🍎 I’m nearly three weeks into teaching in Taiwan and I have already been asked about “my lover” by my students (their words, not mine), was gifted a bracelet made from small rubber bands by my fifth grade girls, flossed with my fifth grade boys to the Happy Birthday song (don’t ask), and taught my local English teachers the meaning of “lit” and “treat yo self”.
🏫 I’ve learned that my students respond really well to my counting down (even though nothing will really happen at zero if they don’t sit down. lol.), love watching cute animal videos when class starts (“好可愛!”), and a select group of sixth graders is obsessed with Alan Walker.
🏆 Currently, all schools are preparing for the county-wide English competitions in spelling, storytelling, acting, and singing that is occurring next month. Out of the two schools I work at, one of my principals is actually the head of the English teachers association in the county, so yours truly is also helping with competition preparation.
🎊 As for non-school related fun stuff, I finally tried stinky tofu for the first time, despite walking past many stinky tofu vendors as a child in Hong Kong. I also joined one of my local English teachers at the gym for a pop dance cardio class (I will be a member at that gym as of tomorrow). Two weeks ago, one of the other Fulbrighters had a birthday and all 8 of us Yunlin Fulbrighters went to karaoke. Just try to picture 8 people scream singing early 2000s Avril Lavigne and that’s us.
Last Friday was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and I was invited to join a local family for a day in Chiayi, which is about 40 minutes’ drive south of Huwei Township. I had a blast with the family’s three year old, teaching him English and playing with sparklers. I’m looking forward to spending more time with his family!
