We came home from school today and cleaned the whole house! Maria went with me today, and brought Leyla. It was unbearably hot, which is why I don't normally bring her, but Maria wanted to get out of the house and the kids always ask me to bring Leyla, so they came. Anyway when we got home it was still hot and I was sweaty and Leyla was in a bad mood, so after resting a bit, and after Leyla fell asleep, we got started cleaning. I guess I just didn't want Marcos to come home to a dirty house, plus I was laying on my bed looking at spider webs and clothes needing to be folded. In the living room Leyla's toys were everywhere and the floor was dirty and everything was just out of place. Sometimes it drives me crazy.
So I swept everything, Maria got rid of all the cobwebs and spiders, folded the clothes, mopped, and somewhat put things in their place. I get so frustrated not being able to keep things clean here - I did read that an obsession with cleanliness is a stage of culture shock - but really, it IS dirtier! The heat means more bugs, more bugs mean more spiders, lack of paved roads means more dust...it really is harder to keep things clean. And there are flies everywhere! I don't know why there are so many flies: there is nothing dead around my house, there are no piles of trash, there's no food left out, and I just cleaned the entire place! Ugh it's a problem. Maybe it's the dogs.
I can't wait for Marcos to have the screen doors made! Then I can keep them out better.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Exhaustion & Frustration
This is my second week back at school. I still haven't gotten over the cold I picked up in the US and have started losing my voice, so teaching has gotten even more difficult. When I came back last week, we went immediately into exams and I only went from 9:30-11:30, so that was not bad. This week starts back classes, so I'm staying until 2:00 again :(
I have one exam left: Math. It was supposed to be today for both 7th and 8th grades, but the principal called Sunday and said it was changed to NEXT Monday. Some of the kids had mentioned that but I hadn't heard anything about it so I left them material and reviews as if the test were today. I am extremely frustrated with the school constantly changing the schedule and not informing me ahead of time - I feel sooo out of the loop.
This morning I was talking to a teacher who had spent several years in the US and teaches and speaks English. He shares my frustrations, so today we were venting together. He mentioned teachers' meetings and asked why I was never there! What? meetings? huh? There's another reason I hate teaching there. I never hear a thing about meetings. I feel like they just don't involve me in anything. I'm American and have a degree and they pay me for speaking English and for having a degree and I negotiated my pay - I feel like being American alone means they don't include me! I have no idea when meetings are, no one ever tells me, and I have no idea most of the time until the day of when we're getting out early or not having school the next day. Just today one of the students asked if they could have time to practice a dance for a competition they were having on Friday...dance? friday? Does that mean I don't have classes? I don't know how many times I have come to school prepared to teach a certain class and been told I don't have that class.
That's another thing. There are SO many holidays and "celebrations" and every one of them means a day off. It is ridiculous. They need class time to practice for the celebration. They get out half-day on Thursday because they have the celebration Friday. and of course Friday there are no classes and they celebrate. Classes are more important than celebrations! They can do like every other school I know (well, in the US) and schedule time AFTER school hours to celebrate, play sports, compete, whatever. No wonder the kids don't place any importance to their studying!
Every day is a struggle for me. I go in hopeful and thinking maybe today they'll pay attention and we'll get something done, and every day I go home depressed and searching for yet another strategy to make them listen and help them learn. I'm exhausted with it. and it certainly doesn't help that I have absolutely no training in education or in 13 and 14 year olds.
I have one exam left: Math. It was supposed to be today for both 7th and 8th grades, but the principal called Sunday and said it was changed to NEXT Monday. Some of the kids had mentioned that but I hadn't heard anything about it so I left them material and reviews as if the test were today. I am extremely frustrated with the school constantly changing the schedule and not informing me ahead of time - I feel sooo out of the loop.
This morning I was talking to a teacher who had spent several years in the US and teaches and speaks English. He shares my frustrations, so today we were venting together. He mentioned teachers' meetings and asked why I was never there! What? meetings? huh? There's another reason I hate teaching there. I never hear a thing about meetings. I feel like they just don't involve me in anything. I'm American and have a degree and they pay me for speaking English and for having a degree and I negotiated my pay - I feel like being American alone means they don't include me! I have no idea when meetings are, no one ever tells me, and I have no idea most of the time until the day of when we're getting out early or not having school the next day. Just today one of the students asked if they could have time to practice a dance for a competition they were having on Friday...dance? friday? Does that mean I don't have classes? I don't know how many times I have come to school prepared to teach a certain class and been told I don't have that class.
That's another thing. There are SO many holidays and "celebrations" and every one of them means a day off. It is ridiculous. They need class time to practice for the celebration. They get out half-day on Thursday because they have the celebration Friday. and of course Friday there are no classes and they celebrate. Classes are more important than celebrations! They can do like every other school I know (well, in the US) and schedule time AFTER school hours to celebrate, play sports, compete, whatever. No wonder the kids don't place any importance to their studying!
Every day is a struggle for me. I go in hopeful and thinking maybe today they'll pay attention and we'll get something done, and every day I go home depressed and searching for yet another strategy to make them listen and help them learn. I'm exhausted with it. and it certainly doesn't help that I have absolutely no training in education or in 13 and 14 year olds.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Home At Last!
