My time in Honduras, as was known from the get go, has led to growth in every area of my life. Personally, I have had the opportunity to meet new people, get to know myself in different ways, and the explore possibilities. I have been challenged, faced financial responsibility, and learned to ways to get along with roommates. Spiritually, I have seen how another culture worships, and gotten closer to finding the ways that I am most comfortable communing with God. Professionally, I am learning to teach and getting experience that can lead to better schools and better career options in the future.
Learning Spanish has always been on my to-do list. One, just because I hate to have failed at it. That grates at me. It also makes me a better world citizen and a better American citizen as more and more of our population is becoming Hispanic. It's a useful skill for me, as so much of the world does speak Spanish, and it's useful for other people. It also opens up some professional doors for later on, should I decide to work in the States, I could easily get ESL certified and already have that kind of experience under my belt.
I can also break out of my “Bachelorette Meal of the Month” routine and actually cook, which I've started here at home. As a way to not leech off my parents (not that they make me feel like a leech, I just don't want to mooch) I have been cooking just about every night. Some of the recipes are ones I have done before, but most are new to both me and my folks. Some of the recipes are manageable in Honduras, some will have to be amended, and some are simply not going to be done.
I've collected my family's recipes, recipes from people I met in Copan, local recipes, and recipes from online. I've been cooking things I'd never tried before, from the incredibly simple (rice) to much more complicated things. I'm even pickling things! The best part, to me, is that I'm enjoying these experiments and find myself disappointed when I'm not able to cook for the night. I hope to plan out my meals for the week and shop accordingly in advance next year.
After it got out that I was staying another year, I found a real connection with people I had thought I was already connected to. Many of the parents and other members of the Mayatan community seem to stay at least a little guarded to us until they know that we're invested in them, in more than just an experience. I also talked with some of the girls at the school and a couple of my students' moms and expressed my shyness with speaking Spanish is not a lack of desire to speak with them nor, really, an inability. Some of them started to try to help pull me out of that shell and I hope to continue the trend when I return.
In the coming year, I will be living on my own. This will force me to break out of my tendency to hermit away in my house after school. As the teacher who knows the town and community, I can be the leader in helping them around, giving me an opportunity to start out with great connections to all the other teachers.
Personal growth is not really something you can plan. You can put yourself in a position to change, but you never really know how the end result will look. I never planned to stay another year, and I never planned to change the whole direction of my future, but now I can't imagine living in the United States in the future. I also can't imagine NOT living in the United States in the future. It's a strange place to be in. But this is where I am after year one. I'd venture to say I'm a healthier, happier person than when I went down and now I have the opportunity to continue my growth, and add the new element of living alone for the first time in my life.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Summer: Week 1
Nothing quite leads to celebrity-dom as being gone from everyone you've ever known for a year and for them to all know you'll be leaving for another year. Time is very limited.
I missed people, but not really the place. I think that it's always been true. Wherever I go, I make a home and I miss the people from wherever home was before, but not the place. It's comforting to know that wherever I go after Copan, I'll be home.
I've been trying to stay engaged. I have books in Spanish that I translate every day, I've been reading the papers, making a scrapbook of the past year, working out at Curves, and reading up on what I can do to prepare for teaching 4th grade. I rejoined the library to get the Spanish books from the kids section. I read them out loud, sometimes to my folks, and translate them.
I've enjoyed watching Honduras play in the World Cup, even now that we know they won't be moving out of their set. I'm proud of them for going and it's been fun to talk to people back in Copan about it. Especially in Spanish, that's just been refreshing.
I'm largely adjusted now. It's not that this world is different from when I left it in August, it's that it feels so normal, while feeling very abnormal. Some comforts I missed, but largely I'm...I don't know the word, disenchanted? I think that's best. I was so tired when I first got here, just processing everything that was once normal. That's gotten easier.
I went up to camp and to Farmville, each of which is a world in and of themselves. It was strange but nice to be back. Camp was the best, but I saw so many people that I've loved for a long time. Farmville also gave me the chance to catch up with Debby and her family. I wish I could work at camp AND go back to Honduras AND spend time with my other friends and my family, but alas.
I missed people, but not really the place. I think that it's always been true. Wherever I go, I make a home and I miss the people from wherever home was before, but not the place. It's comforting to know that wherever I go after Copan, I'll be home.
I've been trying to stay engaged. I have books in Spanish that I translate every day, I've been reading the papers, making a scrapbook of the past year, working out at Curves, and reading up on what I can do to prepare for teaching 4th grade. I rejoined the library to get the Spanish books from the kids section. I read them out loud, sometimes to my folks, and translate them.
I've enjoyed watching Honduras play in the World Cup, even now that we know they won't be moving out of their set. I'm proud of them for going and it's been fun to talk to people back in Copan about it. Especially in Spanish, that's just been refreshing.
I'm largely adjusted now. It's not that this world is different from when I left it in August, it's that it feels so normal, while feeling very abnormal. Some comforts I missed, but largely I'm...I don't know the word, disenchanted? I think that's best. I was so tired when I first got here, just processing everything that was once normal. That's gotten easier.
I went up to camp and to Farmville, each of which is a world in and of themselves. It was strange but nice to be back. Camp was the best, but I saw so many people that I've loved for a long time. Farmville also gave me the chance to catch up with Debby and her family. I wish I could work at camp AND go back to Honduras AND spend time with my other friends and my family, but alas.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Week 44: The Last Week in Copan and Arrival in the US of A
Day 302 June 5
I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. It'd been a pretty restless night and all I really wanted was silence, so I put in my earplugs and read for a while. Around 9:45, I called Megan to see if she still wanted to get our clothes from the seamstress and we agreed to meet in the park shortly, which we did. We went down and got our clothes. She then went to a kinder graduation party and I went to give Cid back his phone, which he'd forgotten at my house, again.
I stayed for a late breakfast, spent some time on the internet, and then had lunch. Shortly after, I went home and tore my room apart. I spent hours dusting, sweeping, cleaning everything out, and organizing. I set up a suite case in the hallway to leave at Megan's and a suite case to bring home. I cleared everything out from under my bed, the other side of my bed, my table-side drawer, beside the bed, and under the “dresser.”
I then ate in Picame and while I was there Jessica returned from her two week trip to Panama. Jesse, the older man, was watching the store and we had a brief chat in which in informed me that I, as a Mayatan teacher, can never find community in Copan and he can't understand why I would want to stay. I didn't respond much, just listened and didn't feel much of a need to justify why I want to stay.
Cid came by and we talked for a long time.
Day 303 June 6
I stayed in med for a long time and read. I also mosquito hunted, using my legs as bait. I killed a couple and then got tired of waiting for them to come to me and covered my legs back up. Caroline called me and said that Jesse had called her and Sierra was locked out of the house and was at Villamil if I would go get her because she doesn't have her phone. I snuck on the internet from Picame and stole internet for long enough to let her know I was home and would be home for a while.
Since I was actually out of bed, I started cleaning up some of the dust that had settled since yesterday and organized some more. I made coffee and started on laundry. Sierra got home and we went out souvenir shopping. While we were out, Cid called wanted to know if I wanted to go to the pool. I went home and did some more laundry before Cid came by.
