What a week!

I realized I have not posted in a while so I thought I would get to that.

I haven't been up to anything overly exciting since the beach. This was a long week at school. We had our Meet the Teacher Night on Wednesday, meaning a very long 12 hour day at the school. Only 6 parents from my class showed, so that was disappointing. But in the other 15's defence, there was a very bad rain storm that evening and the roads were pretty flooded.

It poured everyday at dismisal this week, so I am very thankful to my The North Face rain coat! It is keeping my upper half dry. My skirts have had to be run out and my sandals stuffed with paper. But you know, it's all good! Rain boots are a think I am hoping to purchase soon. But they are not popular in this country...which is truly beyond me...SO MUCH RAIN!

hmmm, OH! So I was pretty bummed about not having any french here, so I asked to run a French Club as part of the ECA (Extracurricular Activities). We decided to offer it to middle school and high school students. So I got an email friday saying that 30 kids signed up! Oh my goodness!!!!! I don't know what I am going to do! SO many! I am looking at things online and seeing, but I don't know what exactly I have signed up for. Hopefully they know a little bit of french. But I doubt it! haha. It's hard because they are so old and not 6.

Other than that, not much else to report so I will sign off.

ox

Floods, wind, dogs, euchre and swings

What a weekend!

Tom, Blake, Maria and I left the city at 8 am to head to the beach. We decided against the Pacaya climb due to the weather we have had this week-- extremely rainy.

We drove out of the city with no trouble. It went from city to tropical out of nowhere. The warm humid air, the palm trees, etc.

When we approached the coastal city we were to stay in, we were shocked to find the fields all flooded! The puddles on the dirt road were massive and we debated whether we would make it through them. The first one, which ended up being the worst one by far, was a close call. But the SUV made it through!

the houses along the side of the road where all flooded as well. When we finally got to our hostel we were disappointed to find it so overcast and windy. Luckily the place is BEAUTIFUL! And we hung around, had a late breakfast and the boys went down to assess the surfing situation. They vetoed going out that morning. We chatted with the other guests: 2 girls from Switzerland, 2 girls who are half french half guatemalan and the owners who are 2 men from Switzerland. (random, right?)

I went for a walk on the beach and picked up some shells later on.

Around 4, the Thomas, Christophe (who owns the place) and one of the Swiss girls tried surfing..but the waves were just soo bad--- so they came in.

Later the whole village was on the beach because a sea turtle had washed up on shore. They are not sure how it died... but it probably got caught in fishermen's nets. They said that people sometimes capture them, cut them open to remove their eggs and then leave them to die. This was not the case with this particular turtle...but how cruel is that?

The cook's kids came in the evening and we played: Bancopoly...guatemala monopoly... it was fun, the kids thought we were really funny to play with them.

We then had dinner: shrimp salad, spaghetti and a brownie with homemade peach ice-cream!!!

Maria, blake, tom and I played euchre and then headed to bed at the respectable hour of 1030!

This morning, the weather was not much more promising for surfing but they gave it a shot. I soaked up some sun and hang out around the 'cabana'.

All in all a wonderful weekend. More sun would have been better, but hey, a beach get away is a beach get away!

here are some pictures!

rain, rain and more rain...

So this second week has been going well. The whole idea of rainy season is making sense to me. There has been no indoor recess this week...though those are still out of doors, just in the covered overhang of our hallways. But the kids are so close to the class it is hard to get anything done or think. But that is life...at least they are not IN my class. Some teachers let their kids play in the class, but I have no toys and no carpet so I don't. I was kind enough to supply colouring supplies. Quite the art work I have in my room now!

Tomorrow evening we are going out for Sushi and to the movies. A reward for making it a whole week! I have heard great things about the movies in this country...so I will keep you all posted. We are seeing Inception... it is supposed to be good!

Saturday is Pacaya and then the beach I think. Some of the girls went last weekend and their pictures of sunshine have made me green with envy...so I think I will go up with some people after our hike. THey plan on surfing...we shall see if I am so brave... it could be comic relief for the masses!

that is all for now. I should make dinner. I just came back from a work out in our gym on the roof! If is funny to run around the roof above the city listening to my music intercepted by the dogs incessant barking!

more later. ox

rugby, rain, parks and WII

My first week with the students went very well!

It was exhausting though!

I have yet to have all 21 students, but am sure that they will show up on Monday. On girl was still on vacation in Spain... tough life..ey?

On Friday night we had a get together at our apartment on the roof of our building. It was fun until it rained! then we moved into the gym...which happens to also be on the roof!

Today a bunch of us went to watch Colin's rugby team play. They destroyed the other team! I took Kiera to the park and swung on swings and slid down the slide..int he pouring rain! She has a a rugby outfit that matched her dads! Except in 20 months old size!!!

I then went to the other girls' building and played WII! Then we went to Laura's and played WII with her while she nursed Maya...very talented that woman!

Tomorrow I don't have anything planned, just hanging out and doing some planning.

We are talking about climbing Pacaya next weekend. It should be a good time! I am looking forward to it!

Hope everyone is doing well!

xo

first day: check!

Day one went very well!
the kids were great and enthusiastic. One kid used the expression easy-peasy! LOVE IT! They love all things Canadian... including me! haha. They saw my key holder (thanks Cathy and alicia!) and were very curious about my strange land. They knew it was huge...one kid thought it was Russia on my world map... one girl was born in Toronto, a little boy has visited Canada and another girl took French classes this summer.

