First Full Week

...And nothing much new to report. I feel like I should keep you posted on what's going on with me, but it's not like I've constantly been doing new, fun, cultural things. Mostly, I've been living in my classroom, still trying to find my rhythm and get everything done -- and it would be great if I could do that without burning out. But you know me: task oriented. Let me tell you, sleep shortages, caffeine on an empty stomach, and my already corny sense of humor have made for some interesting class periods.

Actually, my classes are going really well...it's the work outside of them that's got me going and going more than the Energizer Bunny. I'll figure it out; it's just hard when it's all from scratch. I mean, I've got some great resources, but I definitely believe in making everything I get into my own because that's the only way I get to be myself when I teach...and one thing I learned during student teaching is this is the only way I can teach. My kids are great; each class definitely has its own personality and I like that. Makes it feel like I get to teach things not exactly the same all day. Yesterday, I had a couple shorter guys carry a larger guy, who was pretending to be in severe pain, into the classroom as if he'd broken his ankle...because they were already tardy. I started laughing at them from the moment I saw them, and when the "injured" kid said, "I don't think I can take the vocab. quiz," I told him that I bet a tardy would cure him. High school kids will surprise you, and that's one of my favorite parts of teaching them.

Last weekend, I stuck around to get some things done instead of heading to the beach with some other people. My new friend Lissa and I decided to explore Chinatown, but it turned into more of a traveling adventure. We got off at the wrong place on the sky train and got on another going the wrong way. We got directions, figured out the subway, got a little lost trying to walk to a location Lissa'd suggested, and finally ended up on a tuk-tuk to get to a market that didn't look any more Chinese to me than the rest of Bangkok. I ate some cart food I never identified and basically enjoyed just being out. It really was the journey, though, that made the trip worthwhile.

Soccer is going really well. I worried at first that I wouldn't have time to do it all, but I've found that it's my stress relief. I can run around with a lot of the girls I teach and get to know them in a completely different setting, working with them on something that I really love and have a lot of experience in. It was really exciting earlier this week when I introduced the game, "World Cup," and watched their aggressiveness and motivation finally come out.

Please keep praying for me. I'm dealing with some issues at school regarding curriculum that I didn't expect, and it looks like there's a bit of a battle coming. I won't go into it much more, but I am pretty upset and disappointed about the way this is going. Other than that, though, teaching has been going well, I think. My boyfriend Adam is also leaving for basic training in the Air Force this coming Tuesday, so be praying for him too...and us. I have to go 8-9 weeks without talking to him at all, and it's really depressing to think about.

Thanks, all!

Moment of Impact

My first two days of teaching are under my belt, and I must say, they went well. Sure, there were some things I wish I'd done differently, but all in all, I met my goals...and that's saying something.

It was hard, though, especially at the start of this week. With all the meetings, exhaustion, and whatnot, there were a lot of doubts and questions racing through my mind. I started praying that I would get through, be able to start strong. Kind of lost the focus of the whole teaching thing. So, there I was the day before parent-teacher conferences, madly scrambling, and there's a knock on my door. No idea who I expected it to be, but in walks one of my students from last year, who's now graduated and is on his way to college in California. We talked for a bit about his plans and my being back; I tried to encourage him because he's a very hard worker and really smart.

And that's the moment when it hit me: I CAN do this...because I've already done it. Standing there in front of me was a kid that I had the chance to influence, someone that another teacher had told me responded better to my teaching style than theirs, and it had mattered. It reminded me that for a string of moments I had impacted him, and now in return, he was impacting me by coming back. I've run into 3 other former students who graduated last year, and it's been even more a blessing than I could've imagined. They've expressed excitement that I'm back at ICS and shared their accomplishments with me. It's like God knew I needed that to push me through these packed first couple of days.

So, yes, I'm wiped out. Yes, I have a lot of work to do. Yes, I still wonder sometimes about the whole teaching avenue. But there's nothing quite like that sense you get when you know you've helped another person, made a difference. And when it comes down to it, I think that's the reason most people teach.

Here we go...

School officially starts Thursday...kind of a scary thought. But I've accomplished a lot over the last week. I've gotten organized, decorated my classroom, gathered my books, asked a zillion questions, made plans, played with the computer system, outwitted the printer and copier, and did cultural activities as well. How is it that I can be more ready than ever and still feel like I'm not?

Cultural orientation is finished. We went to the floating market at Amphawa on Friday, and that was fun. I watched a woman help me make a fish out of palm leaves, and we all joined in the process of making sticky rice with bananas. We also ate pad thai down by the river, which was an interesting experience to say the least. I really liked getting somewhat out of Bangkok; I like rural Thailand a little better, probably from my time in Cambodia. Spent a lot of time in the classroom this weekend, and then I got some help shopping for things for my apartment from my new friends Jes and Lissa. Spending money, especially overseas, is a struggle for me, but I really do like that my apartment is looking a tad more like a home instead of vacant space.

Today, whole staff orientation started, so we all had to introduce ourselves, and it was good to see old friends again. I also got to talk some with the girls' soccer coach, which was nice. Then, I got a lot of help from Jonathan, Robin, and Win as I continued to set up camp.

But this week was hard for me in other ways. I learned that a good friend of mine went home to be with Jesus after a year's battle with breast cancer. At first, it was shocking, but then, not so much. I watched the flood of encouragement pour in for her family, and all anyone could talk about was her passion, her love for Jesus, and how she was an inspiration. It's the kind of thing that really makes you examine your own life. She will be missed, but I know she's a lot happier now than she could ever be here.

Keep praying, guys. Here we go...