Finally, @ Perth

Finally!!!

I’m here in Australia after much stressful confusion and upheavals.

The night before the flight, I couldn’t fall asleep with so many thoughts crossing my mind.
Hours later, I finally fell asleep after tossing my body all over the place like the chicken salad I ate at the LA airport… sigh…

So, I was on 4 different planes to get to Perth, which was definitely the most I’ve ever been on to get to one final destination. Total of about 40 hours, including the wait and transfer times. On the first flight to Dallas, I sat next to this guy who worked for a chicken company. He was telling me how valuable and expensive each of their chicken is, because the chickens they sell are meant to multiply. It was interesting, yet I began to lose focus as our conversation resumed about chickens for the next 20 minutes… He was nice, though.

I was completely exhausted by the time I got to Perth that I could almost pass out on the airport floor. My eyes were red and puffed up behind my glasses, and my hair looked like a Honeycomb monster’s. Yeah,,, just imagine that. I was greeted by my Australian coordinator Dr. Happs and his lovely wife Hazel with a big hug. Despite my overtiredness, we managed to get a quick look at the gorgeous beach side and went to go charge up the minutes on the cell phone they got for me. My face probably glowed when I saw that old-red-Nokia cell phone that people used to have about 7 years ago. Hehe. Whatever it is, can’t live without one~

We finally got home and I met my host-mom and her cute, but chubby Bichon- Frise. By the way he greeted me, I think he already knew that I was going to be his family. Muahaha. Oh, I almost forgot to mention… I am not living with a couple and three little kids anymore, which I am kind of glad about. After being with young kids for all day, you don’t want to go home to another three little young ones… Well, my new host family is an elder woman, and my gosh, she is so absolutely wonderful! She tries so hard to make me feel right at home, and she is so cute when she talks in her semi-Aussie/ semi-British accent.

I am so excited for tomorrow! With only 3 months to stay, I look forward to every next day so that I can live my time here to the fullest. I will soon post more exciting events with pictures!!!

Placement

My placement in Australia
is set!

I will be teaching mixed year 4/5 at Poynter Primary school. I assume that year 4/5 is 4th and 5th grade? It will be my first experience teaching a grade level higher than 3rd grade. How exciting! I can do so many things that I could not do with younger group of children in the past. Let's just hope that they're not taller than me... sigh* hehe

Exciting news: The school is located only blocks away from the beach!!! WoW.
I pray that it's still warm when I get there...

I have received an inviting e-mail from my host family. They have three children aged 2, 4, and 8. We'll see how my experience working at a childcare will help me build friendly relationship with the youngsters. The family sounded very warm and delightful.

I can't wait to meet everyone!

Countdown: 10 days

10 more days til PERTH, AUSTRALIA!!

Yes, I'll be spending 3 months in Perth, Australia to complete my student teaching this year.

After researching a bit about Perth, I found that Perth is the capital and largest city of Western Australia (one of the 6 Australian states). The population ranks 4th amongst the nation’s cities! I was born and raised in a city, so learning that Perth is a large city eased my anxiety of going to a foreign country. I was also excited by the fact that Perth’s population is notable for the high proportion of British-born residents. Who knows I may pick up some accent while I'm there? ;)

Like most of the cities in Australia, Perth is located in a coastal area. My housing and school placement is located in a coastal suburb with beautiful and clean beaches. Sadly, my stay there will be from May through August, which is going to their wet winter season. It really bothered me at first that I would be skipping my summer this year, and also be unable to enjoy lovely Australian beaches. However, good news is that winter in Perth is relatively cool, and their daytime temperature rarely falls below 60 °F. Plus, I don't have to deal with blazing hot Georgia weather this year! Yay!

I am just so thrilled to have this unique opportunity!!!

10 more days left! Still counting down...