, my sisters became instrumentalists too (Moni became chief pianist and Melissa became the guitarist).  And me?  Well, I became the wannabe pianist, violinist, and percussionist.  Only percussion stuck--but I could only read rhythm and had to memorize all my bell parts....but that's another story!  Anyway, I was the one who really couldn't play anything.  You could call me the Charlene of the Darling family!

The Miller Family also sang in different combinations.

Tom & Cheryl sang.  My parents sang beautifully together, and I'm excited to be able to share a recording of one of their practice sessions in the playlist above.

The Miller Girls sang.  Had we grown up down south, I'm sure we would be singing some great bluegrass harmony, but instead, we sang some awesome hymns and, you guessed it, Southern Gospel.  This is one of our standards.  I don't have a recording of the three of us singing, so I guess you'll just have to listen to this one and imagine 3 girls instead of 4 men:

He Came Down to My Level (by the Gaither Vocal Band)

Singing.....

I can see it now!

Gathered around the kitchen . . .

We press "play" on the cassette player.

My dad conducts with his invisible baton.

Mom sings melody.

Monica sings soprano harmony.

Marcy sings alto harmony.

Melissa sings melody or another harmony.

Dad sings harmony in the gaps.

Stop!  Rewind!

Try it again!

Stop!  Rewind!

Try it again!

YES!  That's it!

Let's try it again!

You know, as I blog this Easter morning, far away in Taiwan, I'm wishing that we could gather around Mom's kitchen and try it again . . .

I miss you and love you all bunches and bunches and bunches!

He is RISEN!

that's my KING

I've been to the Philippines, and I've seen Jesus . . . literally everywhere!

Plastered on jeepneys

Splashed across billboards

Glued to taxi dashboards

Stored in cabinets

Tattooed on biceps

Clustered in market stalls

Worshipped in grottos

Carried over shoulders

I've heard that over 95% of Filipinos claim to be devoted Catholics, and I found my stay to be rather refreshing.  Lots of churches . . . lots of Bible verses . . . lots of Jesus!  I met some very lovely people, and I know the Lord has many children in the Philippines.  Now, I really don't know a ton about Catholicism; however, my BFF has schooled me a bit on some of the vocabulary and traditions through the years. Needless to say, even with my basic understanding, what I learned during my week in the Philippines shocked me a bit.  Here's the deal:  To the chagrin of the Vatican and the Bishops in the Philippines, some Filipino Catholics are very VeRy V E R Y devoted . . . to the point of voluntary flogging and crucifixion during Holy Week.  Seriously. 
(Here's a video from the most recent display.  It's rather gruesome on video---I've heard even more so in person. Praise God for HIS sacrifice that paid the price for us all!)

You know, as I write, I'm envisioning all of the directions I could go tonight, and there are many!

Honestly, I'm trying to digest all of my musings on this topic....especially in light of the fact that I live in a country like Taiwan where this Monday's big holiday is Tomb Sweeping Day--a day to worship ancestors and provide for their needs in the afterlife.  Really?  Do the dead need iPods, cars, houses, money, and food? Burning "ghost money" and incense, lighting firecrackers, and preparing food offerings is a fairly normal occurrence in Taiwan, but at times like these, things really ramp up.  (It's good to know that some folks are thinking "green" this year when it comes to their worship.  My lungs thank you!)

In the midst of all this ReLiGiOn, I'm so blessed and humbled to have a ReLaTiOnShiP with the King of Kings who bore my sins, died for me on a cross, and rose again--triumphant over the grave.  Do you know Him?

pHiLoSoPhY

1. Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.

2. Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.

3. A system of thought based on or involving such inquiry: the philosophy of Hume.

4. The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs.

5. The disciplines presented in university curriculums of science and the liberal arts, except medicine, law, and theology.

6. The discipline comprising logic, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology.

7. A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory: an original philosophy of advertising.

8. A system of values by which one lives: has an unusual philosophy of life.

---

[Middle English philosophie, from Old French, from Latin philosophia, from Greek philosophi, from philosophos, lover of wisdom, philosopher; see philosopher.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

 So, I'm filling out job applications, and one of the things that I'm often asked for is my

(drum roll) 

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION.

So give it to me honestly, how many of you in a career other than education have to submit your philosophy statement with an application?  What is your PHILOSOPHY OF ACCOUNTING or PHILOSOPHY OF SALES?  Outside the world of academia, do these things exist?  Please enlighten me!

Anyway, I must say that it was a good exercise.  I've written several of these during my career and during college, but I haven't sat down to think about my Philosophy for quite awhile.  Here was my process:  I googled "Philosophy of Education"....NO, not to copy, (come on!  I'm a teacher for goodness sake!) just to get some ideas of what employers might be looking for in the 2010s.

Check out this one done on Wordle:  GREAT IDEA!!  I think I'll make one of these too!

It seemed pretty standard to definition #7 above.  Simple enough to answer:  What are my beliefs about education?  Honestly, most likely the same as every other educator on the planet.  Not too original!  BUT then I was reading that employers really want to get to know the individual, so it's sometimes good to include your background and your inspiration for becoming a teacher...things like that.  Well, that was refreshing, because I LOVE talking about why I was inspired to become an educator!  Anyway, since I hadn't posted anything on my blog in awhile, but I HAVE most definitely been doing some writing, I thought I would "bore" you with my Philosophy of Education.  

Oh, and one more thing, I reserve the right to change this statement at anytime, because I just might want to change it up a bit.  How's that for official legal-ese?!

NOTE: Please understand that this is a general philosophy written with private (non-Christian) or public schools in mind.  My Christian Philosophy of Education would be the same....but incorporate more of my faith beliefs into the actual document.  Maybe I'll post that one at a later time!

Here we go . . . deep thoughts  . . . kind of . . .