Today while they are in spanish class I am going to the middle school to introduce myself and my "french club!". It should be exciting!

Friday I have my first official parent meeting after school. I am happy the mom is being proactive about her son's behavioUr. (I must master american spelling...not on my blog though!!!)

anyway, i need to make some copies and get ready for the day so I will sign off. thanks for all the encoouragement and well wishes!!!

xo

the moment we have all been waiting for...

Well at least the moment I have been waiting for for as long as I can remember! The first day of school of my very own class!!

Before I left today i took some pictures of the classroom for your viewing enjoyment!

Until today at 330 I had 21 students, but my newest list only has 20... apparently that happens often and really someone just hasn't paid yet, so they will join once they get their money in...and that may be in the morning...So I am not getting rid of any desks quite yet... they were hard enough to come by!

We have an assembly first thing in the morning. I them them for language arts. After that they have double spanish...so I send them off at 930 and ont get them back until 1125. (though I have recess duty in there). After spanish I have them for double math, followed by lunch. And then science. They finish the day in gym. So it is a good way to ease myself in...they have 3 specialists! haha!

Other than that things are good. I am going to make myself a good dinner, pick out my outfit for tomorrow, watch some TV and then go to bed nice and early. We are leaving for the school at 620... oh boy!

Wish me luck!!

3...2...1...wednesday!

This is the view from the roof of our apartment building. I thought I would share it.

Today was a busy day at school with some meetings, planning time and final touches on our classroom!

The kids come in on Wednesday, I can't believe it! I am very excited.

Today I did some yoga and have been finding worksheets and lesson plans for my kiddos to do this week.

The real big question now is: what to wear to the first day of school!!!????

Suggestions please!

cab rides, Antigua, old friends and quilts

I can not believe week two is over! It feels like we have been here for a long time!

Today I went to Antigua to meet up with a childhood friend of mine from Ottawa who is studying Spanish in Antigua. Another teacher from the school came with me so we split the cab ride. We called Jorge, our trusty cab driver and he drove us there and back...an hour each way for 48$... or 400Q. So that was nice and much safer than taking the bus, which would have only cost us 24 Q for both of us, but we may have died, so...better safe than sorry!

In Antigua we went to the market and I bought a beautiful guilt to hang in my new room! I am looking forward to hanging it. (see attached picture)!

With my new internet possession I will be Skypeing mom tonight...so anyone on Skype should feel free to add me and then maybe I can have some face to face time.

That is all for now I believe. Tomorrow we have our first weekly staff meeting at 7:30... I feel like such a grown up with meetings and such! ahah.

much love.

planning, shopping and setting up!

So the rest of this week has been busy busy busy!

Most days we had planning time and a few meetings.

My team- the grade 2 teachers- have mapped out all of the curriculum requirements for the 4 terms. And are now planning week by week.

Friday afternoon, we went to a little bar near the school with our principal and director...about 15 of us went for a drink. First round was on Colin-- you buy beer by the bucket here, it comes with 6. It's pretty funny. Carl bought appetizers for the table. What wonderful bosses I have! I had Ceviche... a dish I remembered from Peru, and it was soooo yummy!

On Friday we were moved-- when we left for school, all of our stuff was packed in our living room and when I came home Friday night all of my stuff was in my new living room! It was great!

Once this place doesn't look like a bomb went off in it, I will post pictures.

Today I got some things for the house and a printer!!! I am very excited and have printed a bunch of things for my kiddos!

Tomorrow I am going to Antigua to see a friend from home- so that will be lots of fun! Maybe go to the market for a little bit! Fun times!

I think thats about it for now. The kids start in on Wednesday, I am very excited to meet them all! Monday and Tuesday we are planning and setting up! Exciting!!

Hope all is well! ox

pictures

I thought I would post some pictures of the first while.

Some are of Antigua, others of the school and some of our night out.

meetings, meetings and more meetings!

And the school year begins!
Monday was the first day with all of the staff! They had a welcome breakfast for us...how I love Guatemalan fruit! We had a traditional breakfast of eggs, beans and plantain. And of course coffee!

After that there were some speeches, Carl read a story called:What do teachers make. You have probably read it or heard of it, if not google it, it is worth the read. He got all chocked up reading it. What a dear man.

From there we split up into sections and the 60 elementary staff hung out in the cafeteria for our meeting with Colin and Sylvita (the VP).

After lunch we played a teacher BINGO...we had all given an interesting fact about ourselves last week. Mine was: I became a Canadian citizen while living in Peru. haha. Anyway, they read the fact and then the name, and..well you know how bingo works.

After school i took a nap and then watched TV and then went to bed! Monday night TV resembles our Thursday night TV, so I watched Greys A, Private Practice and 30 Rock.

About the move. It looks like we will be moving. explanation: we live in a complexe in zona 17, most of the other staff live in zona 15 with the school in zona 16. Apartment 3a where the others are, houses 2 teachers who want to live on their own. They are moving out of that 3 bedroom and moving into different 1 bedroom apartments in another buiolding, leaving a 3 bedroom vacant. We asked to take it because it is bigger than our place. At the place we are now, I am the only one with a desk- as it fits in my bedroom while the other 2 rooms are too small for desks. THough the same will be true of the rooms in the other apartment, there is an extra 'alcove' that can serve as an office in it. That is the rational behind moving.

It should all happen this week..or manana!..

I am off to get some coffee before more meetings begin!