We walked on toward the ruins, past the ruins, past Los Sepuluras, and all the way to the pool. We were unable to get a ride, but we got there and relaxed for a while. As the only people at the pool, we took advantage and had a good time. The water was cold and refreshing. When we were ready to go back, we got a taxi back. I was a little burnt from the walk there.
Shortly after I got back it was time to go to church. It was our last Sunday all together, so those of us taking off were put in the middle and they prayed over us at the end of our time together.
I went back and met Cid at Picame and we talked for a while. I had more laundry to finish up and I got to that too.
Day 304 June 7
I started out the day with more, you guessed it, laundry. I want to have it all done and dry before I leave Thursday morning and it's the making sure it's dry that's making this a laundry crunch time. After I was done, I walked up to school, but got a ride up with one of Allan's kids in a taxi. He said the ride was free. Awesome.
Juan came in shortly after I did and he informed me that he had studied. He was obviously excited, and also excited when he realized there was a back to his test. That's why it was so heartbreaking to grade it. He obviously had studied. He obviously knew and understood more, but it was not enough. Not at all. He asked me to go talk to his father, which I did. I wish I knew how to help him better.
I spent the rest of the day bagging the classroom supplies and organizing papers for my class next year. I got a ride back with Cathy and hit the laundry again. I then went to the bank and then to Guacamaya to pay my long time outstanding bill. When I got back to Picame, Alex and Chris were there and I ate a burger with them.
Tammi wanted to pick up some professional clothes that weren't all worn out for her job this summer so I met her and Vanessa in the park. While we were out, I picked up some Honduran flip flops to represent the country while in the US and some capris with a lot of pockets.
Tammi and I went running around the nature trail at the ruins and then I showered to get ready to go to Nash's place to have pizza with Megan, Theo, Nash, Tammi, Julia and her husband. I didn't stay long and did eat much. Cid was late getting off work so I met him over at Picame and we ate together. We then hung out talking until bedtime.
Day 305 June 8
I walked up to school with Sierra, but part way up we got a ride with Kayla. I finished bagging my books and supplies and filled out the questionairs. Megan met with me for my exit interview. I went to a meeting on school finances.
The meeting was enlightening and interesting. We tried to give suggestions about what priorities they could have with money, but the big priority right now is putting a cover over the basketball court. We suggested adding more funds to the scholarship fund or paying more to second year teachers so encourage them to stay. They seemed to take to the paying more the second year idea, so we'll see what happens.
After the meeting, I finished moving my supplies into Allan's room and got various administrators to sign off on my to-do list. I turned in my classroom key and went home.
After I packed, I got a taxi over to the Casa de Cafe to store some things for the next two months. While I was over there, I got online and mom called on Skype. We chatted for a while and mom got to meet Cid through Skype. After we got off the phone, I called Megan and found out that I got her house for next year. I was pumped!
I went home and met Abby for our cleaning party. We cleaned for several hours, taking out trash, sweeping up, figuring out what belonged to who and cleaning out the fridge. We took out some of the bottles we had been saving all year—just in case—and left the rest for Sierra, as well as the stove top and her bathroom. The rest of the house we did ourselves.
I then got a couple of things together to take to Megan's on my way to a pot luck at Michael and Eileen's. She wasn't feeling well, and I stayed to chat a while. Cid came up and I got to show him the whole house before we went to the pot luck.
It rained on us on the way there, so Eileen lent me her red skirt since I was soaked. Cid and I made tea, which was really good and folks seemed to enjoy. The pot luck was great. There was good food and good company. When Cid and I left we talked for a while about ideas for next year.
Day 306 June 9
I woke up plenty early and got to the dished. I finished packing everything that I wouldn't need for the next day, cleaned and read. Judy came by to see if she could bake a cake because as soon as she put it in at home, the power went out. I told her she was welcome.
I snagged a taxi to Megan's and brought up the rest of my things. My taxi driver was very nice ans asked me how to say “a block and a half” in English, so I told him. He knew Megan's house when we got to it and offered to haul my things up the stairs. I paid him more than double, but he had hauled my things over his head up the stairs. His name is Carlos. When Megan got there, I asked her what “her taxi driver” was named, and she said Carlos. Ah-ha.
Once I dropped by things off, Megan and I got another taxi up to the school. I walked around inviting people to ViaVia for the night and saying goodbye to the Honduran staff I won't be seeing for the next 2 months. I tried to get to as many groups as I could before I left. Before I went, Megan and I picked an A-Z book for Juan to take as his final recup in August. I then walked home.
At home, I grabbed the last of my things that won't go back with me and took it to Cid's. He was busy painting chairs and tables out in the yard, so I didn't stay long. I swung by Yat B'alam for lunch, coffee and internet since the power is out and they have a generator. Francisco was there and I sat with him until he left and then sat with Hsuan. He'll be leaving Copan in about a week.
When I got home, Beth, Jesse, Caroline, and Sierra were eating in Picame. Caroline came to read since she had given me her staff shirts and still needed her green one for the graduation ceremony. We talked for a while and when she left I tried to talk to Sierra, but she had something else to take care of. I waited for a while, but then went out to take care of things.
I went to buy saldo, ran into my student Fernando, and went to the Casa de Cafe. We left so Cid could return a shirt and then left to go meet Luis for coffee. Luis and I talked for about 2 hours. I then went home and ate a giant burrito at Picame. I then headed to ViaVia to meet folks. As the first one there, I just sat at the bar and chatted with a tourist from Australia. He wasn't very chatted agter Cid came and 20 minutes later, Theo came. He thought he was being fashionably late.
As people trickled in, conversations grew. We talked and Alex's mom took pictures. I said my goodbyes, which were surreal. After living with this people for a year I was saying goodbye to most of them for life. I had some very good talks, though.
I went home and talked with Cid. We said our goodbyes.
Day 307 June 10
As there was no power on my last day in town, I got to go with a bucket shower. I got my things together and then walked to Billy and Mary's. I was there early, so I sat and chatted. We chatted and joked the whole way. I got a goodbye text from Judy.
We took a pit stop at the gas station between Copan and San Pedro. As I walked in one side of the convenience store, Denny and old man Jesse walked in the other side. It was just a crazy happenstance, but they were on their way to San Pedro as well. It was a little Gringo reunion in the middle of Honduras.
When we got to San Pedro we picked up Jimmy, from the bed and breakfast where James and I almost stayed, so that Jimmy could drive the car back to his place and keep it until Audrey and Steve return on Monday to go watch Mary and Billy's house for a couple months.
At the airport things went much smoother than last time. The woman behind the counter had to double check with someone about my dates, but I was on the safe side of my 90 day visa. I paid my exit fee and got a burger. The 5 of us went up and waited. I met a couple from a medical team that was working with the missionaries and they happened to be sitting next to me on the plane.
You know I don't have much experience flying because I'm always in awe of the clouds from above. I wanted to see the oil to help make it real for me, and I had a false spotting early on, but when we hit the USA coast, there were waves of black that were clinging to the coast. I've never seen a coast like that and there was no doubt that I did indeed spot the oil.
When we landed in Atlanta, I had an hour and a half, so I zoomed to get through customs and security. I took the stairs, not the escalator, which had a line, and I walking briskly along the moving sidewalks. Even though I was coming from the back of the plane, I beat most of the other folks on the flight. By the time I rechecked my bag and got through security, I had 20 minutes left. I got to where I could find my gate, since it wasn't on my ticket. It informed me that my flight had departed. I was a bit panicked, so I rushed to the gate and discovered that it wasn't even boarding yet. I rushed to wait.
