早安我的朋友!!
i have been having a lovely last couple of days, and since my co-workers are getting sick of them (kidding...) y'all get's to hear them instead! ;)
Monday
overall a pretty chillaxed sort of day - mondays always are :) we have a fabulous group of kids here this week (gotta love having "problem children" again ;) )
Tuesday
was an awesome day! i'm still having a hard time waking up in time for morning classes, but after guzzling a can of coca-cola (not recommended as a morning drink!), i was bouncin' off the walls! {{hehehe}} guess that's what teaching on 5hrs of sleep does to a person... ;)
hmmmm... but coming that evening i just felt extremely warn out. emotionally. physically. spiritually. yeah, i kind of just felt very [blah] >_>
running usually helps.
but not last night :(
in fact, i got onto the track last night (was just going to do a few laps, cuz i was sooo tired/caffeine from the day was wearing off and i was crashing) and after walking two laps, started to jog... and i collapsed. [[weirdest feeling ever]] that has never happened to me before and it scared the heck out of me! so i got up... walked a bit more... and when i started jogging again, it literally felt like i was running on broken legs!
the pain was overwhelming!!
but me, being camille, kept getting up ... walking a bit... jogging 1-3 steps... and collapsing in tears. ::sigh:: it was depressing! and i am sooo grateful that no one was on the track last night, cuz i would've been quite the pitiful sight :P
after about 30 minutes of this lovely try+fail attempts, i finally just laid down on the track and cried. i couldn't believe that i could NOT run. i felt totally and utterly pathetic.
and then i looked up at the sky.
it was filled w/ stars!!!
since the first day i've been here (back in Taiwan), i've had yet to see stars in our sky. and last night, out of the blue, we had stars. we didn't have a moon, but we had stars!
a love the calming effect that stars have on me.
so... instead of running last night, i decided to have a nice long talk w/ the Big Man Upstairs... while gazing at the stars for about an hr :) it was purely delightful!
then i came inside to have some "computer-time" before bed... AND i got rambunctious and decided to make some "blueberry muffins"... minus the "muffin" part, cuz we don't have muffin pans (laaaame)! lol. they tasted more like blueberry pancakes (looked like 'um too). hehe :) :)
Oh! and then Charlie (our really cool security guard) came upstairs and brought me a drink from 50C (some sort of milk-tea-stuff... sooo yummy)!! it was sooo cool! ... and then he proceeded to teach me the differences in Chinese/Taiwanese... and Japanese... and Korean. lol. ended up being a late night too ;D
Wednesday
woke up to a beautiful sunrise!!!!
had a few moments to putz around on the guitar. one of my kids heard me playing and then i got to "teach" them some chords... it was sweet!
now ... the day is halfway over. camille's feeling MUCH better.... going to make herself a cup o' coffee right now (will hopefully have it guzzled before class starts back up) aaaaaand (with any luck) will indeed go running tonight! oh for happiness!!
Love y'all lots <3
BTW!!! did anyone else just realize it's DECEMBER 1st?!?!?!
word.
<3
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
{{thoughts}}
wow... much on the mind...
ALL THE TIME!!!
wouldn't it be nice if my brain could take a break? hmm... guess i'd be dead then, so maybe a non-break is a good thing... :P
anywho - God is good!! just think i should clarify that one straight off! Isn't it crazy how He does such BIG things through such crappy people?? honestly. we are all such a mess, and yet, He uses the lowest of us to do such amazing things...
1 Corinthians 1:27-31 says: "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the LORD'." aren't God's choices weird sometimes?? but then again, if you look at the big picture, it's all for God's glory anyways!! and isn't that what we're supposed to be striving for?? it's sooo not about us. yeah, we were put on this earth as individuals, and we're allowed to make choices ((sidenote: sometimes, i really HATE that part about life - i really just wish that my choices could be made for me/already chosen, cuz then i'd stop making all sorts of dumb decisions!!really...)), but we're not here for US. good gosh, we're on earth for such a short time, why would we think that we even get a say in anything!!
::sigh::
wow. see? not realy a conclusion to that... i just decided to write it down cuz it's been on my mind and ... yeah :P lol.
another thing that's been on my mind (especially as of recently): young kids in serious relationships!! really?? goodness me, i've watched (via-fb, of course) at least 8 of my good friends get into "relationships" within the last two months!! and all of these friends are 25 or younger! Now, i'm not saying that being in a relationship is wrong... i'm sure it's great and beautiful and awesome(!!).... but WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE OLDER!! sheesh, don't waste your youth cuz you want to "get married" and all that "good jazz". seriously, i've chosen for so many years NOT to get into a relationship cuz i can only imagine how much less i could be doing if i had to make sure "my man" knew where i was at all times. ppls, really! you're young! you're debt-free (mostly...), and you're at the peak of your life!! don't waaaaste it by getting in a relationship at 19years old!!
