ING

A random summary of what I'm doING . . .

Anticipating: a 2 night trip with classmates and Japanese teachers to the mountains of Japan

Missing: Snow! (a few flakes were in the air Saturday) and Starry night skies (perhaps I'll see some on the trip)

Wanting: to go Cross-country skiing

Cooking: Oatmeal Scotchies & Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cleaning: the mess from baking

Eating: warm cookies from the oven

Reading: "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon Vanauken (for a book club) and "Teaching Redemptively" by Donovan L. Graham (for a Philosophy of Education class) Mark & Psalms (for spiritual nourishment) Japanese Children's Bible (for Japanese reading practice) and "How to Eat Supper" (for inspiration in the kitchen)

Grooving: to a CD called "The Gaijin Years" oldies with new words about the life of foreigners in Japan - hilarious!

Watching: "Always" the movie

Finishing: my semester at language school 3rd week of February

Enjoying: time with friends while we're together

Feeling: a sense of belonging at Yurigaoka Baptist Church

Moving: again in a month and a half (the 4th time in 15 months)

Trying: not to think about all the good-byes - but failing since, "When do you move?" is the first question in many conversations

Learning: "balance" is not the goal - but not sure what should be - when trying to spend time with friends here while tending to friendships miles away and anticipating starting new relationships in a new location.

Thinking: What an answer to prayer to have developed amazing friendships over the last year!

Planning: to retake my drivers test Jan. 29th. (updating: took test, failed test, scheduled to take it again Feb. 2)

Traveling: to Nara in 10 days for a visit where I'll be officially introduced to my future teaching location, hang out with students and check out options for a place to live.

Realizing - I need to pack for the trip to the mountains.

Recalling: my laundry - which is still hanging on the line! Oops!