Week 36- Rastas in the House, ITBS, and Taxes

Day 246 April 10
When I went downstairs Sierra and the 4 folks who had stayed over were up and chatting. I joined for a while but came and went from the conversation as I started my laundry and took a shower. When I came out of my shower, breakfast had been prepared and I joined them all for a lovely meal, including coffee and tea. It was wonderful.
Sierra headed out on a hike to Yanotios and shortly after, the other’s left. I saw Jesse come into Picame so we chatted for a while. I spent the rest of the day cleaning, laundering, and reading. It was wonderful and relaxed. I cooked myself a large lunch with my left over veggies and got dinner in Picame. A slow, people-less, cleaning day was exactly what I needed.
Cid called and said he’d be over a bit after 7 to watch a movie, but he got held up at work and I fell asleep waiting. I woke up when he called again and went downstairs to wait. Abby and Allan were home and they startled me as much as I startled them, this time. I fell asleep on the couch again while waiting. Needless to say it was not a very eventful get together with me falling asleep. I certainly did not make it through the movie. I went to sleep around 9.
Around 1:30 I heard a lot of noise downstairs and at first ignored it, but it persisted. I could see people milling about outside the Picame door. I ventured down and peeked through the cracks, at first not seeing anyone, and I wasn’t going to open the door unless I could verify who they were. I then saw Giovanni laying in the street, looking pretty defeated, I assume about his chances of getting in the house. I opened the door and the 4 poured in, very thankful. I went back to sleep.

Day 247 April 11
I woke up at 7 and stayed in bed until 8:30. I went downstairs and asked the crew how long they’d been outside before I got them last night and they said maybe 10 minutes. We chatted for a while and they said they’d make breakfast again and if I wanted I could come to the river later. Maybe after church. They were also surprised that I’m so young. They thought I looked to be about 25 or 26. I’m glad for it, I am the youngest person in the Mayatan crowd and I’d rather have people think I’m a little older than I am than think I’m very young.
They made breakfast again, and it was delicious. Who would have thought orange and carrot made a great juice combination? Sierra came home and we decided we’d go hiking up to the “waterfalls” (in quotes because it’s the dry season) at 2. I headed off to “church” at Megan’s. We ate again and then listened to a sermon. We chatted about it and sang some songs. I left a little early because I didn’t want the group to leave without me and it was already 2.
We ended up waiting an hour on Caroline and her new friend Jorge, from Mexico. We stopped at Los Sapos and made it up to the waterfalls. We hiked down to the big one and further down to the jumping hole. We went exploring in the cave, after scaring away some bats, and over all enjoyed the trip. We got back to town around 6 and I bought bread in the bakery on the way back into town.
Sierra and I went home while the rest of the crew went out to sell jewelry and play music in the park for tips. I toasted up three loaves of my mini-bread for Sierra and I to munch on. It was tasty. She left for dinner at Josue’s and I showered and went upstairs to read. I woke up when Cid called at 8 or 8:30. Oops to falling asleep reading.
I woke up enough to watch Alice in Wonderland, which was fun. I usually struggle with Tim Burton films, but I think he pulled this one off well. I agree with James, he should go back and make the original. Shortly after the movie was over, I went back to sleep.

Day 248 April 12
I woke up, turned off my alarm, and woke up 30 minutes later. Oops. I got ready quickly enough and headed to school. I got set up and we started the day well. It actually went very quickly. The kids did well behaviorally on the ITBS tests and we had assembly and music, which we haven’t done in a while because we haven’t had school on a Monday in a while. I’ve been trying to keep everything hands on, 1) because it’s better for the kids and 2) to make up for all the sitting still during tests. The kids are getting better at self analyzing and one of my usual problem children asked for the frog (in closing circle you can’t speak unless you are holding the koosh frog) so that he could point out to me that his name was never written on the board or moved to the consequences chart. I hadn’t even noticed, but praised him in the moment and thanked him for pointing it out.
After school, I cancelled my tutoring for a parent meeting that never happened. I had tutoring pushed back for Isaac’s group work project meeting. I cancelled class because tutoring would go late and then tutoring got cancelled by Isaac. I still didn’t have enough time to finish my homework, so I didn’t un-cancel class.
The folks who had been staying at our house had been asked to leave by the landlord, and Lucia had given me a braclet. The guys invited us over to their hotel for dinner. I got a smoothie with Chris and had a heart to heart with Sierra before Chris called and we headed over to see if they were cooking yet. They were on a very different time table than we were, so at 8 they were still no where near ready to start cooking. I gave up on the venture and returned home.

