2nd Month down, how many to go?!

Hi!

I just wanted to check in . . . hope all is well with everyone.

Wow! I can’t believe I’ve been here for 2 months already! I just got my uniform yesterday . . . we were fitted last week. I decided to get 3 shirts and 2 skirts. They are really well made and the shirts have the Lertlah logo on them . . . now I look like ‘part of the team’ around here.

I am finally working with students now. I am the resource/reading teacher for grade 1 to 6. I’m working with 5 students per class and they come to see me once/week (not nearly enough!). My plan is to do phonological work, conversational practice, and reading. So far, I’ve assessed all the students that I will be working with and it’s been interesting to see their abilities. I hope that the students will feel more comfortable in a small group setting and will therefore take risks when using the English language. It has been a bit of a struggle to determine what exactly they’re trying to say, especially with the younger students! The older students are fun – a bit more confident with the language and more willing to express themselves.

Every morning, the students assemble outside and say their pledges and sing the song of the king. Once a week, us foreign teachers have to go out to do an English activity for ALL the students. I did this during October camp and enjoyed it. Nicole suckered me into helping her last week and I was such a nerd. We have to speak into a microphone and it’s broadcast inside the school and out. We played “Miss Krista says . . .” (my own take on Simon Says). It was fun. Nicole said that I really worked the mic . . . . and one of her students said I was silly. I’ve been nominated to do the activity everyday now . . . not sure if that’s good or bad! But now, the students recognize me in the halls and “wai” me or give me a high five and greet me. So cute!

This past weekend, we went to Hua Hin, which is about 3 hours away. We went there for my first weekend away. It’s quite nice, though the water reminds me of a salty Lake Winnipeg. . . . not nearly as clear as other beaches we’ve visited. Kelly got stung on the face by a jelly fish, we used vinegar to ease the pain. We went to a night market and on Sunday, we hung out at the hotel pool . . . far away from jelly fish!

This upcoming weekend, Jill and I have to teach Saturday classes in the morning. Four foreign teachers a week have to teach on Saturdays. With the rotation, it works out to be about 3 times during the year. I am hoping to meet Ilda and Louis at a night market on Friday. On Saturday afternoon, we all might go to MBK, a vendor mall. This is where I bought all 9 seasons of Seinfeld – yes ALL 9, and no, I’m not obsessed – okay, yes I am. I love that show! I got all 9 for $100 cdn, but I justified it (yes Leah – just for you), that at home, I’d pay $50 per season. On Sunday, we plan to go to that humongous market – Chatachuk . . . . again. Hoping to see more than last time I went!

We have booked flights for Christmas and New Year’s . . . . so looking forward to being on the beach, since I can’t spend it with family. We also booked flights for long weekends in December and February. Needless to say, this has been an expensive few days!

Anyways, I shall stop my babbling. Stay well.