Ten Days In

Hard to believe I've been here for almost two weeks! The new girls from MN, Shauna and Christine, arrived last night, and I've already felt like a pro giving them advice and showing them around. I never imagined I'd feel this well-adjusted so quickly into the experience. I feel as though I've been here so much longer...although the time has also seemed to by very quickly. I already have a daily routine, favorite places to eat, and a punch card at one of the local coffee shops!

I've been so busy that I haven't had much time to think about being homesick...which is a good thing for me. I'm still trying to nail down the time difference factor between here and home (14 hours)...that definitely makes it more difficult to Skype. I still have my computer set to MN time, though, and that's been a nice reminder of home...kind of still makes me feel a part of things back there.

All last week I observed the other teachers at the school...that got a bit boring by the third day, as I was already getting so anxious to start teaching! On Friday, I finally got to teach my own 10 kindergarteners, from 10:00 am-2:30 pm. It was SO hectic- I never had time to just stop and collect my thoughts! They are so adorable, I can hardly stand it. I am known to them as "Britney Teacher" (the older students usually just say "Teacher"). I can't wait to take pictures of them this week and show them off to everyone!

The funniest thing is that they all choose English-sounding names once they begin at the school...so you have a classroom full of Asian children answering to the names of "Tony," "Kelly," and "Louie." There are also many Alices, Aileens, and even a Eugene! I can't imagine what source their parents are getting these names from, because I definitely wouldn't say that Debby and Dorothy are the most popular English names nowadays!

Tomorrow starts my first full week of kindergarten teaching- wish me luck (and patience)! I'll be observing elementary classes until September 1st, when the new semester begins. Can't wait to be fully immersed in the teaching experience!!