Day 196 February 20
I woke up and finished the 4th book in The Great Book of Amber. I then headed downstairs to make breakfast and clean up some. Unfortunately, I was too sleepy to remember to make coffee until I was almost done with my breakfast of scrambled eggs mixed with broccoli, carrots, eggplant, onions, garlic, peppers, some vegetable I don’t know the name of, cilantro, potatoes, and avocado. Delicious.
I spent the morning and early afternoon on laundry and, using Picame internet, creating a blog on blogspot. I think it’d be fun for more than just Facebook users to be able to read my “notes.” It was inspired by hearing from Coach Biasi, who does not have Facebook. I’ll probably keep updating them both, but now my blog is updated with weeks 1-28, each with a theme or title. It’ll help me reference them also and know what happened during which week if I want to look back through them.
I also did what Allan referred to as “Honduran cleaning” which consisted of sweeping and cleaning the “outdoors.” It had been mentioned that our entry area was a mess, so I decided to correct it. I scrubbed down under the door and dusted and scrubbed out window panes, both sides, as well as taking out the screens and cleaning them (which were filthy with dust.) I started on the window to my room also, but didn’t get very far because it was getting dark. I swept out the ground around our door and the stairs to the roof and the walls to get all the webs. I think it looks much better, but it’s subtle enough that I doubt most people will even notice.
At 3 I received a text from Luis informing me that I had mail (it was sent much earlier, but I wasn’t near my phone.) Forgetting that the post office closes at 12 on Saturdays, I showered and left the house for the first time and hurried over. But, of course, it was closed. Instead, I bought bananas. I got back home and continued cleaning.
I made dinner and Marlon and Beto came over. I get really tired dealing with those boys when they come over, but I never have the heart to send them out. I didn’t have enough to share, but I have them a couple of bananas each while Allan played with them. Abby and Beth came over to make dinner and couldn’t bring themselves to cook and eat in front of the boys so they bought them street baleadas and sent them home.
I then headed over to Nash’s to watch Pan’s Labyrinth with Nash, Tammi, Theo, Chris, Katie, and Luis. They had a projector, which was good most of the time but far too dark when the scene was dark, which happens a lot in this movie. Luis was amused by their Spanish accents. When it was over, at 10:30, I headed on home.
Day 197 February 21
I woke up earlier than I wanted to and ate my left over pasta from dinner. I showered and did the dishes before heading to church, which was packed full. I arrived 5 minutes early and it was already out the door. I still don’t have a clear understanding of what was going on, but instead of a regular homily, there was a train homily consisting of 10 different priests/decans who each gave a short homily and they were sandwiched by our regular priest and he ended with a normally lengthed homily. Then, a whole lot of the congregation moved up front and all of their names were read off. It was a lot of names. I do not know why. The mass was about 2.5 hours this time. Luckily, Megan’s mom is in town and the Urban Promise folks are gone so our usually scheduled worship was cancelled, so I didn’t miss it. I did get to see one of the other teachers who I don’t normally see at mass and a couple of students, which was nice.
I got home and made an egg-cheese-onion sandwich and started getting caught up on grading. After a while of grading I decided to dust and clean the windows that lead to my bedroom much like the ones I cleaned downstairs. I took out all of my earrings from the screen and cleaned inside and out. It was a lot of going up and down the stairs, but now my windows have lost the dust film I hadn’t even noticed, but was aware enough of that I now feel cleaner. Mmmmm…cleaner.
I went out and did some grocery shopping including picking up 6 lemp (30 cents) shoe polish for my church shoes and my school shoes. I shined up my church shoes and they look much better, but I’ll have to wait til I get to school to touch up my school shoes.
When I finished, I made a PB and J and got water, my phone, my keys, my notebook, and The Great Book of Amber and headed to the roof hammock. I stayed there until I was half done with the 5th book (which I was starting) and then came back down to make dinner.
I was working on my green beans when Marlon and Beto came over, which is beginning to get overbearing. When Abby got home we discussed how convenient it is that the boys always come when we’re working on dinner and the do have food to eat. We don’t mind feeding them every once in a while, but it is getting to be too much. Aside from the food part of it, having them over for a couple of hours every night is just draining, and we’ve started kicking them out earlier. We teach and then we get to relax and have adult time. They make this difficult on a, now, daily basis.
After we sent them out I went up and read a couple more chapters. As soon as I turned my light out, a man outside my window started calling Sierra’s name. I ignored him at first, but he persisted and informed me that he could see me, so I told him she wasn’t here. He asked if she lived here, and I said yes, but she wasn’t here and would probably be sleeping soon anyway since we have school in the morning. He wouldn’t go away and asked to see me (as my light was out) to see if he knows me. Abby heard me talking and came by to see what was going on. I told her, and then he asked me where our door was, and I told him downstairs. He left. Abby and I talked about it for a moment, apparently he had been downstairs about 10 minutes before asking Abby and Allan for Sierra, but they thought she had left. It struck us as likely that he had been outside my window while I was reading. He then came back to the door, trying the same things, and when we asked who he was, again, he just said “a friend.” Abby was getting upset and sent him off.
Once he was gone, we went and talked to Esteban to see if he had noticed anyone, but he had been in the restaurant. He said he hadn’t seen anyone, but he would be here for another half hour and would check the roof before leaving to make sure the man was really gone. We thanked him and I fell asleep shortly after I heard Esteban come back down from the roof with his flashlight.
Day 198 February 22
When I woke up I found I was still a little freaked by the man from last night. I ended up leaving the house a little late and hurried along when I did get going. I caught up to Tammi and we walked together for a while.
We asked Sierra, but she’s not sure who she would even know who’d come by the house like that. My kids were pretty well behaved, which I was thankful for. They asked me if I saw the light and heard the boom at 9:30, but I did not, as I was sleeping. Apparently, there was a light in the sky followed by a loud explosion, which I missed completely. Several students said that their parents said it was from a rocket, but I can’t find anything on it in the news online.
I’m implementing a new system at the end of the day to try and calm things down. Day 1 was a success, we’ll see how it goes from here.
I left school and got a ride part way down. I checked my mail, but she had just handed the mail to Megan so I walked up the hill and got my mail from her. I also got to meet and chat with her mom for a minute before I went home to change my shirt (it’s no longer “cold” here, it is now full on summer.) When I got to Picame, Esteban said that our friend from last night had been back again, looking for me, and he goes by the name Chile Verde, but he doesn’t know his real name. He had some words with him and sent him off. I love you Esteban.
I then went to tutoring at Isaac’s. The restaurant is open again and when I first came in I had a gringo convinced I spoke fluent Spanish. It amused me. There seem to be new employees and I miss the old ones (just because I don’t like change.)
I left tutoring and went straight to class. Class went well, though I was obviously out of it when I did my homework last week. Luis overheard Abby and I discussing Chile Verde and was concerned, so we talked about it some during class.
I went home and relaxed for a while, finishing the 5th book in the Amber series. Luis and Josue came over for a while, but I went to bed at 8:30. Many jokes were had about Chile (if someone knocked at the door or even when Allan got home and I asked who was there.) He did not show again, however.
Day 199 February 23
The mornings are cool enough, but the afternoons and nights are blistering. It gets hard to fall asleep. I’ve been losing some weight, I think just because I’m walking faster and further these days and have been easing out less.
My class was well behaved and we had a good time with multiplication Bingo, which actually motivated them to pay enough attention to learn the tricks I had to make things easier and then jeopardy for science review.
After school I had tutorias and we had a good time making flash cards to study at home. Juan was very sick, so I sent him home from tutorias early.
I stayed at school until 3:10 when I rushed home for tutorias at Isaac’s. They were fine, though not particularly energetic. On my way back, I ran into Eileen, followed by Ann, and then Beth and Josue. It was a little party in the central park. I even saw the tourist I met yesterday who thought I spoke fluent Spanish.
I got home and went up on the roof to read and write. While I was there, I got a call from Sierra asking if she could barrow my headphones. On my way back up I noticed that the sky had changed to a sharp pink, so I rushed back down to get my camera. I didn’t have the best vantage point, but the deep colors were captured. I’ve been pig on editing pictures recently, but I didn’t even want to touch these. Not that they’re great colors, I just didn’t want to ruin the colors. I played with other settings and found I really like sepia and I can take panoramic photos. Good times will follow.
I then decided I wanted to go to Villamil and see who was online. Megan and her mom were there, so I sat with them for a while. I did some catching up and even got to chat with mom. I then came home to get ready for bed and finish up my writings for the night.
Day 200 February 24
The dust has been unreal. Sometimes, when you step on the ground it literally billows up like you’re stepping in flour or powder. It can consume half you leg. In most places, though, the women sweep the streets and then wet it down to keep it from taking over the world. Dust is in everything. It’s not as bad as I thought, but I do carry my scarf with me to school so I can use it on the way back to cover my mouth.
I also love that four wheelers are an acceptable form of transportation.
I’ve been leaving later and later every day, and this morning I got to walk beside the sunrise. It was rather nice.
The kids and I had a talk about why I have been getting more strict- not because I’m angry and not because their worse, but to help make the classroom a better place for them to learn. Some of them understand, I’m sure some do not.
My health lesson was on emergencies and peer pressure. They now know Stop, Drop, and Roll, what to do during and earthquake, and what peer pressure is (and that only they can decide whether it’s good or bad pressure.)
After school, I stayed to do some planning and do my homework for class. Some of my girls came in, and I will never turn down a chance to let them practice English, so I gave them my giant rainforest book and we talked about the pictures while I did my homework. As soon as they saw what I was doing they were fascinated. They looked through my past homeworks, and at my past mistakes. Then they tried to tell me the answers to today’s homework, but I told them I need to do it themselves. We had a long chat about why some people can’t roll their Rs easily (I compared it to Latinos who can’t say ‘th’ easily.)
I then walked home and went to class, which was good. We talked about Jose, whom Luis had seen the day before, and we talked about my girls trying to help me cheat on my homework. Luis had told Jose everything I had hoped to tell him, but oh well.
On my way out of class, I saw Jose. He called me over and we talked for a while. He’s not mad anymore and claims he never was. I’m glad I stayed out of all the he-said, she-said to it. I figured either he would figure it out, or not and either he would forgive me, or not. I’m glad we’re friends again. He tried to get me to buy him school supplies before I left, but we’re just not there yet.
I went home and did some cooking and school work before I packed up and went to Villamil. I went early to chat with other folks, but at 7 my mom got on and around 8 my dad came home and I got to skype with them both. It was really nice.
Luis came to the café and we chatted. I showed him my ticket to the Steelers game from back in December (I knew I had packed my ticket, but I hadn’t been able to find it) and my old sketch book from when I was a teenager, which was just entertaining.
When he left, I went to sleep, hoping the cold front was on its way (rumor has it that how hot it’s been is about as hot as it gets, which I can live with.)
Day 201 February 25
I think I’m getting better at Thursdays. I used to consider them really hard days because I have three classes in a row, recess, and three classes in a row. That second set of three classes got really long. But I think as a combination of attituute shift, better planning, and an ideal theft from one of my elementary teachers has made it all go smoother. If I have a test, it’s right after recess, not after another fun activity. It’s easier to sober them up when they first come into the room than after getting them energized in the room. If we have a high-energy activity, we do it right before we leave. We now enter “The Game Zone” for 5-10 minutes in the middle to get out energy. It’s working like a champ and I hadn’t even noticed, but for several weeks in a row, I said “Thursday was better than they usually are” or “This Thursday didn’t feel as long as usual.” But now it’s a pattern, and that’s awesome.
We had a science test, which was really hard, but my kids stepped up (most of them.) I also had grades due, but the power went out at 7, and I simply could not insert the new grades I had from Thursday or access my grades to figure out who needed progress reports (not every one gets mid-quarter grades. It’s up to us. I give them to any student who has less than an 80 in any class. 70 is failing at Mayatan.)
In the morning, Andrea brought me a note in her pink notebook from a gringo names Bart who’s living with her family while he takes classes at the other language school. He had heard from her that I was from Virginia and he is from Charlottesville, so he was wondering where I was from and how I ended up here. He’s volunteering in El Progresso until May. I wrote back. It was a funny situation and now Andrea jokes that he is my boyfriend.
I had spelling tutorias and was pleased to see that all day and on into the afternoon Juan’s cough had eased. He was back to his old antics. I then walked home and had tutorias at Isaac’s house. Isaac and Jaqui were not there, so I chatted with the new woman who works there (I asked her name…but I already forgot. She’s so sweet!) Then a British tourist came in and we talked for a while. Yoela came in to wait for Isaac also (she’s been sick a lot this week, including today, but was still coming to my tutorias? I’ll take it.) The tourist and I talked about her travels and my teaching. She loves Copan, of course, and was jealous I get to stay here. Eventually Jaqui and Isaac came back in (he was in desperate need of a new belt, so they had run out to get one before the store closed) and I had tutoring. I found that he still isn’t comfortable saying a whole lot in English, but he makes more jokes about the subtleties, which is something. I told him I had noticed a lot of improvement and if he would try to practice more he could improve even faster. I told Yoela that I’d heard that her English was worlds better than it was last year and that I was proud of them both.
I left at 5 to go to class, which went well. This time no students had tried to make me cheat on my homework. I tend to try to make more complicated sentences than my homework really requires, which is where most of my errors come from.
I had intentions of going to the Thursday night service at the church, but because I’d had no power all day, at I had to take advantage of the power to do my grades and write up my progress reports. 11/19 students had at least one grade below an 80. Several of whom have recently become classroom problems and they never were before. I have noticed a maturity shift in my classroom as my students become more aware of each other. No matter where Nahomy is in the room, she is a distraction to most of the boys in the room. She also seems to lack the motivation to do anything in class because she is suddenly getting attention she never got before.
While I was working, Jesse came over. He had plans to meet with Beth to make dinner, but couldn’t get a hold of her. After half an hour or so he started making dinner in our kitchen (he was out of gas at home, also.) She called back and they had their dinner at our house. We found it amusing and Jesse did all our dishes, so we win! While they were making dinner I went up to try to get a good night sleep, but failed again.
Day 202 February 26
Friday was a really good day. I left for school 5 minutes later than the day before (which has been the trend all week) but still got there in plenty of time. The kids were good and we had fun. We made tiny settings for stories in toilet paper roll halves, took a spelling test, did times math, and played the science board game I brought at the very beginning of the year. I decided that we had covered enough science to play and they did well on the trivia questions we had gone over yet. They really liked it and it was great English practice. I had them broken up into 4 teams since it’s just a 4 player game.
During Social Studies, Helen had them clean and completely reorganize the room. The kids were so pleased with themselves, and it does give the room more space, but she wastes their class time like this a lot. I told the kids I was thrilled and we had a fun, relaxed last period. I spent my after school time continuing in the idea of clean and organized and set up a new system to put in place on Monday concerning a lack of students finishing classwork or writing notes. They can now earn a star a day according to what they do, and if they earn their stars for the week they get full credit and a star on the Reach for the Stars board. We’ve already talked about it and I think it will go well.
I was making up tests and other copies for next week when I got a text from Luis saying I had a package in the mail. I was sure I wouldn’t make it, so I didn’t even rush, at first. But 20 minutes later I decided I could not wait until Saturday for that package, so I finished up my work and headed toward home. I went from Mayatan to the Correo (which is across town from my house) in 15 minutes and walked in breathless. I told her my feat (and when Luis told me she had told him, he said he didn’t believe me.) I had my package from David— Thank you! I also had a letter from Nana and Granddaddy and a package with stickers and my class’s pen-pal letters. I was super excited.
I went home and unloaded everything onto my bed. I gushed over it for a while and showed it all off to Abby and read all the letters. I was pleased to see that their English wasn’t that far off from my kids. They have word order down better, but struggle with a lot of similar things.
I then got to work cleaning the downstairs in preparation for the surprise birthday party we were throwing for Megan. I cleaning up, and took in my laundry from the pila room. I was disturbed to find that the ants that own my house have taken an interest in my detergent, as many of my clothes hanging on the lines there were filled with ants. I worked through each article of clothing, checking for ants, and dropped the ones that had them on the ground. I then resoaked more than half of my clothes to wash out in the morning and took the rest upstairs.
I went shopping for the week and for hummus supplies, which I made for the party. I finished cleaning the downstairs (Abby did most of the big stuff, but I went after her to sweep up and tidy a little more.) I then started working on my room which hadn’t been cleaning in a week. IT had become a big mess, especially with my care package on the bed. I put everything away and swept it all out. I hung up my clothes and organized my books. I separated out the things I want to bring to school on Monday and packed up my bag. While I was working our first guests, Marlon and Victor, came over. They joined me in my room while I cleaned. Seeing all of my candy, they needed some of it too. I shared nicely, but not too much as most of it (except for the now and laters) is for my kids. Sierra came out for about a minute to talk with them, but then left me alone with them again.
Abby went down with the boys after a while and greeted other folks as they came in (who knew Hondurans would be early!) I finished my room and joined them downstairs. We had a huge turn out and a nice poster for everyone to sign. There was an abundance of food and a wonderful mix of Hondurans and gringos. Spanish and English were being spoken and switched in and out of. There were kids and adults, coworkers, and friends, students and parents. It was good.
We refrained from eating until Megan arrived. She had no idea until the moment they opened the door. I called Chris just as she got there, because he was in Cofradia, so that he could yell, “Surprise” through the phone. I told her later that he was there in voice and spirit. Folks ate, drank, played uno, stayed in the house, went on the roof, and all around had a good time.
Most folks left around 10 or 10:30 and the last Honduran family left at 11. Mirium wouldn’t charge us for the other food she made, only the cake, but we paid her extra anyway. She’s so good to us. Getting her son, Carlos of Allan’s class, to leave was difficult. He was really into the Uno games.
I finally got to bed around 12 and had my first good night’s sleep in about 8 days.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Week 28: The Lenten season and Luis as a substitute teacher
Day 189 February 13
After sleeping for 11 hours, I woke up and started cleaning. A wonderfully intense cleaning that is difficult to describe. I did all of my laundry, I made coffee, I cleaned under everything, on top of everything, I swept, I scrubbed the floor, I whitened the toilets, I organized the food, I scrubbed the stove, I cleaned the light switches, I took out the trash, I hung up a new fabric decoration, I scrubbed the wooden tabled that my roommates thought was painted grey (it’s white), I cleaned the stairs, and I listened to music through it all. After 7 hours, I realized I was a)hungry and b)dirty.
I showered and ate a sandwich in Picame (our gas ran out AGAIN last night. I am frustrated.) I met a couple of tourists who had just come into town and directed then to a good cheap hostel (tourism has been picking up a lot recently, but mostly Europeans. Americans still seem to be too nervous to stop in.) I bought a new water bottle for the house while I was there and came back in.
I then headed up to read on the roof, but was only there for 10 minutes before Abby came home and I wanted to show off my work. She was more than appreciative and said she had to double check to make sure she was in the right house. Yay clean!
We chatted for a while before I headed to Kelvin’s to watch a movie (Doomsday, I think), which he couldn’t get to play so we watched “Collateral” instead. He had a job decision to make, so the movie was broken up some by calls, and then he had to go to dinner at his mom’s at 9, with 10 minutes left to the action movie, so he let me borrow it.
I headed to Tony’s Bar because Petros y los Hijos de Tio Sam were playing, but I was redirected on my way when I saw Isaac and his mom. When they saw me, his mother told him to take me to the house, which he did, and he gave me a clown mug with dancing feet. Some months back Isaac had broken my mug, on accident, but Jaqui thought it would be nice to give me this for Valentine’s day. I showed it off the whole time I was at the bar.
I end up having a hard time at the shows because it’s really rather loud and crowded, so I tend to come and go. There was a party in the park, so I had lots of street food to choose from, which I had to because my usual stand was out of baleadas. I got baleadas, without napkins, from somewhere else. The without napkins part is important because the baleadas were too full and I made a mess of myself which I had to get cleaned up before going back inside.
Luis came, and eventually Kelvin came, but I spent most of the evening to Shin, a young man studying in Honduras for about a year from Taiwan. He enjoyed being able to speak Chinese with Michael before the show started, and knows more English than Spanish, but sometimes the two have to get intermingled to get meanings across. He invited me to Michael and Eileen’s tomorrow to celebrate the Chinese new year. Now I have Valentine’s plans!
I went home, leaving at the same time as Luis, so I took the opportunity to show off my new clean house. He gave me grief, but that’s okay.
