Kitty Tales

So since the last time you guys heard from me, there hasn’t been much that happened. My roommate, Jessica, and I got a cat last Monday night and she stays in the apartment (obviously). We have yet to name her but she is all white with a few gray dots on her head. We’re thinking of Sly, Stealth or Ash and we’ve had two other suggestions of Ghost and Ferah Rose (Icelandic name). The first day/night she was very, very scared and hid in the curtains constantly. She explored that first night when we were sleeping and I only know that because she collapsed my metal drying rack at 4:30am in my room so it scared me half to death. After we spent Tuesday afternoon coaxing her out of the curtains, she’s been really good and getting better. Within two days she would approach anyone while still getting scared at certain noises and now she’s even better because she doesn’t run when the doors open or close or when the AC kicks in. I also found out she plays fetch with certain toys. Sooooo basically my cat is more of a dog. But that’s okay. Everyone comes in to visit randomly and takes photos (which are posted all over social media) since we are the first and only ones with a pet right now.

Besides the cat, school is going a ton better than that first day—but I think I’m just so happy I haven’t had any repeats like that so every day is better. I have 2 Speech and Debate classes, 2 Theatre I, and 2 Theatre II so my time is evenly split between planning for each class. My students in my classes are still not finalized as some kids are moving around their schedules or were put in the wrong classes; in my case, I just handed in a list of about 20 students who would like to be placed in my class if possible. It makes me feel good but it’s also really annoying because I want to just have my final students and know who’s in which one permanently. Other teachers have bad days

where their kids act up and get on their nerves but I feel really lucky because my students have all been really good. Maybe a little talkative but that’s something I can easily deal with. I do even have one class that’s a great class but they’re all friends and excited to act on the stage but we haven’t been able to until today because we have to cover the basics first, like enunciation and projection. I also just found out today that I get my own projector in my room which is awesome but I have nowhere to store it. There is a teacher friend across the way that doesn’t have one so I said I’d share it with her if she stored it and it sounds like a deal. So it’s awesome that I get a projector, now for that office with a teacher’s desk…

Outside of school on weekdays, I literally have done nothing besides plan, work, watch shows, hang out with friends, eat and sleep. I’m so busy trying to stay caught up that I get so overwhelmed but can’t focus on anything. Today after school, I came to a coffee shop with a few friends and just worked to get ahead a little bit, which I did thankfully. We’ve only been sitting here for 4 hours…

On the weekends it’s a lot of the same activities. Except I get to sleep in, which I need but is terrible for me since it messes up my sleep schedule and I also become too lazy for the rest of the day and get nothing done. So this week I’ve started going to bed early (or earlier than I have been) and it helps a little because I can focus longer but I don’t feel as energetic during the day. Welcome to my dilemma. Usually once a weekend I go out to the bar with a couple friends and drink a beer or two, dance a little, and come back by 12:30 or 1—we’re party animals haha.

One thing I did do this weekend which was pretty cool was to go visit an old fort they have along the beach about 10 minutes from us. I went with a group of about 10 and we spent a few hours exploring the four parts of this fort, which as I recall, was once under ownership of the Portuguese military. This fort was made of all sand and dirt and metal frames for the windows (that I could tell). It was a nice day because the sun was covered and the breeze was actually cool. It was like 85 out! (Compared to 110+ weather as a norm, this was awesome and great hiking weather). We stayed long enough to explore every crevice that we cared to look in, walk onto the beach and in the water for a little bit—the water was even slightly chilled!—and then watch all the night lights on the fort turn on. It was definitely one of the coolest sights I’ve seen in a while.

Other than that, I have nothing really to report. I’m sure I’ll really love my job once my classes are set and finalized and I get an office or some other space (fingers crossed), but right now I enjoy it enough that I would not leave regardless. Paperwork sucks and there’s a lot of that here, but it’s obviously the kids that make me stay and enjoy myself in class. So until next time, ma salama! (Goodbye!)