They're Not Going To Win

June 5, 2013. Bueno. Today was the meeting with the parents. Or... Was supposed to be. I spent the morning observing another test and then home making 110 fichas with the sillables on them (i.e. ma me mi mo mu) and taped them as lamination. Moreno watched a bit and them became super passionate about what I was doing. He went on and on about how his teacher when he was young had things like the fichas, told me all the activities she would do with them, and how now, not a single teacher uses them. They simply write things on the board and the children copy. I know it's a blame game because the teachers will all blame the parents and the parents will blame the teachers but there was passion there. It's something. I can work with something. 

At 2, I went to the school, passed out the snack, and the director, Linda and I walked over to the house of the President of the PTA for the meeting. One parent was there at 2:30 and her son wasn't even on my original list. 20 were invited. One more showed up 20 minutes later so we headed back to the school. After an hour and a half, I met maybe 5 mothers, got three kids added to my list, and have 15 more papers still in my folder... Linda even said she went around and reminded people about it. Incredible.. But. They're not going to win. I talked to Linda and she knows where pretty much every child lives. I asked her if she'd be willing to go for a walk. She agreed (I think she's going to be one of my saving graces despite how she's so not a teacher and it shows when she substitutes lol. But she also said she'd come to help with my summer classes a bit. It's funny cuz she's the one I wrote about in here the first week I visited this site; the lady who I couldn't wait to get to know more cuz "she seemed crazy and fun." She calls me sister and hugs me all the time :) ). Sunday at 2pm, her and I are going to personally walk to every house of those parents that didn't come and hand deliver the sheet with the dates on them. After that, I can't do much else. We'll see then if the students actually show up.

Before leaving, Ramona asked me what I'm doing in the other school over the summer. With a sad face I told her "Nothing" and then explained. The director only let me observe twice a week. Only in the afternoon. And she was there only twice when I was. I told her I didn't know what to do. I wanted to help, but every time I tried explaining why I was here, it felt as though she didn't believe me. Ramona then told me why. The director thinks I'm pretty much a spy for the Ministry of Education. She told Ramona that she thinks I'm here to observe and then report back all the bad things I see... Ramona tried to explain to her that that wasn't the case but she's not sure if she believes it yet or not. At least I know it's not just me the director doesn't listen to... I don't feel so crazy now but that kills me. You couldn't pay me enough money to leave my home and family to go spy on a tiny school in a campo in another country and tattle on them. But she's not going to win either. She's missing out this summer and it's going to take that much longer to get going with anything next year. So when she sees or hears about what I'm doing with the school on this side, I hope she kicks herself (my feelings, not the PC). And kicks herself hard.

Anyways, I headed home, finished my fichas with an aching back, ate a china (sweet orange) Dominican style (!! Oh yea!), and ended up playing cards for the rest of the night which I didn't mind so much. I learned a new game! I ate dinner around 7:30, read a little on the porch, got attacked my mosquitos, showered, and am off to bed with demasiadas cosas running through my head. Buenas noches.

A Bit of Productivity (But Not Too Much)

June 4, 2013. Nati came back today! The poor thing is still really sick but Lordy I missed her. I watched the social studies test with the third graders (the questions were as follows: Write the names of following modes of transportation and then had illustrations of a plane, car, train, etc. List 5 methods of communication -like telephone, mail, Internet. Yea). They finished super early so I went to talk with Nati about the meeting with the parents which is tomorrow (!!) about classes in the summer. We talked dates and I decided on Mondays and Wednesdays in July starting on the 8th. The first graders (8 of them) will come from 8-9, the second graders (7) 9:30-10:30, and the third graders (5) 11-12. She then asked when I wanted to have the meeting with the teachers. I wanted it after I went to the capital so I could get charla paper but it needed to be this week since this is the final week. So, Thursday it is! Lol. 

I went home early to get started preparing. I made sheets for the parents (see below) with the dates of the classes for their child. I'm going to do a simple dínamica with them and then just share who I am, how I want to help, and, give them the information on who, when, and where. Nothing crazy but I'm a bit nervous... As per usual :P I then just wrote the questions I want to ask the teachers on separate pages so they can write their responses for me (which is why I had wanted big charla paper).  I had a little extra time after lunch so I then made another set of alphabet fichas that I knew I would need in the summer.

