Thank-you

To my dear friends who sent me an Australian package - a huge thank-you. You have no idea how well it was timed. Especially considering Claudia had an International Food Day today and I could put the flags in her vegemite sandwiches. Thanks so much.

Wow what a week! I am sitting here doing this blog when I should be submitting grades. Have I mentioned how much I hate teaching Middle School? Bring on Beijing and I get the little kids again. Emily is at a birthday party and Claudia is trying to yo-yo. It is hysterical! I am worried the yo-yo will end up out the window. It is Lunar Vacation here, well it started all of 45 minutes ago - hooray! That is the Chinese New Year. So we have the whole of next week off. It is a wee bit crazy. We have been back from Christmas for all of 3 weeks. Then we have this week off. Back to school for 4 more weeks and then another 10 days off for Spring Break. Somewhere in there we have to get some school work done! Anyway the best part is that I have 10 whole days where I do not have to be at school - that is a positive! Well to be exact, I have 10 days to start getting my act together and start sorting out this move. I am really excited to be going to Beijing, but the actual process of moving is not appealing to me right now. Keep the Ciempka's in your prayers as we start the move - again!

The Weekend

It is so cold here and we really spent the weekend playing at home. The girls had a princess game on the go for the whole weekend. They started all dressed and ended up being completely naked (good to see we turn the heat up).




I also found this nto left on my bed on Sunday night - awhhh - Emily is a sweetie.

I need help!!!!!

This is what happens when someone brings a wig to school and the teacher really just wants to be enjoying the Australia Day weekend.

Thailand Magic

As promised here are our photos from Thailand. Man I love that place. I can not explain why, there is just something magical about it.

We have news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As you may know Paul an dI have been seeking another teaching position when our contract runs out in June. Over the holidays we went to a job fair in Thailand and were successful in securing another contract. We will be heading to Western Academy in Beijing (WAB) is August. Before you all get excited it is after the Olympics.



I will post some of the photos I took in Thailand in another post. Our time there was very productive. We did get a few days R & R before the fairs began. I was very nervous about the whole thing. I kept asking Paul, "What if we don't get an offer?" Nothing could have been further from the truth. We ended up with 5 job offers and Paul was offered and Elementary Principal position at a school in the Phillipines. Needless to say we had some tough decisions to make. You can research a school online and you can talk to people, but will you be happy? Anyway after much prayer and discussion we decided to go with WAB. It is a ture international school that seems to be a good fit for us. So we are very grateful for all your prayers and support and now you need to start saving for a visit.

We even made their newsletter this week. http://lianxi.wab.edu/featured/article/08/01/worldwide-search-%2526%2523039%3Bwab%2526%2523039%3B-fit

Christmas

I realise it is January and Christmas was weeks ago. But, better late than never. After a very hectic lead up to Christmas with concerts and parties, we looked forward to some rest before heading off to Thailand. Paul and the girls skiied and I spent 2 days in my pj's resting and trying to fight off a cold. It was just what we all needed. What was meant to be a quiet Christmas turned into Lunch for over 18 adults. Some friends managed to get a turkey from the Army base and we celebrated in style. Santa was very good to the girls and to me - I got my new lense and flash. Paul is still trying to work out what he wants. Hmm I wonder where Emily gets it from? Needless to say it was busy, but so much fun.

I wanted to share some of our festive season with you. Here in a short movie of our Christmas.
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