I just had to update on this week. This is probably more for my benefit than for anyone else. This has just been a good week and today was the best of all. Just lots of little things.
You see, I had allowed myself to get pretty negative about some things. It hasn't been all beaches and bikinis, there have been some rough patches. I told God last Sunday that I needed to hear from Him that night at church. He really showed up and the pastor gave a great message about how changing your negative thoughts and replacing them with God's Word can change your life and situation. I took so many notes and really got me encouraged to take action.
I had taken a free 8 day course a few years back regarding changing your thoughts. He's a Christian author that I had read before and really like called Tommy Newberry. I signed up again Sunday night and started getting the emails Monday morning. I could tell a difference already on the first day. It helped me out soooooo much.
Today's email was on being grateful for what you have. He said gratitude is focusing your attention and energy on what is working instead of what isn't. The more you appreciate, the more you notice things to appreciate. I've been doing that today and it was just a good day. I got an email from a guy who knows a friend of mine that used to work at Blue Cross. I think he does some sort of mission work here and I'll meet him tomorrow. That will give me another contact here which is great.
I was on the bus to see a student tonight and this pretty girl sat beside me and recognized me and spoke to me. I couldn't for the life of me remember who she was. Note: In Rio, when you see so many beautiful women every day, they almost run together and you can't remember which ones you saw the day before. Just unreal. Well, she could tell I didn't remember and reminded me that she had helped me before with directions and we got off the bus and talked for a while. Nothing major but just talking to a pretty and sweet girl can always brighten your day.
Finally when I got home tonight I had a card slid under my door. It was the first piece of mail I've received since I've been here because I just had a permanent address recently. It was a letter from the online campus at my church in Bham signed by everyone. It did me so much good. I had to write and encourage myself with this and share it with everyone else as well. Gratitude is something I will continue because it can change a dim outlook into a sunny day. There's so much to be grateful for, for sho. Word!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
It's Been A While
This is a pic of my new friends I made from one of the companies where I teach.
I'm sitting here waiting for my first class of the day and thought I would update a little bit. I normally have a class at 8 & 10 on Monday but the 8 canceled and the 10 is in the US for a couple of weeks. I picked up a new student that starts today from 12-1. I'll have him on Mondays and Wednesdays...more money.
The weather is actually cooler than I thought it would be. I thought they only had one season - hot but I was wrong. Some of the nights have been in the 60s but it felt good. The days are in the 70s and I love it. It makes me think of football season.
I met a friend at one of the companies where I teach and I went the past couple of Sunday mornings to hang out while she took photos. She works for a company that photographs walks & runs like last week was a breast cancer walk and yesterday was some sort of 5K and 10K run. She told me I could make some money by handing out their company flier to runners after they were finished. Maybe it will be steady thing, that would be great. It's easy money and maybe I can meet some more people.
I'm trying to plan ahead for money because the student I tutor will be leaving at the end of July and going back to Florida. That is a pretty good amount of money per month. I could probably handle one more private student plus the new student and photo company gig will more than compensate for it.
I ordered a 3 inch foam mattress pad and had it sent to my brother in Bham. He mailed to me last week and it should be here this week or next. I can't wait to sleep in comfort again. The bed is not bad but it's not what I was used to in the States.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
New Apt, Sugar Loaf Mountain & Marijuana
It's been a while since my last post. A lot has happened since then. I got moved into my new apartment in Copacabana. It's two blocks from Copacabana Beach and three blocks from the metro. It's a perfect location. It's really small, I mean really small but it's home. The rent includes a/c, wireless internet, utilities, a washer for the tenants of this guy I'm renting from and there's a terrace on the roof only for tenants of the same guy and it's beautiful up there. It has a couple of tables, a grill, a small pool and a pool table. I haven't been up there much but I need to. He said not many people go up there because most people would rather go to the beach.
I have it rented through the end of January which is what I wanted. At first he said I only had it for a couple of months, then he had a cancellation and it worked out to have it until the end of January. God worked it out perfectly. My window looks at some mountains and I can see Christ the Redeemer statue, it's really cool. I'm so thankful to have a/c. That is one of man's greatest inventions, no doubt. Now I need to buy something for the bed to make it a little more comfortable then I'll be set. I bought a microwave and a sandwich maker yesterday. It's starting to feel more like home.
