My students finally broke me. Don't worry, they didn't break me forever, but they did reduce me to tears this week! They are so incredibly loud, aggressive, and sometimes just down right mean to one another -- it all becomes too much! I have behavior problems, learning disabilities, kids who don't understand any English, kids who finish assignments in minutes and yell "Miss, I'm finished" until I address them, a students family being investigated for child abuse, another one who may be being sexually abused. I have criers, bullies, a child who throws temper tantrums, and the list goes on.
Sometimes during the day I just pause, close my eyes, and ask God to give me patience and help me make it to the end of the day.
It's been an incredibly hard week but the beautiful thing about my life is that God ALWAYS gives me what I need when I need it! I got a few e-mails from friends this week that really boosted my spirits, got to talk to my mom, and had a wonderful weekend! It was just what I needed :)
EVEN with all of the beahvior problems, the headaches, the tears, and the stress...everyday I still have laughter, beautiful smiles, kids READING, and it's just somehow all worth it. Some days I think I'm crazy for going into this profession and even crazier for coming to Honduras. Teaching is HARD but to hear a child read for the first time or solve an addition problem on their own and see their face LIGHT up is the most incredible gift! NOTHING compares to that feeling.
It WILL get better, and I know that. It's just finding the energy and patience within myself until that time comes.
Pray for me! Pray for my students. Pray for my students families. Pray for OAF. Pray for the schools of Honduras. Pray for PEACE in Honduras.
Tomorrow is a new day and how could you not love a face like this...
"The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it" ~Charles Swindoll
We went to see "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" at the movie theatre on Saturday. It's actually now the third movie I've seen there. I went to see a recycling documentary that a Peace Corps volunteer did and "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" (which was completely in Spanish). The movie theatre looks just like a Movies 8 and it's about the same price -- $2 a flick. It's a great hang out spot because the seats recline back a little bit and the place is air conditioned. SOLD! We were all cracking up on Saturday though because there was almost no one in the theatre besides us and even though the movie was scheduled to start at 3:00 I think it was 3:30 before it actually started. That's not a long time to wait, but it's just so typical Honduras that you have to laugh. As we sat inside the pitch black theatre before the movie started we could hear the bats flying around and even saw one hanging upside down by one of the windows -- definitely one of my more interesting movie experiences. Also one of the snacks offered at the concession stand is a plastic cup filled to the brim with a marshmallow substance. I'll have to try and sneak a picture the next time I'm there. Once the movie started we were almost positive it would be in Spanish because it was a kids movie. Most of the kids movies are in Spanish and the adult movies are in English with Spanish subtitles. BUT when the movie started and we saw Spanish subtitles pop up we all cheered :). It was great and Jeff even said "This is better than Christmas" ...haha! The things we get excited about! Needless to say going to the movie theatre is an adventure all on it's own...and I think it's going to become a weekly or at least biweekly activity.
We have had two return volunteers visiting this week. It's so nice to see previous volunteers come back to visit their old students. The kids always get so excited and it's easy to see how much the volunteers love them! Anne's mom is also here this week. It's wonderful to meet the other volunteers family members!
The weather was phenominal the first few days we got back. I mean I seriously couldn't have asked for anything more beautiful. One day when it was in the high 70's I was walking home as this wonderful breeze started up. I could see a palm tree just ahead hanging over the roof of a building and for a split second I thought I'd died and gone to some tropical beach. Then I remembered I do get to do that in 13 weeks when I go to Costa Rica with Theres :)! Now I'm over the weather already. It's been in the 80's and feels really sticky to me. I can't imagine how hot it's going to get in April! Hopefully my body does well with the adjustment.
Enjoy the snow for me :)
"Cinema should make you forget you are sitting in a theater" ~Roman Polanski
When I woke up this morning I was very tired but really excited to get to school and see all of my little guys. We had been told that the kids would be so excited to see us -- so I was expecting all of my kids to come running to me screaming "Miss King" and just give me huge hugs. HA! That wasn't even close to how the morning went.
Once all of the volunteers got off the bus we realized very quickly that most of the kids seemed less than thrilled to be back at school.
I think this picture of Heidi in second grade pretty much sums it up...
My kids weren't very excited either...
These prepa students were pumped though! Maybe it was because they still had an hour before their day started?
They are SO cute!!
Even though the students weren't super enthralled, I was stocked to be back at school and see all of their cute little faces. I'm sure they thought I was absolutely nuts as I just smiled and laughed at them, but I missed them all so much!!
I wasn't sure whether to plan for a regular day or do some fun activities to get them settled back into school. I ended up going with a regular day and I'm glad I did. I think any less structure and they would have been climbing the walls or running through the hallways with their arms flailing, screaming at the top of their lungs. They had WAY more energy than I was expecting. Sure they looked tired and quiet out in the campo (field), but once they got into my classroom it was a different story.
While I was home my friend Amanda's mom Theresa and her husband Russ donated some money for my classroom, as well as my sister Theresa and my Aunt Sis. Because they were so generous I was able to purchase some unifix cubes for my students. For those of you who don't know what unifix cubes are...
They are one of my absolute favorite manipulatives to use for teaching adding and subtracting in Math. It worked out perfectly that we started our adding unit today. Each of my students received two sticks (with 10 cubes) and then I orally told them an addition sentence and they had to show me with their cubes.
First of all I wish I could have captured on video how excited my students were to see the unifix cubes. I asked if any of them had ever seen/used them before and almost all of them said no. They were just gasping and beaming when I pulled that first stick out of the box. As I passed them out each one of my kids said the most sincere "Thank you Miss King!" I've heard all year. They were SO pumped to learn how to add and that just made my day!
