ready for the one month update?

It’s been a month since I arrived here in Macau and most of it has seemed to fly right by! A few days ago I found myself giving someone directions on which buses would take them where and I realized that yes, in many ways I am at home here. I do miss things like sandwiches (they don't really believe in bread here) and I miss the stars (too much light pollution- and other pollution too for that matter), but I am getting by with watching the bright city lights, eating dumplings and using chopsticks.
Life is starting to fall into more of a pattern here, admittedly a somewhat patchworked pattern that changes at times... I am taking Cantonese classes twice a week (and still trying to figure out the six major tones, suddenly Mandarin with only four tones is looking downright easy) and I am working with the school debate team and a literature translation class. The rest of my time is spent helping with the Xinjian students and various projects and classes as needed, and that all keep me busy as well.
Life is not all work and no play though! Recent adventures have include visiting Zhuhai in mainland China (a fifteen minute bus ride away) and braving the pushy salespeople there, venturing over the waters by ferry to visit Hong Kong for a fancy American Consulate dinner consisting of 13 courses, booking airline tickets and planning a trip to Singapore for this next weekend (and learning that chewing gum is illegal there so to leave it at home), watching Macau’s international firework competition, visiting museums, hunting for traditional tea shops, and trying countless and nameless foods of every shape, size and color. So far as daily life goes, I am enjoying hanging out with my apartment mates Allison and Hannah, I have found a few places to go running, I have acquired a guitar with which I can play worship songs and try to not forget everything I know, and I have been enjoying spending time with God and learning how He is faithful and our shelter wherever we may be. He is good and His love endures forever! May He be glorified. Amen.
So yes, to those of you who have asked, things are going well at this end of the world! I have more stories and I’m sure you do too, so send me a note if you want to know more and I would love to hear what you are up to as well! I miss all of your lovely faces, but as time has already been flying by I know I will see you all soon :) I hope you are all doing well!

Love always,
or as they often say here: Thank you for your kind attention,
-Bethany


pictures: a street shrine, traditional tea shop, two views from Caloane village, the Macau tower

Hello :)

I'm settling into life here in Macau, am getting lost less often, and could name a few good places to eat with *amazing* food (though most of the menus are only in Cantonese so be prepared to smile, point, and enjoy whatever they end up bringing you). I start Cantonese lessons next week so that may bring more enlightenment to the process in the future. I've been busy with orientation meetings and moving into my new apartment which has been going well. Classes are just starting for the students here and I'm officially starting next week! Mainly it looks like I will be assisting with some public speaking activities, a writing clinic, a debate team (which looks really interesting), a Shakespeare festival (again-yay!), and working with some students who are from Xinjian in mainland China (which is basically as far away from Macau as possible while still remaining in China). This should keep me busy for sure but I'll have time to do my own things too, such as visiting the Oasis church nearby, playing my new guitar, planning random trips to nearby countries, and of course walking the streets of Macau till I get lost ;)

I love and miss you all! And I hope you are all doing fantastically :)

Love and prayers from across the world,
-Bethany

ps- and I have an address and would love to hear from you!


Bethany Wakeman
ELTRC Office
Macao Polytechnic Institute
Rua da Luis Gonzaga Gomes
Macau

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pps- here are some random sights of Macau... enjoy :)

Pictures of Macau and Hong Kong! installment 1...

The night lights of the streets of Macau And the new apartment! With Alison testing out the couch (it is very comfy actually)






























Views of Hong Kong-
An overview of a street market and a close up of part of the goldfish market

hello from Macau :)

hi and greetings from Macau! I arrived here Sunday morning and have been busy apartment hunting, meeting the staff, signing books worth of paperwork (occasionally in English), eating delicious food, and getting lost around the city. Instead of the north star, the lights of the casinos are bright and colorful and they always guide us home. I promise that pictures and more info/stories will come soon, for now I just wanted to say hi while I had the chance! :)