Thursday, December 26, 2013

Wick's 2013 Highlights

2013 consisted of some huge ups as well as something not so fun in February. Check out past highlights at the following links: 201020112012.

January - We add Josiah to the Wickersham clan on the 20th. That makes three Chinese kids with a 9.5-year gap between the youngest and oldest. God is awesome.

February - I tear my ACL in my right knee while playing soccer with middle school students. This is tear #2 (Tear #1 occurred in my left knee while coaching high school students in 1997).

March - I set up Instagram and Twitter accounts all on my own accord. I'm just a few years late.

April - I complete my third and final Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) class and have only three summer classes to take at Columbia International University (CIU).

May - The Wickershams move to an apartment complex closer to TIS. I'm extremely happy about our new home in the peaceful setting.

June - Megan and the kiddos visit me at CIU for the first time. I'm pleasantly surprised at how much Megan enjoyed small town southern life.

July - I complete an M.Ed. in Educational Administration at CIU. I never thought I would earn a master's degree, especially one in education.

August - The Wickershams participate in the Color Run 5K in Beijing. My knee was a little achy, but I finished the race.

September - I increase my coaching responsibilities and coach 30 lady eaglet soccer players, two of which are Rose and Grace. I'm so thankful that my daughters actually want me to coach them.

October - I attend a standards-based assessment summit at the American International School of Guangzhou, China and earn a graduate credit through the State University of New York.

November - A surprise bacon sundae birthday party is thrown by Megan for my 40th. It appears we have a tradition, but I'm not sure how Megan will be able to surprise me if I reach the big 41.

December - I get the privilege to speak at my secretary's wedding and get a little choked up in the process. His permanent covenant-keeping love for us is overwhelming.


Wick's 2012 Highlights

There is no typo in the title. The past day I reflected on the past two years. You can check out past Wickersham highlights here: 2010 & 2011.

January - The TIS community moves into a brand new school building that contains 75 classrooms, our first gym, tennis courts, and much, much more. We definitely don't deserve this.

February - Carol, Megan's mother, is diagnosed with cancer and is given this special opportunity to witness to others the truth and glory of Him.

March - Megan flies to Indiana and surprises her mom. I play Mr. Mom for 1.5 weeks.

April - I take the girls on a special daddy's date to a newly opened Burger King in a western-style mall. It just tastes better.

May - After more than a two-year break, I'm thrilled to see Megan blogging again at http://meganwickersham.wordpress.com/. I like Megan's writing style and envy her creative flair.

June - I complete my first grad class through Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU). Taking classes through IWU enabled me to complete an M.Ed. in three years.

July - We see our first picture of Josiah Lee Fuzi Wickersham on Megan's 39th birthday. I can't believe I'm going to have a boy.

August - In addition to my duties as a middle school principal and PE department supervisor, I add Good Book Head of Department to my plate.

September - Megan and I attend an admin retreat in Xiamen (southeast China). The warmer temperatures appeal to my inner islander.

October - I plan to attend education conferences next month in Malaysia and Thailand. One is a secular leadership conference and the other conference is for Christian educators.

November - Megan throws a surprise bacon sundae birthday party for me. Everything tastes better with bacon.

December - I start a research class through IWU that results in a 60-page action research report. That was a little work.




Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Lay's Fun Wasabi Shrimp Flavor Chips & Spicy Green Peppercorn Fish Flavor Chips Are Da' Bomb Diggity!

Although I'm fine w/ being a meat-and-potatoes guy, the TCK in me also doesn't mind a little adventure in my dining experiences. Yesterday I picked up a flavor of Lay's chips that makes sense to my Hoosier and Japanese makeup - fun wasabi shrimp flavor. I like how this flavor is described as fun. A few months ago I picked up a bag of Lay's spicy green peppercorn fish flavor chips. These chips weren't described as fun, but I found them to be just as fun as the Lay's fun wasabi shrimp flavor chips. Perhaps they are even more fun. They have a dead fish floating on the cover of the bag, and I think that definitely puts them in the fun category. Although shrimp and corn fish flavor chips may not sound appealing to you, I have bought both flavors multiple times. The bags state the date of minimum durability is nine months, but this isn't a concern for me since they get eaten up within minutes after I purchase them. You betcha I can't eat just one.