Week 42: J's Okay and it's my Birthday

Day 288 May 22
I woke up feeling pretty rotten still and just bummed around the house most of the morning. I watched the Simpsons on my computer, cleaned, and did laundry. I stole some internet from Picame and saw that J had responded to the e-mails I had sent updating me on all that had happened and how he was. I immediately broke down, but it was an outburst of relief. I then noticed he was actually online and we started talking. At some point, my connection dropped out, which I would normally just let be the case, but this time I ran out into Picame and bought a smoothie so that my internet connection was a little less shaky and we could continue to talk.
Some time later J went to go nap and I started talking with the man at the table next to me. His name is Oscar and he'd been traveling for a bit more than a year, but lives about a block from my house. He heard me coughing and offered to make me ginger tea (just so you know, Mom, when I first typed the word “ginger” I capitalized it. Wonder why?) and then we split ways. Not long after he did bring me some very strong, wonderfully strong ginger tea that eased my cough for a long time.
I spent the rest of my afternoon reading, doing laundry, and then I showered. I met Megan for a granita, which was the closest thing I had to coffee all day. She then went with me to buy a bottle of wine, which was the entrance fee to a dinner party I had in the evening.
Cid came by around 7 and we got ready to go to the formal-ish dinner party at Jesse's house. I had been told formal, so we were dressed up. Most of the girls were dressed up, but most of the guys were not so much. Poor Cid. The food was wonderful and the company was great. It was fun, but around 10, I decided to head home just because I didn't want to push myself even though I was feeling better.
Sierra showed up at home shortly after me because her stomach was killing her.

Day 289 May 23
I was up and out by 8:30. I met Rachel in the park to buy food for church. We went to the office to prepare it and talk. I also made myself some ginger tea. Other folks trickled in and then church got started. We ended the sermon series on the Holy Spirit and discussed for a while. Then we sang, prayed and parted ways around 2. I left to go meet Cid, but there was a miscommunication about where, so we were both waiting for a while before we re-collaborated and I went to meet him at Mark's place. We hung around for a while. Cid had to go back to the hotel for just a minute to help and then when we got back, Mark, Cid, and I went shopping for dinner.
I cooked us a large meal and then the boys did the dishes. We talked up on the roof for a while before Mark left and I decided it was time for bed, even though I couldn't sleep well.

Day 290 May 24
I walked to school with Kristin who was still subbing for Abby who is in the States for a wedding. I had a strange Monday with no Library period and no spelling words to fill in my usual time gaps. We got along well and my amended schedule moved along smoothly.
After school I finished writing my student comments and sent them and my behavior grades to Marisol. I'm trying to prepare for next year on all fronts. My comments were very specific and detailed. I wrote a lot for each student and was very direct about the problems some of my students have. I also drafted up a letter to the parents about how learning English is not passive and next year there will be a lot of new material. If the students can't keep up in English they will fall behind in the other subjects and the ask your friends what the teacher is saying, copy your work from others meathod won't cut it next year. I won't claim that I was a perfect, next copying student in primary, but I wasn't trying to learn a second language. Not that it was GOOD, but I could still learn information by passively sitting in class. These students can't. I've started my syllabus for next year in which I outline the teacher's job, the parent's job, and the student's job in each student's bilingual education and how if any one of us doesn't do our part, then the child will not get the best education they can.
I walked home with Megan and then we got a ride with Gilda. We went by Cafe Welchez for a granita, which they did not have so we got smoothies. I then rushed off to go tutor.
While tutoring, three of my girls came by. Things were halted for a while to help Isaac save face, and then we continued on while they left. When I left, I had an impulse buy at a second hand store for 2.50$. On my way home, I ran into Chris and we planned to meet up tomorrow and then Oscar who wanted to know why I disappeared on Saturday night (to sleep, duh. It's a weekend, who stays out?)
I went home to meet Tammi and Nash, but finally I was not the late one! We went on a run up toward Hacienda San Lucas, which was lovely. It actually involved some uphill, which I'd managed to avoid on my runs thus far. When I got home I talked to Allan for a while before showering. I watched Avatar over Sierra's shoulder until Cid came.
He brought lemon grass, so we made lemon grass tea for all of us sickies and then we went to the pharmacy for cough meds and Vicks. Shortly after, I went to sleep.

