cabs, dinner, pubs and dancing!

Hello hello!

Well we had quite a night out last night. Laura was to arrive at the building at 630... got here around 715- the cab was on guatemala time! BUt she brought punch and we had picked up some guatemalan sweets and I had gotten her a gift in antigua, so that was good.

We called cabs to get us, one showed... about 20 minutes late, the other 2 never did. Finally the first one came back and we put all 6 of us in it. The cabby didn't understand why this was such a big deal! haha.

Dinner was delicious! I had seafood pasta and we shared about 4or 5 pitchers of Sangria. Our bill , for 10 of us, was 1205Q...155$... I love this country!

From there we went to a bar called the raddle and hum- it's australia and was PACKED! We finally got a little corner upstairs and were quite the attraction, men came up to us to get there pictures taken with the 10 foreigners!

After that, we went to a place Tabu... it was cute, we were in VIP somehow and had like a personal waiter and what seemed like body guards standing watch over us. We danced our hearts and feet out (by this ppoint my high heals were under the table!). From there we came back to the apartment building, I slept over at Elisa's house (she's from Victoria, BC- her husband Graeme is still in Vic. finishing his masters and is coming in August.).

The girls have just gotten internet in the apartments so we are using it.

i have been asked to post pictures of my apartment, but right now a switch is in the works, so I will hold off until I know where I will actually be living.

Hope all is well!

We are going grocery shopping today. And then all the girls are coming to our place for a swim and a movie.

meetings, keys, desks and naps!

Another busy busy day on Thursday!
I was at the school for what seemes for ever- 7 to 330. But we did get lots done. In the moring we had a meeting with the curriculum director and she explained how we were to make curriculum maps to guide our teaching. They are really big into group planning, so on Thursday afternoon my kids are in specialists all pm and so are the other 3 grade 2 classes. The 4 teachers plan for the following week! Every week we need to hand in our week plans, but what is interesting is that we hand in one plan per grade level. It seems like a good idea and will surely add alot of creativity to our classsrooms.

Later, I received the keys to my classroom!!! The momment I have been waiting for!
The room isnt huge, but it has a blackboard and a white board. I have nmade the white board the front of my class. I also have a display case for books which I am using to create a half wall for my " carpet space". I have 4 groups of 4 and 1 group of 5 for my kids desk and mine is in a corner facing outwards. We have a bathroom in classroom and a closet for supplies and the kids' raingear.

Maria, who is Joeline and Carl's secretary lives near our apartment and she offered to take us to the grocery store and to show us where we could safely run errands in our neighbourhood. So Lindsey, Ashley and I went with her after school. It was nice to see some stuff...we went to a really yummy bakery: San Martin, where I bought a croissant that I just ate now (friday morning)-not quite France, but fresh bread is delicious regardless!

We got home and I took my first guatemalan nap! The girls were impressed when I got up to at 830- really only to call mom , who i was supposed to have called at 8. They said I wouldbe up all night...oh they have so much to learn about me! I assured them that after watching some TV and reading I would be ready for a full nights rest! And I was!

This morning, 6 am came much too early!

TOnight we are having a girls night with Laura for her birthday. It should be alot of fun. We are going to the other apartment after school to get ready etc. Laura is coming by at 630 and we have dinner reservations at 730. She wouldn't tell us what was planned after that, because she sent the information via Colin (her husband, our principal) and girl's nights are not to be triffled with or intercepted by boys!! haha.

The plans for the weekend are a little up in the air, but I think we will finish some shopping and maybe take in a movie- for 80Q (10$) you get to go in the VIP section...which has reclining chairs...waiters I hear...who knows! I will keep you posted!

Sunday we want to return to Antigua, I would like to see the volcano up close...well closer, no plans to climb it yet, it's a 7 hour hike!!! And perhaps just read in the square with their delicious coffee!

