Hello again. A lot has happened since I last spoke to everyone. I have successfully finished my first week of teaching. I got a pretty bad case of food poisoning Tuesday. By 7:20 pm Tuesday I was feeling awful. I went home and laid on the floor of my apt. Until my roommate got home and then I threw-up. We went to the hospital and I got an IV. I slept all day Wednesday, and recovered pretty much completely by Thursday .

I'm still figuring out how to make lesson plans. Although I have had lots of examples and been shown how, this is actually the first time I have had to make them. It seems that after a week or so it probably won't take more than a couple of minutes.

I'm not nearly so nervous in my classes now. I am really enjoying teaching, but it is kind of hard to get materials ready in 5 minutes between classes. I think by the end of the first month I will have figured out how to pace myself to finish the lesson and accomplish my teaching goals for each hour. This first week has required a lot organization, in the class, at my desk, and in my head.

We went to see an imperial palace that was built 600 years ago this weekend. I will tell of the details when I have had more sleep.

Till next time...

Today was my first day actually being a teacher. I found that establishing authority in the class is a bit difficult. I love the kids and I have a hamster in my class. But figuring out who is the teacher is hard. I think maybe because some of the kids are young, 4 or 5 years old.

I'm trying to train the hamster to sit on my shoulder. But he has a way to go. When I tried to pick him up the other day he bit me so hard that he drew blood. The first thing that he has to learn is not to bite the hand that feeds him:)

I moved out of my old room into a larger room this weekend at my apartment. It is nice having my own bathroom. I' wish Randy was still living there though. She was a good roommate, I hope the next is a good one too.

The theme for my kindergarten this week is animals. I'm trying to come up with some animal songs, and games. If you can think of any, I'd be much obliged. I'm also teaching several classes of slightly older aged children and one of junior high level students. We start teaching at 10 am and finish at 7:20 pm with a 40 min. Lunch break.

Well, I have a bunch of prep. Work I'd like to do for tomorrow so I'll talk to you all later.