Marcy Miller’s

Philosophy of Education

2010

From Minnesota, an idyllic state of hearty and loyal citizens known by Garrison Keillor fans worldwide, I am the daughter of two public school teachers.  My parents are gifted teachers, and I believe that can be said without bias, even by their daughter.  They are well known in their small town community for their integrity, collaboration, and professionalism. 

Building relationships has been a key factor to their success, and my dad, who is in his third year of retirement, was truly a master teacher.  Not only was he accomplished in his content area, but he also invested his life in that of his students.  He has hundreds of former 7-12^th grade students as friends on Facebook who love to hear encouraging words from Mr. Miller and harass him about his favorite football team.  He was a school leader, and he continues to be very well respected by former administrators, colleagues, students, parents, and members of the community. 

My mom is a “practically-perfect-in-every-way” 1^st Grade teacher.  Not only was she an amazing domestic engineer (aka homemaker) as my sisters and I grew up, but later, while raising three teenagers and taking care of my dad while he was recovering from major brain surgery, she went back to college with students half her age and graduated with a 4.0 GPA and her BS in Education. My mom, still incredibly passionate about education, will be retiring at the end of this school year in order to join my dad on some RV adventures.  Mrs. Miller, recipient of hundreds of hugs and “love letters,” is known for her work of differentiating instruction so that all learners have an opportunity to be successful, mentoring new teachers, and partnering with parents. She will leave a foundational legacy of nurturing, collaboration, and impressive achievement.  Like my dad, she is also a well-loved and respected member of the community at large.

Although I cannot provide scientific evidence, I think that perhaps being an educator is part of my DNA.  At one time, four out of the five members of my family were teachers.  And the sister who wasn’t a teacher?  Well, she is now working in banking . . . as a trainer and manager.   Let’s just say that the title, “Miss Miller” is a great fit!

I grew up hearing a myriad of stories from both in an out of the classroom fitting all genres of film.  Comedies were featured on a regular basis, because as I soon found out, an elementary classroom was full of laughter!  Suspense and Mystery were featured often, because not all children are honest and without mischief. There were occasional Tragedies—the unfortunate accidents caused by misuse of tools in the wood shop or devastating sagas of illness.  At times, a Western was afoot—there were showdowns of all types at the K-12 Corral—student vs. teacher; parent vs. teacher; teacher vs. teacher; teacher vs. principal; school vs. community, and the list goes on.  My favorite stories were the compelling Dramas—the stories that continued over several days, weeks, or even months.  These were the tales of struggling students, celebratory successes, and creative teaching.  Through all the stories that I have heard through the years, I learned what education was all about.  There were joys and sorrows; successes and failures; kind words and harsh accusations; inspirations and frustrations, as well as good days and bad.

Now, with over a decade of experience as an educator, I have been able to add several stories to The Miller School Tales Filmography Collection.  Living in an Asian culture has provided me with a few Comedies and Dramas about working in Taiwan with children and their parents who speak three or four languages, but may not speak English—subtitled, of course!  As an administrator, I have been able to add some Action tales of high treason and boxing matches on the playground.  I have also contributed a few inspiring Biographies of blossoming students with special needs, a captivating Science Fiction extravaganza taking place in the computer lab that is not so much fiction as it is reality; a couple of Horror films involving bleeding foreheads and H1N1, and of course, the essential Chick Flick of monumental proportions in the Middle School.

Education is not an easy profession. It requires dedication and work to be an exemplary teacher and life-long learner.  It takes hours of planning just to lay the groundwork for learning opportunities.  Teaching and learning takes a team--one where the members are not always willing, flexible, or active.  So what is my philosophy of education?  Well, simply said, I believe that it is all about what is good for the learner—whether that learner is 6 months or 102 years old.  In the instance of K-12 education, I believe that everyone (teachers/support staff, administrators, students, and parents) are to be held responsible to ideals of moral integrity, citizenship, effective communication, ethical decision-making, discernment, critical thinking, rational behavior, and life-long learning.  However, if I am in the role of educator and/or educational leader, all of my endeavors to instill these ideals through my instruction will be for naught if I do not live my life as a person of integrity and character.  My walk must match my talk.  If this is not the case, how can I honestly and sincerely educate?

As an enthusiastic, creative, and dedicated leader of integrity, I am committed to nurturing a vibrant, educational community where academic excellence and growth is accessible for all children. "What's good for kids?" is a question that guides my leadership in a school.  Firmly standing for quality instruction and assessment for 21st Century learners, data-driven decision-making, intentional curriculum design, and early intervention, I am devoted to fostering a school environment that embraces differing cultures and learning styles.  My desire is to serve as a strong leader--personally dedicated to life-long learning and endeavoring to cultivate collegiality and teamwork.

Yes, if my parents were in the Hollywood film business, they would be rich. However, as educators, they have what money just cannot buy.  They are partly responsible for the development of “Earth-Shakers”--children who have grown up to impact their world in amazing ways.  These children are present and future scientists, doctors, police officers, humanitarians, judges, mechanics, pastors, and movie stars.  They are global citizens and digital natives who live in a rapidly changing world where those impossible square roots can be found with the touch of a button; books can be read without going to the Library; conversations can take place anywhere and at anytime—as long as there is wifi and/or cell phone reception, and thousands of pictures, CDs, and documents can be stored on a flash drive that fits on a key ring. 

Educators are no longer the experts—the people who know everything.  We are the ones who inspire and lay the track for learning.  We teach our students to solve problems and think creatively.  We provide doors to open and horizons to ponder.  Education is an amazing calling!  At the end of my career (which, I hope, will be many, many years from now), I wonder what films will have been added to the collection?! 

What stories are waiting to be told?

 

"FoR fAsT-AcTiNg ReLiEf, TrY sLoWiNg DoWn." --Lily Tomlin

Linus Van Pelt has a Blue Blanket.

Christopher Robin has Winnie the Pooh.

Garfield the Cat has Pooky.

Marcy Miller has Summer Magic!

