The rice plants were short when I first came to Taiwan.  Now, they are long and lush and the grainy tops are turning white.  It feels like I've known the people and places here much longer than two months, so I imagine spending all of next school year here will have me really settled in.  What a great setup, to have three months as a student teacher to get accustomed to life and work here before I made any commitment.  God knew I needed it.

School update!  Spanish is a fun subject to teach because it is irrevocably connected to culture.  For our Spanish classes, my cooperating teacher Michael and I put together a Cinco de Mayo party (a little later in May).  We made fajitas, horchata, listened to Spanish music, and students decorated piñatas and got to experience the joy of piñata bashing!  All the while I was taking mental notes of what to do and what not to do next year.

Last weekend we took the kids to a Bolivian restaurant in Kaohsiung city, two hours away by train, because that is the closest hispanic restaurant.  We had a good time, even though it was rainy, and it was amazingly refreshing to speak Spanish with the workers at the restaurant.  I think it was a good experience for me as a teacher.  Before we went, I didn't consider a restaurant worth four hours in transit.  However, experience is the best teacher.  Students got to taste Bolivian cuisine, test out their Spanish skills on the waitresses, and enjoy the authentic atmosphere.  I am so glad we went!

Mission update!  I'm pretty sure the elderly lady that I've been going to see is deaf, which puts a damper in trying to communicate with her (as if another language wasn't enough).  However, I won't give up in going to visit her from time to time and pretend I can understand what she is saying.  I pray that God will help me find a way to communicate with her.  I've been trying to think of a name for her, since I can't figure her's out.  Maybe I will name her "Hope".

On my way to visit Hope, I stopped at a tea stand to get us two teas.  The three girls there were so excited to speak English with me, and we talked for a while.  I gave them cards for Friday Night Bible study, and they ended up coming last night, bringing sisters and boyfriends with them.  The three of them are really bright, outgoing, happy girls and I would love to see them come on a regular basis.  English is difficult for them though, so I pray that our message can be translated clearly for them.  Please pray for Pamela, May, and Tricia!

I found out that next year I will teach:

-- all Spanish classes
-- 9th grade Bible and writing  (there are ten 9th grade classes, so I split it with another teacher)
-- some small group conversational English classes.

I'm pumped!  God is good and teaching is so much more enjoyable when you teach something you enjoy. Adding some private tutoring on the side, I think I have a really good schedule.  One more month and I will be home!  I'm counting down the days.....


Anna

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