Day 190 February 14
Happy St. Valentine’s Day! I woke up and finished the rest of “Collateral.” As I was getting ready to get out and do my shopping for the week, I got a call from Luis asking if I wanted to come with his family up the mountain for a lunch to celebrate his father’s 60th birthday, so I did.
I hopped in Alias’ large van with the rest of the family and enjoyed some, scattered, conversation and delicious food. After the eating, folks lounged around in hammocks and talked more. I chatted with Alias and Luis, which made understanding much easier than when in such a large group. We then got in the van again and headed further up the mountain so folks could buy flowers and then we went back home.
When I got home I cleaned up my room and went to the market to get my food for the week. On my way back in, I was stopped by the tourists I met yesterday. They wanted to know if Mayatan had any openings and I told them that I would pass on their e-mail addresses, which I did later at Villamil. I then finished my shopping at the Cruz Bueso.
After the shopping, I headed out to Villamil where I chatted for an hour and did some catching up on the internet before going home and heading to Michael and Eileen’s house. I had tried calling earlier to make sure I was welcome, but they hadn’t picked up. On my way across the park, Shin caught up with me and warned that he might be late and that Michael and Eileen were at the café. I checked the café, but they had just left so I went to their house.
We cooked and listened to Chinese pop. Turns out the popcorn balls held together with caramel are a Chinese food too. I had brought some, and had been ignorant to the fact. I just wasn’t able to cook because we’re still out of gas. Yay luck!
Michael’s year in China and Eileen’s visit to China + the ability to look up recipes online lead to a lot of delicious Chinese food. Shin said he had expected to spend the New Year alone, and was thrilled to have all this culture around him. He brought his own, as he made paper cut outs for us and wrote our names, his name, the name of the new year, the first month, and Honduras on them for us. He also brought envelopes which are traditionally used for giving money in at weddings and other gift giving occasions. There were also wall hangings for above doorways and in rooms that essentially mean “goodness.” Who knew I would come to Honduras and learn about Chinese culture? Plus, I spent some time at Villamil researching Taiwan, because I have found I hate meeting people and knowing nothing about where they come from.
Shin was just impressed I knew how to eat with chopsticks and knew I was year of the rabbit.
It was a lot of fun and a bit after my bedtime, I headed home and went to sleep.
Day 191 February 15
Shortly before assembly, my stomach began to rumble that uncomfortable rumble, but it passed. However, during my first class, I found I had to leave the room. I put Elvira in charge, telling her to continue the lesson and that I would be back very soon. I was, and there was only a little mayhem. I put things back in order and thanked Elvira. This week is a Spirit Week, of sorts (Anniversary Week) and we have a theme for each day. My pants were on backwards and my shirt was inside out, this mad being sick more complicated.
I didn’t hurt, but I wasn’t well, so I continued on. Toward the afternoon, I started to feel bad, but I only had one class left, so I rested as much as I could during my break and made it through the end of the day. I cancelled tutorias and tried to pull myself back together.
After getting some work done, I packed up and walked home where I did my Spanish homework and then left for tutorias at Isaac’s. We read for an hour, almost an hour and a half, and the conversation was good. I do think it will be good practice for him.
I then left and went to Spanish class. I had an assessment test, which went pretty well, I think. When I got home, Abby and Sierra were switching rooms. I helped for a while and then Kelvin came over to say goodbye as he is moving tomorrow morning. We said our goodbyes, and after a while Luis came over for advice on being a substitute for 3rd grade. We ended up talking about many things and I was up later than I have been in a while. Finally I slept, but not very well.
Day 192 February 16
Today was Costume Day, but being exhausted and having fewer resources than I did back home, I never got around to participating. I also didn’t want to disrupt class more than would be necessary. However, my kids were much better than expected and much better than yesterday. We got through the quiz fine, and prep went okay.
Luis will be subbing for Miss Beth tomorrow so he came and observed an overly rowdy game of jeopardy. After which, we went to lunch and Miss Beth gave him the rundown on tomorrow.
After school I stuck around and worked until 3 when I rushed back to town for tutoring at Isaac’s house. I stayed and worked on science and spelling until right before class at 5. In class we went over my homework and the test. I did alright, but now know a couple of things I need to work on more.
After class I went home and collapsed on my bed. Luis came over later with all of his newly acquired instructions from Beth and asked a variety of questions about what to do in certain situations. While he was still over I got a skype call from my whole family and we got to chat for a while which was really nice.
After Luis left I went to bed, earlier than I have been lately, but I was really tired and still wasn’t able to sleep so solidly.
Day 193 February 17
I walked with Luis up to the school and showed him the drill. I got my hair ready for Pelo Loco day, but it wasn’t exactly what I had hoped it would be. It was enough.
For most of the day my kids were very good. We had some moments, but being a Wednesday always helps everything. After school we had a meeting to redefine the rules or what we need to be doing during recesses. Some of it makes sense, some of it I don’t think will work, but we said we’d regroup in a week to talk about it.
After the meeting, I walked home and showered my hair back to normal before going to Isaac’s house. Luis was too tired for class, so I stayed an extra 45 minutes tutoring Isaac before I went home and cooked dinner as well as breakfast and lunch for the next day.
Luis came over again to talk about teaching (like me, he wanted to go over every detail of his first day.) We talked about what he could do for his second day and when he left, I went to sleep, finally sleeping well.
Day 194 February 18
For all intents and purposes, Thursday was Friday. I walked with Luis again, and offered him a boiled egg, but he wasn’t hungry. At school, he felt much more comfortable, which was fun.
My day was long, but not as long as Thursdays sometimes are. We had a good time, and got in our spelling test. The last period they got out of hand, with the excitement of mismatch day (of which I was the most mismatched in the room) and the coming Fun Day. I had them read silently to calm them down and then we went about our regular routine and dismissed them a couple of minutes early.
I stayed after to clean up my room and get grading and next week prep underway. While I was there, Marlon came to me and mentioned that he and his brother Victor would not be coming because they do not have money. This alarmed me, as I had not even realized that the Fun Day was a pay-as-you-go event. Each “fun” activity was priced to help the 10th graders, the richest kids in the school, afford a trip to Tegucigalpa. It was a fun day for the rich. This bothers me.
I told Marlon I would try to help them out tomorrow, but I was afraid to make promises until I was sure I could get my hands on some money. On my way out of school, Victor, the vigilante and father of my student Juan, asked if there were classes or if Juan could stay home. I told him there were no classes, but it would be wonderful if Juan could come and he said he would talk to him. I believe that the issue was the same: no money. I wanted to offer, but 1) Victor is less open talking about money than Marlon’s family and I don’t want to make him feel ashamed and 2) I still wasn’t positive I could get money for tomorrow.
When I got home, I took some downtime and watched Madagascar (because I am in third grade) and then Chris called. Chris made himself an outdoor shower, which is cold on cold days (which it was, for us) so he wanted to use my heated shower. I went to the park to buy eggs and saldo for my phone before meeting up with Chris for an ice cream cone in exchange for my shower. When we got home, Abby and Allan were cooking. Chris and I then exchanged a massage (to my overly tight shoulders, which he commented on, worked on, and gave up on, but they are better) for a grilled cheese sandwich. He then showered.
Marlon and his older brother Beto came over. I told Marlon I could help him tomorrow and he confirmed that I could help his brother Victor also, and I said yes. The boys played and ate for a while, and made me exhausted, as usual. (But, I love having them around.)
Luis came over and chatted with Chris until 8 when Chris, Allan, and Abby left for Eileen and Michael’s. The boys left too, but I stayed home because I was far too tired to be leaving the house that close to bed time (they tried to point out that we get to sleep in tomorrow, but the problem is I am tired Now.)
Luis and I talked for a while, but I started falling asleep. He left and I did fall asleep, but I woke up when he called because he had left his keys in my house. Then I slept the sleep of the dead.
Day 195 February 19
I slept in, left late, and got to school by 7:45. The day officially started at 8, but it was all a mess. We had no instructions. At 8:40 we had an assembly and talked about the history of Mayatan. Some of the secondary students sang the school song. The winners of the spirit week were announced.
Fun day consisted of face painting, a make-up station, water balloons, eggs filled with confetti, whipped cream pies, food and drink, the jail (you paid to have someone confined and I think someone had to pay to have them removed), a futbol game, a penalty shoot, clowns, hacky-sack toss, and a variety of other things that I missed. I wandered around and made sure no one got hurt. When one of my students came to me crying because she had been creamed, I encouraged her to get him back and she cheered right up. I played photographer and then worked the slack line that Chris brought. It was the only free thing there. I jumped up on for the first time in more than a decade (when I was a kid, I tied a rope between two relatively close together trees and tried to walk it, but it was different.) At first I walked with helpers on either side, and then with just Chris, and then I started trying it myself. By the end of the day, I was walking a good many steps without falling. A couple times I went the length. Mostly, though, I helped students walk without falling by being their helping hands and giving them tips.
My student Juan did not come, and I noticed that many of the other scholarship students did not come, which made me very sad. I gave Marlon and Victor some money and I know Michael and Eileen did the same. Marlon is more diplomatic about these things in that he seems to understand that once you tap into a source, you let it be for a while, but Victor ran out of money half way through and tried to get more. Eventually, I hope he’ll learn two things 1) portion control and 2) if someone gives you money/food/things, they’re more inclined to continue giving if you give them some space sometimes and don’t come back every few minutes/hours/days. Marlon seems to understand this.
At the end of the school day, I helped kids leave and cleaned up the yard and then collapsed by the caseta for a while before walking home with Tammi and Nash. I bought mangos when I got to town, which I haven’t done in a long while (I think maybe they mix the salt with something addictive, because I always want more.)
I read for a while before going to Casa Villamil where I updated pictures and worked on some grading. While I was there, I got a call from Chris asking if I wanted to go running, so I gave myself half an hour to digest and got home to get ready.
We ran up toward La Pintata, but had predetermined this run was actually a run-walk-hike-swim. We hiked up the mountain, which still kept the ol’ heat rate up. We went up past the aldea and continued to the waterfalls, where we took a cool dip (and the water was very chilly compared to the outside temp.) We hiked/walked back into town where we got croissants and chatted.
Chris left to meet up with Katie and I continued reading before Megan called wondering if I wanted to come over and watch Dr. House at 8. I did, and showered up before I went.
I told her I’d be over by 7:45, but on my way up the hill, I was stopped by the Catholic Church. Half the congregation was in the street, marching up the hill, from central park, to various pre-set up stations for the stations of the cross this first Friday in Lent. I walked with them for two stations. It was fascinating and I most certainly want to do the whole walk this Lenten season. There’s music to accompany the march, and there are 4 men carrying a large Jesus with a cross. They set him down at every station.
I got to Megan’s house, and she was still getting ready herself. My tardiness didn’t impede anything! I looked over an application for a potential coworker for next year (he seems to be a good candidate) and we watched House and talked about many things. At 9:30 I headed back toward home, thought of meeting folks who were out, but many of them seemed to have already dispersed, so I went home and read until 10:30.
After sleeping for 11 hours, I woke up and started cleaning. A wonderfully intense cleaning that is difficult to describe. I did all of my laundry, I made coffee, I cleaned under everything, on top of everything, I swept, I scrubbed the floor, I whitened the toilets, I organized the food, I scrubbed the stove, I cleaned the light switches, I took out the trash, I hung up a new fabric decoration, I scrubbed the wooden tabled that my roommates thought was painted grey (it’s white), I cleaned the stairs, and I listened to music through it all. After 7 hours, I realized I was a)hungry and b)dirty.
I showered and ate a sandwich in Picame (our gas ran out AGAIN last night. I am frustrated.) I met a couple of tourists who had just come into town and directed then to a good cheap hostel (tourism has been picking up a lot recently, but mostly Europeans. Americans still seem to be too nervous to stop in.) I bought a new water bottle for the house while I was there and came back in.
I then headed up to read on the roof, but was only there for 10 minutes before Abby came home and I wanted to show off my work. She was more than appreciative and said she had to double check to make sure she was in the right house. Yay clean!
We chatted for a while before I headed to Kelvin’s to watch a movie (Doomsday, I think), which he couldn’t get to play so we watched “Collateral” instead. He had a job decision to make, so the movie was broken up some by calls, and then he had to go to dinner at his mom’s at 9, with 10 minutes left to the action movie, so he let me borrow it.
I headed to Tony’s Bar because Petros y los Hijos de Tio Sam were playing, but I was redirected on my way when I saw Isaac and his mom. When they saw me, his mother told him to take me to the house, which he did, and he gave me a clown mug with dancing feet. Some months back Isaac had broken my mug, on accident, but Jaqui thought it would be nice to give me this for Valentine’s day. I showed it off the whole time I was at the bar.
I end up having a hard time at the shows because it’s really rather loud and crowded, so I tend to come and go. There was a party in the park, so I had lots of street food to choose from, which I had to because my usual stand was out of baleadas. I got baleadas, without napkins, from somewhere else. The without napkins part is important because the baleadas were too full and I made a mess of myself which I had to get cleaned up before going back inside.
Luis came, and eventually Kelvin came, but I spent most of the evening to Shin, a young man studying in Honduras for about a year from Taiwan. He enjoyed being able to speak Chinese with Michael before the show started, and knows more English than Spanish, but sometimes the two have to get intermingled to get meanings across. He invited me to Michael and Eileen’s tomorrow to celebrate the Chinese new year. Now I have Valentine’s plans!
I went home, leaving at the same time as Luis, so I took the opportunity to show off my new clean house. He gave me grief, but that’s okay.
Day 190 February 14
Happy St. Valentine’s Day! I woke up and finished the rest of “Collateral.” As I was getting ready to get out and do my shopping for the week, I got a call from Luis asking if I wanted to come with his family up the mountain for a lunch to celebrate his father’s 60th birthday, so I did.
I hopped in Alias’ large van with the rest of the family and enjoyed some, scattered, conversation and delicious food. After the eating, folks lounged around in hammocks and talked more. I chatted with Alias and Luis, which made understanding much easier than when in such a large group. We then got in the van again and headed further up the mountain so folks could buy flowers and then we went back home.
When I got home I cleaned up my room and went to the market to get my food for the week. On my way back in, I was stopped by the tourists I met yesterday. They wanted to know if Mayatan had any openings and I told them that I would pass on their e-mail addresses, which I did later at Villamil. I then finished my shopping at the Cruz Bueso.
After the shopping, I headed out to Villamil where I chatted for an hour and did some catching up on the internet before going home and heading to Michael and Eileen’s house. I had tried calling earlier to make sure I was welcome, but they hadn’t picked up. On my way across the park, Shin caught up with me and warned that he might be late and that Michael and Eileen were at the café. I checked the café, but they had just left so I went to their house.
We cooked and listened to Chinese pop. Turns out the popcorn balls held together with caramel are a Chinese food too. I had brought some, and had been ignorant to the fact. I just wasn’t able to cook because we’re still out of gas. Yay luck!
Michael’s year in China and Eileen’s visit to China + the ability to look up recipes online lead to a lot of delicious Chinese food. Shin said he had expected to spend the New Year alone, and was thrilled to have all this culture around him. He brought his own, as he made paper cut outs for us and wrote our names, his name, the name of the new year, the first month, and Honduras on them for us. He also brought envelopes which are traditionally used for giving money in at weddings and other gift giving occasions. There were also wall hangings for above doorways and in rooms that essentially mean “goodness.” Who knew I would come to Honduras and learn about Chinese culture? Plus, I spent some time at Villamil researching Taiwan, because I have found I hate meeting people and knowing nothing about where they come from.
Shin was just impressed I knew how to eat with chopsticks and knew I was year of the rabbit.
It was a lot of fun and a bit after my bedtime, I headed home and went to sleep.
Day 191 February 15
Shortly before assembly, my stomach began to rumble that uncomfortable rumble, but it passed. However, during my first class, I found I had to leave the room. I put Elvira in charge, telling her to continue the lesson and that I would be back very soon. I was, and there was only a little mayhem. I put things back in order and thanked Elvira. This week is a Spirit Week, of sorts (Anniversary Week) and we have a theme for each day. My pants were on backwards and my shirt was inside out, this mad being sick more complicated.
I didn’t hurt, but I wasn’t well, so I continued on. Toward the afternoon, I started to feel bad, but I only had one class left, so I rested as much as I could during my break and made it through the end of the day. I cancelled tutorias and tried to pull myself back together.
After getting some work done, I packed up and walked home where I did my Spanish homework and then left for tutorias at Isaac’s. We read for an hour, almost an hour and a half, and the conversation was good. I do think it will be good practice for him.
I then left and went to Spanish class. I had an assessment test, which went pretty well, I think. When I got home, Abby and Sierra were switching rooms. I helped for a while and then Kelvin came over to say goodbye as he is moving tomorrow morning. We said our goodbyes, and after a while Luis came over for advice on being a substitute for 3rd grade. We ended up talking about many things and I was up later than I have been in a while. Finally I slept, but not very well.
Day 192 February 16
Today was Costume Day, but being exhausted and having fewer resources than I did back home, I never got around to participating. I also didn’t want to disrupt class more than would be necessary. However, my kids were much better than expected and much better than yesterday. We got through the quiz fine, and prep went okay.
Luis will be subbing for Miss Beth tomorrow so he came and observed an overly rowdy game of jeopardy. After which, we went to lunch and Miss Beth gave him the rundown on tomorrow.
After school I stuck around and worked until 3 when I rushed back to town for tutoring at Isaac’s house. I stayed and worked on science and spelling until right before class at 5. In class we went over my homework and the test. I did alright, but now know a couple of things I need to work on more.
After class I went home and collapsed on my bed. Luis came over later with all of his newly acquired instructions from Beth and asked a variety of questions about what to do in certain situations. While he was still over I got a skype call from my whole family and we got to chat for a while which was really nice.
After Luis left I went to bed, earlier than I have been lately, but I was really tired and still wasn’t able to sleep so solidly.
Day 193 February 17
I walked with Luis up to the school and showed him the drill. I got my hair ready for Pelo Loco day, but it wasn’t exactly what I had hoped it would be. It was enough.
For most of the day my kids were very good. We had some moments, but being a Wednesday always helps everything. After school we had a meeting to redefine the rules or what we need to be doing during recesses. Some of it makes sense, some of it I don’t think will work, but we said we’d regroup in a week to talk about it.
After the meeting, I walked home and showered my hair back to normal before going to Isaac’s house. Luis was too tired for class, so I stayed an extra 45 minutes tutoring Isaac before I went home and cooked dinner as well as breakfast and lunch for the next day.
Luis came over again to talk about teaching (like me, he wanted to go over every detail of his first day.) We talked about what he could do for his second day and when he left, I went to sleep, finally sleeping well.
Day 194 February 18
For all intents and purposes, Thursday was Friday. I walked with Luis again, and offered him a boiled egg, but he wasn’t hungry. At school, he felt much more comfortable, which was fun.
My day was long, but not as long as Thursdays sometimes are. We had a good time, and got in our spelling test. The last period they got out of hand, with the excitement of mismatch day (of which I was the most mismatched in the room) and the coming Fun Day. I had them read silently to calm them down and then we went about our regular routine and dismissed them a couple of minutes early.
I stayed after to clean up my room and get grading and next week prep underway. While I was there, Marlon came to me and mentioned that he and his brother Victor would not be coming because they do not have money. This alarmed me, as I had not even realized that the Fun Day was a pay-as-you-go event. Each “fun” activity was priced to help the 10th graders, the richest kids in the school, afford a trip to Tegucigalpa. It was a fun day for the rich. This bothers me.
I told Marlon I would try to help them out tomorrow, but I was afraid to make promises until I was sure I could get my hands on some money. On my way out of school, Victor, the vigilante and father of my student Juan, asked if there were classes or if Juan could stay home. I told him there were no classes, but it would be wonderful if Juan could come and he said he would talk to him. I believe that the issue was the same: no money. I wanted to offer, but 1) Victor is less open talking about money than Marlon’s family and I don’t want to make him feel ashamed and 2) I still wasn’t positive I could get money for tomorrow.
When I got home, I took some downtime and watched Madagascar (because I am in third grade) and then Chris called. Chris made himself an outdoor shower, which is cold on cold days (which it was, for us) so he wanted to use my heated shower. I went to the park to buy eggs and saldo for my phone before meeting up with Chris for an ice cream cone in exchange for my shower. When we got home, Abby and Allan were cooking. Chris and I then exchanged a massage (to my overly tight shoulders, which he commented on, worked on, and gave up on, but they are better) for a grilled cheese sandwich. He then showered.
