Pero ya. Ipthats my first and only complaint for today (I think!) Today I Observed in first grade and the teacher is the director. Though his plans weren't phenomenal, he was enthusiastic, animated, energetic, positive, and fun. I LOVED watching him and saw his passion. Then the kids. I can't even tell you how many times I nearly cried from joy (but also some uncertainty- I'll explain). The kids could read. Not fluently or even all the syllables but quite a few. And they knew the names of the letters. And didn't fight when he left the room. Respected him and listened. Shared erasers and pencil sharpeners. I was in awe of it all. Literally on the brink of tears seeing what is in fact, possible. But then I wondered. What the hell am I doing here? It hurt to think about KM59 and how far behind they are in comparison. And I left them to come here? Something doesn't sit right there. But I told myself to keep learning, it's only been a day and a half. Not that I want things to be bad, but I also don't want to be somewhere that doesn't need help in comparison to what exists elsewhere...
During recess, we sat out of the gates while the kids played and ate food that is prepared for them in the kitchen daily. And if there was fighting, I didn't notice. Amazing... Maybe it's because they have a cancha with balls and things to do. Maybe it's because they were taught well by the staff. Or maybe their parents raised them differently. Whatever it is, I'm thanking God repeatedly.
After recess, I headed to second grade where I watched each student go up and read a paragraph on the board. Again, it was beautiful. Not perfect, not completely fluent, but still amazing. Then on to math where again, planning not so great but the teacher has passion and she cares about the kids. I can see it.
At noon I headed home and laid down for a bit. About 45 minutes later, Nena's kids were calling me to go to their house so I could eat. The food was delicious and at 2, I was off to the school. And we didn't start classes until 2:45 with the kids arriving super late..and all at different times. I observed third where I was bored to tears with the lesson but I'll continue observing and hope for the best. They do have a psychologist, however, who came in and talked about very important things which I had never seen taught before (health, contamination of the waters, garbage, etc). But.. Each child was sleeping by the time she was done talking. And I was close too lol.
After class I headed home and Maximo started working on my ceiling above my patio. Ann told him he had to fix it and bought plywood to help. So he started by lowering all the planks and cleaning them off. Then he put them back up and placed the plywood that already existed on top so it's completely covered (it was in bad shape before and coated in rats nests-looks like I didn't escape from Rufus after all! ;) ). The piece Ann bought was left over so he told me he is going to make me two tables out of it!! So spoiled.
I then got dinner brought to me by Nena which was platanos and salami :D Mmmmm. Spoiled again.
Three games of Casino followed with a few kiddos on my patio and afterwards, I asked my Doña timidly if there was water to bathe. She said that there's water abajo but it hasn't come here yet. But she had some of her grandkids fetch water earlier so yes, there was (!!). She put together a fire and started heating it up. And proceeded to tell me that I'm family. I need not worry and just say each night, "Doña, prepare my bathing water." Haha I could have cried with how incredible they've all made me feel. And obviously, spoiled.
So while it was heating up, I watched as Maximo had coffee in a big pot over a fire. He showed me the tree and explained the process. What's on the tree has two beans inside. You shuck the tree and heat the "pods" (?) over a fire. When it's dry and blackened, you let it all cool and then take the beans out from inside the pods and voila! Coffee ready to be ground and made :D So cool. He also told me he's making me dinner tomorrow cuz there's a vivere I've never had that's apparently the best vivere. I told him he's got major competition with how much I love yucca! Haha AND crab. He's gonna make me crab.
Yea. I'm never leaving this house (I had thought about finding another). Despite not exactly having the privacy I want, how can I say no to a Doña who heats my water up (and I now shower in my house; it's much easier and more private lol)? Nena who brings me coffee at the school and cooks all my meals? A handyman like Maximo who fixes the house, gets me my Botellon of water, and teaches me things and cooks? Nena's kids who are wonderful and fun with one especially (Alexander) who has stolen my heart already with his smile? I'm sold, spoiled, and confused. But happy :)
Buenas noches.
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