This weekend was a lot of fun! On Saturday morning we got up at 5am to catch the bus from PG to Placencia, a penisula about an hour and a half from here. We arrived in a town called Independence around 7:30 and then went on a taxi boat from there to Placencia. When we got there we were all pretty shocked and excited. We stayed at a nice hotel right on the beach. First we had breakfast and then went to lay on the beach. The beach was immaculate. The sand was made of quartz so it was not as fine as the sand we are used to. It was beautiful and the water was awesome. I swam for a long time until my hands turned to prunes. We then had lunch, went for a long walk along the beach and then laid out for a while.
During the late afternoon some of us girls decided to look around the town. We found some supermarkets and a place called "Barefoot". They were having a Halloween costume party. We decided that it would be fun to go. The people there had some of the neatest costumes I had ever seen. My favorite was Avatar.
The next morning we planned to go snorkelling but the boat that we were to go on was not working properly. We had to get off for awhile and the wait was getting to us. The driver came back and he said he fixed it, but by that time we were all kind of over the whole snorkelling thing. While we were waiting we talked to this really neat young woman who came from Italy to Belize and has lived there for 6 years. She travels back everyone year but will be moving back to Italy permantly because she doesn't feel her daughter is getting the proper education. She said that her daughter's teacher makes many mistakes and there is little for her 6 year old daughter to do in such a small town. PG is more populated than Placencia I believe. Then we decided to catch the 12:30 ferry back to Independence and then back to PG.
When we arrived back "home" I folded my laundry which was hung dry. Our family is really into conservation so they do not have a dryer. They do many things to save energy and resources. After some cleaning I went for a run. On our room home we found a guy who made necklaces and rings. He made a ring out of a nut shell right in front of us. It was pretty cool! Now time for lesson planning!
Good night friends!
"Life is uncharted territory. It reveals its story one moment at a time.”
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
You Better Belize It!
Well, it's Friday night! Almost a week gone by since I have been home. Feels like longer actually... maybe because I have been doing so much. I anticipate the weeks will go by quicker now with a routine and lesson planning. On Thursday, we had a teacher's meeting. They were similar to our meetings back home, but I knew a lot of the things we learned already. We had to separate into groups and only another person and I did the talking. I think the heat gets to people because we all seemed a bit out of sorts. Many people also seem to be on "Belize time" because the meeting was supposed to start at 8 and it didn't until 9 and lunch was supposed to end at 1 and most of the people did not get back until 1:15. I sat in the room alone for awhile feeling kind of dorky. Oh well! I'll learn! I better not get in this habit because this would never fly in the States.
After the workshop, Andrea and I went to hang out on the pier. It was a bit windy so we didn't stay long but I got a little red. Then we went home and I went for a run, came back to have supper then did homework and off to bed. I was pretty tired. The heat here really gets to you. I started to get a little homesick so Andrea played some easy going songs and I felt better.
The next morning I felt much better. During the night there was the coolest and loudest storm, which made it really cool the next morning. We had a good morning talk and breakfast with Celia then ventured off to school. On Fridays there is a market thing so the streets were super busy. We made a mental note to take a different way next Friday! I had much more energy at school today and I felt much more comfortable. I like knowing the kids names so I made them all nametags. The whole day they kept asking for help. I really had to be firm otherwise when I really start full-on teaching they could really take advantage of me. I feel so bad being a grump and trying not to smile, but it will work out for the best. I probably will ease up around Thanksgiving time. The kids are so cute though, it's hard to be the bad guy. I also read them "Miss. Nelson is Missing" and they ate it up! Some kids skipped their snack break to listen to me read it again. They kept saying "beautiful book". I also brought spooky silly bands for the kids so I had to set the rules for me to be able to hand them out. I noticed that I started to talk Creole. In Creole your words are kind of longated (sp?) and they say "t" instead of "th". At home, I also speak Spanish more and more with Tia. She said I am doing muy bueno! :) Overall, the school day was fun!
After school we went to get a calling card and teaching materials. I will start doing lessons on Tuesday with sentence structure and beginning sounds. Should be fun. I wanted to work on the lesson tonight, but I had other homework that I needed to complete first.
Another good thing about my day was that I was able to talk to Cory on the phone! Hopefully I can call mom or dad soon.
Off to bed! MISS YOU ALL!!!
