Today, we danced.
With big skirts that you swish around and they look like waves rolling on the ocean.
So much fun!
The teachers, and the new volunteers, practiced a dance with the big skirts and performed it this morning for Buenas Dias. The students, of course, loved it and cheered and took pictures. Are students like that in the United States? Because I love the encouragement here. I never have any problem singing or dancing in front of the students of this school because I know the students will love it, even if I perform terribly.
One of the teachers has a video of the dance, so hopefully I´ll be able to post that soon. I haven´t seen it, but am really excited too!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Goodbye Solidea
It´s finally happening: Solidea is leaving. Tomorrow.
I do believe it has taken all this time for the reality to sink in for me. I woke up in a bad mood and couldn´t figure out why since I had such a great time playing guitar and singing with Gina last night, but I soon realized I was sad because Solidea is leaving tomorrow.
I have spent the last nine months doing everything with her. We lived together, worked together, and took vacations together. We were united in that we were foreigners trying to adapt to a new way of life and commiserating over the differences. When one of us had a problem, the other helped fix it, we were each others confidant, and even when we made friends at the beach, we were always loyal to each other first. I´m losing my best friend here, and it hurts.
Sometimes I wonder if we would have become friends if we had met under different circumstances where we weren´t sharing the same experience. We are rather different one from the other, and perhaps our situation has made us more accepting of differences, but either way, we have had a ball together. I hope and pray for the best for her as she returns to Italy.
I do believe it has taken all this time for the reality to sink in for me. I woke up in a bad mood and couldn´t figure out why since I had such a great time playing guitar and singing with Gina last night, but I soon realized I was sad because Solidea is leaving tomorrow.
I have spent the last nine months doing everything with her. We lived together, worked together, and took vacations together. We were united in that we were foreigners trying to adapt to a new way of life and commiserating over the differences. When one of us had a problem, the other helped fix it, we were each others confidant, and even when we made friends at the beach, we were always loyal to each other first. I´m losing my best friend here, and it hurts.
Sometimes I wonder if we would have become friends if we had met under different circumstances where we weren´t sharing the same experience. We are rather different one from the other, and perhaps our situation has made us more accepting of differences, but either way, we have had a ball together. I hope and pray for the best for her as she returns to Italy.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Busy Birthday
Birthdays are a busy business here.
In the morning at the breakfast table there was a small gift and flowers for me and all the Sisters sang 3 different versions of Happy Birthday.
There was a school wide mass that morning (very nice way to start my birthday!) and afterwards the whole school sang 3 different versions of Happy Birthday for me - while I stood up in front - and then they sang the chicken dance, while I danced. This is not the same as our chicken dance, but it does involve shaking of the butt. :)
Shortly after that all the teachers and workers of the school had a quick meeting with Sor Silvia (inspector from Rome - awesome lady) where everyone once again sang Happy Birthday to me.
I fielded a few birthday phone calls and in the process missed half of one class. When I got to the class they all sang Happy Birthday to me - 3 different versions.
We had cake for lunch! Sydney came to visit and say Happy Birthday, then the Interna´s scolded me because they thought my birthday was on the 27th and were going to serenade me in the morning - which apparently is a tradition for birthdays. I told them to do it today, but they wanted it to be a surprise, so they may or may not do that later.
I even had a heart to heart with my insufferable interna Cecibel - we both felt better after that. :)
What a good day!
In the morning at the breakfast table there was a small gift and flowers for me and all the Sisters sang 3 different versions of Happy Birthday.
There was a school wide mass that morning (very nice way to start my birthday!) and afterwards the whole school sang 3 different versions of Happy Birthday for me - while I stood up in front - and then they sang the chicken dance, while I danced. This is not the same as our chicken dance, but it does involve shaking of the butt. :)
Shortly after that all the teachers and workers of the school had a quick meeting with Sor Silvia (inspector from Rome - awesome lady) where everyone once again sang Happy Birthday to me.
I fielded a few birthday phone calls and in the process missed half of one class. When I got to the class they all sang Happy Birthday to me - 3 different versions.
We had cake for lunch! Sydney came to visit and say Happy Birthday, then the Interna´s scolded me because they thought my birthday was on the 27th and were going to serenade me in the morning - which apparently is a tradition for birthdays. I told them to do it today, but they wanted it to be a surprise, so they may or may not do that later.
