Greetings, blog readers! Thank you for your attention. I can't believe it's Monday already and I haven't gotten around to adding anything for a while. Here's the latest:
My second week at work was a blast, much better than the first. I am adapting quickly to what I need to do, but also to the fact that things there change so fast I will need to constantly adapt. They asked if I would take on a new class on Tuesday, talked to me about it on Wednesday, gave me the documents for reference on Thursday, and it already started on Friday! Sink or swim.
The children are adapting too. Much less crying and more participating.
The new job is called EFL - it's for 4- and 5-year-olds. It's not "day care" like for the toddlers, where they learn languages and everything else a kid that age needs to know. It's supposed to be just English as a foreign language. I had one 4-year-old girl on Friday and things went rather well (I think).
This week's theme is touch, taste and smell! Fun.
I've started to have fun with my job. I actually went to bed last Friday smiling, thinking of all the possibilities and how fun they are to plan and carry out. However, it's still new and not without stress. Am I doing a good job? What if I get a bad review by my authorities?
The schedule has finally solidified:
M T W Th F
off 9:00-2:15 9:00-12:15 9:00-2:15 9:00-12:15
toddlers toddlers toddlers toddlers
3:30-4:30 1:30-4:30 3:30-4:30 1:30-4:30
toddlers EFL toddlers EFL
5-6 baby group 5-6 baby group
Plus planning and getting all the materials in my own time. But all in all not a bad schedule. Tuesdays and Thursdays are long days.
Pasha got me internet this weekend, so it's a lot more convenient for me to work, skype, and do what I need to do. I also set up a Russian bank account, shopped for all the smelly and tasty things I need for class this week, went to church, watched a funny Russian movie at home, had my friend Lena over on Saturday night, and went to a fitness club. Busy weekend! This was the first weekend when I could start to relax; daily life requirements are being met more and more step by step and things are getting to a manageable routine.
The commute from home to work (door-to-door) is one hour: bus, then metro, then foot. Yes, it sounds bad, but it doesn't feel too bad. I like the car-less lifestyle. We'll see how it goes this winter.
I had a moment when I was getting my city registration card and another when I was realizing that this is my first Russian apartment when I was kind of euphoric; I stepped back and saw the big picture, "this is really happening" kind of thing.
By the way I could not think of a catchy title for this blog. "From Russia with love" was too cliche. I could not think of any plays on words or anything like that. Open to suggestions!!
Life at home is good too. Really, really happy with my living situation and ideal roommate. The girl who was supposed to move in to the third room but was dragging her feet finally refused. Pasha told me that we need to find someone, so we are asking around through friends and acquaintances.
I'll try to post some more pics soon! God bless you all and love,
Beth
My second week at work was a blast, much better than the first. I am adapting quickly to what I need to do, but also to the fact that things there change so fast I will need to constantly adapt. They asked if I would take on a new class on Tuesday, talked to me about it on Wednesday, gave me the documents for reference on Thursday, and it already started on Friday! Sink or swim.
The children are adapting too. Much less crying and more participating.
The new job is called EFL - it's for 4- and 5-year-olds. It's not "day care" like for the toddlers, where they learn languages and everything else a kid that age needs to know. It's supposed to be just English as a foreign language. I had one 4-year-old girl on Friday and things went rather well (I think).
This week's theme is touch, taste and smell! Fun.
I've started to have fun with my job. I actually went to bed last Friday smiling, thinking of all the possibilities and how fun they are to plan and carry out. However, it's still new and not without stress. Am I doing a good job? What if I get a bad review by my authorities?
The schedule has finally solidified:
M T W Th F
off 9:00-2:15 9:00-12:15 9:00-2:15 9:00-12:15
toddlers toddlers toddlers toddlers
3:30-4:30 1:30-4:30 3:30-4:30 1:30-4:30
toddlers EFL toddlers EFL
5-6 baby group 5-6 baby group
Plus planning and getting all the materials in my own time. But all in all not a bad schedule. Tuesdays and Thursdays are long days.
Pasha got me internet this weekend, so it's a lot more convenient for me to work, skype, and do what I need to do. I also set up a Russian bank account, shopped for all the smelly and tasty things I need for class this week, went to church, watched a funny Russian movie at home, had my friend Lena over on Saturday night, and went to a fitness club. Busy weekend! This was the first weekend when I could start to relax; daily life requirements are being met more and more step by step and things are getting to a manageable routine.
The commute from home to work (door-to-door) is one hour: bus, then metro, then foot. Yes, it sounds bad, but it doesn't feel too bad. I like the car-less lifestyle. We'll see how it goes this winter.
I had a moment when I was getting my city registration card and another when I was realizing that this is my first Russian apartment when I was kind of euphoric; I stepped back and saw the big picture, "this is really happening" kind of thing.
By the way I could not think of a catchy title for this blog. "From Russia with love" was too cliche. I could not think of any plays on words or anything like that. Open to suggestions!!
Life at home is good too. Really, really happy with my living situation and ideal roommate. The girl who was supposed to move in to the third room but was dragging her feet finally refused. Pasha told me that we need to find someone, so we are asking around through friends and acquaintances.
I'll try to post some more pics soon! God bless you all and love,
Beth
Awesome. Keep it coming!
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