I am three days away from my eighth month anniversary and the end of the school year is getting closer. I am in the midst of an interesting paradox between becoming settled and simply wanting to move on to the next thing that comes along.
School went well this past month. Tests are next week and I see the light bulbs illuminating the classroom more thann not. I must admit I have finally sided with my father. School is not for everyone. The two of us always had this running debate when he was teaching Community College. When you have a class of 65 kids and 15 do not understand French and in some cases cannot even stay awake, they do not deserve to be in school. Call me harsh, but I enjoy my second year English classes so much more, simply because I actually feel like a teacher. In my first year classes I feel like I am on a roller coaster. Costantly trying to keep the bright kids engaged and yet check the seat belts to make sure the mediocre kids are still on board, while at the same time attempting to keep order espcially from the stupid kids whose sole purpose is to make my job difficult. Ahhh, the joys of teaching. When all is said and done I like it, but recently I have been more frustrated. I did a lot of searching and have basically decided I need to have fun. I know I have written it dozens of times, but my mind wonders I guess.
As for secondary projects, I have been quite busy. I lately have been lucky to find two or three hours a day for rest. I turned this empty room on my property into a tutoring type center. I am helping get a English radio program off the ground. I am also providing financial backing for a world map mural at my school. AND typing up a grant as week speak for a English Teacher training seminar, which came from an amazing all English faculty meeting I held last Wednesday.
So, I guess the short answer is I feel professionally fulfilled right now, which is unfortunately semi-unique amungst other PC volunteers. Personally, village life is still lonely, but I feel like I am able to be myself more. I am starting to joke around with collegues and friends. I get more dinner invitations and someone keeps leaving random mangoes on my poarch. Life is good, but I am starting to have the summer itch. I want to travel. I want to work the next training stage - be kindof an RA again for a few weeks.
Okay, I guess that is all for now. Sadly I feel a little selfish being here and almost wanting to world I left to stand still and wait. I know that will never or can never happend. But, please know those home and far away are always in my thoughts and I hope when you hear a bad joke, watch a TV show, or even just walk around something reminds you of me. Because, that has been happening to me with you of crazy frequnzcy lately.
Love and miss you all, I should be around email again in two weeks.
Annie