I am so sorry for not updating sooner! I had a busy first week of
teaching, internet problems this week, and taught today (Saturday!)
It's a make up day for next week, when I have Thursday and Friday
off...goodbye Taiwan, hello Hong Kong. I am looking forward to
shopping, eating, and sightseeing! But for now I continue the
amazing adventure that is Taiwan. For now, I'll try and explain many
of the things that take up my time...
TEACHING. Which is probably the best part of my day. I love
working with my little preschoolers, and life in the Starfish class
is pretty good- no chronic criers or major behaviour problems.
However, I do have a boy who is very scared of butterflies...mostly
because the first time he went in our (fancy) on-campus butterfly
garden, he got scared and fell in the water!!! Fortunately we only
visit once a week...so our terror is always short-lived.
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| My students visiting the Art Museum play area |
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We are drawing pictures with chalk and using paint to color...pretty cool!
American museums, why aren't you this awesome? |
This week my first graders have been testing me, it seems, and I
have failed many times. Between trying to explain what an attic is
(especially difficult since they aren't really a thing here) and a
mitt (it's a glove...you use to catch a baseball...) I sometimes feel
hopeless. But today they took their first quiz and WOW! Mississippi
take note... I achieved my goals for all year last year... 80%
mastery by 80% of the students. Is it because I'm a fantastic,
transformational teacher? NO. It's because students here are
encouraged to succeed academically...and have parents who will work
with them, even if they don't speak the language, to make it happen.
Fifth grade is the closest to my experience last year. Sometimes
it's amazing. Sometimes it's just “so much struggle, so little
bus.” I don't have another teacher with me for my two 5
th
grade classes- so when they just start rambling in Chinese or don't
know a word I'm on my own. My teaching style is often a mix of
charades, Catchphrase, and actual education philosophy. But I love
my 5
th graders, especially when they have the chance to be
kids...running in circles and playing with stuffed animals.
I also subbed for a 2
nd grade class this week, which
was great- I saw another teaching style and met some amazing
students. Plus, my presence may have helped with their new
vocabulary word- “twin!” It was fate.
Friday night is...
BIBLE STUDY. I am soooo cool. It's a meeting
with many of the teachers at my school, conducted in “chinglish”
which is challenging but interesting. I have learned so much from
the amazing women I work with. It's also a great opportunity to
socialize, eat yummy food, and relax after a long week of work. This
week we had a big dinner (usually we just have snacks) and it was
DELICIOUS! I am so spoiled to have such wonderful coworkers. I
always find I rely a lot on my faith when in a new environment or
facing challenges...and teaching abroad fits both these descriptions.
I am thankful to have so many friends with me as I grow in my faith.
Surely I am blessed to be in such an amazing place and with such
wonderful people.
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| I eat yummy food! Aren't you surprised my bowls are pink? |
Other than that my life is pretty boring. I go to the
GYM to get
laughed at while attempting yoga, and have found a great Pilates
class with a very welcoming group! I even go to pop dance
class...it's an experience. But it also gives me a chance to get out
of the house and explore. Sometimes I find wonderful things...
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| 10 minute walk from Starbucks! But no pumpkin flavored drinks:( |
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| My true inspiration for my thesis...Kinder Buenos. Now available at your local 7-11 |
And sometimes I am exhausted and it's raining and I wish I could
apparate. But all in all, I am glad for a reason to push myself and
also to get some exercise after eating so much delicious food.
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| Fancy buildings near my flat. |
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| Terrifying intersection...but worth it for Starbucks! |
That's it for now!! Next week (probably Monday night) I'll post
pictures of my weekend in Hong Kong and maybe some examples of our
“Mississippi Moonpies” we'll be making for the Moon Festival in
preschool. Until then, I can only wish on all of you the same
happiness and peace I currently feel. For the first time in a long
time, I actually feel truly at peace and happy. And that is a
beautiful thing.
Love always,
Lauren
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We're going on a field trip here in less than a month!
Also a good representation of my current mood. |
