i'm officially a teacher!

The past couple of days have been really great. I spent a lot of time with my roommates going to the market, figuring out where things are. And a lot on time with An, riding on her bike (my favorite thing to do!) And going out for a drink.. which means coffee or 7up usually. I like coffee here! Cafe su da. It's coffee with milk and ice... and it tastes a little like chocolate! I'm pretty sure it's not suppose to, but I like it so I'm not complaining. But it's been nice to relax, spend some time getting to know everyone and seeing some of the city. When I first got here everything looked like chaos, but just a week later I can tell that everything makes sense. Even though I don't understand the words, I can tell which places have food, medicine, etc. And my favorite.. Karaoke! Places are everywhere, like one or two a block sometimes. I heard about it in my world music class, but I haven't experienced it yet, that will be for next time.

Today was my first day of teaching! It had a pretty interesting start... first, I got lost on the way to campus. Luckily I was going in really early, but it took my probably a half hour longer then it should have. The roads really start to look the same after you've been driving in circles. Somehow I found it. Then I sat on the computer for a while trying to figure out what I was going to teach, writing emails, etc, and the computer turned off. I eventually learned that the computers turn off between 11-1. Then everyone fled the campus. Apparently they take lunch time very seriously. So I met An for lunch, got caught in the rain, and eventually made it back with time to spare for my class. At 13:30 (the starting time) there was no one in the room... I waited for about fifteen minutes, made some phone calls, and realized they changed the room at the last minute and the students didn't know. So I had to ride my bike (in the rain) to a different building.. and I found all of them right before they were about to give up on me and leave haha. Such a ridiculous morning. Once I started teaching, I started to figure things out. My students are all (for now) last year English majors. Everyone here loves music and dancing and they think my major is fascinating. There is a talent show in december that I have to perform at. Yes, HAVE to. I said maybe to the first guy to talk to me about it and he said "Oh no maybe, you will." So apparently I have no say in the matter. But I really can't wait to get to know the students! I gave them the assignment to make up American names for the class.. so much easier for me to remember. I've been told they might come up with ridiculous things. One girl told me to call her Puppy because she loves dogs. I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with! 

Tomorrow I have a 7am class, and then lunch with another teacher, then the rest of the day off! I think An and I are going to go for a bicycle ride around the city, maybe down to the floating markets. It's been pretty cool here, but also rainy. I wasn't sure if I would rather it be 100 degrees or cool and rainy, but when it rains, it really rains, so I think I'd prefer the heat. 

I found dog street. It's the street on the way to campus (if I don't get lost) so I have to pass it every day. If you don't know what that means, I'll just say this... I'm definitely going to stick to chicken street. Actually, I've been eating at a lot of vegetarian places. They are everywhere, and I still don't know what I'm eating but at least I know what I'm not eating... Oh and the monkey is there all the time!! I named him George (yes as in... of the jungle). Pictures soon I promise.