9 down, 1 to go

I can't believe it's May.  That means I only have one month left in Macau.  School's done and now I just have to finish marking and turn in grades.  Then I'm going to do some traveling with another teacher to see the temples at Angkor in Cambodia and we'll also have a few days in Vietnam to check out Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).  Then I'll take a trip north to Beijing with Beth and Angie for a few days to see the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.  Then it will be time to come home!  :)

 Angkor Wat

Now that school's done and I can take it easy again, it's been sort of funny to think back on the things I was anxious about as the year began and how long ago that seems now.  For instance, I was able to learn all my students' names relatively quickly and I didn't get them confused.  (I was really worried about that one.)  I've also gotten better at talking tough when doling out consequences, thanks in part to my coach, Angie Chong.  I've caught some cheaters, learned how to deal with last minute lesson changes and generally just figured out how to relax and get stuff done despite the chaos.  I was surprised to discover that I completely underestimated how draining teaching is.  I guess it's because of the performance aspect, because I've had stressful jobs before and did grad school on the side and none of it compared to this.  I was completely lifeless after 1st semester and so took things a lot easier this one.  But I don't feel like I have any more energy this time around, just less stress.  I'm doing way less and still feel tired.   It feels like getting old.  Yuck.  I'm hoping a summer off will give me back some of my vitality.  A summer off and some vegetables.

Luckily, I also underestimated how much I would enjoy it.  It's so nice to be treated like a professional, to have some control over the way I do things and the way I manage my time, to have colleagues to collaborate with, but most of all the students make it great.  Even the few that made me crazy are near and dear to my heart.  See how cute they are?!?

My level 2 class

My Level 0 class

 One of them even gave me this gift of chocolates with paper roses attached.

I've learned a lot in my first year and feel more equipped now to prepare myself for the next challenge. To that end I ordered a grammar book for teachers that I intend to read over the summer and I now have a better idea of the kinds of materials to bring with me the next time around.  All that good stuff you can only learn from experience.   I also managed to put together a decent teacher wardrobe, or at least the beginning of one.  It's been a busy 9 months.

So how to celebrate?

1. buy a cool hat

When I saw this hat it reminded me of the one Denzel Washington wears in Inside Man.  I am hoping his coolness will be channeled to me by wearing the hat.  Plus it's nice and light for summer and I need to cover my head in this heat.  It's already getting into the high 20s (80s) almost every day.  Being in the sun is just a bad idea.

Inside Man

2. eat ice cream

I completely underrated Haagen-Dazs.   Although I do have expensive taste when it comes to food, I'd never thought it was worth it to pay H-D prices.  However, after almost melting while running errands the other day I shelled out 53 patacas for this chocolate/raspberry sugar cone to revive me.  Wow.  I was the happiest gweilo for miles around.
 

3. beautify

Isn't this pretty?  It's amber.  I've been wanting to go to this shop for months and finally made it in.  I figured I might as well get a whole set and although it was a bit pricey, I love it!  I also got a pedicure and had my eyebrows done for the first time.  Ow!!!  But they look good.  It's more important to look feminine when you have a boy haircut.  (see below)

 4. get away with friends

A, B, C and I went to Hong Kong (Lamma Island) for the weekend.  It was a nice way to celebrate the end of school in spite of the remaining marking.  Carol got this cake made for us - isn't it sweet?

 We also stopped at the IFC mall to see the Lyuba exhibit.  Yes, Lyuba is a baby mammoth who was found in the frozen Siberian wastelands by nomads. 

The view from above of a reproduction of a male mammoth skeleton and Lyuba behind it. 

 Here's a closeup.  It was super crowded, so I didn't stay in long.  I feel about this the same way I felt at Body Worlds.  Cool in theory, gross in reality.  I'm such a wuss.

 Saw this Louis Vuitton display while walking downtown.  Can you tell they're arrows? 
I really like it!

Finally we got to Lamma and despite some rain it was a nice trip.  The clouds made for some cool photo opportunities, like this one from our balcony.

5. cut off all your hair

Taadaa!  My buzzed head, along with A, B, and C on the beach at Lamma.  (I wanted to go back to all blonde and this was the easiest way.)  The water was so warm I wanted to jump right in, but I resisted.  We hiked, ate, shopped and got sunburns and mosquito bites.  A fun last hurrah together.  More photos next time!