After lunch I headed over to the other school. Aaaaand the director wasn't there again. I'm at a loss with them. I feel bad that I know nothing about them and am doing a summer camp on this side and not theirs but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do here. She's never there, only let me come observe twice a week, and the two days she was there she just told me over and over again how much I don't know Spanish and how she doesn't understand what I'll be doing for the next three months (despite me explaining multiple times the answer to both). I need to include them in my diagnostic for August but I don't have anyone yet who can take me over there to gather information... And the only teacher that works there and actually lives in KM 59 is Manuela but she lives on my side. Aye Dios. Maybe I'll catch Ann at the office when I go into the capital... 

Anyways, Manuela and I headed back together and it started to rain shortly after. My host mom wasn't there so I read a book in the gallery. In English. And despite the tiny pains of guilt, it felt amazing. The book totally sucked me in and calmed me. It was perfect. Lili and Alex came over, we played cards, and then were joined by Eddi and his work partner (who is apparently only 17 but looks older). They were waiting out the rain but Lili and Alex eventually left and Eddi too. The kid and I talked a bit on the porch. This time my lack of Spanish wasn't awkward, it was him lol. But we conversed! Woo! He split, I read more, was joined my Mayelin who read some of my children's books beside me, and llegó la luz :). I had yuca and eggs for dinner, I'm pretty sure Mayelin stole 10 pesos from my table in my room (you live and learn), we played cards, and then I headed in for the night. 

Nothing crazy but preparing for the meetings tomorrow and Thursday actually made me feel like I was doing something productive (though not too productive :P). That's a good feeling. And then getting lost in the pages of a book I don't have to look up every other word in was an escape I needed as well. I'll take this day and count it as a good one. It's always going to be the little things. Buenas noches.

Casino (No Gram Irene, Not THAT Casino)

June 3, 2013. Today was the start of exams! Third grade through seventh all week. I sort of helped manage/sit there and watch while they took the tests in the morning and afternoon tanda. Once they finished, they could leave. But for some reason, they wouldn't. So it was a mad house with kids everywhere and lots of assistance given by the teacher... In the afternoon I watched a few of the fifth grade tests get graded and let's just say I saw lots of 60s, 70s and a couple 40s... Today was math. Vamos a ver for the rest of the week! 

Since we finished early, I had lots of free time tonight. Lili, Alex, Mayelin, and Samuel came over and we played cards and they played on my iPad a bit. Then I asked if a colmado here sold bigger paper. I meant the cheap, thin stuff that wouldn't cost me much and can be used for anything but Lili thought I meant cartalina paper which is thicker and in colors. I did want some of that too so she said yea, at the one colmado at the thruway. I was pumped to go there since I think it's bigger and I wanted to see what else was available right here in the community. We went, the group of us, and chased each other and jumped on backs. It was a blast and I showed my face por abajo! Lol finally. I also saw Manuela and told her about what happened last Friday (O:) oops). She didn't really seem to care that I wasn't there haha. But then Lili stopped at a colmado before the big one and asked about the paper. Of course they had it... Haha so I didn't get to see the one I wanted to see. Oh well; next time. I bought some paper and some soda to share which always makes the kiddos super happy :). 

We came back, drank the soda together, and chatted. Lili and Alex left and shortly after, Mayelin too. Samuel and I played more cards until Moreno (my host dad) came home. Him and I haven't interacted too much but I love the way he is with the kids. Super funny, harasses them a lot (gives them hard slaps on the back and blames the mosquitos lol), and is so loving with my host mom. He walks up, pulls up a chair across from me and says, "Okay, let's play Casino." He knew I knew a little so he started to teach me. After the first game I really got it. I just laughed a ton because he whooped my ass. The second game I won and he absolutely destroyed me in the third. Haha I joked as much as I could, made faces, and managed to asked questions that he understood and answered :). My grandma called in the midst and then my host mom made me dinner so we stopped last game at him: 19 and me: 4. You play to 21...but we're gonna finish tomorrow! Lol I ate, showered (with running water! And there was luz pretty much all day!), talked to my gram (Love you!) and Nate (and you!). 

It was a really great end to the day and something I needed desperately. It may have been a simple card game (well, the game itself is actually pretty complicated) with Moreno but I felt included, a bit more like myself, and that I took a step in the right direction with someone "new" (you know, even though I live in his house... Lol). Here's to hoping for one more step tomorrow; just one at a time. Buenas noches.

