I know it's been a while since I've updated, but it's proven somewhat difficult this week....For those of you who haven't heard, our house got broken into last Saturday night and my laptop got stolen. Great. Long story short, they tapped out the slats in the jealousie windows, reached through the bars, and pulled what they could off the couch. They got about $50 out of Zahra's purse on the couch, and best we can figure, they used my laptop's power chord to pull my computer within reaching distance. They even stole the power chord. Awesome. Yeah, I filed a police report, but it was more for insurance purposes than anything else. They did come out and take fingerprints, which is more than I expected them to do, but no word on anything yet. We'll see, but I'll be lucky if I ever see it again. The town has their suspects - one guy who seems to be a repeat offender that has had previous beef with the volunteers at this house, and another guy (coincidentally named Burrito) who's a major skeeve and likes to harass us. Maybe, since this is the third time I've been robbed in this otherwise wonderful country, my robbing streak will be over....
Other than the robbing business, this week has been a wonderful week at school!!! This was the first week since I've been here that was normal - a whole 5 days of school, no special events, no exams, and no running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I was able to have a routine each day, and I was able to TEACH instead of panic about exams and try to piece things together. My students seemed to be having a good week too - I'm proud to say that ALL homework for the ENTIRE WEEK was turned in ON TIME by EVERY STUDENT. Amazing. Granted, I only have 6 students, so my odds are good, but I am still one happy teacher!
This week, I am thankful for the wonderful teachers that I have worked with in my journey to become a teacher. I have been lucky to have good role models in the teaching world that give me all the great ideas for my classroom! They weren't joking in undergrad when they told us not to reinvent the wheel! Only modify it...Thanks Sara Calderon for the daily spelling activities, Mad Minutes, independent math games, and our "money" behavior chart and "class savings." I've also stolen your idea for folders for each day so I can sort what materials are for which day. Sarah Goodling, thanks for the activity name "Between Us" and small group reading ideas. Dr. Leier, the kids love to write to me in their journals each day as they come into class just like your students used to do with you.
Also this week, I'm beginning to miss some things (other than my wonderful friends and family) - nothing major, but I'm somewhat surprised at the things I'm missing....like a dishwasher. I mean, I'll wash dishes by hand, but it's the sponge thing that freaks me out...it just doesn't feel sanitary. I don't miss hot showers that much, mostly because it's stifling hot these days. I actually might go shower after this just to cool off. (By the way, our pool is never filled up, so it's pretty useless.) I miss volleyball and football A LOT but I expected that. I didn't think I'd be so social, so I kinda wish I had packed another decent outfit or two, but that's nothing major. I'm not sure how I feel about not having a car. I think I'm okay without it - I don't like to drive anyway haha. I MISS CHOCOLATE. They have like no good chocolate here, surprisingly. Like, a bag of Dove's dark chocolate or York Peppermint Patties would go a long way with me right now! I also miss sandwiches. The processed meat here is just WAY too funky for me! Like, worse than bologna....yeah, that's possible.
On the other hand, I don't know how I ever lived my whole life without the avocados here. I never really liked or ate them in the States, and now I think I have a problem. I eat them with almost every meal. I was already spoiled by the pineapple, bananas, and coffee, and we can just add avocados to that list. Oh and coconut. I have a friend here that has shown me how to properly crack open a coconut using only rocks on the beach. Of course, he's a pro and I need practice! I'm working on it though.
Speaking of the beach, I'm off to the beach now! Other than a shower, it's the best way to beat this heat! Pura Vida!
P.S. More later on today's events - it's Independence Day here, so we have Monday off, and the whole town is buzzing with festivities. We are meeting volunteers from the forest camp tonight to watch the Defila de Faroles (type of parade), and then out for dancing!
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