Memory - Gotta have it!!!

I've learned its a good thing to be able to commit things to memory - to hear something and remember it. When in a foreign land, there are many many new things to store up in your brain...but alas, somehow the essentials remain there! An example....

Last night Emilie and I decided to be adventurous and get some dinner in the city....by ourselves. You see, we are the new people here - we depend on the others who have experience in say - ordering food, speaking Chinese! So, we were going to figure it out. As we hopped on her scooter, we first tried stopping at some supposed "Thai" place. Well, we decided that there was nothing we really recognized on the menu except somethings that had rice in them. We then have a craving for Guotie (They're like pan fried stick dumpling things - SO good). Well, Emilie has made her way around the city quite a bit, and knew of a place on some road. Jungshan Road is what we decided we needed to find. But, we had no idea where it was. Here is where a handy memory comes in! As we stopped at a stoplight, I turned to the Taiwanese man on the schooter next to me. "Dui boo chi, Jongshan zi nale?" - Translation: Excuse me, where is Jongshan Rd?

The man replied with pointing us in the correct way, and to that I thanked him. (xie xie ne)

So we found the road! and the Guotie!! Random tidbits of information and random language phrases stored in the back of your mind can be of great help! When ya hear something - take it in for all its worth. It may come in handy!

Back to school it is!!! And I'm not gonna lie - blogging hasn't been my main priority, haha. Thus a few moments of "bloggercising" (thank you Anna) this Saturday afternoon are well over due.

First week of classes = GREAT! My students are a ton of fun! I am amazed at my third graders' abilities to communicate in English - really not much different from the US classroom! I have been enjoying getting to know their personalities - as I am able to see them every day for two periods! We are our own little community in our own classroom...


And the Kindergarteners - adorable! I have three separate bunches of Kindergarteners who I see two to three times a week. I am also amazed at their English abilities! Prayers of mine have definately been answered in being to communicate despite the language barrier. They are excellent with repeating, motioning, etc! How awesome it is to see they are really "getting" it. They are like vacuum cleaners with taking in the English language. I love it! So great when the children realize they are spelling their own English name (with or without my guidance) - or are able to identify "Big S" and "Little s." Highlights also include the children roaring in unison, "It is Good!!!!" as I shared each day of creation with them. Wow! I pray that their little hearts grow in faith!

I hope the year continues to bring such joy and excitement! And I have no doubt that the Lord has planned otherwise!

So, in conclusion, I must let you all know that school is great!! : )