Oh, one last story before I sign off. We went to a little tienda (store) with Maria yesteday where I bought grean beans, brocoli, cucumber and zuchini. My grand total was...14Q...that is less than 2 dollars!!!!! Oh my! I was floored...I was sure there was a mistake somewhere. But nope. Produce is very inexpensive here. Anything that comes packaged is much more expensive. But oh how they LOVE North American brands here, it makes me laugh!

Have a wonderful long weekend everyone! We do not have a long weekend... alas.
much love!

a new home!

2 very busy days have passed!

On Tuesday I had time at the school and met with my principal and the other elementary school teachers (new hires). I got my weekly schedule and class list. I have 21 kiddos. 11 girls and 10 boys! Should be exciting.

From the school we went to the Price Mart...which is basically like Costco. We got stuff for our apartment. And then...the big exciting news: WE GOT OUR HOME!!!

Its lovely. Once we all got there we drew cards to see who got the big room. They pulled 3s and I pulled a 7. So my room has the ensuite- it’s beautiful. All the rooms have a wall of closets with organizers etc. There are 2 other bathrooms- so really everyone is pretty lucky!

On Wednesday we went to Antigua. It’s about 45 minutes out of Guatemala City. It’s beautiful. I spent the day with Laura- a grade 1 teacher, and the principals wife. She came for the day. We went to the market and out to lunch. I bought a few nice things- jewelry mostly. We had lunch at a little place which is also a used bookstore. It was a cute little place. We wondered the town for a little bit and then got gelato.

From there we met up with everyone in the square and took the bus home.

When we got back to the apartment I walked around the ‘grounds’ found the pool and the gym. Since then I have been watching TV, making dinner and talking to Mom. LIndsey and I hung out around the apartment...found the garbage bins in the garage, set up some more stuff, started a list of things we need. Ashley went to Zone 10- ZOna Viva with other teachers.

Wednesday was rain free and sunny! But we have been told not to hold our breath for such weather. This rainy season has been incredibly wet they say- with the sheets of rain that fell on Tuesday night I can believe it. Driving in anything other than an SUV resembled boating more than anything!

Our apartment has cable but no internet as of yet, so I am typing this (wed) in my living room and will post it at the school on Thursday.

Hope all is well!

Thursday: I am at the school bright and early today, rereading this message I hope that the shaddy verb tenses and jumping back and forth aren't too confusing!!

school tour rain and more shopping!

Another full day over.

Lindsey and I are still homeless and staying with Carl and Joeline. We came home to a chicken dinner made by Alba-their maid. What a treat, we were all soo tired from a long day at the school.

Carl and Joeline leave the house at 645, we were to be picked up at 815... which was morel like 9. We were forgotten, but were filled in on the meeting we missed.

Once we got to the school we were broken into teaching divisions and got tours of the campus. Though we kind of only ran through it it's really nice. The library is 2 floors, with the bottom for little kids and the top for highschool. The reading area is supper cute..painted like a forest.

We bring our kids there once a week to be read to and for them to take out books!

After that we went to the 999 store... which is like a dollar store but not. My roommates and I spent 700Q... which is like 90$ and we got a ridiculous amount of stuff. Then we went to the largest mall in Central America. there we got cell phones and more stuff for our home... we were much more reasonable spending only 30$. BUt now our 3 bathrooms are equipped, we have cleaning supplies, kitchen things, laundry soap, oven mits, tupperware etc. I bought towels- I almost stuck with my life long choice of yellow towels but the royal blue was too pretty to give up! Yellow is my Canada and France colour...blue shall be my central american colour! haha.

From the shopping trip we got dropped off at the school to meet Carl (Joeline came with us) and the others went to back to their respective homes.

Tomorrow we have been promised access to our apartment! I can not wait! Everyone is super nice! The staff at the school is super helpful!

I am having a great time and look forward to moving in, setting stuff up etc.

The rain came down in sheets today, but has not let up. I think that tomorrow will be more of the same weather but hopefully the rain will be at night and not all day!

