Teach English Abroad

For so long now, I've wanted to have some kind of go-abroad experience. Literally for probably almost 4 years now. Ever since my eyes were opened to the world around me (~after sophomore year of college), I've been wanting to go, go, go. So far the only time I've been out of the country was a 4-day trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with my college bf (random, yes) and last November's trip to Paris. Part of the reason was my parents hesitations, financial burden and busy-ness with school. But now I am free to make my own decisions and basically take my life into my own hands.

Since I didn't get the opportunity to study abroad, I have to be creative with getting this abroad experience. It's not enough for me to just visit a country for a week or so, I want to live in the country. To really understand the culture and learn the language. So what kind of opportunities exist for someone like me who wants to do a STINT in another country? The best thing I can come up with is teaching English as a second language. This past week has been a whirlwind of planning, scheming, researching, praying, freaking out, etc. At first I was thinking of going with CIEE, but that didn't work out. Now I'm thinking Oxford Seminars. I need guidance so I can't just get TEFL certified and then move to the country and find a job. I need help for sure.

Soooo where in the world do I want to go? Spain. I desire to learn Spanish so much. If I can't find a job in Spain, I'll look in South America. One of the countries in the northern part of South America. No worries though... I'm not packing up tomorrow. My brother is getting married September 12th so I'll be here for that but the Spanish school system starts school shortly after October 1st. Just 9 months abroad. Not too long. I may totally mess up my life plan and have to come back and find a place to live, find a job, relocate my furniture but I may NEVER have the opportunity to live abroad again. I must go now while I can. Besides, living in a different culture is on my 8 things I want to do before I die.

day to day

I think I have a tendency to write posts on all the fun things that happen in life. Like my weekend plans, trips I'm going on and stuff like that. But there are so many days in between the exciting stuff that should be equally important. Those days should be blog-worthy too.

For example, yesterday, I literally did nothing. Nothing exciting but when I reflect on yesterday there were so many wonderful, quiet, small things that contributed to a great day. I woke up 15 minutes early and read my Bible and journaled a prayer. On my way to work I listened to a sermon by Matt Chandler from The Village church in Denton, TX. There were great truths in his message and he taught on something I needed to hear.

Work went well... I got to sit at my computer all day and listen to KSBJ and gmail chat with friends. Plus we get breakfasts every Wednesday but someone got confused and 2 people brought breakfast! So I had double the options for my mid-morning snack.

After work, I went to my parents house and went for a walk around the neighborhood with my mom. We had great conversation and both were able to vent all the things going on in our lives. The things we are worried about. The things we struggle with. And then just hanging out, eating dinner with my family.

And then at home, I set up new lamps in our living room so our room has a soft, nice glow of light instead of the big fan light we've been using. I was able to respond to a few emails and chat with friends and get other random things done.

I definitely have my bad days and bad parts in my days. Like yesterday I had to go get my 3rd Guardasil shot so I can be "one less" and the nurse was 20 minutes late calling me in and she administered the shot very carelessly and it HURT. I'm not a wimp about shots at all and I seriously wanted to cry after it. But despite that, my day was restful, peaceful and simple. I dont want to forget how wonderful days are when we just slow down. I can learn to enjoy the quiet moments in life when I'm naturally excited for the big plans. Life is good. I can't complain.

Chrissy needs

Fun activity...

"This is a fun activity for the narcissist in you all....Go to Google and write your name and the word ‘needs’, in quotes — as in “Sarah needs” - note the first 15 sensical sentences that come up."

1. Chrissy needs a yard to run and play in.
2. Chrissy needs a few friends with open hearts and open arms.
3. Chrissy needs to be informed. Chrissy needs to know the truth.
4. Chrissy needs a home.
5. Chrissy needs a haircut!
6. Who thinks Chrissy needs a man?
7. Chrissy NEEDS YOUR HELP!
8. Chrissy needs your phone number again.
9. Chrissy needs to sleep.
10. Chrissy needs her spare time to focus on her family.
11. Chrissy needs to ditch this billy guy and get back with clay before he goes for allie or taylor
12. Chrissy needs LA help-not DC help.
13. Chrissy needs to turn 5 more or gain 120 more Vampire points to reach the next....
14. Chrissy needs to wear stilettos.
15. Chrissy needs a few minutes to nurse her baby.