Once we started boarding, a woman came up to the man collecting the boarding passes and handed him someone else's pass and told him that the man didn't speak any English and she was just there to help him feel comfortable. She turned to him and said, in Spanish, This man can help you. On the way down the hall, I decided to let him know that I know some Spanish. Feeling awkward about it I spoke quickly, Where are you from? Either because of my accent, him not expecting anyone to speak to him, the noise, or the tu form, he didn't understand me and responded, Washington, which is where we were going. I dropped it, but it opened to door for him. He ended up being in the row right in front of me, so I was able to show him where the plane bathrooms are. When he got back, he started telling his seatmates that he needed to sit on the outside of the row, not at the window because he'd have to go more often. They didn't understand Spanish, so I stepped in and told them and they had no problem scooting over for him.
I spent the rest of the flight talking to the inquisitive man next to me. He has had his fair share of travels and was curious about my experiences. I was happy to answer his questions and get his take on things. He's a Virginia man with a son who graduated from Tech, another from Longwood, and a daughter at CNU. He used to have a winery outside of Smith Mountain Lake. He once went to Nigeria to help with a faith based program there. By the end of the conversation he wanted to exchange information and I had told him about Urban Promise, as it seems up his alley, in case he ever wanted to help support them.
When we landed I just waited. I was in the back of the plane anyway and I knew several people on the flight had tight connections, plus I wanted to ask the older Hispanic man if he needed anything else. He said he needed water and the bathroom again, which I knew he could handle on his own. I asked him if he had someone meeting him and he said that they were waiting. I felt relieved and walked off at a brisk pace, knowing mom would be watching for me.
As I walked, he appeared back beside me and said You speak Spanish and I don't speak any English...He also informed me about why he had to pee so much. Turns out he was born in Santa Rita but has lived the last 40 years in Ocotepeque. He told me some sad story I didn't understand the bulk of. I'm glad I didn't because I don't think I could have helped him with it and he got the therapy of telling me after a day of not being able to talk to anyone and I'm not saddened by it. I learned that he had bags to claim, so I knew where to take him. Once I saw how big the airport was, I was glad he had caught back up to me. We had to go down the stairs, get on the train, get off the train in the right place, go up the stairs, turn, turn, and find the Delta baggage claim. It was easy for me because I read English, but he would have been in trouble.
Shortly after we got to baggage, mom arrived. Luckily, she had not been waiting wondering why I hadn't come. Much like the info on my flight in Atlanta, the information in Dullas never updated to tell her we'd arrived, or taken off, or anything. I introduced her to my new friend and he threw his arms around her, kissed her on the cheek and said, Praise Jesus, Glory to Jesus, Thank you for this girl! None of which did mom understand, but she got that he was happy.
His family came and he introduced me to them telling them all about how I had helped with on the plane, the bathrooms, after the flight, and so on. While he was talking to them, the man I had sat next to on the plane came and told his wife I was the young woman he'd been talking about and told mom I was fascinating to talk to. I was a hit on this flight!
Once I got my bag, I said goodbye and left him in the hands of his family. Mom and I went off to find a shuttle and the whole time I was talking a mile a minute as I tend to do when I'm coming back from something. We got the shuttle to the hotel, got a small dinner, and went upstairs. All the while I can't stop talking until finally we fell asleep.
Day 308 June 11
This morning, I woke up in the United States. It was strange. The cleaning lady came and knocked on the door at 8:30 and then I was up. Mom and I got dressed enough to go eat breakfast and then came back up and got ready really slowly, mostly because I couldn't stop talking. We finally headed out around 11:20. It was a nice trip and we arrived in Blacksburg around 4. I got situated and Nana, Mom, and I went shopping for birthday things. We went to Old Navy and made a pretty quick trip of it. We got back and ate dinner.
I went to a grocery store with Mom, which was more overwhelming than I expected. I was glad to get back to the house where we all just chatted and caught up.
I was thrilled to get an e-mail from Diane, my future teaching partner. She sounds awesome. I responded and went to bed.
I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. It'd been a pretty restless night and all I really wanted was silence, so I put in my earplugs and read for a while. Around 9:45, I called Megan to see if she still wanted to get our clothes from the seamstress and we agreed to meet in the park shortly, which we did. We went down and got our clothes. She then went to a kinder graduation party and I went to give Cid back his phone, which he'd forgotten at my house, again.
I stayed for a late breakfast, spent some time on the internet, and then had lunch. Shortly after, I went home and tore my room apart. I spent hours dusting, sweeping, cleaning everything out, and organizing. I set up a suite case in the hallway to leave at Megan's and a suite case to bring home. I cleared everything out from under my bed, the other side of my bed, my table-side drawer, beside the bed, and under the “dresser.”
I then ate in Picame and while I was there Jessica returned from her two week trip to Panama. Jesse, the older man, was watching the store and we had a brief chat in which in informed me that I, as a Mayatan teacher, can never find community in Copan and he can't understand why I would want to stay. I didn't respond much, just listened and didn't feel much of a need to justify why I want to stay.
Cid came by and we talked for a long time.
Day 303 June 6
I stayed in med for a long time and read. I also mosquito hunted, using my legs as bait. I killed a couple and then got tired of waiting for them to come to me and covered my legs back up. Caroline called me and said that Jesse had called her and Sierra was locked out of the house and was at Villamil if I would go get her because she doesn't have her phone. I snuck on the internet from Picame and stole internet for long enough to let her know I was home and would be home for a while.
Since I was actually out of bed, I started cleaning up some of the dust that had settled since yesterday and organized some more. I made coffee and started on laundry. Sierra got home and we went out souvenir shopping. While we were out, Cid called wanted to know if I wanted to go to the pool. I went home and did some more laundry before Cid came by.
We walked on toward the ruins, past the ruins, past Los Sepuluras, and all the way to the pool. We were unable to get a ride, but we got there and relaxed for a while. As the only people at the pool, we took advantage and had a good time. The water was cold and refreshing. When we were ready to go back, we got a taxi back. I was a little burnt from the walk there.
Shortly after I got back it was time to go to church. It was our last Sunday all together, so those of us taking off were put in the middle and they prayed over us at the end of our time together.
I went back and met Cid at Picame and we talked for a while. I had more laundry to finish up and I got to that too.
Day 304 June 7
I started out the day with more, you guessed it, laundry. I want to have it all done and dry before I leave Thursday morning and it's the making sure it's dry that's making this a laundry crunch time. After I was done, I walked up to school, but got a ride up with one of Allan's kids in a taxi. He said the ride was free. Awesome.
Juan came in shortly after I did and he informed me that he had studied. He was obviously excited, and also excited when he realized there was a back to his test. That's why it was so heartbreaking to grade it. He obviously had studied. He obviously knew and understood more, but it was not enough. Not at all. He asked me to go talk to his father, which I did. I wish I knew how to help him better.
I spent the rest of the day bagging the classroom supplies and organizing papers for my class next year. I got a ride back with Cathy and hit the laundry again. I then went to the bank and then to Guacamaya to pay my long time outstanding bill. When I got back to Picame, Alex and Chris were there and I ate a burger with them.
