Back to the Eastside

Right now I am sitting in Naomi's Mother's living room filled with antiques. Naomi and I were up a couple hours ago and we went for a nice run this morning. There was a frost on the ground but the sun was shining. A perfect way to start the day.

We are here to celebrate Naomi's Grandma's 91st birthday. I will get to meet much of her family today. Her aunt who lives next door will be hosting the party. Hopefully it will be a nice time. Maybe before that happens we will be able to go to a castle or an old church something like that. The weather looks perfect.

This was a difficult week at school but I also had some successes. Tuesday I had a meeting with the director that made me pretty upset. Yesterday we met again, with Naomi this time, and things were sorted out for the most part. I was happy to reach a conclusion, even if that conclusion is not what I had hoped for.

Everything else at school is going pretty well. The schedule will finally change next week so that I will not be sharing classes any more and I will be with first years for the whole time - not second years. I am extremely relieved by this. It will solve a lot of problems; this I take as a sign that my direct supervisor is really trying to help me succeed. I also like working with the first years a lot more - they are cuter, more moldable, and fun. They actually listen (most of the time).

I am working with the drama teacher on having the students make a DVD about water. They will sell it at their marketplace. The marketplace raises money for Amnesty International. The whole school is working on a project about human rights. I hope that the DVDs turn out well, but we are definitely behind schedule. Next week the students should be working well on it. Especially since I will be there more often.

I am feeling much more confident with my teaching and the schedule change will really make me more effective. Life in the NL is also becoming more normal. I think that I am getting beyond the culture-shock phase. There was much more that I needed/need to adjust to than I had anticipated. But for now, breakfast is on the table, so it is time to eat.