I really don't appreciate the assessment test my students take each term.  It is purely a reading test.  The students will read charts, graphs, or small texts, and answer multiple choice questions about the information.  It really isn't fair that my students are only tested on reading, but the past two terms, I've really made a concerted effort with my students to practice all four skills of language (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).  Rather than dismissing the test as the necessary evil, I did my best to teach them that they do have to take the test, but it doesn't test everything, and still provide them for opportunities to see their growth through other assessments as well.

When my class got their results, I had two students improve two full levels, one student improve one level, and one student was within one point of a full level gain as well! The three who stayed the same in their testing scores are my three learners who have been in the USA for 20-30 years (and one had just come back from 5 weeks in Korea).  These students would be considered fossilized learners, and it is very challenging to change patterns that have been set for such a long time.

I know these tests don't show everything but still, it was so encouraging for the students!  My administrator was impressed by the fact that all seven students on my roster were present to take the test, not to mention the results.

The best outcome was that even Hsiao Lien, who stayed the same on her test score, has improved in her spoken language.  We have been working on pronunciation and verbs a lot!  She often uses the simple present when she should be using the past, and I recently found out that Mandarin doesn't have verb tenses! Now it makes sense why she doesn't remember to use a different tense! However, if I ask her, she can produce the correct tense.  I'm so proud of each of my students.  They try so hard!  And they are doing well! There is still a lot of room for improvement, but so much of that is simply because they need more opportunities to use English in conversations with fluent English speakers.

But for now, teacher and students alike are ready for a relaxing Christmas break!

Adorable A

This adorable little girl makes us all smile and laugh on so many occasions.  Here she is trying to wear her Tia's hat!  Earlier today she was saying, "I look like a pirate!"  She's a goof.  I have been loving being so close to my sister and her kiddos.  The only downfall I have found is that with the proximity, my car doesn't have time to get warm on the cold drive home at night!

Tales from the Classroom

I certainly enjoy teaching English.  I have wonderful students, and I'm learning a lot about teaching and the English language through the process of teaching it!

However, one thing I need to learn well is how to explain the concept of vegetarianism.  I have had multiple conversations with my students about this but it doesn't translate well into some cultures.  My Asian students understand it easily.  My Middle Eastern students…not so much.

My Egyptian students made me molokheyya,  a traditional Egyptian soup made from a green vegetable.  This is typically served with chicken.  Since I have been to Egypt, my students asked me if I had had that and I said yes.  They offered to make it for me but I told them that I don't eat chicken.  The husband looked at me with concern and asked, "You only eat it over rice?  It's better with chicken."

The next day, they brought me a container of rice and of molokheyya.  Ezzat, the husband, grinned proudly at me and said, "Since you don't eat chicken, we made it with duck."

The same couple brought me Egyptian macaroni béchamel.  Macaroni with hamburger.  I thanked them but said, "I don't eat meat."  Ezzat said reassuringly, "But it is small pieces."

He's home!

Little man is home now and he's doing well! His cough is slowly loosening up and he is able to go without oxygen now!

In the midst of the noise, the busy pace, the crazy schedule, the long to do list, there is a tug to stop and be still and smile.  To just breathe the fall air.  To let go of the stress.  To lower the expectations I put on myself.

My poor little nephew has been in hospital for a week now with a viral respiratory infection.  My sister and brother-in-law are being super parents, making sure that James is never alone, and also trying to make sure that Anna's little world doesn't go pear shaped as well.

Somehow, in this week, I have managed to have almost everything need to be done.  A friend is visiting from Tanzania on Wednesday.  A project is due in my current grad class on Saturday.  I agreed a month ago to do a workshop at a conference and it's this Friday.  I am going to a TESOL conference in Philly on Saturday.  Every Thursday, I co-lead a chapel for undergraduates at my university.

I am so thankful that I dropped a course from my schedule for this term.  I couldn't be doing two right now.

I've been reading a wonderful little book called "Jesus Calling" for my devotions.  Today's entry begins with these words: "Walk peacefully with Me through this day.  You are wondering how you will cope with what is expected of you.  You must traverse this day like any other: one step at a time.  Instead of mentally rehearsing how you will do this and that, keep your mind on my presence and on taking the next step.  The more demanding your day, the more help you can expect from me."