Marlon and his older brother Beto came over. I told Marlon I could help him tomorrow and he confirmed that I could help his brother Victor also, and I said yes. The boys played and ate for a while, and made me exhausted, as usual. (But, I love having them around.)
Luis came over and chatted with Chris until 8 when Chris, Allan, and Abby left for Eileen and Michael’s. The boys left too, but I stayed home because I was far too tired to be leaving the house that close to bed time (they tried to point out that we get to sleep in tomorrow, but the problem is I am tired Now.)
Luis and I talked for a while, but I started falling asleep. He left and I did fall asleep, but I woke up when he called because he had left his keys in my house. Then I slept the sleep of the dead.
Day 195 February 19
I slept in, left late, and got to school by 7:45. The day officially started at 8, but it was all a mess. We had no instructions. At 8:40 we had an assembly and talked about the history of Mayatan. Some of the secondary students sang the school song. The winners of the spirit week were announced.
Fun day consisted of face painting, a make-up station, water balloons, eggs filled with confetti, whipped cream pies, food and drink, the jail (you paid to have someone confined and I think someone had to pay to have them removed), a futbol game, a penalty shoot, clowns, hacky-sack toss, and a variety of other things that I missed. I wandered around and made sure no one got hurt. When one of my students came to me crying because she had been creamed, I encouraged her to get him back and she cheered right up. I played photographer and then worked the slack line that Chris brought. It was the only free thing there. I jumped up on for the first time in more than a decade (when I was a kid, I tied a rope between two relatively close together trees and tried to walk it, but it was different.) At first I walked with helpers on either side, and then with just Chris, and then I started trying it myself. By the end of the day, I was walking a good many steps without falling. A couple times I went the length. Mostly, though, I helped students walk without falling by being their helping hands and giving them tips.
My student Juan did not come, and I noticed that many of the other scholarship students did not come, which made me very sad. I gave Marlon and Victor some money and I know Michael and Eileen did the same. Marlon is more diplomatic about these things in that he seems to understand that once you tap into a source, you let it be for a while, but Victor ran out of money half way through and tried to get more. Eventually, I hope he’ll learn two things 1) portion control and 2) if someone gives you money/food/things, they’re more inclined to continue giving if you give them some space sometimes and don’t come back every few minutes/hours/days. Marlon seems to understand this.
At the end of the school day, I helped kids leave and cleaned up the yard and then collapsed by the caseta for a while before walking home with Tammi and Nash. I bought mangos when I got to town, which I haven’t done in a long while (I think maybe they mix the salt with something addictive, because I always want more.)
I read for a while before going to Casa Villamil where I updated pictures and worked on some grading. While I was there, I got a call from Chris asking if I wanted to go running, so I gave myself half an hour to digest and got home to get ready.
We ran up toward La Pintata, but had predetermined this run was actually a run-walk-hike-swim. We hiked up the mountain, which still kept the ol’ heat rate up. We went up past the aldea and continued to the waterfalls, where we took a cool dip (and the water was very chilly compared to the outside temp.) We hiked/walked back into town where we got croissants and chatted.
Chris left to meet up with Katie and I continued reading before Megan called wondering if I wanted to come over and watch Dr. House at 8. I did, and showered up before I went.
I told her I’d be over by 7:45, but on my way up the hill, I was stopped by the Catholic Church. Half the congregation was in the street, marching up the hill, from central park, to various pre-set up stations for the stations of the cross this first Friday in Lent. I walked with them for two stations. It was fascinating and I most certainly want to do the whole walk this Lenten season. There’s music to accompany the march, and there are 4 men carrying a large Jesus with a cross. They set him down at every station.
I got to Megan’s house, and she was still getting ready herself. My tardiness didn’t impede anything! I looked over an application for a potential coworker for next year (he seems to be a good candidate) and we watched House and talked about many things. At 9:30 I headed back toward home, thought of meeting folks who were out, but many of them seemed to have already dispersed, so I went home and read until 10:30.
Week 27: Losing Jose
Day 182 February 6
I woke up, of course, at 4:30, but put in ear plugs and went back to sleep. I next woke up at 9:30, which was glorious. Jose heard me get up, and though I had gotten back into bed, he popped upstairs and we chatted for a while before I showed and got ready to go to the market. The boy does think I’m rich these days (maybe because I just bought a bunch of his jewelry and then bought him a pair of pants) but I am trying to show him that I live on a certain amount during a week and when I run out…I’m out.
We went to the market together, and all I had was my week’s allowance after buying him pants. I managed to get my food for the week and a couple treats (grapes, avocados). I saw several other teachers, Honduran and foreign, and some parents in the market, which made it quite the social outing. Maybe I’ll start doing my shopping on Saturday and not Sunday from now on. Also, one of my parents now has a booth in the new market, and I bought some things from her (she also gave me one free vegetable to try.)
Jose and I went home where I made up a grilled cheese sandwich with onion and Jose made chismol and tortillas with (my) quesillo, but he made two for me also and they were delicious. I then made hummus for the first time in my life (too watery) and made cucumbers (I just struggled to remember the English word for cucumbers) in vinegar for Beth’s lunch-party. She’s 30 today! Happy Birthday Beth!
Also, you can tell I’m feeling better because I have started writing way more. I think when I’m sick and/or busy I stop caring about the day-to-day details and when I’m feeling good, everything excites me.
Abby, Allan, and I left late for the party, so we went to Tuk-tuk corner to grab a cab, where we were, predictably, assaulted by 20 cab drivers all convinced we should get in their cab. Allan and I were just going to head for the closest one when we realized there was a man among them we knew, so we followed him to the very end of the line to get in his cab, while all the other drivers made their upset comments.
On the way up the hill we saw Michael and Eileen walking, and Allan asked the driver to drive really close so he could smack him on the rear. He did, and Michael punched him in the arm before realizing what was going on. His face was angry, but by the time he got up the hill, he figured out what had happened and was amused. It was hilarious. I laughed the rest of the way up. And as I retold the story to several folks.
Brunch was lovely, the food was well received, and the conversation was good. We hung out for several hours before parting ways to plan a surprise party for the evening. On the way down, we stopped by the library so the other teachers could look around. I also noticed the book exchange which had a take a book, leave a book +20 lemps policy. I love knowing that it is there. They do have books in English.
I got home and cleaned the kitchen and picked up my room. After a bit, I grabbed my computer to go to Villamil and I had a long and lovely talk with my folks.
I got home and cooked up dinner while Abby and Allan were finishing up their cooking. We ate and left for the surprise party for Beth. However, when we got to the street, we heard a voice behind us calling us. It was Beth and her friend Elizabeth. They were on their scavenger hunt around town, with various gifts and clues for where to go next. However, no one was expecting a party to be happening at Guacamaya. The note had disappeared and several 16 year old boys were standing on the porch now, leering. We investigated with her, found one of our friends and asked if he knew where the note was. In his current state, it took us a while to get him understanding and motivated enough to get the note for us. He did, thanked him for his offer of ron (rum) and continued on our way. I was really glad to see Beth was enjoying everything that had been planned for her.
We made our way to the next spot, which was closed, so Abby, who happened to know the clue (but, of course didn’t know who the “amigos secretos” were who put the hunt together) verbally delivered the message. We went up to Bar Cito for a few minutes, danced for maybe 1 minutes, gathered up Eileen who was waiting there, and moved on to ViaVia where the big surprise waited. Beth received her last clue and a bottle of tequila from the bar tender there and we moved on to the boys’ house, where we could see them on the roof with a bon fire when we arrived. All in all, it went well according to plan, and what didn’t worked itself out nicely and hilariously.
The boys had a video of the Talking Heads being projected onto the wall, and there was dancing to be had. Eventually we made our way to the roof. Many good conversations were had (Alex will now admit to 62.3% chance of staying, and Michael has moved up from a 10% chance, to a 35% chance.) There was cake, guitar, Spanish Christmas carols (because we’re all still scarred from all those practice sessions), The Fox, and fire crackers. Fire crackers are loud and obnoxious, and a perfectly Honduran thing to set off in the middle of the night if you’re celebrating. It just makes me so thankful, again, that the houses are all made of concrete.
There was pin the tail on the borro and a piñata downstairs, which had been waiting patiently. The move off the roof lead to a variety of hilarious, and potentially risky endeavors, including putting the last firework, which had no fuse, into the fire as everyone left and therefore “no risk” of anyone getting hurt, and, as we were climbing down right beside the boys pila, someone accidentally broke the spicket…off. Which left the water just running, with no way to stop it. The pila began to overflow all over the floor and various attempts to plug it with corks and candles just got shot out in a matter of seconds.
The firework put in the fire just caught fire and most folks had forgotten about it before the first minor explosion, and then within a minute the bigger, but still not horrible explosion occurred. Within the hour, the spicket had been plugged with a cork and tightened and held in with a variety of things. The landlord would be called in the morning and it had been broken more in order to manage it now. We’ll see how that works out.
The piñata became piñata vs. machete, and the machete won. Everyone stayed clear. And Theo, who was in charge of the rope, was on the roof. Beth was the only one who got to play piñata vs. machete, as the rope broke, and then it was beaten on the ground. A variety of candy, soccer player stickers, and alcohol fell out of the piñata. The group then made a move to head to a bar, and I decided to head to bed. I had thought of leaving several times, but simply needed to see how everything resolved itself and had kept myself up, sin caffeine, until 1:30.
On my walk home I saw one of my waiter friends from the restaurant on the corner. He was surprised to see me out, and I explained I had been at a birthday party. He then asked if I gave English classes, which confused me, and after a few repeats and clarifications, I realized he meant to adults. I said that I could and asked if he wanted classes. He said that he wants to learn many things. Despite all of our greetings during every day, we didn’t know each other’s names, so Jose and I introduced ourselves and bid each other very happy nights.
Day 183 February 7
I actually got chilly in the night, but then woke up too warm. I set to cooking, cleaning, and laundry (it may sound mundane every time I write it, but I find it a lovely start to the day, so long as I have the time.) Jose came home at 10, but had left his keys wherever he stayed last night, so he left again and said he’d be back in an hour. He was not, and I hope he got in later because I left with my food and went to worship at Megan’s house.
We’ve been getting slower and having more discussion, which is nice. Today we listened to the third in a series of sermons we’ve been listening to and discussed the idea of modern day prophets and how they may or may not manifest themselves. And though this man apparently predicted the big earthquake in May, his February 7, 2010 prediction did not come to fruition.
After church I spent a good bit of time doing work in my room and chatting with Jose before I decided I did want to go to Pizza Copan with everyone to watch the game. I tried to explain to Jose why every gringo in town was there, but he kept trying to figure out which team was the US. Both. I think he settled on the Saints, because it was the team I was cheering for.
I brought some work and worked some while there, but there was good camaraderie and good fun. I left before the end because I was tired, but ended up being up late anyway because I got to talking to Luis and later with Jose. Finally at 10:30 I turned in.
Day 184 February 8
I didn’t sleep very well, but the morning wasn’t as hard as I expected it to be. I briefly met the new vigilante, and we had to get the coffee started, because he hasn’t yet learned how much we love our coffee in the morning. Hopefully tomorrow.
My recess and Lunch are now 5 minutes long because I was asked to tutor a student for his recoup exams during that time. The tests are this week, so it’s only for this week, but it’s more draining than I expected.
The kids were a little chatty, but over all we had a good day. The hardest thing now is getting kids out when I’m trying to tutor other kids. Even once I get them out of the room, I’m constantly chasing kids out of the hallway, where they are very noisy. It’s hard enough to get kids to focus during tutorias anyway.
I stayed after school to work and do my homework. As usual, I was accompanied by Victor and Marlon who stay in hopes of candy and to play with my transformers. I did explain that I’m much more inclined to give them candy if they don’t ask. We’ll see how it works out.
I walked home with Beth and continued on a research quest I am on that I started at school (saving web pages to the computer to read later.) Jose was getting ready for his first day of school (he’s taking night classes) and we were all excited. I wasn’t actually there for the send off because I had class, but I gave him a big hug before I left.
Class went well, and then I got home to cook dinner (a nothing-like-how-mom-makes-and-i-wish-it-was hard-boiled egg salad). It was tasty enough.
Sierra came in and was waiting for Jose to get back from class so they could go watch Avatar at Caroline’s, but he was late. She left without him and so when he came in a few minutes later I only had a moment to ask him how school was, but he said he liked it a whole lot. I was really excited for him, and then he rushed off.
I continued reading of The Great Book of Amber and finished the third book, entering into the fourth. Then I found sleep.
Unfortunately, this morning I discovered that Jose stole from me. I really wanted to find another explanation, but unfortunately, this time, I don’t have too much doubt in my memory. I have some, based on I didn’t actually see it happen. Friday, when Marlon came over, he had the 50 lemps and the tickets for the raffle, he was so excited and emptied his wallet for me. I counted it, saw some was missing and he dug in further to get the rest for me. I didn’t want to lose it, so I got a plastic, clear, baggie and put the tickets and the money in the bag. I then put the bag in the drawer less space on the nightstand next to my bed. It is visible. During the weekend, Jose spent a lot of time with me in my room, as Sierra wasn’t around. Saturday, I know he asked for 20 lemps, and I said I didn’t have it. And I didn’t. Sunday night I put the bag in my backpack and on Monday I counted it at school: 22 of 50 lemps. I retraced my thoughts, tried to figure the probability of my making a mistake. Of course there is some.
Day 185 February 9
I decided I would ask Marlon if he had given me all of the money or if he had found any extra money in his wallet. He said I had it all. That had been my best last hope. It’s not that the amount was a lot. It’s trust. This kid has access to everything we have. I’m inclined to forgive and let live, just with a firmer hand and if it happens again, he’s out.I think his behavior, up until now, has been perfectly normal and expected for his age and circumstance. Stealing is a line though, and it’s Sierra’s house too, so if he can’t be trusted, we’ll be a united front. I feel torn. I love this boy, but I can’t be a mother to him. The deal was that he would stay here until Josue came back, but now Josue says he won’t take him back. The current idea is that we still want to show him some stability, so we’ll keep him here for the agreed upon time and he’ll have to use that time to find other arrangements. Maybe go back home. I hope he stays in school. I hope it doesn’t hurt him too much.
I think of it like an adopted kid who’s been through a lot. They act out until they believe they can really trust you. They expect to let people down, so they do it deliberately so it’s in their control. They don’t want to be surprised by it. The thing is, we aren’t really his parents. We can’t really commit to him like that, and the risk is great. We also don’t have the means to shower him with what he really does need. And we don’t have the ability to be the authority figures it would take to re-train his mentality. I think sticking to the original plan of one more week is best. Josue’s decision is not in our hands, all we can do is stick to our word and show consistency. I just hope I’m not wrong somehow. But, if I’m going to accuse him, I’m not going to show the doubt I feel. Maybe he’ll hate me for it, but he won’t admit it even if he did. Though, I will give him the chance to.
The morning was slow. I slept in 30 minutes and left 30 minutes late. The nice thing is I leave early enough that 30 minutes late is still early. Whooo!
It’s getting hot, and today the power was out so we had no fans to cool us down. What’s really bad about no power is it means no coffee. I got one cup, went back for another before class but it was out and working on a new pot, by the time I was free to try again, the power had been out for 2:30 hours. Nooooooo! It makes me a little less patient, though not as bad as when I was sick.
I’m revamping my science plans because my current approach is not working. Poor Juan is tired of not having recess, but it’s only one more day and then he’s free to play. I hope he passes at least some of his recoups, but we’ve spent hours on the definitions of and examples for the following three words: noun, verb, adjective and he still can only identify noun if the definition is written somewhere else on the paper (like a matching test.)
Otherwise, tutorias seem to be going well. Though, I was pretty distracted after school. We had a staff meeting after tutorias, and after I forgot I had more tutorias. I was only 10 minutes late (I told him 4, but I usually go at 3:30) and Isaac apparently had not told his mom I said 4 (I couldn’t have made it back even if I had remembered because of the staff meeting) and she called me and so I rushed over. I explained and she seemed fine. He was kind of falling asleep by the end, but he’s doing better.
I got home and wrote a lot.
Not surprisingly things did not stay peachy with Jose staying in the house. Things were dealt with. We had a family meeting and he decided to move out. After it was all over, I tried to sleep, but couldn’t sleep well.
Day 186 February 10
Wednesday was a hectic but productive day at school. It was among the last that I would sacrifice my recesses for tutoring sessions, and from how his tests went, it seems to have been worth it.
I gave exams after school and then headed home. When I got home, Jose was there, talking to Sierra and getting some more things. He wouldn’t really talk to me. I tried to talk to him about it, but no luck.
I went to class and basically spent it as a vent my frustrations in Spanish session. Luis thinks being upset increases my Spanish ability. After class we went for baleadas at Katia’s mom’s place and then we sat in the park to continue the conversation. I had a lot to say.
I got home and went to bed.
Day 187 February 11
Thursdays are usually my tough days, but today’s long morning seemed shorter than usual. It was nice. After school, we had recuperations, and I was supposed to be done, but part way through one, kids came in and said that the last bus to her town was leaving. She had to go, 15 minutes early. It was a pain, and the truth. Sometimes the drivers work on their own schedule. She will finish tomorrow.
I finished up some things for the raffle and then hurried to town for tutoring with Isaac, which was an hour and 45 minutes rather than an hour 15. His mom also wants me to come a third day each week for tutoring not related to school, just to help him practice English. Which, I will begin on Monday.
I was 10 minutes late to class, and as I had not even been home for 12 hours, did not have my notebook or school book. We worked around it.
When I finally did get home, Josue was just coming back from his 3 weeks away and wanted to talk about the situation with Jose. We did until Sierra came home and then Abby left and I went to Villamil, where we had internet troubles. After they bent over backwards to get it up and running again, I chatted and researched for a while. Luis came and sat with me, but we were both in our own little worlds.
I then went home and slept early.
Day 188 February 12
Today is, affectively, Valentine’s Day as far as school is concerned. The secondary students sold roses, cadies, and cards. I ordered a rose in advance and gave it to Miss Megan. My kids got me a variety of candies, roses, and a pair of elephant earrings.
Recess was a mess, because it wasn’t until it was time to come in that they decided to set up a surprise for me. They had the 10th graders, who were playing music as they sold things, play “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas and they gave me things. Then they all hugged me. It was really sweet and made the 20 minutes of class I did have left before PE impossible (that and we had a lice check, and even though only two kids were out of the room at any given time, they simply could not focus.)
For art we made “Love Bugs” with a poem written on a heart that bounced off the accordioned legs of their bug. (I am a little bug, Sending you a lot of love! Please take a giant hug From this little bug of love.)
Only 4 of my kids had lice, but one of them was a Maria Jose, and the note home only said “Maria Jose.” I asked one of the haciadoras if she knew which girl (because I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it), but she wasn’t sure. She told me to ask Marisol in the office. However Marisol had already left, so I had to have the girls checked again to make sure I sent the note home with the right girl. Poor girls.
I got home and read for a while. Then Sierra got in and we talked for a while, while she cleaned for her room. I went down and cooked up some vegetables before going to Twisted Tanya’s. Right after I got there, Kelvin called asking if I could meet him at my house so he could get his glasses. So, I headed back home. We split the vegetables and then he headed out.
I had been hit by a big bit of sleepy, so I decided to try just to stay up until 8 and then go to sleep. I watched the Big Lebowski and went to sleep.
I woke up, of course, at 4:30, but put in ear plugs and went back to sleep. I next woke up at 9:30, which was glorious. Jose heard me get up, and though I had gotten back into bed, he popped upstairs and we chatted for a while before I showed and got ready to go to the market. The boy does think I’m rich these days (maybe because I just bought a bunch of his jewelry and then bought him a pair of pants) but I am trying to show him that I live on a certain amount during a week and when I run out…I’m out.
We went to the market together, and all I had was my week’s allowance after buying him pants. I managed to get my food for the week and a couple treats (grapes, avocados). I saw several other teachers, Honduran and foreign, and some parents in the market, which made it quite the social outing. Maybe I’ll start doing my shopping on Saturday and not Sunday from now on. Also, one of my parents now has a booth in the new market, and I bought some things from her (she also gave me one free vegetable to try.)
