Reading Buddies

One of the fun things about SPH is the emphasis it places on developing students with a service mindset.  A few weeks ago, Lauren (who teaches middle school English) and I pulled our students together for a reading day.  We'd been talking about it all year, and finally made it happen! It was fun to see the 7th graders take the kids under their wings and read to them.  Almost all of the groups connected really right from the beginning.

The reading day was just as fun for the teachers.... since we got to spend time together during the school day... which I don't think has ever really happened for us!

Side note... here's a picture of Lauren and I being read to as children... She's the squirming one on her mom's lap.  And I'm the one who looks slightly less than interested in the red onesie.  Michelle is the beauty that is showing us the wonders of literature.  Oh how things come full circle!

As kids came into the room to get more books, they found one group on the carpet and joined in...  they were taking turns reading.  The rule was, you had to read in a funny voice!  It was so cute to see what they came up with!

As my class was headed to lunch and grade seven was headed back to class, they boys got into an arm wrestling match.  It was hysterical  watching them unite to try to take down their competition!

Today, my class took a trip to a nearby kampung to visit the school there, BBB.  We've been interacting with the school all year for our Mission and Service Learning (MSL) project.  The kids raise money each week to provide snacks, gifts, and supplies for our times with this other school.  We first met our MSL friends when we took a trip to the kampung as we studied how people meet their needs.  Since then, we've had BBB over to SPH a few times, once for a swimming day and once for a Christmas party.  Today we returned to BBB for a morning of reading and crafts.  It was awesome to see my class turn around and be the grown ups, leading the reading time and taking care of their buddies.  I was so proud at the way they were so intentional about interacting with their buddies and helping them enjoy the reading time.  They were also excellent at helping their buddies with the crafts.  They didn't necessarily need help, but it was such a good experience for my kids to serve someone else, since they are never the ones serving, always being served by nannies and drivers.

This is my favorite pair.  The BBB boy has always been the trouble maker when we've had events together.  It's been so frustrating because he never listens to directions.  And my student here isn't always the biggest reader.  But the match up between these two boys was magical.  Because they were both so into the reading and picked up book after book, and even opted to read instead of play on the playground when they had a chance!

Aussie Chrisie Part Two: Great Ocean Road

I'm so sorry that this post is going to have so many pictures.  But this was by far my favorite part of the trip.  And the most beautiful.  So stick with me as I reminisce this amazing road trip.

Our goals for the GOR: drive on open roads, camp, cook, see the ocean, drive on beautiful cliffs.  So Janna found us a car that would allow us to easily do all that... this guy came packed with everything: tents, sleeping bags, cooking supplies, and even a refrigerator!  He's made for driving through the outback, so he also came with 4WD and massive water holder that we could hear slosh when it was quiet.

Our first leg of the trip was through land that I would call Almost Outback... only to make myself feel legit driving the Landcruiser.  Red dirt.  No cars for kilometers.  Kangaroo crossing signs.  Brush.  The constant threat of wildfires.  Open roads with no one around.  It was actually a little nerve-racking, since driving on the left in a large car without a shoulder to give some wiggle room demanded quite a bit of focus. 

We were on the road for four days and had three nights of camping.  Camping.  A much needed and greatly enjoyed pleasure that I rarely get in Indonesia.  Especially when they include curling up in sweats and jackets and sleeping bags because of the chilly air.  A few nights I was actually cold... The last time I was actually cold was quite a while ago.  We played Dutch Blitz, cooked over our little stoves, enjoyed the wine from our tour using cheap camping cups, took walks through the camp sites, watched the kangaroo fights in the distance, and had wonderful tent talks as we drifted off to sleep.

Little brown dots in the distance... wild kangaroos.  A few were fighting.

We made it to the actual ocean part of the Great Ocean Road and had such beautiful views ahead of us.  Each sign that pointed off the road and down a driveway led to a walkway that brought us to cliffs, beaches, windy outlooks, and some of the most beautiful pieces of creation I've ever seen.

My favorite spot along the GOR was this one... we first saw it from above.  And to be honest, it was pretty, but didn't look too special.  I almost didn't want to go down to see just another beach.  But when we meandered down the steps and shuffled through the fine sand, we discovered the most beautiful cove.  We spent a long while wandering around the cove, crawling on the rocks, exploring the cave, and splashing in the cool waves.  

The most famous part of the GOR is called the Twelve Apostles.  They are a series of formations created from the pounding of the waves and the strong winds.  There are currently only seven remaining pillars, since they have fallen into the ocean.  This was my least favorite stop, mainly because it was so crowded.  The pictures we have of us are snagged in the second that no one was crossing in front of the camera, and when we were finally able to get a spot along the railings.  Way to touristy to be that enjoyable.  It was also so windy!  I wore the Japanese tourist had that I bought (at Aldi!  I knew I loved that store) and felt like it was going to blow away the whole time!

In between the ocean stops, we also got to stop at some other little places, like a lake on a volcano that is bright aqua because of all the sulfur.  And a massive sink hole that has been turned into a beautiful garden.  And don't mind the picture of the sandwich... we were just thrilled to be eating ham and cheese sandwiches... a luxury we never get to have in Indonesia.  If only I would have known how much I would miss this simple meal... I would have enjoyed them much more as a kid!

The last leg of the road trip was my favorite to drive.  Kilometers of winding roads on the side of hills and cliffs, overlooking the ocean.  Each curve of the road brought a new view of the coastline, along with the relief that I didn't hit any of the crazy bike-riders or cars flying around the curves the other way.  We passed through little surf towns, stopped for coffee at adorable cafes, and picnicked on the beach.  We cranked up the music, turned on the video cameras, and enjoyed our last moments of the country side.  

Again... sorry for so many photos... but it was just too wonderful not for me to share, so that you can see and so that I can remember.

And thanks to Janna, Michelle, and Teresa for letting me use some of their awesome photographic skills!