After the workshop, Andrea and I went to hang out on the pier. It was a bit windy so we didn't stay long but I got a little red. Then we went home and I went for a run, came back to have supper then did homework and off to bed. I was pretty tired. The heat here really gets to you. I started to get a little homesick so Andrea played some easy going songs and I felt better.
The next morning I felt much better. During the night there was the coolest and loudest storm, which made it really cool the next morning. We had a good morning talk and breakfast with Celia then ventured off to school. On Fridays there is a market thing so the streets were super busy. We made a mental note to take a different way next Friday! I had much more energy at school today and I felt much more comfortable. I like knowing the kids names so I made them all nametags. The whole day they kept asking for help. I really had to be firm otherwise when I really start full-on teaching they could really take advantage of me. I feel so bad being a grump and trying not to smile, but it will work out for the best. I probably will ease up around Thanksgiving time. The kids are so cute though, it's hard to be the bad guy. I also read them "Miss. Nelson is Missing" and they ate it up! Some kids skipped their snack break to listen to me read it again. They kept saying "beautiful book". I also brought spooky silly bands for the kids so I had to set the rules for me to be able to hand them out. I noticed that I started to talk Creole. In Creole your words are kind of longated (sp?) and they say "t" instead of "th". At home, I also speak Spanish more and more with Tia. She said I am doing muy bueno! :) Overall, the school day was fun!
After school we went to get a calling card and teaching materials. I will start doing lessons on Tuesday with sentence structure and beginning sounds. Should be fun. I wanted to work on the lesson tonight, but I had other homework that I needed to complete first.
Another good thing about my day was that I was able to talk to Cory on the phone! Hopefully I can call mom or dad soon.
Off to bed! MISS YOU ALL!!!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
1st Day of School
Yesterday, we all had our first full day of school. Andrea and I got up early, got ready in our beautiful burgandy skirts, had breakfast and walked to school. Our walk was so hot. By the time we got to school we were already sweating. There is no use in wearing any makeup so I think I'll give up on that. When we got to school I found out that I was switched to "Standard I" which is like 3rd grade. When everyone arrived all of the students and teachers assembled on the veranda. All of the students say "good morning teachers and classmates". Then the prinicpal introduced Andrea and I to the whole school. I had to scream, "Hi! I am Miss. Daisy" in front of the entire school. Next we went into our classrooms.
All of the students called me "Miss" or "Teach". By the end of the day some were calling me by Miss. Daisy. In the morning we said our prayers and sang songs and then I did an introductory activity with the students to get to know them. There are 22 students and the room is tiny. The kids here do not bring sweatSHIRTS here; they bring sweat RAGS. The kids were cute but very difficult to understand. On numerous occasions I had to have the students repeat what they were saying. When I asked what they wanted to be when they grow up some typical responses were: (BDF) Belize Defense Force, soldier, pilot and teacher.
During the day I just helped out the students while the teacher taught. I would chime in sometimes but for the most part yesterday was a day for observing and becoming acclimated with the class. The students did social studies, language arts, life skills and arts & crafts. For lunch, we all get an hour and a half break. This seems like quite a long time for me, but the teachers teach the specialist classes so we don't have any preps besides lunch. Oh, and my cooperating teacher is very nice. We have to be very firm with the children but when I talk to her, so is very kind. The school will take a lot of getting used to because it is pretty different.
After school Andrea and I walked down to the pier and laid down, but it was very windy. We went back and I went for a run. I then came back to a good meal of homemade tortillas, tomatoes, and these bacon/ham strips which were delicious. Andrea said that she enjoyed my face because at first I took a small, apprehensive bite, but then kept eating more because they were so good. I have been trying new foods but there are many more to try. After a shower we hung out and I looked at some homework. However, not much got accomplished.
All of the students called me "Miss" or "Teach". By the end of the day some were calling me by Miss. Daisy. In the morning we said our prayers and sang songs and then I did an introductory activity with the students to get to know them. There are 22 students and the room is tiny. The kids here do not bring sweatSHIRTS here; they bring sweat RAGS. The kids were cute but very difficult to understand. On numerous occasions I had to have the students repeat what they were saying. When I asked what they wanted to be when they grow up some typical responses were: (BDF) Belize Defense Force, soldier, pilot and teacher.
