Ccccheck....one week of class complete! At times the days in the classroom seem long, but what I am learning is so valuable that it keeps my attention and focus. Besides that it's a bit relaxing to be the learner once again rather than up in front doing the teaching. I was told before I left Korea by a few that the TEFL/TESOL course would be a waste of my time since I completed a year of teaching already.

FALSE.

I'm learning tons! Actually, I think it's an even better situation that I'm taking this class after a year of teaching rather than if I had taken before I left for Korea. While sitting and discussing methods, activities, etc, I can picture exactly how they can be adapted or fit into my classes for next year. The ones in the course who have no previous ESL teaching experience seem to lose focus quickly, perhaps having trouble seeing the 'big picture' of it all.

My classmates are a great mix of people. A few from England and the rest representing all the regions in the U.S. We spend all day together and most nights choose to hang out with each other as well...a good sign I'd say. I have a feeling by the end of our course we're going to be a tightknit group.

Despite my muy mal español skills, I am having a lovely experience living with a host family. They are such kind, jolly people! My host mom is a lil prankster. She told the other student and I we were eating iguana the other night for dinner. She had us both going until she let out a good, hearty chuckle, finally telling us it was pollo (chicken). Cute. :)

The beauty surrounding me each morning when I wake up is still surreal. Just a short bus ride away is the most goregous beach....straight out of a romance novel. Titi monkeys run around right outside the windows at my school. Gekos crawl on the walls as I eat dinner. I have yet to see a sloth but that is most definitely the goal of the weekend as I plan to hit up the national park.


It's rainy season. Meaning each morning starts out hot with clear, bright blue skies. As the day progresses, in comes the rain. Most afternoons the rain is off and on into the still hot and humid (it is the jungle) evenings. So is the life of a Tica, I s'pose.

I miss Korea.

I miss Iowa, too.