First day on the job

Well, I survived!  And it wasn't at all bad.

I woke up at 3:30 and just couldn't get back to sleep.  So I got up at 6:30 and was out the door by 7:30, although work didn't start til 9:15.  I wasn't sure I'd be able to find it walking, and I had nothing else to do, so I left so early.  I had breakfast at the "chic" dunkin donuts on Arbat, where a bottle of water costs $3, they play euro-techno music, and people come in, buy a box of donuts, and sit down and eat them.  A little different from this restaurant in America!

I arrived at 10 after 8 and sat and waited until people started getting there.  Eventually I figured out (although no one said it outright) that we should just play with the children.  We didn't have to do anything organized.  Most of the parents were there at least for a little while, giving the kids time to adapt to this new environment.  I think this is a good idea, for them and for me!  Thursday the real work begins.  No parents, planned days.  The difference is letting them do what they want and trying to get them to do what you want.  A big difference.

However, tomorrow I do have an organized class - the baby group.  Parents will be there to work with their own kid the whole hour, but I have to take them through a set of planned educational activities, language-wize and content-wize.  I was nervous at first, but Marie Helene took a lot of time to walk me through it and answer all my questions.

The break in the middle of the day was huge - 12:15 to 3.  I had lunch with some American ladies who also work there and immediately noticed that they have different values than I.  Not saying things won't be friendly ... but we probably won't be friends.  No offense to them.  I know that might seem like a rash judgement, but before you judge me for judging, just trust me.  All they did in a first getting-to-know-you conversation was complain about the children.  I can tell they don't respect them.  Why work there if that's the case?

During this time I also got some information, finally.  My boss and I sat down and she went over the schedule, paperwork, etc.  It's been really bugging me that these things have been up in the air (as far as I'm concerned) this whole time.  Until I know for certain what's going on, I have to be ready for anything. Now I can relax a little bit.

She asked me if I would, during September, for a bonus, take on 4 extra kids, half a group of a teacher who will arrive in three weeks.  Someone quit last minute, and the new person can't get here right away (boy do I know how that feels!).  I said yes, partly to get extra money, partly to be a team player.

I finally left work at 5.  I would have stayed and gotten ready for the baby group tomorrow, but I had to meet a guy about an apartment.  It was perfect in everyway, except that it smells like cigarette smoke.  I just can't take it.  :(  Oh well.  I'll find the right place for me.

Then I realized - this is my last paid night at the hostel!! Three days went by like lightning!  If I don't move tomorrow, what am I going to do?  Will they keep paying until I find an apartment?  I'll talk to my boss tomorrow.

What a long day!  Amazingly, as I write this at 9:15pm, I'm still not tired.  At least not feeling it.  I still have to buy shampoo, shower and do some work before I go to bed!  Thank God for lots of energy.

Working (playing) with the kids was truly delightful.  There was one major meltdown where are girl screamed so loudly I had to plug my ears.  It was a freak of nature type thing.  But it was the end of the day - she was the last kid and she was exhausted.  Here are some pics of the kids.  They really are adorable.  We already have parental permission to publish them on the internet.

God bless and love,

Beth