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!