Late yesterday afternoon I went to Sugar Loaf. Man, the pictures I've attached don't even come close. It's absolutely amazing...just so beautiful. You have to go up two different cable cars. You go on the first one to a smaller mountain then take another one up to Sugar Loaf. I was there when the sun went down so it was great timing.
I went to the beach yesterday afternoon and did some reading. There's all sorts of vendors going back and forth selling stuff on the beach. Some are more aggressive than others like try to sell you sunglasses and put them on your face when you tell them you aren't interested but most aren't that bad. Well, one guy came by yesterday with cigarettes. He asked me if I wanted some and I told him I didn't smoke. So he proceeds to ask me if I want some marijuana. A little shocked, I told him that I didn't need marijuana because I had Jesus. So he takes it a step farther. He asks me if I want cocaine. Now that is a first. I felt like I was in some sort of movie. I ain't in Falkville no more, for sho. Again, I told him that I had Jesus and didn't need it. Then I told him he didn't need that and he needed Jesus. He took that as his cue and gave me the thumbs up and moved it. I started laughing, it was just funny to me.
Tonight I walked down Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Arpoador beaches which are all right together. It took me about 2 1/2 hours. I did that last week too but not as long. I went to the end of Arpoador this time just to see how far it is, and it's pretty stinking far. I've attached some photos of my walk last week. There's this big rock in Arpoador that you can look down Arpoador beach and down Copacabana too. It's really awesome. A lot of people go there at sunset.
Everything else is good. I think I'm gonna check out a different church next week. I got some names of other churches from some missionaries I know that live in another area of Brazil. I figure it is worth a shot. I want to find a church that has some sort of small groups or Sunday school or something.
Sugar Loaf Pics
Copacabana is the top two and Arpoador is the bottom two pics
I have it rented through the end of January which is what I wanted. At first he said I only had it for a couple of months, then he had a cancellation and it worked out to have it until the end of January. God worked it out perfectly. My window looks at some mountains and I can see Christ the Redeemer statue, it's really cool. I'm so thankful to have a/c. That is one of man's greatest inventions, no doubt. Now I need to buy something for the bed to make it a little more comfortable then I'll be set. I bought a microwave and a sandwich maker yesterday. It's starting to feel more like home.
Late yesterday afternoon I went to Sugar Loaf. Man, the pictures I've attached don't even come close. It's absolutely amazing...just so beautiful. You have to go up two different cable cars. You go on the first one to a smaller mountain then take another one up to Sugar Loaf. I was there when the sun went down so it was great timing.
I went to the beach yesterday afternoon and did some reading. There's all sorts of vendors going back and forth selling stuff on the beach. Some are more aggressive than others like try to sell you sunglasses and put them on your face when you tell them you aren't interested but most aren't that bad. Well, one guy came by yesterday with cigarettes. He asked me if I wanted some and I told him I didn't smoke. So he proceeds to ask me if I want some marijuana. A little shocked, I told him that I didn't need marijuana because I had Jesus. So he takes it a step farther. He asks me if I want cocaine. Now that is a first. I felt like I was in some sort of movie. I ain't in Falkville no more, for sho. Again, I told him that I had Jesus and didn't need it. Then I told him he didn't need that and he needed Jesus. He took that as his cue and gave me the thumbs up and moved it. I started laughing, it was just funny to me.
Tonight I walked down Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Arpoador beaches which are all right together. It took me about 2 1/2 hours. I did that last week too but not as long. I went to the end of Arpoador this time just to see how far it is, and it's pretty stinking far. I've attached some photos of my walk last week. There's this big rock in Arpoador that you can look down Arpoador beach and down Copacabana too. It's really awesome. A lot of people go there at sunset.
Everything else is good. I think I'm gonna check out a different church next week. I got some names of other churches from some missionaries I know that live in another area of Brazil. I figure it is worth a shot. I want to find a church that has some sort of small groups or Sunday school or something.