I even had a heart to heart with my insufferable interna Cecibel - we both felt better after that. :)
What a good day!
Monday, September 21, 2009
New People
Sor Silvia is coming to the school today to inspect, or something. She´s pretty important to the Sisters.
Solidea is coming to the school tonight and taking off tomorrow for El Tunco for the rest of the week.
I´m heading over to El Tunco Friday morning to spend the weekend with Solidea.
The new volunteers fly in this Saturday.
Molly will be meeting the new volunteers (who happen to be her friends) at the airport and spending the night in Soyapongo with them.
Then I´ll come back on Sunday and the week will start over with a few new people in tow.
I´m excited for new people!
Solidea is coming to the school tonight and taking off tomorrow for El Tunco for the rest of the week.
I´m heading over to El Tunco Friday morning to spend the weekend with Solidea.
The new volunteers fly in this Saturday.
Molly will be meeting the new volunteers (who happen to be her friends) at the airport and spending the night in Soyapongo with them.
Then I´ll come back on Sunday and the week will start over with a few new people in tow.
I´m excited for new people!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Geckos
Yesterday, a gecko fell from the ceiling!
While talking to a few internas after dinner last night I saw something fall from the ceiling out of the corner of my eye. Then we all heard the splat as it hit the floor. One of the girls went to look and a gecko scampered away, back up the wall. While it made a splat sound, apparently nothing was damaged and it made it´s escape. Not too often that a gecko falls!
While talking to a few internas after dinner last night I saw something fall from the ceiling out of the corner of my eye. Then we all heard the splat as it hit the floor. One of the girls went to look and a gecko scampered away, back up the wall. While it made a splat sound, apparently nothing was damaged and it made it´s escape. Not too often that a gecko falls!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Independence Day
Yesterday was the Independence Day for El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras. 188 years of independence from Spanish rule. To celebrate, there is a huge parade of all the public schools and many of their students through the streets of the cities. By ¨Huge¨ I mean, ¨really long¨.
We went to the door of the school when we heard the drums and stood outside on the street as the students walked by. Usually the schools were separated by banners announcing the name of the next school. Many schools had drums and a few had trumpets and trombones, there were girls in traditional dresses and some with cute little outfits and batons. Surprisingly, all they did was swing their baton or skirt back and forth as they marched/walked. Every so often the ¨band¨ would break out a short song, the skirts and batons would swing faster for a bit, and then everyone would continue as before.
As we stood watching, I thought we were waiting for our school to walk by, but it turns out that only public schools have to march, private don´t. So our school was not marching. So I don´t know why we stood watching for an hour and 1/2. Not going to lie, I was bored.
Turns out they don´t do much to celebrate their independence other than this. You can read about more here, http://www.naturelandings.com/articles.php?article=11
We went to the door of the school when we heard the drums and stood outside on the street as the students walked by. Usually the schools were separated by banners announcing the name of the next school. Many schools had drums and a few had trumpets and trombones, there were girls in traditional dresses and some with cute little outfits and batons. Surprisingly, all they did was swing their baton or skirt back and forth as they marched/walked. Every so often the ¨band¨ would break out a short song, the skirts and batons would swing faster for a bit, and then everyone would continue as before.
As we stood watching, I thought we were waiting for our school to walk by, but it turns out that only public schools have to march, private don´t. So our school was not marching. So I don´t know why we stood watching for an hour and 1/2. Not going to lie, I was bored.
Turns out they don´t do much to celebrate their independence other than this. You can read about more here, http://www.naturelandings.com/articles.php?article=11
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Changes
As you can see, I´ve made some changes to my blog page. Actually, I picked out a whole new template. I hope you like the change.
I´ve also added a Donation button in the right side bar. Hopefully this gets used a lot. :) (hint hint!)
The donations go to a paypal account I set up, and from there are transferred to the Sister´s School account, so if you have Paypal you can donate with that, or you can donate by credit card.
