As Usual...

... I tend to get over-optimistic about how often I will be able to write in my blog and then never quite end up having enough time.  But I woke up early today because I thought that I hadn't planned my classes (which is usually the case), but I had, in fact, planned all three of them for today already!  Look at me, all ahead of things!  For the moment...  Of course, I have no idea what I will be doing in those classes after today, but... hey, at least I have a few minutes now to update you a bit!

Now if only I could remember what it is I have been doing.  Working, mostly.  Planning, planning, planning, planning!  Wooooo!  It's a little nicer this round, because we have five weeks to teach for the next test (last time we only had four, and the first week was pretty much wasted with introductions and logistics and stuff like that).  Today is the last day of the second week, and I am pretty much right on schedule.  Except for my one late class that goes until 10:00 pm--I have a different set of students each time I hold that class, so they are invariably completely lost because they didn't come to the last class.  I know I'm not supposed to be re-teaching the same lessons again, but how can I continue when they don't understand the basis of what we're doing?  I know that those kids probably aren't going to do as well on the test, simply because they don't show up to class so they don't  have as much time to learn.  For  most of them, it's not their fault--they all have other jobs, so oftentimes they get stuck working late and can't make it to class.  They're still probably going to get poor grades for low attendance, but I prefer to teach them a few things well instead of trying to keep up with the rest of the classes and just throw things at them.  So, even if they don't learn very well what will be on the second half of the test, at least they will be able to use the stuff from the first half.  If I didn't slow down a bit, they wouldn't be able to use any of it!  Of course, I have to make sure that at I least introduce all the topics, because there are a couple students who actually study on their own and could figure it out themselves.  That's a tough class.  Well, the class itself is pretty nice because it's so small.  The most I've ever had show up at once is 6 students, so we usually all sit in a circle and do stuff together.  It's easier to focus on what they need the most help with.  And they have fun!  It's usually a nice way to end my long days, even if the logistics of it are a bit frustrating.

So, other than school, what have I been up to?  Well, last weekend was the reunion for all the present and past TeachingChile participants--it was held on the roof of the director's apartment (20th floor!), and the view was great!  He lives in a really nice part of town, close to the mountains, and there was actually very little smog that day so it was perfect.  We had all sorts of American food, including ginormous, Texas-sized burgers!  There was also about 5 gallons of guacamole.  And no, I am not exaggerating.  It was nice to see everyone again; we've all been so busy that it's been hard to meet up, especially the people who have been sent to other cities!  It was also nice to compare stories and see that I'm not the only one struggling to keep my head above water!  Although I am pretty jealous of one kid who got ALL advanced classes.  He never has trouble explaining things, and he says he spends about 15 minutes planning each class. And apparently his students are actually well-behaved too!  I guess if you manage to get to those levels, you must want to be there.  For most people, it is only required to get to the intermediate level to graduate.  There was also a ton of free wine and beer at the event, which is always sure to attract a crowd.  We even got to try some micro-brewed beer from a company that is managed by one of the former TeachingChile participants.  It was super delicious, and they're going to start exporting soon!  See if you can find it in the U.S.!  Check it out: Szot Beer.

Also, all you Hoeferts out there are going to be jealous, but there is a whole train museum at Parque Quinta Normal!  I was supposed to go to the zoo in Lampa with Raul last Sunday, but he didn't feel well so he decided to stay home.  Which worked out great for me, because I got to go out exploring!  I love Parque Quinta Normal--it is a huge park with lots of outdoor activities available, but it is also home to some of the city's best museums.  I think there are five or six museums inside the park, and two or three just outside of it.  So, even though it is about 45 minutes away by train, it is definitely a great place to go whenever (if ever) I get bored (or more likely, start to pull my hair out from frustration). Anyways, I went to the Museo Ferroviario (Train Museum), which has a bunch of Chile's oldest trains.  They even have the presidential car from the early 20th century!  It has all original furnishings (except the clock, which somehow magically disappeared in the train's transfer to the museum).  They give free guided tours, and I took about 20 pictures just inside the train!  Except for furnishings, it is built completely of wood, and it features all the modern amenities that are even hard to come by in trains nowadays: running cold and hot water, flush toilets, showers, central heating and GE fans, and even electricity!  It was pretty amazing!  If you didn't want to visit me before, what better reason could you have than the opportunity to visit the Train Museum!?  Check out their website for further anticipation: Museo Ferroviario.

And I will leave you with that, because now it's time for class.  Enjoy!

What to do...?

... in class tomorrow?  That's what I should really be working on, but instead I am just sitting here and staring at the computer.  We have pretty much finished up all the units for the test, we just have to work on the writing practice.  I've been giving the writing as homework, but since I am going to have more time in my next few classes, it might be nice to start the assignment in class.  Or it might lead to more goofing off.   I also could start the review, but I'm not sure exactly how to do that.  I already gave them a  vocab sheet with new words and grammatical structures, so they know what is going to be on the test (as much as I do, which isn't very much because the department heads haven't finished writing it yet).  They also need more practice speaking, but whenever we do that in pairs or threesomes, they just end up speaking Spanish except when I walk by.  What to do, what to do...

Who wants to send me some advice?

Or do it for me? :-P

Haha, ok, ok, ok.... I'm working!

At least I get Korean food tonight...!  I'll let you know how that goes!