I thought I'd share a little about the food situation at school. There is no cafeteria, the kids eat outside on picnic tables (if it's raining, they eat inside). There is a tiny little "tiendita" where the kids buy lunch if they want to. But, you can't just pay and get your food. First you have to buy a card at the resource room (to get a deal you buy one for 20 pesos, which gets you 25 pesos worth of food= $2.50). That card will get you about 2 meals.
The meals are awesome. Real, great mexican food for super cheap. They also usually have great sweets, too!
So, it's been easy to get out early in the morning without making lunch, and knowing that something good awaits me at school.
Usually in the afternoons you can smell the yumminess of tomorrows lunch cooking in the tiendita.
and that is how I eat lunch. usually.
:)
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Transportation
Another weekend here and gone. I'm finding that I am not dreading Monday as much as I usually would. I'm excited to get another week started. A real week. A routine.
The weekends are my time to explore the city a little. I am really hoping for the time when my workweeks get a bit less loaded so that I can leave our neighborhood on a weekday, but for now the weekends are my time for getting away... and usually using many forms of transportation.
This Friday I returned to the bible study with the medical students, along with a couple more girls from the big house, and a few newbies in the study. It's really incredible how God has brought everyone together. I was told that the group began only about five weeks ago with 4 or 5 people who met up in classes and discovered they were all christians. Now, there are over 20 people there, with new people every week. Last week we took a bus, a walk, and a cab to get there. This week, one of the girls called Manuel, the man with the van who picked us all up from the airport. His van must be some kind of private cab... he charged us 100 pesos for the trip across town, about $10. Split among 5 people, and cutting the travel time in half, made it well worth it. The ride home has been provided by two of the bible study 'leaders' who are amazingly generous to drive us to a totally different part of town around midnight.
Saturday was Jillaine's birthday, so we took her out to breakfast in the morning at an old American style diner down the street. (I had the BEST pancakes!). Then, one of the culinarily talented girls of the group snuck over to my house to bake some cakes. Then we lured her over with a little fib later on in the night for a cake and "My Fair Lady" (her fav. movie) party.
I went to my roommates church this morning, along with 5 other girls. Joy had to be there 2 hours early for worship practice, so we took the bus. It was one of the easiest trips I've taken by bus. We walked through the back of our neighborhood to catch it, as opposed to the dirty, flooded main street where most busses run. Then we took the clean bus pretty much right to the doorstep of the church. I believe it was a missionary alliance church, small, but full. I really liked the message and the pastor spoke SO softly and slowly and clearly and I totally understood it! Probably more than most of the Spanish I've heard this whole time. It was quite nice.
I hope that all who read this are doing well, and I pray you have a great upcoming week!
Here is a picture from Open House night. We tried to all get together, but it didn't work, so these are most of the girls from the big house (and mine).
The back row, left to right: Betsy, Rachel, Megan, Lindsay, Charla.
The front row, left to right: Kelly, Jillaine, ME, Cyntia (the one Mexican teacher living at the house), and Joy (my roommate).
Not included: Rebecca and Jaque (pr. Jackie), who also live in the big house.
The weekends are my time to explore the city a little. I am really hoping for the time when my workweeks get a bit less loaded so that I can leave our neighborhood on a weekday, but for now the weekends are my time for getting away... and usually using many forms of transportation.
This Friday I returned to the bible study with the medical students, along with a couple more girls from the big house, and a few newbies in the study. It's really incredible how God has brought everyone together. I was told that the group began only about five weeks ago with 4 or 5 people who met up in classes and discovered they were all christians. Now, there are over 20 people there, with new people every week. Last week we took a bus, a walk, and a cab to get there. This week, one of the girls called Manuel, the man with the van who picked us all up from the airport. His van must be some kind of private cab... he charged us 100 pesos for the trip across town, about $10. Split among 5 people, and cutting the travel time in half, made it well worth it. The ride home has been provided by two of the bible study 'leaders' who are amazingly generous to drive us to a totally different part of town around midnight.
Saturday was Jillaine's birthday, so we took her out to breakfast in the morning at an old American style diner down the street. (I had the BEST pancakes!). Then, one of the culinarily talented girls of the group snuck over to my house to bake some cakes. Then we lured her over with a little fib later on in the night for a cake and "My Fair Lady" (her fav. movie) party.