Yesterday's blog entry was about some mild freaking out happening inside my little head.  After digging into the Word, spending time in prayer, and getting a good night's sleep, I woke up fairly refreshed and ready to face the day (even if it was raining like crazy...but you know, I just have to tell you--I bought some new rain boots when I was home for Christmas, and walking in the rain is so much fun when you can splash joyfully through the puddles in your plaid galoshes!).

As usual, it was a busy day and made a little more exciting by the fact that I stumbled onto the Yahoo play-by-play of the last minute of the 4th quarter of THE football game....I won't pretend to be a die-hard fan, but that game was intense (at least the couple of minutes I followed), and I was thinking that it would be kind of fun for the Vikings to actually go to the Superbowl because I guess we can even watch the game live in Taiwan.  Oh, well.  Maybe next year.

Anyway, in an effort to decompress tonight, I watched my all-time favorite relaxing movie, the very "famous" Disney masterpiece: Summer Magic starring Hayley Mills.  I'm sure you've heard of it, right?!  Well, I do think the fan base for this particular classic is rather miniscule, but maybe that's why I love it so much!  It's not a musical, but it has plenty of music worked into the story....and it's got Burl Ives and a small town and beautiful scenery and a barn dance and ringlets and ice cream and a front porch and dancing inchworms and a cute little boy and scary stories and stagecoach bags and ragtime and beautiful bountiful bows and a player piano and a rockin' car and a general store and a white country church and a handsome teacher and a perfect stranger.  What more could you really want?!  Ah, the plot may not be so deep, but the tone of the film is well, MAGIC!!

Watching this movie is like curling up with a good book in a comfy bed made with freshly laundered linens during a summer rainstorm.  It's like sipping hot apple cider in front of a crackling fireplace and watching a magical Christmas snow fall from the sky and land on twinkling lights.  Honestly, watching it is like lounging on a chair on a secluded ocean beach under a bright blue sky and a colorful umbrella listening to the waves crashing on the sandy shore while sipping a mango smoothie out of a coconut shell.  Ah....utter bliss!

I leave you to R E L A X with a clip from the movie . . .

(Hmmmm. . . . now, if only I had someone to linger with . . .

wouldn't that be fun *wink wink*?!?!)

Stealth Freaking

I realized today that Taipei has become "normal."  Well, "normal-ish."  I was in my old neighborhood today to get a divine hairwash and cut/style, and I found myself looking around and thinking, "huh, I've seen this stuff before."  In other words, my "Strange and Different Radar Detector" was folded up and stored away....along with the camera in my bag.

When did I turn into a non-tourist in Taiwan?
When did I stop marveling at the foreign world around me?
When did I stop taking pictures of cultural oddities?
When did I learn to drown out the constant noise around me?
When did I stop noticing every non-Asian face?
When did I . . .

You know something?  I'm conflicted by this realization today.

Lack of "Wonder" = Opportunity for a Change? OR Apathy? OR Fatigue?

Change = Stress & Transition

Familiarity = Security & Comfort

This blog is a bit of a bummer.  I guess it's one piece of what I'm feeling right now.  Today.  At this moment.  (So please don't worry about me, Mom!  This is NORMAL....just not very fun.)

It's so easy to stay....it's so easy to go.

I will be leaving.

It's just hard not to be overwhelmed by all the change.

And... I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.

BUT

God is good!

All the time!

Here's what I learned back at PFO (Pre-Field Orientation) before coming to Taiwan:

When transitioning, leave-taking is really important to do well, and building a RAFT helps:

• Reconciling conflicts with others
  
• Affirming relationships
• Farewell to people, places, pets and possessions
• Thinking ahead

Since I most likely need to have some sort of employment in order to support my single-self in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave, I've found myself skipping ahead to the T step.  I know I'm going to be in the US, but where and doing what?  Well, thankfully, He knows.....but I don't have a clue!  Anyway, I'm trying to work on the other letters, and I'll post a list of the "places" I'd like to say farewell to soon, because some of you may find it interesting:)

So, what's the plan?  I'm going to stop freaking out (it's all been internal freaking....yep, stealth freaking!) and seize each day that God gives me!  I'll keep you posted on my progress:)

Thanks for your prayers....
Love you bunches!

If I Could Fly.....This is What I'd See

tRaNsItIoN

Isaiah 43:16

I am the LORD, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea.

Psalm 77:19

Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters--a pathway no one knew was there.

Isaiah 43:18-19

But forget all that--it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.  For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun!  Do you not see it?  I will make a pathway through the wilderness.  I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Ephesians 3:20

Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think!

Three.

Three years.

It has actually been three years!

Months of prayer led to the decision.

With one mouse click, I printed the letter.

With a single flourish of ink, I signed the letter.

With just a nimble flick of the wrist, I mailed the letter.

With the opening of just a solitary email, my life was changed.

Three years ago, I applied for a leave of absence from Minnehaha.

Three years ago, I thought I had it all planned out.

Resume.

Application.

Interview.

Job.

Satisfaction of putting my 4 years of graduate school to work!

Printing business cards with the title "Administrator" under my name.

Ta-da!

Not quite.

Four months.

20+ INTENSE applications.

0 interviews.

No job in sight.

2 months left of health insurance.

1 month left of teaching.

Confusion.

Doubt.

Stress.

Despair.

Then came Hope.

I didn't deserve it.  I had floundered under pressure.

Leaning on my own understanding, the burden was too heavy.

HE carried my burden.

HE's the Lover of my Soul.

Surrender.

Followed by a Psalm 77:19 moment--the pathway become visible.

Exotic.

Far.

Without fear, for HE is faithful!

One application.

Four letters.

Three interviews.

Five days.

Taiwan!

What a wild ride, and one so amazingly God-ordained that I still tremble in awe when I think of how HE orchestrated every single detail so perfectly.  How good to be in the CENTER of God's will!

So, here I am....back to facing a big, dark unknown.

I've been here before, and it's not an easy place to be.