Hope all is well up North! (haha)

commenting on the blog

Hello-

so I went back into my settings and now anyone can comment on the blog without being asked all those questions about your "account"

school buses, shopping malls, babies and cake!

What a first day!

This morning I hung out at Carl and Joeline's house (the director of the school ). I was picked up at 11...Guatemala time which means 45 minutes later than that to go to the school and receive my "relocation" allowance. From the school we all (the 11 new hires) went to the grocery store. Since I do not have a fridge as of yet, Lindsey- one of my roommates, who is also staying at Carl's- and I just waited and looked at cell phones.

From there we went to the others' apartments to put away food. And they are NICE! like super nice... i was shocked.

Anyway.We came to Carl's house to have lunch with all the new hires and the principals from the elementary, middle and high school and their wives. Colin- my principal has 2 daughters, Keira who is almost 2 and Maya who is 4 months. His wife Laura teaches grade 1. Obviously I fell in love with the small children. Keira is working hard on being a better big sister...she has tried to smother Maya twice...so says Colin.

Everybody has just left and Lindsey and I are interneting! Tomorrow we should see our home and have some meetings at the school. In the afternoon there is more shopping. Scheduled shopping- what a life I lead!

Thursday is Laura's birthday so on Friday we are having a girls night! Aparently they usually have them in Antigua for an overnight, but Colin told her to ease us into her crazy ways! I am looking very forward to it! She is Australian so I was glad to hear the accent more... having left Nikki, Jamie and the boys at the cottage!

Great day one. All is well. Hope all is well in Canada. We have not yet had our rain for the day, but if it is anything like yesterdays..hold on to your hats!!

Safe and sound!

I have arrived in Guatemala...what a day.

It started early with the Mom and Dad dropping me and my 3 large suitcases at the airport. I went up to the counter and was asked how many bags, 3 I replied. The girl smiles and says: well you are entitled to 2 with your ticket..but I am too lazy to charge you for the third...so I won't! (score). And then she asks if they all weigh under 50 lbs. I said that one is probably a little bit over, not sure... turns our it was 79 lbs. So she says i need to take 29 lbs out... I explain that I will just pay the over weight fee. It's 250$ she explains. Dad and I looked at it last night on the computer and thought it was only 100$. But either way, I need my stuff! She explains that that was the US fee but international is more. I pull out my credit card to pay, she takes it, swipes and tells me: Im just going to charge you 125$. So my morning was WONDERFUL!

No problems in my transfers.

Landed in Guatemala and met up with the school's director and the other 4 teacher who arrived today. He explained that the apartment I was staying in with 2 other girls doesn't have electricity and so I am staying at the director's house for the weekend until it is sorted out. His wife had dinner and drinks ready when we arrived and they are lovely. Tomorrow I am off to the school to to get some information and money.

I am pooped, so I am off to bed!

Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes today!

Couting down the days

I can hardly believe that I am leaving in 3 days! It seems like I moved home from Kingston yesterday... but that was already 3months ago. These last few days will be filled with last minute packing...figuring out how to get all my things in 3 suitcases, seeing my cousins and their kids, seeing some friends, Camp Awesome and of course SLEEP!

I do not have any new information to share regarding Guatemala itself. It has been raining there for a good month...with temperatures pretty steady around 23 degrees. Luckily I am off to buy a raincoat in a few moments, so I won't get soaking wet!

I have gotten in contact with my 2 roommates via Facebook and am excited to meet them on Saturday evening. Our orientation starts on Sunday I believe- maybe Monday. THey will take us around different parts of Guatemala, help get us cell phones, bank accounts...the works. The following week all of the returning staff arrive and we have meetings in school. Truthfully, that is what I am really excited about! I can not wait to see my classroom and set it up! I have some ideas, but need to see the space to actually decide what I want to do. Thanks to the Brohmans and the Collins I have some cute stuff from Scholar's Choice to decorate with!!!

Other than that, not too much to report.

Hasta pronto...de Guatemala...