Sugar Loaf Pics
Copacabana is the top two and Arpoador is the bottom two pics
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Scariest Day Yet
I know it sounds a little dramatic but getting my first haircut in a foreign country was a daunting task for me. I tried to wait as long as I could and even tried to convince myself "Oh, it looks good like this" but I knew deep down that it looked like a clown wig.
I looked up on Google translate and found out what to say for "Don't cut it very short" and told my barber. He made a motion around my ears and I nodded not really knowing what would happen. He then throws a Playboy magazine in my lap to read while I'm getting my hair cut. I smiled and told him that I didn't need it. He looked a little confused and finally put it back on the table. He probably doesn't get that much.
I have to give it to my Carioca friend, he did a bang up job. It actually looks good. I even gave him a tip and saw him a couple of times throughout the day because their shop is right around the corner from where I live. Every time I passed by I gave him the thumbs up, universal for "Good haircut Dude."
Well, my schedule is filled up. I have all the students I want now and it pays the bills. I picked up two more private students and have a few with a couple of schools as well. I met with one of the private students tonight. It's a married couple from Bolivia but the husband's job brought them here. They used to take lessons from a guy who went to the same school I finished with. His Mom got sick and he had to go home but he gave the couple my info. I already got another student from him. They are really nice and I talked to them for another 20 minutes after class. They said they liked it. It only took me an hour to get back home. I found the right bus that took me straight to my street. I told the guy who takes the money on the bus which street I needed in Flamengo and he told me he would let me know when to get up. That was the best bus experience by far.
Oh, I gotta tell you this story from tonight. Okay, I was walking to my students apartment. I got there early because a nice girl who spoke English helped me out. I was trying to waste time by just walking around and realized I didn't have the apartment room number. I see a hedge and I put my notebook on it with all my notes, info on all my students, and passport picture so can dig around and find the number. Well, I soon realized that the hedge was covering up a fence for an apartment. The fences for apartments completely surround them. Its not like I can just walk around the fence and grab it.
No sooner did put the notebook on the hedge that it slipped over the fence. I was in a panic. I walked around to the entrance of the apartment and the guard was sitting there with the fence open. He had seen the whole thing. Hallelujah! God helps me even when I do stupid stuff. Note to self: don't ever put anything on a hedge for safe keeping...Ever. He guard said something but it seemed to me that he was saying "Its a good thing I was here" and started laughing. I started laughing and gave him the thumbs up.
My other private student came from a referral that a guy I know from church. He had given a colleague my info and the guy contacted me last Friday and had a trial run class that afternoon. He said he liked the class so we'll continue next week. This week everyone is off Thursday and Friday. Thursday is a national holiday that happened to fall on Easter week and off for Good Friday.
Things are starting to feel more normal to me. I move in to my apartment next week and that will give me a feeling of stability, having my own place. I will miss the meals and help with laundry that I have now. I was in college for 6 years so I know how to survive with small meals.
I'm so glad I made this move. This past Sunday I was looking at the moon as the sun was setting and looking at Sugarloaf Mtn and the other mountains and thinking "I'm really here. This is so cool. I couldn't have made a better decision." I wish everyone who reads this could see what I am seeing. It's so beautiful that I want to share it with everyone.
I looked up on Google translate and found out what to say for "Don't cut it very short" and told my barber. He made a motion around my ears and I nodded not really knowing what would happen. He then throws a Playboy magazine in my lap to read while I'm getting my hair cut. I smiled and told him that I didn't need it. He looked a little confused and finally put it back on the table. He probably doesn't get that much.
I have to give it to my Carioca friend, he did a bang up job. It actually looks good. I even gave him a tip and saw him a couple of times throughout the day because their shop is right around the corner from where I live. Every time I passed by I gave him the thumbs up, universal for "Good haircut Dude."
