I have just finished my first week of the second term of classes. My new schedule has me flying to Rapid City, South Dakota every Friday morning for five weeks and returning Sunday nights. This means I have Monday-Thursday completely off, so I can't complain. The start of the new teaching term has been quite exciting, but I want to back up for a minute and reflect on some other things that have happened since my last post.
There was the Fourth of July, and I had a great time going back home to the Lake of the Ozarks. I had a mild freakout about changing banks so I can be all set up for international travel soon, but I decided I would worry about it more when I had definite plans. If anyone has advice for handling finances abroad, I'd love to know about it. I'm thinking about switching to U.S. Bank. As usual, visiting home was an interesting mixture of stress and fun. The night of the 4th was amazing; nothing beats fireworks at the Lake. I was reunited with my friend Jordan at her place where we rode on the jet skis, went out on the yacht for fireworks, and enjoyed a responsible amount of adult beverages.
There was, however, one unfortunate incident: I stood up on the yacht once only to have my phone slide out of my swimming suit pocket, bounce off the bow, and go for a swim in the lake. It was a peculiar feeling, losing my phone. My heart sank as my phone did the same, but after the initial shock wore off, it felt rather nice to be free of the distractions of a cell phone for one night at least. This had the added benefit of serving as a good story for my high school classes. When I introduce The Fellowship of the Ring, I stop for a discussion about Bilbo's struggle to leave the Ring behind before he leaves the Shire. He gives it up with "a look of relief and a laugh" even though he really struggled with giving it up at first. I like sharing my story about dropping my phone because my phone is obviously something I don't want to give up, but once I dropped it, I couldn't help feeling relieved and laughing about it. I also throw in a reference to Old Rose throwing the Heart of the Ocean into the sea for good measure. The students seem to enjoy my impression of Old Rose letting it go.
This past week, I became an expert on teaching the first high school class for this reading program. I subbed for another St. Louis teacher, so I taught two extra high school classes and two extra adult classes for the first week of the second term. That was fun, but I'm looking forward to enjoying my four days off from now on.
Before starting my second term, I had to wrap up my first. I very much enjoyed concluding my time with each student; it was amazing to see the kids begin to open up and have fun with reading and our class activities. I also discovered that I feel really comfortable talking with parents and concluding things with them as well. They all seemed extremely grateful for my time. I even received the nicest "Thank You" card with a Barnes & Noble gift certificate from a family who had two students enrolled in my programs. It was so nice and unexpected that I had to take a minute after the last family had left to just look at it and let out some strong, manly tears. I'll be keeping that card forever.
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| Also, this is the door to the first classroom I ever taught in. |
As I mentioned before, I've started my second term in Rapid City, South Dakota. Out of all the places I could have been sent, it was strange that I was sent here. As cheesy as it is, I have loved and lost here. It's funny how life comes back at you like that. Being back in this area has been unsettling and painful to be honest, but I'm trying to make the best of it. It's probably the most beautiful part of the country I've ever seen, so that's nice. However, I been quite a few times before. I went on a mission trip right on the other side of the western border of South Dakota, I took a trip to Mt. Rushmore/Devil's Tower with my grandpa, and I visited two or three times in college. I was hoping for something new, but beggars can't be choosers.
The travel I've had to do so far has been pretty ridiculous. I flew out early Friday and arrived around 1:00 PM, local time, and my first class was at 3:00, so time was being cut too close for my comfort. All my teaching materials (12 very heavy boxes) had been sent to my hotel motel. When I got to the motel, I was told I could not check in until 3:00. Well, I needed to get my boxes to my room to sort out what I needed to bring to the first class and be there early enough to make sure I had everything I needed at the teaching site. Luckily, they let me into a room early and helped me get my boxes to my room. There, I was able to find my high school materials, change, and get to the teaching site in time to start my class. I think the stress shaved a few years off my life.
After that class, as per tradition, I found the closest Chinese buffet and went to town on some General Tso's. I guess this is a thing now. It's nice to know that wherever I am in the country, I can find some shitty Chinese buffet and eat myself into a coma of shame and exhaustion.
So now I'm waiting on a delayed flight in the smallest airport I've ever been in. It's actually rather relaxing. I had felt crunched for time earlier. My last class today ended at 3:00, and my flight was at 5:00, so I was nervous about making it on time. I guess that's no longer a problem. I do have a pretty view of the badlands from my spot in the terminal, and I appreciate some time to sit back and relax. Hopefully, next weekend will go much more smoothly.
Looks like the plane is arriving soon, and there'll be a mad dash for connecting flights. Until next time.
-Anthony