Ok some of those are funny but some are wierd... and I left out the wierdest ones. The stuff people put on the internet these day.

Twilight 4 (Breaking Dawn)

I'm starting the 4th and final book in the Twilight series. I don't know what captivates us, women in these books. My sister who is 14, myself who is 23 and my mom who is... our mom, have all been enthralled in these books. And I know we aren't the only ones. As my mom put it last night, "There was a part I was reading in the last book where I had to stop and ask myself, 'Have I been breathing?'"

I think it's unfair for me to be reading these books though. Each night when I put it down to go to sleep I have to take a deep breath. I guess part of it is because I'm pulling myself out of this fantasy world and realizing the characters aren't real. Another part of it is, I think us unmarried girls long for the character of Edward in our own lives. His beauty, suaveness, agility, strength, kindness, patience and unconditional love he has for Bella. Problem is, he doesn't exist and we will never be satisfied if we compare anyone whe date to him.

Part of me loves these books and is sad I'm on the final one. But another part of me will be so glad it's over so my heart wont be constantly torn up after reading their love story. It's hard on my heart to read about a relationship this is so perfect and flawless.

For now though, I'm loving each minute as the final stretch of their love story unfolds before me in Breaking Dawn. Stephenie Meyer sure is talented and has a wild, vivid imagination.

future events

I get really excited about events that are happening in the future. Usually it's because I've planned something that I really want to do and so I look forward to it until it finally arrives. For example, this weekend is going to be ridiculously fun. It's Valentine's weekend and being a "single lady" and all, you'd think this would be a hard weekend, but not so. My friends and I are going to have so much fun.

Friday night, our good friend, Meredith is coming into town and we will probably catch a flick and then come back to the house for some girl time.

Saturday morning-afternoon, my 2 roommates and I are going up to The Houstonian Club, courtesy of my aunt and uncle's left over guest passes, for a good work out and massage from the spa!

Saturday night, the boys from my young adult small group are cooking- yes cooking with their own hands- dinner for all the girls. We have been told to dress up! Ooh lala!

Sunday will be a chill day and Monday I have the day off from work! I plan to go visit my roommates at their schools, bring them lunch, meet their kids, see their classrooms, etc. :)

Such a fun weekend, right? I have every right to completely neglect each day this week with eager anticipation for the fun weekend. But a good friend reminded me recently how easy it is to pass up the moments right in front of us:
"i have to remind myself to live everyday sometimes or ill miss opportunites bc im either looking for something in the future or worried about something in the past"

God has created each day for me, for some specific purpose. I need to stop looking forward to things that will happen and look at the things that are happening. Right around me...

11 posts a month

I've had this blog for 4 full months and for some reason, completely by chance, I have 11 posts in each month. Wierd? I'm gonna break the record this month. I want to be a better blogger. :)

new addition to the Honduras team

A month and a half until Honduras! Wahoooo! I leave on March 13th! At the last meeting, we got so much information about the trip and it was super exciting. I saw the itinerary for the trip, the VBS material, the hotel information, the packing list, etc. Oh gosh, I really can't believe I'm going. Not because I'm nervous about it but because it's such a privilege to be able to go, to be able to afford it and have the time to do it. Seriously, it's going to be an amazing trip.

However, 2 people are going with me. 2 dear, sweet friends. My roommate, Meagan and our friend, Bryan. I mean, I was already excited to go but THIS is an added bonus! Meagan and I have become close friends since living together and Bryan has been a great friend to all 3 of us.

I'm so thankful I will have my friends go with me and we can experience this together. God is going to do amazing things on this trip for us and for the little ones we will interact with. I can't believe I get to do this. I hope I never want to come home. I hope that these opportunities never go away. That my entire life, I'm presented with amazing experiences. I'm soooo lucky!