Tammi wanted to pick up some professional clothes that weren't all worn out for her job this summer so I met her and Vanessa in the park. While we were out, I picked up some Honduran flip flops to represent the country while in the US and some capris with a lot of pockets.
Tammi and I went running around the nature trail at the ruins and then I showered to get ready to go to Nash's place to have pizza with Megan, Theo, Nash, Tammi, Julia and her husband. I didn't stay long and did eat much. Cid was late getting off work so I met him over at Picame and we ate together. We then hung out talking until bedtime.
Day 305 June 8
I walked up to school with Sierra, but part way up we got a ride with Kayla. I finished bagging my books and supplies and filled out the questionairs. Megan met with me for my exit interview. I went to a meeting on school finances.
The meeting was enlightening and interesting. We tried to give suggestions about what priorities they could have with money, but the big priority right now is putting a cover over the basketball court. We suggested adding more funds to the scholarship fund or paying more to second year teachers so encourage them to stay. They seemed to take to the paying more the second year idea, so we'll see what happens.
After the meeting, I finished moving my supplies into Allan's room and got various administrators to sign off on my to-do list. I turned in my classroom key and went home.
After I packed, I got a taxi over to the Casa de Cafe to store some things for the next two months. While I was over there, I got online and mom called on Skype. We chatted for a while and mom got to meet Cid through Skype. After we got off the phone, I called Megan and found out that I got her house for next year. I was pumped!
I went home and met Abby for our cleaning party. We cleaned for several hours, taking out trash, sweeping up, figuring out what belonged to who and cleaning out the fridge. We took out some of the bottles we had been saving all year—just in case—and left the rest for Sierra, as well as the stove top and her bathroom. The rest of the house we did ourselves.
I then got a couple of things together to take to Megan's on my way to a pot luck at Michael and Eileen's. She wasn't feeling well, and I stayed to chat a while. Cid came up and I got to show him the whole house before we went to the pot luck.
It rained on us on the way there, so Eileen lent me her red skirt since I was soaked. Cid and I made tea, which was really good and folks seemed to enjoy. The pot luck was great. There was good food and good company. When Cid and I left we talked for a while about ideas for next year.
Day 306 June 9
I woke up plenty early and got to the dished. I finished packing everything that I wouldn't need for the next day, cleaned and read. Judy came by to see if she could bake a cake because as soon as she put it in at home, the power went out. I told her she was welcome.
I snagged a taxi to Megan's and brought up the rest of my things. My taxi driver was very nice ans asked me how to say “a block and a half” in English, so I told him. He knew Megan's house when we got to it and offered to haul my things up the stairs. I paid him more than double, but he had hauled my things over his head up the stairs. His name is Carlos. When Megan got there, I asked her what “her taxi driver” was named, and she said Carlos. Ah-ha.
Once I dropped by things off, Megan and I got another taxi up to the school. I walked around inviting people to ViaVia for the night and saying goodbye to the Honduran staff I won't be seeing for the next 2 months. I tried to get to as many groups as I could before I left. Before I went, Megan and I picked an A-Z book for Juan to take as his final recup in August. I then walked home.
At home, I grabbed the last of my things that won't go back with me and took it to Cid's. He was busy painting chairs and tables out in the yard, so I didn't stay long. I swung by Yat B'alam for lunch, coffee and internet since the power is out and they have a generator. Francisco was there and I sat with him until he left and then sat with Hsuan. He'll be leaving Copan in about a week.
When I got home, Beth, Jesse, Caroline, and Sierra were eating in Picame. Caroline came to read since she had given me her staff shirts and still needed her green one for the graduation ceremony. We talked for a while and when she left I tried to talk to Sierra, but she had something else to take care of. I waited for a while, but then went out to take care of things.
I went to buy saldo, ran into my student Fernando, and went to the Casa de Cafe. We left so Cid could return a shirt and then left to go meet Luis for coffee. Luis and I talked for about 2 hours. I then went home and ate a giant burrito at Picame. I then headed to ViaVia to meet folks. As the first one there, I just sat at the bar and chatted with a tourist from Australia. He wasn't very chatted agter Cid came and 20 minutes later, Theo came. He thought he was being fashionably late.
As people trickled in, conversations grew. We talked and Alex's mom took pictures. I said my goodbyes, which were surreal. After living with this people for a year I was saying goodbye to most of them for life. I had some very good talks, though.
I went home and talked with Cid. We said our goodbyes.
Day 307 June 10
As there was no power on my last day in town, I got to go with a bucket shower. I got my things together and then walked to Billy and Mary's. I was there early, so I sat and chatted. We chatted and joked the whole way. I got a goodbye text from Judy.
We took a pit stop at the gas station between Copan and San Pedro. As I walked in one side of the convenience store, Denny and old man Jesse walked in the other side. It was just a crazy happenstance, but they were on their way to San Pedro as well. It was a little Gringo reunion in the middle of Honduras.
When we got to San Pedro we picked up Jimmy, from the bed and breakfast where James and I almost stayed, so that Jimmy could drive the car back to his place and keep it until Audrey and Steve return on Monday to go watch Mary and Billy's house for a couple months.
At the airport things went much smoother than last time. The woman behind the counter had to double check with someone about my dates, but I was on the safe side of my 90 day visa. I paid my exit fee and got a burger. The 5 of us went up and waited. I met a couple from a medical team that was working with the missionaries and they happened to be sitting next to me on the plane.
You know I don't have much experience flying because I'm always in awe of the clouds from above. I wanted to see the oil to help make it real for me, and I had a false spotting early on, but when we hit the USA coast, there were waves of black that were clinging to the coast. I've never seen a coast like that and there was no doubt that I did indeed spot the oil.
When we landed in Atlanta, I had an hour and a half, so I zoomed to get through customs and security. I took the stairs, not the escalator, which had a line, and I walking briskly along the moving sidewalks. Even though I was coming from the back of the plane, I beat most of the other folks on the flight. By the time I rechecked my bag and got through security, I had 20 minutes left. I got to where I could find my gate, since it wasn't on my ticket. It informed me that my flight had departed. I was a bit panicked, so I rushed to the gate and discovered that it wasn't even boarding yet. I rushed to wait.
Once we started boarding, a woman came up to the man collecting the boarding passes and handed him someone else's pass and told him that the man didn't speak any English and she was just there to help him feel comfortable. She turned to him and said, in Spanish, This man can help you. On the way down the hall, I decided to let him know that I know some Spanish. Feeling awkward about it I spoke quickly, Where are you from? Either because of my accent, him not expecting anyone to speak to him, the noise, or the tu form, he didn't understand me and responded, Washington, which is where we were going. I dropped it, but it opened to door for him. He ended up being in the row right in front of me, so I was able to show him where the plane bathrooms are. When he got back, he started telling his seatmates that he needed to sit on the outside of the row, not at the window because he'd have to go more often. They didn't understand Spanish, so I stepped in and told them and they had no problem scooting over for him.
I spent the rest of the flight talking to the inquisitive man next to me. He has had his fair share of travels and was curious about my experiences. I was happy to answer his questions and get his take on things. He's a Virginia man with a son who graduated from Tech, another from Longwood, and a daughter at CNU. He used to have a winery outside of Smith Mountain Lake. He once went to Nigeria to help with a faith based program there. By the end of the conversation he wanted to exchange information and I had told him about Urban Promise, as it seems up his alley, in case he ever wanted to help support them.
