This being the first week back to class, I've been adjusting to a new schedule, new students and getting back into the routine of life in Concepción. I must say it's been a bit rough. I now teach everyday M-F (I realize this is normal back home but last semester I taught the same amount of classes just 3 days per week), I have a class that meets M-TH which requires a very different mindset and planning style, and it's still pretty darn cold here.
I actually like my schedule so far and I enjoy being busy, it's just a jolt from the past 6 months. One thing I'm very thankful for is the experience from first semester. It's like I've jumped ten steps in one week with my students and the Duoc bureaucracy. I already know what to expect, I know what definitely won't work and I think my teaching style is more clear and succinct. In my experience teaching here, fair expectations (for myself and my students) is half the battle.
Anyway, all of that aside, my friend and fellow volunteer, Jen, and I were talking outside our classrooms the other day when she told me she had a belated birthday present for me. You'll never guess what it was! She dipped into her room and came back with a ziploc bag full of Expo white board markers--variety pack!!! I was so excited I hugged her and maybe even jumped up and down a little bit. As if this wasn't enough, I noticed the shiny gold wrapper of mini Reese's pb cups intermixed with the markers. Had she gifted such a gift 6 months ago, I would've been grateful and excited. I've always loved variety packs...remember 'gelly rolls'?
But now, as a profesora de Inglés, the gift absolutely, positively made my day. We wished each other luck with new students and I stepped into my room, set down my things, ate a Reese's and proceeded to make my board look like a graffiti wall. Who knew that all I needed was chocolate and a splash of color? ....well, I guess Jen did.
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