we're back after the summer :)

It’s been a while, we’re still here doing our stuff, in fact so busy we’re only just getting round to updating this blog.

The school year started August 12th, the dorm filled up with girls a couple of days before; we have seven girls this year. Having a years experience under our belt meant that we were a lot more confident starting the year and more capable, less splashing in the deep end. It also helps relationally that there are no new girls this year; we can just pick up the relationships where we left off last year.

Ok, so that sounds like things are easier and we should be able to update this blog; well as always when you get the hang of something you start taking on more things. In June the dorm program here received ACSI accredited (Association of Christian Schools International). It’s a big deal within international schools and shows that we are performing to a high standard. We are at the base level of the ACSI standard and have improvements to make over the next three years which is one of the adding to our work load. It’s a good thing though; the improvements are for the whole dorm program, helping to make life better for the dorm girls and the dorm parents. There are practical and safety improvements as well as administrative improvements; it’s a steady process. We are also more involved with the dorm budget this year and are thinking of creative ways to cut spending, the increase in fuel prices is global and is affecting us here. At the moment I am working with the dorm dad of the boy’s dorm at the possibility of installing solar water heating for the dorms.

Enough about work though...

We had a sunny relaxing summer, the boys enjoyed not being at school and we very much enjoyed having more time with them. Luke started back at school in second grade with a new teacher and Isaac started at the Kindergarten. They both seem to have got back into school life and are more settled than this time last year. They still have their moments, but then every child does. I think the summer was a really settling time for us and a family which is an answer to prayer. Emily and I were sent some parenting DVDs’ from our friend June (thanks June) which are really great; the lessons learnt and applied from them are taking a lot of stress out of parenting, leaving it to be more fun and loving, it’s fab.

We’ve done birthdays recently (many thanks for the presents) so I’m now 29 which means Luke is 7 and Isaac is 5, Emily is still 21 of cause. It’s a little crazy that Luke and Isaac are growing up. With all the busyness and transitioning over the last two years we’ve perhaps not realised how old they’re getting.

Sorry to those of you who have been trying to skype us recently we’ve been having internet difficulties. Last weekend the wireless antenna was struck by lightning (frying some equipment) and it’s not been working well since. We have internet at the school, which is how I’m able to post this blog, but it’s not so easy to just pop over and check emails and skype when we have dorm responsibilities. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon. Until then keep emailing and skyping, it’s always good to hear from people.

Paul.

The Summer Holidays Are Here

We are in the middle of our summer holidays and enjoying it very much. It’s a time for some quality family time with Family Noble.

We’ve had some visitors already, Sarah and Matt from Manchester and as I write this Emily’s younger sister Merry is with us. We feel blessed to have them with us and to show them the life we have here, the suitcase full of English goodies is pleasurable to.

We went to the beach last week and had a lot of fun just chilling out. We travelled south to Pacitan (look it up on Google Earth) and arrived at the Sunny Bay Beach Bungalows. They looked bigger from the picture we’d seen. We were told that it was basic accommodation so we were prepared but even then it took a little getting used to. The bungalow had one room and a bathroom with cold water only, a toilet that didn’t flush and a light bulb that flickered and went out just as you started brushing your teeth. I thing we got the raw deal because Sarah and Matt’s bungalow had a working toilet and a light bulb that stayed on.

After the first night we were adjusted.

The beach was in spitting distance from our bungalow and we headed out each day to lie around reading books, build sandcastles, jump over waves, body (boogie) board and chase crabs around. It was a relaxing break for us and the boys really enjoyed the beach fun, it reminded them of being at their grandparents (who live in a seaside town).

We returned home and enjoyed our last few days with Sarah and Matt before they flew back to England. The next day Merry arrived and so our holiday continues. We haven’t any plans to go to the beach with her (been there – done that) but we are very much enjoying her company and will be sad when she leaves in a weeks’ time.

As we get nearer to August we will start preparing for the next school year but until then we’re going to make the most of the holidays.

Here are a few photos from the past couple of weeks:

singing out the year

It’s not long until the girls all leave the dorm and head back to their real parents for the summer break. Some of them are returning in August, others are moving on or away.

We went out for supper last Monday (12th) and had a good farewell feast. I got up and sang a song, which I should explain a little. If you know the band Radiohead then you will know that they wrote a song called creep. The guitar chords are really simple and as such it’s easy to make up words to fit the tune; which is what I do. These made up songs have been fondly named the rubbish lyrics songs and have been played at different times in the dorm. Well on Monday with lyrics already written (usually I just sing whatever comes into my head) I went on tour and gave an exclusive solo performance. The girls really liked it and I did too, so here’s the song; if you know the tune you could even sing it to yourself (if you’re reading this in an internet cafe then don’t start singing):

Here we are together at Biztro Restaurant
11 special daughters and 2 special sons

Let us take a moment to look back over this year
Emily and I have got a few words we’d like you to hear

Back in the beginning we were trying too hard
You couldn’t figure out these crazy English Imports

Over time you understood the way we were talking
We read about your culture, got to know you and kept praying

So we’ve been building, trying to show you in little ways
That we want to be you parents while your real ones are away

We flew off to Lombok; found you missed us being away
You couldn’t wait for us to get back, welcomed us in an amazing way

Now the year is over, almost time to say goodbye
But we don’t want to do that, we want to try...and stay in contact

Then next year we’ll be able to catch up
On where we left off, whether you’re here or not, we’ll still want to catch up

‘Cause you made us realise we’re one big family
We haven’t told you much but we really love you...and we’re going to miss you.

until next time, Paul.