Jose and I went home where I made up a grilled cheese sandwich with onion and Jose made chismol and tortillas with (my) quesillo, but he made two for me also and they were delicious. I then made hummus for the first time in my life (too watery) and made cucumbers (I just struggled to remember the English word for cucumbers) in vinegar for Beth’s lunch-party. She’s 30 today! Happy Birthday Beth!
Also, you can tell I’m feeling better because I have started writing way more. I think when I’m sick and/or busy I stop caring about the day-to-day details and when I’m feeling good, everything excites me.
Abby, Allan, and I left late for the party, so we went to Tuk-tuk corner to grab a cab, where we were, predictably, assaulted by 20 cab drivers all convinced we should get in their cab. Allan and I were just going to head for the closest one when we realized there was a man among them we knew, so we followed him to the very end of the line to get in his cab, while all the other drivers made their upset comments.
On the way up the hill we saw Michael and Eileen walking, and Allan asked the driver to drive really close so he could smack him on the rear. He did, and Michael punched him in the arm before realizing what was going on. His face was angry, but by the time he got up the hill, he figured out what had happened and was amused. It was hilarious. I laughed the rest of the way up. And as I retold the story to several folks.
Brunch was lovely, the food was well received, and the conversation was good. We hung out for several hours before parting ways to plan a surprise party for the evening. On the way down, we stopped by the library so the other teachers could look around. I also noticed the book exchange which had a take a book, leave a book +20 lemps policy. I love knowing that it is there. They do have books in English.
I got home and cleaned the kitchen and picked up my room. After a bit, I grabbed my computer to go to Villamil and I had a long and lovely talk with my folks.
I got home and cooked up dinner while Abby and Allan were finishing up their cooking. We ate and left for the surprise party for Beth. However, when we got to the street, we heard a voice behind us calling us. It was Beth and her friend Elizabeth. They were on their scavenger hunt around town, with various gifts and clues for where to go next. However, no one was expecting a party to be happening at Guacamaya. The note had disappeared and several 16 year old boys were standing on the porch now, leering. We investigated with her, found one of our friends and asked if he knew where the note was. In his current state, it took us a while to get him understanding and motivated enough to get the note for us. He did, thanked him for his offer of ron (rum) and continued on our way. I was really glad to see Beth was enjoying everything that had been planned for her.
We made our way to the next spot, which was closed, so Abby, who happened to know the clue (but, of course didn’t know who the “amigos secretos” were who put the hunt together) verbally delivered the message. We went up to Bar Cito for a few minutes, danced for maybe 1 minutes, gathered up Eileen who was waiting there, and moved on to ViaVia where the big surprise waited. Beth received her last clue and a bottle of tequila from the bar tender there and we moved on to the boys’ house, where we could see them on the roof with a bon fire when we arrived. All in all, it went well according to plan, and what didn’t worked itself out nicely and hilariously.
The boys had a video of the Talking Heads being projected onto the wall, and there was dancing to be had. Eventually we made our way to the roof. Many good conversations were had (Alex will now admit to 62.3% chance of staying, and Michael has moved up from a 10% chance, to a 35% chance.) There was cake, guitar, Spanish Christmas carols (because we’re all still scarred from all those practice sessions), The Fox, and fire crackers. Fire crackers are loud and obnoxious, and a perfectly Honduran thing to set off in the middle of the night if you’re celebrating. It just makes me so thankful, again, that the houses are all made of concrete.
There was pin the tail on the borro and a piñata downstairs, which had been waiting patiently. The move off the roof lead to a variety of hilarious, and potentially risky endeavors, including putting the last firework, which had no fuse, into the fire as everyone left and therefore “no risk” of anyone getting hurt, and, as we were climbing down right beside the boys pila, someone accidentally broke the spicket…off. Which left the water just running, with no way to stop it. The pila began to overflow all over the floor and various attempts to plug it with corks and candles just got shot out in a matter of seconds.
The firework put in the fire just caught fire and most folks had forgotten about it before the first minor explosion, and then within a minute the bigger, but still not horrible explosion occurred. Within the hour, the spicket had been plugged with a cork and tightened and held in with a variety of things. The landlord would be called in the morning and it had been broken more in order to manage it now. We’ll see how that works out.
The piñata became piñata vs. machete, and the machete won. Everyone stayed clear. And Theo, who was in charge of the rope, was on the roof. Beth was the only one who got to play piñata vs. machete, as the rope broke, and then it was beaten on the ground. A variety of candy, soccer player stickers, and alcohol fell out of the piñata. The group then made a move to head to a bar, and I decided to head to bed. I had thought of leaving several times, but simply needed to see how everything resolved itself and had kept myself up, sin caffeine, until 1:30.
On my walk home I saw one of my waiter friends from the restaurant on the corner. He was surprised to see me out, and I explained I had been at a birthday party. He then asked if I gave English classes, which confused me, and after a few repeats and clarifications, I realized he meant to adults. I said that I could and asked if he wanted classes. He said that he wants to learn many things. Despite all of our greetings during every day, we didn’t know each other’s names, so Jose and I introduced ourselves and bid each other very happy nights.
Day 183 February 7
I actually got chilly in the night, but then woke up too warm. I set to cooking, cleaning, and laundry (it may sound mundane every time I write it, but I find it a lovely start to the day, so long as I have the time.) Jose came home at 10, but had left his keys wherever he stayed last night, so he left again and said he’d be back in an hour. He was not, and I hope he got in later because I left with my food and went to worship at Megan’s house.
We’ve been getting slower and having more discussion, which is nice. Today we listened to the third in a series of sermons we’ve been listening to and discussed the idea of modern day prophets and how they may or may not manifest themselves. And though this man apparently predicted the big earthquake in May, his February 7, 2010 prediction did not come to fruition.
After church I spent a good bit of time doing work in my room and chatting with Jose before I decided I did want to go to Pizza Copan with everyone to watch the game. I tried to explain to Jose why every gringo in town was there, but he kept trying to figure out which team was the US. Both. I think he settled on the Saints, because it was the team I was cheering for.
I brought some work and worked some while there, but there was good camaraderie and good fun. I left before the end because I was tired, but ended up being up late anyway because I got to talking to Luis and later with Jose. Finally at 10:30 I turned in.
Day 184 February 8
I didn’t sleep very well, but the morning wasn’t as hard as I expected it to be. I briefly met the new vigilante, and we had to get the coffee started, because he hasn’t yet learned how much we love our coffee in the morning. Hopefully tomorrow.
My recess and Lunch are now 5 minutes long because I was asked to tutor a student for his recoup exams during that time. The tests are this week, so it’s only for this week, but it’s more draining than I expected.
The kids were a little chatty, but over all we had a good day. The hardest thing now is getting kids out when I’m trying to tutor other kids. Even once I get them out of the room, I’m constantly chasing kids out of the hallway, where they are very noisy. It’s hard enough to get kids to focus during tutorias anyway.
I stayed after school to work and do my homework. As usual, I was accompanied by Victor and Marlon who stay in hopes of candy and to play with my transformers. I did explain that I’m much more inclined to give them candy if they don’t ask. We’ll see how it works out.
I walked home with Beth and continued on a research quest I am on that I started at school (saving web pages to the computer to read later.) Jose was getting ready for his first day of school (he’s taking night classes) and we were all excited. I wasn’t actually there for the send off because I had class, but I gave him a big hug before I left.
Class went well, and then I got home to cook dinner (a nothing-like-how-mom-makes-and-i-wish-it-was hard-boiled egg salad). It was tasty enough.
Sierra came in and was waiting for Jose to get back from class so they could go watch Avatar at Caroline’s, but he was late. She left without him and so when he came in a few minutes later I only had a moment to ask him how school was, but he said he liked it a whole lot. I was really excited for him, and then he rushed off.
I continued reading of The Great Book of Amber and finished the third book, entering into the fourth. Then I found sleep.
Unfortunately, this morning I discovered that Jose stole from me. I really wanted to find another explanation, but unfortunately, this time, I don’t have too much doubt in my memory. I have some, based on I didn’t actually see it happen. Friday, when Marlon came over, he had the 50 lemps and the tickets for the raffle, he was so excited and emptied his wallet for me. I counted it, saw some was missing and he dug in further to get the rest for me. I didn’t want to lose it, so I got a plastic, clear, baggie and put the tickets and the money in the bag. I then put the bag in the drawer less space on the nightstand next to my bed. It is visible. During the weekend, Jose spent a lot of time with me in my room, as Sierra wasn’t around. Saturday, I know he asked for 20 lemps, and I said I didn’t have it. And I didn’t. Sunday night I put the bag in my backpack and on Monday I counted it at school: 22 of 50 lemps. I retraced my thoughts, tried to figure the probability of my making a mistake. Of course there is some.
Day 185 February 9
I decided I would ask Marlon if he had given me all of the money or if he had found any extra money in his wallet. He said I had it all. That had been my best last hope. It’s not that the amount was a lot. It’s trust. This kid has access to everything we have. I’m inclined to forgive and let live, just with a firmer hand and if it happens again, he’s out.I think his behavior, up until now, has been perfectly normal and expected for his age and circumstance. Stealing is a line though, and it’s Sierra’s house too, so if he can’t be trusted, we’ll be a united front. I feel torn. I love this boy, but I can’t be a mother to him. The deal was that he would stay here until Josue came back, but now Josue says he won’t take him back. The current idea is that we still want to show him some stability, so we’ll keep him here for the agreed upon time and he’ll have to use that time to find other arrangements. Maybe go back home. I hope he stays in school. I hope it doesn’t hurt him too much.
I think of it like an adopted kid who’s been through a lot. They act out until they believe they can really trust you. They expect to let people down, so they do it deliberately so it’s in their control. They don’t want to be surprised by it. The thing is, we aren’t really his parents. We can’t really commit to him like that, and the risk is great. We also don’t have the means to shower him with what he really does need. And we don’t have the ability to be the authority figures it would take to re-train his mentality. I think sticking to the original plan of one more week is best. Josue’s decision is not in our hands, all we can do is stick to our word and show consistency. I just hope I’m not wrong somehow. But, if I’m going to accuse him, I’m not going to show the doubt I feel. Maybe he’ll hate me for it, but he won’t admit it even if he did. Though, I will give him the chance to.
The morning was slow. I slept in 30 minutes and left 30 minutes late. The nice thing is I leave early enough that 30 minutes late is still early. Whooo!
It’s getting hot, and today the power was out so we had no fans to cool us down. What’s really bad about no power is it means no coffee. I got one cup, went back for another before class but it was out and working on a new pot, by the time I was free to try again, the power had been out for 2:30 hours. Nooooooo! It makes me a little less patient, though not as bad as when I was sick.
I’m revamping my science plans because my current approach is not working. Poor Juan is tired of not having recess, but it’s only one more day and then he’s free to play. I hope he passes at least some of his recoups, but we’ve spent hours on the definitions of and examples for the following three words: noun, verb, adjective and he still can only identify noun if the definition is written somewhere else on the paper (like a matching test.)
Otherwise, tutorias seem to be going well. Though, I was pretty distracted after school. We had a staff meeting after tutorias, and after I forgot I had more tutorias. I was only 10 minutes late (I told him 4, but I usually go at 3:30) and Isaac apparently had not told his mom I said 4 (I couldn’t have made it back even if I had remembered because of the staff meeting) and she called me and so I rushed over. I explained and she seemed fine. He was kind of falling asleep by the end, but he’s doing better.
I got home and wrote a lot.
Not surprisingly things did not stay peachy with Jose staying in the house. Things were dealt with. We had a family meeting and he decided to move out. After it was all over, I tried to sleep, but couldn’t sleep well.
Day 186 February 10
Wednesday was a hectic but productive day at school. It was among the last that I would sacrifice my recesses for tutoring sessions, and from how his tests went, it seems to have been worth it.
I gave exams after school and then headed home. When I got home, Jose was there, talking to Sierra and getting some more things. He wouldn’t really talk to me. I tried to talk to him about it, but no luck.
I went to class and basically spent it as a vent my frustrations in Spanish session. Luis thinks being upset increases my Spanish ability. After class we went for baleadas at Katia’s mom’s place and then we sat in the park to continue the conversation. I had a lot to say.
I got home and went to bed.
Day 187 February 11
Thursdays are usually my tough days, but today’s long morning seemed shorter than usual. It was nice. After school, we had recuperations, and I was supposed to be done, but part way through one, kids came in and said that the last bus to her town was leaving. She had to go, 15 minutes early. It was a pain, and the truth. Sometimes the drivers work on their own schedule. She will finish tomorrow.
I finished up some things for the raffle and then hurried to town for tutoring with Isaac, which was an hour and 45 minutes rather than an hour 15. His mom also wants me to come a third day each week for tutoring not related to school, just to help him practice English. Which, I will begin on Monday.
I was 10 minutes late to class, and as I had not even been home for 12 hours, did not have my notebook or school book. We worked around it.
When I finally did get home, Josue was just coming back from his 3 weeks away and wanted to talk about the situation with Jose. We did until Sierra came home and then Abby left and I went to Villamil, where we had internet troubles. After they bent over backwards to get it up and running again, I chatted and researched for a while. Luis came and sat with me, but we were both in our own little worlds.
I then went home and slept early.
Day 188 February 12
Today is, affectively, Valentine’s Day as far as school is concerned. The secondary students sold roses, cadies, and cards. I ordered a rose in advance and gave it to Miss Megan. My kids got me a variety of candies, roses, and a pair of elephant earrings.
Recess was a mess, because it wasn’t until it was time to come in that they decided to set up a surprise for me. They had the 10th graders, who were playing music as they sold things, play “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas and they gave me things. Then they all hugged me. It was really sweet and made the 20 minutes of class I did have left before PE impossible (that and we had a lice check, and even though only two kids were out of the room at any given time, they simply could not focus.)
For art we made “Love Bugs” with a poem written on a heart that bounced off the accordioned legs of their bug. (I am a little bug, Sending you a lot of love! Please take a giant hug From this little bug of love.)
Only 4 of my kids had lice, but one of them was a Maria Jose, and the note home only said “Maria Jose.” I asked one of the haciadoras if she knew which girl (because I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it), but she wasn’t sure. She told me to ask Marisol in the office. However Marisol had already left, so I had to have the girls checked again to make sure I sent the note home with the right girl. Poor girls.
I got home and read for a while. Then Sierra got in and we talked for a while, while she cleaned for her room. I went down and cooked up some vegetables before going to Twisted Tanya’s. Right after I got there, Kelvin called asking if I could meet him at my house so he could get his glasses. So, I headed back home. We split the vegetables and then he headed out.
I had been hit by a big bit of sleepy, so I decided to try just to stay up until 8 and then go to sleep. I watched the Big Lebowski and went to sleep.
Week 26: Chiquimula and a sick week
Day 175 January 30
I woke up at 6 to catch the 7 am bus to Chiquilmula for errands and adventure. It was to be just a half day trip, but it took a lot out of me. I tried sleeping on the bus, but was unable to. The market wasn’t as nice as some I’ve seen in Guatemala and the meat section made me feel ill. I did find some fancy looking spoons and after my trip to Antigua, my friend Guido asked me to keep an eye out for a particular type of spoon, which now alludes me. I was very sad I didn’t have my camera when I came across the crates (sad part) of brightly colored chicks. It was a fascinating sight. I’m sure it does not bode well for the lives of these chicks, though, and rumor has it that this is a tradition in Copan around Semana Santa.
I bought a few of these spoons and will find out later if they are the correct spoons. I picked up some other things and enjoyed the jaunt. We then headed back. There was little to no trouble at the boarder, but I really want to push the school getting us residency for next year. They assume I live in Copan because of all my stamps and that could turn into a problem eventually.
I got back safe and sound around 2. I took my laundry to Rena, because I’m too lazy to do it myself right now, and went to Casa Villamil for some interneting. I saw Caroling, Sierra, and Kelvin from my balcony, and they invited me out tonight, but I don’t think I’m up for much past 6pm. I am tired.
Also, I’d just like to say that I love people in this town who drive 4 wheelers as their main mode of transportation and it’s not nice of dogs to play with chickens, but it is amusing (when the chicken doesn’t get hurt.)
I left Villamil and dropped my things off at home. I almost didn’t bother going to the pharmacy and braving another night without medicinal help, but I decided to go. It is interesting here. I told her I had a cold (which does not translate as “un frio” luckily I already knew this) and she gave me Sudafed, or Sudagrip (gripe is the word for “cold”). I asked if she had anything for my throat, and she pulled out Amoxicillin. At least I know it’s on hand if I need it, and easy to get. I re-explained that I didn’t have an infection, but had a sore throat and she got me an antiseptic. Luckily, the pharmacy worlds have stuck close together because key words like “Farmacia” “Antiseptico” and “Sudagrip” are easy to work with.
I watched TV on my computer, made dinner, and read The Great Book of Amber until 7:30, when I decided it was time for bed.
Day 176 January 31
I woke up at 7, but refused to get out of bed until 7:45. After all of that sleep, I still felt crappy. My throat, in particular was killing me. I took some medicine and started cleaning. I had plans to clean, go to the market, and head to church. However, my nose had other plans. I had a bloody nose for a bit over an hour and continued cleaning. I went to the market with Sierra and bought a lot more food.
We went to Blair’s house for worship, which currently has construction outside of it. We walked over a giant dirt hole on wooden planks, and left the same way. It was rather sketchy. We listened to a sermon on the computer, had a good talk (and good food, of course) but I left before the singing. I was still rather sick and wouldn’t be good for it. Plus, our talking/listening portion took up much more time than usual. It was nice, but by the time I left, it was time.
I went home and cooked and cleaned some before going to Villamil to meet Bob online for an interview for his class. I’ll get to read the report later, but his job is to listen to a second language learner of Spanish and write on the language acquisition (as far as I can gather.) It was fun, and good practice. Though, it seemed to me that most of our communication issues were based on his Spain-Spanish and my Latin-Spanish. The first run through didn’t get recorded, so we did it again, in 5 minute increments, to make sure it was recording properly. I don’t envy his job of listening to that conversation many many more times.
By the time the interview was done, I was very tired and headed on home to bed in preparation for school.
Day 177 February 1
On my walk to school with Sierra, I was suddenly struck with the need to be ill. I knew I had a nasty cold, but this was nasty. Sierra thought I should go home, but it was reminecent of yesterday, so I hoped it would pass. I caught a cab instead.
My mood and feeling really does affect the kids. Being drained, in pain, and overall icky, the kids were not on the ball either. We made it through, though and I cancelled my tutorias to go home.
I picked up my laundry, and discovered when I got home that my favorite skirt has a nice bleach stain and my black shirt is missing. Great. I was not thrilled.
I did make it to Villamil for a bit, but I left early for a long night’s sleep.
Day 178 February 2
I felt a bit better, but still not great (well enough to walk to school). During the day, I did draw up a patience meter, showing how my patience usually is, where it is because I was sick, and how it fluctuated because of their behavior. It was great, because there was no real consequence involved, just the idea that I would move it down made them try to keep each other quiet. Though, they didn’t think it was fair when the patience meter fell because my marker ran out of juice mid-word.
After school I had rather discouraging tutorias, but I told myself it was because I was sick. Maybe, maybe not. I had plans to meet Isaac in the park at 3:30 for tutorias (his street is under construction, so the restaurant is closed and he is staying somewhere else. Since I don’t know where that is he was going to meet me and show me where to go). However, I was stood up. I did some post card shopping, got cheese, and got some more veggies at the market instead.
When I got home I finished up my re-coup exams and study guides. My timing was perfect, because as I finished Sierra walked in and was ready to head out to Twisted Tanyas to celebrate her birthday.
I went with and bought her a drink getting my usual bread plate for myself. It was delicious and my hot-foods palate has opened up enough that I can eat jalapeños without much trouble (or a drink, as it turns out.) Many folks that we new came and the conversation was wonderful.
After a few hours, I headed home. I cooked up my vegetables for the rest of the week and went to bed.
Day 179 February 3
I felt even better today, but being Wednesday probably helped. These are the days that get me through. During my planning period, I had three bags of sliced green mangos (which I have fallen in love with) and salt and spices. They’re an acquired taste, but I have acquired it.
After school, I did an “After School Special” on Komodo dragons, which also happens to be our organism of the week. We walked videos on them and looked at pictures while I explained that there are different types of lizards (a concept we’ve struggled with from the beginning, they want to call them all geckos).
I walked home and got a smoothie with Alex while trying to introduce him to XKCD, but the internet was too slow.
