changes, changes

apparently, i update this blog about once every 4 months. a lot happens in a third of a year, so i apologize.

let's see, where did we leave off in the riveting story of the frankes? at last post, we'd just been out to an all night karaoke affair, a goodbye party for friends, and grant was waiting to hear back from a job he'd interviewed for (who had been holding him on the hook for 2 months).

since then, a short recap:

1) that job told grant no. jerks.

2) kristin went to a youth ministry conference in chicago

3) kristin agreed to stay at union church for at least one more year, and so did her intern-turned-coworker.

4) grant went to a teaching conference in kota kinabalu.

5) we played in the boracay beach tournament -- always a delight.

6) grant spoke to a student's parent about a job at their church

7) we went on a mission trip to the philippines with the union church kids

8) grant got the job at this other church as a junior high youth pastor

9) grant finished his last school year at ics.

10) we played the shanghai tournament.

11) we found a new flat. http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/property/apartments-for-rent/654904.asp

12) we're ready for summer!!

until next time... hopefully we've told you most of this anyway, and i apologize for our delinquency in blogging.

for future reference, grant slightly-more-regularly blogs at: grantfranke.wordpress.com

and i blog once in awhile on borderline philosophical and theological matters at: kristinfranke.blogspot.com

our big weekend

On Friday night, after a big youth group night and the first night of Grant's teacher conference, we met up with some friends for karaoke. In Hong Kong, karaoke doesn't involve singing in front a whole bar of random people (and listening to all of those people sing poorly), but getting a private room with you friends to sing your hearts out to Total Eclipse of the Heart, Taylor Swift, Backstreet Boys, or (in Aaron's case) gangster rap. We were out with a group of people from our church small group, Kyle the youth intern, and a couple frisbee people. Karaoke breaks down barriers and everyone gets along drinking whisky and green tea (actually quite a good drink) and eating random snacks while singing as loudly as possible. We were there til 4 AM! Grant had to get up at 7:45 AM to get to his teacher conference. I'm not sure how he pulled that one off, except a whole lot of coffee!

I, meanwhile, slept in until 2 PM, ate lunch and had two friends come over to play xbox. To be more clear, the two boys wanted to play xbox, and I read a book while they shot Nazi zombies.

Grant got home; we went out for Indian food; and then we went to a farewell party for our two

favorite Brits - Michele and Stu (and part-Swiss, I must add). Stu and Michele have been in Hong Kong for almost the exact same length of time as us. We met them through frisbee, have celebrated Christmas Eve with them almost every year, and introduced them to their first American Thanksgiving. It appears that London will be on our upcoming travel itineraries!

For those still following along

Every now and then, I get on our blog and realize that neither of us have posted in 2 months. Oops. I apologize to our plethora of loyal readers who wait eagerly for our inconsistent updates. Since we last posted, a lot has happened. Or something.

1) Christmas - we spent 14 hours in the air on Christmas Day to get back to Elkhart in time for Christmas dinner with the Huang clan. Amazing to see everyone. Seriously amazing. Then we spent New Year's in Rockford before getting on a plane on January 1 to get back to Hong Kong in time for work. Short trip, but absolutely worth every minute on the airplane.

2) Chinese New Year - we went to Sihanoukville, Cambodia to veg on a beach. It's not the most well-known beach, but I think it's one of those well-kept secrets. Super hippy, relaxed, and dirt-cheap. Lots of 50-cent draft beers for us, and hours spent baking in the sun. (I know, I know, skin cancer and all that).

3) Girls' night out - Our last day of CNY holidays, Grant let me leave him for almost 24 hours to spend a day with Donna and Michele before Michele leaves us for London. 4 hours at the spa, champagne at the peak, and dancing til unknown hours. We love you Michele!

4) Other stuff... We're still working on figuring out next year. Grant's applied at a bunch of Hong Kong schools, but it's a waiting game until they get back to him. I'm working on figuring out what I want to be doing next year as well.

5) More other stuff... My youth kids are amazing, and I love seeing them grow in their faith and understanding of God. I also love how random junior high students are. They fluctuate so quickly between childish and profound, and it's hysterical and joyous. For instance... we have a 13-year-old boy whose favorite jokes (only to the other boys) all include some variation on the world "wiener." This same boy got up the other night and gave a testimony about how important it was for us to remember that helping the poor and needy shouldn't be a once-a-year event, but something we do everyday. And he was PASSIONATE about that point. It's amazing how God is at work in the lives of these students even in their ridiculous-ness.

That's a good summary of the past 2 months :)