Days 19 & 20- Almost the weekend!

Well since the last time I have written, life here in Western Australia has been pretty blah and even hotter! The weekend temps are supposed to continue to rise, and even get close to 40 degrees Celsius. That's 104 degrees ladies and gentleman. Just in time for my birthday...

Wednesday, February 15
After I last wrote, I went down and had dinner with Steve and Ryan. All of a sudden, I hear a very familiar voice coming from the television. I look up and low and behold, it was my COST Supervisor, Dr. Happs. His wife had sent us an email earlier in the week saying he would be on the news a couple of nights this week, but I had completely forgot. He is commentating on a special the local news station is running on whether or not people can actually have psychic abilities. John is the president of WA Skeptics, an organization that devotes their time to uncover "weird" abilities. It was very interesting to hear what all he had to say, he definitely put one of the woman in her place who seemed to be talking out of her behind the entire time!

The following day it was off to school bright and early for a breakfast party to bid a farewell to one of the educational assistants. I wish I could have taken a picture of the "heaps" (I am getting there with the lingo, no worries, agh there I go again) of food that everyone prepared. Fortunately, I was put on toast duty and only had to bring in a loaf of bread, easy enough for me since I am such a little Betty Crocker in the kitchen! After our huge breakfast, we all needed a nap, but it was time to start our day. I taught another lesson on nouns, this time we worked on sorting the nouns into their categories (i.e., person, place, or thing). The students really seemed to grasp the concept, so I decided to change up my follow up lesson to challenge them a bit more. Tomorrow we are doing common nouns vs. proper nouns. I still find myself struggling to communicate with the one deaf student. He seems so far behind, it's puzzling to determine where to begin with him even for my experienced teacher. Fortunately, the interpreters are wonderful and are very patient with the students which makes instruction a little less chaotic.

Student Work- Sorting Nouns 

After school, I came home to fiddle on my Ipad which I suddenly realized I left at school on my work desk. I felt lost! So instead, I decided to be productive and go on a run. I typically go around 5:30-6, when it is a little bit cooler. Well on this day, I decided to give 4 o'clock a shot because the weather seemed nice. Boy was I wrong... I came in drenched! Hopefully my tolerance of the heat will increase so July and August in Alabama won't seem as big of a deal anymore. Oh and speaking of running, I am following a pacing guide I found online to train for a 5K! I really would like to run one once I get home, maybe not in the summer though... Anyone who is interested, please join! I need all the help/motivation a girl can get, seeing that running is not my forte'.

I am still adjusting to the high costs of everything here. Ryan, Steve, and myself went into town to get a pizza and two mediums cost a little over $40! I was in shock when the cashier rang it up... Another thing that is surprising is the amount of restaurants and cafes that are BYOB, for those of you who are not familiar with that acronym- Bring your own booze. They're everywhere! Also on the way into town, Steve and I chatted about how careful you have to be in another culture not to offend anyone. I have apologized a thousand times for saying "ma'am" and "sir" because here if you say it, it can be taken as an insult, like calling someone an old hag or something. Steve also thinks it's funny how I say "y'all" constantly...

Thursday, February 16
Morning came quite early for me once again. I really do hope I can keep up this nice early bird routine back home. After breakfast, I went out to hang my laundry on the line- something that I am still getting used to. I miss being able to turn on the dryer to keep things from getting wrinkled. Guess I am a little spoiled back home, just a teeny bit! I did have good company while I was out, Tia and Basha, the dogs. They're the sweetest thing and are very protective. I have already noticed how they look at strangers when I am around!

Tia, 12 years old, same spunk as my little Andy man!

School today went really well. I was able to spend some one on one time with my target student and another student who are both struggling readers. I enjoy doing this sort of work- fluency, literacy skills, etc. Things that seem so basic to us, take time and a lot of frustration for many students. So when I can see I have eased their stress and made what they're doing a little easier for them, I know I am doing my job- which I love! I was also able to plan my 10 days of solo teaching, was a HUGE relief! I cannot believe I am on my own next week! After school, I went down to the Galleria and have discovered so many wonderful shops. I am sure my Dad is just thrilled reading this! :)

Well, technically tomorrow is my birthday here. The big 2-4. This is the first one to spend without my family and friends ever, so it is a bit emotional. I know, wherever they are, they are out celebrating for me! No plans have been set in stone for tomorrow, but I am sure we'll find something to get into. Until then...