Stay in touch with Annie
School Begins
Published on October 2, 2004 By Beninian Annie In Misc
So, after my last post I had a house and now I have a job. I started teaching model lessons this week and according to the facilitators I am a natural. I just said it was genetic. I mean my intire family is teachers. Monday I taught this mini lesson for only an hour. It was basic greeting in English, their first time taking the language. The kids were around the ages of 10 to 15 and really adorable. I spoke no French at all, and it was neat to see their faces as they spurted out Good morning teacher.

There is this routine we do every single day. I walk in and bang on a desk. I say Good morning class. [Good morning teacher] How are you? [I'm fine and you?] I am fine thank you please sit. I was teaching this week with Richard. OOOOOOOhhhh...Kate Robin he went to NYU and guess who his roommate was. Edwigne from Mombassa, I have news and will write you soon about it. He and I would switch off, all in all, it was a good first week. I only lost my patience once and threw three kids out of class. Oh well, I still have not found out the trick to harnessing the energy of these rambuctious cute kids.

Alrighty; I am off. We are having a big party tonight. Lasagna is on the menu, I am way too excited.

Sorry, a few individual notes.
-- Birger I got your sisters letter with the pic and am writing back.
-- DePauw folks, when is Monon and what are our chances.
-- So, I hear the Bears beat the Packers at home. And are now choaking, need an update Grandpa.
-- Erin and Laura....how is work.

Love you all!

Comments
on Oct 03, 2004
So you're a natural! Of course, your kids are much cuter than mine were at Moraine, no doubt. I'm trying to convince Mike and Tom to go to Machu Picchu with me in January, and maybe Michele as well, or some other phantom person who crops up between now and then. I just finished playing Brahms Second last night with the Oshkosh Symphony, took an audition for the sub list of the Milwaukee Ballet today, and start rehearsing with Fox Valley tomorrow night for Brahms Fourth and two Gershwin pieces. It is WONDERFUL!
Brookie still loves it here, but it's hunting season right now, so we have temporarily been kicked out of the forest. The weather is turning fall-ish on us, but it has been absolutely gorgeous. I've even had a few dates! Nothing of substance, though; musicians I have met on gigs. Don't worry, nothing on the horizon!!
It is getting time to think about Xmas and Birthday presents. I thought that you might appreciate most things you could use in your teaching. If you could give me a wish list, I'll send it very soon, just to make sure it arrives in time. I will also start planning a trip to Benin for next summer as soon as I know the concert schedule of the Wisconsin Wind Ensemble. The manager is major contractor up here; I certainly don't want to blow him off. The concerts are only once a month, though, so I should be able to plan a two-week trip, and hopefully Tom and Mike can come as well.
I love your posts; they are the writing of someone who is very motivated and very passionate about what she is doing. What more could a parent ever want for their children!?
on Oct 04, 2004
Thanks for the good word, Annie. Good for you to blow your stack when the situation warrants: education cannot take place without classroom discipline. Meanwhile, "Good Morning, Niece."

The weather has definitely taken a turn toward autumn. The trees are beginning to turn and should be gorgeous when your grandparents get here on the 13th of October.

Je suis tres hereux pour toi!

Uncle.
on Oct 05, 2004
Hey Annie, good to hear things are going well, don't let the kids pick on you, and I'll probably end up needing advice on how to teach in a couple of years. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know what I've been up to. I'm already adjusted to college life (it took me about 3 days) but it's still hard to get used to some of the crazy Wisconsin customs. Like throwing garbage in garbage can, or even recycling it, and signs that say yield to pedestrians, its spooky, speaking of spooky, i went to a haunted house this weekend near chicago and it was very very spooky, then stayed over @ my friend derriks house in broahead nd early that day and on friday i was in arlington heights hanging out with bryan, mike, ben, etc. I couldn't put my finger on it, but i felt strangely uncomfortable like i didn't belong there, regardless it was nice to see my high school friends and to catch up with them. I've been meeting a lot of cool people at whitewater though, like my girlfriend lizzy, shes about 5'8 with blonde hair and green eyes. I asked her out a couple of weeks ago with a pink rose, her favorite color, she's very very good at spanish and wants to major in international business and is thinking about going abroad sometime to spain, she lives in deforest which is right by madison, i went home with her last weekend to meet her family and friends, and she also came down to arlington heights with me. Track has been alright i guess, but doesn't feel like something i should be doing, i've been there, done that had great memories, but i've had enough, so yesterday i quit track, speaking of quiting, i dropped my astronomy class because i didn't understand it and heard it was a really hard class, i should be fine though being that i will have 18 credits at the end of semester. My roommate Arlington and I generally get along, but we don't really hang out or talk a lot to each other, its a strange but comfortable relationship, this weekend i am going to see mike, dad, and all the grandparents, i think, i still need to call and confirm stuff, but it should be nice to see everyone for the first time since i've been away
well ill talk to you later - Tom

on Oct 05, 2004
Dad, Tom and everyone else! Sorry quick post, I will reposnd more later. If you are all going to be in one place, why don't you call me then. I would love to hear from each of you. And, you are such a romantic Tom, I'm proud, I guess I need to find a boy toy now!

Uncle! I am sooo excited I actually understood what you wrote in French. How is your time off, although I am sure you are probably just as busy when you are teaching.
on Oct 09, 2004
ANnie, lasagne sounds so good right now. i guess ill just go buy some at a restaurant or something.

I love you and everyone else. give them my best. and i will write soon, i promise.

Love Nick G