Alcohol For The Mosquito Bites

June 2, 2013. Not feelin so hot so I think I'll just put pictures of the farm here. We went again so I could bring my camera and take pictures. Lili also recorded a pretty funny video. I wish I could post it but it's so long lol. I didn't go abajo like I said I needed to but I did visit for a bit with a family by the farm. My mosquito bites were yet again the topic of conversation and she put something called "Alcohol" on it from a spray bottle. Not sure what it was exactly lol. They said I could come back anytime to pass the hours :). See below and Buenas noches!

View of the mountains.

My girls Lola and Lili

Coco

Sugar cane-Which is delicious by the way.

A view of the farm with the huge house that is now 5 years in the making and isn't finished lol

Gonna Live On A Farm

June 1, 2013. Today I arose before Dulce which felt strange. I studied for a bit and then she invited me up to her mom's house so I said I'd go with her. We hung out there, drank coffee, tea, they fed me, and I watched the boys play a marble game. Nate called which was wonderful because I missed his call last night. 

Back at the house I helped wash vegetables, cleaned my Toms, played cards, and hung out in Lili's actual house which I didn't realize was right next door. Her mom is in Spain right now which is why she's living with her grandmother. After a bit, Lili left but her friend came over within ten minutes of her leaving. We were supposed to have English class (I forgot too) lol. We sat and waited for a bit and eventually I decided I wanted to walk so we went looking for her. Turns out she was por arriba at the end of one road I hadn't discovered yet. And it was a huge, gorgeous farm. Mimingo showed us around with all the pigs, beautiful huge dogs, peacocks, and tons of land with fruit trees galore. There's also a super fancy, modern area with tables and chairs, a kitchen, and bar. No one in the group knew what it was used for but man I'd love to take advantage of it! Gonna try and rent out the massive farmhouse when I can live alone in 2 1/2 months ;). But none of them knew the owner of the farm either lol. We walked a bit, gathered a bunch of this awesome fruit that I don't know how to spell and there isn't any of it in the states, and headed back. 

I taught family members, pronouns, numbers, and random words they wanted to know. Hearing them speak English is so freaking adorable. I hope they think the same about my Spanish...

Afterwards I wanted to go down and see Juana Iris or Manuela or the pastor since I haven't been por abajo in a while... But I got trapped in playing games with the kids and watching the rain. Oops :/ Tomorrow, I have to go. I'm trying to remember that school ends soon too so I'll have more time during the week to make more visits. It's just hard now when my week is full and then I just wanna chill on the weekend. Anyways that was my night. Playing Dominoes or cards, retelling words in English and just hanging out. Not too shabby though I wish I could talk more as always. And now it's late but I don't want to go to sleep lol Damn. Maybe I'll try to turn my brain off and watch Bridesmaids :). Buenas noches.

Tomorrow Is Saturday

May 31, 2013. It's incredible how fast things change on a day to day basis here... I awoke with my alarm, half-showered, and ate my cheese sandwich with hot chocolate. I arrived at school and Linda told me Ramona wasn't going to be there (the teacher of the third grade class). And the director wasn't there either. So I went in again with no plans but my question was, what would they have done if I wasn't there? Oh yea. They don't care. I told the kids they would get the prizes later and that we would do points again. This time it would be for more recess since I don't have money to always buy prizes. We then did a dínamica which was fun but they wanted to do Alele again so we did. I then tried to popcorn read a story from their Spanish workbooks and then do a mini lesson. Not so much... I lost control, the kids fought, talked back to me, and yea. Etc. Endy went to tell on another kid to Linda and she came in and started screaming at him. He screamed back. It got out of hand. And he didn't stop. Eventually as it started to rain, she came back in and sent one student (who was also causing me problems) home since he's been sick. She also sent the other home because of his behavior... That's not what I wanted... But again. I've got nothing. He was also one of the ones that was supposed to get a bigger prize from Wednesday. I gave up and just wrote words on the board for them to write sentences. My favorite. I told them I was sorry. That I wanted to teach better but I didn't have the Spanish and it was difficult for me. I was nearly in tears. I don't think they understood how I felt or why I was apologizing.

Recess. I just let them go. I then did a mini English lesson since I had no strength or idea of anything else. It went fine.  At around 10:45 it started to downpour. The kids all got their backpacks and wanted to leave but Linda and the other teacher said they should wait until it died down a little. The kids went wild. Running around. Screaming. Playing a game where you chase each other and slap the backs of each other's heads. Tripping one another. Etc. The two other teachers just sat in a room together and talked. I sat in another and pretty much became one of them. I just sat there; maybe stopping a few. But no matter what I said or did, there was no response from the kids. They were gone. And I just watched; numb.