((going to stop myself there, though i totally could go on and on...))
oh, and to my friends who might possibly read this and ARE in relationships... i luv ya, and i do wish ya two well... ;O)
another thing on my mind lately: i need a piano. and i need it soon. ((please pray the school starts letting me use theirs)) <3 okay.
and last thing: just cuz a person owns a BA-camera, it DOES NOT mean that you are a photographer.
that's all i'm going to say on that subject.
lol. ramblings of a very hungry and cold camille... ;)
Love y'alls <3 <3
ALL THE TIME!!!
wouldn't it be nice if my brain could take a break? hmm... guess i'd be dead then, so maybe a non-break is a good thing... :P
anywho - God is good!! just think i should clarify that one straight off! Isn't it crazy how He does such BIG things through such crappy people?? honestly. we are all such a mess, and yet, He uses the lowest of us to do such amazing things...
1 Corinthians 1:27-31 says: "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the LORD'." aren't God's choices weird sometimes?? but then again, if you look at the big picture, it's all for God's glory anyways!! and isn't that what we're supposed to be striving for?? it's sooo not about us. yeah, we were put on this earth as individuals, and we're allowed to make choices ((sidenote: sometimes, i really HATE that part about life - i really just wish that my choices could be made for me/already chosen, cuz then i'd stop making all sorts of dumb decisions!!really...)), but we're not here for US. good gosh, we're on earth for such a short time, why would we think that we even get a say in anything!!
::sigh::
wow. see? not realy a conclusion to that... i just decided to write it down cuz it's been on my mind and ... yeah :P lol.
another thing that's been on my mind (especially as of recently): young kids in serious relationships!! really?? goodness me, i've watched (via-fb, of course) at least 8 of my good friends get into "relationships" within the last two months!! and all of these friends are 25 or younger! Now, i'm not saying that being in a relationship is wrong... i'm sure it's great and beautiful and awesome(!!).... but WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE OLDER!! sheesh, don't waste your youth cuz you want to "get married" and all that "good jazz". seriously, i've chosen for so many years NOT to get into a relationship cuz i can only imagine how much less i could be doing if i had to make sure "my man" knew where i was at all times. ppls, really! you're young! you're debt-free (mostly...), and you're at the peak of your life!! don't waaaaste it by getting in a relationship at 19years old!!
((going to stop myself there, though i totally could go on and on...))
oh, and to my friends who might possibly read this and ARE in relationships... i luv ya, and i do wish ya two well... ;O)
another thing on my mind lately: i need a piano. and i need it soon. ((please pray the school starts letting me use theirs)) <3 okay.
and last thing: just cuz a person owns a BA-camera, it DOES NOT mean that you are a photographer.
that's all i'm going to say on that subject.
lol. ramblings of a very hungry and cold camille... ;)
Love y'alls <3 <3
Thursday, November 25, 2010
11.25.2010
"Oh, give THANKS to the LORD,
for HE IS GOOD!
For His mercy endures forEVER."
-Psalm 118:1
wow. all i can say is wow.
just kidding. we all know that camille never just says one thing... but seriously, while coming up w/ stuff for this post, i was utterly and completely overwhelmed.
there is SO much to be thankful for.
so much.
and yet, isn't it sad how everyone in America
(or, everyone who celebrates "Thanksgiving")
only truly thinks about it 1 day... out of 365.
think about it. it's sad, but its soooo true!
think about it. it's sad, but its soooo true!
...not like i'd know from personal experience or anything... :P
ah, but today is a day of pure thanksgiving.
for we have a God who loves us so much.
His mercy truly does endure forever.
Psalms 118 is one of my favorite Psalms.
this past year has been.... "interesting" (to put it lightly)
and many times, i can honestly say that
i did NOT feel like God was anywhere to be found.
and yet, looking back on the year... i see His hand in every little area
and yet, looking back on the year... i see His hand in every little area
and everything that i saw working itself out for my bad
He truly turned it into His good!!
Sooo... yeah. that being said,
we really have quite the amazing God, wouldn't you agree?? :) :)
::sigh::
Okay... now for my favorite part!
**warning - this could take a while to get through
1) a loving Savior and Lord, Jesus. who is ALWAYS there... even when i don't hear/feel Him :)
2) a wonderful family!
