Goodbye Home, Hello Home

On Sunday I once again boarded a plane...well, 3 to be exact, and returned safely to Korea. Whenever I come back I don't really feel sad or excited or much of anything really. It's a strange feeling, but I think it's because, although I am leaving home, I am also returning to another home.

Sorry I took such a long hiatus, but somehow the summer becomes so busy that I never remember to post. This summer was fantastic. I was able to spend 7 weeks in Iowa and was reminded of how awesome it is! Although the weather wasn't the best, I loved being with my family and seeing friends. I feel like I got to see almost every one of my relatives and friends (many more than once) at some point over the summer: weddings, helping Grandma move, 4th of July, a trip to Adventureland, church, the county fair, RAGBRAI (check out the pics!), and countless dinners spent catching up. It was soooooo great to see everyone, and I am already excited to return in December to see them again.

Coming back to TCIS has also been great. I arrived on Sunday evening and by Monday night I had unpacked all of my suitcases and boxes. I LOVE my new place, but am anxious for my roommate to get here. She is in Switzerland finishing up her master's. She graduates on Friday (Congrats, Anna!) and comes home on Sunday. I think I'm so ready for her to be here because most of our other friends didn't return to TCIS this year. It was so weird to walk into breakfast on Tuesday and see so many unfamiliar faces. On Tuesday, however, we took an all-staff trip up to GSIS--our sister school in Suwon--and spent the day getting to know each other, worshiping and praying together, sharing meals, and participating in some rec time. I played volleyball and really felt like I got to know a lot of people through that; plus, it was so fun! I hadn't played at all since spring.

This afternoon I finally got into my classroom. I can't believe classes start on Monday already!! We had meetings all morning during which we met all the new middle school staff. I was kinda worried about how the dynamic of our group would change since so many people left last year, but their replacements fit in so well. It's funny to see them come and not know what to expect and have questions about everything. It's weird that even though it's only going to be my 3rd year of teaching, I'm one of the "experts." :)

This year I am again assistant coaching the boys volleyball team. The season kinda got underway today with a camp led by the coach and some of the players from Asbury College in KY. A couple of the girls are staying at my house this week. I don't have to be there or help with the camp, but I did stop in to see the guys. We have so many trying out this year (and I hate having to cut people!), but it's good to see the interest and the dedication of coming before school starts to practice. Try-outs will be next week and then it will be go, go, go until November.