August 25
It is hard for me to believe that it was a scant five weeks ago that I arrived here in Pasadena for ESI training with nothing but the clothes on my back. And the clothes in my two huge suitcases. And I had lots of other things in the suitcases, too. And I had a backpack. And I'm pretty sure I had a few things in my pocket, too. Anyway, I didn't have much.Training was pretty grueling, but it is now over. The rest of the Czech teachers and I are waiting now until Tuesday morning, when our flight for Prague leaves. The extra time sitting around has given me my first opportunity to do some reflection on the training experience. It would be extremely difficult to say all the things that come to mind when I think about training, so I've come up with an easy way to convey part of it. Since it's easy to organize things into list form, I will now present for your reading enjoyment my five favorite things about training:
- The food at William Carey International University. There was a great deal of consistency about the menu, which I appreciated. I've never been so regular in my whole life.
- Housing. Though the dorm I stayed in strongly resembled a prison compound, I was really made to feel at home. And I appreciated the thoughtfulness that allowed me to go up and down a flight of stairs every time I wanted to get to my room. The designers of no other dorm I've stayed in have given so much consideration to my need for regular exercise.
- The other Czech teacher. Gosh, they're swell.
- Practicum at Pasadena Presbyterian. I taught with two other Czech teachers, Meghann Freehling and Nicole Adams. I will always retain fond memories of Miss Freehling's frenetic teaching style (and the confused looks on the students' faces during her classes) and the time when Miss Adams nearly made a student cry. She doesn't fool around, that Miss Adams.
- The talent show. I have been through 23 years of my life without wearing spandex pants, and after the experience, I could probably go another 23 before I do it again.