First of all: earthquake.
On Monday, May 12th at exactly 2:30pm I was working at my computer in my apartment on the 7th floor. Normally I wouldn't remember that kinda stuff but this time as I was typing my building started shaking and swaying back and forth. First I thought it was my imagination (I'd gotten up early that morning and well...perhaps it was nap time) but then I noticed that my full glass of water was spilling over, the new wind chimes I'd just received from a friend started clanging together, and some people on the school yard were looking up at the tall buildings. So I quickly called a friend and asked "Hey, what's going on? Is your building shaking as well??". Anyway, she said she was already on her way down to the school yard to get away from her building so I did the same...I probably made it down the 14 flights of stairs in record time! Once I was down on the school yard I couldn't feel any tremors anymore. Eventually we headed back to our apartments. I think I was a little paranoid yet that afternoon...I kept looking at my glass of water. Also, at that time we didn't know yet that a bad earthquake had devastated the neighboring province, we were wondering if the tremors we had felt were preceding a massive earthquake in our area. Well, turned out that what we felt WAS the massive earthquake... More on that later.
Well...I've made up my mind - I turned down a great job offer (offered to me the end of last week). A few days ago I already told my family I had decided to go back to school instead of going to work but I 'secretly' decided to not make it 'official' by not sending out an email saying 'I decline'. I think I still wanted there to be the option of a safe and secure career. Well, this afternoon I made up my mind - I declined the job offer and trust that I will be accepted into a Master of Arts in Counseling program for the Fall semester. Ah, I am SO SO SO SO happy that decision is made and that I can't turn back and that if I regret this later I have no one to blame but myself.
On Sunday (May 11th) I went on a class outing with one of my grade 10 classes. It was one of the most fun days I've had yet in China.
It was a super fun opportunity to get to know my students outside of a classroom setting! The school outing consisted of meeting at the school at 7am. Walking for 1 hour to get to a beautiful spot by a river. Making a HUGE fancy lunch together over little fires, playing badminton, flying a kite, biking, playing chess, swimming in the river etc. 
I am still amazed at how little grade 10 students can throw together such a huge delicious meal over a little campfire. I shouldn't be so surprised though...many of them don't have much more than a fire at home to cook on. 
By 5pm we started heading back - by that time we were all exhausted but we still had to drag all the equipment back. Owh well, I am SO glad I went!! (pictures on facebook)And last, the thought motivating me to write this post: It feels to me as though this word is crumbling into little pieces. I don't know if there is actually more devastation around me now or if I am just more aware of it, but it definitely hit me this evening.
- The insane snow-storms in China in January/February - people are still trying to recover.
- The recent earthquake in Sichuan province, China. The death-toll is now quickly rising. Oh the pain...
- The cyclone in Myanmar. Also indescribable anguish among survivors.
- The little boy back home who's dying of Cancer...
Those are only a few examples of what's been running through my mind this evening. And then to think that things will fall apart even more before everything is made perfect...
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