However, this time, there is a dry wilderness ahead.

I'm not sure where the pathway is right now,
but I know it's there....

I'm not sure where the river is going to come from,

but I know it will be there...

Why?

I am confident of this:

My LORD keeps His promises. 

Onward!

Pressing toward the goal!

Jia you!

Jet Lag

This blog entry is lovingly dedicated to Shannon S.W., Marion K., and Shanny O--very loyal blog followers whom I have greatly disappointed during the past several months. May this be the beginning of a beautiful run of blogging!

I'm back! Since it's 4:30am in Taipei, I'm inspired to blog about jet lag and travel. (Hopefully this will still make sense when I am not longer under the haze of jetlag (hereafter indicated as JL). Those of you who have flown outside your own time zone will have experienced this to some degree. Now, I've heard that it takes at least one day to make up for every time zone you pass.

When I still lived in the US, I used to have the opportunity to visit my grandparents in Arizona every spring break, which was, of course, absolutely lovely! (I miss you Gramps and Grams!) Difference in time zones from MN to AZ = 1-2 hours (depending upon the status of Daylight Savings Time). JL irritation level = 2 (out of 10, with 10 being highly frustrating), and I'm honestly not sure whether it was true JL irritation or just being completely exhausted from school.

Since MN is located in the Central Time Zone, a trip to either coast means changing my watch 2-3 hours in some direction. JL irritation level = 4. I think this rating stems from the fact that figuring out the time to make phone calls during convenient hours is a bit more difficult. Also, even this minimal time travel can mess up sleeping schedules a bit.

I've had several opportunities to cross the "Little Pond" (aka the Atlantic Ocean), and the JL experienced by these adventures moves up into a much more intensive irritation level. Usually, I would say trans-Atlantic travel JL irritation level = 8. (At times, it may even surpass trans-Pacific JL due to other factors, but for the most part it still lands in the frustrating but endurable level)

However, if you've ever flown to an international locale that is at least more than 10 time zones from your place of departure (as I have on quite a few occasions now), you're in another level of jet lag status altogether. Trans-Pacific journeys by airplane are, in my humble opinion, the high scorers of the very accurate and scientifically measured JL irritation scale: JL irritation level = 9 (and only because some other form of travel, such as space travel to the moon, may take the highest honors for JL irritation.)

I would love to go back now and elaborate on the various levels of jet lag symptoms; however, since I'm at a level 9 at this present moment, I'll just too "irritated" to do that right now! I'll just list a few characteristics of a Level 9 Jet Lagger:

1. My head feels like it's filled with cotton, feathers, cement blocks, legos, bowling balls, spider webs, warm water, and jello. Yep, it really does.

2. Sometimes it feels like my brain has some sort of clog. At times, I catch myself just staring blankly....thinking about nothing and remembering nothing. Then, other times, it's like my brain was doused with Drano, and stuff just keeps zinging out and out and out and out, and thoughts are swirling and looping and having a huge party. Unfortunately, the "Drano brain" usually wakes up around 1:00am and refuses to let me sleep.

3. I crave chocolate and caffeine. I'm quite sure that this is not just limited to JL, but it's a pretty good excuse!

4. Napping during the first few days of JL recovery isn't so good. Just trust me on this one.

5. JL makes you slee.... (sorry, I nodded off ....)

I know there are lots of other symptoms....but honestly, it's now 5:10, and I've just been staring at this screen for awhile. Unless the Drano brain shows up again, I think I'm done.

G'night or G'morning....I guess it all depends on where you are in the world (both physically and mentally!)

For those of you who are awake, check out this part of one of my favorite Psalms. Maybe King David had done some traveling too.....

Psalm 77: 4-6
You don’t let me sleep.
I am too distressed even to pray!
I think of the good old days,
long since ended,
when my nights were filled with joyful songs.
I search my soul and ponder the difference now.

I MiSs BloGGiNg

It's too late to blog and make any sense, but I miss writing. Tomorrow, I'm going to actually post something interesting to make up for my bloglessness.
G'night!

Fresh start

There was snow on the ground this morning.

...not a lot, but enough to send a warm and shivery tingle down my spine as I watched the sunlight jump across the glittering whiteness. What an amazing Creator! He washed the day with a fresh coating of possibilities. I continue to be in awe of His majesty and never-ending love...

Go West!

So anyway, I'm leaving on a jet plane tomorrow for parts West... Here's the deal, when I became a teacher, my wise parents imparted some great knowledge.

1. Always be friendly to the custodians and secretaries--they rule the school!
2. You never "get" if you never "ask."

I've tried to listen to their good advice through the years, and I think this was definitely wise advice. I have discovered that #2 is quite true. It never hurts to ask as long as you're prepared to hear, "No." So, that's what I've done through the years, and my schools have been kind to me.

While at Minnehaha, I was provided funds to supplement my graduate school tuition (4 years worth), and I've was given funds for two travel experiences: Taiwan/Hong Kong/Beijing and an East Coast Road Trip. I also was able to attend an ASCD conference in Anaheim, and the Love and Logic Institute in Colorado Springs. I also went to numerous local workshops in MN.

At Morrison, I have been given funds to supplement my Chinese language study, and I was flown to Seoul for a weekend workshop on writing. This past November, I was flown to Hong Kong to attend and present at the ACSI conference. Tomorrow, I'm heading to the Utah to attend the Learning Disabilities Association International Conference with a stop in AZ to see my amazing grandparents. Oh, and then the weekend after my return to Taiwan, I'll be going to Yokohama, Japan to attend another workshop on Assessment.

So, I'm excited! I absolutely LOVE learning new things, and I LOVE to travel. I have been blessed to experience unique opportunites for learning by just asking. (Now, lest you think I'm becoming spoiled, I would like to point out that for every asking, there's at least one denial, so it all evens out!)

