Day 22 August 29
I was up around 6, but was in much better shape than most of the others. I finally got folks ready to move for breakfast a little after 8. We found a nice little café and I had a bagel and cheese cake (yeah, you betcha.)
The art festival, as it turned out, was starting on Monday, not ending on Sunday. We were a week early. We wandered around the town for a while, but didn’t do much. We had a short jam session with a guitar in the town library, which was a lot of fun. Turns out we all know the words to “Wonder Wall.” We looked like such American tourists, but hey, we weren’t in our home town, so I figure that’s okay. When we aren’t in Copan Ruinas, we ARE nothing more than tourists.
We caught the bus back to La Entrada and then back to Copan. We actually got to sit the whole way, which was awesome. Though, when we had the switchover, and at almost every stop, folks would climb onto the bus and try to sell things to us. Fries, tortillas, bags of water, soda, other edibles. There was one guy trying to sell things to me, and I just said no, thanks, like I did to everyone. This guy stood over me and kept repeating, ‘you’re a girl,’ which started to creep me out. A little boy, who was also trying to sell things, pushed him away from me. As the guy walked away the kid looked at me and said, “he’s crazy.” We smiled at each other and had a moment on bonding. I had been sitting alone, because we had an odd number of folks going back home (some were waiting for the 2 o’clock bus, others weren’t coming home until Sunday), but I moved up closer to everyone else and sat next to a Honduran woman. The guy came back and this time was whispering things I couldn’t understand very close to my head, but Tammi told him to leave me alone, and he did.
I got back home and just went to my room, watching a few hours of the show that Sierra brought on DVD (it’s too embarrassing to name, so I won’t. It’s an awful show, but sometimes a little bit of mind-numbing is nice.) At 8, I went downstairs to make dinner with Abby and Allan, and the power went out on us half way through, so we ate and then I went to bed around 9. Glorious glorious sleep, I didn’t have to get up until 9 the next morning.
Day 23 August 30
I woke up a bit before my alarm, and go about 11 hours of sleep. So much more than I’ve gotten in the last 3 weeks. I cooked a little and then went to mass, meeting up with Ann’s family again. Her bench was full, sp I sat on one that lines the walls, nearest to where she was sitting. I found it interesting that as men walked it, they would stash their hats in window sills that house statues of Christ and Mary. When they leave, they pick them up again.
I ended up next to a family with two girls and an infant boy. They were precious. The youngest girl, took to me really quickly. She kept staring up at me, but I didn’t want to be a distraction during church. Even if I don’t understand what’s being said, she might be able to. Part way through the service, she asked me my name and I said, “Sarah, and yours?” She said something, but I couldn’t hear her. I didn’t want to encourage much conversation because 1)I wouldn’t understand much above where we were speaking now and 2) it was the middle of mass. She tried to introduce me to her sister, who was sitting on the other side of her father, but he chastised her. He didn’t seem to like that he was talking to me. Eventually I asked her how old she was, and she said 6. Apparently, we became friends because she likes my earrings. Throughout the service she would put her arm around me, or play with the ruffles in my skirt, or put a hand on my leg. She was precious. I got nervous that she’d really upset her father when she sat on the other side of me, for no real reason, putting me between her and the rest of her family. On the way back from communion, she tried to walk past him to sit by me again, but he wrapped his arm around her to stop her.
I was pleased my Spanish was good enough that I could answer the questions she did ask me. I understood more of the songs, or parts of them like “the water of Lord Jesus” and “all the world for God.” But, I got less from the homily this time, but maybe that’s because it was 50 minutes long. He yelled “Listen!” in the middle. I think there were more kids and more chatting. It was about an hour longer than last week, which was about an hour long.
I went home and did some quick cleaning of the downstairs and started on my laundry, in the hopes that some will dry before tomorrow (we don’t have our work shirts yet, and I hadn’t planned on needed to use my shirts during the week for the most part.) And then I headed to Casa Villamil for a meeting with Beth and Megan to sort out some things for the coming week. I stuck around for a while, doing more research and chatting with folks online. I met up with Nash and Tammi there, and they invited me to see at movie for 20 lemps at ViaVia. I went home, did some laundry and headed over.
The Hangover was funnier than I expected, but just as bad as I thought it would be. After, I went back home and met up with Christopher and Sierra who had been to Ann’s for a music night. They had a blast. We talked for a while, and continued to work on our three person secret handshake, which I forgot to mention in an earlier post.
Also failed to mention in earlier posts: one of my students looks like, acts like, and sounds like my twin cousins Frankie and Will (except Honduran and speaks Spanish, of course) and one of the Peace Corps volunteers I got to know reminded me a whole lot of Paulos Eyob, which was awesome, and I saw a pacific blue four door sedan Yaris in Santa Rosa.