During the day I just helped out the students while the teacher taught. I would chime in sometimes but for the most part yesterday was a day for observing and becoming acclimated with the class. The students did social studies, language arts, life skills and arts & crafts. For lunch, we all get an hour and a half break. This seems like quite a long time for me, but the teachers teach the specialist classes so we don't have any preps besides lunch. Oh, and my cooperating teacher is very nice. We have to be very firm with the children but when I talk to her, so is very kind. The school will take a lot of getting used to because it is pretty different.
After school Andrea and I walked down to the pier and laid down, but it was very windy. We went back and I went for a run. I then came back to a good meal of homemade tortillas, tomatoes, and these bacon/ham strips which were delicious. Andrea said that she enjoyed my face because at first I took a small, apprehensive bite, but then kept eating more because they were so good. I have been trying new foods but there are many more to try. After a shower we hung out and I looked at some homework. However, not much got accomplished.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Eventful Day
This morning, the whole group of us minus two went kayaking in a river. The river started out wide which was nice because my kayak skills are lacking. Yet, after a while the river became so narrow that we nearly got stuck. The worst was when we couldn't get our kayak out through an opening of two branches filled with crabs. Ick! I started to get a little chicken, but nevertheless I made it through still happy. Luckily, we did not have any encounters with crocodiles. :)
Next we found a pier and swam in the Sea for awhile. By that time we were hungry. Andrea and I came home to chicken, french fries, rice and plantoons. Very yummy! Then we got ready to go to our school. We first went to meet the principal who was very nice. Andrea and I then went to see our classrooms. My teacher was absent due to the flu. Originally my placement was to be 3rd/4th grade but the teacher got switched to "Infant 2" which is 2nd grade. The kids were so tiny. I enjoy teaching middle elementary, so this may be different for me. When I would talk to the students they would giggle because I sound so different to them. All of the students speak Creole which is broken English. It is very challenging to understand. When we visited a 6th grade classroom all of the students were chatting and I couldn't understand a word they said. So... this should be pretty interesting! The teachers really want us to break them of Creole though to speak more formal English. I've already caught myself speaking in Creole. I've also been speaking some Spanish because our host aunt, Tia, really only speaks Spanish. She cooks our meals and cleans so I often have to ask her questions.
After meeting students, we walked around town and then headed back to our house. I was really exhausted from the heat but when the topic of runnning came up I perked up. Four of us girls went jogging along the Carribean with the other girls' host mom's son's friend (whew!). We made a plan to run every evening. We also might swim and walk in the morning before getting ready for school. I'll see about that though. My sleep may be more important.
I am excited but nervous to have my first full day in the classroom tomorrow!
Next we found a pier and swam in the Sea for awhile. By that time we were hungry. Andrea and I came home to chicken, french fries, rice and plantoons. Very yummy! Then we got ready to go to our school. We first went to meet the principal who was very nice. Andrea and I then went to see our classrooms. My teacher was absent due to the flu. Originally my placement was to be 3rd/4th grade but the teacher got switched to "Infant 2" which is 2nd grade. The kids were so tiny. I enjoy teaching middle elementary, so this may be different for me. When I would talk to the students they would giggle because I sound so different to them. All of the students speak Creole which is broken English. It is very challenging to understand. When we visited a 6th grade classroom all of the students were chatting and I couldn't understand a word they said. So... this should be pretty interesting! The teachers really want us to break them of Creole though to speak more formal English. I've already caught myself speaking in Creole. I've also been speaking some Spanish because our host aunt, Tia, really only speaks Spanish. She cooks our meals and cleans so I often have to ask her questions.
After meeting students, we walked around town and then headed back to our house. I was really exhausted from the heat but when the topic of runnning came up I perked up. Four of us girls went jogging along the Carribean with the other girls' host mom's son's friend (whew!). We made a plan to run every evening. We also might swim and walk in the morning before getting ready for school. I'll see about that though. My sleep may be more important.
I am excited but nervous to have my first full day in the classroom tomorrow!
Welcome to the Jungle
We finally made it to Punta Gorda! We got up at 3:30 yesterday morning, got ready and went to the airport. Luckily, all of our flights departed and arrived pretty much on time. When we landed in Belize City we exited the plane down stairs directly outside. The heat was outrageuous! I instantly started "glistening". Once we got into the airport we were greeted by some of the friendliest people I've ever met. We had to wait for an hour until our plane left but we kept ourselves busy by looking in the gift shop. Once it was time to board we walked outside to a small 10-passenger plane. If I had not been on an even smaller plane with Cory before I would have been completely freaked out. However, I was a pro and hopped on with much excitement. Our plane made some pitstops in Santiago, Palencia and then it finally landed in PG.