I went to my roommates church this morning, along with 5 other girls. Joy had to be there 2 hours early for worship practice, so we took the bus. It was one of the easiest trips I've taken by bus. We walked through the back of our neighborhood to catch it, as opposed to the dirty, flooded main street where most busses run. Then we took the clean bus pretty much right to the doorstep of the church. I believe it was a missionary alliance church, small, but full. I really liked the message and the pastor spoke SO softly and slowly and clearly and I totally understood it! Probably more than most of the Spanish I've heard this whole time. It was quite nice.
I hope that all who read this are doing well, and I pray you have a great upcoming week!
Here is a picture from Open House night. We tried to all get together, but it didn't work, so these are most of the girls from the big house (and mine).
The back row, left to right: Betsy, Rachel, Megan, Lindsay, Charla.
The front row, left to right: Kelly, Jillaine, ME, Cyntia (the one Mexican teacher living at the house), and Joy (my roommate).
Not included: Rebecca and Jaque (pr. Jackie), who also live in the big house.
Friday, August 25, 2006
TGIF
One week down.
I feel like I'm getting the hang of this.
But I must say I'm looking forward to this weekend. But, I am also looking forward to next week. :)
p.s. Open house was fine. I didn't need to use Spanish all that much, but when I did, I am happy to say, I remembered things I didn't know I remembered-- and I was understood! Yay for God's help!
More to come.
I feel like I'm getting the hang of this.
But I must say I'm looking forward to this weekend. But, I am also looking forward to next week. :)
p.s. Open house was fine. I didn't need to use Spanish all that much, but when I did, I am happy to say, I remembered things I didn't know I remembered-- and I was understood! Yay for God's help!
More to come.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Mis Alumnos
SO, I've made it through day 3. Things are getting better. The students are just about the cutest things in the world.
I taught my first (ever?) bible lesson yesterday. Within about 2 minutes I was asked about the Trinity: "How can the three be in the same one thing?" and "If God made everything, who made God first?". Hmm... the eternal questions. I did my best and then left it at "Wow, what great questions! I'm planning to ask God that when I get to heaven!"
The confining classroom is still.. confining. It's frustrating to have pretty much only one tiny surface for turning in papers. So I clear it onto a pile on my desk when they need to turn something else in. This will take some getting used to because I'm the kind of person who finds it really hard to get work done with my desk is messy.
Well, I must go do some grocery shopping. Tomorrow is Open House! I'm nervous about the language barrier! But I've heard that all they really want to do is shake your hand and get the books to be covered (they take all books to papelerias around here to get professionally covered.
Here are some pictures of my kids: I took them all individually but I only included one because it was the way cutest!
I taught my first (ever?) bible lesson yesterday. Within about 2 minutes I was asked about the Trinity: "How can the three be in the same one thing?" and "If God made everything, who made God first?". Hmm... the eternal questions. I did my best and then left it at "Wow, what great questions! I'm planning to ask God that when I get to heaven!"
The confining classroom is still.. confining. It's frustrating to have pretty much only one tiny surface for turning in papers. So I clear it onto a pile on my desk when they need to turn something else in. This will take some getting used to because I'm the kind of person who finds it really hard to get work done with my desk is messy.
Well, I must go do some grocery shopping. Tomorrow is Open House! I'm nervous about the language barrier! But I've heard that all they really want to do is shake your hand and get the books to be covered (they take all books to papelerias around here to get professionally covered.
Here are some pictures of my kids: I took them all individually but I only included one because it was the way cutest!
Monday, August 21, 2006
THe Very First Day
So, I am officially a teacher. My first ever Very First Day of Teaching is over.
All in all, it wasn't bad. It was good... so don't think I'm griping when youread this:
There was a lot that I wasn't expecting. Like how they all come in with mountains of supplies and expected to unload them in a room with basically no storage. I think I now have 87 boxes of tissues... both the real boxes and the individual packets.
Oh, and I also got two new kids before the day began. So, my teeny weeny classroom that could barely contain 14 now uncomfortably holds 16.
Ok, this is going to sound like a stream of complaints.. but just one more thing. I kind of thought that kids here would be a little better behaved than those in the states. Because, really.... some American kids are just bratty. Well, these kids aren't bratty, necessarily, but they've definately gotten away with a lot in the past. They are HUGE talkers! And they can NOT walk in a line... neither straight, nor quiet. It's going to take a lot of practice.
But, on a more positive note: they are SO SO SO darling! Even if they talk a lot (mostly the boys... weird, huh?), and walk awefully... they have the cutest little accents, and they usually state things so simply.. it's adorable! They are smaller than I thought, too. They remind me of my second graders. Which is interesting b/c they are older than third graders in the states.
