Shout out to all teachers!

I'm going to start with this: Teachers need more credit than they're given for how much work they do!

I'm going to continue with this: Teaching is hard. That is not to say I never thought teachers worked hard, because of course I knew that. I just didn't know how much work it is to be a teacher!

Today is the first day of practice school. All last week we have been preparing for this, learning more Romanian, and taking the language exam. Friday we met our Resource Teachers (the teachers that have worked with Peace Corps before so they know how to help us so that we can teach our new partner teachers how things are supposed to be done in 2 weeks). On Saturday I worked with my teacher from 1-5 writing the long-term plan which is really only for the first 2 weeks and only covering 1 lesson. We didn't even get that done, nor did we begin planning the lessons for today (we are giving 2). So we had to meet again yesterday morning for 2 hours in order to at least plan the lessons for today. We worked from 8-10 and then I still had work to do. Because I was so mentally fried, I fell asleep at 8pm and had to wake up this morning to get my materials done (which was fine after a much needed 10 hours of sleep). So, now the materials are done and I'm ready to get this day started. Although a massage would be great after this weekend.

Saturday Ross came to Razeni (with flowers!). He got here early so he went to the magazin while I finished up my day of working with my RT (resource teacher). While there, he met some of the locals and had a discussion with them. He said he was waiting for his girlfriend to get out of class, and one man told him he does not have a girlfriend and he should date his 18 year old daughter. This same guy later told me I should leave Ross and go back to his house to meet his son (whose age he wasn't going to tell me until I got there) and also eat dinner and drink wine with them (we had said my family was waiting for us at home, which they were). That was our cue to leave. While very friendly, they were also being pushy and it was no longer funny because we realized they were serious.

So, after that delightful discussion, we came home and almost immediately had to leave because we were going to meet up with fellow EE's to go to see the best view of Razeni (photos will come later). We walked for about an hour and finally arrived. Literally breathtaking! The sun was setting and we could see the whole village! It was a full moon, so even after the sun set, we had no problems in the dark.

Sunday morning I woke up and worked with my RT and then joined everyone once again for a trip to Ialoveni and the infamous forest party. Food was provided (eventually) and we were all supposed to bring house wine. It was a lot of fun with some surprising moments, some drama, and incredible food. We had fresh watermelon (best I've ever had!), Moldovan salads, and beef kabobs. It was totally worth the 50 lei (I will admit- I was complaining at first. That was before the food actually arrived, though!). Thunder and dark clouds started rolling in and we were afraid it was going to rain but thankfully it never did. Christine took control of my camera- here are some of her shots! (I finally figured out how to get the photos to do what I want them to do- it's about time!

Now it's time to shower and eat before the day really gets started. Wish me luck on my first day as a teacher!