becka lippy

(warning this is a long one, but there is some good news at the end.) I have mentioned in the past that my kids tend to cry. Korean boys seem especially vulnerable to this tendency. But today it was my turn. Yes, for the first time in my 11 months working at my school, I burst into tears today. It was a combination of many things. First, it is just one of those "a little more sensitive than normal" days. Also, it's the fourth and final week of intensives. This means I work a solid 9 hours a day tuesday to thursday, and mondays and fridays are a nice long 11.5 hour day. It's just a little too much. Also, last night I had a nightmare involving some of my students. In my dream, they were out of control and my boss was getting mad at me for not being able to control them. So all that led into today. I was toward the end of my 9 hour Wednesday and it was time to teach the class that had been starring in my dream last night. I was a little tense about it since really this c

I made some yummy pancakes this morning and I thought I would share them with you. Well, not really share, but at least show off the yumminess. Want the recipe? Too bad. It doesn't exist! Naw, I don't really like to follow recipes and it's hard to really follow recipes here since there are no measuring cups or anything (it's really because I am too impatient to measure stuff!) So I can tell you what I added up, and maybe if youre feeling adventurous, you can throw the stuff together and make your own version of my pancakes. What to use: some flour (but not much, maybe half a cup) some oatmeal (another half a cup or so) some museli (don't even try to ask where I found this stuff here, or how much it cost) a little brown sugar (depending on how sweet you want it) a dash of baking powder and baking soda a tiny bit of vanilla extract (thanks Ashlee for sending that over!!!) and finally, add how ever much milk you need to make the pancake mix the right consistency) Put

I felt a tinge of doubt today. I went out to explore a part of Seoul that I haven't been to yet. It's the neighborhood near Ehwa Women's University and from everything I've heard about it, I knew I would like it. So I set out for the hour long trip out there around 4pm, hoping to escape the worst of the afternoon heat. It was still pretty hot outside when I arrived but it was such a pleasent day with so many people out and about that I nearly forgot about the oppressive heat. As I walked around the neighborhood, I was filled with a soft sadness that I will be leaving this place in 10 weeks. The truth is that I have found parts of Korea that I love and I will mourn losing them when I leave. That made me think (and don't get upset grandma!) that maybe I would be happier staying in Korea. Won't I miss those parts of Korea when I am in Chile? Won't I miss the coffee culture? The way they have lot's of cheap places to get cutesy stuff? Won't I miss the fo

There are some people in life that you just know are special. People who have made such a difference in your life that you couldn't imagine how you would have survived various seasons of life without this person. Michelle was that person for me throughout seminary. Our two years in seminary together taught us the necessity of preaching the Gospel to each other each day, literally. We met on the porch of Machen Building at Westminster Seminary and a beautiful friendship bloomed into what now can only be described as a sisterhood. We have laughed together, cried together, and lived together. We kick each other's butts when we are being stupid and we love to cuddle on the couch and watch movies together. So I'd like to take a chance to say CONGRATS to this wonderful woman on her recent engagement. As the two of us have walked along a long path of broken hearts and crushes dreams in the world of romance, I rejoice now with my friend. Her fiance, Ernest is an awesome guy (I'

There are many approaches to teaching. I was raised with the attitude that learning was fun and over the years as I have developed my teaching style, I've tried to keep that attitude at the forefront. I know I'm not supposed to have favorites as a teacher, but I do. I have many favorite students, there are honestly some great kids in some of my classes. But one of my classes in particular is full of wonderful students. The class is called C3 and it's a group of girls, all around 6th grade. They are just great girls. In that class, there are a few girls that stand out, and there is one girl who I have to admit, were I to choose a favorite, she would be it. Her name is Jennifer Lee. She is just an awesome kid. She works hard, is self motivated, never puts others down but encourages the other girls to do well. She's wonderful. So today in class I mentioned that most teachers are only here for one year. She raised her hand and asked if I was going to stay for only one year.

Earlier this week it was Chris' birthday. He turned the big 30 and Jonathan and I decided to throw a little surprise party together. It took a ton more energy and time to do it than I expected, but in the end, I loved making my dear friend's brithday a memorable one. Betsy and I cooked and cooked and then experimented with some more cooking (which FAILED horribly!) Some of our cooking tools We let Chris decorate his own cake... and eat some of the frosting... and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be an awesome mom for 8 year old boys. And now some photos from the rest of the party...

I guess it's time for a little "heart" update. The truth is, there isn't much to tell. I feel my desire to get married getting stronger and yet more controlled as I get older. I know, I'm not that old yet. I'm 27. But as my mom so graciously pointed out to me recently, that was the age she was when she got married. Thanks mom. It's interesting being a single woman here in Korea. It seems like most younger girls have boyfriends, and the older girls are desperate for one. Unlike the states where there is a valid "singles" culture, there is none here. It is really awkward if you don't have a significant other. People will often ask you why. People will speculate about what's wrong with you. And then they will offer to set you up on a blind date. Going on blind dates, so-ghe-ting as they call it, is one of the most popular ways to meet potential boyfriends. There is a cultural expectation here that women get married by the time they are 30 (

Sorry for the lack of posting. I am in the heart of intensives which is like the being in a deep dark pit of screaming children and crazy curriculums. Mondays and Fridays I end up at work for about 12 hours and Tuesday to Thursdays round out to a "normal" 8 or 9 hours each. Basically, Im pretty exhausted most of the time. But in the madness of the time, I get to realize some things about myself. One of the best realizations has been in the relm of theological nerdiness. I don't want to go into details, but I have come to the conclusion that I might have some personal issues with Luther. Yes, the issues may have begun in dry academic theology, but I being too much of a girl have to go and take it personally. The feelings are similar to those I might feel toward a girl in my social group who slighted me. Only, this is a guy from hundreds of years ago, and the slighting was all theology. Luther went to great places theological places, and he led the way in some wonderful the