it shall all begin soon!

Very soon, indeed! Summer school will begin this coming Monday and I am very excited about being back for another year! I've spent some time looking at apartments in different areas of Bangkok that are near the school. It's been difficult to decide but I don't have to choose quite yet. Will take the school-provided apartment for a month and 'buy' some time. I stayed at that apt. building the entire contract when I was here last. It was nice and all but I'd like a little more room for visitors (so come visit!!) and a proper kitchen. Maybe even a washing machine, too! There are loads of options, it's just a lot to think about! Will let you know what I choose when I choose it!

The "newies" (Australians add an "ie", "ies" or s to the end of nearly everything) had orientation today. I am not technically new but wasn't here last year, so am grouped with them. It was lovely to meet all the (6) new teachers. ALL of them are Aussie. Yes, more Aussies. I do have something like 4 or 5 other Americans on staff to "understand" me better. Evelyn and I regularly find places to eat Nachos and talk about American television. It's really great to have a close American friend. ... who speaks fluent Thai, too!

We will have orientation with the full staff tomorrow and prepare for Monday's first day of summer school! As a Grade One teacher I will have my full class of 20 and it is their first official day of school (other than the three years of kindergarten that they do here). We'll focus on routines (come in, take off your shoes and stand behind your desk), sight words (book, chair, sit, quiet...) and beginning math (of course the rest of the world calls it maths)... numbers and counting. It's really a great time to establish my rules and expectations and demonstrate them repeatedly. Over and over. In clear, simple English. And then again. Even slower and with lots of actions and gesturing. :) It really is fun!!

Have been suffering a bad headache (probably from heat and dehydration) for the past couple of days, so if you haven't heard from me, I've been bed ridden and not doing much internet.

Have a great weekend!! More to come, stay tuned!