13 days and counting in Thailand! And wow it feels like I've been here so much longer because of how much I've experienced. It's so amazing being totally immersed in a place that is different in pretty much every way from anyplace I've ever been. It's definitely a huge change but so far I've really enjoyed it. Some highlights since my last post:
Last Saturday (5/26) me and some friends went and explored around where there are some beautiful temples. After seeing a couple, we ended up getting lost and somehow ending up in Chinatown, but it was really cool and the temples were beautiful. I FINALLY took some pictures!
On Sunday, I went to The Evangelical Church of Bangkok. I went alone, got lost and had to take a taxi a short distance and was rather late, but I'm glad I went. The people I met there were very nice. Planning on visiting another one soon. After church there was a really cool street art festival outside one of the many huge malls. There were artists doing live graffiti, as well as break dancers and skaters.
So my first official week of teaching mostly consisted of me sitting in the office. Monday us American teachers were introduced at the first assembly to the whole school (somewhat nerve-racking). Also that day we had to get our bank card set up and run other errands. On Tuesday I just helped administer a pre-test in class. On Wednesday and Thursday morning the 5th graders I would normally teach had graduation practice and so I did not have class on those days except for one Thursday afternoon. I am paired with a funny, kind teacher named Sukjai and he led most of the class on Thursday and I helped a bit, and it was good to just watch and learn for me. I have been grading some workbooks and tests and had to come up with a test, but other than that I have hardly seen my class! I hope soon to take all their pictures, holding up name tags so that I can start to learn their names. (And I will probably only learn their American nicknames.. Thai names are difficult.) On Fridays, I am paired up with another American teacher to help teach second grade. This past Friday, we thought we would have graduation practice and not have to teach that day, but last minute found out we actually did have to teach so Kelly (the 2nd grade teacher I am paired with) and I quickly put a lesson plan together and taught 3 classes in a row! It was a bit tiring but fun. Only one of the three classes was well behaved though, and we are still learning how to get those little firecrackers under control. They are so cute, but I think I am glad I am going to be teaching the older kids! So I was somewhat bored that week, but it was an easier transition than some of the other teachers had which I'm thankful for. I'm sure I will want all my weeks to be like that one once school gets going and I am busy working all the time! I was still pretty tired because I am not a morning person and am having to wake up at 5:30 am every day!
This past weekend I got some rest and got some things I needed for my room and for the graduation ceremony which was today (Monday). Me and Cara took motorbike taxis to the Walmart-like store (called Big C), and it was the biggest thrill I've had since being in Thailand for sure. You just sit behind the guy driving and hold on for dear life to a bar behind you, they weave in and out of cars and it was so fun!! Also, I was so happy with the food selection I found at Big C. I got cereal, cheese, peanut butter, and fresh fruits and vegetables, all things which I had been missing and would be very sad to hardly ever have for 10 months. They also had organic soup and gluten-free pasta so I am glad I won't have to go out for every meal which I had been doing till now. I also caved and got a mattress topper, which I think is worth the investment!
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| My room |
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| My room |
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| View from my balcony |
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| Our office |
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| School |
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| Mall |
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| Mall |
To see all of my pictures, go to:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151821827045574.864840.657300573&type=3&l=5e08619db6
~ E
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