Day 24 August 31
I’m not going to lie: this morning, I got ready really slowly in the hopes that I would get a call saying I could go back to bed. A call did come, but it was Chris, asking us to bring fruit with us to school. I got up at 4:30, but went back to bed til 5. Unfortunately, a car alarm went off twice between 4:30 and 5, for about 5 minutes each time. We hadn’t had power since the night before, so my shower was cold and my cooking was not well lit. It’s easier to deal with power outages between 5:30am and 5:30pm because the sun’s out and the house is well lit, but at 5, it’s pitch black.
The trek through the mud was awful, but I put my good shoes in my bag and went through in my hiking sandals. I got there a bit later than I would have liked, but I just kept the kids out of my room until after the assembly and then dove into class.
Nothing ever goes as planned. I come up with games I think they’ll think are fun and that they’ll be able to follow without much language assistance (patterns are good), but they get distracted so easily, have a hard time paying attention to even 15 seconds of instruction, and then it all falls apart. I suppose that’s part of learning.
I got through the day with a couple of rough edges, but it was far superior to last Monday. I made sure to get my kids to Music on time this week, since I caused them to be ten minutes late last week. As we walked past the caseta (where food is served), I noticed the music teacher eating. This week he had forgotten. He was just 30 seconds behind us, as he hurriedly finished his food and came to class. I didn’t feel so bad about last week anymore.
I also managed to get my entire week planned (tentatively, of course. I learned that lesson last week) before leaving school, which was sweet. I walked back to town with Sierra, Abby, Allan, Chris, and Beth. We talked teaching techniques and I found a horse shoe in the road. You know, from a horse. I bleached it when I got home and scrubbed it out, and then kept working on the laundry I had started the night before.
Day 25 September 1
You know a day is going to be a good day when the coffee was already ready at the school when we arrive. I had even come equipped with double bags of black tea to make my own boost, but now I could save them for a coffee-less day. I loaded up and set out to class.
The morning went swimmingly. They were better from 7-9 than they’d ever been for even ten minutes before. After recess, at 9:20, they were so-so, and by after lunch time they were back to being themselves.
In the morning, Megan came in for her hour and twenty minute reading time. Today, I had broken to kids into three groups. Megan explained the mechanics of how station shifting works and then was in charge of one group while the other two worked independently on whatever task was at their table. I called them out one by one and had them read a 4 sentence story and answer a few comprehension questions on it. I had a little time left over, and as the kids in independent groups are supposed to be practicing not having a teacher to ask for help (and every time I walked in the room, they tried to ask me for help) I stayed out in the hall and came up with a combo comprehension/ease of reading formula, ranked them, and put them in their groups from here on out.
Since they were so good in the morning, Katia suggested that if the whole class stayed good all day, maybe I would give them candy at the end. I agreed, but said if one person acted out, no one got candy. By the end of the day, it wasn’t just one person, it was more than half, so at least no one person had to be blamed. The only thing it was good for, was holding it over their heads while we were in the computer lab, exploring Encarta for Kids, and they were very good for that 40 minute block (18 third graders in the computer lab = potential for disaster.)
We had our first staff meeting, which are designed for frequent brain-shut down. Not only do teachers have to hash through every detail 14 times, but everything has to be said and then translated. So, I get to listen for about 3 minutes, and then for 3 minutes, my brain shuts down, and then I have to come back for another 3 minutes, which doesn’t always happen. I think I got it all by the end, but it’s exhausting.
I tried to rush home to get to the market, but I missed it. I got some shopping done for the week and went to Casa Villamil. I got hit with a bit of the homesick bug while I was there and decided two things: 1) I wouldn’t go online again for a couple days and 2)instead of going to the Spanish speaking pot luck being thrown at Caroline’s, I’d stay in and clean the crap out of my house.
It was just as therapeutic as I hoped it would be, and by the time folks got back I was ready to spent time with people again. We hung around in Sierra’s room for about half an hour, Kelvin and I got up on our weeks so far, and then at 9 all of us teachery types decided it was time for bed.
Day 26 September 2
No glorious coffee this morning, but I was prepared with the double bags of black tea, and it helped some. Not as much as coffee would have, but some. I’ve learned the glories of my Wednesday, though. And those glories are glorious. Most days, I teach 7 40 minute blocks, with a lunch duty and I spend my 120 minute break (when they have back to back Spanish classes) vigorously grading their homework notebooks, so I can have them back to them before the end of the day (you know, so they can do more homework.) But! on Wednesdays, I teach for 40 minutes, and then sit while they have PE, then I teach for 40 minutes, then get 20 minutes while their at recess, then I teach 40 minutes, then I take them to Library, then I teach for 40 minutes, then Lunch duty, followed by the back to back Spanish classes, then I teach for 40 minutes, then I send them home. I never have to teach for more than 40 minutes at a time on Wednesdays. It’s great. Most days I teach straight through from 7-9 and then from 9:20-11:20 and then from 1:05-1:45 (with the intense grading session between.)
