Monday, June 23, 2008

A Sponge In The River

Mikel and I have been totally leveled by colds this week. Usually a cold only sets us back a day or two but this time we have been out of commission for a week each. I am starting to feel better but I sound like a frog (which is a problem for my students who, if they really cared, would depend on me for correct English pronunciation.)
In two weeks I will teach my beading workshop. Yay! I am getting really excited and thinking a lot about how to talk about color choice and forming ideas for projects. I love art! I will also give everyone a workbook I am making with lots of good information and extra space for their own ideas and inspirations. So far I have eleven people signed up. I think Mikel is a little nervous for me since it is my first time, but I have a new confidence. I think teaching English to students from the age of 2-80 has given me a really concrete feel for planning lessons and being flexible with my plan in the moment. Teaching feels a lot like being a net, or a sponge in a river. When I am teaching, or overwhelmed at all, I just sit and let the water run through me. While it does this, I can watch it and understand what is going on in a bigger sense (ie. are my students clueless? tired? frustrated? bored? interested?) Then I know what to do, despite my plan. The more I do this, the better my planning becomes.
My count-down before I go "home" is less than three weeks. Before that I hope Mikel and I will get my website finished and have a successful workshop. Once I am home, I want to paint and relax. Drink coffee, do yoga, hang with my family and think about how almost a year in Japan has changed my perspective. I can`t wait!
Sorry no photos today. I am on the school`s computer and thus don`t have my photo folder at hand. Have a good week!

2 comments:

Michelle Summers said...

Megan, wishing you a fast recovery and good luck with you'r class. Have you given much thought to having visitors in Japan? I am looking into crashing at your pad if you are game. See you bella,

Michelle

megan bisbee said...

We would love to have you! The only complication is that we are thinking about going to Thailand or Indonesia durring Christmas and New Year but it all depends on when exactly you are thinking of visiting! We can plan around that I think.