Wonderful words.  One step at a time, one day at a time.  In the grand scheme, the most important part of all of this is my family.  I love being able to pick my niece up from "school" and play with her in the evenings.  I love putting her to bed and hearing her sleepy voice whisper, "I love you SO much, Tia."

Last night, I spent the night at my sister's house.  Her husband was at the hospital for the night, so we snuggled like little girls in her bed, with Anna settled between us to unwind for the evening.  Being there for my sister is one of the most important things on my "list."  It tops everything else.

A Sunday Ride

By Sunday, I was aching to be out in the gorgeous weather.  Martha and I put schoolwork aside and put our bikes on the bike rack and headed to the breeches.  We took a nice hour bike ride, enjoying the gorgeous fall day.

new poet

As I wandered through B&N the other day, I came across a new poet named Wendell Berry.  He's new to me, I should say.  I purchased his book, A Timbered Choir.  This poem is taken from that work.

Whatever is foreseen in joy

Must be lived out from day to day.

Vision held open in the dark

By our ten thousand days of work.

Harvest will fill out the barn; for that

The hand must ache, the face must sweat.

And yet no leaf or grain is filled

By work of ours; the field is tilled

And left to grace.  That we may reap,

Great work is done while we're asleep.

When we work well, a Sabbath mood

Rests on our day, and finds it good.

New Session

Clearly September passed in a blur.  Honestly, I'm still thinking it is summer!  I was driving down the highway the other day and started to wonder why the leaves were changing so early this year, and then I realized!  It isn't early anymore!

I have made some changes to my schedule to try to keep it a little more balanced.  I still have the three jobs, but effective October, I'm only working 8 hours a month at the gym.  From July-September, I was teaching two ESL classes as well, and I've needed to drop my evening class.  Between my office job and grad school, I just couldn't keep teaching two classes as well.  9 a.m. to 9 p.m. days, plus homework and lesson planning time, were starting to take their toll on me.  I still teach one class in the morning, but thankfully another teacher could take my evening class!

New friends have been overwhelming me with kindness this summer and fall.  I have been blessed with so many dear people giving me fresh fruit and veggies.  I learned how to make a really yummy tomato pasta sauce, thanks to plentiful gifts of home grown tomatoes.  Just this past weekend, I also made my own applesauce!

Today was the first day of a new term for my ESL class, and once again, I am reminded of why I love teaching ESL.  I have some returning students and some new students, and all are special people.  I was also the recipient of some physical gifts from my students!

One of my returning students gave me veggies from her garden, including a Chinese cucumber, as well as some traditional soda crackers and rice treats. 

Two new students from Egypt also gave me a beautiful papyrus from Egypt.  It was wonderful to be able to chat with them.  I knew their neighborhood in Cairo!  

October promises to be another busy but fun month! 

ESL student humor

I love my students.  My morning class is a comfortable size now.  Five students are regular attenders.

This morning, I was teaching a grammar lesson on when we use "too" and when we use "enough" and where each word is placed in the sentence.  For example, "too" is placed before an adjective, but "enough" is placed after an adjective but before a noun.  I started my lesson by holding up the student book and saying, "Class, what would you say if I told you we need to read this entire book tonight?"  I was hoping to elicit responses such as, "It's too long" or "It's not enough time" to then show the students that they already use this construct.  However, my students once again surprised me.  In response to my question, one student raised her hand and said, "Teacher, I can't come to class tomorrow!"  I'm still chuckling!

Ocean City Day Trip!

After July, I decided it was time to take a little bit of time off in August.  I'm not doing a big vacation break, but I think a few days here and there will help.  Martha misses living near the coast, so we decided to take a day trip to Ocean City, NJ, on a day we were both off!  We woke up at 5:15 a.m. and got on the turnpike by 6 a.m. By 9:30 a.m., this was my view!

It was wonderful to have a day off! 

The new normal

I had been in Moz for a month by this time last year.  Two years ago, I was in London.  It's odd how quickly life changes and quickly has been an understatement for my life in the last few months.  