To give you an idea of what your money can do here:
$30,000 = Pay off construction bill
$250 = 1 year of high school
$200 = 1 year of junior high
$150 = 1 year of Kindergarten through 6th grade
$30 = New CD player for a classroom
$25 = One Fan for a classroom
$12 = New book for one class
$10 = Backpack
$10 = 10 notebooks for a student for her 10 classes
$5 = Pens, pencils, erasers, compass, protractor, white out, and carrying case
$3-5 = Spanish/English Dictionary
$0.50= School lunch
$0.20= Bus ride to school
$0.05= Sucker (they love suckers!)
As you can see, any amount you can donate will be very helpful!
Thank you again!
PS - let me know if you have any questions
I´ve also added a Donation button in the right side bar. Hopefully this gets used a lot. :) (hint hint!)
The donations go to a paypal account I set up, and from there are transferred to the Sister´s School account, so if you have Paypal you can donate with that, or you can donate by credit card.
To give you an idea of what your money can do here:
$30,000 = Pay off construction bill
$250 = 1 year of high school
$200 = 1 year of junior high
$150 = 1 year of Kindergarten through 6th grade
$30 = New CD player for a classroom
$25 = One Fan for a classroom
$12 = New book for one class
$10 = Backpack
$10 = 10 notebooks for a student for her 10 classes
$5 = Pens, pencils, erasers, compass, protractor, white out, and carrying case
$3-5 = Spanish/English Dictionary
$0.50= School lunch
$0.20= Bus ride to school
$0.05= Sucker (they love suckers!)
As you can see, any amount you can donate will be very helpful!
Thank you again!
PS - let me know if you have any questions
Monday, September 14, 2009
Bus Stop
Fun story for the day:
I walked to the supermarket and picked up some items for myself and for the school. I had 3 bags when I left so decided to take a bus back to the school since 3 bags is somewhat cumbersome when walking down crowded sidewalks - and it´s just asking someone to rob you.
I got on a bus outside the supermarket and it was relatively empty. As we progressed painfully slowly down the street about 50 more people jumped on the bus so that the seats and the aisle were packed with people. I was sitting in the front seat.
Generally, when exiting a bus, you leave through the back door (most busses have 2 doors) as the front door has the little roundabout where you pay and then walk through - like at amusement parks or concerts. Since so many people were on the bus and I sat as far away from the back door as possible, my chances of shoving through all the people with 3 bags of groceries before my stop were impossible. However, nothing stood between me and the front door except a few bars and a roundabout thingy.
I yelled to the driver my stopping point just before reaching the school, told him I would be exiting through the front, hopped the bars, pulled my bags after me, and jumped off the bus. Easiest possible exit. Yea me. :)
I walked to the supermarket and picked up some items for myself and for the school. I had 3 bags when I left so decided to take a bus back to the school since 3 bags is somewhat cumbersome when walking down crowded sidewalks - and it´s just asking someone to rob you.
I got on a bus outside the supermarket and it was relatively empty. As we progressed painfully slowly down the street about 50 more people jumped on the bus so that the seats and the aisle were packed with people. I was sitting in the front seat.
Generally, when exiting a bus, you leave through the back door (most busses have 2 doors) as the front door has the little roundabout where you pay and then walk through - like at amusement parks or concerts. Since so many people were on the bus and I sat as far away from the back door as possible, my chances of shoving through all the people with 3 bags of groceries before my stop were impossible. However, nothing stood between me and the front door except a few bars and a roundabout thingy.
I yelled to the driver my stopping point just before reaching the school, told him I would be exiting through the front, hopped the bars, pulled my bags after me, and jumped off the bus. Easiest possible exit. Yea me. :)
Recap
Ok - Saturday, very boring until late afternoon when I took some Interna´s to the dance competition at the Don Bosco School. It´s a group dance competition between schools, so our school had a dance troupe there as well. The experience was fun and very educational . . . about sex. How do these girls not know what sex is? Clearly, if they don´t know, they have never been to a dance competition. Between the wild gyrations of the body, humping of the floor, and over exaggerated body rolls (all of which were in almost every dance routine)the message ¨Have Sex¨ comes though pretty clearly.
Sunday - Went to mass here at the school then hopped on a bus to Santa Ana to meet up with Sydney and Molly for a lunch date. I made it successfully to Santa Ana, asked someone how to get to our meeting place, and went there. How good am I? Considering last time I completely missed the city and ended up almost crossing the border into Guatemala several miles away , I think my traveling skills have improved considerably!
