Dear friends,
You've probably already heard me tell you thanks through some other means already but it never hurts to hear it once more. Time back home these past few years have been precious and have always been a time of thanksgiving and reflection. Being in a career that is built around establishing relationships with other individuals, I am grateful of the relationships I have had a chance to be a part of here in Canada.
Two years has absolutely flown by. I'm definitely not a brand new teacher any more but it's almost baffling to me how I got here. Some days, it's even baffling that I'm done university. Reconnecting with old friends serves as a signpost of how far you've come since you first got to know those people and it is can be an intimidating sense of comprehension when it hits you; how far you've all come since you first knew them.
This is the first year of going into/back to Macau where I sense that there is an end. Not necessarily that this is the last year, but where I have taken to heart that there is a finality to this. When I first started, adventure and opportunity enveloped me. I was off to learn more about the world and about myself and it was an exciting time in my life. Adventure and opportunity have not disappeared in these two years, but they are no longer the novelties they once were. In these two years already, I've learnt quite a lot about who I really am. I still love having gotten a chance to teach there, as I can scarcely imagine a place more aptly suited for me both professionally and personally. I also still love going back for another new year with new challenges and adventures. But the longer I'm in Macau the more I realize that no matter how long or how far I am away from home, I'll always be Canadian (with a Chinese flair) at heart. Macau a part of me too, but there are too many ties to people and places in Canada to change that part of my identity.
Now that we've gotten over the part about me thinking about what the future holds, it's time to look at what the plan for the present is. Here's a quick review of what I know to be coming up in year 3:
- New classroom, new team, new grade, old kids; teaching grade 9 math and science this year, in other words my first group of students from 2 years ago when they were with me in grade 7. Cue the sentimentality
- Teaching grade 9s has it's perks of an experience week trip to Cambodia (March), overnight camping trip, and middle school graduation ceremonies
- Moving into a new apartment
- Head coaching junior girls volleyball
- Heading up the youth group (possibly solo) at church with some fairly significant changes to the existing program
- Next to certain that for the first time since leaving, I won't be coming back to Canada for Christmas
Many more things are bound to come up during the year and as always, I'll keep you posted for all the significant things that come up over time. I'll end off with some pictures of you. Apologies that I didn't get pictures with everyone, despite being enthusiastic about photo-taking, I always seem to forget when I'm with people. Probably because I'm enjoying your company too much.
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| University housemates. Exams, house chores, last night video game sessions. Lots of great memories. |
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| In the words of my former division leader, "They're tiny". Didn't fully appreciate it until I see pictures like this. They raised me up right. Thanks Mom and Dad! |
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| Good pal from all the way back in high school. Who knew hockey, lunch break handball, and emptying out recycling bins (voluntarily) after school would lead to the dynamic duo of doctor and teacher. |
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| Oh Canada, I shall miss thee. |
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| 7
long years ago, we endeavored away from our homes to
start lives as young adults at Queen's University. Fast forward through ski trips, camping, and new year's countdown parties and you get my favourite teacher couple. |
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| My favourite teacher turned admissions officer. We were mutual pseudo-dates for each other through university. She knows a thing or two about teaching abroad. One of the most bubbly and charming people I know. |
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| Teachers always seek each other's company. Whether we're teaching close or teaching far, we make the most of the summers together. |
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| Just a bunch of Asian kids. Young at heart no matter the age. |
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