Depends on the day

Today was a good day.  It is crazy how one class can completely define your opinion of how the day went.  

It has been a crazy two weeks since arriving home from training.  And I don't think any amount of training could prepare me for actually being in the classroom.  I think I am getting better each day, but it is not easy.  There have been more than a few days in the past 2 weeks where I really questioned our decision to come to Taiwan.  I thought a lot about the job I left back in Atlanta (why did I leave that job??).  I thought a lot about the people we left back in The States.  There were a few drives home where I really wanted to cry (ok, maybe there was a tear one of those days.  But only a really really small one!).  So there have been some very low points for me in these past two weeks.  But as we know, if there is a low point in a range of emotions there has to be a high point too.  I had some very very good days in these past two weeks.  More low points than high points, but the good days keep me hopeful.  I have to say, when I get to witness a group of 1st graders fully comprehend my teaching then be able to actually produce the language on their own - its pretty awesome.  I was able to share my experience & knowledge with someone else, and they were able to receive it!  Sweet!  

I have had to spend A LOT of time preparing for my lessons.  My first week of teaching I was scheduled for 29 hours of classes.  The classes are back-to-back-to-back so I've had to take all the books and materials home with me everyday to prepare for the next days lessons.  Frown.  Good thing I bought a backpack in Taipei!  That week I put in more like 60 hours of work.  It was stressful.  I have been told by every other teacher that it does get easier to lesson plan.  I shouldn't need to spend that much time getting ready after a month (or a few months) on the job.  I really really really look forward to the day that is true!  

Luckily my second week of teaching has been much lighter.  We have 'summer camp' for two weeks so some of the classes combine and some just break for a few weeks.  'Summer Camp' is misleading though.  It is nothing like the summer camp I remember from growing up.  This is still just English classes with different themes.  I would not have enjoyed this kind of summer camp when I was a kid...  But good for me to get an easier schedule for two weeks and learn how this teaching thing works.  

On another note - we got some wheels!  

  

There she is.  The Duke 125.  We bought her the Sunday before our first week of work.  What a game changer!  We thought we wanted to buy one of the slightly larger models, one with more of a second seat so travelling on the weekends could be more comfortable.  We were able to look at some and test drive one, but in the end we decided to just buy a cheaper one now and keep our eyes open for one of the larger models.  This one was really an impulsive decision actually.  After test driving a few and deciding to wait to buy, we went home.  After about an hour of being at home and realizing we really really really needed a scooter now, I called up an expat we met a few weeks ago who had a scooter for sale.  He was willing to drive it over at that moment so I told him I would buy it.  Purchased over the phone and delivered to my door - that works for me!  It is an older model and has been rebuilt probably a million times (I think most scooters have over here) but it came with a 1 year warranty from him and his mechanic and only cost $500 US.  Why were we waiting to buy???  It has served us well thus far.  And we can keep our eyes open for the larger touring model and grab one of those when the right opportunity presents itself.  I am sooooooo glad we bought this one when we did.  I don't HAVE to run to/from work anymore (but still will on occasion), we can easily get to church, different markets, new places to run and explore, etc.  Oh yeah, it is advisable to wear eye protection and a medical mask when riding.  The exhaust fumes on the road are horrible.  Don't I look like the invisible man?  

Learning how to ride on these roads has been fun though.  It was very intimidating at first, but after one day I got the hang of it.  It's crazy how it all works, cars and scooters just kind of flow to where there is space.  It is a very offensive / defensive style of driving.  Rarely do you see anyone driving really recklessly, but you need to always anticipate everybody will be swerving or veering across lines.  But it just works.  And there is a crazy left-turn rule for scooters only.  At major intersections a scooter has to turn right and wait in this painted box in the road, then go through the intersection once it turns green again.  So kind of a right-hand-turn to a u-turn to a straight-through the intersection maneuver instead of just a simple left-turn.  I don't get it, but I do it.  Here is a video of a typical scooter ride in the city:   http://youtu.be/bgf-_xKA5Bc?t=24s

Some of you knew I had given up sweets for an extended period of time back in The States.  I am here to report that is no longer.  I have been thoroughly enjoying all the new and wonderful treats, candies, bubble teas, and any other sugary deliciousness Taiwan has to offer.  Here is one I saw today that I will need to try soon.  Please note the text at the bottom of the package...doesn't that sound lovely?  ;-) 

One other thing I want to mention is that I think Rachel is very good at her job.  She works at a different school than me, but in our daily discussions of work I can hear how natural teaching children is for her.  I have been picking her brain on how to do things in the classroom (like incorporate learning in to games, for example) and she is full of great ideas that really help me out.  I ask where she gets these ideas and she usually says 'I just made it up during class'.  I think she is already a great teacher!