Lunch was great! I miss talking to those two. Jason, the new volunteer couldn´t come because he went out with the Father´s from his school for the day. We ate a Torta Loca - the word HUGE describes it best. Picture my head. Now picture a sandwich bigger around than my head. So happy we decided to split it between the 3 of us because there was enough for 4. Made it back to the school by 4 with plenty of sunlight left in the day and still full from lunch. :)
Sunday - Went to mass here at the school then hopped on a bus to Santa Ana to meet up with Sydney and Molly for a lunch date. I made it successfully to Santa Ana, asked someone how to get to our meeting place, and went there. How good am I? Considering last time I completely missed the city and ended up almost crossing the border into Guatemala several miles away , I think my traveling skills have improved considerably!
Lunch was great! I miss talking to those two. Jason, the new volunteer couldn´t come because he went out with the Father´s from his school for the day. We ate a Torta Loca - the word HUGE describes it best. Picture my head. Now picture a sandwich bigger around than my head. So happy we decided to split it between the 3 of us because there was enough for 4. Made it back to the school by 4 with plenty of sunlight left in the day and still full from lunch. :)
Friday, September 11, 2009
Busy Busy
With only myself now running all the classes, I find that I don´t have much free time anymore. I don´t really mind this all that much since I am able to stay on top of all my work, however, it has left me longing to get away and go see a movie - though nothing good is playing down here right now. Oh, and I saw part of the movie Mall Cop with Kevin James and didn´t like it. And I like Kevin James, but it´s that awkward moment humor all through the movie and I hate watching that kind of humor!
There is a new volunteer from the States in Santa Ana (close to where Sydney and Molly are volunteering) and there is a Vides meeting this Sunday in Santa Ana, so I should get to meet the new volunteer. Molly will also be there, but Sydney will be on retreat at another house/school in San Salvador.
Everybody pray for Sydney! She is heading home at the end of September and will be looking into the Franciscan order to become a novitiate! She is very nervous about this, but feels God is calling her there as the next step on her journey. Very exciting.
Well, the girls go home today after classes, maybe I can sneak into the audiovisual room and watch a movie. Actually, maybe I can even sneak some of the girls in with me. AND I bought popcorn yesterday! It´s all coming together now.
There is a new volunteer from the States in Santa Ana (close to where Sydney and Molly are volunteering) and there is a Vides meeting this Sunday in Santa Ana, so I should get to meet the new volunteer. Molly will also be there, but Sydney will be on retreat at another house/school in San Salvador.
Everybody pray for Sydney! She is heading home at the end of September and will be looking into the Franciscan order to become a novitiate! She is very nervous about this, but feels God is calling her there as the next step on her journey. Very exciting.
Well, the girls go home today after classes, maybe I can sneak into the audiovisual room and watch a movie. Actually, maybe I can even sneak some of the girls in with me. AND I bought popcorn yesterday! It´s all coming together now.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Buenas Dias
This last week of Buenas Dias has been dedicated to a different Central America country each morning. First was Guatemala, then Honduras, Nicaragua, and today we learned about Costa Rica. The students present the information, usually 3 classes work together to gather and present the info in various ways such as dances, skits, music and, of course, verbally relaying the information. They are interesting, but because this takes at least an hour each morning,(and my feet get sore from standing) I´ve started taking a bit more time to myself in the mornings after breakfast.
See, everybody in the house and school goes to Buenas Dias (except the workers) so the house is very quiet. This morning, Chispa (the puppy) fell asleep under my chair at breakfast, so after breakfast after everyone had left the dining room, I picked her up and pet her while she slept in my lap. Very relaxing. I love that dog.
I did, eventually, go to the Buenas Dias. And FYI - it seems the ¨typical¨ food of Costa Rica is pretty much everything! I think the student recited foods for at least 2 minutes. Amber (another teacher) and I had a good laugh about that.
See, everybody in the house and school goes to Buenas Dias (except the workers) so the house is very quiet. This morning, Chispa (the puppy) fell asleep under my chair at breakfast, so after breakfast after everyone had left the dining room, I picked her up and pet her while she slept in my lap. Very relaxing. I love that dog.