Well, not home exactly. We have had a rough time trying to get home! First, Spirit Airlines' pilot union went on strike and all flights were cancelled. We had to get a refund and book a flight on Delta for a million bucks. We were upset because we had booked Spirit to keep it cheap - but with this switch up, we could have flown the more expensive airline from the beginning and it would have been cheaper! So we booked an overnight to Atlanta. Our flight from Nashville was over an hour late and we got into Atlanta at 11:20 pm. By the time we got to Danielle's and in bed, I think it was 2 am? And then we woke up at 5 to get to the airport by 6:00 am. The lines were insanely long but we finally made it...and THEN, the airplane was oversold by almost 15 people!! But the story has a happy ending...
Because Spirit cancelled our flight, we had to book a new one on Delta with money we didn't have. Because the Delta flight was oversold, we volunteered to fly later and got 3 meal vouchers each for a total of $42, and $600 each credit towards our next flight - $1200! I was so upset and frustrated, especially with the money situation, and thought to myself, well, I need to trust in God and not worry about our money situation, these things happen and we'll make it work somehow. and look what God did! and NOW, we can afford to go to Fide's wedding in October :) The Lord works in mysterious ways! It is amazing and I am learning I really do need to trust Him more because He always has a plan :)
So, after rebooking us for an afternoon flight and eating free in the airport all day, we made it to Honduras! We still have to take a bus to Tegus and pick up the truck to go to Catacamas, but we are here, safe and sound. Goodnight!
Because Spirit cancelled our flight, we had to book a new one on Delta with money we didn't have. Because the Delta flight was oversold, we volunteered to fly later and got 3 meal vouchers each for a total of $42, and $600 each credit towards our next flight - $1200! I was so upset and frustrated, especially with the money situation, and thought to myself, well, I need to trust in God and not worry about our money situation, these things happen and we'll make it work somehow. and look what God did! and NOW, we can afford to go to Fide's wedding in October :) The Lord works in mysterious ways! It is amazing and I am learning I really do need to trust Him more because He always has a plan :)
So, after rebooking us for an afternoon flight and eating free in the airport all day, we made it to Honduras! We still have to take a bus to Tegus and pick up the truck to go to Catacamas, but we are here, safe and sound. Goodnight!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Bermuda
Just got back from Bermuda!
The cruise was a lot of fun. At first we were a little disappointed, because when we were standing in line to board the ship we realized we were going on an old people cruise. Everyone was in wheelchairs or using walkers!! So that was not fun. There were not very many families and Leyla was the only baby on the boat. The food was not as spectacular as I had imagined although it was available 24 hrs a day, there was only one swimming pool and TINY at that, and the entertainment was good for the most part but obviously geared towards the older folks (they had classes on how to use a computer and upload photos!). Still we had fun just enjoying being on a boat and doing nothing but eating.
Bermuda was beautiful! The sands were pink and the water gorgeous. We went snorkeling once and saw coral and a variety of fish - I think I saw 6 different kinds of fish, including parrotfish. They were beautiful! and huge! It was really pretty. We had fun at one beach because the water was really deep. Actually, the water was pretty deep at all the beaches. There were lots of rocks too, and cliffs, so it was pretty scenic. It was deep enough to jump of the rocks! So we had fun jumping and swimming. The water was FREEZING though. Oh and Leyla loved it! She was scared at first but then she dug her toes in the sand and splashed the water.
So we had a fun trip, it was a little cold on the ship from rain and wind (terribly windy!) but it was nice and the ocean was beautiful. It was good to see the family again too. And since Leyla was the ONLY baby on board, and the cutest of course, everyone kept saying how cute she was, and how well-behaved she was, and by the end they all knew her name! and at the shows, she would dance and flap her arms and kick and talk and sing and then clap for the singers! She LOVED the music, it was adorable. Everyone noticed and commented all week how she loved the shows. And she learned too to wave at everyone on board :) I think she had a good time too!
The cruise was a lot of fun. At first we were a little disappointed, because when we were standing in line to board the ship we realized we were going on an old people cruise. Everyone was in wheelchairs or using walkers!! So that was not fun. There were not very many families and Leyla was the only baby on the boat. The food was not as spectacular as I had imagined although it was available 24 hrs a day, there was only one swimming pool and TINY at that, and the entertainment was good for the most part but obviously geared towards the older folks (they had classes on how to use a computer and upload photos!). Still we had fun just enjoying being on a boat and doing nothing but eating.
Bermuda was beautiful! The sands were pink and the water gorgeous. We went snorkeling once and saw coral and a variety of fish - I think I saw 6 different kinds of fish, including parrotfish. They were beautiful! and huge! It was really pretty. We had fun at one beach because the water was really deep. Actually, the water was pretty deep at all the beaches. There were lots of rocks too, and cliffs, so it was pretty scenic. It was deep enough to jump of the rocks! So we had fun jumping and swimming. The water was FREEZING though. Oh and Leyla loved it! She was scared at first but then she dug her toes in the sand and splashed the water.
