The First Day

{I just want to say that blogging is a lot harder than it looks. I want to make sure that I touch on everything, but there is just so much that I always miss something or I don't describe things in much detail. I do apologize, but hopefully you can get a general feeling/understanding of what Bangkok is like, what the school is like, what I am up to and what God is up to in my life}

I just finished eating my yummy dinner that I just made! It actually turned out! I am so proud of myself. I made rice with chicken, snowsnap peas and baby corns :) It may have taken a lot of energy to make it, but I did it! This probably won't be a regular thing since it is actually cheaper to eat out...it's about $1.50 to get a big meal. Super cheap, I love it. Yesterday, I got the most amazing smoothie from a small little place on the street right next to the campus of the school. Everyone was telling me about how great they were and dang, they were right! I have never had a better smoothie, even from the states! And it was only 25 baht which is less than a dollar since the exchange is 32 baht to 1 dollar :) Pretty sweet huh? (no pun intended! haha). I have really just loved spending these past few days getting acquainted with Bangkok, but am definitely ready to start what I came here for...teaching!

I didn't go off campus at all today, which was kind of nice since I have been doing so much walking and exploring around this friendly, left-sided country. (There is so much to do and see in Bangkok!)I think I am finally use to driving on the left side now...it was so weird at first! I am getting more and more use to the sounds and smells of Bangkok and a foreign country in general. It is kinda nice. Feeling the humidity hit me and smelling the different smell of Bangkok as I opened my door this morning reminded me that I am definitely not a home, but I am getting use to it, slowly, but surely! I have adjusted to the time and "life" here pretty well in the past few days, but now it is time to adjust to being a teacher in this new setting. It takes more energy than one would realize. Just observing today was pretty draining. I am all set up though. I have my ID, keys, email, computer password and everything. I feel so offical I love it! My students are the sweetest kids I have ever met. There are 15 kids... 7 girls and 9 boys. I have 2 Americans, 1 Korean, 1 Norwegan (sp.?), 1 Canadian and the rest are Thai. I even have one little boy Thai moviestar in my class. Crazy right? I know! lol The classroom is very cute. Claudia did a wonderful job setting up her room and establishing good procdures and rules. We are going to work together so nicely. She is a sweet woman! I am going to learn so much from her! I have already been writing down some of the things I like that she does with her students :) Tomorrow is actually first "real" first day from start to finish in the classroom (I was getting my ID and everything taken care of this morning I went to the classroom a little later) and I am very excited.

Right now I am still trying to not be overwhelmed. I have a tendency to worry and overwork myself even if it is just by thinking. One step at a time. Jesus said, DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW FOR TOMORROW WILL WORRY ABOUT ITSELF! I need to remember that God is in control. This is going to be such a great experience and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now doing my student teaching. This school is one truly amazing school with a tremendously wonderful staff. I am so blessed to be here, so blessed that God placed me here to learn and work in this nice country. Thai people are so friendly, all you can do is smile when you see them because they are already smiling so big and bowing at you. It is such a refreshing culture to be in!

Well, I have to be up early so I think it is time to start getting ready for bed. Another long day tomorrow! Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to adjust and begin teaching. I will start to fad in, teaching more and more, next week. (This week is mostly observing and doing small activities with the students). I can really use pray for a clear mind that is set on God, so that I can adjust.

Learning how to not worry,
Katelyn