Anyway, I am heading out tomorrow morning, and for some reason, I'm procrastinating my packing like crazy. I finally made a list, and I hear that the washing machine has stopped, so I'd better get going.... ta ta for now!

Diagnosis: DDCWDESOSF Disease

Taiwan does a lot of things right. Recycling is REALLY big here. Obviously, when your country is an island, you'll run out of room for trash eventually! You have to pay for plastic bags at most places which means that you tend to carry reusable bags with you at all times...at least I do. Public transportation (although contributing to the pollution problem a bit) is fantastic--reliable and easy to use. Eating out can be downright cheap--with no added tax or tip (it's not culturally required) and street food just about everywhere, you can have a good meal for not much money.

Taiwan also does a lot of things that just seem a little wrong. Air pollution in Taipei is a big deal, but about once a month, almost every business rolls out their little fire bucket and burns paper "ghost" money. Other times of the year, fire crackers fill the air with smoke. I've also realized that if you happen to have a problem with..let's say, the toilet in your apartment...it may take many visits from the plumber in order to fix the problem. Eventually, the problem seems "unfixable," and they'll just replace your entire toilet--but not before making a huge mess and using your bath towels to mop up the icky stuff.

Then, there are things about Taiwan that I'm torn about being more right or more wrong. Let's talk about the National Health Insurance. Now, I rather think this is wonderful! I can go to the doctor's office, have labs done or x-rays take, meet with the doctor for a follow-up appointment, and pick up several prescription medications all for about $15. What a bargain! However, you can't have the NHI without discussing the actual process of visiting the doctor...

Last week, I decided enough was enough. I've had an annoying little cough since before Christmas, and recently, I experienced some weird instances of not being able to breathe very well. I thought I may be getting asthma or that perhaps the pollution was catching up to me. So, I decided to go to see a Doctor. (Last year, I did this process for the first time, and after I describe it, you may find me very courageous or a little crazy!)

Here's what a visit to the doctor looks like in Taiwan (at least for me):

First off, I wanted to pre-register for my appointment at the Hospital. Although there are lots of clinics at various locations, I've been "doctoring" for all my two visits at the hospital across the street from my school. They have an outpatient clinic, and it's VERY convenient.

Since I already had a file number from my visit last year, I went online and found the English website for the hospital (very handy). Now, doctors are very specialized in Taiwan, and when you make an appointment, you see the doctor whose speciality is what ails you. So, I looked in the Pulmonary department. (You might think this is obvious, but sometimes you just don't know what's wrong or where your ailment lies. One of our male teachers had a benign cyst of some sort under his skin and was sent to the "Breast" doctor...yep, a little awkward to be sure.) Last year, I went to the hospital for a urinary tract infection. I didn't know what kind of doctor to see, and of course, I didn't speak Chinese and was alone. Try "acting out" that type of illness to a non-English speaking receptionist! She sent me to the gastroenterologist, and he looked at me like I was crazy. However, I think he sensed my frustration after he told me I was in the wrong place and treated me in spite of the mix up. By the way, if this happens to you, and you're in Taiwan, I now know that you need to see an "Infectious Diseases" doctor...yep, a little different.

Anyway, I selected a 9:00-12:00 appointment for Monday and was assigned room 216 and the number 27.

Monday at 9:00am.

I walk across the street and arrive in the hospital lobby where at least a hundred people are milling about. I am the only foreigner to be seen, and I get a fair amount of stares as I walk in. (Now, I learned the hard way last year and spent much more time at the hospital than I needed to because of my ignorance of procedure. I will give myself a little leeway since I can't read any sign OR understand most of what anyone says....) The first thing you do is take a number from the little machine (like at the Target customer service counter). I was number 215. There's a long desk along one wall that serves as the registration counter. There are about 10 different stations for registering, and digital signs top each station. As patients are registered, a new number is called and flashed on the screen. They were at 127.

Now, I really wasn't sure if I need to wait in line. I had pre-registered, but I didn't have any paper that listed my appointment. So, I got in the line that said "Information." When I got to the counter, I asked if she spoke English. She shook her head "no" and immediately dialed up the interpreter on the phone--Hooray! Where was the interpreter last year?! I asked if I needed to be waiting in line, and the friendly voice said that I could go directly to the room. Pre-registering is definitely the way to go!

So, up the stairs I go. When you arrive on the 2nd floor, you enter a very long and wide hallways with seats down the middle and doors on both sides. Interestingly, a couple of hospital beds (with patients lying in them and attached to all sorts of tubes) are parked outside of some of the doors. I found room 216. (I didn't take any pictures because I thought it might be considered inappropriate, but just try to picture this setting.) There is a digital sign above the door that is flashing the next number. It says 42. Uh-oh! Now, what do I do? I see a piece of paper tacked under the sign with LOTS of names (in Chinese, of course) listed next to numbers. I scan down the list and find my name (written in Chinese-aren't you impressed?!). The nurse sees me looking at the list, and she beckons me to come into the room.

Okay, so here's what the room looks like. Two large desks are sitting perpendicular to one another. Computers sit prominently on each desktop. An exam table sits at the back, and there are a variety of posters detailing the lungs on the walls (whew, at least I'm in the right place this time!) The nurse is sitting in the first desk. I hand her my NHI card, and she sticks it in a machine, and my entire Taiwan health history pops up on the doctor's computer. I am asked to sit in a chair next to the doctor that looks like it came out of our first grade classroom. The doctor didn't look at me, but grunted something in Chinese. I asked if he spoke English, and then he finally looked at me and said, "yes." I went on to tell him why I was there. He took out a stethoscope and listened to me breathe. Then, he typed something into his computer and he said something to the nurse. The next thing I know, I'm handed my NHI card and a piece of paper. I was told to go to the 1st floor and get an x-ray.