*They are allll soo wonderful that i could rav on and on about them! but as of right now, i'm extremely grateful for one inparticular... Abbz - she's home! i'm soooo thankful for that ((now, just waiting to get home so i can see her in person)). but also so grateful for her amazing testimony. she's such a jewel and i thank God every day for her <3
3) my wonderful Taiwan family (pictured below). it's been a fabulous year (so far) and i'm really grateful for this team. everyone of us complements the others perfectly - God is so cool like that :)
4) my really really sweeet friends back in america! Let's see... there's libby, mel, fahs, soukup, erik, whitney, aprilz, rhirhi, dan, josh, ruthie, emily, tashmahaha... etc, etc,etc ((if you want the full list, check out my fb friends. basically speaks for itself)) - y'all are awesome beyond belief. just sayin... <3
5) drinks!! honestly, i'm sooo grateful for drinks. water - i don't know what i'd do w/o you. bubble milk tea - you are my forever comfort "fooddrink". and carrot+pineapple juice - i love you.
6) being able to come back to Taiwan. i didn't realize how much of camille i'd left over here... being back in Taiwan has truly changed me... for the good!
7) NOT knowing what i'm going to do next year. yes, i'm thankful for that. cuz right now, if i had any clue what i was doing next year, i'd start living for that... instead of cherishing these few/short moments i have here now! i am fully confident that God has AMAZING plans for me next year, much as i have no idea what they are right now - and for that, i am extremely thankful!!
8) being able to run. i truly am thankful that i have two legs that still work amazingly well
(though after all they've been through, they really shouldn't)
and that God has given me the motivation to run! I am so grateful to have a healthy body!
9) pillows... yes. i love pillows and today (especially after only getting 4hrs of sleep last night), i was/AM totally grateful for soft, comfy, fluffy pillows :D
9) pillows... yes. i love pillows and today (especially after only getting 4hrs of sleep last night), i was/AM totally grateful for soft, comfy, fluffy pillows :D
10) skypE! it has been such a blessing being able to talk AND see my friends and family back in the states, even though i'm on the other side of the world! what would i do w/o technology?!?! ;D
11) fruit - especially coconuts and grapes. honest to goodness, i am so grateful that fruit and healthy food is so readily available here. it is SUCH a blessing!
12) hugs. but not the dumb little hugs. like, the legit "omgosh, i've missed you" kind of hugs.
yup, hugs are definitely a favorite of mine :) :)
13) coffee - yes. this one deserves a totally separate number of thanks from the "drinks" ones. if coffee were a boy, i'd marry it. that's basically how much in love w/ it i am!! ;D
14) pictures. i'm not very good w/ words and all that jazz, much as i loooove to ramble on and on about nothing inparticular! so i am extremely grateful that we have a way to capture a moment that's easier than me trying to describe it using 1,000 words
15) music. i love, love, love music. and the older i get the more i realize how much of a blessing it was to take all those years of piano/flute/harp/accordion.... honestly! music is the BEST stress relief in the world. nothing compares to being able to just sit down at the piano and play away your soul in worship and praise to Jesus <3 <3
16) food! honestly, i'm probably the most hungry person on the face of the planet. i eat all the time (also adds to my motivation to keep running...hehehe). but i love food a lot.
17) all of my precious students - seriously, this should've been put like, #3 or #4 on my list. these kids are what i LIVE for (other than Jesus, of course!). i have soo many stories about each child whom i've been able to teach/play with. and i know a lot of them, our friendships will last forEVER. **random story: i'm going to visit one of my students from the first year i was here (first weekend in December). anywho, she was just a little girl when i taught her... and now she's getting ready for her SR. year in Highschool!!! ahhh... i felt so old when she told me this!! >_<
18) Taiwan - it's such a beautiful country. i'd really never heard of it before i came over here for the first time. but since i've been here, the people, the scenery, the food, the heart of Taiwan... this has all become my home-away-from-home. and it's extremely hard for me to explain just how MUCH that means... but perhaps one day you will come over here... and it will capture your heart as it did mine... and then you will see what i mean <3
19) roof access. i know that sounds silly... but i've wanted roof access since the first day i got here. and now i have it. and oh wow, it is a GORGEOUS view from up there... <3
20) hmmm.... i am grateful for grace. and i know that it's easy to say that as a "good little christian girl" and all that jazz. but honestly.... when you go through a crazy year where everything seems like one big black blur... and you come out in tears.... and you end up back in the arms of your loving Savior... you really can truly say that you are even starting to comprehend the TRUE meaning of God's grace. and it really is a beautiful thing <3
Ooookay. so now it's getting late and i plan on getting up
13) coffee - yes. this one deserves a totally separate number of thanks from the "drinks" ones. if coffee were a boy, i'd marry it. that's basically how much in love w/ it i am!! ;D
14) pictures. i'm not very good w/ words and all that jazz, much as i loooove to ramble on and on about nothing inparticular! so i am extremely grateful that we have a way to capture a moment that's easier than me trying to describe it using 1,000 words
15) music. i love, love, love music. and the older i get the more i realize how much of a blessing it was to take all those years of piano/flute/harp/accordion.... honestly! music is the BEST stress relief in the world. nothing compares to being able to just sit down at the piano and play away your soul in worship and praise to Jesus <3 <3
16) food! honestly, i'm probably the most hungry person on the face of the planet. i eat all the time (also adds to my motivation to keep running...hehehe). but i love food a lot.
