Today was my final day of my first semester here. It has gone by so quickly! I must say that I have really struggled with feelings of failure lately. It seems as though only the ways that I continually fall short of my purpose here are constantly thrown back in my face. I know where they are coming from, but it is still difficult to deal with. Looking back on the semester, there are definitely things that I would like to change and do differently. It has been a humongous learning experience and opportunity for growing. There have been parts that I have really enjoyed and parts that I have really NOT enjoyed. Overall, the thing that has most surprised me is how easily I was caught up in the busyness of everyday life. Sometimes it has been difficult to keep my head above water and remember what I really came here to do. I have a new plan of attack for next semester, which involves getting my lesson planning out of the way before the start of the semester so that I will hopefully have more time to spend on developing relationships with my students.
After class today, my friends from Florida invited me to join them for dinner. We had traditional Japanese tempura. It was delicious. Afterwards, I went to the footwash for a final time this year. It was a little painful since I was sore from running, but still good.
After the footwash, I managed to stay awake until midnight. It was a little strange to “celebrate” New Year’s here because it is not a big deal to everyone. They are like, “Oh, we change the calendar.” A few people set off fireworks around the city – including my friends J & L, who had an interesting experience with faulty fireworks and starting a small fire – but not too much of a celebration.
My New Year’s Resolution: Take more pictures
Happy 2010 everybody!
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A chronicle of the hilarious antics and everyday life of a Carolina girl living in East Asia.
I’ve returned to America for a month-long visit and will be updating from March. Bare with me as there is a ton of new stuff to add. Feel free to poke around the old blogs and read the new ones. There are A LOT!
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In 2008 I participated in a cultural exchange program with a university in East Asia. I enjoyed my time and really came to love the culture and the people, so much so that I decided to come back for a whole year! Now that I have completed my first year, I decided to stay for yet another year – so the adventures continue.
You are invited to join me in the adventures that come with readjusting to a completely different culture and all the drama that this life holds.
*******************************************************
In 2008 I participated in a cultural exchange program with a university in East Asia. I enjoyed my time and really came to love the culture and the people, so much so that I decided to come back for a whole year! Now that I have completed my first year, I decided to stay for yet another year – so the adventures continue.
You are invited to join me in the adventures that come with readjusting to a completely different culture and all the drama that this life holds.
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