I’ve been playing with how to get homework done, because I usually end up with about 75% of them even attempting it, and it’s not hard stuff. I’ve made them write it in, I’ve written it in myself, I’ve stapled the worksheet into their notebooks myself, and today I stapled the worksheet in and wouldn’t let them line up until they’d shown me the assignment, written by themselves, the worksheet, and I saw them put it in their backpacks. Once it was in their backpacks, they were allowed to line up and get a smiley face stamp one their hand (with a lovely blueberry smell.) They seemed encouraged, but we’ll see. I’m also sending home a note to every child’s parents with the number of assignments and the number I’ve received from that child. We have an open house on Friday, so they can talk to me about it then (tomorrow, the kids will have to take the slip home to get it signed, for homework.
I’m actually attempting to teach them new things now, and it’s not easy. Explaining plant parts and what they do to someone who doesn’t know the word “leaf” is not easy. But, repetition, pictures, and competition seem to work well. I just don’t know how much repetition I can afford to teach them everything they need to know to go on to fourth grade. I should get cracking on that year long plan.
After school, I stayed late and got some serious, in depth planning done for tomorrow. Drew some diagrams, made some flash cards, all sorts of prep. I got home by 5, but of course the market and post office were closed, and I’d like to go to both of those places before the week ends. I got home and just spent several house in my room, reorganizing my school things and reading some.
I cooked up some chips for part of my lunch tomorrow and hung out for about 20 minutes with the crew for Allan’s birthday (we’ll actually celebrate it on Friday, ViaVia invited us for his birthday on Friday, which was nice.) A little after 9, most of us dispersed, because we’re old and 9 is bedtime.
Day 27 September 3
I dream of sunburns and children yelling “meess! Meess!.” Of course, the sunburn dream might have been when I woke up parched (I think I’d stopped sweating in the night, so today’s goal is: re-hydration.) I’ve been getting up at 5 and trying to get to school by 6:20, which is a bit easier on the sleep, but rougher on the walk.
Megan translated my note to parents, leaving blanks for me to fill out the number of assignments I’d received out of the number of assignments assigned, and then how many were homework and how many were in class. The only homework I gave today was for the kids to get those slips signed (I filled them out during their Spanish classes and put them in their homework notebooks) and for them to study for the spelling test. My homework method worked yesterday—I only had one kid not do his homework and he wasn’t even one of my usual problems. So, I kept up the trend at the end of the day to get them in practice.
We had reading groups with Megan. There were 4 stations, 2 groups were independent and one was with me and one was with Megan. The groups that were with us went pretty well, but almost no one actually did the independent group activities. We had a nice chat about that, I went over what I had expected them to do and we talked about how it should be done in the future. Part of it was them, but I also think things were a bit disorganized at the beginning and it might not have been explained clearly enough. Better luck (or organization) next time.
I learned another valuable lesson today: in primary, you don’t have to stick to your schedule. When I have a block of three classes in a row, I have to make my own transitions. Just because my schedule (which I filled in what class would be when) says Math, then Spelling, and then Science, doesn’t mean I have to do it that way. Especially if I’m doing a spelling review game. The kids loved it, I let it go a bit over time, and then I tried to transition into Science. No. Not happening. They had 25 minutes til luch, they were still excited from the game (called them up in pairs and said a spelling word, whoever could come up with a sentence would slap the stool, which was between then, and could say the sentence with the word in it. If the sentence accurately portayed the meaning of the word, they got a point. The person, or persons with the most points got a star on their award chart) and when it was over, they had no interest in Science.
All in all the day went well. I started planning for next week, but only for the 45 minutes we are required to stay at school after school, because I wanted to get home and get to the market/post office. I grabbed a lot of work to bring with me and headed home with Michael and Eileen. They walk quickly, and I love it. We discussed how this walk is our exercise for the day.
Eileen and I went to the post office, but only Abby had mail. I picked it up for her and dropped off a letter of my own (another response to someone who wrote me. I’m keeping up my end of the deal, just saying.) Then I went to the market and got a ton of veggies and fruits. Mmmmm veggies and fruits. Now I can vary my diet from pasta (with butter, salt, garlic, and cheese), chips (when their crispy), fries (when they’re kind of soggy), PB and J (though I vary the jellies), fried banana, and grilled cheese. I love each one, and I’m not sick of them yet, but I think some variation will be good. I did eat at the caseta today for lunch and veggies on a stick + meat on a stick (they were on separate sticks) + rice = delicious.
