So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye!

Well, everyone, the time has come and there's no turning back now... KAZAKHSTAN!

I should have daily Internet access and will be in contact with my Faculty Supervisor over in Spokane seeing as how she's as nervous as I am (we're the first Whitworthians to pilot this trip, she wants to make sure we don't die), part of which includes daily emails of my activities so I've decided that I'll just be posting them here instead of flooding your emailboxes with stuff. Sadly, I probably won't have time to post daily pictures, but there should be some at intermittent times! Anyway, I'll be in Astana for the majority of the time, which is the capitol up north, and will visit Almaty, the former capitol down southeast. I fly out the afternoon of New Year's Eve and will arrive on the 2nd of January, teach in a public preschool for a week, and then help out in a 2nd grade classroom at the Quality School International in Astana. Everything is in order or soon will be, but prayers would be much appreciated. I know that God creates these opportunities for us to learn in multiple aspects of life, and I look forward to seeing what those truly are (although I've speculated). I can't wait to share it all with you when I get back!

Peace and love,

Chels

P.S. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! It was a wonderful holiday season and I am in love with my family, so to those of you that made it so special a thousand thanks. And with that, catch ya on the flip side :)

Go Grandma Go!

To the toughest lady I've ever known, an immense source of joy and blessing to all she meets, and one of my favorite people in the whole world. I love you Grandma, fight the fight! Got all my best prayer warriors working for you and Aunt Tanya :)

Check and Mate

Should really be working on a research paper right now (it's going to be an epic victory if I can pull this one off), but just wanted to let y'all know, well those who were waiting with bated breath alongside me, that my Washington Educator's Skills Test (WEST-E) for my biology endorsement has been conquered :D passed by two whole points (which is technically one question... eek) but they call the student who finishes last in medical school doctor, right?! So I am certified and ready to go! I'll be able to teach in Washington state after student teaching :) I cried, jumped up and down, all the usual. Thanks for believing in me :)

Another quick story I thought many would appreciate. I came home from a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving (thanks to all who made it so special :) ) to find more snow than I could shake a stick at. I parked two blocks away and trudged through about a foot and a half of snow (the sidewalk was nonexistant and snow plows filled them anyway), in some areas 3 foot snow banks, with the huge bags of goodies and provisions my mom sent me off with. After falling multiple times into the snow along the way with my comically oversized luggage, I finally made it inside. And promptly realized that my pants zipper was not only down, but flayed open. I thought I'd noticed a draft... at least it was dark when I got home, I'm pretty sure I was a walking sideshow. Best part?! It gets better and better! We got probably a foot and a half continuously throughout the day yesterday and the prospects only look whiter. Imagine me, the most balanced and coordinated person this side of the Mississippi *insert sarcastic tone here* trying to walk down my killer 55 degree driveway to get to a sidewalkless street of cars going 45mph around a slight corner before my house. It's awesome.

Oh, and I got my visa for my trip to Kazakhstan while I was home! Oh the joy! Tis beautiful, and I'm now in the process of applying for a train ticket to Almaty and finding housing there. We were suggested a little B&B called "So Young's Happiness Guesthouse"... looking into it though, kind of sounds like... well, let your imagine roam free.

Alrightyroo, gotta jet to do SOMETHING for this research paper... oh, and exam this afternoon. Been working hard to finish the year strong with homework and have also been spending numerous hours preparing for choir tour, can't wait to get the ball rolling! Hope you're all safe and enjoying this holly jolly holiday season. Love you all like you wouldn't believe :)

Peace and love,
Chels