I had a meeting with my parents, called by the president of the class. It was a good hour and a half of all Spanish being spoken quickly and overlapping-ly. None of it was spoken at I’m-speaking-to-a-gringo pace. It was exhausting, and I’m sure I was wall-eyed the whole time. When it was over, Franqui and Norma were going to sum it up for me, but I was able to do so for them. I’m sure some of the details were lost, and there was one woman I couldn’t understand a word, but I got the over all gist and the events ahead (they want to raise money for new desks in my room, so we’re doing a raffle for a chocolate Valentine’s thing and then in March we’re selling tickets to a movie we’ll show in the public library and then sell drinks and food).
It was also my first time in the library, but it will not be my last. It felt…like I was in the states. There was an art class for kids. It’s up on technology. It was very nice.
My job for the evening was to go on a chocolate hunt for different chocolates that could be bought in Copan. I managed to do so without buying any. However, I was planning to meet Megan for coffee at 6 and it was 5: when I started. I found most of what I needed by 5:15 when I stopped by Isaac’s, who’s mother had called me during the meeting, and she wanted tutorias then (also to apologize for not going, but in the three days he’d had the note, Isaac had managed not to give it to her. I summed it up for her.)
I gave him 30 minutes of tutoring before going on to see Judy at her new backery (which is really where I was going when I ended up at Jaqui’s). We chatted for 15 minutes and I got a free sample before I was on my way to Villamil to see Megan, late.
I got a hot chocolate and we talked of many things for a bit over an hour before going our separate ways. When I got home, I wrote up some of my post cards. Luis came over for a while to chat and then I went to sleep.
Day 180 February 4
I feel better everyday! But, I could stand for a full recovery. I was much better with the kids and therefore the kids were much better with me. We got started on division, and I think it’s going pretty well. I’m impressed with out quickly they pick it up.
After school, I stuck around to plan for the following days conferences, clean the room (in which I found 7 or 8 jackets and sweaters stuffed behind the bookshelf), and work on worksheets.
Marlon and Victor were in my room for a while. Marlon was going on about transformers and “the yellow one, yes Bumblebee. Thank you miss.” He’s a student who spent most of the year, up until now, hardly making eye contact with me, but I’ve been thrilled to see him open up.
I also just learned that Tourist Street is now making the venders pay a huge monthly tax. Jose can’t afford it, so he’s out of work. He had been helping send money back to his family a few towns over. However, now without work, 14 year old Jose is registering for 1st grade. I’m very excited and nervous for him. School starts Monday and we’re all doing our best to get him ready with supplies.
I was stood up my Isaac again, but took the time to send off my post cards. I also bought earrings in the street from my new favorite vendor. However, Jose still has all of his stuff and when I came home with new earrings, he noticed. He was also aware that I haven’t bought anything from him since before we new each other. I had been meaning to buy from him, so I asked him to get out his things. I love his stuff, and he gave me some thigns free of charge, which is good because, while the prices are fair, they are still more than I was prepared to spend that day. I just won’t indulge again for a while.
I did more school prep and got my homework done before class at 5. When I got back from class, Memo and Beto were over for dinner with Allan and Abby. Memo and Beto are brothers to my student Marlon, but it was decided that they are better suited for public school, so dinners like this a way to a) help them still feel included and b) practice their English.
Kelvin came over and was hungry, so we went shopping for some things and then I cooked up a nice big dinner that would also serve as my breakfast and lunch the next day. After he left, I read and went to sleep.
Day 181 February 5
It was really nice to sleep in and then headed up to school. I caught a taxi because I was bringing my fan with me and didn’t want to walk it up the hill. I got there and organized all my papers for conferences. The plan was to meet with three parents for 10 minutes each, Megan translating, and then have Miss Norma’s fundraising meeting, run by Miss Norma. I was asked not to hand report cards out on report card day so that the parents had more incentive to come to the meeting. I knew right off that the complication with this was: having me hand the report cards out means they will all want to talk and I will a) have 18 other parents in the room and b) not have a translator anymore.
Megan was running a few minutes behind, which meant that when Victor arrived to talk, I was solo. It’s not that I can’t talk to the parents without a translator, it’s just that details and gentleness evade me. I can’t express them in Spanish. And, having been specifically called in for a meeting by me, Victor was anxious to talk about his son. So, I tried to delicately talk about his son’s weaknesses, peppering it with strengths, and my hopes for the coming quarter. All the while, fumbling through my Spanish.
My next two parents didn’t come during their time and so Megan went off to first grade to help sit in on those conferences. My other parents began to trickle in, and based on the nature of the note (which I felt guilted them into coming in and was vague), they wanted to know what the meeting was about. Miss Norma was 10 minutes late, and all the while I’m handing out report cards to parents who want to talk to me and are trying to figure out why we are waiting and why this meeting is so important. Beth found her in the caseta. I was a little frustrated.
After this, things went fairly smoothly, except that one mother, who did not come to her parent conference on time, announced during the meeting with all the parents that her daughter had failed science and wanted to talk about how it wasn’t her fault that her daughter was so lazy. I asked her if we could talk about it later. We did, and her daughter is not lazy, she’s embarrassed that she doesn’t know more English.
I got to sit around the school for a few more hours doing work and getting ready for the next week. I then walked home, with my fixed fan (I’m an idiot and it was never really broken.) I got home and sat up on the roof reading. The weather is starting to get hot, but the dry heat is nice. I can sit in the shade and feel cool. I was walking around the roof and saw my student Isaac downstairs, so I called to him and he, curious as to where I was and how I got there, came up. He had been around selling tickets to the raffle, which I commended him for. He then sat with my while I read and did some magic tricks. He also threw coins at me. At one point he went downstairs and went to the young Mormon man who lives in my apartment complex (there had been two others, but they both finished their missions, and now two more live here, but I haven’t really met them before). Elder, my neighbor, was confused as to why Isaac was still around and simply did not believe him when he said he was hanging out on the roof with his teacher. Elder followed him up and we met. He speaks very quickly and with a different sort of accent than I’m used to, so it was hard to keep up with, but we managed to have a semblance of a conversation.
After about 45 minutes, Jose came home and I went down to see him. Isaac followed me in and looked around some. I’m fairly certain it was his first time in my house. I let him enjoy listening to me speak in Spanish, which always amuses him, and then Jose and I decided to head out to buy the pants I promised to get him yesterday.
The first store had to be the most expensive store in town, so we went somewhere else. We finally found a store with reasonable prices and we got Jose a new pair of pants. I think this kid is really smart and I like to believe that if I was a street urchin, I would be charismatic and smart enough to get in with a group who loved me as much as we love Jose. We buy a lot for him too. We won’t buy everything, he does have to be self sufficient after we go, but we like to help him out.
We hung out in the house until Abby and Allan came by. We chatted until Abby mentioned that she was going to get her hair cut today and I asked if I could tag along. Nothing as drastic as last time, just to clean it up. We went and enjoyed working through hair-talk language in Spanish. A few of our students were there too and one of the 5th graders was getting a pedicure. Fancy place, but it was cheaper than the last time I cut my hair in Copan and this time the woman did not tell me “no” to what I asked her to do.
I headed home and on my way back saw one of Jose’s friends who asked me where he was. Having young boys stop me on the street to ask where the boy who lives with me makes me feel like a mom. I kind of like it.
When I got home, I started cleaning my room. I was almost done and went downstairs for a broom when I noticed shadows in my window. Two. I opened the door and there was a third on the stairs. Marlon, my student; Victor, Sierra’s student; and Memo, their older brother were hanging outside around the house. They came on in and starting talking about everything that could ever be thought of. Marlon had already sold all 10 of his tickets and had the money. I was so excited with the pro-active nature of my students.
I offered the boys water, but they all wanted milk. Milk, the drink I grew up on but don’t drink much anymore. Milk, that they don’t really get to drink. I love these boys, but Marlon was roaming the streets with no shirt or shoes and Memo had on no shirt. They were dirty and looked (fairly) poor enough that a man who saw them on the street bought them chicken. (They were pumped.) I didn’t have any milk myself, but I could not bring myself to deny these boys milk, so I gave them some from my roommate and vowed to buy her some tomorrow.
The boys stayed for a long time and played with everything. They wanted to see my room and explore the roof and eat bananas. Abby and Allan came in and the boys were literally climbing all over everything. Then came the lights on/off game. It was a bit frustrating, but boys will be boys and no one was getting hurt.
Their leaving is the most random thing ever. It comes without warning, much like their arrival.
After that, Abby, Allan, and I set to cooking. I made another egg casserole of delicious. Jose came in while we were eating and left as we were cleaning up.
I spent the next couple of hours organizing things on my computer and updating my logs before I read more of The Great Book of Amber and went to sleep (at the late hour of 10:45!)
I woke up at 6 to catch the 7 am bus to Chiquilmula for errands and adventure. It was to be just a half day trip, but it took a lot out of me. I tried sleeping on the bus, but was unable to. The market wasn’t as nice as some I’ve seen in Guatemala and the meat section made me feel ill. I did find some fancy looking spoons and after my trip to Antigua, my friend Guido asked me to keep an eye out for a particular type of spoon, which now alludes me. I was very sad I didn’t have my camera when I came across the crates (sad part) of brightly colored chicks. It was a fascinating sight. I’m sure it does not bode well for the lives of these chicks, though, and rumor has it that this is a tradition in Copan around Semana Santa.
I bought a few of these spoons and will find out later if they are the correct spoons. I picked up some other things and enjoyed the jaunt. We then headed back. There was little to no trouble at the boarder, but I really want to push the school getting us residency for next year. They assume I live in Copan because of all my stamps and that could turn into a problem eventually.
I got back safe and sound around 2. I took my laundry to Rena, because I’m too lazy to do it myself right now, and went to Casa Villamil for some interneting. I saw Caroling, Sierra, and Kelvin from my balcony, and they invited me out tonight, but I don’t think I’m up for much past 6pm. I am tired.
Also, I’d just like to say that I love people in this town who drive 4 wheelers as their main mode of transportation and it’s not nice of dogs to play with chickens, but it is amusing (when the chicken doesn’t get hurt.)
I left Villamil and dropped my things off at home. I almost didn’t bother going to the pharmacy and braving another night without medicinal help, but I decided to go. It is interesting here. I told her I had a cold (which does not translate as “un frio” luckily I already knew this) and she gave me Sudafed, or Sudagrip (gripe is the word for “cold”). I asked if she had anything for my throat, and she pulled out Amoxicillin. At least I know it’s on hand if I need it, and easy to get. I re-explained that I didn’t have an infection, but had a sore throat and she got me an antiseptic. Luckily, the pharmacy worlds have stuck close together because key words like “Farmacia” “Antiseptico” and “Sudagrip” are easy to work with.
I watched TV on my computer, made dinner, and read The Great Book of Amber until 7:30, when I decided it was time for bed.
Day 176 January 31
I woke up at 7, but refused to get out of bed until 7:45. After all of that sleep, I still felt crappy. My throat, in particular was killing me. I took some medicine and started cleaning. I had plans to clean, go to the market, and head to church. However, my nose had other plans. I had a bloody nose for a bit over an hour and continued cleaning. I went to the market with Sierra and bought a lot more food.
We went to Blair’s house for worship, which currently has construction outside of it. We walked over a giant dirt hole on wooden planks, and left the same way. It was rather sketchy. We listened to a sermon on the computer, had a good talk (and good food, of course) but I left before the singing. I was still rather sick and wouldn’t be good for it. Plus, our talking/listening portion took up much more time than usual. It was nice, but by the time I left, it was time.
I went home and cooked and cleaned some before going to Villamil to meet Bob online for an interview for his class. I’ll get to read the report later, but his job is to listen to a second language learner of Spanish and write on the language acquisition (as far as I can gather.) It was fun, and good practice. Though, it seemed to me that most of our communication issues were based on his Spain-Spanish and my Latin-Spanish. The first run through didn’t get recorded, so we did it again, in 5 minute increments, to make sure it was recording properly. I don’t envy his job of listening to that conversation many many more times.
By the time the interview was done, I was very tired and headed on home to bed in preparation for school.
Day 177 February 1
On my walk to school with Sierra, I was suddenly struck with the need to be ill. I knew I had a nasty cold, but this was nasty. Sierra thought I should go home, but it was reminecent of yesterday, so I hoped it would pass. I caught a cab instead.
My mood and feeling really does affect the kids. Being drained, in pain, and overall icky, the kids were not on the ball either. We made it through, though and I cancelled my tutorias to go home.
I picked up my laundry, and discovered when I got home that my favorite skirt has a nice bleach stain and my black shirt is missing. Great. I was not thrilled.
I did make it to Villamil for a bit, but I left early for a long night’s sleep.
Day 178 February 2
I felt a bit better, but still not great (well enough to walk to school). During the day, I did draw up a patience meter, showing how my patience usually is, where it is because I was sick, and how it fluctuated because of their behavior. It was great, because there was no real consequence involved, just the idea that I would move it down made them try to keep each other quiet. Though, they didn’t think it was fair when the patience meter fell because my marker ran out of juice mid-word.
After school I had rather discouraging tutorias, but I told myself it was because I was sick. Maybe, maybe not. I had plans to meet Isaac in the park at 3:30 for tutorias (his street is under construction, so the restaurant is closed and he is staying somewhere else. Since I don’t know where that is he was going to meet me and show me where to go). However, I was stood up. I did some post card shopping, got cheese, and got some more veggies at the market instead.
When I got home I finished up my re-coup exams and study guides. My timing was perfect, because as I finished Sierra walked in and was ready to head out to Twisted Tanyas to celebrate her birthday.
I went with and bought her a drink getting my usual bread plate for myself. It was delicious and my hot-foods palate has opened up enough that I can eat jalapeños without much trouble (or a drink, as it turns out.) Many folks that we new came and the conversation was wonderful.
After a few hours, I headed home. I cooked up my vegetables for the rest of the week and went to bed.
Day 179 February 3
I felt even better today, but being Wednesday probably helped. These are the days that get me through. During my planning period, I had three bags of sliced green mangos (which I have fallen in love with) and salt and spices. They’re an acquired taste, but I have acquired it.
After school, I did an “After School Special” on Komodo dragons, which also happens to be our organism of the week. We walked videos on them and looked at pictures while I explained that there are different types of lizards (a concept we’ve struggled with from the beginning, they want to call them all geckos).
I walked home and got a smoothie with Alex while trying to introduce him to XKCD, but the internet was too slow.
I had a meeting with my parents, called by the president of the class. It was a good hour and a half of all Spanish being spoken quickly and overlapping-ly. None of it was spoken at I’m-speaking-to-a-gringo pace. It was exhausting, and I’m sure I was wall-eyed the whole time. When it was over, Franqui and Norma were going to sum it up for me, but I was able to do so for them. I’m sure some of the details were lost, and there was one woman I couldn’t understand a word, but I got the over all gist and the events ahead (they want to raise money for new desks in my room, so we’re doing a raffle for a chocolate Valentine’s thing and then in March we’re selling tickets to a movie we’ll show in the public library and then sell drinks and food).
It was also my first time in the library, but it will not be my last. It felt…like I was in the states. There was an art class for kids. It’s up on technology. It was very nice.
My job for the evening was to go on a chocolate hunt for different chocolates that could be bought in Copan. I managed to do so without buying any. However, I was planning to meet Megan for coffee at 6 and it was 5: when I started. I found most of what I needed by 5:15 when I stopped by Isaac’s, who’s mother had called me during the meeting, and she wanted tutorias then (also to apologize for not going, but in the three days he’d had the note, Isaac had managed not to give it to her. I summed it up for her.)
I gave him 30 minutes of tutoring before going on to see Judy at her new backery (which is really where I was going when I ended up at Jaqui’s). We chatted for 15 minutes and I got a free sample before I was on my way to Villamil to see Megan, late.
I got a hot chocolate and we talked of many things for a bit over an hour before going our separate ways. When I got home, I wrote up some of my post cards. Luis came over for a while to chat and then I went to sleep.
Day 180 February 4
I feel better everyday! But, I could stand for a full recovery. I was much better with the kids and therefore the kids were much better with me. We got started on division, and I think it’s going pretty well. I’m impressed with out quickly they pick it up.
After school, I stuck around to plan for the following days conferences, clean the room (in which I found 7 or 8 jackets and sweaters stuffed behind the bookshelf), and work on worksheets.
Marlon and Victor were in my room for a while. Marlon was going on about transformers and “the yellow one, yes Bumblebee. Thank you miss.” He’s a student who spent most of the year, up until now, hardly making eye contact with me, but I’ve been thrilled to see him open up.
I also just learned that Tourist Street is now making the venders pay a huge monthly tax. Jose can’t afford it, so he’s out of work. He had been helping send money back to his family a few towns over. However, now without work, 14 year old Jose is registering for 1st grade. I’m very excited and nervous for him. School starts Monday and we’re all doing our best to get him ready with supplies.
I was stood up my Isaac again, but took the time to send off my post cards. I also bought earrings in the street from my new favorite vendor. However, Jose still has all of his stuff and when I came home with new earrings, he noticed. He was also aware that I haven’t bought anything from him since before we new each other. I had been meaning to buy from him, so I asked him to get out his things. I love his stuff, and he gave me some thigns free of charge, which is good because, while the prices are fair, they are still more than I was prepared to spend that day. I just won’t indulge again for a while.
I did more school prep and got my homework done before class at 5. When I got back from class, Memo and Beto were over for dinner with Allan and Abby. Memo and Beto are brothers to my student Marlon, but it was decided that they are better suited for public school, so dinners like this a way to a) help them still feel included and b) practice their English.
Kelvin came over and was hungry, so we went shopping for some things and then I cooked up a nice big dinner that would also serve as my breakfast and lunch the next day. After he left, I read and went to sleep.
Day 181 February 5
It was really nice to sleep in and then headed up to school. I caught a taxi because I was bringing my fan with me and didn’t want to walk it up the hill. I got there and organized all my papers for conferences. The plan was to meet with three parents for 10 minutes each, Megan translating, and then have Miss Norma’s fundraising meeting, run by Miss Norma. I was asked not to hand report cards out on report card day so that the parents had more incentive to come to the meeting. I knew right off that the complication with this was: having me hand the report cards out means they will all want to talk and I will a) have 18 other parents in the room and b) not have a translator anymore.
Megan was running a few minutes behind, which meant that when Victor arrived to talk, I was solo. It’s not that I can’t talk to the parents without a translator, it’s just that details and gentleness evade me. I can’t express them in Spanish. And, having been specifically called in for a meeting by me, Victor was anxious to talk about his son. So, I tried to delicately talk about his son’s weaknesses, peppering it with strengths, and my hopes for the coming quarter. All the while, fumbling through my Spanish.
My next two parents didn’t come during their time and so Megan went off to first grade to help sit in on those conferences. My other parents began to trickle in, and based on the nature of the note (which I felt guilted them into coming in and was vague), they wanted to know what the meeting was about. Miss Norma was 10 minutes late, and all the while I’m handing out report cards to parents who want to talk to me and are trying to figure out why we are waiting and why this meeting is so important. Beth found her in the caseta. I was a little frustrated.
After this, things went fairly smoothly, except that one mother, who did not come to her parent conference on time, announced during the meeting with all the parents that her daughter had failed science and wanted to talk about how it wasn’t her fault that her daughter was so lazy. I asked her if we could talk about it later. We did, and her daughter is not lazy, she’s embarrassed that she doesn’t know more English.
I got to sit around the school for a few more hours doing work and getting ready for the next week. I then walked home, with my fixed fan (I’m an idiot and it was never really broken.) I got home and sat up on the roof reading. The weather is starting to get hot, but the dry heat is nice. I can sit in the shade and feel cool. I was walking around the roof and saw my student Isaac downstairs, so I called to him and he, curious as to where I was and how I got there, came up. He had been around selling tickets to the raffle, which I commended him for. He then sat with my while I read and did some magic tricks. He also threw coins at me. At one point he went downstairs and went to the young Mormon man who lives in my apartment complex (there had been two others, but they both finished their missions, and now two more live here, but I haven’t really met them before). Elder, my neighbor, was confused as to why Isaac was still around and simply did not believe him when he said he was hanging out on the roof with his teacher. Elder followed him up and we met. He speaks very quickly and with a different sort of accent than I’m used to, so it was hard to keep up with, but we managed to have a semblance of a conversation.