Down I go--back to the lobby area. Sure enough, there's a sign that points to radiology. I stop by a window, and hand the worker my stuff. She punches a bunch of things into a computer, and suddenly, and nurse or someone tells me to take off my clothes. Okay, now seriously, I'm literally in the middle of tons of people! I think she saw my shocked look, because she pointed to a sign that said "Changing Room." She told me to change, and then come back to the door next to the little window where I had first stopped. Nice. I went to the changing room and found some lovely pea green gowns to change into. Unfortunately, I'm a little larger than your average Taiwanese patient...yeah, not such a great fit. So I kept my pants on and figured I'd be okay since we were taking pictures of my lungs. I folded up my clothes and carried them back to the x-ray room. In all of 1 minute, I was done and waiting in the hallway to see if it turned out. 2 minutes later, the tech came out and told me I could go back to the doctor.

After changing, I headed back upstairs to room 216. I sat back down in the chair, and the doctor was already looking at my x-ray. Fast service! Meanwhile, another patient entered the room and began talking to the nurse. (This seems to be quite normal practice. Last year, there were two other patients in the room while I was meeting with the doctor...not a lot of privacy here in Taiwan.) After a couple of minutes of looking, he pronounced by x-ray "clear" and proceeded to type a bunch more things into the computer. Then, the nurse printed out a paper, and the doctor told me to take the paper to the cashier, pay, and pick up medicine in the pharmacy on the 1st floor. So, then I asked the question that seemed to irritate him a bit..."So, what's wrong with me?" And this, no exaggerating folks, is his answer to that question: Don't drink cold water. Don't eat spicy or sweet foods." I thought that perhaps he had misunderstood, so I asked again, "Okay, but why do I need to take medicine? What do you think is wrong with me?" Once again, he replied with the exact same answer.

Well then, I guess I just had to be satisfied with knowing that I had the "Don't Drink Cold Water or Eat Spicy or Sweet Foods Disease." (I wonder if it's infectious?! At least I know what doctor to go to next time if it is!) Oh, by the way, in an effort to stay hydrated in case I needed to have some kind of *urine test, I was drinking bottled water in the doctor's office. After his diagnosis, both he and the nurse looked at me rather strangely. I drank one last slug of cold water and sheepishly put the bottle in my bag.

I made my way across the hall and waited in another line to pay the cashier. Eventually, I got to the window and handed her my print-outs that the nurse had given me. The total was 640NTD or around $17. The cashier gave me a receipt, and I went back downstairs to the pharmacy (which is just across the hall from the radiology lab). I went to the window and handed the pharmacist my receipt. She went to a bin and pulled out 3 different bags stapled together. She said, "3 a day, okay?!" After a bit of sign language and my very limited attempt at Chinese, I figured out that I had a week's worth of medicine of 3 different types--3 doses a day. I took the bags, and headed out the door.

It was 9:55.

When I got back to school, I looked up my prescriptions on Google (they were unfamiliar names): a "Tylenol-type" med for fever (I didn't know I had a fever. I wonder how the Doctor knew since he never took my temp?!), an antibiotic (to cure my DDCWDESOSF Disease, no doubt), and a cough suppressant (seems a little obvious:). I've been taking the meds, but I've noticed that I've still got a bit of a cough. If it's not gone in a week or two, I guess I'll head back for round two in the quest to cure DDCWDESOSF Disease!

So, you decide--more on the right or wrong side? The Taiwan health system is incredibly efficient. There is no such thing as sitting in the waiting room, and then finally being called to only sit some more in a cold exam room until a Doctor finally appears. There is no such thing as waiting days for lab results or an hour for x-rays. There is no such thing as tussles with the insurance company. There is no such thing as exorbitant prescription costs or fees. There is also no such thing as bed-side manner. There is no such thing as a "personal touch." As a matter of fact, I have never had my temperature or blood pressure taken while in Taiwan. I have also never stepped on a scale (which is fine by me) or had my height measured at the Doctor's office (only at the Dept. of Motor Vehicles--but that's a story from last year)

(Also, funny thing, a friend here in Taiwan had bronchitis over Christmas Break. When I shared my "diagnosis," she laughed! She had also been diagnosed with DDCWDESOSF Disease by one of the 3 Doctors she visited! Perhaps it is infectious...I'd better wear a surgical mask to school tomorrow....)

So, here I sit, praying that I never have to spend the night in a Taiwan hospital...I can only imagine the great adventure.... Here's to staying healthy!

*Urine test procedure. Go to a window with a note from the doctor. The nurse will give you a small cup and a test tube. You are to walk across the hall to the bathroom. The only facilities available are squatties. You do your business and fill your test tube. Then, you carry this back across the hall (filled with people) to the window. You plop the test tube onto a rack, and take a note back to the doctor. After waiting for 30 minutes, the results are in, and you're summoned back to the doctor's office for a diagnosis.

Good Morning, Sunshine!

One of the greatest gifts God has ever given me
is my friend, Shannon.
So, here are 35 Random Things about the Birthday Girl.

1. Shanny is my very bestest friend ever. You know, she's really one of those "only in movies" type of friends. No matter how far apart we are, I know that we'll always be BFs4EVA!
2. Shanny and I will have been friends for 10 years this coming August. We were roommates for 8 of those years. I guess you can get to know someone pretty well when you've lived with them for that long....
3. Way back when, I finally talked Shannon into going Up North with me to hang out for the weekend at my parents' house in Pine River. We were going skiing. Well, I ended up getting the stomach flu after a meal at Burger King (I couldn't look at onion rings for years) , and after being at Ski Gull for about 1/2 hour, she broke the binding on her ski. It was a great weekend....
   
4. Shannon taught me how to dance. I'm really, really good at the "sprinkler!"
5. Shannon taught me the fine art of bugging the DJ at a dance to play the "must haves" like: Dancing Queen, Brown-Eyed Girl, I Will Survive, etc.
6. I once had a dream that Shanny would marry a guy named "Trevor." If you're reading this blog and you're single AND your name is "Trevor," YOU could be the "one!"
   
