Dear Loved Ones,
I love to read all the comments that are coming in. It makes me feel more connected to everyone. I'm sorry about not getting pictures posted of my apartment. My camera has been at school for the last week and before that I had misplaced my camera plug in advice to my computer, but I found that. I did take some pictures, but they really didn't do the apartment justice. It's the size of the place that is so amazing!
I have to be at school by 7:30 AM. I walk every day with Mike which takes about 40 minutes. I'm really getting my exercise in. The younger guys always take a taxi together. School starts at 8:00, but if any kids come early I have to be in charge of them, so there is not much planning time in the morning. Everyone in the school gets a snack brought from home and a playtime for 15 minutes, but my kids stretch that out because they are so slow. Then lunch and playtime is only 30 minutes and we have to eat in the room with our kids and supervise them on the playground. I am so lucky to have Dinara because I can run to the bathroom during this time and then usually go back to the room and quickly set up for the next activity.
There is no recess in the afternoon, but we do have specialist time. I end up having four planning periods of 45 minutes each week. The kids leave at 2:30 and the staff have to stay until 4:00.
You will not believe it! So far I have never gone to the school on a weekend and have never stayed at school past 5:00. My goal is to leave at 4:00 and today I walked right out of there at 4:00. It sure felt good! I always walk home by myself because I like to stop and explore all these different little shops.
My little class is so well behaved. I haven't met two of my 3 year old's yet. They have never been to school before. My only 3 year old was a terror the first day. He kept running out of the classroom and wasn't able to follow any instructions - of course he doesn't know any English either. However, Art commented today on how much change he has seen in him over the last
few days because of my expectations for him. I can't wait to see what he will be like at the end of the school year. He has the biggest sparkle in his eyes. Most of the four year olds were here last year and they sure were whipped into shape. They all know how to line up, put their work in their home folder and other work in their school folder, tidy up after themselves, and sit criss-cross applesauce on the rug. I am going to have to work really hard to keep up all those expectations. Dinara just told me today that I was way too nice to them!
I am discovering so many little stores and bazaars as I walk around. Today I bought a XL blouse and when I got home I could barely squeeze into it.
That reminds me - I finally ended up getting a round swimming tube to hang out in the sea. I had looked everywhere for them and could only find the round ones. I was so proud of my bright orange tube and carried it into the sea. I couldn't even get my butt to go through the hole in the center. I guess it was made for a child, but I thought I could fit in it. I felt rather foolish out there trying to balance on top of that thing. I finally just layed on it stomach first and splashed around like a little kid. I hauled it back to my apartment, but I should give it to some kids in the water next time.
I have been shopping for a keychain, skirt hangers, small kitchen towels, waste baskets, and kitchen dish drainer and I haven't found those items yet. Oh, I was going to buy some ice cube trays and was told that I would never find them. Nick gave me one of his, but I know what I am going to fill my suitcase full of when I come back - icecube trays! Maybe I could make my fortune selling them.
These kids or maybe it is the heat that is wearing me out. I love going to bed early. Love, me