So I wrote this last Sunday...

I'm just getting around to posting this bit of writing from last week...it was an interesting one, full of random fainting spells followed by rest. I'm happy to report that all is well, and I am currently enjoying a Sunday afternoon with my PARENTS here in Guate!! I'll have more to say in a couple of days on that note, but for now, let me take you back a week...

Have I forgotten to write?

It has been a whirlwind two weeks, and the next one is sure to pass even more quickly. Between Colegio Boston and Tabacos y Vinos, my time has been mainly spoken for, but the past two weekends I have also had some serious fun and been able to explore a few different sides of Antigua!

La Vida Mia Antigueῆa

Last weekend I had the great blessing of a delicious meal with my student teaching supervisor who came to observe on Friday the 5th. Yes, this meant that I missed the velaciόn, but we had a lovely time and I was in bed early, which was much needed. Saturday night last weekend I was invited to a real live party! A friend of Christian and Sarah’s graduated from her master’s program and held a fancy shin-dig complete with dinner, live mariachi band and karaoke…not bad, yes? It was a blast to get dressed up, sing and dance with friends and being out past my usual bedtime was kind of a rush, too.

Also on my mind this week are my upcoming visits from Mama y Papa and Patrico! Last Saturday I received the surprising news that both of these pipe dreams will become reality! I was literally beaming with excitement for days after tickets were booked. Since then, I’ve been doing a bit of extra strolling and picking up fliers for volcano expeditions, boat tours of Lake Atitlan and other attractions Guatemaltecos. I even had a moment to pass by Hotel Porta Antigua, where I’ll have the pleasure of spending time with my padres!! It looks like an excellent choice. I am more than thrilled at the opportunity to see my loved ones, and I’ve even requested a leave from school and work for those two weeks! Can’twait.gov
This reminds me: if anyone wants to visit, I feel that I now know enough of the goings on here and I would be happy to set up tours...fyi.

This week I met some new friends who cam e to Antigua for a wedding at Hotel Santo Domingo (monastery turned gorgeous resort) and I added to my resume, “Cultural Tour Guide, Antigua, Guatemala.” With Friday night off from the wine shop, I was able to do some shopping and even relax! I then experienced some of Antigua’s night life, which I was told would include live salsa music and dancing, but instead consisted of a techno house party with fog machines and a short, stout and somewhat older Guatemalan breakdancer. Disappointment does not exist here.

On a tragic note, I have to report another first: TUMMY ACHE. Of course I have heard all of the horror stories about getting sick in other countries because of whatever amoebas exist in the water, food, dust or air, but of course never heed many warnings in my cocky, “I’m a traveler, I can take it” state of mind. Today I woke up at 5:00am with some of the worst stomach pain I can remember. One bottle of 7up, a chicken soup cup and some club crackers later, I’m feeling a bit better but it’s clear that my intestines and I are still not on speaking terms. Here’s hoping this is a 24 hour ordeal and nothing more.


En El Colegio Boston

I am humbled daily by my role as a STUDENT teacher, as I make hundreds of little mistakes and learn from them, some with immediate reaction or results and some I learn later were not great ideas. The frustration I feel within a foreign system are plentiful, which has built a thrill in me to come back and teach in Minnesota’s beautifully crafted education system (I know that sounds dramatic, but I find myself often longing for any of the Minneapolis schools in which I have subbed).
We do have a good amount of freedom in our curriculum and planning, which has been wonderful and overwhelming for me. Taking the idea of Ancient Rome from the students’ grammar book (a complete- packaged ESL curriculum called Lighthouse), we decided to use the topic for social studies as well, and that’s when I had a pretty big idea called the Roman Forum Simulation. The week’s preparations included several lessons from the Lighthouse book, internet investigations, creative writing, artwork and costume creation. Friday’s presentations centered around eight Roman professions: Scribe, Senator, Artist, Slave, Gladiator, Soldier, Philosopher and Citizen. Sarah and I were the Emperors, of course. Students chose their roles and prepared small speaking scripts and some elaborate costuming and posters to represent their understanding of the work they would have done in Ancient Rome. For one hour in each class on Forum day, we followed the laws created by the senators, discussed our likes and dislikes of the public bath and life in Rome, and watched as gladiators fought to the death in the middle of our classroom. There was also a question and answer period where slaves and soldiers alike could grill the Emperor about why laws existed and what would happen if the gladiators suddenly killed the leader of Rome…thankfully, some kind scribes stood up for me! The day exceeded my expectations, and while there is always room for improvement, I felt like a proud mother hen while watching my little Romans perform.

Other than that, I am working on developing new project ideas for social studies and science, as well as finding interactive ways to bolster my students’ use of adverbs. I took a little poll of what students would like to learn, and they came up with several movie titles they’d like to incorporate. It looks like we might do something with World War II (Kevyn wants to watch Saving Private Ryan), possibly Greek history (Rodrigo loves the movie 300), and I’m thinking our next unit will conclude with a Festival of Nations type event (Adriana actually wants to learn about other countries)! More on this in the coming weeks…

I still struggle to give clear and concise directions in English, and it still astounds me when I explain one point and have sixteen hands raised asking the same question afterward. Did I mention this was humbling work? I realized the other day that I could be working about 900% harder than I am right now, and it still might not be enough to get every student where they need to be, and it is one of the most frustrating and motivating facts of daily life. There are some great role models at the school, and I only wish I could spend more time observing hundreds of teachers in their classrooms before starting my own. There is so much to learn!

I’m out of words for today. I’ll likely be able to Skype evenings this week around 7:30pm, when I close the wine shop (and the wireless actually works there!) so if anyone is bored around 8:30 your time (Guate doesn’t Spring Ahead like MN), hit me up!

Time for more galletas de club (Saltines) and maybe laundry…the thrills don’t stop!
Love to all!