Day 249 April 13
I reset my alarm for 20 minutes later and still left on time. The kids and I had a good day at school and it‘s our second to last day of ITBS! I had a nice chat with John about the tests, which was a comfort to me after skipping out on his angry meeting because James was in town. I wasn‘t sure if he held it against me or not. I don‘t know John well, but I figured that, if I understand him correctly, me missing the meeting would only be an issue if I botched up the tests or in the computer lab. If I can pull off exactly what he wants without his meeting, it‘s the same to him. But, if I do something off, he‘ll blame it on my missing his meeting. So far so good on not botching, and so far so good on not upsetting him. Boom.
In the closing circle, Fernando pointed out, for the second day in a row, that his name was never on the board. I told him that I had noticed today and I was still very proud of him. I had tutorias in preparation for recoup exams. After, we had a staff meeting, which was fun as always. I rushed home and went to tutoring. Isaac is certainly out of the routine and his attention was hard to keep. There was also an obnoxious woman there who liked to roll her eyes at Jaqui and make ridiculous requests. She played loud music on her phone which made it even harder to keep Isaac focused. I was not impressed.
Some of the local hustlers asked me where the man went, if he left. I ignored them, but I assume they mean James. So the fact that I was wondering around with a giant (for here) was noticed. One of them is a taxi driver who never says anything to me, just makes faces, but always tells my friends I’m pretty. He got his friend to ask me about my brother while he made faces. Classy, guy. You keep on being classy.
Class with Luis was cancelled again. I had assumed we would meet at 5, which is the only time I ever have class, but he thought 3 would be better. He has French class at 6 so he can’t at 5. I never can at 3. I never have been able to. Ah well. We said we’d work something out for the future or I’d get a new teacher. Class is set up, time and all, for tomorrow.
As I’m writing, a stupid mosquito just bit me on the underside of the joint of my big toe. That is going to itch and I hate itching. I am not happy about it. He’s a jerk. And dead.
I went out and got some grocery shopping done and came back to relax at the house with my roommates. Abby was buzzing off Allan’s hair. I helped with all my hair buzzing expertise, but mostly just took pictures.
After a while I went out and saw the folks who had been staying in our house and then met up with Cid. I saw a few folks while I was out but around 9 decided it was time to come to bed.

Day 250 April 14
Today was the last day of ITBS testing! We had a good day and celebrated a little. We used my Solargraphics paper, which is about 10 years old, and some of them worked, but some did not. It was a fun activity.
I did my taxes at school, but there was a problem and they were returned to me. So I tried again, resent, and heard nothing back.
After school I gave a little more than half my recuperation exams and then walked home with Megan and Eileen. We got a ride with Mario, went to our houses, and reconvened for granitas. We then headed to the salon by the cemetery for hair cuts. 80 lemps for a cut and wash is okay by me.
I left and went to class where we went over my diary of James’ visit. After class I helped Luis shop for a new dress shirt for the French Alliance meeting in Guacamaya.
I went home and got a baleada and juice in Picame. I took out my computer and rechecked my e-mail for wordon my taxes, but heard back nothing. No news is good news, right?
Denny was in Picame and we sat and talked for a long time. After a while, Sierra joined us, but had a hard time understanding the conversation. Around 8:30 Cid came and joined us too, but it was nearing bed time. I hung around a while longer before turning in.


Day 251 April 15
First thing in the morning, I checked my e-mail and there is still a problem with my taxes. Crap. I was pretty distracted all day and did not feel like a teacher. I threw away a lot of my plans and did filler things. They were still productive, but not as productive as my original plans. I had an online chat session with a woman from H&R Block who told me that since I'd already filed my taxes I would have to contact the IRS to find out and fix the problem. Goody.
After a talk with David about extensions, possibilities, and the law, I felt better about the situation and decided to drop it until I go home.
I gave the last of my recuperation exams and turned in my grades to Marisol. While I was waiting to go home, Gilda asked if I had lice. I said that I didn't think so, and I hope no. she said that apparently one of my girls had been full of lice. She had so much hair and it was all full. I am now paranoid again.
I got a ride home with Mario and Megan. I showered and paid the electric bill. I snagged a smoothy with Sierra and went to tutoring. After tutoring, I went to class. I immediately left class and went to the house warming party Micheal and Eileen were throwing for their new house.
The party was a lot of fun and there were some kids there as well as neighborhood kids hanging around outside who wouldn't come in. I went out and played for a while. I was a jungle gym. Kids were hanging all over me. Some of them thought it was a good idea to tickle me Things started getting out of hand after that. I had to hold one of the boys away from my body as he had never been taught what sorts of behavior were appropriate. I was impressed with my strength as I held him out with one arm. When I put him down, I went back inside with the others.
Mom called in response to a panicked tax e-mail I'd sent that morning. She was relieved to hear David had comforted me and I understood that it would all work out. We talked a but about housing as i'm considering living by myself for the first time in my life. We'll see what comes of that.
About 9 I headed home and went to sleep.

Day 252 April 16
Happy Friday! We had a fun day at school. We had both a “Fun Friday” for the last period and a “Shoeless Party” during science class. Why? Because we can.
Though, the day did start strangely. Ferjardo came into my class at the start of the day with his son. He stood in the door and his 1st grade son walked up to me, through my students who were waiting for class to start, shaking. He said, “Good morning Miss,” and still shaking, handed me 5 of my animal figurines. It was pretty awkward because I didn't want to have “the talk” with all of my students watching, but I did want to know what exactly had happened. It would appear that he stole them from me and Ferjardo found out. From the shaking, I hope he has learned his lesson.
I stayed after school for a while to clean up and set up for next week. I then walked home and ran into Rachael and her surprise visitor, Paul in Picame. I joined them for a smoothie. We set up game night and started calling to let people know when and where. I went in and started cleaning up the house. I swept up and made coffee so I could survive the night. I read a little, did some more school work, and showered. I cooked dinner and chatted with Abby.
We both finished up dinner about the time Game Night was supposed to start. Everyone was late by at least 45 minutes. Cid was the first one over and he didn't even know there was a game night until he called to see what I was up to when he got off work.
Ever came over for a bit but did not stay. Eventually Blair, Francisco, Rachael, and Paul came over too. We played three rounds of Mexican Train. I teamed with Cid until Blair left. I am still too competitive for my own good, but by the last round I was doing a little better. I ended up 3rd out of 9. Folks stayed until about 2, but I left to go out around 10.