After about 45 minutes, Jose came home and I went down to see him. Isaac followed me in and looked around some. I’m fairly certain it was his first time in my house. I let him enjoy listening to me speak in Spanish, which always amuses him, and then Jose and I decided to head out to buy the pants I promised to get him yesterday.
The first store had to be the most expensive store in town, so we went somewhere else. We finally found a store with reasonable prices and we got Jose a new pair of pants. I think this kid is really smart and I like to believe that if I was a street urchin, I would be charismatic and smart enough to get in with a group who loved me as much as we love Jose. We buy a lot for him too. We won’t buy everything, he does have to be self sufficient after we go, but we like to help him out.
We hung out in the house until Abby and Allan came by. We chatted until Abby mentioned that she was going to get her hair cut today and I asked if I could tag along. Nothing as drastic as last time, just to clean it up. We went and enjoyed working through hair-talk language in Spanish. A few of our students were there too and one of the 5th graders was getting a pedicure. Fancy place, but it was cheaper than the last time I cut my hair in Copan and this time the woman did not tell me “no” to what I asked her to do.
I headed home and on my way back saw one of Jose’s friends who asked me where he was. Having young boys stop me on the street to ask where the boy who lives with me makes me feel like a mom. I kind of like it.
When I got home, I started cleaning my room. I was almost done and went downstairs for a broom when I noticed shadows in my window. Two. I opened the door and there was a third on the stairs. Marlon, my student; Victor, Sierra’s student; and Memo, their older brother were hanging outside around the house. They came on in and starting talking about everything that could ever be thought of. Marlon had already sold all 10 of his tickets and had the money. I was so excited with the pro-active nature of my students.
I offered the boys water, but they all wanted milk. Milk, the drink I grew up on but don’t drink much anymore. Milk, that they don’t really get to drink. I love these boys, but Marlon was roaming the streets with no shirt or shoes and Memo had on no shirt. They were dirty and looked (fairly) poor enough that a man who saw them on the street bought them chicken. (They were pumped.) I didn’t have any milk myself, but I could not bring myself to deny these boys milk, so I gave them some from my roommate and vowed to buy her some tomorrow.
The boys stayed for a long time and played with everything. They wanted to see my room and explore the roof and eat bananas. Abby and Allan came in and the boys were literally climbing all over everything. Then came the lights on/off game. It was a bit frustrating, but boys will be boys and no one was getting hurt.
Their leaving is the most random thing ever. It comes without warning, much like their arrival.
After that, Abby, Allan, and I set to cooking. I made another egg casserole of delicious. Jose came in while we were eating and left as we were cleaning up.
I spent the next couple of hours organizing things on my computer and updating my logs before I read more of The Great Book of Amber and went to sleep (at the late hour of 10:45!)
Week 25: The lago and Jose
Day 168 January 23
We got up and had a quick breakfast before Chris, Katie, and I headed to catch the bus to San Pedro, where we met up with Caroline. After a few hours we arrived at the lago and met Sierra (and Jose, who she picked up on her extended adventure, and Braden who is a tourist we met in Copan and was following her on her extended adventure) at D&D brewery. It was a really cool place with plenty of hammocks and a pool. It was interesting, because a fair amount of ash was raining down that day. At first we thought it was from a trash burning, which would be pretty gross, but after a while, we decided the long, light ash seemed to be plant like and was probably from a cane field burning.
Folks really enjoyed being about to have real beers, and after a while we left to find a hostel, as the brewery was full. Luckily, there was a place right next door that was empty and beautiful. Chris and Katie camped at D& D, so Sierra, Caroline, Jose, Braden, and I split 3 beds (two girls and the kid in one and the other two in single beds.) It made for a decent price.
After settling in and getting changed, we headed to the waterfalls which were a half hour bus ride and 15 minute walk. We went in (paid the endurance fee) and then snuck out to where Chris and Katie had been before. Being the start of the dry season, there was much less water, but there were still some good jumping and swimming spots and plenty of good exploring spots. The waterfalls in the park were massive and beautiful, but further on was also awesome. It was a perfect birthday adventure for Chris. We spent hours out there, and a couple getting back. While we were out we got hungry, so Jose introduced us to some plant that’s name I’ve forgotten. It made our mouths really tingly. Unfortunately, because we were going to be completely submerged several times, no cameras were present, but hopefully I’ll be able to remember the beauty of this place.
We rode the bus back to town, famished, and I rode with Jose. He’s the best Spanish practice I’ve had, and he’s funny. The kid knows no English, but he’s really smart and patient. He’s really growing on me and I’ve decided that when Sierra leaves, I’ll continue his reading lessons.
We got back to D & D and had dinner. The folks there were so much fun and Sierra secured herself a job if she ever decides to go back. Charlie was the dog, and he was huge and timid. I thought he was a mastiff-pit-bull mix, but one of the guys said he had no pit-bull in him. Also, a cat jumped on my lap during dinner, but that did not last.
We had a good time hanging out, and then heading to bed as everyone was tired from the day. I was very cold later.
Day 169 January 24
I woke up early and so did Braden, so we headed next door to D&D just in time for the guys to wake up and start the coffee. We hung out in hammocks, ate, and drank coffee as the others trickled in during the course of the morning. I had blueberry pancakes for the first time in a long time, handpicked from that mountain. Rico.
We explored our hostel a little more, which had a ton of leaf cutter ants, coffee plants, banana plants, flowers, a river, playgrounds, and a huge garden. It was very nice. I swung for a while and it was freeing.
We then packed up and headed to the bus stop where we chewed on sugar cane until the bus came. When it did come, it was a full one and we had to stand for a while. When we sat, I was with Jose again. We’ve decided he’s like a brother. More than a friend, but we don’t have the authority or ability to be what he needs to play parental roles.
In San Pedro, there were some bus troubles, and we split into two groups, things worked out for us, but I think we pushed too hard. Other folks ended up leaving the bus and Jose was sitting in the stairwell. I didn’t like the idea of him being the one who had to sit there, so I traded with him and he slept.
I wrote some in my little notebook, which caused the start of a conversation with Carlos, the young man working on the bus with the driver. He commented several times on how I like to write. We talked about many things, and because of my practice with Jose; I understood almost everything. After a couple of hours seats came up, so Jose and I moved back to them and Caroline started chatting with Carols.
During the trip, Jose wanted to know everything about everything. You don’t really think about what illiteracy means because, hey, you can read. This kid is seeing his country for the first time, but he never knows where we are or what we’re approaching. He always wanted to know where we were, how far it was from other places and I hadn’t even thought twice. I see a sign 17 times and don’t even realize that I had to read to know we’re approaching a town. I decided that when Sierra goes home in June, I’ll continue reading lessons with Jose.
When we got home I made a quick dinner, cleaned up, and showered. I new tourist was in the house for a few minutes and Braden showered before heading to Caroline’s house. I headed to her house to watch Avatar with her, Alex, and Sierra and found Carlos and Braden there also. I ended up falling asleep before it was over so I just went home.
Day 170-173 January 25-28
Jose is living in the house for a little while until Josue comes back from his journey out of Copan. It’s nice to have him around and really good practice since I can’t fall back on English when I’m tired. I actually said “diez y cinco” (ten and five) instead of quince (fifteen). He laughed it off with me. He also has the power of manipulation on his side. He wanted to give me an anklet, which he had been wearing and I tried to say no, because it was his. He said, “You don’t like it?” and I explained again that I do, but it’s his. He just held it to me, stared me down, and said, “You don’t like it.” I took it. I now have a beautiful new anklet.
The school days have been long and coffee has felt decaffeinated. I’ve had some really good days with my kids, I just don’t feel on top of it all. And tired. As I say, I love my job, and I love every week, but not always every day. Some days you just feel off, and when you’re off, the kids are off. Tuesday was a really good, energetic day, though. I was in a great place, and my kids were too. It bounces off of them back to me and back again. They’re still rocking at multiplication and teaching me songs about the water cycle (which I actually sang out a quick, crappy, translation of during one of my 3 Spanish classes this week because it felt relevant and I am Primary Teacher.)
I only tutored at Isaac’s once, and his mom ask that I start coming more regularly again. I agreed to go back to my regular schedule and she fed me green mangos, which are really popular and very sour. They’re growing on me though. I still miss ripe mangos, though. At least now I know they’re coming.
I watched a good part of the President’s State of the Union address. The night before there was a party in the central park that I attended for 15 minutes for the political overturn here in Copan and the night before there were lovely explosions outside my house at 3am as folks set off fireworks.
Speaking of explosions, the oven exploded on Allan and Abby. I was in the other room wrestling around with Jose (and I’m glad I didn’t drop him on his head, because I felt it too.) Abby had burnt off the hair on her arm, and a little on her head, the caps on all the burners had been shot off, the tea pot lid landed in the salsa they were cooking, the pans all fell off the wall, the oven was, literally, bent out of shape, and everyone was okay. It was silently agreed that no one touched it until someone came to look at it. Now I know the downside of a gas stove. Judy was over teaching Abby to make Pizza, and she too was fine.
One of my students is currently up in the air. Public school it just now starting up again, and we’re trying to decide if he is better off going there now, or finishing out the year here. I have no behavioral problems with him; I love him. However, he doesn’t know a lick of English and in behind most of Sierra’s students in the 1st grade. He was held back in 1st grade and apparently can not be held back again. I don’t want to give up on a kid, but he’s not getting anything out of my classes. He’s always guessing and no one at home would know how to start helping him. I don’t want to lose another student.
Bobulous has an assignment to interview someone who is learning Spanish as a second language. Most of the kids in his class are just interviewing students in Spanish classes at their school, but Bob has me! So now I have a Skype date with Bob so he can take note of all my errors and analyze how folks process second languages. Weee! I am excited about it, and hey, I get to talk to Bob.
Also, I have finished two books from The Great Book of Amber by Roger Selazny, which my brother gave me for Christmas.
Day 174 January 29
Plasticina (Honduran play-doh) makes the world go round. I bought some for my kids with the extra cash I make from selling pencils in class. It was fun. I also started up a health unit for Home Ec. which involves to food pyramid and diet evaluation. It’s going pretty well.
After school, I stayed for a while and organized all of my second quarter papers into folders according to class to leave for next year’s teacher. I then walked down with Sierra and ran errands around town, including getting paid. I got home and did some cleaning while watching Arrested Development, which I got from Alex until Chris called. We went to dinner at Momo’s, which neither of us had been to before and then watched Hitch. I then attempted to sleep, but finally had the cold I’d been fighting all week catch up to me. It let me sleep for possibly 3 hours.
We got up and had a quick breakfast before Chris, Katie, and I headed to catch the bus to San Pedro, where we met up with Caroline. After a few hours we arrived at the lago and met Sierra (and Jose, who she picked up on her extended adventure, and Braden who is a tourist we met in Copan and was following her on her extended adventure) at D&D brewery. It was a really cool place with plenty of hammocks and a pool. It was interesting, because a fair amount of ash was raining down that day. At first we thought it was from a trash burning, which would be pretty gross, but after a while, we decided the long, light ash seemed to be plant like and was probably from a cane field burning.
Folks really enjoyed being about to have real beers, and after a while we left to find a hostel, as the brewery was full. Luckily, there was a place right next door that was empty and beautiful. Chris and Katie camped at D& D, so Sierra, Caroline, Jose, Braden, and I split 3 beds (two girls and the kid in one and the other two in single beds.) It made for a decent price.
After settling in and getting changed, we headed to the waterfalls which were a half hour bus ride and 15 minute walk. We went in (paid the endurance fee) and then snuck out to where Chris and Katie had been before. Being the start of the dry season, there was much less water, but there were still some good jumping and swimming spots and plenty of good exploring spots. The waterfalls in the park were massive and beautiful, but further on was also awesome. It was a perfect birthday adventure for Chris. We spent hours out there, and a couple getting back. While we were out we got hungry, so Jose introduced us to some plant that’s name I’ve forgotten. It made our mouths really tingly. Unfortunately, because we were going to be completely submerged several times, no cameras were present, but hopefully I’ll be able to remember the beauty of this place.
We rode the bus back to town, famished, and I rode with Jose. He’s the best Spanish practice I’ve had, and he’s funny. The kid knows no English, but he’s really smart and patient. He’s really growing on me and I’ve decided that when Sierra leaves, I’ll continue his reading lessons.
We got back to D & D and had dinner. The folks there were so much fun and Sierra secured herself a job if she ever decides to go back. Charlie was the dog, and he was huge and timid. I thought he was a mastiff-pit-bull mix, but one of the guys said he had no pit-bull in him. Also, a cat jumped on my lap during dinner, but that did not last.
We had a good time hanging out, and then heading to bed as everyone was tired from the day. I was very cold later.
Day 169 January 24
I woke up early and so did Braden, so we headed next door to D&D just in time for the guys to wake up and start the coffee. We hung out in hammocks, ate, and drank coffee as the others trickled in during the course of the morning. I had blueberry pancakes for the first time in a long time, handpicked from that mountain. Rico.
We explored our hostel a little more, which had a ton of leaf cutter ants, coffee plants, banana plants, flowers, a river, playgrounds, and a huge garden. It was very nice. I swung for a while and it was freeing.
We then packed up and headed to the bus stop where we chewed on sugar cane until the bus came. When it did come, it was a full one and we had to stand for a while. When we sat, I was with Jose again. We’ve decided he’s like a brother. More than a friend, but we don’t have the authority or ability to be what he needs to play parental roles.
In San Pedro, there were some bus troubles, and we split into two groups, things worked out for us, but I think we pushed too hard. Other folks ended up leaving the bus and Jose was sitting in the stairwell. I didn’t like the idea of him being the one who had to sit there, so I traded with him and he slept.
I wrote some in my little notebook, which caused the start of a conversation with Carlos, the young man working on the bus with the driver. He commented several times on how I like to write. We talked about many things, and because of my practice with Jose; I understood almost everything. After a couple of hours seats came up, so Jose and I moved back to them and Caroline started chatting with Carols.
During the trip, Jose wanted to know everything about everything. You don’t really think about what illiteracy means because, hey, you can read. This kid is seeing his country for the first time, but he never knows where we are or what we’re approaching. He always wanted to know where we were, how far it was from other places and I hadn’t even thought twice. I see a sign 17 times and don’t even realize that I had to read to know we’re approaching a town. I decided that when Sierra goes home in June, I’ll continue reading lessons with Jose.
When we got home I made a quick dinner, cleaned up, and showered. I new tourist was in the house for a few minutes and Braden showered before heading to Caroline’s house. I headed to her house to watch Avatar with her, Alex, and Sierra and found Carlos and Braden there also. I ended up falling asleep before it was over so I just went home.
Day 170-173 January 25-28
Jose is living in the house for a little while until Josue comes back from his journey out of Copan. It’s nice to have him around and really good practice since I can’t fall back on English when I’m tired. I actually said “diez y cinco” (ten and five) instead of quince (fifteen). He laughed it off with me. He also has the power of manipulation on his side. He wanted to give me an anklet, which he had been wearing and I tried to say no, because it was his. He said, “You don’t like it?” and I explained again that I do, but it’s his. He just held it to me, stared me down, and said, “You don’t like it.” I took it. I now have a beautiful new anklet.
The school days have been long and coffee has felt decaffeinated. I’ve had some really good days with my kids, I just don’t feel on top of it all. And tired. As I say, I love my job, and I love every week, but not always every day. Some days you just feel off, and when you’re off, the kids are off. Tuesday was a really good, energetic day, though. I was in a great place, and my kids were too. It bounces off of them back to me and back again. They’re still rocking at multiplication and teaching me songs about the water cycle (which I actually sang out a quick, crappy, translation of during one of my 3 Spanish classes this week because it felt relevant and I am Primary Teacher.)
I only tutored at Isaac’s once, and his mom ask that I start coming more regularly again. I agreed to go back to my regular schedule and she fed me green mangos, which are really popular and very sour. They’re growing on me though. I still miss ripe mangos, though. At least now I know they’re coming.
I watched a good part of the President’s State of the Union address. The night before there was a party in the central park that I attended for 15 minutes for the political overturn here in Copan and the night before there were lovely explosions outside my house at 3am as folks set off fireworks.
Speaking of explosions, the oven exploded on Allan and Abby. I was in the other room wrestling around with Jose (and I’m glad I didn’t drop him on his head, because I felt it too.) Abby had burnt off the hair on her arm, and a little on her head, the caps on all the burners had been shot off, the tea pot lid landed in the salsa they were cooking, the pans all fell off the wall, the oven was, literally, bent out of shape, and everyone was okay. It was silently agreed that no one touched it until someone came to look at it. Now I know the downside of a gas stove. Judy was over teaching Abby to make Pizza, and she too was fine.
One of my students is currently up in the air. Public school it just now starting up again, and we’re trying to decide if he is better off going there now, or finishing out the year here. I have no behavioral problems with him; I love him. However, he doesn’t know a lick of English and in behind most of Sierra’s students in the 1st grade. He was held back in 1st grade and apparently can not be held back again. I don’t want to give up on a kid, but he’s not getting anything out of my classes. He’s always guessing and no one at home would know how to start helping him. I don’t want to lose another student.
Bobulous has an assignment to interview someone who is learning Spanish as a second language. Most of the kids in his class are just interviewing students in Spanish classes at their school, but Bob has me! So now I have a Skype date with Bob so he can take note of all my errors and analyze how folks process second languages. Weee! I am excited about it, and hey, I get to talk to Bob.
Also, I have finished two books from The Great Book of Amber by Roger Selazny, which my brother gave me for Christmas.
Day 174 January 29
Plasticina (Honduran play-doh) makes the world go round. I bought some for my kids with the extra cash I make from selling pencils in class. It was fun. I also started up a health unit for Home Ec. which involves to food pyramid and diet evaluation. It’s going pretty well.
After school, I stayed for a while and organized all of my second quarter papers into folders according to class to leave for next year’s teacher. I then walked down with Sierra and ran errands around town, including getting paid. I got home and did some cleaning while watching Arrested Development, which I got from Alex until Chris called. We went to dinner at Momo’s, which neither of us had been to before and then watched Hitch. I then attempted to sleep, but finally had the cold I’d been fighting all week catch up to me. It let me sleep for possibly 3 hours.
Week 24: Dave the tourist and traveling to the lago
Day 162 January 16
Saturday started well as I ate breakfast in Picame before meeting up with Caroline, Dave, and Alex for a hike to La Pintata and the river. We had a good time exploring and it was finally hot, so the water felt really nice. I was able to show off my new know-how with termites, ant-tree co-evolution, and touch-me-nots, which was fun.
We got back to town in the early afternoon. I stayed in for a few hours doing school work on my bed until I showered and got ready to go to Franqui and Norma’s house for dinner and a viewing of “New Moon” the new Twilight movie. Though, before I left I managed to have my computer fall off my bed, close on herself, and shut herself off. I thought it was strange, but knew it was bad news when I tried to turn her back on and it took her 15 minutes to do what she normally does in 30 seconds...get to the log on page. When I logged on, she showed me the background picture, but none of the icons or my start menu. Not a good sign. I held down the off button but she wouldn't turn off, so I unplugged her to let her die, hoping I'd be able to turn her back on. I was, but made no progress. I turned her off and left.
I saw Caroline and Dave on my way there and Megan yelled out her window that she’d be along her way soon. When I got there, we talked about the house some (they just moved in, but it’s a house they lived in many years ago.) We chatted for an hour or so before putting in the movie. Megan arrived, and after the movie we ate dinner, which was delicious. We chatted a while more, and Franqi and Norma seemed shocked that I haven’t been to the bay islands yet. Maybe a road trip is in the future?
Around 9, Megan and I decided it was time to head home. I thought of calling up other teachers to see what they were up to, but I was sleepy and even if it’s a Saturday or Sunday morning, I know I won’t be sleeping in. So, I got home, read a bit, and went to sleep (after playing with my computer, which still wouldn't load icons, but was loading faster. I went to sleep with it on hoping it would load in a couple of hours, but it didn't, so I turned it back off at 3 in the morning.)
Day 163 January 17
Sunday morning was slow, but I got a lot of shopping done and cleaned up my room. I also broke into my computer, looking for loose bits or some obvious problem. There wasn't one. I did however get her load up enough to put my grades and school stuff on a zip drive. I closed her back down (which she did reluctantly) and started her back up (moving slightly faster) to get all my important pictures and my logs.) After a few more standard shut downs (instead of forcing her off by unplugging her or holding down the button when she froze) she started to come around and seems almost normal now.
I made grilled cheese sandwiches for worship and walked over with Allan and Abby.