Well, over all it was fun. I am so exhausted (but what's new after last week, right?), but I am looking forward to getting them 'into shape'.
I'll post pictures of them soon.
All in all, it wasn't bad. It was good... so don't think I'm griping when youread this:
There was a lot that I wasn't expecting. Like how they all come in with mountains of supplies and expected to unload them in a room with basically no storage. I think I now have 87 boxes of tissues... both the real boxes and the individual packets.
Oh, and I also got two new kids before the day began. So, my teeny weeny classroom that could barely contain 14 now uncomfortably holds 16.
Ok, this is going to sound like a stream of complaints.. but just one more thing. I kind of thought that kids here would be a little better behaved than those in the states. Because, really.... some American kids are just bratty. Well, these kids aren't bratty, necessarily, but they've definately gotten away with a lot in the past. They are HUGE talkers! And they can NOT walk in a line... neither straight, nor quiet. It's going to take a lot of practice.
But, on a more positive note: they are SO SO SO darling! Even if they talk a lot (mostly the boys... weird, huh?), and walk awefully... they have the cutest little accents, and they usually state things so simply.. it's adorable! They are smaller than I thought, too. They remind me of my second graders. Which is interesting b/c they are older than third graders in the states.
Well, over all it was fun. I am so exhausted (but what's new after last week, right?), but I am looking forward to getting them 'into shape'.
I'll post pictures of them soon.
THe Very First Day
So, I am officially a teacher. My first ever Very First Day of Teaching is over.
All in all, it wasn't bad. It was good... so don't think I'm griping when youread this:
There was a lot that I wasn't expecting. Like how they all come in with mountains of supplies and expected to unload them in a room with basically no storage. I think I now have 87 boxes of tissues... both the real boxes and the individual packets.
Oh, and I also got two new kids before the day began. So, my teeny weeny classroom that could barely contain 14 now uncomfortably holds 16.
Ok, this is going to sound like a stream of complaints.. but just one more thing. I kind of thought that kids here would be a little better behaved than those in the states. Because, really.... some American kids are just bratty. Well, these kids aren't bratty, necessarily, but they've definately gotten away with a lot in the past. They are HUGE talkers! And they can NOT walk in a line... neither straight, nor quiet. It's going to take a lot of practice.
But, on a more positive note: they are SO SO SO darling! Even if they talk a lot (mostly the boys... weird, huh?), and walk awefully... they have the cutest little accents, and they usually state things so simply.. it's adorable! They are smaller than I thought, too. They remind me of my second graders. Which is interesting b/c they are older than third graders in the states.
Well, over all it was fun. I am so exhausted (but what's new after last week, right?), but I am looking forward to getting them 'into shape'.
I'll post pictures of them soon.
All in all, it wasn't bad. It was good... so don't think I'm griping when youread this:
There was a lot that I wasn't expecting. Like how they all come in with mountains of supplies and expected to unload them in a room with basically no storage. I think I now have 87 boxes of tissues... both the real boxes and the individual packets.
Oh, and I also got two new kids before the day began. So, my teeny weeny classroom that could barely contain 14 now uncomfortably holds 16.
Ok, this is going to sound like a stream of complaints.. but just one more thing. I kind of thought that kids here would be a little better behaved than those in the states. Because, really.... some American kids are just bratty. Well, these kids aren't bratty, necessarily, but they've definately gotten away with a lot in the past. They are HUGE talkers! And they can NOT walk in a line... neither straight, nor quiet. It's going to take a lot of practice.
But, on a more positive note: they are SO SO SO darling! Even if they talk a lot (mostly the boys... weird, huh?), and walk awefully... they have the cutest little accents, and they usually state things so simply.. it's adorable! They are smaller than I thought, too. They remind me of my second graders. Which is interesting b/c they are older than third graders in the states.
Well, over all it was fun. I am so exhausted (but what's new after last week, right?), but I am looking forward to getting them 'into shape'.
I'll post pictures of them soon.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Here are some views of downtown Guadalajara, where I went last weekend:
These are the guys who make the guacamole at the table. It's good!
This a a great big cathedral.
I don't know what this is, but it was here that we got serenaded by some guy.
Here's a view of a market from above
They even have a Ripley's Believe it or Not.
These are the guys who make the guacamole at the table. It's good!
This a a great big cathedral.
I don't know what this is, but it was here that we got serenaded by some guy.
Here's a view of a market from above
They even have a Ripley's Believe it or Not.
