The first real week back of second semester was a rough one in that it was very very busy. Loni and I returned from our seminar in Brasilia and jumped right into a week full of our new classes and also one of the biggest English events of the year: the Idea Factory.
The Idea Factory is our coordinator's brainchild and baby. It's also a lot of work and a logistical nightmare since it's only in its second year of existence. Isaias created the event as a forum for English teachers to share ideas about improving teaching methods in Brazil. We had been planning for this event for months and I was excited for it to happen but also ready for it to be over.
Loni and I had also invited another Fulbrighter to participate. Patrick, from Fort Collins, CO who is teaching in the north of Brazil, arrived last Monday to give one of the main speeches of the day. We were also visited by Kate, from Florida who is teaching in Maceió. The two stayed at my house and it has been really fun hanging out with them.
The main thing that I was nervous about with the Idea Factory was being in front of everyone as Loni and I were the official MCs for the entire day. That meant that I was on the microphone from when the event started at 8:30 until when it finished at 6:30. Dealing with rushed presenters, frustrated sponsors and a harried coordinator who was running around like crazy made it a bit of a stressful day. The only thing that gave me confidence was the fact that Loni and I were the only native English speakers in the room and that people wouldn't really notice if I said something wrong.
Overall, the event went fine and everyone agreed that it went better than last year. I wasn't expecting this year in Brazil to require so much public speaking but I think I have been up in front of large audiences more in these last few months than I have in my entire life.
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