Rare Stare

He he. I thought the title was pretty clever. Here’s the reason for it: so many of the kids at school today just stared as I walked by. They don’t hide it well. They nudge their friends and the friends turn around and they all just stare as I walk by. I wonder if some people would enjoy the attention?! I don’t really. But I’ve decided to not let it weird me out. I just chuckle. Especially today. Seeing them stare reminded me how rare I am.

I think it might be a little better if I was closer to the city. At Dream Mall on Saturday I actually saw white people. Yeah!

SCHOOL: today was better than yesterday. I was able to adapt my lesson plans to meet the needs of these kids. Their English isn’t as good as last week’s kids. And I had an assistant today. Another teacher from the school. He was helpful and nice. He said he likes my teaching style and that I’m doing a good job. Nice to hear since he is a fellow teacher and knows the struggles.

It was very hot today. My assistant said it is hotter today than it has been lately. I was actually wishing for rain. Oh and I took a shower at 12 as soon as I got home. The crazy part is that I would have loved that shower at 8:20 right when I got to the school. Cold showers are the best thing. At home, they were terrible. But since arriving here, that is all I’ve wanted. I don’t know if I’ll ever want a warm shower while I’m here.

STORE: made another run to the store today. Had to get some water since I ran out last night. I was also buying laundry detergent. And I saw the bear Snuggles. Yeah! I didn’t buy that kind. I thought it was fabric softener and it wasn’t the cheapest kind (which is what my roommate recommended. Ha ha. Chinese are always concerned with prices). I found some detergent and right now my new bedding is hanging up to dry. Yippee! I’m pretty excited. It will be more like a room with a “quilt” and sheets and pillows that all match. Right now it’s hodgepodge.

I have another disappointment to report: goldfish just aren’t as good over here. What is up with that?! The Doritos weren’t as cheesy and now the goldfish are failing me. I didn’t think they would since the bag says product of U.S.A. Boo hoo.

MARKET: last night I went with my roommate to the market. I forgot my camera as I went out the door so no pics. It was very interesting. I’m pretty sure I was the only white person there, so I probably got some stares. I bout some yummy bread treats. I had one for breakfast and one for lunch today. And we both bought a traditional Taiwanese egg omelet-tortilla thing. It was good, but really big. I had to throw the last little piece away. It was also spicy so my mouth was burning. It had pepper on and herbs inside. Okay, I don’t know what I ate. I liked it though.

PROLOGUE: Think that is all for now. I’d better work on the lessons for tomorrow. Have to keep the kids busy! Today we talked about Christmas and I made a PowerPoint. I figured it is hard to visualize and understand something you’ve never experienced before. So they saw pics of reindeer and Christmas trees. I had fun making it. One last thing: I will probably be getting the internet in my apartment soon. Yeah! And I don’t have to sign a 2-year contract or pay for the line. Just a monthly fee. The company has a server in our building and they are letting tenants try it out downstairs. I’ll probably make a visit down there soon.

P.S. It’s amazing to me how I write so much yet feel like you are only getting a small portion of all that I think about and experience. Sorry! Maybe if I had more time. Perhaps when I get internet access in my apartment. At the office I have to prepare lessons first (at least that’s what I try to do) and then I have to leave by 5:15 so I can catch the garbage truck around 5:30. :)