When we landed I just waited. I was in the back of the plane anyway and I knew several people on the flight had tight connections, plus I wanted to ask the older Hispanic man if he needed anything else. He said he needed water and the bathroom again, which I knew he could handle on his own. I asked him if he had someone meeting him and he said that they were waiting. I felt relieved and walked off at a brisk pace, knowing mom would be watching for me.
As I walked, he appeared back beside me and said You speak Spanish and I don't speak any English...He also informed me about why he had to pee so much. Turns out he was born in Santa Rita but has lived the last 40 years in Ocotepeque. He told me some sad story I didn't understand the bulk of. I'm glad I didn't because I don't think I could have helped him with it and he got the therapy of telling me after a day of not being able to talk to anyone and I'm not saddened by it. I learned that he had bags to claim, so I knew where to take him. Once I saw how big the airport was, I was glad he had caught back up to me. We had to go down the stairs, get on the train, get off the train in the right place, go up the stairs, turn, turn, and find the Delta baggage claim. It was easy for me because I read English, but he would have been in trouble.
Shortly after we got to baggage, mom arrived. Luckily, she had not been waiting wondering why I hadn't come. Much like the info on my flight in Atlanta, the information in Dullas never updated to tell her we'd arrived, or taken off, or anything. I introduced her to my new friend and he threw his arms around her, kissed her on the cheek and said, Praise Jesus, Glory to Jesus, Thank you for this girl! None of which did mom understand, but she got that he was happy.
His family came and he introduced me to them telling them all about how I had helped with on the plane, the bathrooms, after the flight, and so on. While he was talking to them, the man I had sat next to on the plane came and told his wife I was the young woman he'd been talking about and told mom I was fascinating to talk to. I was a hit on this flight!
Once I got my bag, I said goodbye and left him in the hands of his family. Mom and I went off to find a shuttle and the whole time I was talking a mile a minute as I tend to do when I'm coming back from something. We got the shuttle to the hotel, got a small dinner, and went upstairs. All the while I can't stop talking until finally we fell asleep.
Day 308 June 11
This morning, I woke up in the United States. It was strange. The cleaning lady came and knocked on the door at 8:30 and then I was up. Mom and I got dressed enough to go eat breakfast and then came back up and got ready really slowly, mostly because I couldn't stop talking. We finally headed out around 11:20. It was a nice trip and we arrived in Blacksburg around 4. I got situated and Nana, Mom, and I went shopping for birthday things. We went to Old Navy and made a pretty quick trip of it. We got back and ate dinner.
I went to a grocery store with Mom, which was more overwhelming than I expected. I was glad to get back to the house where we all just chatted and caught up.
I was thrilled to get an e-mail from Diane, my future teaching partner. She sounds awesome. I responded and went to bed.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Week 43: Day 300 and the Last Week of School
Day 295 May 29
I woke up to the lovely sound of children playing right outside my bedroom. I gave up on sleep and came downstairs. I talked with Sierra for a few minutes before she left and then I cooked up a big breakfast for myself. Megan called to see if I wanted to drop off clothes at the seamstress' place, which I did. We agreed to meet in 25 minutes to walk down. Cid also called to see if I'd be available to go to the bird park with him and Marc at 1.
I walked down with Megan, we showed Tonita what we want done and just like last time, I brought half my clothes. Mostly it's just because I've gotten smaller and they've gotten stretched out, but a few are just worn out and I'm not ready to throw them out. We then got a granita.
I went home and got ready to go to the bird park. I ran into Nash and Chris and they decided they didn't want to go to the bird park or hot springs because it's raining.
I got to Marc's as they were pulling out, so I hopped in and we had a lovely afternoon and lunch at the bird park in the rain. There are new flowers there I haven't seen before and a type of bird I hadn't noticed either. Apparently, in all of Marc's time here, he'd never made it up that way and tomorrow he's leaving town for good. This was basically our send off for him. I'll miss him.
Cid and I went home for a while and then he had to get back to work. I watched Coraline, which wasn't at all what I expected it to be. I liked it, though. I then cleaned up around the house and ate dinner.
Cid came a little later than usual, and we watched The Bodyguard, which is a movie apparently everyone knows and has seen. I had not. It was good. Shortly after, I went to sleep.
Day 296 May 30
I woke up and got ready to go to Rachel's to make crepes for church, but as I was finishing up she told me that she had just woken up and her company for the week was still sleeping. Maybe we had better cancel. I tried to go back to sleep, but instead played in my Where's Waldo book and ate slim jims. Eventually I got motivated enough to make coffee.
I headed to Victoria's to do some shopping with Abby and bought some food for the week and for church. I brought orange juice and made cinnamon toast.
At church, after I made my food, there was a lot of chatting and I met Kelley, Rachel's friend from San Pedro. We talked for a long time about life there and I started getting a better idea of what it would be like if I were to get a job there in the future.
We had no sermon, but the music was good and intense. We spent a long time on praying and prayer requests and took a form of communion. The idea behind it was that Christ declared bread and wine as his Blood and Body because they were the most common, basic of consumables that people would have every day. The idea was that people would take them together and always remember him.
When I got home, I did a lot of laundry and cleaning. Cid came for a while and we talked about the flooding problems and landslides around Central America. He left and I got to cooking empenadas. My empenadas were laughable by Honduran standards, but a starting point for me. They were more like tortillas with a cheesy center. I need to get better at spreading the filling out throughout the middle.
After dinner I met up with Cid at ViaVia for about half an hour. I left while he was talking with Josue and went to bed.
Day 297 May 31
When I get to sleep in, I always allow myself to sleep in more. I headed up around 7:15 and saw several students on my walk up. It was so light outside and there was so much activity.
I got the room ready and tried to get information about the tree planting day, which was today and the planting would begin shortly after the start of the school day, but no one knew anything about it. There wasn't supposed to be an assembly, but as the school day did start, I was informed there would be one. The assembly had more information about the planting, but still not enough.
When the planting started, it consisted of about 50 kids following around the vigilante, Ronnie, with their plants and him planting each one. It went into recess, and then the kids left the plants that were still not planted for him to haul and plant. I do not like it when a lack of organization means that the brunt of the work falls on our cleaning ladies or vigilantes.
At recess, which started and ended late, 6th graders were roaming around butting in line with the little kids. They had been allowed to plant their trees and then go to recess, 40 minutes early.
Once we got back to class, we wrote haikus. I was thoroughly impressed with my students. Some of them were profound, some wrote about the current events and the houses being swept away by the rains around CA. Some were as you would expect from 9 year old second language learners. “The wind makes music like flute/the air is music.” was just impressive to me.
We reviewed some more and I discovered a new motivational system for behavior that is more positive and effective. After school, I worked on their superlatives awards for the end of the year, gave my grades to Marisol, and organized my papers.
Once home, I did some more cleaning and laundry before reading on the roof, which was more a slapping at mosquitoes, than reading leisurely. There are so many more bugs since the rains have come. I showered and cooked up my dinner.
I went with Abby and Allan to Francisco's house. They were cooking there too, and I ended up paying 25 lemps for an absolutely delicious second dinner. We watched the Shawshank Redemption, and Cid came from work part way through. I hadn't seen it in a long time and it was nice to see.
After the movie I walked home and went to bed.
