A long overdue update

Well, I've been a pretty terrible blogger. But, hopefully in the meantime I've been a good teacher. I've been teaching for a month now--it's flying by. I just finished the first unit of my course, a review of basic mathematics. We covered fractions, decimals, negative numbers, percents, exponents, order of operations, etc. Next I'm teaching basic algebra, then geometry, and finally advanced algebra. I gave a test on Tuesday; most of the students did well. The average in one of my classes was a 90%. However, in another class, the average was a 40%. It's just hard to know what level all of the students are on and exactly what I need to teach them. It's not like I have a lot of guidance. Or a curriculum. Not to mention that I'm relearning most of the algebra myself... But I won't be discouraged. This is a learning experience for me, just like it is for my students. I had a heart-to-heart with one of my classes today, the class that bombed the test. I told them that they need to help me help them--if they don't tell me what they don't understand, how am I supposed to know? They sat in stony silence while I tried to tell them that I wasn't lecturing them... I just want them to learn! Sometimes it's like pulling teeth. They watch me, eyes glued, but I don't know how much they actually absorb. A couple of them came to me today and asked if I could help them with some of the stuff we've done in the last month. I told them of course--but why didn't they come to me before they failed the test?!

I still don't have Internet at my house. I signed up for it a few weeks ago and I'm still waiting. (DO YOU HEAR ME, TELECOM? I NEED INTERNET!) The convenience of the Internet is greatly diminished when you have to walk 15 minutes to access it. Especially when it will probably pour rain while you're trudging through Pohnrakiet. And now it's dark so I will have to call a cab to take me home. So, that's my excuse for the lack of blog updates. I've been checking my email once or twice a week, but I really haven't been spending much time online. It's probably good for me, but I miss my gossip blogs! How will I survive if I don't know what's happening with Britney and Lindsay!? I've been reading a lot, though. And I definitely wouldn't be reading as much if I had a working wireless router in my bedroom. Right now I'm engrossed in The Pillars of the Earth. I'm about 750 pages in, 250 more to go. I started it on Saturday. So, you see, reading a lot.

This past weekend, a few of us went to Nalap for Will's 24th birthday. It was a really good weekend, although it rained a lot. Nalap is a great place to relax and read--or drink. I mostly did the former, this time. Not sure what's in store for this weekend, but there's a hike up Sokeh's Ridge on Sunday that I'm really looking forward to. There's no school on Friday and I'm pretty sure that tomorrow is a half day (that's the word on the street), so it will be a nice long weekend. I really want to paint my room, but I spent too much money last weekend so my stipend is running pitifully low... might have to wait until next month.

One exciting piece of news... I got a kitten! On Friday, I told all of my students I wanted a kitten, and someone brought me one on Monday!! (I'm just glad I didn't end up with 17 kittens.) He's orange and very cuddly. I've had him for three days now and so far he hasn't destroyed anything or pooped outside of his litterbox. He's very lovable. I still haven't named him yet, though. I need to get on that.

Before I go (I still need to finish my lesson plan for tomorrow), here are some fun facts about Pohnpei:

1. There is one ATM on the island. Only one. Most of the time it works. Sometimes it does not. However, at least when you tell someone to meet you at the ATM, they know exactly what you mean.

2. There aren't any chain stores here, but there are several lovely imitations. For example, there's "Wall Mart," a grocery/other stuff store. There's also "Best Buy," which sells food and liquor, warehouse style.

3. There is no mall on Pohnpei.

4. Two nights ago, the entire island was without power for several hours. I'm not sure how often this happens, but I really hope it's not very often.

5. Cheese is hard to come by here. You can get it, but it's really expensive. I would probably kill a dog (okay, maybe not) for a nice hunk of brie with cranberry chutney on a cream cracker... OH GOD why am I torturing myself by thinking about this?