HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Somaliland 20th Annivewrsary 18 May 11 Just wanted to wish a Happy Independence Day to all of my readers in Somaliland. I was fortunate enough to spend a week and a half in your country in January and felt welcome every step of the way. I know recognition from the international community… Continue reading
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How Joey Got His Groove Back
I finished the first full week of teaching last week. I will admit, I was a broken man by Thursday. Starting out has been tough. I have no arsenal of lesson plans and even though the internet is a great resource nothing could get me ready for starting out my volunteer teaching here Sumatra other… Continue reading
How to use a mandi (Indonesian bath)
A mandi is a traditional Indonesian way of washing oneself where you take a small scoop dipped into a large tub or container of cold water and pour the water over yourself. It’s accompanied by an eastern style squat toilet in which the mandi is also used as a means of washing after going to… Continue reading
Day 1 of Teaching is Over
So, my first full day of teaching English as a foreign language is over. It was an interesting start. The morning class is for the staff here at the clinic. Ive already been hanging out here a lot and chatting with them so I knew who my students were going to be. The only new… Continue reading
Selemat Hari Ibu! Happy Mother’s Day!
Hey Mom! This is a blog card for you on Mother’s Day! I figure this will do since Skype kept hanging up on you when I tried calling. Indonesians don’t celebrate their mother’s day until December 22nd but the staff here at Bukit Lawang Trust Clinic were kind enough to help me out! -Love Joey
Back in the Muslim World
This is another refreshing feeling. I have no words to explain it but I find myself gravitating towards the Muslim world for some reason. Not because I am doing any sort of spiritual transformation into Islam, but instead there is an attraction to it that I can’t fully explain. My experience with Islam and traveling… Continue reading
Living in Sumatra
Time to Freak Out I considered waiting to write until after things got better because I know they will. However, It would be more interesting to go back and look at how unnecessarily worried I was. In short, this is going to be long two months in Sumatra. I’m not so concerned that it won’t… Continue reading
TESOL Certified! (TEFL International)
I completely forgot to update the blog with the news that I completed my TEFL course and received my certificate to teach English as a second or other language (TESOL). This is a big milestone in becoming an ESL teacher around the world. TEFL International has been great. The head trainer was a Florida boy… Continue reading
I got my first teaching gig!
I’m 3/4 of the way through my TEFL certification course and I’ve secured my first teaching position. It started back in February when I was in Sumatra in the tourist town of Bukit Lawang, Indonesia. I did the 2 day jungle trek and really enjoyed the time spent along the river and near the jungle.… Continue reading
TEFL Certification Day 14 & 15: Practice Practice Practice
I had my second and third days of teaching practice this week. Tuesday was better than my first day and I’ve gotten some nice praise from the trainers. This morning I was a bit off my game but apparently it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Internally I was more nervous. I made a slight… Continue reading