Megan showed interest in a mid-week bible study or something similar. We listened to a sermon and sang our songs. During the sermon, some of our students came by and we fed them sandwiches. They seemed thoroughly bored by 4 adults sitting around listening to a computer speak in English, so they left.
Immediately after, I met up with Caroline and Dave (who is a huge man by any standard) to walk up to Mayatan to collect Alex for a trip up to the hot water springs. One of the nice things about Central America is that hitchhiking is very common, and you’re usually in the back of a truck. We started walking up the road, but we shortly picked up by the Honduran police. Two men in the cabin and 4 riding in the back. We piled on and chatted. They took us a little more than half the way up and then we caught a ride with a family from Copan, including two boys I’ve seen around town, who were going to the hot springs themselves.
A second cold front was coming in, so it was a little chilly, but the water felt wonderful. We hung out for a few hours before deciding we should get on the road before it got dark. We weren’t walking along for very long when a truck drove up and took us to Mayatan. Alex and Caroline got some things from school before we walked back to town.
I stayed at her house for a dinner of vegetables and the four of us watched “Hancock” which I hadn’t seen yet. It was fun, but when it was over I was ready for bed. I got home and took care of a few things before getting to bed at 9:30.
Day 164 January 18
I woke up earlier than usual and read for a little bit before I got up. I was ready early, so I headed out at 5:25. I saw Chando walking back from work and he let Caroline know I wasn’t far ahead of her so when she caught up to me, we walked in together. My walks have all been in the dark recently, but coming in this early there are still stars out.
The day started well and I feel good about what we hae planned for the week. We had a morning meeting with the organism of the week (common basilisk, or the Jesus Lizard) and I asked them what their favorite parts of last week for: PE, breakfast, journaling, and smashing rocks were the common answers. I can handle that.
We had a math class where we used chocolate soccer balls to understand multiplication more. I think it was both one of the best and one of the worst ideas I’ve ever had. However, they all did pay attention at least to some degree.
After school I gave make up tests, and then walked home with Chris. We took a fun adventuring way using trails and rivers. It was beautiful and I collected a lot of red rocks which I later hammered into dust.
I made a dinner of steamed veggies and went up to my room to hammer rocks until bed.
Day 165 January 19
I woke up early again, after a night of bad dreams, but was more like a zombie than anything else (not eating brains and the like, just unable to function real well.) I got out of bed late and headed up to school. Sierra, Caroline, and I had the morning pow-wow and then I headed into the day. We did test prep, jeopardy (which I ended early because of behavior), and took a practice test for science. Their behavior was horrendous. And my emotions got the best of me, I think I actually heard myself growl an order. No good.
After school I had tutorias followed by an epically long staff meeting (talk of ITBS, trash on campus, earthquakes, grades, and Women’s day.) When it was done, I rushed home to have more tutorias with Isaac. On my way home, I saw Kelvin and we talked for a while in the park before we headed to my place, and then we saw Luis coming up the hill after a run. The three of us went into the house, where we talked and I hammered rocks.
A bit before 6:30 I grabbed the vegetables I had in the house still and headed to Chris’s to make dinner. We cooked up a mean pasta, listened to music, chatted, and ate. It was wonderful. Being me, I headed home pretty early.
Day 165-6 January 20-21
We had more practice tests and real tests. I beat myself up over the fact that I forgot to return their practice math tests to them when they had the real test the next day (and I couldn’t give it to them later because that day was the last day of the semester.) We did some extra review and my kids, for the most part, did well despite having the practice test at home. I’ve really increased the difficulty of my tests, for things that my kids had never seen before, and it was remarkable (you can tell because I’m remarking on it.) Some of my lower student came up and met the challenge, and some of my high students were challenged enough to fall back some. Instead of having 10 fail and 10 get As, which is what seems to happen too often, I had a real curve.
I also mixed up rock paint and we had a nice art/science class. I spent hours searching for and crushing red rocks with a hammer. I then mixed the dust with water and we painted. They loved it.
I spent some good time reading on the roof and thinking. I slept as much as possible.
Day 167 January 22
On the teacher workday, Friday, I enjoyed the sleeping in, but still got there a little early. I got my grades in as early as possible, and then rushed to finish up my comments and get my worksheets done for the next week before rushing home to get to the bank and pack. I explored down by the river with Chris before we caught the bus, and discovered that under the bridge would be a nice place to sit…if it were not such a nice place for other people to relieve themselves. With the evidence obvious and abundant, we abandoned our explorations and went back to the bus.
There were 11 teachers on the bus, headed to 6 different places. Chris and I went to Cofradia, just outside of San Pedro, where his girlfriend works. I thought I’d be crashing on the floor, but her roommate was out of town, so I got a bed. Whoo! We cooked up some stir fry, and I spent a good about of time chatting with the Cofradia teachers. There’s a young man who’s teaching 4th grade after teaching 3rd grade there last year. He had some nice insight.
The climax of the night was finger painting a mountain sunrise/set and colorful tree (as we ran out of standard tree colors, we improvised.) Shortly after I headed to bed.
Saturday started well as I ate breakfast in Picame before meeting up with Caroline, Dave, and Alex for a hike to La Pintata and the river. We had a good time exploring and it was finally hot, so the water felt really nice. I was able to show off my new know-how with termites, ant-tree co-evolution, and touch-me-nots, which was fun.
We got back to town in the early afternoon. I stayed in for a few hours doing school work on my bed until I showered and got ready to go to Franqui and Norma’s house for dinner and a viewing of “New Moon” the new Twilight movie. Though, before I left I managed to have my computer fall off my bed, close on herself, and shut herself off. I thought it was strange, but knew it was bad news when I tried to turn her back on and it took her 15 minutes to do what she normally does in 30 seconds...get to the log on page. When I logged on, she showed me the background picture, but none of the icons or my start menu. Not a good sign. I held down the off button but she wouldn't turn off, so I unplugged her to let her die, hoping I'd be able to turn her back on. I was, but made no progress. I turned her off and left.
I saw Caroline and Dave on my way there and Megan yelled out her window that she’d be along her way soon. When I got there, we talked about the house some (they just moved in, but it’s a house they lived in many years ago.) We chatted for an hour or so before putting in the movie. Megan arrived, and after the movie we ate dinner, which was delicious. We chatted a while more, and Franqi and Norma seemed shocked that I haven’t been to the bay islands yet. Maybe a road trip is in the future?
Around 9, Megan and I decided it was time to head home. I thought of calling up other teachers to see what they were up to, but I was sleepy and even if it’s a Saturday or Sunday morning, I know I won’t be sleeping in. So, I got home, read a bit, and went to sleep (after playing with my computer, which still wouldn't load icons, but was loading faster. I went to sleep with it on hoping it would load in a couple of hours, but it didn't, so I turned it back off at 3 in the morning.)
Day 163 January 17
Sunday morning was slow, but I got a lot of shopping done and cleaned up my room. I also broke into my computer, looking for loose bits or some obvious problem. There wasn't one. I did however get her load up enough to put my grades and school stuff on a zip drive. I closed her back down (which she did reluctantly) and started her back up (moving slightly faster) to get all my important pictures and my logs.) After a few more standard shut downs (instead of forcing her off by unplugging her or holding down the button when she froze) she started to come around and seems almost normal now.
I made grilled cheese sandwiches for worship and walked over with Allan and Abby.
Megan showed interest in a mid-week bible study or something similar. We listened to a sermon and sang our songs. During the sermon, some of our students came by and we fed them sandwiches. They seemed thoroughly bored by 4 adults sitting around listening to a computer speak in English, so they left.
Immediately after, I met up with Caroline and Dave (who is a huge man by any standard) to walk up to Mayatan to collect Alex for a trip up to the hot water springs. One of the nice things about Central America is that hitchhiking is very common, and you’re usually in the back of a truck. We started walking up the road, but we shortly picked up by the Honduran police. Two men in the cabin and 4 riding in the back. We piled on and chatted. They took us a little more than half the way up and then we caught a ride with a family from Copan, including two boys I’ve seen around town, who were going to the hot springs themselves.
A second cold front was coming in, so it was a little chilly, but the water felt wonderful. We hung out for a few hours before deciding we should get on the road before it got dark. We weren’t walking along for very long when a truck drove up and took us to Mayatan. Alex and Caroline got some things from school before we walked back to town.
I stayed at her house for a dinner of vegetables and the four of us watched “Hancock” which I hadn’t seen yet. It was fun, but when it was over I was ready for bed. I got home and took care of a few things before getting to bed at 9:30.
Day 164 January 18
I woke up earlier than usual and read for a little bit before I got up. I was ready early, so I headed out at 5:25. I saw Chando walking back from work and he let Caroline know I wasn’t far ahead of her so when she caught up to me, we walked in together. My walks have all been in the dark recently, but coming in this early there are still stars out.
The day started well and I feel good about what we hae planned for the week. We had a morning meeting with the organism of the week (common basilisk, or the Jesus Lizard) and I asked them what their favorite parts of last week for: PE, breakfast, journaling, and smashing rocks were the common answers. I can handle that.
We had a math class where we used chocolate soccer balls to understand multiplication more. I think it was both one of the best and one of the worst ideas I’ve ever had. However, they all did pay attention at least to some degree.
After school I gave make up tests, and then walked home with Chris. We took a fun adventuring way using trails and rivers. It was beautiful and I collected a lot of red rocks which I later hammered into dust.
I made a dinner of steamed veggies and went up to my room to hammer rocks until bed.
Day 165 January 19
I woke up early again, after a night of bad dreams, but was more like a zombie than anything else (not eating brains and the like, just unable to function real well.) I got out of bed late and headed up to school. Sierra, Caroline, and I had the morning pow-wow and then I headed into the day. We did test prep, jeopardy (which I ended early because of behavior), and took a practice test for science. Their behavior was horrendous. And my emotions got the best of me, I think I actually heard myself growl an order. No good.
After school I had tutorias followed by an epically long staff meeting (talk of ITBS, trash on campus, earthquakes, grades, and Women’s day.) When it was done, I rushed home to have more tutorias with Isaac. On my way home, I saw Kelvin and we talked for a while in the park before we headed to my place, and then we saw Luis coming up the hill after a run. The three of us went into the house, where we talked and I hammered rocks.
A bit before 6:30 I grabbed the vegetables I had in the house still and headed to Chris’s to make dinner. We cooked up a mean pasta, listened to music, chatted, and ate. It was wonderful. Being me, I headed home pretty early.
Day 165-6 January 20-21
We had more practice tests and real tests. I beat myself up over the fact that I forgot to return their practice math tests to them when they had the real test the next day (and I couldn’t give it to them later because that day was the last day of the semester.) We did some extra review and my kids, for the most part, did well despite having the practice test at home. I’ve really increased the difficulty of my tests, for things that my kids had never seen before, and it was remarkable (you can tell because I’m remarking on it.) Some of my lower student came up and met the challenge, and some of my high students were challenged enough to fall back some. Instead of having 10 fail and 10 get As, which is what seems to happen too often, I had a real curve.
I also mixed up rock paint and we had a nice art/science class. I spent hours searching for and crushing red rocks with a hammer. I then mixed the dust with water and we painted. They loved it.
I spent some good time reading on the roof and thinking. I slept as much as possible.
Day 167 January 22
On the teacher workday, Friday, I enjoyed the sleeping in, but still got there a little early. I got my grades in as early as possible, and then rushed to finish up my comments and get my worksheets done for the next week before rushing home to get to the bank and pack. I explored down by the river with Chris before we caught the bus, and discovered that under the bridge would be a nice place to sit…if it were not such a nice place for other people to relieve themselves. With the evidence obvious and abundant, we abandoned our explorations and went back to the bus.
There were 11 teachers on the bus, headed to 6 different places. Chris and I went to Cofradia, just outside of San Pedro, where his girlfriend works. I thought I’d be crashing on the floor, but her roommate was out of town, so I got a bed. Whoo! We cooked up some stir fry, and I spent a good about of time chatting with the Cofradia teachers. There’s a young man who’s teaching 4th grade after teaching 3rd grade there last year. He had some nice insight.
The climax of the night was finger painting a mountain sunrise/set and colorful tree (as we ran out of standard tree colors, we improvised.) Shortly after I headed to bed.
Week 23: Running after 3 years off
Day 155 January 9
I woke up at 4:30, but willed myself back to sleep until almost 9. I was still sleepy and just decided to take the morning slow. I put on a DVD on my bed and got out some school things. I worked a little bit, but mostly did not. Towards 11:30 I started cleaning the room and the DVD ran out of material. I turned on the music as I migrated around the house, cleaning and starting laundry. I showered and did the dishes and took out the trash, all between laundry doing. Sierra came home from a hike and we got smoothies. I finished my laundry and we headed to Casa Villamil together after she showered.
As my first time on the internet since school started I had some things to take care of and I called Kayleigh to talk about her trip (yay!) It was productive and good to be online after being away (I am an addict, after all.)
I went home and cleaned up a bit, made dinner, and walked to Caroline’s house with Sierra for Julie and Julia. The movie was fun, but a bit much at times. Sierra’s cat, which is actually Josue’s cat on loan, and will be living at Caroline and Alex’s house, was there and very friendly. She (we think) is named Rafiki, Rafi for short, and is very friendly. She has a nice house and a litter box of dirt for now.
When the movie was done, I sleepily walked home and went to bed.
Day 156 January 10
*One thing I forgot to mention in the past days is that I finished The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I thought the beginning was very good, but it lost momentum and purpose by the end. It was a fun read, but certainly not the best thing I’ve read this year. I picked up Jayber Crow in the teacher’s lounge because the author, Wendell Berry, is a name I know and have enjoyed before in environmental readings and poetry. I didn’t get very far into the book, so maybe I didn’t give it a fair shot, but I simply could not get into his fiction. I think I will return it and enter into the world of the Amber Chronicles by Roger Zelanzny. My brother got me all ten books in one volume for Christmas, so it would keep me occupied for a while.*
This morning, I did something I haven’t done in a very long time. I woke u pat 7:15, changed into my black shorts and a tank top, stretched and met Megan on the street in the chilly rain showers for a run.
Megan was good for a start, because she’s not very competitive with her running and willing to run at a slow pace with me. We went out to the ruins, and then kept going a ways, but did not make it all the way out to the hotel before turning around. We chatted along the way. It felt good. It felt really good. And, as per usual, it was not the muscles in my legs that wore me down, it was my lungs, but I didn’t push them too hard and will probably try to run every other day for a while with either Megan or Luis (if he is so inclined.) I was more than happen to be out there again, and the ruins run was a nice introduction as it’s the only road around that’s flat!
I got home and took a long shower, made breakfast and coffee and caught up with my roommates. I got a little nail happy in the kitchen, making things more accessible and adding in a recipe box. I did succeed in hammering my thumb though, which inspired an end. It hurts. The house is cold (to us, anyway) so I cuddled up with a blanket and read the last short story in the book My First Year as a Teacher. A book of inspiring first year teaching experiences that I’ve been reading on and off since my second day of school.
I then went to Megan’s for worship, but there were only four of us. It lead to a really nice discussion about faith goals for the new year and I suggested a weekly bible study on top of the Sunday worship. We’ll see how it goes.
I got home and cleaned up the house, got some shopping done for the week, and read. Luis came back to town today after a few weeks out of town, so we met up and got baleads (three between the two of us, que rico!) He went home a bit before 9, at which point I started getting ready for bed. I went downstairs for a glass of water and Eileen was at my door, desiring a warm shower (her house is often without water) so I let her in and went to sleep.
Day 157 January 11
The weather here can fool you. On chilly days, it always gets colder during the school day and then warms up after the kids leave.
I left home at 5:40, later than planned, and took the long way to school because of construction. Walking by myself I made pretty good time and walked in at 6:10. But no coffee. I made tea and started getting ready for the day. By the time school started, I was glad I was wearing long sleeves under my polo uniform, but upset I had not had the foresight to bring a jacket, no matter how inadequate. You, reader, may find it amusing that I am in Copan Ruinas, Honduras and complaining of cold but there are two factors to take into account. The lesser of which is that when you live in a warm climate, you get used to a warm climate and the cold affects you more. The second is that, here, we have no heated buildings. There is no escaping the cold. When I was in the States, it could be in the 40s and I would be fine. The cold never has time to reach your bones when you go from car to building, building to car. Here, you walk inside…and it’s just as cold. It was about 11c this morning and 13c during the day. With wind in the evening. It was cold.
I peppered my classes with 3 minute exercises, running in place the countdown shake-out, to keep us all feeling warm and focused. I really think it helped (it helped me, plus, I was downing tons of coffee just because it was warm.)
After school I cancelled tutorias to give two make-up tests and graded them before he left. Last week’s spelling grades (with silent ws and ks) inspired a new approach to this weeks words (to, too, two, hour, our, they’re, their, there.) If I thought those types of words were hard for me, try learning them when your first language actually sounds like it’s spelled. Every letter has one sound, so if a word sounds different…it is different.
I walked home with Megan and we went glove shopping, but found nothing. I got some rice noodles (which I’m really excited about) and went home. I did a little bit of work before heading to Casa Villamil for 45 minutes or so. It was enough to do some catching up and updating, but I didn’t get all the conversations in I’d like to have.
I hurried home (frigidly cold) and got ready to go running with Luis. We ran the same basic route, but ran a bit further and a bit faster. It felt really good.
We went back to the house and drank water and chatted until Beth and Abby came home. Luis left for dinner and Abby and I had a nice long chat while we cooked our separate dinners. I showered after dinner, put on a full outfit of warmth and got in bed. I was going to read, and did for maybe 5 pages, but I was asleep by 8:20.
As I found out the next day at school, I was apparently running during a small earthquake that I did not notice. It came from not too far away and was a 4.5. Huh.
Day 158 January 12
I shaved another 5 minutes off my walk to school, leaving at 5:40 and arriving at 6:05, going the long way. Let’s see what happens tomorrow… Today, I was dressed for the cold, and while it was only a degree warmer in the morning, it felt much better. I felt much better all day, actually. In part because of my clothes, but also because I only had a few moments of chills rather than a whole day. And, I didn’t feel a need to drown myself in coffee.
We did take a few minutes to do exercises in class, to keep the blood flowing, but it was also less necessary. Tomorrow should be the last day of the cold front. And I made a huge mistake, but my kids are amazing…. I approached a lesson as though it was a chore. I was approaching the types of rocks and the rock cycle as a laborious task we’d have to get through. Lesson one: NEVER do that and lesson two: it’s not. Even though my approach was mundane, my kids took off with it, and after one lesson (sometime last week) I knew I had to redraw my approach with more fun, energy, and pet rocks. Oh yeah, we have pet rocks. I have two, one is Cranky Billy (he has an angry face) and the other is Smiling Frank (thank you for your influence in my childhood, David.)
We are having a blast and I think rocks and multiplication are the first two things I’ve taught that are not some extension on what my kids already knew. They’ve never seen this stuff before. It’s a strange feeling, but I love feeling like I’m really teaching them. It’s bringing to light some things I should have done better before, but I can incorporate those lessons easily.
The last class was a birthday party (and before which the mother called and asked me to speak with them, because the tradition is to soak the birthday child in water at the end of the school day and it’s just too cold for that. I essentially threatened them with what they consider their lives. We all agreed that they could chase him, as though they had water, as long as not one drop touched him.) They tried to talk my into playing futbol, but I would not. I try to keep an air of mystery about me, and part of that is only touching a futbol if I know I can completely control it, and not show them that I really stink.
After school I had two student tutorias, which we wonderful. I think we can really start making progress this way. And then Megan and I rushed home so that we could go running before our, separate, tutorias. That is when I discovered I was locked out of my house. I called her and asked if she had spare running clothes. She did. I went to her house and changed. I went for another wondrous run, slightly further, but slightly slower. My muscles are feeling tight, but not sore.
After which, I still couldn’t get into my house, so I changed back into my clothes and went to tutorias…gross. Another student has started joining us for the homework portion of the tutorias, I don’t have a problem as long as his mom doesn’t mind, she is the one paying me food.
When I left, I still couldn’t get in touch with anyone and was still locked out the house, and shower-less. I left a note and went to Casa Villamil so anyone could find me. After 15 minutes, Sierra called me and I ran home to go in the house. Yay key! We talked a bit and walked out together, as she was heading to Chris’. I went back to Villamil for a while (she said she was surprised when I said I had not showered, that I looked great. Hope I can believe her!)