Day 291 May 25
The day started well with excellently behaved students during reading assessments. I only got through 7, but that also means I finished with grades for 7 students. The rest of the day also went smoothly.
After school, I stayed and organized my papers for next year's third grade teacher. I finished up my exams and study guides and put together my student portfolios...for me. I got a ride home with Megan and Gilda and went straight to tutoring.
Isaac and I had a good session and Yoela's mom came to chat with Jaqui. The three of us talked some and they pressured me for some chisme (gossip) on the end of school, other teachers, and next year. They also commented on how I am the perfect age for having babies. A little awkward. I told them that I didn't want any right now, because I already have 19. That seemed to satisfy them. I also told them the same thing I told the cleaning girls in the morning, that I want to practice my Spanish more, but I always get too nervous. That I understand a lot and think a lot in Spanish, but always stop myself from talking because I don't like to make mistakes, even though I know it's okay.
I went to Villamil to meet Chris and waited for a long time. I saw with Kila and Sierra while I waited. I then met with Chris for a while and went home. I showered and fell asleep. I woke up when Cid called at 7:30. He had just left a birthday party. He told me a bit about it, but being all nappy, I wasn't up for much and went to sleep before too long.

Day 292 May 26
On my way to school, a young cowboy lifted his hat to me while he rode by, driving his other horses. It made me feel like a dame. I then got to school and started getting ready. There was a lot of commotion outside the room and when I went to investigate my boys were trying to catch a frog with a piece of paper. I scooped up the frog and walked it to safety. They were impressed. They also told me my hand would fall off, but it has not.
The day was rocky. My kids are largely checked and way too excited about tomorrow. I have threatened to have individuals sit out if they don't behave and will hold to it. It was my primary form of control during the day.
After school I gave recup exam study guides to my kids who I know failed. Three failed Science, and one of those also failed Math, and Spelling. I talked to her for a long time after school. She is so smart and her English is so good but she doesn't listen and she almost never does her work. I informed her that not doing her work next year will result in detention every time and that she's old enough now to be able to make herself listen even when it's hard. We talked about life and death, because she's known a few people who have died and she told me that sometimes she thinks about them at school. We talked about the natural process of mourning, and how it's okay to be sad, but that she can't stop living herself. She promised to do better, in part because she doesn't want detention but also because she wants to learn. I hope so.
I had planned to walk home with Alex, but got caught up in a conversation for Linda for a long while. It was good, but I also felt bad having him wait. We went to town and went to Yatba'lam for bagels and granitas. We talked for a while, meeting up with Eileen for a while and then Cid. Around 4 we split ways. I went home and read for a while before getting ready to go run with Tammi, Nash, and Theo. For some reason, this run hit me harder than most have been, but it was fine. We did the natural trail at the ruins and then got baleadas in Las Brisas. I got home and continued reading (I'm currently in a book of short stories, The Alchamist, and the 7th in the Great Book of Amber. I need to pick one.)
I showered and chatted with Abby for a while before Cid came. We watched The Wolf Man and then it was bed time.

Day 293 May 27
Some time back, when I was eavesdropping on my students who will say a lot around me in Spanish believing I won't understand, I heard them talking about trying to surprise me when I arrived at school, so arriving before me. I was glad to see they had listened when I told them not to do that. Michael came by in the morning and offered me some of the things in his classroom, which was nice. I'll have to look into that later.
One of my girls came in and gave me a rose. I had an old water bottle, so I made a vase for it and gave it water first thing. My kids did well to have a normal first part of the day as I told them we would. We had a slow start to reading groups, so I didn't get through as many reading assessments as I would have hoped, but that's okay. We went to recess and I got us ready for field day.
I broke the kids up into 4 teams and gave them colors for names. Red Team, White Team, Blue Team, and Yellow Team. They could earn points for their team by doing what I asked quickly and quietly and lose points if they didn't. Points were earned and lost easily. The top prize was ¾ of a bag of jelly beans and a sticker per person. The second place prize was ¼ of a bag of jelly beans and a sticker per person, the third place prize was 3 stickers per person, and the fourth place prize was one sticker per person. They wanted those jelly beans, so they were pretty well behaved through it all.
We started out with the egg/spoon relay race. The first heat didn't make it very far, but those teams got a re-do and they got a better hang of it. I kept repeating that it doesn't matter if they're ahead of you or not if your egg breaks. The 6th graders came and kicked us off the futbol field for PE class, which was fine, except for how they did it. There was no respect and they stood right in the middle of my relay race. I asked them to move, but they just continued to ask me to move for Mr. Ferjardo. I was a little ticked, but we got to redo the race and my kids didn't seem too phased by it.
We did a three legged race, an egg toss, a relay race, the hokey pokey, and telephone. It was awesome. Winning teams were awarded 4 points, and on down the scale. It was good. We then went back to the room where I told them I am going to be their teacher next year, which they took well. Only Carlos expressed any unhappiness and I heard someone remind him that he might end up with a teacher more angry than me if he didn't have me and he conceded that this is good. We played jeopardy, which I ended at lunch time. I tallied up the points to announce the winners at the end of the day.
We had lunch, during which time food and cake arrived for my surprise party. What I did not foresee is that Helen and Norma gave the kids both of those class periods to set up and practice for my party. They put all the desks against the wall, hung elephant pictures and blue balloons everywhere, and dressed in costumes for shows.
I was kidnapped before the end of my planning period, blindfolded, and sat in the middle of the room. When they untied me, they turned on the fan, which had confetti on top of it, and it snowed all around me. They then did a mime show, which was actually very coordinated and impressive. It was a 2 girl act and I was thrilled with it. Issella ended it by giving me her heart.
Then there was a 2 boy clown show, which was not as practiced or thought through, but still cute. The boys just know they're funny and expected to be able to carry the show on that. After the shows, the food started getting handed out. It was delicious. The kids were getting rowdy and Helen and Norma were busy with the food, so I decided it was a good time to do prizes from our field day. That worked out well and everyone was happy because they got something no matter what, and they were getting food and candy at a party. No downside.
We sent teachers all over primary some of the food and then they had me blow out my candles. I managed to blow them all out in one go, but 3 of them were trick candles! I had to keep blowing them out. We ate cake and the kids were given goody bags. They then got out their hollowed eggs filled with colorful confetti and broke them all over the room. They sat me down and gave me some gifts, like chocolates, another silly mug, a nice and not silly mug, and a ring. Erika and Sophia knit my bracelets. Norma helped the whole class put together a book of them and me. A huge picture of me is on the cover and then there's a picture and words from each student. In the back is the interview from a few weeks back that the kids did with me in Spanish.
The kids then rushed off late to catch the buses and I cleaned for a bit more than an hour. I walked home with Chris and we saw that the river had risen several feet in the last hour. There was a flash floor from pouring rain further up the mountain. It was the most intense I've ever seen the river and Ronnie said that sometimes it gets much higher than this. Chris and I explored a bit, in the rain. It was warm, so it was fun.
I went to the correo and had my birthday package from mom and dad! I then went by tutoring, but the door was closed up, so I turned back around. I ran into Chris again and we went to get empanadas and open our mail. I then went back to his place to exchange music and pictures. He gave me the pottery casserole dish made up in Yanitios. I went home and showered.
Cid came and we went, on my request, to eat dinner at Katia's mom's comedor. Cid had never been and now he knows it's my favorite place to eat. I was impressed to see that they had fixed up the back and it now has a real little patio and tent covering.
We then went to Tammi's to hang out with Tammi and Nash until about 9 when I decided it was time to get to bed. I got hom and found Luis sitting in my living room talking with Sierra. I had thought he'd forgotten my birthday, but he was here to wish me a good one. We talked for a while until he left and then I went straight to bed.

