I'm finally in Chiang Mai for my course after a month of intense traveling. I didn't stay in one place for longer than 4 or 5 days and although that sounds unsettling, it was really quite the opposite. I became comfortable with the idea that every day held a new experience and each moment was to be taken advantage of. The thought of staying in the same place for 30 days has hit me in a surprising way... Perhaps it's slowing down and having a moment alone with my thoughts, or perhaps it's the fact that this new life I have chosen is now a reality. Honestly its probably both, but I have found that this time for reflection has helped some of my fears come to light and now I can deal with them. Kim has been amazing through all of this- compassionate and understanding but firm with her needs at the same time. She has all of my admiration and deserves everything I could give her and more. I can't wait for her to be here in Thailand!
I am feeling excited about my course and becoming a teacher. The hardest thing for me to deal with is feeling unprepared and incompetent going into each day. I taught for the first time tonight, even though the course started yesterday, and it was quite the challenge but also a lot of fun! The kids are wonderful- eager, patient and understanding of the fact that we are new teachers and won't get it perfect right away. It was interesting to see techniques that work, or don't, and I have found that I will have to become a lot more dramatic and animated. Who would have thought I could find a profession that required more of these things from me??? I felt like I did horribly but everyone said I looked relaxed and they had no idea that things didn't go as planned. I guess I fooled them! :)
I have had a great time so far and can't believe that I have seen and done so much already. Climbing the Harbour Bridge in Sydney is probably my favorite thing that I have done so far. The view was gorgeous and as I reached the summit, a huge rainbow appeared just over the Opera House. It was perfect! I met so many nice people, ate amazing food, drank great beer (and I swear there's more alcohol in it) and fell in love with Sydney's culture. I plan on going back some day but for now, I am excited to learn more about Eastern culture and "The Land of Smiles," as Thailand is known, and to just enjoy my new home.
I'm sending you all hugs and kisses! XOXO
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Wow! It sounds like your travels have been amazing. I'm so very happy for you. And, super jealous of your Sydney fun. I want to go.... Someday, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will make a great teacher so don't get frusterated....it's only been a couple of days, right? You got this!
Have tons of fun on your adventures, chica. Know I miss you, back here in Austin! Big hubbub lately is ACL - they just announced a crazy line-up (Beastie Boys, Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, Lily Allen, and tons more). Beyond that, just waiting for the pool to be warm enough to enter...
Send me your address, when you know where you'll be!
Smooches.
So I'm not sure of a better way to respond to your post then on your blog, hope that's ok.
ReplyDeleteBasically my little one eats about every 4 hours. Her schedule goes something like this. Wake up around 7:30. Eat about 6-8 oz. Sometimes we have some oatmeal around 8:30 to kill some time before a nap. She naps from about 9:30 to 10:30 or 11:00. Eats about 6 oz. around 11:30. Eats some vegetables around 12:00 or 12:30. Naps from about 1-4. Eats about 6-8 oz. when she wakes up. Has "dinner" of vegetables or whatever around 5:30 then a bath. After bath we read stories and she has about 4-6 oz. then goes to bed between 6:30 - 7:00. Hope this helps.
The key from transitioning from lots of little naps to just 2 or even 3 is trying to have longer awake hours. Try stretching the 1 1/2 hour - 2 hour awake time slowly until your baby can go about 3 hours before needing a nap.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
sarahwhitman7@gmail.com
Uhhh, I'm confused! I'm already good at naps and I don't have any little ones. What?????
ReplyDelete