today began our semester at school, and i met and fell in love with both of my classes. they’re both beginner level classes, so i tend to use arabic about 30% of the time to help the students along. funny thing is, i’m learning at the same time, because they’re often correcting my arabic! we all get a good laugh out of it, but these students are all so eager to learn that it’s actually a fun job to do! they participate and ask questions, and none seem too shy when i put them on the spot.
i lied earlier when i said that i never taught before. i tutored for years when i was in high school and college, and this reminded me so much of that rewarding experience. i feel so satisfied when i give a student the confidence that they are knowledgeable and/or correct, and see them develop on that. it’s a hard balance teaching a new language to adults, without making them feel like children, but i can’t patronize them and speak or teach material too quickly either.
i also gained a tremendous amount of respect for teachers today, because this job does require a lot of energy. you need energy to keep yourself as well as your students motivated. and although there are breaks in between, it does get tiring.
after a great day at work (can’t remember the last time i had one of those!) i went off to zamalek to see an apartment that i just fell in love with! it is located in the heart of everything wonderful in zamalek- so many restaurants and boutiques right on my block! it has a bawab, or doorman, a nice looking lobby, and the apartment itself is exactly what i’m looking for. it’s quiet, it has a living room, dining room table, and my potential-future room has not just a couch but a chair as well, in addition to a dresser and wardrobe closet. there’s wifi- so it would reprieve me of wasting money on taxis and coffees, in my rotating wifi-bumming at cafes activity. the bathroom has a large tub and everything is clean and in good condition. a cleaning lady comes every couple of weeks, and the grocery store down the street delivers for free.
the girls are both german professionals, not students, which i note because sometimes it seems that the only expats in this city are, and they keep the place nice and tidy with a, no boys roaming the apartment at all times, policy. i felt like it was a perfect fit! this is exactly what i’ve been holding out for. i knew that i was going to find a place that would immediately make me feel at home once i saw it, and this is the place. finally! i must have seen about 10 mediocre apartments by now and was starting to feel discouraged! understandably, she needs to meet with the other people who have contacted her about the place, but i am hoping she picks me (she said she liked me the best)! it would just completely revitalize my efforts in coming to egypt!!
i won’t allow myself to get my hopes up (too much). tomorrow i’ll be seeing one more place. but hopefully this weekend i’ll have a new place to call home!! or at least a place to finally FEEL at home.
things are really turning around and i feel so excited!
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