It is Ready!
Last night I had the pleasure of leaving the two-block radius that has been my constant habitat for the past week. Three of the other new teachers and I went to a bible study with students from the medical school that is here in GDL. We took a bus, a walk, and a taxi that got lost to get there, but we found it. It was really nice to meet some new people, and it is incredible to see how God puts people together. We were the perfect picture of a "politically correct" class. There were Americans, Asians, Mexicans, Argentinians, and even a girl from Holland. I had a good time. And it was a great break since I was back at school at 10:00 this morning doing more work in my classroom. It took me until 6:45.. but I did it. My room is ready!
1. This is what my room looked like for the first three days... with lots of other people's things in it.
2. Here is my door, with my cute homemade passes and our little system to tell where we are.
3. These bookshelves are basically the only storage in the room.
4. Here it is pretty much set up for the first day. My desk is in the front on the right.
1. This is what my room looked like for the first three days... with lots of other people's things in it.
2. Here is my door, with my cute homemade passes and our little system to tell where we are.
3. These bookshelves are basically the only storage in the room.
4. Here it is pretty much set up for the first day. My desk is in the front on the right.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Planning week
I do not have time at present to fill you in on the events of the past week, exept to briefly say that this weekend I went downtown with a couple of the girls and we talked to a local for hours, bought lace-crocheted doilies made by a woman-with-no-arm's feet, and shopeed it the biggest market in Mexico. On Sunday, one of the other teachers and I went to church with our school's director and then ate a great lunch at his house with his family.
Since then it's been work! This week has been nonstop. It is a planning week unlike any one would ever experience in a school in the states. So far, our day has gone something like this:
We meet at 8:00 and have a short time of worship and prayer with a prayer-partner. Then, we have a study of the new testament until 10:15. (It is like a New Testament class you would take in college... exept only 5 days long. I think it has something to do with requirements from the ACSI...Association of Christian Schools International.)
Then we get a break until 11:00, when we return and have a general meeting with the director. Then, we break off into meetings with our department (Elementary, for me). Then, just the new teachers meet at 1:30 again with the director. Finally, when it's all over, we work in our rooms.
It's taken me until to day to get my room looking like a classroom. Until yesterday, I had three other people's things in it, as it was used as a sort of storage room all summer. Oh, by the way. It is TINY! My mom suggested I measure it, but I haven't found measuring tape anywhere. I will take a picture when it's all finished to show you. They funny thing is that I can probably fit the whole room in one picture. :)
Monday is the first day of school. Please pray for me. As of now, I don't know what we're going to do the whole first week.
more to come.....
Since then it's been work! This week has been nonstop. It is a planning week unlike any one would ever experience in a school in the states. So far, our day has gone something like this:
We meet at 8:00 and have a short time of worship and prayer with a prayer-partner. Then, we have a study of the new testament until 10:15. (It is like a New Testament class you would take in college... exept only 5 days long. I think it has something to do with requirements from the ACSI...Association of Christian Schools International.)
Then we get a break until 11:00, when we return and have a general meeting with the director. Then, we break off into meetings with our department (Elementary, for me). Then, just the new teachers meet at 1:30 again with the director. Finally, when it's all over, we work in our rooms.
It's taken me until to day to get my room looking like a classroom. Until yesterday, I had three other people's things in it, as it was used as a sort of storage room all summer. Oh, by the way. It is TINY! My mom suggested I measure it, but I haven't found measuring tape anywhere. I will take a picture when it's all finished to show you. They funny thing is that I can probably fit the whole room in one picture. :)
Monday is the first day of school. Please pray for me. As of now, I don't know what we're going to do the whole first week.
more to come.....
Backdated post.
Because I didn't have the internet until today (the 18th), I typed up a little bit the day after I arrived in GDL. So here it is:
August 11th, 2006
I think I like it here a little more than I should. I mean, who really likes a dirty city, full of potholes, traffic, and unsafe water? I guess I do, but for other reasons. For example, dinner last night. The other new teachers and I ate at a small, adorable, open-air restaurant down the street. The waiters were nice and patient. They helped us with our Spanish (Popote is “drinking straw” here). And, best of all, when we ordered guacamole a man came out with a little table on which he scooped out half of an avocado into a mortar, added some onions, tomatoes, and other ingredients, and mixed it right there for us to watch. I’ve never liked guacamole until last night!