In July, I had a three credit course for my M.Ed packed into five days.  I read over 900 pages of academic material in those five days.  It was a fantastic class!  Advanced Sociocultural Perspectives on Education.  It combined my fields of study quite well!  The 8 hours a day of lecture and discussion were wonderful, but the after class time, of trying to read everything and write three papers...now that was challenging.  I got into a routine I would never have expected I would be capable of achieving.  I read and wrote until I couldn't form sentences anymore, and then I went to bed and woke up at 5 a.m. to finish my work before class at 8 a.m.  It clearly wouldn't be viable for a regular pattern, considering I do need more than three hours of sleep a night!  However, for one week, I could manage.  My fellow classmates and I commiserated with each other.  One girl commented that she went to bed exhausted and woke up to find that the last thing she had typed was "Theory July orange."  

This intensive course was the fourth course for my M.Ed.  I plan to take three in the fall term and that will put me on track to graduate in May 2014!  This is earlier than I anticipated, but as usual, I'm trying to do things quickly and efficiently!  

For reasons that sometimes baffle me, I'm still working three jobs.  I've reduced my hours at my gym job, but I'm hesitant to let it go entirely.  I love the relationships I've built here, even though I don't have time to use my free membership, which was the initial reason I sought employment!  I have friends here now, coworkers and members alike.  

My second job, which was temp, has asked me to be officially part time.  Actually, my manager said she would like me to be full time, but she would take me part time if that was all I would do!  Again, I'm amazed.  Three months ago, I was unknown at that place of employment, and now I've just been blessed by how relationships have developed.  I see things changing for the better and it is exciting to be part of it.

My third job, which is technically my primary job, is going well!  I'm teaching two ESL classes now, one in the morning and one in the evening.  I have been challenged incredibly by this term (and we are only four weeks into it!).  I moved from teaching a beginner level class to teaching two high intermediate/advanced classes.  This means all new lesson plans, no chance to recycle any old lessons, and it also involves grammar intensive lessons.  I'm so thankful for my Linguistics class!  It has been such a great help to me as I teach grammar.  Both classes have been quite small so far, but I have really sweet students.  My morning class has students from Korea, Taiwan, and Iraq, and my evening class has students from Korea, Bulgaria, India, and Moldova.  

If I am learning anything through these months, it is the importance of time management and recognition of my limits.  I have learned that I need to be strict with myself regarding my lesson planning time.  I am not a good teacher when I walk into class unprepared.  I will admit, some mornings, I finish  my lesson plan before class starts!  However, I have to finish that lesson plan.  It helps me to stay more focused and structured in class.  I've also had to recognize that I cannot do everything I want to do.  In some ways, this has meant not seeing some friends as much as I'd like to.  I've tried to make time for family and friends, but sometimes, I have to miss something.  It has been a challenge to also say no to work opportunities as well.  I could work more hours at several of my jobs if I would agree to it.  I am glad that all of my employers know they can count on me to try to help where I can.  In a way, it makes it easier to say no to a request, because they know that if I could make it work, I would.  

In June and July, I realized that I was working 55 hours a week, usually six days a week and also taking a graduate class.  For one frantic period, I worked 13 days in a row, right until my intensive class.  That was not ideal.  August is not quite as busy, because I have requested a few specific days off.  It was a good lesson that I need to request the time off in order to make it happen.  

I try to be content and find the silver linings in all of this.  On two crazy Fridays in July, I opened the gym at 5 a.m., which meant I was leaving my house at 4:30 a.m.  Each day, I had a beautiful sunrise.  When I take the time to sit on my veranda and enjoy a cool morning, I feel the stillness with new appreciation.  Three jobs may not be ideal, but for this time in my life, I think it is the right decision.  I am glad that my schedule will not be as hectic, but I believe that there is a reason I am at each of these places. 

hello, James!

WB Yeats

I first read this when I was ten or eleven.  I can't remember exactly when it was, but I can remember reading it in my pink bedroom in the Matopos!

He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven
by William Butler Yeats

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

Christina Rossetti

Christina Rossetti is another favorite poet.  Her words are sad but there is still beauty in them.

