On Teaching, the Gym, and Bible Study...Life in Taichung

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.

My students visiting the Art Museum play area

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.

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...

10 minute walk from Starbucks!  But no pumpkin flavored drinks:(

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.

Fancy buildings near my flat. 

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

We're going on a field trip here in less than a month!
Also a good representation of my current mood.