Be All In.

I have been trying to be more observant of my surroundings here. I think I got very wrapped up in the idea of living in a new country that I have been forgetting to actually, fully, completely, live in it. I love learning. The whole concept of learning amazes me. More so, I am considered a teacher, but throughout my education I have been told, {Even when you are a teacher, you will be learning.} Mhm - sure. Yeah. Whatever you say. 

Well...they were right. They have always been right. I am learning. Brains are spectacular, am I right or am I right? The amount of information presented to us on a daily basis is overwhelming, yet we process it. Some information quicker, better, more effective than other information. I have been reminded that often times learning is hard. It stretches you until you think you will break. To some information, I would rather say "Nah, I'm good- don't wanna take that in right now." But, I am growing in ways I didn't realize I could or had to grow in. It is amazing to me. I have been so frustrated and so overwhelmed, but honestly - I would not want it any other way. This is life. This is my life. This is now. I am choosing to be all in. What benefit is there if I am not? What am I keeping from my students if I am not?

Everybody learns differently. Everybody learns at different times. Everybody learns.

Well, dear students of mine...I know how you feel. You are learning. I am learning. We have more in common than we probably both thought. When I have one of those proud teacher moments because a student finally "got it" or has shown success in some way (big or small), I can relate. When I finally "get it" or am able to use my frustrations to grow...it is rewarding. I do not have it easy as some might think. This is hard. I would by lying if I said I have not thought about throwing in the towel already. There have been classes I just wanted to walk out of. Dealing with the government and official paperwork has been exhausting {mentally and emotionally exhausting.} I suppose you can say moments like those were "teachable moments". I was taught that teachable moments were those times a student acted in a certain way and the teacher took advantage of the situation and helped them to learn something from it. Well, I have been the recipient of teachable moments. A lot of them. Stressed? Fall? Cry? Fail? Confused? Uncertain? All of the above situations. Am I doing what I encourage and teach my students to do -- learn from it? 

This whole learning thing could teach us a lot.