On being joyful...

Something I need to learn how to do is rejoice (Zephaniah 3:14).  There are many instances in the Bible that begin with 'Rejoice!', among which I read this morning.  I equate that word with 'Cheer up!  You have much to be thankful for!'  Is that true in my life?  Do I have much to be thankful for? Of course!

My God supplies all that I have, provides me with love and grace.  He has saved me from spiritual death.  So why does it seem so hard to 'give thanks' and 'rejoice'?

Last night, Jake said something along the lines of, "We get so used to not being thankful that it seems to catch us off guard when we realize that we don't have it so bad after all." (At least, he said something like that)

But it's true.  We train ourselves to look for things that make us unhappy in life.  But why?  It only leads to more stress and negativity.

I've decided to let God train me into being a more thankful person.  I'm going to try to write down at least one note of praise and thankfulness every day.  I'm sure I could do more, but you've got to start somewhere, right?

Love,
Ashleigh

It Must Be That Time of Year...

I've been loving these cooler days.  Last night Jake and I went on a picnic with some friends of ours, and there were so many families and friends at the park with the exact same idea in mind.  You know the weather is more bearable when...

>:<

I have many fond memories of various picnics I've enjoyed over the years, and yet, it'd been so long since my last one, I couldn't remember what are good picnic foods.  Here is a list of some of the good picnic eats that I was reminded of last night:

-chicken (KFC or a whole Zehrs' chicken)
-potato/macaroni salad
-deviled/hard-boiled eggs
-peanut butter/banana/jam/tuna sandwiches (perhaps not all of those options together)
-cookies/brownies, etc.

A few weeks ago, my fellow teacher and I took our students to the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada in Guelph, and we had a little picnic there, as well.  Another student and I made peanut butter/jam sandwiches, as well as tuna sandwiches.  However, my students, being Korean, also made delicious rice balls, which are usual picnic fare for Koreans.  I hadn't seen them make it, so when they pulled out these little balls wrapped in aluminum, I was intrigued.  The picture below-which I can't take credit for- is similar to what ours looked like, the only difference being there was seaweed wrapped around ours.

They were delicious and satisfying, and I'm sure if you enjoy rice and fresh veggies that you would enjoy these too! Who knows, maybe I will try making them sometime and surprise people at a picnic.

So...I'm curious...what food do you and yours like to take with you on picnics?  Feel free to leave a comment so we can all broaden our picnic 'horizons' a little more.

Love, 

Ashleigh

Week-end...

Enjoying the cool evening at the park, with a Gino's pizza box for a pillow

Although Jake has this Civic holiday Monday off, I do not.  Yet, I am grateful for the time we were able to spend together this week-end.

It seemed as if our apartment was going to internally combust on Saturday.  We don't have AC, and from about 8:30am onward we roasted like stuck pigs.  Escaping to the mall seemed like a good idea (my closet thought so, too!), but when we returned to our place of doom, we were little grumps with each other all evening.

I was grateful for a little reprieve from the heat yesterday.  Jake and I did something we don't do much anymore-we went to Gino's pizza, bought our usual $6 walk-in special, and took it to the park to have an impromptu pizza.  Since I have started eating healthier, I usually don't give in to pizza that much (even though my obssessed husband wishes I would).  However, we asked for a multi-grain crust this time, and wow, what a difference it makes to the taste and texture!  It was absolutely amazing and delicious.  Our time at the park was wonderful. Poor Jake had a sore neck, and I think I was a little bit too hyper, but we had a good time nonetheless.

Here's hoping you have a wonderful day!

Love,
Ashleigh

On Pride...

As a teacher, it is so easy to be humiliated in front of your class.  My worst fear is being caught off guard by a question that I won't know the answer for.

This happens to me every, single day.

"You're not prepared enough.  You're a terrible teacher.  They think you're a farce.  They don't trust your answers anymore.  They're wasting their money.  You can't even speak English yourself"

I am attacked ruthlessly during those moments of uncertainty.  Instead of admitting my faults, however, I get angry and defensive.  I have often found myself being adamant about a certain part of grammar, telling a student such-and-such, only to have them call me out on an obvious technicality.  Once more, instead of admitting my ignorance, I back-pedal, and pretty soon I find myself angry on all levels-angry at the student for asking, and angry at myself for a.) being prideful and b.) not knowing the answer.  It's an uncomfortable situation for both parties, and my first instinct is to run from the room and hide.

I struggle with my own knowledge base.  There are even things in the Bible that I know to be true, but doubt my answer if called upon.  My mind likes to make up answers to things just to save face.  My pride is the biggest obstacle to overcoming humiliation and uncertainty. 

Only by the grace of God will I learn how to be more humble. 

Love,

Ashleigh 

Coming Alive...

Burning legs

Sweat dripping from every pore

Clear mind and thoughts

Heart pumping wildly within my chest

Aching muscles

Feeling so alive

These are just a few of the reasons I love working out.  The funny thing is, it takes a little bit for me to actually start the exercise.  Sometimes I'm so tired, or so just a little bit lazy (or I don't make the time). However, with a little push (often from my loving husband), I start, and then sometimes I can't stop.  Yesterday, I was just planning on doing a 12 minute HIIT workout, and after that I was energized enough to go for a 20 minute run.  It never ceases to amaze me how good I feel after working out.  It completely changes my disposition.  

What helps you to focus and feel better when you're having an off day?

