When I leave my Saturday and you start yours…

…Blessings to you!

Things are going really well. Not only am I flu free but my lesson planning is almost complete.

Parent Meeting On Monday

This is when we will introduce ourselves to our homeroom students’ parents and go over school policy with them.

Classes Start Wednesday

Yay school! It’s such a surreal experience planning for an experience like this for a year, arriving two weeks ago and having my own classroom for the first time. It was a far off plan for so long it’s arrival creates an indescribable feeling. I was walking through the mall in town yesterday, which is our main air conditioned hang-out spot. I thought: “I can’t believe I live here. How blessed am I?!? ”

Our 11th Grade Homeroom Is Ready And Our Theme is Coffee Shop

Continue reading →

first week down and I’m going strong (sort of)

I’ve been in Tacloban for 7 days!

Teacher Instruction: Week 1

I shared my lesson plans with our principal who loved them so much so she had me share them with the rest of the faculty during Teacher Instruction.

I wasn’t sure if I was imposing my culture on to Bethel, especially after our principal “Luchie” called my plans “very American.” But she assured me it was a good thing and that the rest of our teachers could learn something from the preparation I did.

everyone has a nickname and mine is “Kath.”

Over the years, “Katharyn” has been shortened in a variety of ways, so I wasn’t surprised that “Kath” emerged on it’s own even in the short time of being here. As Margie put it: “the extra ‘a’ throws me off.”

Continue reading “first week down and I’m going strong (sort of)” →

got here safely

I’m here in Tacloban! (Pronounced tac-LO-ban.)

Happy, safe and excited.

We start teacher instruction Monday morning (in a couple hours- I’m 15 hours ahead.)

I’ve adjusted well to the timezone; sleeping on the plane and my layover in Hong Kong helped.

Weather is relatively cool. Margie joked yesterday that I brought the cool weather with me. (Look up who she is here under “Who We Are”.)

I’ll write again at the end of the week.

I’m planning on writing every week for the first month and then bi-weekly.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

Check out my Instagram @_katharyn for frequent pictures.

LAYOVER IN HONG KONG

LAYOVER IN MANILA

-K

I’ve boarded the plane, and was upgraded to business class. WHHATTT?!?!

my last night in california

I’m sitting here in bed, all packed, goodbyes said, animals kissed goodnight and my clothes laid out for tomorrow.

My mind, and more importantly, my heart, has prepared for this day for a year, knowing all I needed to go was a college degree. That chapter is now completed and I enter into a new life tomorrow.

The only thing keeping me from gritting my teeth in a “I’m not ready yet!” mentality is that my goodbyes were so cathartic. I got the chance to hug, receive words of wisdom, share meals and take walks with people I love.

I got the chance to put my heart in the frame of “This isn’t a forever goodbye.” As cheesy as it sounds, the phrase “I’ll see you later” offered comfort in very emotional moments.

Continue reading “my last night in california” →