Monday, October 18, 2004
I think I'm officially a teacher
As you may have conjectured by my Blog-absence, I'm a busy girl. Thursdays, especially, are somewhat of a marathon. On any given day, it's possible that I leave the Heights at or before 8 a.m. and do not return until 10 or 11 p.m. This is no way to hang on to one's youth. But the events of each day are so rewarding, I just can't stop!
On Monday and Wednesday, I spend the mornings at my internship at the ALI (American Language Institute), where I generally try not to fall asleep by amusing myself with other books, planning my weekly schedule, planning lessons for the classes I actually do teach, and thinking about what I want for lunch (mmmmmmm Chipotle today was amazingly satisfying). Then I eat that lunch of which I have been daydreaming for the past hour, often in the very pleasing company of Ann-imal, Journey Megan J. (henceforth JMegJ), or Katie Mac. Then I continue my indulgence, but this time it is an indulgence not in food, but in Italian men. This is, sadly, only a professional relationship. I tutor three of the cutest Italian men ever, whom I have nick-named Harley, Goofy, and Trendy. They're all lawyers and GENTLEMEN who hold doors open and buy me coffee in addition to paying me to drink it with them while we converse in English. This is the best job EVER. You are all missing out!
After that, on Mondays, I'm done. This is very nice. On Wednesdays, however, there's the chore of going to class. But it's a decent class with a great teacher and fun classmates, so I really don't mind going.
Tuesdays are heavenly. I have coffee with Megan Smith, then my internship class, which is taught by Fernando, who bursts into either song or outrageous, often startling laughter about every 30 seconds. Needless to say, I go to this class feeling somewhat less than obligated and emerge feeling more positive emotions than one is used to feel after a class. And then I go home.
Thursdays, it's Hello World from 9-3, "Tea Time" (conversation group) at the ALI from 3:30-4:30, lesson planning from 5-6, vocal team rehearsal/growth group from 6:45-9 or 10 (depending on whether or not I'm singing that week), and then home around 10 or 11 (whew!).
Friday, back to Hello World again from 9-3, then marathon Italian man tutoring with one after the other from 4-7. That's a lot of chai, but hey...it prepares me for a fun night out on the town...or not.
And that, friends, is my life these days. I love it. I love teaching. I love my students. I love getting new ideas of things to do with them. I do have one query to pose to you all. Trendy asked me last week, "What's the difference between 'I think' and 'I guess'?" I've given this a lot of thought, but the more you think about these things, the more confusing you make it, so I think it's time to get outside opinions. I know you all have one. Try to articulate it if you can. It's harder than you think. This is your mission, should you choose to accept it. Go!
On Monday and Wednesday, I spend the mornings at my internship at the ALI (American Language Institute), where I generally try not to fall asleep by amusing myself with other books, planning my weekly schedule, planning lessons for the classes I actually do teach, and thinking about what I want for lunch (mmmmmmm Chipotle today was amazingly satisfying). Then I eat that lunch of which I have been daydreaming for the past hour, often in the very pleasing company of Ann-imal, Journey Megan J. (henceforth JMegJ), or Katie Mac. Then I continue my indulgence, but this time it is an indulgence not in food, but in Italian men. This is, sadly, only a professional relationship. I tutor three of the cutest Italian men ever, whom I have nick-named Harley, Goofy, and Trendy. They're all lawyers and GENTLEMEN who hold doors open and buy me coffee in addition to paying me to drink it with them while we converse in English. This is the best job EVER. You are all missing out!
After that, on Mondays, I'm done. This is very nice. On Wednesdays, however, there's the chore of going to class. But it's a decent class with a great teacher and fun classmates, so I really don't mind going.
Tuesdays are heavenly. I have coffee with Megan Smith, then my internship class, which is taught by Fernando, who bursts into either song or outrageous, often startling laughter about every 30 seconds. Needless to say, I go to this class feeling somewhat less than obligated and emerge feeling more positive emotions than one is used to feel after a class. And then I go home.
Thursdays, it's Hello World from 9-3, "Tea Time" (conversation group) at the ALI from 3:30-4:30, lesson planning from 5-6, vocal team rehearsal/growth group from 6:45-9 or 10 (depending on whether or not I'm singing that week), and then home around 10 or 11 (whew!).
Friday, back to Hello World again from 9-3, then marathon Italian man tutoring with one after the other from 4-7. That's a lot of chai, but hey...it prepares me for a fun night out on the town...or not.
And that, friends, is my life these days. I love it. I love teaching. I love my students. I love getting new ideas of things to do with them. I do have one query to pose to you all. Trendy asked me last week, "What's the difference between 'I think' and 'I guess'?" I've given this a lot of thought, but the more you think about these things, the more confusing you make it, so I think it's time to get outside opinions. I know you all have one. Try to articulate it if you can. It's harder than you think. This is your mission, should you choose to accept it. Go!
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