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!

First week as an ESL Teacher

I am seated on my veranda, enjoying the remaining rays of sunshine from the day.  It has been gorgeous, not really warm, but gorgeous none the less.  I've got my afternoon cup of coffee, sunglasses on, and life seems good.

Yesterday (Monday) marked the official start of my ESL career.  I've been involved in ESL for a few years now, but this is the *OFFICIAL* beginning!  Monday was my first staff meeting before the start of classes.  I went to the main offices, trying to hide the fact that I was feeling woefully unprepared for my first class.  The other teachers all seem very nice.  Four of us are new this term.  It was at this meeting that I finally found out the essentials, such as how many students I have (and their names!) and the location I was to teach at Tuesday morning!  I think I'm starting to realize that not everyone in this field feels the need to be hyper-prepared.

After the meeting, I drove back across the Susquehanna to meet with my advisor.  I am blessed with the most incredible advisor I could ask for.  She exceeds advisor and becomes mentor in so many ways.  Dr. E offered to help me by looking over my lesson plans the weekend prior.  Since said lesson plans felt so slapdash to me, I asked if I could come by her office to talk it over in person.

We didn't get right to lesson plans but had some time to chat first.  I think we connect well because we are both TCKs (Third Culture Kids) and additionally, she has raised children overseas and says that I remind her of her daughter.  Given the stories she has told me, we do sound quite similar and I think Dr. E and my mother could start a support group for mothers of Type A TCKs!

Dr. E answered my many questions about my lesson plan and how I should spend the first day of class.   It certainly helped me to feel a little more at ease, but I had some residual butterflies.  It helped to know that I have the support of my family and numerous friends!

I got to my teaching location about 45 minutes early!  I teach a site in H-burg, and I wasn't entirely certain of the location.  One of the other teachers, the one with the key!, had said she would arrive at 8:15 or so if those of us who are new wanted to look at our classrooms and have extra time to set up.  I found the building easily and she showed me to my fairly bare classroom.  Picture chairs, a table, and a whiteboard!   Thankfully, I had my own dry erase markers in my teacher kit!

Classes were to start at 9.  By 8:55, I had two students in my classroom.  I was expecting ten.  I went ahead and started my personal introduction and by 9:10, a third student had arrived.  We had changed the start date of class, and I think more students will show up tomorrow after receiving a reminder call today!

Our unit this term is "Friends and Family."  It is the perfect unit to start off with a new Beginner class, because it is all about relationships!  I took pictures of my family and used those as my introduction of myself but also to introduce the vocabulary.  If you aren't familiar with ESL, it may surprise you to hear  what "Beginner" truly means!  My vocabulary list included "mother, father, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, brother in law..." You get the picture!  This is a very "beginner" class.

Goodness, I already love the three students though!  We took some time to talk about their families and their backgrounds.  I can't wait to get to know them more through the course.  Two of the ladies are quite good at conversational English and not very confident in their reading ability.  The other lady is a wonderful reader but is very hesitant to speak.

After class, I had to go over to our offices to get some more textbooks for my students.  Then, a good friend took me out for lunch to celebrate a wonderful first day of teaching!  After that, my teaching continued with a few hours of homeschooling a friend's children so she could take a break.  I don't mind a few hours here and there but it solidifies for me that I love teaching adults.  I'm not meant to be an elementary teacher!

It's time for homework and tomorrow's lesson plan!  Thanks to all of you who were praying for me today!

Life in Transition, yet again.

Life, always interesting, has gotten a bit hectic lately.  I am so thankful that I only registered for one class this term.  In addition to Linguistics, which has been a very challenging class, I'm going to be starting work soon.  Thank you very much to those of you who have been praying for me as I've made a variety of decisions about work!

I have just received my final clearance for my teaching job.  I will take my collection of forms and clearances into the main office on Tuesday and I start teaching a class of adults on April 23.  This job will only be eight hours a week.  To supplement those hours, I'm going to be working at a local retirement village, as a part time home health aide.  I have a six hour orientation on Monday for that position.

On May 1, I'll have a new roommate moving into my flat.  Martha and I roomed together in university, and nine years later, we are going to try this again!

As I sit at my kitchen table, covered in a pretty yellow and orange striped tablecloth, I feel so excited.  Spring is here, the sunshine is lovely, and I'm making a home here.  I've been so encouraged by the friends I've been reconnecting with and the opportunities before me.  I love being able to pop over to my sister's house and say hi for a few minutes.  I finally feel as though I'm making some connections at church as well.  Like the bits of green popping up everywhere, this is a time for me to grow.  

Morphing into My Mother...

I love my momma (and miss her!) and I find myself thinking that I am turning into her!  (By the way, I think that would be a great thing because she is pretty awesome.)  This morning, as I sat in my little breakfast nook, enjoying coffee and banana bread, I was thrilled to see a cardinal in the bush outside my window.  The other day, I saw a bird flitting about and thought, "Hmm...I should get a bird book and start finding out what some of these birds are named."  (Haha....Mom, you never thought you would hear those words!)

I am even attempting to grow a green thumb, among other things.  Mom has always had lovely flowers, both inside and outside our home.  I may bring beautiful flowers home, but they don't always stay that way!  I think I'm a compulsive over-waterer.  

I now am the proud owner of three African violets, one yellow primrose, and one peace lily.  I have googled "how to take care of African violets" and I hope I'll do the job well!  I am being especially careful to read the watering instructions!

My spring and summer goal is to get some potted plants for my patio (love that alliteration!) and hopefully some succulents for inside the house.  

I have always loved Zimbabwean gardens.  Aunt Liz, a member of our Zimbabwean "family," has always had gorgeous gardens.  If I could have a fraction of her skill, I'd be happy!  Here are some pictures from her lovely veranda.  

My own little veranda won't compare to this, unfortunately.  First, I don't have this much space and second, I don't live in the right latitude to make this possible year round! however, I will endeavor to make my little corner of M-burg beautiful and green.

English Language Moment!

In light of the busyness of the past weeks, I'm just going to take a second to share a little English trivia with you!

Bookkeeper is the only word in the English language that has three double letter spellings in a row!

The Great Egg Hunt

Our Easter was a little different this year.  My grandparents now have three great-grandchildren, with a fourth expected in July!  The next generation are now the focus of our annual egg hunt.  Emme (1) was more entertained by the fake grass in her egg bucket, so it was really the other two who found the eggs.  

Jer hid the eggs on the back porch, due to the rain.  It ended up working out well.  There were plenty of nooks and crannies to hold the eggs.  

Oh they were so excited!  Anna (who turns two this weekend) kept running around from corner to corner.  She was so sweet and she kept sharing the eggs she found with Kolton and Emme!  I love that little sweetie so much.  She's the best!