So we had a fun trip, it was a little cold on the ship from rain and wind (terribly windy!) but it was nice and the ocean was beautiful. It was good to see the family again too. And since Leyla was the ONLY baby on board, and the cutest of course, everyone kept saying how cute she was, and how well-behaved she was, and by the end they all knew her name! and at the shows, she would dance and flap her arms and kick and talk and sing and then clap for the singers! She LOVED the music, it was adorable. Everyone noticed and commented all week how she loved the shows. And she learned too to wave at everyone on board :) I think she had a good time too!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Busy Travelers
I am at home in Nashville!
Last week was rough. We drove to Tegucigalpa on Monday and got there really late. Then Tuesday morning we drove around the city all morning running errands that didn't really get done. Then we rode the bus to San Pedro Sula that evening, and got into the city I think around 8. Then Maria's brother and sister picked us up and took us to their house where we waited a few hours before leaving for the airport - our plane left at 1:15 AM! So we got to the airport right before midnight, checked in, and boarded the plane. One good thing: since Maria's brother works at the airport, we had an easy check-in and ended up in first class!! We think they did him a favor, cause we did not pay for first class :) it was really nice, especially having Leyla in my lap, and having larger seats and more space to sleep better.
We got to Atlanta at 9:50 in the morning and stayed at a friend's house that day. The next day we tried to go to the Embassy to work on residency stuff for me but it turned out we didn't need the Embassy, we needed an apostille, and in TN! so Thursday night we decided to go ahead and leave for Nashville. We got here around 12:30 probably. Went to bed at 2 AM after visiting with my parents. Then, Friday morning, we got out to do our errands in Nashville...
I was told I needed to get my police report notarized, certified, and authenticated. (? seems a little overboard) So, I go to a bank to get it notarized. At EVERY branch I went to, the notary was out of town! Then when I finally found one, she couldn't notarize it because there wasn't a space for me to sign or for her to notarize (she said). I ended up going back to the police dept just to get a new one and have it notarized there (they should have notarized it the first time but didn't). Since nothing had changed, she went ahead and notarized by old one. Finally, something worked out - this was after almost 3 hours driving around :( THEN, I went to the county clerk and got it certified. THEN, I drove to the Sec. of State to get an Apostille, which basically authenticates the county clerk. I got there at 4:25, and they close at 4:30. I was so exhausted and frustrated but I ran to the 6th floor and the lady was really nice and I got it done.
After 5 hours driving around, in and out of parking, back and forth wandering around the city, I finally got my 3 little errands accomplished. It was an awful day...oh, and by the way I had left Leyla with my parents and needed to feed her and was leaking everywhere. I don't know why these things have to be so complicated! I hope now that when I get back to Honduras they don't tell me my police report needs more authenticating - seems to me it should be the most authentic document in the entire country!
Last week was rough. We drove to Tegucigalpa on Monday and got there really late. Then Tuesday morning we drove around the city all morning running errands that didn't really get done. Then we rode the bus to San Pedro Sula that evening, and got into the city I think around 8. Then Maria's brother and sister picked us up and took us to their house where we waited a few hours before leaving for the airport - our plane left at 1:15 AM! So we got to the airport right before midnight, checked in, and boarded the plane. One good thing: since Maria's brother works at the airport, we had an easy check-in and ended up in first class!! We think they did him a favor, cause we did not pay for first class :) it was really nice, especially having Leyla in my lap, and having larger seats and more space to sleep better.
We got to Atlanta at 9:50 in the morning and stayed at a friend's house that day. The next day we tried to go to the Embassy to work on residency stuff for me but it turned out we didn't need the Embassy, we needed an apostille, and in TN! so Thursday night we decided to go ahead and leave for Nashville. We got here around 12:30 probably. Went to bed at 2 AM after visiting with my parents. Then, Friday morning, we got out to do our errands in Nashville...
I was told I needed to get my police report notarized, certified, and authenticated. (? seems a little overboard) So, I go to a bank to get it notarized. At EVERY branch I went to, the notary was out of town! Then when I finally found one, she couldn't notarize it because there wasn't a space for me to sign or for her to notarize (she said). I ended up going back to the police dept just to get a new one and have it notarized there (they should have notarized it the first time but didn't). Since nothing had changed, she went ahead and notarized by old one. Finally, something worked out - this was after almost 3 hours driving around :( THEN, I went to the county clerk and got it certified. THEN, I drove to the Sec. of State to get an Apostille, which basically authenticates the county clerk. I got there at 4:25, and they close at 4:30. I was so exhausted and frustrated but I ran to the 6th floor and the lady was really nice and I got it done.
After 5 hours driving around, in and out of parking, back and forth wandering around the city, I finally got my 3 little errands accomplished. It was an awful day...oh, and by the way I had left Leyla with my parents and needed to feed her and was leaking everywhere. I don't know why these things have to be so complicated! I hope now that when I get back to Honduras they don't tell me my police report needs more authenticating - seems to me it should be the most authentic document in the entire country!
