Long Time No See

How to begin? Hello! Long time no see! 好久不见！(hao3 jiu3 bu2 jian4)


I have picked up my pen, figuratively speaking, after a long hiatus to announce to my little blogosphere that in about 2 months time I will be returning to China to teach music at an International school. To many of you who are reading this, this is not news since I probably told you in person, but if I don't ever see you, then, surprise!


The main reason I decided to start blogging again is that I have way too many thoughts and emotions to really understand what I'm thinking and feeling most of the time. If you've ever had to make a major life transition then you may understand what this is like.


Every single day I experience more emotions than I know what to do with, and frequently all at the same time. I am stressed about all of the end-of-the-year school things I have to do, wanting the stress to be over, and not wanting the stress to be over, because that means I will not teach these students ever again. I am simultaneously puppy-dog excited about whoever my new students will be. I am soul-achingly sad to leave the people I love here: my family, my friends, my church family, my students, my coworkers, our new dog (I know, not technically a person, but already I love him). I am thrilled to meet the people I will live and serve with over the next two years. I am afraid to leave the comforts of home: the familiar, the routine, the Starbucks, the easy access to cheese and tortillas. My heart leaps at the thought of being in China once more. I can't wait to study Chinese more, eat Chinese food, speak with Chinese people, drink nai cha, take overcrowded busses....


If you felt that was a lot to read, then you're right. It's also a lot to experience at one time, all the time. And that is not even everything.


I am overwhelmed with the prospect of finishing my time here in New Jersey well, and preparing myself well to return to China at the same time. Time is dwindling. I'm done with school in less than a month. I have four more Sundays as music minister at my church. I start training for China in a month's time. This is unfathomable to me.


So, all that said, I'm going to try to regularly post between now and my departure (as yet undetermined) one specific thing that I will miss, and one specific thing I am excited about. Since it's Monday, and Mondays are currently one of my days at the Catholic school, I'll start there.


I will miss morning times at the Catholic school where I currently teach. I will miss the whole school (quietly) gathering together to hear a scripture lesson, listen to announcements, celebrate birthdays and achievements, sing a hymn, and salute the flag, and sing a patriotic song.


I am excited to experience and fall in love with my new school's morning traditions, whatever those may be.






That's all for now. Because I am a teacher and it's late and there's school tomorrow. :) 下次见！


~Erin