Well, my schedule is filled up. I have all the students I want now and it pays the bills. I picked up two more private students and have a few with a couple of schools as well. I met with one of the private students tonight. It's a married couple from Bolivia but the husband's job brought them here. They used to take lessons from a guy who went to the same school I finished with. His Mom got sick and he had to go home but he gave the couple my info. I already got another student from him. They are really nice and I talked to them for another 20 minutes after class. They said they liked it. It only took me an hour to get back home. I found the right bus that took me straight to my street. I told the guy who takes the money on the bus which street I needed in Flamengo and he told me he would let me know when to get up. That was the best bus experience by far.
Oh, I gotta tell you this story from tonight. Okay, I was walking to my students apartment. I got there early because a nice girl who spoke English helped me out. I was trying to waste time by just walking around and realized I didn't have the apartment room number. I see a hedge and I put my notebook on it with all my notes, info on all my students, and passport picture so can dig around and find the number. Well, I soon realized that the hedge was covering up a fence for an apartment. The fences for apartments completely surround them. Its not like I can just walk around the fence and grab it.
No sooner did put the notebook on the hedge that it slipped over the fence. I was in a panic. I walked around to the entrance of the apartment and the guard was sitting there with the fence open. He had seen the whole thing. Hallelujah! God helps me even when I do stupid stuff. Note to self: don't ever put anything on a hedge for safe keeping...Ever. He guard said something but it seemed to me that he was saying "Its a good thing I was here" and started laughing. I started laughing and gave him the thumbs up.
My other private student came from a referral that a guy I know from church. He had given a colleague my info and the guy contacted me last Friday and had a trial run class that afternoon. He said he liked the class so we'll continue next week. This week everyone is off Thursday and Friday. Thursday is a national holiday that happened to fall on Easter week and off for Good Friday.
Things are starting to feel more normal to me. I move in to my apartment next week and that will give me a feeling of stability, having my own place. I will miss the meals and help with laundry that I have now. I was in college for 6 years so I know how to survive with small meals.
I'm so glad I made this move. This past Sunday I was looking at the moon as the sun was setting and looking at Sugarloaf Mtn and the other mountains and thinking "I'm really here. This is so cool. I couldn't have made a better decision." I wish everyone who reads this could see what I am seeing. It's so beautiful that I want to share it with everyone.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Wal-Mart - Hallelujah!
I've never been so glad to see a Wal-Mart in my life. It wasn't the same as the ones in the US but it was still nice to have a store with a little of everything. They didn't have what I was looking for - an egg crate for my bed. I haven't found one in Rio yet. They did have a printer that I may buy. Sometimes I need to print stuff and its just easier to have your own plus I need to scan and email stuff back from time to time. I could email the attachment to my school and they can print but its such a hassle to do that.
It was such an ordeal getting there. I thought I remembered where it was but obviously I didn't. I got off the bus when I didn't see it where I thought it was and just started walking. I probably walked for at least an hour and maybe two and asked several people but they didn't understand Wal-Mart. Good heavens I need to learn Portuguese faster.
I was determined to find Wal-Mart if it took me til 11 pm. For me it was a personal thing. Being in another country, not speaking the language, not knowing where I was - I wasn't going to let this situation defeat me (I don't know if that makes sense or not). I had to prove to myself that I could do this.
I finally got on a bus that went to Wal-Mart and I felt like a victorious gladiator as I walked throughthe doors . I also went to another mall that has the Statue of Liberty out front. I've never seen a mall that big. It was an inside mall and seemed like it went on forever. My sister-in-law Susan would love this place. I walked and walked and don't think I got through half of it. I did buy some pants and they have to alter and I need to go back next week. I wasn't intending to buy anything but I went in because I saw a pretty girl in the store and thought she should have the privilege of helping me and then I ended up liking some pants.
Coming home was an ordeal because the bus didn't stop close to the apartment again. This time they took me farther away than both times combined. I hit the button like three times for him to stop and he just kept turning it off. I said "Hey" and he didn't even flinch. He finally stopped and the girl who takes the money said something to me and I just motioned with my hands which meant "forget you!"
