Moving Along

August 25, 2010
9:34 PM
Luodong Apartment

Things feel like they're moving along pretty quickly right now. Yesterday I passed my written test. I can now legally own and drive a 50 cc scooter in Taiwan. I have to say, the DMV felt and looked almost exactly the same as the DMVs back home. The only difference being that it wasn't as crowded as the DMV in Pasadena or quite as dirty.



Yesterday and today we went to the English Village at 新生国小 (Xin Sheng Elementary). We were introduced to it yesterday, and today we had our first groups of kids there as we manned the stations. It was exhausting enough with two of us manning each station. I can only imagine how intense it will be when we're leading the stations on our own with about 12 kids (compared to the six or so we each had today, being guided by two of us).

I'm really glad to know my schedule now. I'll be speaking at morning assembly with the students on Mondays and Fridays. Tuesday mornings I will be speaking to the faculty assembling, covering newspaper English. Mondays I'll also be doing story time with grades 1 and 2, either 2 or 4 hours depending on the week. Tuesdays I will be co-teaching five 5th grade glasses. Wednesday I will be co-teaching four 4th grade classes. Thursdays I will spend 4 hours at English Village (and then have cultural exchange in the afternoon). Fridays after my meeting with the students, I have one class period co-teaching a 4th grade class.

I feel better right now, knowing that I have a schedule and it's set. I'm still waiting to hear on which days I will have class at Fo Guang University--I'll be taking class there twice a week, 2 hours a day. All I can hope is that I don't have it on Tuesdays.

At 9 AM tomorrow I'm moving to Yilan. I'm going to really miss Luodong--I've become attached to this place in the month I've been here. But, it's only a couple of train stops away--I'm sure I'll be back frequently. I'm not expecting the process to take long. My co-teacher is driving me to Yilan with my suitcases. Friday I'll be meeting the rest of the teachers at 中山国小 (Zhong Shan Elementary). Monday...school starts. It's a little intimidating, but I'm ready--I hope.

I'm missing Mike and my family. Part of me wishes I was home now, but I know this year is going to be a great experience and I can hope I'm the better for it.