Time is flying by

I can't believe it has been nearly a week since my last entry. We are gradually settling into our flat. We've been out several times trying to find some cheap storage units in order to unpack--the armoire isn't enough for the 2 of us. And the kitchen cabinet was already full w/ basics--pots, pans, eating & cooking utensils--but no place for food. We are almost functional now. The things that are still on our wish-list are not essential to life. Jim went into town now to see if he can flesh out some of my wants. He needed a break!
School is absolutely the greatest challenge either of us have ever faced. We both believe that we have become more patient in our "mature" years, so it is a very good thing that we did not try doing this when we were young! 1st day of school we were able to get our class assignments: English grades 6 & 8 and grade 6 Social Studies for me. Jim has English grade 5 (the class from hell) & grade 7 and Religion & Moral Education grades 8,9,10. The RME is non-promotional & he only has each grade 1/week. He starts out w/ 1 of the classes teaching about several different religions (Jehovah's Witnesses, Islam, and some we have never heard of). there are 8 40-minute classes/day, so we are supposed to be there from 7:45 to 3:00. Since we live on the grounds, we've been leaving early & hope to continue with that. Learners do not have their exer cise books yet (blank notebooks in which they do all of their work--given by the school or Dept of Ed). I have a few textbooks from which to choose for each class--but they are primarily for my own use; there are no more than 14 of the same text for for any of my classes (40 learners per class). A few of them have paper on which to write & I am thankful that they all have pens or pencils, but even when I give them paper, they have no system for saving them. So, I have been giving them some instruction, but it's mostly to keep them busy. They love to talk!!!! but I have classes that are somewhat reasonable & they will listen if it is interesting enough. Poor Jim is pulling his hair out! I told him that is payback for all the times he drove his teachers crazy.
I need to carry chalk with me if I want to use the board--I never know if there will be any in the classroom. There is nothing in grade 6 & 8 classroom except desks & chairs (although not enough for every learner), a teacher desk & chair. Same for Jim's classes--except in one of his, there is no teacher desk. I must remember to carry a rag w/ me--board erasers seem to be a rare commodity.
I need to sign off. I have to prepare a class contract for my grade 8 learners to sign regarding behavior. Grade 6 signed theirs today--one girl didn't want to sign as she didn't want to have to follow the "rules". I told her she didn't have to sign, but that we would need to have a serious conversation about it. She signed.
Oh, no church yet, but our neighbor is from the Phillipines & some of her friends have invited us to a nearby town for Sat. dinner, overnight (if we want) & Mass Sun. am. Mass is available in that town on the 1st Sunday of the month, the Eucharist on the 2nd Sunday, & what is probably a prayer service led by lay people the other 2 Sundays. I selfishly hope they are said in English--that is hard enough to understand. We call it "Namlish".
As I said, I need to sign off.
Please continue your prayers for us!
Jim & Sharon