Categories, unlike tags, can have a hierarchy. You might have a Jazz category, and under that have children categories for Bebop and Big Band. Totally optional.
The Backstory I am embarking on a much needed journey within my own heart, thoughts, and being. It is the process of lamenting. Not just lamenting, but lamenting some far overdue things, and lamenting well. I am welcoming you on the journey with me through this series. The thing about this is that I cannot promise you when the “part 2” will release, because, like I said, this is a...
Yes, today is the day! The day that marks one year! 365 days Three hundred sixty-five days since I packed up three large suitcases and a backpack and moved to the other side of the world. I left my family, my friends, my students, and my church back in the US in order to pursue what I knew the Father was calling me to. I don’t think a week goes by where I do not hear the question...
Living overseas has changed me. Cliché, I know, but hear me out. I had very few expectations of living overseas as an expat and what it was going to be like. I knew language and culture learning would be difficult. I knew I would get lonely often. And I knew that my perspective on things would change due to my new lifestyle outside of my home country. All of that has come true. I didn’t...
I am finally getting a chance to actually write this, about a journey of learning that I began a couple of months ago. I went on a quest to find fun! How often do you, especially as an adult, stop and think about the last time you did something for the sole reason to relax, have leisure time, or just do something for fun? What did you do? I thought about my hobbies and whether or not I could...
I was recently asked this question: “How is your relationship with God in a foreign nation being impacted?” Let me first begin by saying that I am a believer in Jesus Christ, a Christian, living in a foreign nation, where there are few others that share my beliefs. I have no doubt that I lost some readers, already, by claiming the previous sentence. However, I also know that some of...
If you have known me long enough, you know that my writing is often extracted moments of my daily life, and the lessons I have learned along the way. This one is no exception. In case you missed the many journal-like posts that proceeded this one, you will need to know one fact. Five months ago, as of yesterday, I picked up my comfortable life in the United States, packed three very large...
I grew up hearing the phrase “the first 100 days” used often when there was a transition of leadership in the White House. These first 100 days were crucial in the new president’s career. The first 100 days would set the tone for the rest of their time in office. When I thought about my first 100 days, here, I found some similarities. Though this is technically written on day...
ESL–A term used to say English as a Second Language. Another term often used is TEFL--teaching English as a Foreign Language. In the first two weeks of teaching English to secondary students here in Thailand, I have learned a few tricks that have made this easier. For those of you that did not know, I was a special education teacher for primary-aged students, back in the United States for a...
Have you really listened to someone introduce themselves before? Of course their name comes shortly after a greeting in whatever language you speak, but what about afterwards? I think it is a little different based on the culture you are in, but also your stage of life. When you are a child, you say your name and if you are an extrovert, you just start talking about whatever you did that day or...
It has been just a short 30 hours out of quarantine as I write this. I made to another rung on the ladder before entering my new home. With every ride (passengers on the left side of the car), every market, every bit of stimuli, I realize I know nothing! I am a farang (white, westerner). It is a new experience to not have something to “do” here every day. No class to teach, yet, just...
I have a new journey beginning ahead of me, my adventure that shifted my life to other side of the world, is now shifting back west. Perhaps along the way, I will be blessed to share those real and raw moments as I cross oceans, pursuing the One in control of it all.