7. Shannon and I have used lots of words to describe things through the years such as schmole, dog, furniture, bamboozled, pushettes, and buzzard (yeah, don't even try to guess the meanings!).
8. One time, Shanny and I headed WEST and drove almost 6,000 miles in 15 days. Shannon's least favorite place was The Great Salt Lake Desert and all of its neighbors. Our favorite hikes in the Hoh Rainforest were 1/2 mile loop--no elevation change.
9. Shannon pretends to not like cats.
10. Shanny loves the Lord and serves Him with all her heart.
    
11. Shannon has the absolutely most enviable naturally curly auburn hair. She can literally wake up, shake her head, and her hair looks model-perfect.
12. Favorite junkfood snacks for Shanny? Diet Mountain Dew and Resee's Peanut Butter Cups, of course!
13. Shanny loves music! She can remember the words to just about any song...except the corny ones I listen to:) The buttons on her car stereo have the paint wore off them from so much track and station changing. I can't remember the titles of any songs...much less the lyrics. Case in point: "Whatever."
14. Shanny and I have traveled to LOTS of places together: Ireland, England, Taiwan, Canada, and many states and cities in the US on various road trips (West Coast, East Coast, down to Arkansas, etc.). I think our first little trip was to Duluth. It was the first time Shanny (a MN native) had ever been to the North Shore. Our first big trip together was to San Franscisco. Shanny pushed our scootcar up a hill and humored me as we toured "The Rock."
15. Shannon can watch the same movie over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.
16. Shanny's favorite colors for decorating: Anything that looks like dirt or plant matter (browns, greens, tans, etc.) I tend to go with the brighter crayons in the box, and I think I may have rubbed off on her a teeny bit through the years!
    
17. Shanny has had some unfortunate luck every now and then. Once, on a trip to Lutsen, Shanny hit a deer AND got caught in a damaging hailstorm. While she was waiting for the insurance money, she was contacted by the police on an accusation of a hit and run in St. Paul. The detective realized it was a scam when he saw some stray deer guts and hair hanging from the injured vehicle.
18. Shanny killed all the spiders in the basement for me.
19. Shannon is an incredible aunty to 7 adorable nieces and nephews! They are so lucky!
20. You may not know it, but Shanny is a softy and can easily cry. She calls it, "Pushing her eyes in." I, on the other hand, can only cry during sad animal movies.
21. Shannon is one of the most generous and genuinely thoughtful person that I know.
22. Shanny doesn't like strawberries.
23. Shanny loves cookie-dough Blizzards at DQ.
24. Despite the fact that she hates it, Shanny has gone camping with me on several occasions. One time we had a bit of a run-in a with a coon.
    
25. Did you know that Shanny has a hard time "making 3" and that she can't wink? It's true!
26. Favorite Animal: the fox that "supposedly" lives in the neighborhood.
    
27. Before I met Shannon, I was only addicted to one TV show: Hogan's Heroes. After meeting Shannon, I became addicted to the following: FRIENDS, Law & Order (every single one of them), ER, Will & Grace, and I'm sure I'm missing some.
28. Shannon is an amazing teacher! She willingly goes into a world every day where the people are 3 feet tall and sometimes wet their pants. Not only does she survive, but she actually can teach these little buggers things that prepare them for Kindergarten.
29. Oooo, here's a good one: Shannon, from a family of Republicans, voted for Bill Clinton.
30. Shanny's favorite childhood book: The Saggy Baggy Elephant
    
31. Shanny is all about trying new things! She learned how to knit and is now learning how to tap dance. I expect to see her auditioning for The Rockettes very soon wearing a handknit sweater.
32. Shannon has lots of patience with little knitting needles and thin yarn. I, on the other hand, can only stand knitting with thick needles and chunky yarn. We have a great story about our venture into the world of Community Education and knitting....
33. Shanny is incredibly out-going and super friendly to everybody! She is the life of the party and makes other people feel incredibly comfortable.
    
34. The name Shanny O'Haugh was first used for an Irish Pub/Dart party in honor of Shanny's birthday that was to take place in the basement. Unfortunately, there was a snowstorm and only one person showed up.
35. When I first met Shannon (I was looking for a place to rent), she asked me, "If you don't want to live here, maybe we could still be friends!"

Shanny O'Haugh, happy birthday to you, my sweet friend! I pray that God will bless you this year in more ways that you could possibly imagine....Here's to more decades of fun and friendship!

Love,
Marcy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHANNY O!!!

So, it's a big day for you, Shanny O., and once again, I'm not nearby to celebrate. (sigh)
Shanny, you're my bestest friend, and I miss you bunches....

Stay tuned for more blogginess as the day goes by!

Love you!
Marcy

Today we said "Goodbye" to the kiddos at Bethany after an amazing "Narnival" (think Narnia Carnival) and time of worship at All-School Chapel. One of my new adventures in Taiwan has been leading the worship team...something I absolutely love but often feel very inadequate to do...I'm so thankful for amazing musicians who can figure everything out and transpose on the fly. What a blessing! Anyway, we had a fabulous Christmas party/lunch as a staff, and after wrapping up a few things at school, I've been puttering around trying to clean and pack BECAUSE I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS....and I leave Taiwan in 11 hours! When I'm home in the frigid land of MN (which promises to have a very white Christmas this year), I'll post a Christmas letter telling you all about the comings and goings of this past year. Until then, this year's Christmas photo will have to do:)

Merry Christmas!
With Bunches of Love,
Marcy

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas....

I love this song, and this version cracks me up every time I watch it! Enjoy....

Mama Mia---You're the Birthday Girl!

Meet my Mom....she's absolutely amazing!

Happy Birthday.....
I love you!

Hong Kong 2008

Over Thanksgiving, a large group of Morrison Academy teachers headed to Hong Kong to join hundreds of other Christian school educators from Asia for the ACSI-International Christian Educator's Conference. The conference was really great, and it was so encouraging to see all the missionary teachers who are working in Asia. I managed to have a few adventures outside of the conference, and I thought I'd share a few pictures!

