I'm a Bathroom Stalker

Here's the situation: for some reason unknown to myself, or mankind, the teacher in my faculty frequently change the lock on the bathroom. The process should be like this:

1. Make copious copies of new key.
2. Distribute to entire faculty.
3. Replace old lock with new lock.
4. Allow everyone to do their "business" when they please.

Here's how the process goes in our faculty:

1. Replace old lock with new lock.
2. Make a few copies.
3. Allow others to realize they no longer have the correct key.
4. Seek out the select individuals with a correct key.
5. Make a few more copies.
6. Receive another copy of the OLD key.
7. STALK THE BATHROOM FOR SOMEONE WITH A CORRECT KEY SO YOU CAN DO YOUR "BUSINESS".
8. Repeat steps 4 and 5.
9. Pray to sweet, baby Jesus that steps 6 and 7 do not need to be repeated.
10. Receive correct key.
11. Do your "business" whenever you please.

I'm halfway between step 7 and 8. No drinking water at work until step 10 is complete.

Engineering?

So this semester I've been assigned to teaching Reading/General Engineering at the Hanoi University of Technology. What?? Where is my degree certifying me to teach this?? It's nowhere to be found, so thus I have been left to fend for myself in the classroom.

Something I've learned in the past few years is to be honest with myself, and with those around me, about my shortcomings. That way there is no confusion, denial, blame, and there is usually a bit more laughing involved. So here are a few of the things I've had to admit (sometimes in the midst of the mistake):

1. After adding incorrectly to determine the winning team of a class: I can't do simple math.

2. After drawing a worm looking thing on the board: I can not draw. (See earlier posts for pictures.)

3. After misspelling countless words on the board: I can not spell very well.

4. After dropping my motorbike on myself and running over my own foot: I cannot lift/turn/park my motorbike.

5. After tripping over nothing: I'm clumsy.

6. After snapping at someone I'm close to: I lash out at the people closest to me.

So there it is, my little list of shortcomings. However I have also found that my realizing my faults and admitting them, I can draw closer attention to the things I do great! Like singing, reading, picking up Vietnamese, writing, being positive, being great with kids, being thoughtful, and always trying to bring some laughter to the moment :)

I love being in the classroom with my students here so much! But I'm having a hard time living in this limbo. Limbo this time consists of knowing that my time in Vietnam is almost over, but not quite because I still have to be here for a couple more months. How do I function? How do I interact with people? Who do I spend my time with? Where do I direct my efforts?

Here's to living in the moment, trusting that God has all my tomorrows already figured out, and holding His hand through it all.