Day 294 May 28
The river was still high and the roads were muddy. I was glad to catch a ride shortly before the big hill just before the school. I got to school and got online and responded to the facebook world. I think this is the first birthday I've had my birthday posted on the site and the response is just overwhelming, but fun.
The kids were still a little wild from yesterday, which I expected. Art class was full of mayhem, but we got through it. Later Megan came to help finish reading assessments, but she only got through a few. I pulled kids during my planning period and finished them up. We finished our Science review packet and I've checked through them all so they can use them over the summer to study, if they will.
We ended our day with a lot of cleaning and picking certain things to take home and not bring back. Each day next week I'll send them home with a little more so they're backpacks aren't so full on the last day. I stayed after to clean, grade, and organize for next school year.
I walked home with Kathy and we ended up catching a ride with Pat from the bird park. We then chatted on the corner and split ways. I got a sandwich and drink in Picame, updated my pictures, and chatted with J. I went in and tried to nap, but couldn't. I felt a little refreshed just from trying, but made coffee. I showered and got dressed up for the party.
I met Tammi in the park and we went to pick up some earrings for me. We then got dinner and hung out for a while. She left shortly before Cid came. Cid and I talked and played in my new Where's Waldo book that Michael gave me for my kids. I've always been a child.
A bit after 9, we went over to the party. I was introduced to the pinata that's supposed to look like me. She even had a pocket in her skirt, which I loved. The party, which was an end of the year/ mariachi band/ full moon/ Nash's friend was coming into town/ Sarah's birthday party was a hit. There was a big turn out. After a while, the mariachi band came and I danced with Cid and Pedro, which was fun. Kelvin came into town for the party, Nash's friend was a lot of fun, most of the Urban Promise crew was there, Megan came, Hsuan came, and Pedro, Oscar, and Chando were there. Plus, all of the teachers that were in town and the usual party crews. More kept coming as the night went on.
Cid and I walked Megan home and I grabbed a baleada off the street on the way back. Then it was epic pinata time. I got to go first, and I started out with a Machete. I then switched over to a giant stick of bamboo. Chris got to go next, as it was his party too. He wielded the Machete. Shortly after he started, someone thought it would be a good idea to dip the pinata in the fire. This was done and it continued to be hit. All I can say is, I'm glad it's the rainy season and we live in cement houses.
After a while we all migrated to Papa Changos. I danced with Oscar once and the rest of the night with Cid. I'm such a slow learner at dancing, but it's fun. It was also a kind of mardi gras party there, so we got masks. Eventually, I went home and went to bed.