For the first time, I tried Cantonese dim sum (lots of small dishes/baskets of different types of food) and had some amazing sweet and sour pork ("real" Chinese food!). I perused some fun markets and walked, and walked, and walked, and walked around Hong Kong! The flight home was also an adventure...after lots of delays, an airline swap, and some treats from Starbucks (compliments of a Thai Airways voucher), we finally arrived home on LiShui at 3am (5 hours or so later than expected). We were getting a little silly!

Enjoy the pictures!

(By the way, all of you Mac users, have you ever tried to use the application: Comic Life? I'm now a huge fan! Check out this website to learn how to make a photo collage!)

Marcy the Un-Blogger

So, it's been so long since I posted last that I had to try and remember my password....not good!

How are you?!

I was thinking about my life in Taiwan. I think I blogged several months ago about how things were "normal" now. It's interesting, but so true...I'm having to force myself to be a tourist and be amazed at all the non-normal things I see each day. Today, I was sitting in a taxi (which is not a typical MN experience) and gazed out the window to see a scooter loaded up with a homemade cart-like thing. The cart was piled with cardboard to be recycled...and I mean piled! It must have towered over the taxi by 4-5 feet. You just don't see that very often in Minnesota. Earlier this week, one of my colleagues opened up her biandong (lunchbox) that she orders from a company that our kids use. Inside was the usual rice, mystery meat, tofu, and vegetables. Plopped in the middle of all that wonder was one somewhat withered looking pinkish-purple squid. Again, not your typical Minnesota lunch. As different as things are here in Taiwan, it's really starting to feel rather comfortable. I do have to admit that my slowly increasing Chinese vocabulary and the knowledge of where to find Kraft Macaroni and Cheese has helped me feel a bit more at home.

I've actually made some changes this year. Of course, the job is new. That's a huge change! Chinese lessons are new...although I think I would learn more if I actually got up the gumption to speak a bit more or at least study a bit more diligently! (Why are teachers sometimes such poor students?!) I have a new view of money thanks to Dave Ramsey and FPU. I have a new mode of transportation....not my first choice of a "wind at my back Freedom Machine" (aka scooter), but my new bicycle has helped me cut most of the never-ending waiting out of my life plus it has the feature of easy parking and forced exercise (always a good thing for me). I have a new, amazing, and totally cool camera (thanks to my very generous Uncle and Aunt and parents), and I have a new water machine that has saved me a bundle! I also have a new tutoring gig that is providing some extra income and helping with my quest to be debt-free....

Perhaps some additional new "news" is that I've decided to stay in Taiwan for at least one more year. This was definitely not an easy decision, and it's really tough to have to make it so early in the year (contracts come out in October); however, after lots of prayer, the decision seemed obvious. It's hard to be away from home...family...and friends (BFF included!). BUT I really felt led to finish out this year with no thoughts of transitioning. With all the new challenges in my job, I wanted the opportunity to be 100% in the game and do it right! I'm praying that God will bless my meager efforts....One special treat that is coming soon is a trip home for Christmas (thanks, Mom & Dad, for supporting your "missionary")...I leave the 20th, and I CAN'T WAIT!! It's fun to sing "I'll be Home for Christmas" and really mean it!

Things have been busy around here. Last spring, I submitted some workshop proposals for the ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) ICEC (International Christian Educator's Conference) that would take place in Hong Kong over Thanksgiving break. For fun, I wrote up 7 proposals---one with another teacher at Bethany. I was delighted to have 4 proposals (including the one with my friend Amanda) accepted, and I readily agreed. That was last April...I figured I'd have plenty of time to get those things ready......

Once upon a time, Marcy was a freshman at Northwestern College. School had always come rather easily for her, but she had never faced the rigor and dynamics of an undergraduate program. Her educational world was exciting, but the personal computer was still rather new and Google didn't exist. Car phones were only for the very wealthy, FRIENDS wasn't syndicated, and the college library had several different volumes of encyclopedias in addition to microfiche and a filmstrip collection.
One day, Marcy was given a syllabus that listed all the different things she would need to do for the trimester in order to fulfill the class requirements. 50% of the final grade was a project. Marcy did a piece here and there, but finally it came down to the night before the project was due. The project was in shambles, but Marcy felt "empowered by the pressure" and worked late into the night--bunkered down at her roommate's Apple working away on her diagrams in the blue light of the screen. The next day, she stumbled to class and turned in her project--thankful to be done and praying that she would never have to get so little sleep again in her college career!
One week later, Marcy opened her mailbox and found the project. Across the front was a large A+.....and that, my friends, is the moment Marcy learned that procrastination suited her, and there was some truth to the adage of working well under pressure....and the rest is history....

So, back to Hong Kong....I began to relive my college days trying to get these presentations together...and I wasn't quite so fond of the stress related to last-minute preparations at this time in my life....hmmm...lesson learned! All in all, it was a blast (I think!)...it was all such a blur :) The conference was great (my favorite speakers were Gary Chapman--5 Love Languages guy--and Phil Calloway--funniest Canadian alive!), and the presenting went well. The first day, I talked about Theatre, and the second day was Love and Logic. The last day, I presented on parent/teacher communication to a packed classroom (50+ people) and that was followed by and even larger crowd (75+) for our workshop on Creativity in the Classroom. I learned so much about myself, and I learned that I have a presentation "style" that I most enjoy. It was really an amazing experience, and I guess I can add "International Education Conference Presenter" to my resume:) Hong Kong is an amazing city. I didn't really feel like exploring very much...I was pretty worn out from school, workshop prep, etc., but I did manage to head out a couple of nights with friends. The markets are a blast, and the skyline is gorgeous.

Well, I think I'll close this off so that it actually posts. I finally have some pictures to post, but I think I'll wait until tomorrow because it's time for bed.

Thanks so much for your prayers!
Love,
Marcy