I did, eventually, go to the Buenas Dias. And FYI - it seems the ¨typical¨ food of Costa Rica is pretty much everything! I think the student recited foods for at least 2 minutes. Amber (another teacher) and I had a good laugh about that.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Mata Mosquitos
In the work room of the house (where the computer is) there is a little mosquito killing machine that looks like a small tennis or badminton racket. There is a little button you push on the side that heats up or electrifies (probably electrified since it gives off a high pitched ring when activated) the metal wires that run across the wide racket part. Wave that baby in the general direction of the flying menaces and once you´ve hit one a little spark lights up where the mosquito met its death! I love this thing! I´ve killed 4 in the last 5 minutes. Ah revenge!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
No Internet
So, ever since the wicked huge thunderstorm Wednesday night we have no internet at the school. For this reason my posts will be a bit sparse until it is fixed. Don´t know how often I will come to this internet cafe now that I´m teaching all the classes, and it´s hotter than blazes inside here.
Solidea is officially traveling in Honduras and I am enjoying a weekend with nothing planned. Truth be told, it´s really nice, to just relax. I already have plans for next weekend - going to hang with the cook at her house for the weekend. Should be fun!
Solidea is officially traveling in Honduras and I am enjoying a weekend with nothing planned. Truth be told, it´s really nice, to just relax. I already have plans for next weekend - going to hang with the cook at her house for the weekend. Should be fun!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Puppy!
We have a puppy! How exciting is that? Last night one of the little girls, Estela, who often is helping with chores after classes, came around with her friends and a little puppy. Everyone enjoyed holding and playing with the puppy - I have several pictures to prove it - and then she brought it back to her mother who was at a meeting in another area of the school.
This morning when I entered the house after breakfast, I saw the same little puppy running around. Turns out the mother of Estela had brought it last night as a gift to Sor Margarita Roman! He is now named Chispa and is incredibly adorable! I have photos, and as soon as I have a chord to connect my camera to the computer, I will upload them.
I love puppy's!
This morning when I entered the house after breakfast, I saw the same little puppy running around. Turns out the mother of Estela had brought it last night as a gift to Sor Margarita Roman! He is now named Chispa and is incredibly adorable! I have photos, and as soon as I have a chord to connect my camera to the computer, I will upload them.
I love puppy's!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Big Night
It´s the big night tonight. The girls and I are going to perform our dances for Solidea! But first we´re going to eat pupusas. I really think we might want to reconsider the order of things!
Confession
I had a great confession last night. The priest talked to me about how he spent 7 years as a missionary on the East Coast of the States and that it was very difficult for him. He said the first year he felt sad all the time and missed his home very much, by the second year he felt better, more acclimated, and by year three, he felt at home. I laughed and said ¨So I just need to stay here 2 more years and I´ll feel better.¨
Truth is, I really enjoy my time with the students and with the Interna´s. It´s the time I´m alone that my thoughts turn to home. I think of my family and friends and how I have none here. I dwell on the lack of independence I have in moving around the community outside the school and that there is no place to ¨get away from it all¨ since I live at the school. I have also let my prayer life disappear.
Last night the priest gave me new life. He told me to start praying again and I wouldn´t be sad. Not sure if it will be that easy, but I´m going to offer up my times of depression for specific intentions and will start again my daily prayers. I will think of what I can do for the Interna´s and focus more on my classes - especially since I´m teaching all alone now, starting today.
Solidea leaving doesn´t have to be a bad thing. I will miss her terribly since she is the one person here I can confide in, but without her I have to rely more on my Jesus. This should be a good time of reestablishing my relationship with Him.
Truth is, I really enjoy my time with the students and with the Interna´s. It´s the time I´m alone that my thoughts turn to home. I think of my family and friends and how I have none here. I dwell on the lack of independence I have in moving around the community outside the school and that there is no place to ¨get away from it all¨ since I live at the school. I have also let my prayer life disappear.
Last night the priest gave me new life. He told me to start praying again and I wouldn´t be sad. Not sure if it will be that easy, but I´m going to offer up my times of depression for specific intentions and will start again my daily prayers. I will think of what I can do for the Interna´s and focus more on my classes - especially since I´m teaching all alone now, starting today.
Solidea leaving doesn´t have to be a bad thing. I will miss her terribly since she is the one person here I can confide in, but without her I have to rely more on my Jesus. This should be a good time of reestablishing my relationship with Him.
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