I was so far away I didn't know where I was. I saw a hotel and went inside and asked for the metro. She spoke English and told me to get a taxi because it wasn't safe to walk to the metro. I told her about my ordeal with the bus and she said certain buses don't stop where I wanted him to stop. It makes no sense to me - if there is a bus stop ahead and someone hits the button, let him off. I guess I'm just a simple minded gringo. At least I know now.
For me it was the best day I've had so far. I met several people today on the bus and at the mall. I gave a few people my business card. They were all so friendly. One family was in the store where I was buying my pants and they were helping the sales girl with translating. He heard me say I was in Flamengo and said he used to live there. Then his family and I started talking and they were so nice.
I started talking to a girl on the bus and she spoke English and was very nice too. I don't know - just talking to some nice people, finding Wal-Mart and not quitting and going to Barra da Tajica was a great day. Barra is my favorite place in Rio. I don't know, there's just something about it that I like. It seems so clean but its so far away. I think it will be a little closer when I move to Copacabana.
Oh yeah, I got in trouble when I came home. I'm not used to people looking after me. I hadn't seen my host when I left close to 1 and I got home around 7:45. We normally eat at 7 but I didn't call her to let her know I'd be late. I thought about it but thought it wouldn't be an issue. She wondered why I didn't call her. I told her I would just eat an apple. She said no, she would heat up the food for me. I could tell she was aggravated so I said I was sorry several times and asked her if she still loved me. She started laughing and said she did. She said if she didn't she wouldn't have warmed up the food for me. Its all good.
Sorry for the long post. Just a lot happened today. It was a good day.
It was such an ordeal getting there. I thought I remembered where it was but obviously I didn't. I got off the bus when I didn't see it where I thought it was and just started walking. I probably walked for at least an hour and maybe two and asked several people but they didn't understand Wal-Mart. Good heavens I need to learn Portuguese faster.
I was determined to find Wal-Mart if it took me til 11 pm. For me it was a personal thing. Being in another country, not speaking the language, not knowing where I was - I wasn't going to let this situation defeat me (I don't know if that makes sense or not). I had to prove to myself that I could do this.
I finally got on a bus that went to Wal-Mart and I felt like a victorious gladiator as I walked through
Coming home was an ordeal because the bus didn't stop close to the apartment again. This time they took me farther away than both times combined. I hit the button like three times for him to stop and he just kept turning it off. I said "Hey" and he didn't even flinch. He finally stopped and the girl who takes the money said something to me and I just motioned with my hands which meant "forget you!"
I was so far away I didn't know where I was. I saw a hotel and went inside and asked for the metro. She spoke English and told me to get a taxi because it wasn't safe to walk to the metro. I told her about my ordeal with the bus and she said certain buses don't stop where I wanted him to stop. It makes no sense to me - if there is a bus stop ahead and someone hits the button, let him off. I guess I'm just a simple minded gringo. At least I know now.
For me it was the best day I've had so far. I met several people today on the bus and at the mall. I gave a few people my business card. They were all so friendly. One family was in the store where I was buying my pants and they were helping the sales girl with translating. He heard me say I was in Flamengo and said he used to live there. Then his family and I started talking and they were so nice.
I started talking to a girl on the bus and she spoke English and was very nice too. I don't know - just talking to some nice people, finding Wal-Mart and not quitting and going to Barra da Tajica was a great day. Barra is my favorite place in Rio. I don't know, there's just something about it that I like. It seems so clean but its so far away. I think it will be a little closer when I move to Copacabana.
Oh yeah, I got in trouble when I came home. I'm not used to people looking after me. I hadn't seen my host when I left close to 1 and I got home around 7:45. We normally eat at 7 but I didn't call her to let her know I'd be late. I thought about it but thought it wouldn't be an issue. She wondered why I didn't call her. I told her I would just eat an apple. She said no, she would heat up the food for me. I could tell she was aggravated so I said I was sorry several times and asked her if she still loved me. She started laughing and said she did. She said if she didn't she wouldn't have warmed up the food for me. Its all good.