Love,

Ashleigh

ETC 2012

Experiencing the Canadian country side at the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada...

The past three weeks have been a whirlwind of lesson planning, teaching, correcting, leading, guiding, touring, etc.  ETC (English Training Camp) is in full swing, and there are only 2 1/2 more weeks left.  Even though this is my third year teaching Korean students, I am still learning more about their culture all the time, even as they learn more about our culture.  

In case you're new to my blog, I'll fill you in on how this little teaching stint works.  

Every day looks something like this:

9:30-12:30--> Teaching and Learning Time (Grammar and Conversation)

12:30-2:30--> Lunch Break (I think everyone should have a 2-hr afternoon break! It's very refreshing)

2:30-5:30--> Afternoon Activity (Mondays are more low-key; Tuesdays are one-on-one tutoring; Wednesdays are 'cooking/baking parties'; Thursdays and Fridays are when we go places like St. Jacob's Market, or the Donkey Sanctuary)

Since today was Wednesday, they enjoyed making personal pizzas and cake with home-made icing.  I usually end the morning lesson around noon on Wednesdays so that we have time to get our ingredients at the grocery store and eat by at least 2 pm...trust me, it takes a long time to make food.  However, it's worth it every time.  I've been enjoying introducing them to various kitchen tools, such as electric beaters, and measuring spoons.  Believe it or not, most of the students had never baked or cooked anything before arriving in Canada.  These young people are so focused on their studies that they don't have time for much else.  Although Wednesdays are one of the most stressful, they are also one of the most rewarding.  I love hearing their sighs of pleasure as they sink their teeth into homemade apple streusel (topped with ice cream, of course!), and watching their faces as they taste lasagna for the first time.  The culinary delights that I have encouraged them to make are merely the tip of the iceberg, and I hope that it encourages them to branch out in their own kitchens when they return to Korea. 

Every group that I've taught is different, and this group has so much energy.  Whenever we do our various activities, I am always encouraged by their delight and enthusiasm.  They make me laugh, and actually, I also feel a little bit like a superstar.  There are plenty of times I've entered a room to various pitches of "Oh, hi Ashleigh!" and hands are waving and big smiles appear on faces, and I feel enveloped in love and happiness. If I start a day feeling stressed, I usually don't end it that way.  They are a blessing to me, and I hope I can be encouraging to them in turn.

Love,

Ashleigh

How to Save a Mind...

And here we are, precious friends, slogging through life, looking for ideas, ways, paths to make it less difficult, to slow it down, to make it stop, if that were even possible.  And so I find myself trying to keep moving, planning, thinking, loving without losing sight of the most important things in life.  I have felt the stress pile up so high it would likely suffocate me if it weren't for my husband by my side, softly reassuring me that everything will be fine.  I cling to his gentle words and patient rebukes like he were my drug, longing for the rock-solid steadiness that he exudes.  He doesn't change.  The things he thinks about are always on his mind, testing him, teasing him.
My mind is like an ocean, constantly washing up on the shore with new trinkets and findings lost amid its depths ages ago.  I come back to those old doubts, those ancient fears, letting them niggle away at me until I threaten to burst, like a dam let loose.

But my Jake, he feeds our Father's truth to me with such sincerity and love, smoothing over my ruffled feathers, soothing the ache, banishing the lies and deceit that caused the stress and deception from the start.

My God has provided this mere mortal with a grace that defies logic, and he lovingly gifts it to me, for the sake of saving my sanity.

---In which words are not nearly enough to convey this deep love---

Daybreak...

I don't have to tell you how busy the month of July has been for me.  I will let my lack of blogging presence speak for itself.  In the meantime, I will leave you with a small morsel to tide you over until I can write something with more substance.

It draws me in...
I am enchanted, captivated, moved,
Held prisoner by the prisms of light, 
The beauteous rays.


I breathe the dank smell floating
Up from the river, still fresh in the 
Morning coolness, unaffected by the
Searing heat of a midday sun.




I hear them chirping, their cacophony at once
Melodious and incomprehensible,
They swoop, they soar, they forage, 
They dance around one another in the air.


The puffs of cloud in the sky dare me to
Dream of cotton candy goodness,
Immovable in their perfect haven of blue.


The earth comes alive, 
Tiny spiders on pensive hands, 
Wisps of air slipping between the spaces of foot and sandal, 
Warm fingers of light brushing a soft cheek.


-AshWin-


Picture source: http://www.delderfield.com.au/Photo_gallery/pl_images/y_Daybreak.jpg

600th post...

Can you believe it? Thanks to all the readers who have stuck with me through thick and thin, through months of epic posting and months of one post.

My favourite shot of the day

Just enjoying a leisurely evening with the Paynes while my friends and family in Ontario are fast asleep.  We had a great day sight-seeing and taking pictures of 'beautiful BC'. It certainly lives up to my expectations.  I was told by many people it is a lovely province.  The mountains take your breath away!

Anyways, I hope everyone is surviving the heat.  I hear that the weather back home is quite overwhelming. We've been having lovely sunshine but a nice cool wind to even things out.

One more day before Ruth-Ann becomes Mrs. Ruth-Ann Diana!!  

Love,

Ashleigh

Beautiful BC...

I've arrived safe and sound in BC for Ruth-Ann's wedding.  This is my first time here and I can honestly say that I can feel closet to God amidst these majestic mountains.
Ruth-Ann and I are having a wonderful time catching up.

Love,
Ashleigh