Week two...

So after the pain that was my first time teaching, we barely had time to catch our breath before we were hurled into another full on week of teaching.

Monday morning’s class was as somber as a morgue and the vibe wasn’t ideal. However we didn’t have time to be sacks, we had a lot of work to do

· Two lesson plans (one reading one speaking)

· Prepare for another camp lesson (Two additional lesson plans)

· Curriculum Project (Introduction lesson, six lesson plans, review lesson and a test)

While we are doing all of this, your girl also had an interview at a center. They had seen my teacher profile and wanted to meet in person to see if I would b a good fit for their center. This had me nervous, I was hoping if I could score a job off the application alone I could trap them, however they were a lot smarter than me I guess, and they wanted to see the goods in person. Even Hitler looked good on paper I suppose.

Throughout the week we complained about or lesson plans, meet up with our new partners for camp and brain stormed ideas for the curriculum project, all the meanwhile with my interview in the back of my mind. Others in the course had already had theirs and had been given their offers.

Thursday 3pm was my call up time.

I presented my lesson plan in the morning then headed back to the accommodation to try sort myself out. Letting the Family fun mart (FFM) and their 70 cent beers get the best of me the night before was not one of my finest moments. I call up a grab (Vietnamese Uber) and I’m on my way. Better to be over prepared than under, so by that logic I have around and hour and 15 minutes up my sleeve so I head off in search for the magic juice that gives me heart palpitations (Coffee duh).

I walk in and I’m literally in front of a panel, there are three chairs in front of me and I start to sweat (even more than the 38 degree weather). I get question after question, but its fine, I’m prepared, I memorized most of the stuff they sent me. The centers goals, aims, what they expect of the teachers, how they operate their classrooms, EVERYTHING. Do they ask me any of those questions? Absolutely not. They grab one of the student’s text books, open it to a random page and ask me how I would plan a lesson based around that particular page. Even though I’ve been eating, sleeping and breathing lesson plans, my mind draws a blank. I stall as long as I can; slipping in a few laughs cause they always remember the funny ones. I can’t remember exactly what I said but they seemed to like the answer, a few more questions and they sent me back out in to the absolute downpour that is monsoon season.

What better way to celebrate potentially landing a job than heading to a rooftop bar. The rooftop bar scene in Vietnam is unreal. At 10-flights up I was feeling on top of the world! Ready to wait the 1-3 days the center had told me it would take to make their decision. After a few beers the altitude must have gone to my head because I was ready to brave the beautiful chaos that is Bui Vien Street. Backpackers central, where shots are poured straight into your mouth and there is no shortage of obnoxious westerners. Like the little rock of Nelson or the Ming Mang of Christchurch I headed for the place I felt most comfortable, Miss Saigon.

That when I feel the hand on my shoulder, a quick 180 spin reveals a tiny Vietnamese man with the biggest grin! “YOU’RE BACK” he thundered. “I remember you from last time”. Shit, that’s never a good sign. “Free shots for you and your friends”, well damn. Who am I to say no to a good deal? The night progressed as you can imagine and I woke to the inevitable blaring that is my alarm. I check my snapchat to try piece together my night when I notice I have an email. An email from the center I had interviewed at with a title that simply read...

Congratulations.

And just like that I’m employed! Full time contract, making absolute bank, doing something that actually makes me feel like I’m making a difference in the world (as truly cliche as it sounds). I couldn’t be happier.

We celebrated in true style with another adventure down Bui Vien; however that is a story that is not made for the Internet. (;

The main thing that truly hit home this week was a message from a dear friend of mine. She commented on one of my posts saying “I remember you telling me about the tunnels over 2 years ago and now look where you are”. This really hit home for me, and I’m so grateful that my nearest and dearest can see how much I am thriving, and all the support I’ve been getting! Can’t wait to start seeing some of your beautiful faces over here!