Well...I've been a workaholic this week. I work at Vermeers 40 hours a week. My job right now is paiting doors grey; it's getting a bit old. The paint we use is super sticky, so it hard to put on and even harder to get off your skin and hair. I am covered with paint speck s on my arms and head, oh well hopefully they ware off. Also, I have just started a waitressing job, it's nice to have some spending money. I work 4 nights in a row this week. The problem is I have to be at the restuarant at 4:30, and I don't get off of work at Vermeers until 3:30. It's hard to get a breather inbetween the 2 jobs.
I also have decided that I'm going to Calvin in the fall. I met with the recruiter from Vienna Christian School, and we had a great conversation. I just didn't feel pulled or called to go there. If I just went there because it sounded fun, I don't think I'd survive there. It's hard to commit yourself to live somewhere different for 2 years with only a week or so to decide.
Here's what I've been weighing in my mind...
Pros to Going
1. Good teaching experience-I'd get some teaching experience under my belt and maybe make me more focused in school.
2. Calvin Seminary will still be there in 2 years.
3. In Europe-I'd be able to travel to Italy on a weekend! The amazing places to visit and food to try!
4. Good environment of the school community
Cons to Going
1. I was looking forward to spending the summer at home and making some $$ at a summer job. If I went to Austria, I'd have to leave in July.
2. I am a little burnt out from constantly moving and packing up. In year in college I'd pack and unpack my things 6 times in a year. I was really looking forward to living in Grand Rapids because it's a bigger town than Sioux Center or Pella! And it is going to be different change from what I'm used to living in.
3. Next time that I go overseas, I want it to be long term (8-10 years). I don't want to breeze in and out of my students lives, they get that enough from other teachers. It seems like a lot of teachers who teach overseas only stay 2-4years, and I think it's hard on the students.
4. I have recieved some financial aid for Calvin, and I may not be able to get the same amount if I re-apply a couple of years later.
I know that some of you were hoping that I'd go to Austria, but I really think this is where God is leading me. You have to put off your vacation plans for another 4 years, then I'll know where you can come can visit me!
Well...God keeps me on my toes. When I feel that He is leading me in a certain direction, then He opens up other opportunities. I was planning on attending Calvin Seminary in the fall. I had registered for classes and found an apartment to live in. I made up a budget and everything. I was ready to go in August. But at church today, a recruiter from a Christian school in Austria asked me to consider teaching in their school, Vienna Christian School. They are in desperate need of a high school Bible teacher. They need to know by the end of the week my decision. It's a 2 year commitment. I have to raise almost $38,500 in about 2 months. AHHH!!! In my mind my first reaction was, "No, I have my plans set..." Then I started to think, well it would be a great experience and maybe this is where God wants me to be. I am not sure. Both choices seem amazing and something that I want to do. I just don't know which one I should do first. I was wondering if you could pray for discernment for me, as try to make this decision.
I graduated on Friday...crazy! I can't believe it's over! It's a bit surreal. During the ceremony, as my turn to recieve my diploma got closer and closer...my stomach started to ball up, and I got really nervous. I was now grown up and independent.
My sisters and I
Sarah, Tom, Me, and Mike
Asisan Sandwhich! The Ara(h)'s-Tara, Sarah, and Sarah
My roommates and I are finally reunited from junior year!
I went to Tulip Time for the first time in 4 years; it was a good time. For those that doesn't know what Tulip Time. Once a year, my hometown celebrates its Dutch heritage, by having 3 days of parades, dutch food stands, dutch dancing, and whatnot. From the time I was 2 years old to a senior in high school, I only ever missed one Tulip Time parade in high school.
My sisters and I...aren't they cute???
It's a family thing...My mom and her 3 sisters and my cousins...We're all dressed in Dutch costumes from the same Dutch provience Marken. Obviously, we don't wear them normally. We are going to scrub the streets with brooms, and the men carry yokes with buckets of water. It's a Dutch tradition to scrub the streets clean for our Tulip Queen to ride on in her horse drawn carriage. It's fun, even though it seems a bit silly.
I've been back to the States almost 2 weeks now. Here's a list of things that I have missed and love about the States, and what I miss about Nicaragua.
Things I have missed...
1. Green grass and rolling hills
2. Cool weather
3. Friends
4. Potato chips ( I ate a lot of pringles in Nicaragua, but there is more choice here)
5. Driving with "regular" traffic laws....not more rotundas
6. Flushing toliet paper down the toliet
7. Not being worried about the toliet not flushing
8. Always having water and electricity
9. Carpet
10. Houses without gates, barb wire, and gaurds with guns
11. Not sweating when I step out the door
12. My eyes and nose not burning because of burning garbage
Things I miss about Nicaragua....
1. My students
2. The cafetine ladies
3. My teacher friends
4. Surfing
5. Eskimo
6. Constantly feeling dirty...oh wait that's not one of them....
7. TGI Fridays Coconut banana chicken strips
