Sunday October 18, 2009

TOday at lunch I was like a starving wild cave girl. I was served what looked like chicken, a drumstick and something like a breast and leg, and was excited it wasn't fish! After further inspection I knew my food wasn't a chicken from Kaben (I've eaten enough of those to know what they look like) so I asked Bona what it was. "Turkey," she said as if it was as normal as fish. TURKEY!!!! I didn't believe her but after my fist bite I knew she was right. TURKEY!!!!!!! It was so delicious! Turkey on Kaben? I was in heaven because I love turkey and it wasn't fish! I couldn't believe how intensely I picked the meat off the bones. Being my niave (and spoiled?) self I wasn't quite sure where to seach for my meat but it didn't take me long to find it. I even hit a jackpot with what I think was the best white meat I've ever eaten. TURKEY!!!!

You might be wondering where the turkey came from. Well, yesterday a plane came and someone in Majuro bought these turkey parts for Bona, put them in a big container/bin and sent it on the plane. Today she served it to me! I'll tell you two things I ignored that I don't think I'd ignore in different circumstances. First, my meat was a pretty pink all over; and second, the meat had definitely not been in a fridge for at least 1 1/2 days. I ate it knowing both of those facts and SAVORED every bite.

Today church was an hour and a half which is much longer than the 30 min. I'm used to. We got a new pastor and I think he means business!! Church did consist of a lot of singing of different groups like the youth, the middle aged, and the older folks. I really enjoyed it! When my students were up there singing I was so proud! :)

WHile my students were singing I was also trying to figure out how many of them I didn't know still (most Kinder and 1st graders) and tried to figure out how many students came on the plane (I think 4 but I'll know tomorrow!).

The plane also brought my infamous principal, Tuna. I believe I'm in for quite a treat now that our school is fully staffed at 6 (instead of the 2 for 5 months then the 3 for the past 2 weeks) and the students will have a full schedule! I imagine my schedule will change yet again and I'm excited to see what it will be.

Monday October 19

Alright, new and improved schedule!

8:15-9:15 Reading 7/8

9:15-10:15 Reading 5/6

10:15-10:30 Recess

10:30-11:30 MATH!!!! 8 :)

11:30-12:15 Reading 3/4

12:15-1:15 LUNCH

1:15-2:00 PREP!!!! :)

2:00-2:45 English Language Arts 5/6

2:45-3:30 English Language Arts 7/8

I am thrilled about this new schedule. Yes my school day is now 30 minutes longer and my lunch is 15 minutes shorter but now I get to teach MATH!!!! :) Granted, I don't actually know enough Marshallese to teach in Marshallese but the books are in English and I believe math can be taught with few words (this is not in my letter but now, I learned math is HARD to teach with few words....can anyone say WORD PROBLEMS! Ha ha ha ha!!!). I'm so excited!!!

My 5/6 classes are going to be a challeng3e because I know have 18 students but I only have seats for 12 students. Good thing we're used to sitting on the floor here cause that's the only place I have to put them. I wonder how that will effect the dynamics of my class....only time will tell. It also sucks cause if I ever decide to be ambitious and make a worksheet or play BINGO (I've made 12 BINGO boards so far!) I have to make 18! How nice a copier would be right about now.

Tomorrow (Tuesday Oct 20-Happy Birthday Grandpa!) will be the first day of our new schedule and our full teaching staff! Things can only get better.

My principal also said she will talk to the Ministry of Education about getting text books out here. I think I can expect them by Feb. but cross your fingers and hope they come soon cause I imagine life will get a bit easier with them. Who knows, maybe I'll get them and not use them (I can't imagine that) but I'd love to have the option.

Math will be interesting but I'm ready for the challenge. My students do have math books at least. Some of my 8th graders can't do simply addition but I'm going to change that! I can't wait for tomorrow at 10:30! :)

Other interesting news, I took my magazines to school to let my students find pictures to use for a project we're doing. It was interesting to see what the popular pictures were: cars, families, and food. Also, many of my older boys put really good looking men on their covers (People did a best looking bachelor section....mmmmmmm good looking men!). I think they liked the muscles, that's my guess anyway.

And now I have new classes to plan for!

Can't wait to hear from everyone again (to date it's only been 3 weeks since my last mail.)

Much love,

Heidi