June Featured Person: Victoria Verano De Leon
I met Vicky in our church branch in Al Ain, UAE. With our small branch group, it was easy to build a meaningful connection – with Vicky, and with others who became like family in a place far from home.…
Jaz Beyond Teaching
Simplicity in Learning, Living, and Exploring
Jaz Beyond Teaching
Simplicity in Learning, Living, and Exploring
Expat Life & Travels
Journey with me as I navigate life as an expat, from cultural discoveries to the ups and downs of living abroad. This section covers personal travel stories, the unique experiences of adapting to new countries, and insights into global living and the unexpected adventures along the way.
My Sickness Saga: Final Notes
This is it. Ten episodes in, and my Sick Leave Saga is wrapping up. Starting tomorrow, I’m back to normal working hours – full shifts, full chaos, and (hopefully) full energy. To be honest, this last week felt like a…
My Sick Leave Saga: Almost There
3 → 4 → 6 hours and counting This week I’m moving into the next and final phase of my work transition: working 6 hours a day, from 8:00 – 14:00. No breaks. Just straight hours of Kindergarten energy. Good…
My Sick Leave Saga: Transition Mode
This week was a blur of transitions, reunions, ceramic elephants, missed trains, and philosophical chats about life goals – in short, a classic “me” week. So yes – I’ve officially started the Wiedereingliederung (return-to-work) program. I’m back in the Kita…
My Sick Leave Saga: Easing Back, Breathing Deep
It’s been a couple of weeks since my last personal update – last Sunday, I featured an inspiring story of Ymonette (which I hope you read!), and now it’s time to return to my own little world of healing, learning,…
My Sick Leave Saga: The Tired Kind of Progress
This week felt short, long, and a bit sideways – you know, one of those weeks where you get things done, but still feel like you’re behind? That kind. I had three physio sessions this week – Monday, Wednesday, and…
My Sick Leave Saga: Still Showing Up
Today is Mother’s Day – and for once, Linus remembered the tradition. Here in Germany, it’s common for kids to surprise their moms with breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day morning. The past few years, he’s somehow always forgotten (classic…
My Sick Leave Saga: Still Healing
The past two weeks have been a blur – medically, mentally, and occasionally, very strangely. It started with blood work on Tuesday (April 22). Now, let me tell you – this is never a simple thing for me. I’m that…
April Featured Person: Gill Concha
I first met Gill Concha over two decades ago, back in 2002, when we were both teachers at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Manila for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I remember him as someone who…
My Sick Leave Saga: Still in Between
This week started off with a lot of hope and preparation. I had an important government appointment early in the week, and while everything went relatively okay, something about the whole experience completely threw me off. I left feeling drained,…