Two Weeks In!

This past week we had All Staff Orientation (ASO).  It was great to meet lots of other returning teachers. We had lots of meetings but afternoons were free to work in our rooms.  I cannot say enough good things about my school! Our leadership is awesome, and all of the teachers I have gotten to know so far are just amazing people.

On Thursday, they catered a nice lunch for everyone, and we were introduced to some of our school’s board members.  They also had several students and parents of the school speak to the faculty and staff.  It was really encouraging to hear what ICSB means to them.  God is truly at work in this school, the families we serve and the surrounding communities.  I truly feel called to serve at this school and I am so excited to begin the year with students!  

On Saturday, my roommate and I got up early for a moving sale in the area.  We found some shelves for the bathrooms at our house, and I found a bookshelf for my room (all for extremely reasonable prices)!  It is such a blessing to cross things off my list and feel like I am truly settling in here. 

On Saturday afternoon a group of friends and I headed downtown to a wine festival near the St. Stephen’s Basilica.  It was so fun!  We sampled some wines and then I had a burger and fries for dinner.  It was so yummy!  Then later my friend Zoe and I decided to get rose gelato for dessert. 

On Sunday I slept in and IT. WAS. GLORIOUS.  This next week is about to be crazy busy and I felt like I needed to rest as much as I could this weekend! I had not had a “sleep-in” day since my first day here when I was jet-lagged. I woke up late and took a long walk around my new neighborhood.  It was nice to listen to a podcast and music, and just take in the sights.

Later in the day, my roommate Ashleigh and I headed out for my first Tesco experience!  It is a superstore, with a good selection of groceries and much more!  We also went to the Campona mall and I was able to get a few cute things to put on my new bookshelf. 

I have spent today putting the finishing touches on my classroom in prepartion for Open House (which is like Meet the Teacher).  I am SO excited to really begin the work of why I came here – to teach God’s precious ones in this community.  Please pray this week for me to have ENERGY for all of the tasks on my ever-growing to do list. :) Here are some pictures of my classroom today! 

Additional prayer requests:

*** For my sleep habits and appetite to continue to normalize here.  I’m still in the adjustment phase!

*** For the wi-fi set-up at our house!  It has been slow in coming but we are holding onto hope that this week will be the week!  It will make our lives so much easier to be able to do personal and work stuff on our laptops from home! :) 

*** For a bicycle in my near future!  I hope to get one soon and be able to ride it to work!

I love you all so much!  I greatly appreciate your love and prayers!