Sorry for the long post. Just a lot happened today. It was a good day.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Getting Jobs Lined Up
My schedule is starting to shape up now. I'm currently working with 3 different schools and I'm meeting with another one Tuesday. The headquarters of this new one is about an hour or more away by bus but the students are downtown close to me. The lady sent me directions in Portuguese. I don't like dealing with directions in English, much less in another language. I'm praying for God to help me find it.
The schedule is a little different because its not like I have students for 3 or 4 straight hours. Its usually an hour or hour and a half in the morning, lunch, possibly afternoon (but not very many of those types of classes) and in the evening. It kind of stretches your day and a lot of time between classes. I only need a few more students and I'll have a full schedule.
I did two practice teaching sessions today for interviewers today. I realize what a long way I have to go. It takes some preparation to be ready for class. I haven't reached my comfort level yet but it won't take long. I just need to get in a rhythm. It just takes practice like any new thing.
Before I teach a class I feel like I do when I played football. The best cure for being nervous in football was to hit somebody. Once I did that I calmed down. I don't think that will work with teaching. I did discover that one arm sweats more than the other. Weird! Not that you wanted to know or anything, just felt like I needed to tell someone.
I'm going to check out the Wal Mart tomorrow and check out Barra da Tijuca. It looks like a cool place. I've decided that I'm going to a new place every weekend and do something different. I've been so focused on school that I haven't done much.
The schedule is a little different because its not like I have students for 3 or 4 straight hours. Its usually an hour or hour and a half in the morning, lunch, possibly afternoon (but not very many of those types of classes) and in the evening. It kind of stretches your day and a lot of time between classes. I only need a few more students and I'll have a full schedule.
I did two practice teaching sessions today for interviewers today. I realize what a long way I have to go. It takes some preparation to be ready for class. I haven't reached my comfort level yet but it won't take long. I just need to get in a rhythm. It just takes practice like any new thing.
Before I teach a class I feel like I do when I played football. The best cure for being nervous in football was to hit somebody. Once I did that I calmed down. I don't think that will work with teaching. I did discover that one arm sweats more than the other. Weird! Not that you wanted to know or anything, just felt like I needed to tell someone.
I'm going to check out the Wal Mart tomorrow and check out Barra da Tijuca. It looks like a cool place. I've decided that I'm going to a new place every weekend and do something different. I've been so focused on school that I haven't done much.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
It's Official
I am now an official teacher. Now I have to get jobs and make money and support myself. We had several big papers due Friday along with a portfolio of all the other work we've been doing throughout the course. It took me a while on the papers but I was mostly done Thursday and all I needed was to print some things out Friday. Some of my classmates were rushing to get things done Friday. It felt good to be relaxed.
I had my first student on Thursday morning at 8 am. I got a phone call Wednesday afternoon to come in for a first time student. They emailed me some info and said to get there around 7:30 and they would give me some details about what I needed to do. They emailed me some things Wednesday night which said to mainly talk and gauge his level. I got there at 7:15 and waited until 8 and no one from the school was there. The student got there before someone from the school. We introduced ourselves while we're waiting for the school to open up.
I get in there and I told him we'd just talk to gauge his fluency. The girl sets his book and my teachers book in front of me along with a CD player. Since she did this I was wondering if I needed to try to do something with the book but didn't want to flip the pages in front of the student. He was very nice and spoke English pretty good but just needed some practice. He had just been promoted and would be traveling and doing presentations in English.
I felt like he was thinking that just talking with no structure was a waste of time but he was nice. It was tough for me to talk to him for an hour. I kept checking my watch very subtly and it was going soooo slow. He told the girl at the school that he wanted to come every day so she scheduled him for the next day and I assumed that I would be the one who needed to be there. The girl at the school spoke little English and she said a guy at the school who spoke English would call me that afternoon.
He never did and so I went by the school because I was close. He said the student asked for different teachers because he wanted to hear different dialects. I guess that was my last class with the guy, who knows. He also said he left me instructions of what I need to do in the teachers packet. I explained that I got it while sitting in front of the student and he said that just talking was the right thing to do. I guess if I hadn't gone by that no one would have told me not to come by the next morning. Oh well, every day is a new adventure at this point.