Day 298 June 1
In the morning, I just took a taxi to school. I didn't have a class for the first period, so I worked on my superlative awards some more. I know had the copies and started writing them out, except for two kids that I wanted to think of better awards for. In class, we finished out math packets and went to recess. Then then turned in all their books to the library and we had one class period left. We wrote letters to our future selves (two months from now, when we are in 4th grade).
Rachel and Blair came to the school for Camp Joy promotions. I ushered them to my room because going to Camp Joy is one of the things on my list of top ten things students can do to maintain or improve their English over the summer.
We then went to Sierra's room to have a sing off. The first graders sang a song they had learned during the year and we sang a song we had learned. We also taught and were taught some songs. It was fun.
After the kids left, I continued in the same vein of organizing papers and I colored the now complete superlative awards. I walked home and ran into Oscar who invited me into his house for a big. He was teaching a kid to play the drums and he showed me all of his instruments. It's a nice set up he has.
I also ran into Judy, and as I walked to the Casa de Cafe, Isaac saw me and had a rush of fear that he had tutoring. Cid was actually busy when I got there, and I chatted with some German tourists about the flooding, volcanoes, the Guatemala City sinkhole as they had just come from Guatemala. I had to leave shortly after they did to go meet Rachel. We went to Yat B'alam and I got a bagel, smoothie, and a wrap.
We had a long talk about everything that has been going on.After, I called Cid and we met up and talked for a long time also. Then I went to sleep.
Day 299 June 2
I woke up and cooked breakfast. I started walking up and tried to catch a bus, but it was full. Lucky for me, Alexis passed by shortly after the bus and I got to jump in with him. I set everything up at school and talked to Issella, who had just had another friend die.
I had no first class again, so I used that time to work. Then when I got back, we washed the desks and played with side walk chalk. I had my first instances of really intentionally mean kids. I was certainly not thrilled and tried to nip it in the bud, but it kept coming back all day. During our last class, we packed up almost everything from our desks and cubbies to take home. We cleaned the room and played telephone, then I sent them out. I kept the recup kids to talk to them about getting ready for Friday, and I had already given the study guides the week before.
I spent a good part of the afternoon organizing the awards and papers to give to the kids. I made piles for each kid and put them in the order I wanted to give out the awards. Then I went to Beth's room and we compiled the spelling worksheets and lists from the year to give to the third grade teachers of next year. I then turned in my library books and continued organizing other pepers. I wrote the year long science study guide and recup exam, since I'm sure one kid will need it and then walked home with Megan and Norma.
I went home to get Cid's phone, which he left yesterday, and saw Caroline and Chris on the way. I walked to Casa de Cafe and saw Oscar and Luis on the way. I stopped by the Correo, too, to see if I had mail and I had Dr. Horrible's Sing-along-blog with a return address in San Pedro. I was thrilled but confused. I contacted David when I got to Casa de Cafe to ask him about it and he took credit. Amazing. We chatted for a while, and that was really nice.
Cid took me up to see the new hotel, which is beautiful. It's also right next door to where I'll be living next year. I saw Luis and Hsuan on the way home. I showered and got ready to see Jenny, but as I got ready, Abby was telling horror stories of the weather. She said I would die if I went outside and that I wasn't going anywhere. “You'll see.” But, I did, and as I stepped in the current of the street, she told me I'd get swept away, but I didn't. I just got wet.
Jenny was in the shower when I got there, so Rachel chatted with me while I waited. When Jenny got out, we went to Villamil because it was closest and we talked for a good few hours. We had a fair amount in common. I am glad to be starting up this relationship before I leave the country not waiting until after.
Cid was in Picame when I got home. We watched Dr. Horrible's Sing-along-blog, and Cid liked it. As he should. Shortly after, I went to bed.
Day 300 June 3
This is my 300th day and the last day of school!
Though, the first two hours were pretty rough. I woke up well before my alarm feeling a big sick and continued in this for a while. We even ran out of water for half an hour during this time. It was not okay. I finally got around to walking up to school. The board was already ready, with a note telling them to sit where they want. Their first class was PE.
After, we made stencils and then used them. They had recess and Estudios. For the last class we drank coca-cola and I gave out the awards, each with a little speech about “this student” not giving away gender and building the suspense. The kids likes it and it reminded me of closing ceremony at camp.
I took some class photos, we had a group hug, and the tax to leave was to hug me. Only Isaac refused. Isaac, who I spent more time with than any other person on this Earth each week.
I wasn't sad at all, in fact, as soon as they left I began stripping the walls and had every sign, poster, and piece of tap off the walls within half an hour. I started organizing the rest of my papers and stayed until 3. I went home, got antibiotics, and got a smoothie. I went running with Tammi, showered, and met the crew at Twisted Tanyas. I saw my student Yoela on the way, she couldn't remember what her recup was in, so I told her and reminded her that I had given her a study guide a week ago.
Cid came up too, and the whole gang talked, celebrated, and remembered the school year past. At some point, Abby came and told me that Yoela was looking for me again, and very intently. I went by her house, but er neighbors said she had gone to my house, so I went and we sat on the side of the road and I dictated to her, and her cousin in the 7th grade, what the study guide said. Yoela is intelligent and there's no reason for her to fail. I went back to meet up with everyone again. I stuck around for a while and then the power went out, so Cid and I left to go sit on my roof and enjoy the view of the town, the sky, and the incoming storm. We left when the rain got heavy and then I went to bed.
Day 301 June 4
I walked up to school and ran into Tammi who was just getting done with a run. Nash was really sick and wouldn't be coming up to school today. I started organizing and filing, but my first recup arrived early. It was Yoela and she had studied her heart out and passed with flying colors. I kept working and then my second recup came. He had two tests to take and neither of them went well. It was sad when his family came to talk to me about it. I already had the study guide ready for him and I sent him with a book to read and a dictionary, which I taught him how to use before he left.
My third recup came and she passed well enough. I had to stop her in the middle because her mother was sitting outside, in view, watching her take the test and the girl was getting very uncomfortable about it. I told her to take a deep breath, relax, and not to worry about her mother. I think she did better after that.
I then inventoried the crap out of my room. I was so detailed it wasn't funny. I also organized everything into minute detail, including the things that were not organized for me. All I have to do on Monday is bag things so they don't get wet sitting in the room during the rainy season.
Around noon, about 5 hours after we got to school, someone came up and told Abby that water was coming out of our house. Our second flooding. There had been no water in the morning, and Abby hadn't realized that she hadn't turned her sink off. It's not good at draining. Abby and Allan went home to deal with it.
I followed my plans and hiked an hour and a half up the mountain to Yanatios. I had never been before but a lot of the teachers used to go regularly. They knew some of the people there and were going to miss them a lot. I wanted to get to know them before I left o I could bring next years crew up there. It's a steep walk, but we were a fast walking crew, so we made good time.
We got to look at her pottery, which visitors can make. She bakes them there and it's about a week long process so people take something that was made before and someone else will get to take what they made. She fixes up any imperfections. Doña Lucas made us tortillas, ground the corn, mashed it, made the rounds, and cooked them and we ate them with beans. It was delicious and filling. I got to take home a little milk pitcher and we gave them the gifts Chris brought, including a basil plant, a machete, olive oil, and a candle. We talked for a while and she was thrilled to meet me and glad to know I would be coming up with next years crew. Her motto is, I live to serve.