17) all of my precious students - seriously, this should've been put like, #3 or #4 on my list. these kids are what i LIVE for (other than Jesus, of course!). i have soo many stories about each child whom i've been able to teach/play with. and i know a lot of them, our friendships will last forEVER. **random story: i'm going to visit one of my students from the first year i was here (first weekend in December). anywho, she was just a little girl when i taught her... and now she's getting ready for her SR. year in Highschool!!! ahhh... i felt so old when she told me this!! >_<
18) Taiwan - it's such a beautiful country. i'd really never heard of it before i came over here for the first time. but since i've been here, the people, the scenery, the food, the heart of Taiwan... this has all become my home-away-from-home. and it's extremely hard for me to explain just how MUCH that means... but perhaps one day you will come over here... and it will capture your heart as it did mine... and then you will see what i mean <3
19) roof access. i know that sounds silly... but i've wanted roof access since the first day i got here. and now i have it. and oh wow, it is a GORGEOUS view from up there... <3
20) hmmm.... i am grateful for grace. and i know that it's easy to say that as a "good little christian girl" and all that jazz. but honestly.... when you go through a crazy year where everything seems like one big black blur... and you come out in tears.... and you end up back in the arms of your loving Savior... you really can truly say that you are even starting to comprehend the TRUE meaning of God's grace. and it really is a beautiful thing <3
Ooookay. so now it's getting late and i plan on getting up
for an early morning run tomorrow morning
(fingers crossed and i don't turn off my alarm clock in my sleep like i did this morning :P).
but to y'all who are reading this:
Have a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.
~ Love y'all lots <3
~ Love y'all lots <3
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
a time to be thankful
((the kids Thanksgiving party))
me+my girls <3
The kids party was quite a success!!!
((the Teachers Thanksgiving party))
Preparations
i feel like i should explain that Jo (below) is indeed NOT throwing up. it's lettuce ;)
~our Thanksgiving Feast~
our make-do "Turkey" (it was chicken)
I love my little turkey peeping it's head out from behind the veggie bun :)
Owl City Music - perfect background music during the holiday season :) :)
I Love Apple Juice <3
(we had no way to make Apple Cider - found that out after taking this pic)
CHARLIE!!!
YELLOW
She's super sweet... and has a GORGEOUS smile :D
JO (Bethany)
She makes a pretty good leader... most of the time ;)
YUM ...???
I am so Thankful for my amazing team.
~ Have a great Thanksgiving Weekend ~
Love y'all.
CHARLIE!!!
He's our super cool security Guard
(plus, the only guy we ever see around here)
YELLOW
She's super sweet... and has a GORGEOUS smile :D
JO (Bethany)
She makes a pretty good leader... most of the time ;)
YUM ...???
I am so Thankful for my amazing team.
they're pretty dope - not gunna lie <3
~ Have a great Thanksgiving Weekend ~
Love y'all.
<3
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Side note!!!
So, random Side note to my last post:
One of the nights we sang a goodnight song to the kids before they went to sleep for the night. We usually do this, and afterwards the kids will clap, sometimes say "Encore!" and then head off to bed... however. this time, after singing our goodnight-song, the kids decided to use the phrase they had learned in English Class that afternoon: "TRY IT AGAIN, teacher!! TRY IT AGAIN!!"
hehehe... yup. This little story will always make me smile :D
One of the nights we sang a goodnight song to the kids before they went to sleep for the night. We usually do this, and afterwards the kids will clap, sometimes say "Encore!" and then head off to bed... however. this time, after singing our goodnight-song, the kids decided to use the phrase they had learned in English Class that afternoon: "TRY IT AGAIN, teacher!! TRY IT AGAIN!!"
hehehe... yup. This little story will always make me smile :D
Monday, November 15, 2010
carrot juice and a mmk (master.mosquito.killer)
wow. lots happening folks, lots happenin'... where to start?!?!