After I soaked my food, I made a huge salad (in a pot. It was the biggest dish we have) from lettuce, apples, and a carrot (the carrots here are huge. Huge.) and just used vinegar as a dressing. And I made a fruit salad from mango and papaya, but I think in the future I’ll just make my fruit salads with mango, I constantly find papaya to be disappointing when compared to mango.
Between shopping for, preparing, eating, and thinking about food, I planned all but 3 forty minute period for next week. I had some quizzes to make up, and here, a computer isn’t always an option, so writing and re-writing the questions and diagrams and hope it’s simple enough for them to understand the questions.
At 8:30, I was about ready for bed (and so excited to sleep!) when I got a call from Kelvin. He wanted Sierra’s number and to come over because he was bored. Sierra was downstairs with Luis (her Spanish teacher from Guacamaya) doing an intercambio (she helps him with English, he helps her with Spanish.) I haven’t been the most social person this week, and didn’t want folks to feel I was blowing them off or didn’t want to see them, so I told him to come on over, but that I would want to get to bed eventually. We practiced Spanish, he wanted to practice a lot and I was too tired, for which he gave me grief. The boys decided it was time to leave around 9:30, so I got to bed a little before 10.
(Also, mission accomplished on the re-hydrating throughout the day.)
Day 28 September 4
Even though this week has been worlds better than the 2 day work week last week, I struggled to get out of bed this morning. I haven’t had a full night’s sleep yet this week (close to 7 hours, most of the time, but if you know me then you know I need a lot of sleep, especially now with my walk-commute and teaching 3rd graders, and planning, and constantly being exposed to a new language, new town, new cultural habits I need to remember, and trying to get to know all my coworkers…and being exhausted. But in a good way.)
It’s common practice to greet everyone you see on the streets and I’ve been trying to work on my accent, at least for the words “Hola” and “Buenas.” There’s nothing consistent about the way Hondurans say them, though. Some shorten both syllables, some shorten one and lengthen the other. I’ve been sticking with the short first syllable, longer second syllable method. We’ll see how that works out. But sometimes, when I’m walking, I forget to not greet EVERYone I see, like the gawking groups of men who respond to my “Buenas” with “come, be my love.” Somehow, I don’t think we’re on the same page.
The morning went swimmingly (starting with coffee) and after PE, everything went downhill. That seems to be the trend. I think they just get tired. But, even though it was Friday, I was an ogre. I help back 7 kids to be 5 minutes late to lunch, and next week, I’m going to start making calls home.
Unfortunately, only half of my kids brought back the signed ‘missing assignments’ slips, and those were the half that needed it least. I was very stern with those who hadn’t and told them I wanted it by Monday, or calls would be made.
At the open house (which was excruciating on a Friday afternoon, I ended up being at work for 11.5 hours) I talked to the 10 parents I had (again, missing the parents I really need to talk to) about my homework policies and the missing homework. They want me to write up the homework on a sheet, make copies, and send out the homework for the week on Monday. I think that’ll be awful, but something needs to be figured out.
Achy back, sore feet, and tired brain (from listening to arguments among parents in Spanish, of which I could understand maybe every 8th word) I got home famished. Luckily, the group had plans to go get pizza. I had been hoping to nap, go to the internet, eat a lot, and then hang out with folks, but that was back when I thought I’d be done with work at 4ish, not 5:30.
I met everyone for pizza, and instead of splitting the huge thing, I got one to myself. It was supposed to last me three meals, but I ate all but a slice and a half. I stopped when I was content and felt sooo much better after that long teacher-parents meeting. Thank god for Norma, my translator. She not only translated, but advised and it was great.
After a full week of teaching I’m: spent, exhausted, want to go to sleep at 7, hungry, unsure of what to do next, trying to reconfigure my strategy after all the things I’ve learned and mistakes I’ve made, and happy to have not fallen a part during the week. I can do it! Though, eventually, I’ll have to start tutoring, and that’ll add another hour on with-kids work three days a week.
I stopped by the internet for an hour, to break my home-sick dictated streak of being offline. I knew the café would close in an hour, and I also knew I wouldn’t be able to get online again until Sunday, which was unlikely because I always have school work. And, once the week starts…very little time for internet.
After, I went home and met up with folks on the roof. I hung out for a while. I also got to go all EMT on Nash’s foot. They laughed at the duct tape, but it was on his foot, and the only way to keep on Band-Aids on a foot is to use duct tape. I think Nash and I had a breakthrough.
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