Mirage

The hope I dreamed of was a dream,
Was but a dream; and now I wake,
Exceeding comfortless, and worn, and old,
For a dream's sake.

I hang my harp upon a tree,
A weeping willow in a lake;
I hang my silent harp there, wrung and snapped
For a dream's sake.

Lie still, lie still, my breaking heart;
My silent heart, lie still and break:
Life, and the world, and mine own self, are changed
For a dream's sake.

I dream of you, to wake: would that I might Dream of you and not wake but slumber on; Nor find with dreams the dear companion gone, As, Summer ended, Summer birds take flight. In happy dreams I hold you full in night. I blush again who waking look so wan; Brighter than sunniest day that ever shone, In happy dreams your smile makes day of night. Thus only in a dream we are at one, Thus only in a dream we give and take The faith that maketh rich who take or give; If thus to sleep is sweeter than to wake, To die were surely sweeter than to live, Though there be nothing new beneath the sun. - See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19450#sthash.pNVJujMw.dpuf

Monna Innominata [I dream of you, to wake]

  by Christina Rossetti

I dream of you, to wake: would that I might 
Dream of you and not wake but slumber on; 
Nor find with dreams the dear companion gone, 
As, Summer ended, Summer birds take flight. 
In happy dreams I hold you full in night. 
I blush again who waking look so wan; 
Brighter than sunniest day that ever shone, 
In happy dreams your smile makes day of night. 
Thus only in a dream we are at one, 
Thus only in a dream we give and take 
The faith that maketh rich who take or give; 
If thus to sleep is sweeter than to wake, 
To die were surely sweeter than to live, 
Though there be nothing new beneath the sun.

- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19450#sthash.pNVJujMw.dpuf

Monna Innominata [I dream of you, to wake]

  by Christina Rossetti

I dream of you, to wake: would that I might 
Dream of you and not wake but slumber on; 
Nor find with dreams the dear companion gone, 
As, Summer ended, Summer birds take flight. 
In happy dreams I hold you full in night. 
I blush again who waking look so wan; 
Brighter than sunniest day that ever shone, 
In happy dreams your smile makes day of night. 
Thus only in a dream we are at one, 
Thus only in a dream we give and take 
The faith that maketh rich who take or give; 
If thus to sleep is sweeter than to wake, 
To die were surely sweeter than to live, 
Though there be nothing new beneath the sun.

- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19450#sthash.pNVJujMw.dpuf

Monna Innominata [I dream of you, to wake]

  by Christina Rossetti

I dream of you, to wake: would that I might 
Dream of you and not wake but slumber on; 
Nor find with dreams the dear companion gone, 
As, Summer ended, Summer birds take flight. 
In happy dreams I hold you full in night. 
I blush again who waking look so wan; 
Brighter than sunniest day that ever shone, 
In happy dreams your smile makes day of night. 
Thus only in a dream we are at one, 
Thus only in a dream we give and take 
The faith that maketh rich who take or give; 
If thus to sleep is sweeter than to wake, 
To die were surely sweeter than to live, 
Though there be nothing new beneath the sun.

- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19450#sthash.pNVJujMw.dpuf

Monna Innominata [I dream of you, to wake]

  by Christina Rossetti

I dream of you, to wake: would that I might 
Dream of you and not wake but slumber on; 
Nor find with dreams the dear companion gone, 
As, Summer ended, Summer birds take flight. 
In happy dreams I hold you full in night. 
I blush again who waking look so wan; 
Brighter than sunniest day that ever shone, 
In happy dreams your smile makes day of night. 
Thus only in a dream we are at one, 
Thus only in a dream we give and take 
The faith that maketh rich who take or give; 
If thus to sleep is sweeter than to wake, 
To die were surely sweeter than to live, 
Though there be nothing new beneath the sun.

- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19450#sthash.pNVJujMw.dpuf

Monna Innominata [I dream of you, to wake]

  by Christina Rossetti

I dream of you, to wake: would that I might 
Dream of you and not wake but slumber on; 
Nor find with dreams the dear companion gone, 
As, Summer ended, Summer birds take flight. 
In happy dreams I hold you full in night. 
I blush again who waking look so wan; 
Brighter than sunniest day that ever shone, 
In happy dreams your smile makes day of night. 
Thus only in a dream we are at one, 
Thus only in a dream we give and take 
The faith that maketh rich who take or give; 
If thus to sleep is sweeter than to wake, 
To die were surely sweeter than to live, 
Though there be nothing new beneath the sun.

- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19450#sthash.pNVJujMw.dpuf

Monna Innominata [I dream of you, to wake]

  by Christina Rossetti

I dream of you, to wake: would that I might 
Dream of you and not wake but slumber on; 
Nor find with dreams the dear companion gone, 
As, Summer ended, Summer birds take flight. 
In happy dreams I hold you full in night. 
I blush again who waking look so wan; 
Brighter than sunniest day that ever shone, 
In happy dreams your smile makes day of night. 
Thus only in a dream we are at one, 
Thus only in a dream we give and take 
The faith that maketh rich who take or give; 
If thus to sleep is sweeter than to wake, 
To die were surely sweeter than to live, 
Though there be nothing new beneath the sun.

- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19450#sthash.pNVJujMw.dpuf

Monna Innominata [I dream of you, to wake]

  by Christina Rossetti

I dream of you, to wake: would that I might 
Dream of you and not wake but slumber on; 
Nor find with dreams the dear companion gone, 
As, Summer ended, Summer birds take flight. 
In happy dreams I hold you full in night. 
I blush again who waking look so wan; 
Brighter than sunniest day that ever shone, 
In happy dreams your smile makes day of night. 
Thus only in a dream we are at one, 
Thus only in a dream we give and take 
The faith that maketh rich who take or give; 
If thus to sleep is sweeter than to wake, 
To die were surely sweeter than to live, 
Though there be nothing new beneath the sun.

- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19450#sthash.pNVJujMw.dpuf

Pennsylvania Sunset

Beautiful words

I hope someday to be able to use words with the skill of these poets.

For one human being to love another is perhaps the most difficult task of all, the epitome, the ultimate test.  It is that striving for which all other striving is merely preparation.

-Rainer Maria Rilke.

~~~~

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain. 

-Emily Dickinson

~~~~

To see a world in a grain of sand,

And a heaven in a wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,

And eternity in an hour.

-William Blake

Wanderlust

My current passport expires next year, and I'm starting my paperwork to renew my passport tonight.  I'm so glad the State department will return this passport as well as my new one.  These stamps and visas are the footprints of my travels around this fabulous world.  

This passport was issued almost ten years ago.  In that time, I've done almost all of my independent travels.  I've been on four continents and in over twenty countries.  Each place has been incredible.  

I used to always want to go somewhere new, someplace previously unexplored by Hope.  Perhaps age is mellowing me, but now I have some places that I long to return to as well.  I would love to visit a friend in Tanzania and take a ferry to Zanzibar.  Each time I speak to a Moroccan, I am tugged towards the vibrant colors I see in pictures of Fez and Casablanca.  I am in awe of the bright lights and sheer numbers of China.  Perhaps I could teach in the tropical humidity of Jakarta...But my fickle heart persists in reminding me of the red dirt roads of Africa, flat topped acacia trees, and the flaming orange sun as it drops below the horizon.  

As my studies continue, I anticipate knowing where this degree (and hopefully a job!) will take me.  Will it be Indonesia, or China, or UAE, or Mozambique, or Kazakhstan?  Each has an appeal to my adventurous TCK heart! 

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote the following poem for the Lord of the Rings.  I love the second line.

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king.

More proverbs!

I have always loved proverbs.  I think they can tell you a lot about a culture, which is why I've enjoyed finding the proverbs credited as Zimbabwean in this little calendar.  Here are some of my favorites:

Every elephant has to carry its own trunk.

*****

The heart never reaches where it longs to be.

*****

Politeness is the key to the heart of people.

*****

Treat the days well and they will treat you well.

*****

A careful hyena lives a long time

*****

To climb a mountain, you zigzag.

*****

Place a grinding store where you come from and where you go to.

*****

If you begin by walking slowly, you will run at sunset.

*****

These last two are listed as African, not attributed to one particular country:

Habit is a tall mountain, hard to overcome or pull down.

