Heyo!

So I guess I’ve been pretty lax with writing on here. Sorry about that. Haven’t had the urge to write much and a lot of what I posted last year was so new to me and I had something every week to talk about if I wanted to. Now I’m pretty used to everything here.

So what has been happening here the past few weeks? Well where to start. I guess work. I’ve been teaching for a little over a month now and I can definitely say it is much easier and much more productive this year than the beginning of last year. My counter part and I are teaching 6th form, 8th form and 11th form. I also teach English clubs for 4 hours a week and do conversation/open/unplanned time for anyone who wants to come in 2 hours a week. I might be starting an English club for some of the younger teachers who have expressed some interest in learning English which would be fun. My Program Manager visited me on Friday. We had a great talk about second year plans and it was really nice to see her. I think it was a very productive visit for my counterpart and director. My counterpart got to express some things (which were news to me) that were bothering her about work and it was a good thing. So basically, we came away from that meeting with tentative plans to start doing a short training once a month for the teachers at the school covering things like giving feedback, learning styles, and other things that could be very useful for the school and most importantly the students. I’m enjoying work more this year now that the hecticness (is that a word?) and confusion of the beginning of the year has ended.

As for the PCPP project, we’re going to start bringing the books to school this week (if everything works out) and beginning work on organizing it and creating rules for the use of the books by students and teachers. I’m excited to do this and hopefully the other English teachers will be receptive to working on it other than just my counterpart. It will be a great way for them to learn more about how to use computers and other skills. Some of the books were unable to be ordered but I think that turns out to be a good thing. The money from those books can be used on other things we forgot about. I can get supplies like paper and markers and anything people need for English learning or teaching. So thanks again everyone who donated. I’ll do my best to keep you updated on the progress.

My health has taken an interesting turn. After a few days of feeling horrible I called the doctors and we tried something new. I took a different medicine (strong stuff) for 3 days and was told not to eat bread/wheat/noodles for 2 weeks. The doctor thinks since I’ve had intestinal problems and diarrhea a lot that my system might have exhausted its capability to digest gluten. So I could have a gluten allergy or my body might just need to rest to rebuild whatever it needs to handle gluten. I didn’t think it was possible to not eat bread/wheat products here. Turns out it is. I think it’s for the better though, since it has forced me to go out and buy new stuff I don’t normally have in my diet and make it myself at home. I now eat a lot more oatmeal, buckwheat, rice, and more nuts than I usually ate. I have been feeling a lot better after the medicine and the past 9 or 10 days I’ve avoided gluten. I still might have some problems with parasites or giardia but the symptoms haven’t been nearly as bad; I’m thinking because there’s no added irritation and problems from the gluten. I’ll find out on Tuesday about that though.

I’ve been trying to play soccer lately but not a lot of people have been coming which is frustrating. I’ve been pretty lazy lately too. No stretching or working out. I go through funks I guess. I’m dreading the winter and need to do a better job keeping in shape this year. I think I weigh around 135-138 now which isn’t too bad seeing as I came here around 145. Most of what I lost was muscle mass and a little bit of fat I think. I know some people who have lost a ton of weight…up to like 50lbs! So I guess for some people that’s a huge and unanticipated benefit to joining Peace Corps haha.

I’ve just been going to work, sometimes playing soccer, talking with family, playing computer, eating super fresh best tasting apples and pears I’ve ever had daily. Life is good right now…minus the cold weather that’s coming on.

What’s new in the states? Any good movies or news that I should know about? Can you guys believe I have 10-11 months left after October…insane!

Hope everyone is well and staying healthy. I’ll be home for 2 weeks or so this winter and I’m really looking forward to it!

Pat

Ok, so that's the Fun with Grammar book that goes with the Betty Azar series...the pic didn't quite get all that. It's a sweet book though!
Here's some of the books we bought with the PCPP grant.