New entry here.

(this entry copied from my other blog that I'm currently using: http://runronrun.blogspot.com/)

How odd that in nearly exactly a month later, I get the urge to post a new entry in this relatively new, but seldom updated, blog.

And just as my fingers are ready to transmit my reflections...Blogger gets blocked in China!

I haven't heard the official word, but I'm assuming Blogger has joined several other blogs and user-oriented video and/or content sharing sites that were blocked this year due to the nation's important anniversary's - 50 for Chinese rule of Tibet, and 60 for the Com.Party. To minimize or prevent the spread of local news, sites like YouTube has been blocked.

Anyways...nothing new under the sun, really. :)

It's been a month since I've last posted, so what's new?

Sundays - I still teach a kid's class one Sunday a month, and that has been a great blessing. I approach it ESL style because 80% of the kids there are local. I'm thankful for my bilingual assistants, but moreso, thankful for my patient expat kids - who have heard the stories before but do not act out their boredom in the form of rebelious behavior.
Mondays - I'm still on the "backseat", meaning I chose to step down from teaching due to the busy schedule. We've been going through the book of Mark, and only on chapter 3 after spending a month. Soon, I'll return to facilitating since the main leader will go on 'paternity leave'.
Tuesdays - I've startup up running again after a long bout with a lung infection back in Feb., and just regaining full lung capacity. This time, I'm training for the 10K run for Seafair on July 25. Would love to run with you if you're in town!
Wednesdays - The kindergarten after-school class has finished after its 12 week run. It has been great! And I'm thankful for the new approach - ESL Style Bible teaching. Basically, teach the important target language first, then share the stories so that they can relate to them and hopefully apply. The evening fellowship group for elementary school kids are still going, but the numbers have gone down, 25 to now averaging 10. Small is nice, since I feel I can connect with each kid more. It's also safe...25 was basically pushing it.
Thursdays/Fridays - usually I work out. Hang out with friends. Rest.

Other:
Teaching - I'm moving up in the career of ESL/EFL teaching, I've been made Department Head for the entire school including the Kindergarten and the future Middle and High School. I feel the weight of the expectations already.
Courtship - I've been courting this great woman of God since early March (another reason I've been busy). Don't know how much to share about it here, but I'll say this: she is a huge blessing in my life and I'm having the greatest and easiest of time gearing our relationship for God's glory. I'm off to Hong Kong next week to see her family! Also, she'll be joining my school as a counselor - so this "long distance" aspect of our relationship will soon end!
Rest of the school year - While transitioning to this new position, I'm focused on wrapping up the school year by writing and directing an English language play. It's been fun (so far)!
Summer plans - I'll be home (Seattle) for the month of July, with a side-trip to San Francisco for the 4th of July Weekend. It'll be good to see my brother before he moves on to Virginia to begin his career as a professor. Then I'll fly back to Beijing, then off to Hong Kong to help my girlfriend move.