******

Be wiser than other people but don't tell them.

Elephants and Tamarinds

Today's African proverb is from Senegal:

An elephant can do nothing to a tamarind tree except shake it.

I don't know about you, but I am not a fan of tamarinds.  I was once visiting a Sudanese friend and she gave me a big glass, filled to the brim, of tamarind juice.  To me, it tastes very bitter.

Woman selling tamarinds in Thailand

Elephants, however, love tamarinds!  I saw an amazing picture (You can see it too! http://blog.africageographic.com/safari-blog/bush/the-tree-climbing-elephant/ ) of an elephant climbing a tree for a tamarind!  Also, I just learned that tamarinds are a good source of calcium, which is very unusual for a fruit.  

I've been talking about fruit and teaching names of various fruits in my ESL class.  I think I need to take a picture of a tamarind in to show my students!  All but one of my students are from areas where tamarinds are common.  

Zim Wisdom

My roommate has a daily calendar called African Wisdom for Life.  The word of wisdom for May 28 is a Zimbabwean Proverb.

The one who paddles two canoes, sinks.

Does each job count as a canoe, I wonder?  I think I have a new favorite proverb, and a wonderful reminder in this busy season of my life.  

Ten insights from the last few weeks.

1. Family is priceless.
2. Pennsylvania sunrises may not be as dramatic as Zimbabwean ones, but they are still pretty.
3. Crossword puzzles are way more fun when there are two people working on it together.
4. It's a lot easier to spend $50 than it is to earn $50. :)
5. Two year olds have endless energy.
6. Ninety nine people out of one hundred will smile back if you smile at them!
7. Never underestimate how nice it is to have someone to talk to when you come home.
8. Friends can be found almost anywhere.
9. There is something satisfying about seeing baby carrots and baby spring onions sprouting.
10. A hectic week makes a peaceful Sunday that much more soothing.

Green

Baby Carrots

Aloe

Bliss!

This morning is one of those perfect spring mornings.  I woke up to light streaming through my kapalana curtain (this material makes for a beautiful curtain but doesn't block the light very well).  I love mornings when I can immediately open my windows.  This morning was just such a morning.

I've been fighting a headache for the past five days now.  I was hopeful that I would wake up without it today, but that was not the case.  Once I was awake, I figured I might as well be productive!  Today's schedule is a little less frantic.  I'm not teaching this morning, so I have a few hours at home before I watch a friend's kids for an hour or so.  Then, I'm off to the fitness club for a meeting.  After that, I have a few hours off again before heading back to the club for the closing shift.

In a fit of inspiration (and hunger), I got up and started making my Momma's banana bran muffins.  And of course, coffee!

Now it is time to enjoy them both on the veranda before I head off to mind children!

My devotional this morning started off with the sentence, "As you sit quietly in my Presence, remember that I am a God of Abundance."  I have been reminded of that so much lately.  Through the last year, and every past year of my life, I have not been in need.  God has always provided for me.  I am so thankful.  

A Hope Moment

I think my schedule might be getting to me!

I taught ESL this morning.  Classes are going well.  I'm averaging six students a class and I think I have  incredible students.  They are so eager to learn.  This afternoon I worked at the fitness club until closing, which is at 9 p.m.  I then drove home, with a headache but with an excitement for the fact that I'm getting into a groove at that job as well now.

After arriving home, I started chatting with Martha as I got myself a late dinner (mint chocolate chip ice cream...I don't do this often!) and started to get my coffeepot ready for tomorrow morning.  I put in a filter, filled it with water, and put coffee into the filter.  I kept chatting with Martha as I got out the ice cream and dipped two bowls for us.  All of a sudden Martha asked, "Are you making coffee now?"

Completely on autopilot, I had also turned on the coffee pot and I hadn't even noticed that it was percolating while I was dipping the ice cream!

Bird Nerd!

I think it's official.  I have become a bird nerd!

Job, Homework, Job, Lesson Plan, Eat, Sleep, Repeat

Today is my day to breathe.  I have a lot of homework to do and a meeting for my teaching job, but other than that, it's a slow day!

