Days 11 & 12- Working for the weekend

The past two days have been quite interesting here in Perth, Australia. It's been a bit hectic, but I find blogging is somewhat therapeutic as bizarre as that may sound. It helps me get out what I am feeling and also updates you all about my adventures in Australia!

We will begin with yesterday, which for me was Tuesday. I woke up quite early for some reason and was feeling very chipper! I also noticed that I am starting to get a little bit of color to me! FINALLY. I do a lot of walking outdoors so I guess I am getting sun without even realizing it. No worries for you all thinking I am not wearing sunblock. I put it on everyday and even reapply at school if we are just going outside for a little bit. After I got up I went downstairs for some breakfast. I wake up quite early for my host family so I always try to be quiet so I don't wake them. But, on this morning my host "mum" :) was already awake. She was baffled by the fact that I would drink a Diet Coke in the morning as a little pick me up. The family doesn't drink coffee so I have to drink something that will put a little pep in my step. My supervisor at my school has offered to pick me up for school every morning, which saves me a bus fare and a little more time to count sheep. I enjoy riding with her because she is quite friendly and always has something interesting to say. I also don't mind the way she compliments me on my dressing every day. She always says "another wonderfully flash outfit, so professional!" or something of that nature. Hopefully my professional ensembles will be in the back of her mind when she is evaluating me :) On this particular day, I helped "Melody" with the Year 8 students. She is very precise with the kids and is great at breaking down tasks for them. Today during science we spent a good bit of time in the garden they are keeping for the year. I really enjoy watching the kids get into it, since they are still fairly young they seem to really like being outdoors. Not so much for the older kids though... I also was able to observe my focus student Michael a little bit more. I am slowly learning more and more about him as he slowly opens up to me! After school, I ran over to the gym next door to use my free membership pass. The facilities were alright, but not nearly nice enough for the price... Another thing I found odd was the fact that there were NO water fountains in sight at the gym. Their shortage of water must be really severe if there are no water fountains in a gym where everyone needs re hydrating! I ran over to the shops, before they closed at 5:30 (so early!), to grab a few things. I am becoming quite frustrated how certain people in the service industry act here. I am trying to be as patient as possible and not jump to conclusions, but it is quite different from the "American way." After dealing with not so nice cashiers, I heard "Take me home, country roads" on my Ipod. I suddenly was take over by feelings of missing home and how easy everything would be if I were back in the states. I keep reminding myself that this opportunity will benefit me so much in the long run! While I am enjoying my time here, our supervisor warned us that we would feel these types of emotions and that they are quite normal. After getting all down and the dumps, my day turned around! For some reason, the bus driver let me onto the bus without paying the fare. I went to give him the amount I normally pay which he seemed to disagree with. He didn't seem native to Australia, so maybe he could understand how hard it can be learning your way in the new country and thought he would help. Which I definitely appreciated! Once getting home, I sat down to watch a little bit of the news with Steve. I am trying my best to stay up to date with things going on here, but it can be a little confusing. The channel they watch for their news has a male anchor that insists on wearing either auburn color ties or even worse, that pumpkin orange color... Did I mention I have to walk by a house every day on my way home that is painted with that pumpkin orange. Yucky! Janette definitely made my day quite better by preparing Shepard's pie, it was lovely! She is very sick at the moment so I try to keep my distance. I can't afford a day to be sick while I am here, so pray for good health!

At least they have a nice yard? 

Today was another crazy sort of day. My morning started off on not such a good foot. I walked out of the house and the wind blew half of my papers out of my hand. I should have taken that as a sign, haha! As soon as we got out of our morning meeting I spilled coffee everywhere and then later at lunch, salad dressing down my pants. Probably not a sign that it was going to be a bad day, just a sign that I am very clumsy sometimes! On Wednesday's at my school, the kids do not begin class until 9 and are let out at 2:30! How wonderful, right? Short days, make for happy students. Happy students=happy teachers! I wasn't around the Year 8 students quite as much today and worked a lot with the upper school. They are very intrigued that I am an American and often ask me questions all about the states. I am more than happy to answer but one that tickled me today was- "I wish we had stores like you all, what do you do in Wal Mart? It has to be like the best thing ever!" I wish I could have told them about the people from Wal Mart website so they could see how "glamorous" it really is, but I didn't think that would be too professional! After school, I did a couple of things around the office and headed home to do MORE school work. I am feeling quite overwhelmed at the moment so all positive thoughts, prayers, vibes, what have you, are needed! You all have been very supportive of me while I am here and I know you will continue to be. Thanks again for all of your kind words and motivation!