Merry Christmas

I kept meaning to get back on and finish my last post. I had to stop since it was time to start working :)

I said that because I got another package from my mom and family last week. And it made me so happy. It was like Christmas! (Or when my dad comes home from a trip)

She sent me Quaker granola bars, normal notebooks (don't make 'em here like they do in the good 'ol US), my fabulous calculator (I was having withdrawals), and other stuff. I honestly can't remember what else at the moment. But I know the box was chuck full. It weighed 10 lbs! Ha ha.

Thank you, Mom!! Scott's girls were really excited too since I gave them half the granola bars. We got talking one day and Becca said she really missed them. They only sell one type in the local hypermarket - nature valley honey oat ones. Those are pretty good but I was craving normal chocolate chip granola bars. And man do they taste good. I ate one before I was even done unpacking the box :D

I know I had more to say, but I can't remember it. Don't worry about my voice. I developed a teacher voice pretty easily. I don't talk loud normally, but I can. Although my throat did hurt today from all the talking.

Okay, this was pretty funny. There was a bit of chaos during our 7th period class. It was about 35 minutes in, when some students show up and say they are supposed to be in my class. Their teacher wrote it wrong so they had switched spots. No wonder no one answered when I started calling the roll!! Ha ha. I just put it aside and started a seating chart. I was almost done too.

So I got to introduce myself all over again. I'm quite sick of doing that. Twice in 50 minutes is too much. I felt bad for the students that had already heard it that period! AJ said he had some kids the class period before so they heard his intro 3 times today. Ha ha. The joys of organizing students.

Things should be all straightened out now. 1st years have been placed and should know where they are going. Now if we can just get books, things would be great! The writing books haven't even been ordered yet... Interesting thing to me.

I know there is tons of other funny stuff to report. I just can't think of it at the moment. Oh, Sunday I saw an incredible motor vehicle contraption. It was a guy on a wheelchair driving a scooter. Yeah, seems impossible, doesn't it?! But it honestly was there in front of my eyes. I can't describe it without a picture. And I was driving my scooter to church and didn't have my camera. If I had, I just might have pulled over to take a picture. It was a strange sight. And yet ingenious!

So life is good. I have now survived a true Monday. They are my longest days with 5 classes. But I'm happy because it used to be 6. Steve took away my one overtime hour and I'm not complaining. I don't exactly need the extra money.

Oh, Grandma - yes there are really close to 10,000 students here. The school actually admitted too many and they will have to pay for it next year. Yvonne told me the amount, but I forgot it. Some high price for each student. Ouch, not a pretty thing. And that made our class sizes bigger. Woo hoo. I love having 61 students! Not. I don't know if I mentioned that my smallest class is 20. I have quite the extremes. My average is probably 30. Not bad. Wait, that isn't true. It's probably higher. I have two classes of 50. Hm, I'll figure the actual average out. Just a moment.

My average is 38. And I still haven't met one of my classes. It will probably be between 50 and 60. If it's 50, my average goes up to 39 students. Crazy! I thought that was unheard of in Utah. But my friend is currently student teaching (in Highland I think) and has a class of 41.

Just one last tidbit - I saw a bit of Taipei on Saturday. We had a LONG trip to visit the temple. I still haven't figured out how many temples are within 4 hours of me in Utah. Probably all of the ones in Utah, plus Rexburg, Idaho Falls. Possibly others.

Anyway, it was a good experience. Even though I couldn't understand anything! I was happy to see a senior sister giving out the clothes. Another white face and English speaker -- sigh.

Michelle sat next to me on the bus, and it was interesting. She kept talking and I just wanted to sleep. It was 5 in the morning! Eventually she stopped. After I gave her food and pretended to sleep. At least it made me laugh. We were pretty bored on the bus rides but we had some fun on the way home. We played "Go Fish" (which Becca thought was called Gold Fish) and talked in funny voices. It was so much better that way!!

Oh and we visited the Distribution Center. Funny how that too was a treat when back home I just have to drive for 8 minutes to find one. On the bus, Becca said we had to stop at the "Restoration Center" so she could buy a New Era. AJ (another teacher) and I were very confused, and chuckling. I cleared up the name switch. But now we call it the Restoration Center. Scott was surprised I didn't know about it. I said "yeah, it is in Taiwan, when the Restoration took place in America. I'll tell my family now that I've been there." So look, I'm telling you like I said I would. Come see the Restoration Center. It's pretty cool ;)

It was Michelle's first time inside the temple and I was glad I could be there. Usually one of their parents goes along but Grace boarded the plane just before we arrived in Taipei. She is now in Seattle and starting school now. Eh! I'm a little nervous for her. Her family really misses her. Scott was kind of grumpy Saturday evening. We were warned not to ask questions and to be careful. Reminds me of my dad at times (love you!)

This is getting longer and longer. I'll stop now. Life is good. More classes to teach tomorrow. Oh, and I bought a tie with Chinese characters for my missionary brother. Nearly took all my money but I think he will like it. I do. Now I just have to figure out how to ship something to Mexico! Ha ha. Might be awhile.