teaching is FABULOUS!! last week we had ~38 students (our biggest group so far). they were all sooo stinkin precious! **I'm putting pics up on my fb cuz putting them up here is far too much work (at least, for today). **
good memories from last week:
- new ways to say "bye bye" (according to the kids cards): "buy buy", "boy boy", "bey bey"... lol. maybe we should start teaching them more basic English words in English class... :P
- getting tackled by my boys before bedtime
- the "love you" kid (a hilarious chubbster, who gave me little gangster signs and said "i love you, teacher" every time he passed me in the hall ::heartmelt::)
- Jo teaching the kids about family. just got done teaching about twnis, and then said: "now what happens if mom and dad have ONE MORE kid???" the classroom got really quiet... then i hear a random child in the classroom say: "oh... my... gosh!!!" hehe... it was pretty funny. ;D
- soo many various other things... which i can't remember cuz so much has already happened since then :P
weekend: included going up to Taipei and hanging out w/ BENJI(!!) and Lauren Little!! sooo stinkin sweet!! I've missed those two like crazy!! and hanging w/ both of them together... wow. let's just say it was an awesome weekend w/ little sleep and lots of good memories :)
This week is quite the change from last week. we only have 14 students. 4 boys/10girls. it's awesome! I actually really, really love the smaller groups, cuz we get to know each of the kids sooo much more ~ actually building relationships. it's great!!! :) already making great memories w/ these little kiddO's <3>_> ))!
2) going to massage school for a year, and then going back to school-school while working on the sidelines as a massage-therapist.
3) coming back to Taiwan for a year... or so...
4) studying in Taiwan to become a nurse...
yeah. see my problem?? too many good options.
::sigh::
tiz a problem, having a big heart that wants to do everything but can only do one thing at a time...
ok. so on a totally diferent note: I've picked up running.... wait, scratch that.... "Jogging"!!! lol. yeah, basically I'm working up to a 9K next month (december 19th - be praying for me!!). I decided it's kind of time for mwa to step up and get back in shape. sidez, I feel sooo much better/happier when I get out for a nice 40min jog ;D
hmmm.... other than that, not much has been happening. But i PROMISE to keep posting more regularly than i have been ~ so sorriez :P
Love ya much <3 <3
{{Psalms 27:4}}
teaching is FABULOUS!! last week we had ~38 students (our biggest group so far). they were all sooo stinkin precious! **I'm putting pics up on my fb cuz putting them up here is far too much work (at least, for today). **
good memories from last week:
- new ways to say "bye bye" (according to the kids cards): "buy buy", "boy boy", "bey bey"... lol. maybe we should start teaching them more basic English words in English class... :P
- getting tackled by my boys before bedtime
- the "love you" kid (a hilarious chubbster, who gave me little gangster signs and said "i love you, teacher" every time he passed me in the hall ::heartmelt::)
- Jo teaching the kids about family. just got done teaching about twnis, and then said: "now what happens if mom and dad have ONE MORE kid???" the classroom got really quiet... then i hear a random child in the classroom say: "oh... my... gosh!!!" hehe... it was pretty funny. ;D
- soo many various other things... which i can't remember cuz so much has already happened since then :P
weekend: included going up to Taipei and hanging out w/ BENJI(!!) and Lauren Little!! sooo stinkin sweet!! I've missed those two like crazy!! and hanging w/ both of them together... wow. let's just say it was an awesome weekend w/ little sleep and lots of good memories :)
This week is quite the change from last week. we only have 14 students. 4 boys/10girls. it's awesome! I actually really, really love the smaller groups, cuz we get to know each of the kids sooo much more ~ actually building relationships. it's great!!! :) already making great memories w/ these little kiddO's <3>_> ))!
2) going to massage school for a year, and then going back to school-school while working on the sidelines as a massage-therapist.
3) coming back to Taiwan for a year... or so...
4) studying in Taiwan to become a nurse...
yeah. see my problem?? too many good options.
::sigh::
tiz a problem, having a big heart that wants to do everything but can only do one thing at a time...
ok. so on a totally diferent note: I've picked up running.... wait, scratch that.... "Jogging"!!! lol. yeah, basically I'm working up to a 9K next month (december 19th - be praying for me!!). I decided it's kind of time for mwa to step up and get back in shape. sidez, I feel sooo much better/happier when I get out for a nice 40min jog ;D
hmmm.... other than that, not much has been happening. But i PROMISE to keep posting more regularly than i have been ~ so sorriez :P
Love ya much <3 <3
{{Psalms 27:4}}
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