We hiked back down and I finished some things up at school. We walked back to town and I asked Abby about the flood. Apparently my room is the lucky anti-flood room because it was the only room not touched. I had one shirt wet and nothing else. The other rooms had about an inch of water standing in them.
I showered, got all dolled up, Sierra switched out my clothes for some of hers which were fancier. It was fun. On the way out the door, Jesse came by to pick up his computer, which we had not realized, in all the clean up, was under the stairs...standing in water. We made him promise not to turn it on for 2 days and to open it up and dry it out.
We headed up to Michael and Eileen's house and then walked up with a big group up to Nora's house for the big end of the year party.
I was highly amused when I got there because the Welchez house had no....coffee. Nora was embarrassed and sent someone to the farm to get some, which I didn't intend to happen. The food at the party was great and there was lots of great conversation to be had. With me, people just wanted to talk about my plans, my return, and my summer. I have no sadness here. It really isn't sinking it that many of my very good friends are leaving and my core community is shifting.
I headed back home around 10:30 and saw the daughter of one of my coworkers. She asked about her mom and said she was lonely. We talked for a while and I told her that her mom should be home before too long. I hope I was right.
I then met up with Cid at Tun Club. I met a few tourists who go to school in Phili he had met and befreinded. We talked for a long while and then around midnight we all dispersed. I had a pretty rough night of sleep because of the coffee, though.
I woke up to the lovely sound of children playing right outside my bedroom. I gave up on sleep and came downstairs. I talked with Sierra for a few minutes before she left and then I cooked up a big breakfast for myself. Megan called to see if I wanted to drop off clothes at the seamstress' place, which I did. We agreed to meet in 25 minutes to walk down. Cid also called to see if I'd be available to go to the bird park with him and Marc at 1.
I walked down with Megan, we showed Tonita what we want done and just like last time, I brought half my clothes. Mostly it's just because I've gotten smaller and they've gotten stretched out, but a few are just worn out and I'm not ready to throw them out. We then got a granita.
I went home and got ready to go to the bird park. I ran into Nash and Chris and they decided they didn't want to go to the bird park or hot springs because it's raining.
I got to Marc's as they were pulling out, so I hopped in and we had a lovely afternoon and lunch at the bird park in the rain. There are new flowers there I haven't seen before and a type of bird I hadn't noticed either. Apparently, in all of Marc's time here, he'd never made it up that way and tomorrow he's leaving town for good. This was basically our send off for him. I'll miss him.
Cid and I went home for a while and then he had to get back to work. I watched Coraline, which wasn't at all what I expected it to be. I liked it, though. I then cleaned up around the house and ate dinner.
Cid came a little later than usual, and we watched The Bodyguard, which is a movie apparently everyone knows and has seen. I had not. It was good. Shortly after, I went to sleep.
Day 296 May 30
I woke up and got ready to go to Rachel's to make crepes for church, but as I was finishing up she told me that she had just woken up and her company for the week was still sleeping. Maybe we had better cancel. I tried to go back to sleep, but instead played in my Where's Waldo book and ate slim jims. Eventually I got motivated enough to make coffee.
I headed to Victoria's to do some shopping with Abby and bought some food for the week and for church. I brought orange juice and made cinnamon toast.
At church, after I made my food, there was a lot of chatting and I met Kelley, Rachel's friend from San Pedro. We talked for a long time about life there and I started getting a better idea of what it would be like if I were to get a job there in the future.
We had no sermon, but the music was good and intense. We spent a long time on praying and prayer requests and took a form of communion. The idea behind it was that Christ declared bread and wine as his Blood and Body because they were the most common, basic of consumables that people would have every day. The idea was that people would take them together and always remember him.
When I got home, I did a lot of laundry and cleaning. Cid came for a while and we talked about the flooding problems and landslides around Central America. He left and I got to cooking empenadas. My empenadas were laughable by Honduran standards, but a starting point for me. They were more like tortillas with a cheesy center. I need to get better at spreading the filling out throughout the middle.
After dinner I met up with Cid at ViaVia for about half an hour. I left while he was talking with Josue and went to bed.
Day 297 May 31
When I get to sleep in, I always allow myself to sleep in more. I headed up around 7:15 and saw several students on my walk up. It was so light outside and there was so much activity.
I got the room ready and tried to get information about the tree planting day, which was today and the planting would begin shortly after the start of the school day, but no one knew anything about it. There wasn't supposed to be an assembly, but as the school day did start, I was informed there would be one. The assembly had more information about the planting, but still not enough.
When the planting started, it consisted of about 50 kids following around the vigilante, Ronnie, with their plants and him planting each one. It went into recess, and then the kids left the plants that were still not planted for him to haul and plant. I do not like it when a lack of organization means that the brunt of the work falls on our cleaning ladies or vigilantes.
At recess, which started and ended late, 6th graders were roaming around butting in line with the little kids. They had been allowed to plant their trees and then go to recess, 40 minutes early.
Once we got back to class, we wrote haikus. I was thoroughly impressed with my students. Some of them were profound, some wrote about the current events and the houses being swept away by the rains around CA. Some were as you would expect from 9 year old second language learners. “The wind makes music like flute/the air is music.” was just impressive to me.
We reviewed some more and I discovered a new motivational system for behavior that is more positive and effective. After school, I worked on their superlatives awards for the end of the year, gave my grades to Marisol, and organized my papers.
Once home, I did some more cleaning and laundry before reading on the roof, which was more a slapping at mosquitoes, than reading leisurely. There are so many more bugs since the rains have come. I showered and cooked up my dinner.
I went with Abby and Allan to Francisco's house. They were cooking there too, and I ended up paying 25 lemps for an absolutely delicious second dinner. We watched the Shawshank Redemption, and Cid came from work part way through. I hadn't seen it in a long time and it was nice to see.
After the movie I walked home and went to bed.
Day 298 June 1
In the morning, I just took a taxi to school. I didn't have a class for the first period, so I worked on my superlative awards some more. I know had the copies and started writing them out, except for two kids that I wanted to think of better awards for. In class, we finished out math packets and went to recess. Then then turned in all their books to the library and we had one class period left. We wrote letters to our future selves (two months from now, when we are in 4th grade).
Rachel and Blair came to the school for Camp Joy promotions. I ushered them to my room because going to Camp Joy is one of the things on my list of top ten things students can do to maintain or improve their English over the summer.
We then went to Sierra's room to have a sing off. The first graders sang a song they had learned during the year and we sang a song we had learned. We also taught and were taught some songs. It was fun.
After the kids left, I continued in the same vein of organizing papers and I colored the now complete superlative awards. I walked home and ran into Oscar who invited me into his house for a big. He was teaching a kid to play the drums and he showed me all of his instruments. It's a nice set up he has.
I also ran into Judy, and as I walked to the Casa de Cafe, Isaac saw me and had a rush of fear that he had tutoring. Cid was actually busy when I got there, and I chatted with some German tourists about the flooding, volcanoes, the Guatemala City sinkhole as they had just come from Guatemala. I had to leave shortly after they did to go meet Rachel. We went to Yat B'alam and I got a bagel, smoothie, and a wrap.
We had a long talk about everything that has been going on.After, I called Cid and we met up and talked for a long time also. Then I went to sleep.