My house is so cute! Downstairs there is a big kitchen, living room, dining room, and one (unused )bedroom with a bathroom. When you come to the top of the stairs there is a big, open room, off of which is Joy’s room, my room, a bathroom, and a door to this semi-enclosed room where the washing machine is. We are supposed to be getting a dryer soon, too!
We discovered this morning that we have a gas water-heater that will occasionally go out (there was no hot water this morning) so we have to light it whenever it’s off.
Today we all went to Wal-Mart and bought out the store. So far, it’s not cheaper than the states. Actually, a lot of it is imported and therefore more expensive. I couldn’t find a decent desk lamp for less than $15.00. I still need to buy a rug, because the whole house is tiled and it gets cold. Speaking of cold, we have no air conditioning, but it doesn’t matter! At least not in the day ½ I’ve been here. It is perfectly cool. My bed only has sheets on it at the moment and, although I didn’t sleep particularly well last night, I never was cold.
This afternoon I decorated my room a little. I also went next door to the “big house” and helped some girls assemble desks they had purchased. Tonight we are going to watch a Spanish movie at our house (because we have a dvd player).
Adios for now!
August 11th, 2006
I think I like it here a little more than I should. I mean, who really likes a dirty city, full of potholes, traffic, and unsafe water? I guess I do, but for other reasons. For example, dinner last night. The other new teachers and I ate at a small, adorable, open-air restaurant down the street. The waiters were nice and patient. They helped us with our Spanish (Popote is “drinking straw” here). And, best of all, when we ordered guacamole a man came out with a little table on which he scooped out half of an avocado into a mortar, added some onions, tomatoes, and other ingredients, and mixed it right there for us to watch. I’ve never liked guacamole until last night!
My house is so cute! Downstairs there is a big kitchen, living room, dining room, and one (unused )bedroom with a bathroom. When you come to the top of the stairs there is a big, open room, off of which is Joy’s room, my room, a bathroom, and a door to this semi-enclosed room where the washing machine is. We are supposed to be getting a dryer soon, too!
We discovered this morning that we have a gas water-heater that will occasionally go out (there was no hot water this morning) so we have to light it whenever it’s off.
Today we all went to Wal-Mart and bought out the store. So far, it’s not cheaper than the states. Actually, a lot of it is imported and therefore more expensive. I couldn’t find a decent desk lamp for less than $15.00. I still need to buy a rug, because the whole house is tiled and it gets cold. Speaking of cold, we have no air conditioning, but it doesn’t matter! At least not in the day ½ I’ve been here. It is perfectly cool. My bed only has sheets on it at the moment and, although I didn’t sleep particularly well last night, I never was cold.
This afternoon I decorated my room a little. I also went next door to the “big house” and helped some girls assemble desks they had purchased. Tonight we are going to watch a Spanish movie at our house (because we have a dvd player).
Adios for now!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Here's the package address:
This is the address for the school in Guadalajara. The address I posted before was in Texas and is only for letters and flat mailers. Packages can be sent to the school here:
Lincoln School
Circunvalacion Sur 62
Las Fuentes Zapopan
Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico 45070
I don't know anything about sending packages yet. But as soon as I hear how it works I will update. I've heard mixed opinions about the reliability of receiving mail in Mexico.
(If you forget to write down this address of the last one, you can always check the archive of previous posts for it)
Lincoln School
Circunvalacion Sur 62
Las Fuentes Zapopan
Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico 45070
I don't know anything about sending packages yet. But as soon as I hear how it works I will update. I've heard mixed opinions about the reliability of receiving mail in Mexico.
(If you forget to write down this address of the last one, you can always check the archive of previous posts for it)
I leave tomorrow!
I can not believe how quickly the time flew by. This time tomorrow I will be at the airport. This past week has been filled with visiting people (many of them are also moving far away), trying to pack, getting my haircut, and saying goodbyes. I have decided that I dislike saying goodbye more than just about anything else. But, as my friend Kate reminded me, it's not "goodbye", it's "See you later".
So, everyone, I will see you later!
Please pray for me for these needs:
-successful packing of the necessities (an unfortunate and recently discovered "luggage embargo" is in effect, meaning I can bring no excess baggage of any kind)
-Quick and easy arrival to the Guadalajara airport, and a safe depature with whoever is sent to pick me up.
So, everyone, I will see you later!
Please pray for me for these needs:
-successful packing of the necessities (an unfortunate and recently discovered "luggage embargo" is in effect, meaning I can bring no excess baggage of any kind)
-Quick and easy arrival to the Guadalajara airport, and a safe depature with whoever is sent to pick me up.
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