Teaching last week was amazing.  I love my students.  I had seven students for the week.  It was so exciting to see them start to understand what I was teaching!  The job at the fitness center is also going well.  I had an intense 5 days/30 hours of training and Tuesday night will be my first night working solo.  I think it will be ok.

I have to do one project for Linguistics, and one more week of class, and then I will be my second class!  I can't believe how quickly this is going!

In a fun twist of events, I met a South African girl at the fitness center.  We started talking and now we are meeting for coffee on Wednesday because she has been thinking about doing a Masters in Education!  Life is fun.

A Little Lion

Last night, Anna found my lion slippers. 

She decided to wear them on her hands and proceeded to run around my apartment, going up to each person and saying "ROAR!  I got you!  I scare you!"  

She is a sharp little girl.  In the picture below, she is showing me that she got "chockit" (chocolate) on her sweatpants!  "It chockit, Tia!"  

Too Cute For Words!

Adult ESL

I can tell that ESL (English as a Second Language) is going to keep me on my toes.  All last week, I only had three students (the same three students) turn up to class.  Considering I had ten on the register, that was a little surprising.

One student told me she wouldn't be at class today because she had a doctor's appointment.  So, I planned my lesson, expecting two students.  On the way to class, another student's husband called, telling me that his wife wouldn't be at ESL class due to a hospital appointment.  I got to my location thinking I would have one, perhaps zero, students.

By nine, I had four new students who had not been in class last week, one new student added to my register because the night class wasn't fitting her work schedule, and also my one returning student from last week.  My lesson plan went out the window.  I'm not sure what is going on with the three students I have yet to meet.  I suppose that tomorrow I might have eleven students!

I sent a text to my school advisor, telling her what happened.  Her response: "Welcome to adult ESL!  It's a good thing you are flexible!" :)

In other news, tomorrow (Wednesday) will be my first day at Job #3.  I'll be working a few afternoons and evenings a week at the welcome desk of a local gym.  I have a lot of hours my first week because of orientation, so I better get back to my homework now!  I will teach from 9-11 tomorrow morning, and then work at the gym from 5-9 p.m.

Grow Where You Are Planted!

I've always appreciated gardens, but it has only been in the last few years that I have had a interest in being a gardener.  I didn't really have the freedom to indulge this in the UK.  However, I have a lovely little patio now, and I want to take advantage of the space and the gorgeous spring.

After I finished teaching for today (which is an entire story also), Martha and I headed to Lowes to start Project Beautiful.

When reaching for a pot, Martha inadvertently dumped some very chilly rainwater on me.  We both started howling with laughter.  I don't think the other patrons knew what to make of us.

Neither of us have gardened much, but we are both from gardening families.  You might say the gardening urge has been dormant until now.  It is only recently starting to bloom.  We are budding horticulturalists.  (Haha...the plant puns have been "sprouting" all day!)  Just please don't call us "blooming idiots!"  

We made our difficult decisions (so many flowers!) and went home with our starter garden.  I had Martha take some pictures, because my Mother will be so amazed!  

I also purchased two large pots and some seeds.  Hopefully, I will be showing you some sprouts in a few weeks!  I've planted carrots in one and spring onions in the other.  

Moving Martha

This weekend was moving weekend!  For a change, I wasn't the one moving.  Martha, my roommate from junior year of college, moved from New England and into my apartment.  Friday, two other friends and I drove up to Massachusetts to help her move her belongings down to Pennsylvania.

Meet Martha:

We arrived at about midnight and promptly went to bed.  The next morning, Martha rented a U-Haul and we packed up!

By 1 p.m., we were ready to get on the road!  We drove to Charlestown and stopped to let Martha say goodbye to her favorite beach and to have a picnic lunch on the beach.

We left the pizza on the rocks when we went to take some pictures by the water's edge.  Imagine our surprise when we came back to empty boxes!  We lost our leftovers to a hungry seagull!

Refreshed by our break, we got back on the road and drove the rest of the way to Pennsylvania.  

We arrived at my apartment at about 11 p.m.  I figured out that the three of us who left Pennsylvania on Friday had travelled about 800 miles in a 29 hour period.  I don't recommend it!  Bed felt very, very good!