Day 299 June 2
I woke up and cooked breakfast. I started walking up and tried to catch a bus, but it was full. Lucky for me, Alexis passed by shortly after the bus and I got to jump in with him. I set everything up at school and talked to Issella, who had just had another friend die.
I had no first class again, so I used that time to work. Then when I got back, we washed the desks and played with side walk chalk. I had my first instances of really intentionally mean kids. I was certainly not thrilled and tried to nip it in the bud, but it kept coming back all day. During our last class, we packed up almost everything from our desks and cubbies to take home. We cleaned the room and played telephone, then I sent them out. I kept the recup kids to talk to them about getting ready for Friday, and I had already given the study guides the week before.
I spent a good part of the afternoon organizing the awards and papers to give to the kids. I made piles for each kid and put them in the order I wanted to give out the awards. Then I went to Beth's room and we compiled the spelling worksheets and lists from the year to give to the third grade teachers of next year. I then turned in my library books and continued organizing other pepers. I wrote the year long science study guide and recup exam, since I'm sure one kid will need it and then walked home with Megan and Norma.
I went home to get Cid's phone, which he left yesterday, and saw Caroline and Chris on the way. I walked to Casa de Cafe and saw Oscar and Luis on the way. I stopped by the Correo, too, to see if I had mail and I had Dr. Horrible's Sing-along-blog with a return address in San Pedro. I was thrilled but confused. I contacted David when I got to Casa de Cafe to ask him about it and he took credit. Amazing. We chatted for a while, and that was really nice.
Cid took me up to see the new hotel, which is beautiful. It's also right next door to where I'll be living next year. I saw Luis and Hsuan on the way home. I showered and got ready to see Jenny, but as I got ready, Abby was telling horror stories of the weather. She said I would die if I went outside and that I wasn't going anywhere. “You'll see.” But, I did, and as I stepped in the current of the street, she told me I'd get swept away, but I didn't. I just got wet.
Jenny was in the shower when I got there, so Rachel chatted with me while I waited. When Jenny got out, we went to Villamil because it was closest and we talked for a good few hours. We had a fair amount in common. I am glad to be starting up this relationship before I leave the country not waiting until after.
Cid was in Picame when I got home. We watched Dr. Horrible's Sing-along-blog, and Cid liked it. As he should. Shortly after, I went to bed.
Day 300 June 3
This is my 300th day and the last day of school!
Though, the first two hours were pretty rough. I woke up well before my alarm feeling a big sick and continued in this for a while. We even ran out of water for half an hour during this time. It was not okay. I finally got around to walking up to school. The board was already ready, with a note telling them to sit where they want. Their first class was PE.
After, we made stencils and then used them. They had recess and Estudios. For the last class we drank coca-cola and I gave out the awards, each with a little speech about “this student” not giving away gender and building the suspense. The kids likes it and it reminded me of closing ceremony at camp.
I took some class photos, we had a group hug, and the tax to leave was to hug me. Only Isaac refused. Isaac, who I spent more time with than any other person on this Earth each week.
I wasn't sad at all, in fact, as soon as they left I began stripping the walls and had every sign, poster, and piece of tap off the walls within half an hour. I started organizing the rest of my papers and stayed until 3. I went home, got antibiotics, and got a smoothie. I went running with Tammi, showered, and met the crew at Twisted Tanyas. I saw my student Yoela on the way, she couldn't remember what her recup was in, so I told her and reminded her that I had given her a study guide a week ago.
Cid came up too, and the whole gang talked, celebrated, and remembered the school year past. At some point, Abby came and told me that Yoela was looking for me again, and very intently. I went by her house, but er neighbors said she had gone to my house, so I went and we sat on the side of the road and I dictated to her, and her cousin in the 7th grade, what the study guide said. Yoela is intelligent and there's no reason for her to fail. I went back to meet up with everyone again. I stuck around for a while and then the power went out, so Cid and I left to go sit on my roof and enjoy the view of the town, the sky, and the incoming storm. We left when the rain got heavy and then I went to bed.
Day 301 June 4
I walked up to school and ran into Tammi who was just getting done with a run. Nash was really sick and wouldn't be coming up to school today. I started organizing and filing, but my first recup arrived early. It was Yoela and she had studied her heart out and passed with flying colors. I kept working and then my second recup came. He had two tests to take and neither of them went well. It was sad when his family came to talk to me about it. I already had the study guide ready for him and I sent him with a book to read and a dictionary, which I taught him how to use before he left.
My third recup came and she passed well enough. I had to stop her in the middle because her mother was sitting outside, in view, watching her take the test and the girl was getting very uncomfortable about it. I told her to take a deep breath, relax, and not to worry about her mother. I think she did better after that.
I then inventoried the crap out of my room. I was so detailed it wasn't funny. I also organized everything into minute detail, including the things that were not organized for me. All I have to do on Monday is bag things so they don't get wet sitting in the room during the rainy season.
Around noon, about 5 hours after we got to school, someone came up and told Abby that water was coming out of our house. Our second flooding. There had been no water in the morning, and Abby hadn't realized that she hadn't turned her sink off. It's not good at draining. Abby and Allan went home to deal with it.
I followed my plans and hiked an hour and a half up the mountain to Yanatios. I had never been before but a lot of the teachers used to go regularly. They knew some of the people there and were going to miss them a lot. I wanted to get to know them before I left o I could bring next years crew up there. It's a steep walk, but we were a fast walking crew, so we made good time.
We got to look at her pottery, which visitors can make. She bakes them there and it's about a week long process so people take something that was made before and someone else will get to take what they made. She fixes up any imperfections. Doña Lucas made us tortillas, ground the corn, mashed it, made the rounds, and cooked them and we ate them with beans. It was delicious and filling. I got to take home a little milk pitcher and we gave them the gifts Chris brought, including a basil plant, a machete, olive oil, and a candle. We talked for a while and she was thrilled to meet me and glad to know I would be coming up with next years crew. Her motto is, I live to serve.
We hiked back down and I finished some things up at school. We walked back to town and I asked Abby about the flood. Apparently my room is the lucky anti-flood room because it was the only room not touched. I had one shirt wet and nothing else. The other rooms had about an inch of water standing in them.
I showered, got all dolled up, Sierra switched out my clothes for some of hers which were fancier. It was fun. On the way out the door, Jesse came by to pick up his computer, which we had not realized, in all the clean up, was under the stairs...standing in water. We made him promise not to turn it on for 2 days and to open it up and dry it out.
We headed up to Michael and Eileen's house and then walked up with a big group up to Nora's house for the big end of the year party.
I was highly amused when I got there because the Welchez house had no....coffee. Nora was embarrassed and sent someone to the farm to get some, which I didn't intend to happen. The food at the party was great and there was lots of great conversation to be had. With me, people just wanted to talk about my plans, my return, and my summer. I have no sadness here. It really isn't sinking it that many of my very good friends are leaving and my core community is shifting.
I headed back home around 10:30 and saw the daughter of one of my coworkers. She asked about her mom and said she was lonely. We talked for a while and I told her that her mom should be home before too long. I hope I was right.
I then met up with Cid at Tun Club. I met a few tourists who go to school in Phili he had met and befreinded. We talked for a long while and then around midnight we all dispersed. I had a pretty rough night of sleep because of the coffee, though.
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