After a bit more interneting, I went home and crawled into my warm bed and read. Some time after dinner, Luis came over and we chatted, I’m trying to speak more Spanish, and then I was to bed by 9:20.
Day 159 January 13
I walked in with Sierra this morning, so I left 3 minutes later and took the normal route, changing the plan to time myself again. I got in and put my room together, as I’d left things a mess yesterday. I realized I’d not planned well for the day and quickly got myself together (especially since Diana warned me that the Library would not be open and I had to fill in for the period.)
Rocks and multiplication are still going well (we’re now telling rock stories, like “My name is Billy, I was a sedimentary rock, but then I was changed by heat and pressure. What type of rock am I?”) I stopped by Miss Norma’s room because Franqie, her husband, had invited me over to watch New Moon in Spanish, and I know Nilvio has wanted me over to see the new house and meet his two dogs. I’d also really like to make more local friends. She said Saturday afternoon would be lovely and then we could all have dinner. Yay!
At the end of the day, I had a Wednesday “After School Special” on volcanoes, which goes really well with what I’m teaching right now. A few of my high students stayed and it was really good. Elvira’s curiosities are insatiable. I love it. I wish I could cater to her curiosities all day. I think she would stay everyday to talk to me if we could, but it keeps me motivated to do these “After School Specials” even when I don’t want to. She, and others who want to come, deserve to get in extra learning if they want to!
Abby got home shortly after I did, and was on her way to class, but said she wanted to go for a quick run after. I had planned to take the day off, but decided to go for. I lounged around the house until she got back and then we took off, past all the construction men working near our house towards the ruins. It was the furthest, most consistently paced run I’ve had yet, but I broke through a couple walls to keep up with her (she wasn’t going horrifically fast, I just wasn’t used to the distance.) It felt great.
I started to cook up dinner, but was really upset to discover that our gas tank ran out, again, in the middle of me sautéing veggies and trying to boil noodles. I was some kind of put out. I managed to pull things together, haphazardly, in the toaster oven. But nothing had the same flavor.
I found myself alone in the house early and took advantage to go to bed pretty early.
Day 160 January 14
I left the house a little late, realized I had forgotten my jacket and scarf, and went back. I was about half way to school when a cab came by and I decided I really just wanted to get their early. I had left too many things un-done and wanted to get to it quickly. Lucky for me…I have no idea where my keys are. I was locked out of my room. I thought my keys must be in the room, but when I did get in, half an hour later, they were not. Hopefully, they are at home. I rushed through all of my prep and dove head first into the day.
Not having things completely hammered out, led to a 45 minute period with nothing to do…so, I threw together, in 3 minutes, a jeopardy game. I just drew it up on the board with the categories “Multiply by 3s” “Multiply by 5s” “Rocks” and “Strange” (as a what ever I want to ask category.) The girls won regular jeopardy, but the boys came back and won the final jeopardy question, pulling ahead of the girls. They had a blast, Elvira says it’s her new favorite game, even though they lost.
After school I had tutorias, and I really hope things start going better for Juan. Megan says the administrators want to know if any of the teachers think a kid should be in public school, if their language skills are preventing them from getting an education. I’m not sure what to do about him. His father works for the school as a vigilante, his best friend is at Mayatan, and he’s a good kid, but his language skills are making everything difficult for him and he has no faith in himself. I think I’d rather hold him back a year than send him out of the school, see if it does any good.
Megan and I walked home and went for a run. We went out as fat as Abby and I did yesterday, and I could feel it in my legs today. We were a bit slower, but it was nice to stretch out and I was able to talk more during the run than I have been. I rushed home and changed to go to tutoring with Isaac. Isaac, who usually struggles with my most basic concepts (because he doesn’t pay a lick of attention in school) knew the answer to all of my current science questions the first time around. No need for repetition or memory games…he knew from class. This is the first time they’ve ever seen this stuff!
I got home and cleaned my room (found my keys), as it has been falling apart during this week (which is kind of owning me.) Though, I’ve been reading, writing, running, singing, working out (Abby and I made weights out of old handles of rum left over from some party), stretching, drinking water, and being more excited about teaching than I’ve been yet.
Beth was throwing a potluck, so I brought my fresh bread-lets of deliciousness and headed her way. Almost all of the teachers were there and some of out Honduran friends. The food was tasty and conversation was good, but when 9 rolled around, I leave to get some sleep.
Day 161 January 15
Friday started out the best day of the week. No missing keys, coffee was in the pot, I got to school really early (shaved 3 minutes off my time AND left 10 minutes early.) Caroline, Sierra, and I have been having morning pow-wows in the teacher’s lounge until 6:20 or so every morning. We’ve been too busy to catch up anytime. It’s a nice coffee drinking, relaxing time.
My classes went pretty smoothly, except that in the beginning of the day, one of my girls was really upset. I asked her what was wrong, but she couldn’t answer. I asked her if it was at home or at school and, bless her heart, she started answering in English. “My friend is, my friend is…muerte” Dead. I now know how difficult it is to comfort a 9 year old on the subject of death through a language barrier. Words weren’t going to help, so I told her that if she needed to leave the room at any time during the day, to just let me know and then I played her some music. She didn’t take me up o my offer until the last period of class when we were just having a class meeting in prep for the next week and to close down this week. We had a blast before lunch spending 40 minutes hammering (I did the hammering) rocks and seeing what they looked like inside. For example, we now know that a lava rock does not have lava in the middle. We also made bookmarks and talked about how cool reading is.
I stayed after school a bit to clean up my room and then went to town. Kelvin had been calling me, so I went to his house for a while to chat before I saw Caroline in the street (bruising my elbows on the windowsill when I went to say hello) and then went to her house. Of course, as this was still apart of this week where things go wrong, I was sitting in the hammock chair, which fell out of the ceiling, bruising my rear and elbows on the floor and hitting me in the head with the bar. Week, really, Week, I just want to be friends.
I took pictures of the kitten and went out to chat with Tammi for a while. I went back to Caroline’s house and chatted with her friend Dave, who’s been staying there for almost a week. A bit before 7 I headed home to meet up with Luis for dinner.
We ate at Jim’s Pizza and talked for a while, but I was tired by 9:30 (being a teacher takes away the option of a late Friday night.)
I woke up at 4:30, but willed myself back to sleep until almost 9. I was still sleepy and just decided to take the morning slow. I put on a DVD on my bed and got out some school things. I worked a little bit, but mostly did not. Towards 11:30 I started cleaning the room and the DVD ran out of material. I turned on the music as I migrated around the house, cleaning and starting laundry. I showered and did the dishes and took out the trash, all between laundry doing. Sierra came home from a hike and we got smoothies. I finished my laundry and we headed to Casa Villamil together after she showered.
As my first time on the internet since school started I had some things to take care of and I called Kayleigh to talk about her trip (yay!) It was productive and good to be online after being away (I am an addict, after all.)
I went home and cleaned up a bit, made dinner, and walked to Caroline’s house with Sierra for Julie and Julia. The movie was fun, but a bit much at times. Sierra’s cat, which is actually Josue’s cat on loan, and will be living at Caroline and Alex’s house, was there and very friendly. She (we think) is named Rafiki, Rafi for short, and is very friendly. She has a nice house and a litter box of dirt for now.
When the movie was done, I sleepily walked home and went to bed.
Day 156 January 10
*One thing I forgot to mention in the past days is that I finished The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I thought the beginning was very good, but it lost momentum and purpose by the end. It was a fun read, but certainly not the best thing I’ve read this year. I picked up Jayber Crow in the teacher’s lounge because the author, Wendell Berry, is a name I know and have enjoyed before in environmental readings and poetry. I didn’t get very far into the book, so maybe I didn’t give it a fair shot, but I simply could not get into his fiction. I think I will return it and enter into the world of the Amber Chronicles by Roger Zelanzny. My brother got me all ten books in one volume for Christmas, so it would keep me occupied for a while.*
This morning, I did something I haven’t done in a very long time. I woke u pat 7:15, changed into my black shorts and a tank top, stretched and met Megan on the street in the chilly rain showers for a run.
Megan was good for a start, because she’s not very competitive with her running and willing to run at a slow pace with me. We went out to the ruins, and then kept going a ways, but did not make it all the way out to the hotel before turning around. We chatted along the way. It felt good. It felt really good. And, as per usual, it was not the muscles in my legs that wore me down, it was my lungs, but I didn’t push them too hard and will probably try to run every other day for a while with either Megan or Luis (if he is so inclined.) I was more than happen to be out there again, and the ruins run was a nice introduction as it’s the only road around that’s flat!
I got home and took a long shower, made breakfast and coffee and caught up with my roommates. I got a little nail happy in the kitchen, making things more accessible and adding in a recipe box. I did succeed in hammering my thumb though, which inspired an end. It hurts. The house is cold (to us, anyway) so I cuddled up with a blanket and read the last short story in the book My First Year as a Teacher. A book of inspiring first year teaching experiences that I’ve been reading on and off since my second day of school.
I then went to Megan’s for worship, but there were only four of us. It lead to a really nice discussion about faith goals for the new year and I suggested a weekly bible study on top of the Sunday worship. We’ll see how it goes.
I got home and cleaned up the house, got some shopping done for the week, and read. Luis came back to town today after a few weeks out of town, so we met up and got baleads (three between the two of us, que rico!) He went home a bit before 9, at which point I started getting ready for bed. I went downstairs for a glass of water and Eileen was at my door, desiring a warm shower (her house is often without water) so I let her in and went to sleep.
Day 157 January 11
The weather here can fool you. On chilly days, it always gets colder during the school day and then warms up after the kids leave.
I left home at 5:40, later than planned, and took the long way to school because of construction. Walking by myself I made pretty good time and walked in at 6:10. But no coffee. I made tea and started getting ready for the day. By the time school started, I was glad I was wearing long sleeves under my polo uniform, but upset I had not had the foresight to bring a jacket, no matter how inadequate. You, reader, may find it amusing that I am in Copan Ruinas, Honduras and complaining of cold but there are two factors to take into account. The lesser of which is that when you live in a warm climate, you get used to a warm climate and the cold affects you more. The second is that, here, we have no heated buildings. There is no escaping the cold. When I was in the States, it could be in the 40s and I would be fine. The cold never has time to reach your bones when you go from car to building, building to car. Here, you walk inside…and it’s just as cold. It was about 11c this morning and 13c during the day. With wind in the evening. It was cold.
I peppered my classes with 3 minute exercises, running in place the countdown shake-out, to keep us all feeling warm and focused. I really think it helped (it helped me, plus, I was downing tons of coffee just because it was warm.)
After school I cancelled tutorias to give two make-up tests and graded them before he left. Last week’s spelling grades (with silent ws and ks) inspired a new approach to this weeks words (to, too, two, hour, our, they’re, their, there.) If I thought those types of words were hard for me, try learning them when your first language actually sounds like it’s spelled. Every letter has one sound, so if a word sounds different…it is different.
I walked home with Megan and we went glove shopping, but found nothing. I got some rice noodles (which I’m really excited about) and went home. I did a little bit of work before heading to Casa Villamil for 45 minutes or so. It was enough to do some catching up and updating, but I didn’t get all the conversations in I’d like to have.
I hurried home (frigidly cold) and got ready to go running with Luis. We ran the same basic route, but ran a bit further and a bit faster. It felt really good.
We went back to the house and drank water and chatted until Beth and Abby came home. Luis left for dinner and Abby and I had a nice long chat while we cooked our separate dinners. I showered after dinner, put on a full outfit of warmth and got in bed. I was going to read, and did for maybe 5 pages, but I was asleep by 8:20.
As I found out the next day at school, I was apparently running during a small earthquake that I did not notice. It came from not too far away and was a 4.5. Huh.
Day 158 January 12
I shaved another 5 minutes off my walk to school, leaving at 5:40 and arriving at 6:05, going the long way. Let’s see what happens tomorrow… Today, I was dressed for the cold, and while it was only a degree warmer in the morning, it felt much better. I felt much better all day, actually. In part because of my clothes, but also because I only had a few moments of chills rather than a whole day. And, I didn’t feel a need to drown myself in coffee.
We did take a few minutes to do exercises in class, to keep the blood flowing, but it was also less necessary. Tomorrow should be the last day of the cold front. And I made a huge mistake, but my kids are amazing…. I approached a lesson as though it was a chore. I was approaching the types of rocks and the rock cycle as a laborious task we’d have to get through. Lesson one: NEVER do that and lesson two: it’s not. Even though my approach was mundane, my kids took off with it, and after one lesson (sometime last week) I knew I had to redraw my approach with more fun, energy, and pet rocks. Oh yeah, we have pet rocks. I have two, one is Cranky Billy (he has an angry face) and the other is Smiling Frank (thank you for your influence in my childhood, David.)
We are having a blast and I think rocks and multiplication are the first two things I’ve taught that are not some extension on what my kids already knew. They’ve never seen this stuff before. It’s a strange feeling, but I love feeling like I’m really teaching them. It’s bringing to light some things I should have done better before, but I can incorporate those lessons easily.
The last class was a birthday party (and before which the mother called and asked me to speak with them, because the tradition is to soak the birthday child in water at the end of the school day and it’s just too cold for that. I essentially threatened them with what they consider their lives. We all agreed that they could chase him, as though they had water, as long as not one drop touched him.) They tried to talk my into playing futbol, but I would not. I try to keep an air of mystery about me, and part of that is only touching a futbol if I know I can completely control it, and not show them that I really stink.
After school I had two student tutorias, which we wonderful. I think we can really start making progress this way. And then Megan and I rushed home so that we could go running before our, separate, tutorias. That is when I discovered I was locked out of my house. I called her and asked if she had spare running clothes. She did. I went to her house and changed. I went for another wondrous run, slightly further, but slightly slower. My muscles are feeling tight, but not sore.
After which, I still couldn’t get into my house, so I changed back into my clothes and went to tutorias…gross. Another student has started joining us for the homework portion of the tutorias, I don’t have a problem as long as his mom doesn’t mind, she is the one paying me food.
When I left, I still couldn’t get in touch with anyone and was still locked out the house, and shower-less. I left a note and went to Casa Villamil so anyone could find me. After 15 minutes, Sierra called me and I ran home to go in the house. Yay key! We talked a bit and walked out together, as she was heading to Chris’. I went back to Villamil for a while (she said she was surprised when I said I had not showered, that I looked great. Hope I can believe her!)
After a bit more interneting, I went home and crawled into my warm bed and read. Some time after dinner, Luis came over and we chatted, I’m trying to speak more Spanish, and then I was to bed by 9:20.
Day 159 January 13
I walked in with Sierra this morning, so I left 3 minutes later and took the normal route, changing the plan to time myself again. I got in and put my room together, as I’d left things a mess yesterday. I realized I’d not planned well for the day and quickly got myself together (especially since Diana warned me that the Library would not be open and I had to fill in for the period.)
Rocks and multiplication are still going well (we’re now telling rock stories, like “My name is Billy, I was a sedimentary rock, but then I was changed by heat and pressure. What type of rock am I?”) I stopped by Miss Norma’s room because Franqie, her husband, had invited me over to watch New Moon in Spanish, and I know Nilvio has wanted me over to see the new house and meet his two dogs. I’d also really like to make more local friends. She said Saturday afternoon would be lovely and then we could all have dinner. Yay!
At the end of the day, I had a Wednesday “After School Special” on volcanoes, which goes really well with what I’m teaching right now. A few of my high students stayed and it was really good. Elvira’s curiosities are insatiable. I love it. I wish I could cater to her curiosities all day. I think she would stay everyday to talk to me if we could, but it keeps me motivated to do these “After School Specials” even when I don’t want to. She, and others who want to come, deserve to get in extra learning if they want to!
Abby got home shortly after I did, and was on her way to class, but said she wanted to go for a quick run after. I had planned to take the day off, but decided to go for. I lounged around the house until she got back and then we took off, past all the construction men working near our house towards the ruins. It was the furthest, most consistently paced run I’ve had yet, but I broke through a couple walls to keep up with her (she wasn’t going horrifically fast, I just wasn’t used to the distance.) It felt great.
I started to cook up dinner, but was really upset to discover that our gas tank ran out, again, in the middle of me sautéing veggies and trying to boil noodles. I was some kind of put out. I managed to pull things together, haphazardly, in the toaster oven. But nothing had the same flavor.
I found myself alone in the house early and took advantage to go to bed pretty early.
Day 160 January 14
I left the house a little late, realized I had forgotten my jacket and scarf, and went back. I was about half way to school when a cab came by and I decided I really just wanted to get their early. I had left too many things un-done and wanted to get to it quickly. Lucky for me…I have no idea where my keys are. I was locked out of my room. I thought my keys must be in the room, but when I did get in, half an hour later, they were not. Hopefully, they are at home. I rushed through all of my prep and dove head first into the day.
Not having things completely hammered out, led to a 45 minute period with nothing to do…so, I threw together, in 3 minutes, a jeopardy game. I just drew it up on the board with the categories “Multiply by 3s” “Multiply by 5s” “Rocks” and “Strange” (as a what ever I want to ask category.) The girls won regular jeopardy, but the boys came back and won the final jeopardy question, pulling ahead of the girls. They had a blast, Elvira says it’s her new favorite game, even though they lost.
After school I had tutorias, and I really hope things start going better for Juan. Megan says the administrators want to know if any of the teachers think a kid should be in public school, if their language skills are preventing them from getting an education. I’m not sure what to do about him. His father works for the school as a vigilante, his best friend is at Mayatan, and he’s a good kid, but his language skills are making everything difficult for him and he has no faith in himself. I think I’d rather hold him back a year than send him out of the school, see if it does any good.
Megan and I walked home and went for a run. We went out as fat as Abby and I did yesterday, and I could feel it in my legs today. We were a bit slower, but it was nice to stretch out and I was able to talk more during the run than I have been. I rushed home and changed to go to tutoring with Isaac. Isaac, who usually struggles with my most basic concepts (because he doesn’t pay a lick of attention in school) knew the answer to all of my current science questions the first time around. No need for repetition or memory games…he knew from class. This is the first time they’ve ever seen this stuff!
I got home and cleaned my room (found my keys), as it has been falling apart during this week (which is kind of owning me.) Though, I’ve been reading, writing, running, singing, working out (Abby and I made weights out of old handles of rum left over from some party), stretching, drinking water, and being more excited about teaching than I’ve been yet.
Beth was throwing a potluck, so I brought my fresh bread-lets of deliciousness and headed her way. Almost all of the teachers were there and some of out Honduran friends. The food was tasty and conversation was good, but when 9 rolled around, I leave to get some sleep.
Day 161 January 15
Friday started out the best day of the week. No missing keys, coffee was in the pot, I got to school really early (shaved 3 minutes off my time AND left 10 minutes early.) Caroline, Sierra, and I have been having morning pow-wows in the teacher’s lounge until 6:20 or so every morning. We’ve been too busy to catch up anytime. It’s a nice coffee drinking, relaxing time.
My classes went pretty smoothly, except that in the beginning of the day, one of my girls was really upset. I asked her what was wrong, but she couldn’t answer. I asked her if it was at home or at school and, bless her heart, she started answering in English. “My friend is, my friend is…muerte” Dead. I now know how difficult it is to comfort a 9 year old on the subject of death through a language barrier. Words weren’t going to help, so I told her that if she needed to leave the room at any time during the day, to just let me know and then I played her some music. She didn’t take me up o my offer until the last period of class when we were just having a class meeting in prep for the next week and to close down this week. We had a blast before lunch spending 40 minutes hammering (I did the hammering) rocks and seeing what they looked like inside. For example, we now know that a lava rock does not have lava in the middle. We also made bookmarks and talked about how cool reading is.
I stayed after school a bit to clean up my room and then went to town. Kelvin had been calling me, so I went to his house for a while to chat before I saw Caroline in the street (bruising my elbows on the windowsill when I went to say hello) and then went to her house. Of course, as this was still apart of this week where things go wrong, I was sitting in the hammock chair, which fell out of the ceiling, bruising my rear and elbows on the floor and hitting me in the head with the bar. Week, really, Week, I just want to be friends.
I took pictures of the kitten and went out to chat with Tammi for a while. I went back to Caroline’s house and chatted with her friend Dave, who’s been staying there for almost a week. A bit before 7 I headed home to meet up with Luis for dinner.
We ate at Jim’s Pizza and talked for a while, but I was tired by 9:30 (being a teacher takes away the option of a late Friday night.)
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