God did bless me with a private student. A guy came by the school Thursday who was a student there before and was leaving Brazil to take care of his Mom. He had some students that he wanted to give to someone else. One of our teachers told him about me and Tom. I got a teenage kid who just needs help with homework twice a week for two hours each. I met with him Friday and it was pretty simple. The most time consuming part was literature. He is having to read To Kill A Mockingbird and answer questions on it. He has homework due in a little over a week so I borrowed his book and read it this weekend. It was okay, not sure why its considered such a classic. That's just me.
I also helped my school with a student from Sao Paulo who is doing an immersion course for a few days for her work. I met with her for four hours Saturday and will do four hours with her tomorrow and five hours Wednesday. Other teachers will be doing the other times with her. She was very nice and I enjoyed it because we used a book and it had structure. I like to have structure at this point. I'm not real comfortable with winging since I'm an official teacher as of 2 days ago.
Tomorrow is a busy day with a follow up orientation from a school and we have to give a 5 minute presentation of a subject he gave us last week. We just have to basically tell how we would teach it. Then I have the student at the school until 5 pm and then I have a student from 6-7:30. The last teacher with him didn't write down where they finished so I'm not sure what I'll be teaching. I'll have to ask him where they finished and go from there.
I'm learning that flexibility is a much needed quality.
I had my first student on Thursday morning at 8 am. I got a phone call Wednesday afternoon to come in for a first time student. They emailed me some info and said to get there around 7:30 and they would give me some details about what I needed to do. They emailed me some things Wednesday night which said to mainly talk and gauge his level. I got there at 7:15 and waited until 8 and no one from the school was there. The student got there before someone from the school. We introduced ourselves while we're waiting for the school to open up.
I get in there and I told him we'd just talk to gauge his fluency. The girl sets his book and my teachers book in front of me along with a CD player. Since she did this I was wondering if I needed to try to do something with the book but didn't want to flip the pages in front of the student. He was very nice and spoke English pretty good but just needed some practice. He had just been promoted and would be traveling and doing presentations in English.
I felt like he was thinking that just talking with no structure was a waste of time but he was nice. It was tough for me to talk to him for an hour. I kept checking my watch very subtly and it was going soooo slow. He told the girl at the school that he wanted to come every day so she scheduled him for the next day and I assumed that I would be the one who needed to be there. The girl at the school spoke little English and she said a guy at the school who spoke English would call me that afternoon.
He never did and so I went by the school because I was close. He said the student asked for different teachers because he wanted to hear different dialects. I guess that was my last class with the guy, who knows. He also said he left me instructions of what I need to do in the teachers packet. I explained that I got it while sitting in front of the student and he said that just talking was the right thing to do. I guess if I hadn't gone by that no one would have told me not to come by the next morning. Oh well, every day is a new adventure at this point.
God did bless me with a private student. A guy came by the school Thursday who was a student there before and was leaving Brazil to take care of his Mom. He had some students that he wanted to give to someone else. One of our teachers told him about me and Tom. I got a teenage kid who just needs help with homework twice a week for two hours each. I met with him Friday and it was pretty simple. The most time consuming part was literature. He is having to read To Kill A Mockingbird and answer questions on it. He has homework due in a little over a week so I borrowed his book and read it this weekend. It was okay, not sure why its considered such a classic. That's just me.
I also helped my school with a student from Sao Paulo who is doing an immersion course for a few days for her work. I met with her for four hours Saturday and will do four hours with her tomorrow and five hours Wednesday. Other teachers will be doing the other times with her. She was very nice and I enjoyed it because we used a book and it had structure. I like to have structure at this point. I'm not real comfortable with winging since I'm an official teacher as of 2 days ago.
Tomorrow is a busy day with a follow up orientation from a school and we have to give a 5 minute presentation of a subject he gave us last week. We just have to basically tell how we would teach it. Then I have the student at the school until 5 pm and then I have a student from 6-7:30. The last teacher with him didn't write down where they finished so I'm not sure what I'll be teaching. I'll have to ask him where they finished and go from there.
I'm learning that flexibility is a much needed quality.
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