Once we stepped out into PG I was a bit shocked. It was rather quiet and different than I expected. Unfortunely, my luggage did not arrive right away so I had to wait. My host dad, Paul, met us and took us back to his house. Many of the houses are on stilts and have tin roofs. Some actually looked like forts. There is quite an ecletic mix of houses becuase ours is rather well developed. Andrea and I have our own room with a bathroom and our house even has internet! When we arrived at our house with Paul and our host mom, Celia, we met two of their children; Giselle is 15 and very mature and welcoming and Alwyn is 13 and really nice. Their oldest daugher, Karena, is away for college in Trinidad.
At our house Celia fixed Andrea and me guava jelly sandwiches and homemade lemonade. We also tried some guavas which were okay. :) Next, we sat around and talked and Paul told us his many stories, one including his meeting with the Queen of England. Our family is very nice and they really stressed for us to feel at home. When I got here I was a little homesick because of the culture shock, but once I started talking to our "family" I felt better.
After my luggage arrived, Andrea and I went with Celia to the store. The store had tons of essentials that I didn't think they would have! They even had teaching materials so I should be pretty good on that. The store only had three walls so that was kind of interesting. When we drove around there were kids everywhere riding bikes and walking around. They do not really seem to care if a car is driving by. One kid almost ran into Celia on his bike. Here, you can't get your driver's license until you're 18.
When we got back, I started unpacking and then we had our group orientation. In the midst of the talk, the power went out in the whole city. We heard people screaming and laughing. It was kind of scary. Then the power went on and off again. After the orientation, Andrea and I had a candlelit spaghetti dinner as Giselle pointed out. Then we finished unpacking and showering. Falling asleep was kind of hard due to the heat, but eventually I fell asleep. Now we are going to go kayaking in one of the town's rivers!
Once we stepped out into PG I was a bit shocked. It was rather quiet and different than I expected. Unfortunely, my luggage did not arrive right away so I had to wait. My host dad, Paul, met us and took us back to his house. Many of the houses are on stilts and have tin roofs. Some actually looked like forts. There is quite an ecletic mix of houses becuase ours is rather well developed. Andrea and I have our own room with a bathroom and our house even has internet! When we arrived at our house with Paul and our host mom, Celia, we met two of their children; Giselle is 15 and very mature and welcoming and Alwyn is 13 and really nice. Their oldest daugher, Karena, is away for college in Trinidad.
At our house Celia fixed Andrea and me guava jelly sandwiches and homemade lemonade. We also tried some guavas which were okay. :) Next, we sat around and talked and Paul told us his many stories, one including his meeting with the Queen of England. Our family is very nice and they really stressed for us to feel at home. When I got here I was a little homesick because of the culture shock, but once I started talking to our "family" I felt better.
After my luggage arrived, Andrea and I went with Celia to the store. The store had tons of essentials that I didn't think they would have! They even had teaching materials so I should be pretty good on that. The store only had three walls so that was kind of interesting. When we drove around there were kids everywhere riding bikes and walking around. They do not really seem to care if a car is driving by. One kid almost ran into Celia on his bike. Here, you can't get your driver's license until you're 18.
When we got back, I started unpacking and then we had our group orientation. In the midst of the talk, the power went out in the whole city. We heard people screaming and laughing. It was kind of scary. Then the power went on and off again. After the orientation, Andrea and I had a candlelit spaghetti dinner as Giselle pointed out. Then we finished unpacking and showering. Falling asleep was kind of hard due to the heat, but eventually I fell asleep. Now we are going to go kayaking in one of the town's rivers!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
When in Dallas...
Saturday, October 16, 2010
ONE WEEK!
I am already starting to miss my kiddos at Northern Lights. They have been one of the best group of students I have ever had the opportunity to work with. We have started writing our pen pal letters.
Today I will be getting some more stuff ready for my trip. There are many things to think about. Not sure how I'll pack it all!!
Today I will be getting some more stuff ready for my trip. There are many things to think about. Not sure how I'll pack it all!!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Less Than 3 Weeks to Belize
Time had certainly flown by! Only 3 weeks till Belize. As of now, I am packing and getting some final things in order for my upcoming adventure. I am enjoying teaching in Superior, but am excited to move to a new location for awhile. Stay tuned! :)
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