At 11:20 the rain slowed and we left. Mayelin said she was going to go home, change, and come over but I told her I needed to rest... I went in my room and just laid in my bed before and after lunch. I didn't cry. I didn't read. I didn't play games on my iPad. Just stared and the zinc roof connecting the holes like constellations and wondered if I could get away with skipping the afternoon session on the other side. Hell, everyone else does it here.

So... I did. I came up with a Spanish lie (that I was sick and didn't have minutes to call her) for when I see the director next (ugh, this is horrible I know). In reality I still am not doing so hot with this stomach thing so it's not a complete lie. I put my mosquitera up, shut my door, and tried to sleep for the next two hours. It didn't work but it felt pretty good. I could hear the kids screaming from the school. Crazy. Eventually I went out. Lili was there, niño, his mother, Dulce, Alex, and Samuel. The kids and I played cards a bit but I kept having to excuse myself to the bathroom. Then I would lay in bed a bit more until I got strength back to go out. Mayelin came too at one point so I gave her the prize that I didn't give earlier. She loved it and it lights up which I didn't know lol. Then for the next hour and a half I chatted with niño's momma (she's my age), she couldn't believe I was going to be living here for two years, and we watched Eddi play with the electrical wires. Apparently something was wrong in two spots which is why we didn't get luz today when everyone else did. He climbed trees, I saw sparks, he cut wires lol. It was crazy but he did it! 

Dulce made me dinner, I showered, and am heading to bed. Tomorrow's Saturday which is wonderful and next week are exams so I won't have to worry about teaching anymore. Gracias a Dios. Now I need to focus on what I'm going to do with the summer camp. Cuz I'll have a lot of those kids that have given me lots of trouble... And I gotta start making materials from... Stuff?  lol. Sorry about another depressing post. Tomorrow will be better. To help, see below for an adorable baby photo (totally can't remember what day this was from so I decided to put it here because she's so beautiful and I need some beauty for this day :) ). Buenas noches.

Día de Fiesta y Greg & Lula!

May 30, 2013. Día de Fiesta! And it certainly was! I rose around 8:30, had yuca and eggs for breakfast (!!) and played cards with some kiddos until 11. At that time, backpack in hand, I headed to the thruway, waited for a half hour and flagged down a car. I told him where I needed to go and paid. All by myself! Lol And at the corner waiting for me stood Lula and Greg :D It was so good to see their faces!

They took me to their house, gave me a tour, and we went into their room which accidentally had air conditioning haha. Oh god that was wonderful. We ate lunch, chatted, and I stole some wifi. I had 54 emails waiting for me lol Then I got to FaceTime with my family! And for quite a while :D Have I mentioned that I can't wait to have Internet nearly everyday? 

We went outside (I saw the biggest rat of my entire life run across the yard) and chatted for a while but eventually made our way out. I needed to take money out for my rent for June. Luckily my monthly allowance already went in for June so there enough for me to do so. Now I don't have to worry about it later which I'm happy about. We also stopped at the supermarket and I picked up suckers for the kids I taught and three bigger push-up pop thingys for the winners. When we got back there was talk of going out. I wasn't sure if I should go back late but they offered to drive me. But also...I have this fear of talking on the phone in Spanish because I can't see their faces to read expressions or lips. So after building myself up for 10 minutes I finally called her. And could understand her! I'm sure my Spanish sucked cuz I stumbled big time but I asked and she said I could come back whenever I wanted :D. 

Then Nate was home from work!! And I got to see his face too for the first time in what felt like months! There was no luz so I tucked myself in by the one window in the room but it kept getting darker and darker haha. But oh man he was clear and handsome as ever. Miss you baby. And love you like crazy.

We ate breakfast for dinner (oatmeal type thing) and headed out with two of their Dominican friends. We left Villa, went past my campo and to the next one to a pretty nice bar. It wasn't too packed, the music was amazing, and the lights were pretty lol. We drank chocolate milk, screamed to chat, and danced a little. The guy we were with noticed how much I loved this one song and about twenty minutes later the DJ said my name and played the song again hahaha. So funny.  It was a perfect, relaxing way to end a nearly perfect day.

They drove me home, my Toms got destroyed with mud since I couldn't see where I was walking and it had downpoured shortly before, and I made it home safety. I entered quietly but my Doña woke and asked me how everything went from her room. Then I just headed to bed with no energy to do anything since it was 11:30 (probably the latest I've ever been up here lol). So from today(the 31), I'll say "Buenas noches" for last night.