Here are a few videos I took of some of my students at work:
This first video is of Melanie...
This second video is of Kimberly in my class who struggles a lot, but I was so proud of her today!
A HUGE thank you to Theresa and Russ, my Aunt Sis, and my little sister! The unifix cubes are a wonderful addition to my classroom and something that we'll use for the rest of the school year.
I also want to give a big thanks to:
- Barb - who donated some awesome speakers to my classroom. My students are crazy about music and it's a great way for me to make learning more fun. You are so appreciated :)!
- Little Deb - who donated a Target gift card. I got some awesome puzzles for my kids and they were flipping out when they saw them. I think I had someone ask me every hour if they could work on puzzles today. I'll be sure to take some pictures of the kids enjoying them!
-LouAnn - who gave me some peanut butter and M&M's. Every time I open up my freezer and see those M&M's I smile! Thank you!
- My Aunt Karen - who has donated a TON already, but when I was home for Christmas gave me some more stickers, pencils, construction paper, loose leaf paper, etc. You are absolutely amazing!
- My friend RaeAnn - who passed my wish list on the teachers at her school. They donated all kinds of wonderful things and I am VERY grateful!
Lastly my Mom and Robbie who have just given me so much. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Ready for day two!
"This morning I searched my wallet. It was empty. Then, I checked my pockets I found a few coins Next I searched my heart and found you. Then, I realized how rich I really am..."
I thought I would be the only person on my flight from Atlanta to Tegucigalpa but to my wonderful surprise Lacey and Peggy were on the same flight. I was so excited to see them! Once we landed and got through customs we saw Carrie, Dan, Maki, Andrew, Anne, and Jeff. There were a lot of hugs exchanged and big cheesy grins on everyone's faces. I can't say enough how grateful I am to be volunteering with such a wonderful group! It's great to be reunited again :)
The three and a half hour bus ride into Juti was filled with sharing stories about our breaks and catching a few Zzz's
My time at home was incredible! It was so great to see everyone and get to spend time with my family and friends. I did have a few days of feeling pretty overwhelmed with everything and I think I may have driven my poor mom into the looney bin ;)! Sorry to anyone I had minor freak out on. I promise not to be so emotional next July :)!
Here are some highlights from my trip home:
I got to spend Christmas with my wonderful family...
Meg and Me
I LOVED singing Christmas carols with my Aunt Monica (on piano), Uncle Tony (on guitar), Uncle Charley (vocals), and my Aunt Caroline (vocals). It just isn't Christmas without some beautiful music!
Buzzwald, Theres, and Me (with Julia--my hairdresser-- in the background)
My "twin" cousin Brian (the less cute version of me :) ) and cousin Joe!
My adorable Mom! Isn't she just the cutest thing?!?!
My Mom and Robbie -- how cute!
Sweet little Addy bear :) -- my step-sister Erica's daughter
I worked Bingo with my mom, aunts, and one of my cousins. Don't be tricked by the elderly -- when it comes to bingo they don't mess around!!
My Mom and me at Bingo
Brie hosted a fun "ugly sweater" party! I got to eat some great food and see some wonderful people.
I was really excited to have snow for Christmas!
Yes, I wore onesie pajamas and loved every minute I was in them! I even went into Kroger in that get up and boy did I get some weird looks. I borrowed these from Heather, but I think I need my own set to rock every winter :)!
I was home in time to see the fantastic Christmas concert Joey puts on every year at St. Roch. The concert was phenominal and I got to catch up with some old friends...
Mel-Gisbon, Me, Joe, Gabe, and Heath...friends from grade school :)
Joey and Me after the concert
With Brie in front of some of the Christmas trees
I love these people! Melissa, Me, Brie, Stephanie H., Stephanie M., and Liz
Brie took me on a "Tour de Food" so I could try some cool new restaurants. We started at "Bubs" in Carmel and had some tasty burgers. Then we headed to "Brugge" in Broadripple for some delicious french fries with homemade sauces. I believe we tried the homemade ketchup, blue cheese, garlic basil ailoi, and a pesto. After that we went to the "Flying Cupcake" for desert. YUM YUM YUM!!
Heather, Me, and Ryne at Brugge
I got to watch my beautiful friend Bobbi marry her best friend :)...
Kathy, Bobbi, and Me at Bob's wedding
After Bobbi's wedding I rang in the new year with some good friends...
Ashley, Heather, and Me
With C!
The night before I flew out I went to Dave and Busters. My friend Vinnie was having a going away party because he got an awesome new job in Seattle and will be there three weeks out of every month. I'd never been to Dave and Busters before and I realized very quickly it was an adult Chuck E. Cheese. It was a fun night and so nice to see more friends!
John, Kristine, Heather, Robert, Bob, and Ross -- they were trying to look like a Christian Rock album cover, did they succeed?
Me and Robert
I feel so loved that people were sad to see me leave...
Haha - Brie and Ryne -- this was a nice little surprise as I was looking through the pictures on my camera. You two are very sneaky!
Emily and Amanda - I can't believe I don't have any pictures with either of you! Be ready to say "cheese" in July!!
Thank you to everyone for making my time home so memorable! I live such a blessed life filled with beautiful people and I'm so thankful!
Now it's time to get back to the daily grind. Tomorrow is the first day back to school and I couldn't be more excited to see all of my little taters!
Bring on 2011...
"Remember that despite all of our work, --Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime; so, we live in hope.--Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; so, we live in faith.--Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; so, we live in love"
