ICS 2020-2021 Wrap-Up
Jonathan successfully wrapped up his first year of teaching at ICS. We were disappointed to finish online (even awards and graduation), but it was out of our control and it all still wrapped up well. Students were able to come to campus to pick up their projects and drop off art supplies, which was a nice way to say farewell, in-person. It was encouraging to read students’ positive course evaluations and even receive a couple of thank-you gifts. Jonathan is excited for a break and is looking forward to teaching the same courses again next year, finding new ways to improve and grow!
One good thing about ending the semester online was the ability to get a head start on cleaning the classroom. Lyndsey was a tremendous help getting it reorganized and ready to be repainted this summer. Another fun project we collaborated on was finishing students’ ceramics projects. Many middle and high school students had unfinished pieces from the first half of the semester, so the art teachers (and Lyndsey) banded together to glaze and fire everything for them.
To end the year, we met up with friends for a game night after the last school day. Lyndsey baked a cake and cookies to celebrate everyone’s hard work (pic below, with a few of our other baked treats). It was a sweet time with friends!
Maternal Nutrition
Lyndsey’s translations and video recording are done! It is so exciting to have this project moving forward. Jonathan was a big help with the filming and editing tasks for her first virtual nutrition workshop. The Imagine Thailand area director will be able to show the video and facilitate the activities at the children’s homes in Mae Sot! We are also excited for the potential opportunity to be vaccinated next month, which would allow a trip to Mae Sot not long after.
For Fun
Summer in the city is HOT! While we thought the hot season was over, the “feels like” ramped up and frequents around 115°F. The occasional rainstorm cools things off enough to complete home-improvement projects and enjoy our new patio set.
Adjusting to the new summer routine was a little hard at first, but we created a fun schedule for ourselves. Every morning we get up and exercise, alternating between pool, gym, and field. Bangkok is still fairly locked-down (Mass vaccination has finally just begun!), but thankfully some things can resume in-person. Lyndsey has been able to resume mentoring, which will continue over the summer. Other activities include:
“BKKationing” in new parts of town, since hotel prices are still so cheap
Visiting new restaurants, like an authentic Mexican food place (and trying some new takeout items)
Video chatting with friends/fam and playing video/board games borrowed from friends
Cooking together and incorporating new produce
Reading (devotions, leisure, and marriage books)
Art – Lyndsey has been loving sketching, watercolor, and acrylic painting with Jonathan! We have been going on a weekly “mall date,” where we get coffee and sketch.
We hope you are enjoying the summer months wherever you are. Thanks for catching up with us, we would love to catch up with you too! Send us a message and we would love to schedule a video or phone call.
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