Week Four in Costa Rica was the last week of School for Children at San Ambrosio. Unlike them, I am very sad about this fact. The students only went to school for half days the entire week. There was a talent show on Tuesday were many students demonstrated their talents through a play or dance. I continued my lessons on Thanksgiving and the children wrote a letter to someone that they were thankful for. I had them write the letter in English on the front and in Spanish on the back(most of their parents do not speak English so I wanted them to be able to enjoy the letter as well). During the last week Lena spent a lot of time in the classroom making sure the students had everything together for their English books.This is a project she had been working on the entire year,so I tried to be any help to her that I could.Thursday was Thanksgiving back home in the States and I skyped with my entire family and answered many questions about Costa Rica. My Thanksgiving was not a traditional meal, but I wouldnt change it for the world. I had fish with a friend at a local resturant and listened to Spanish karaoke,how FUN! On Friday, the last day of school, we had a mass service at 8:00 am. This was a very interesting experience for me because I didn´t understand the Catholic service that was in Spanish, but it full of life and I could feel the Holy Spirit all around me. After the service the the students went their seperate ways with their teachers. I think the older children went to a local swimming pool, but the primary students went back to school to have a fiesta! Lena and I bought the children a cake that said "We love you" and we shared it between first and second grade. I hugged every child and told them how much I would love and miss them and I couldnt refrain from crying. On the last day of school Lena also helped me translate to Madre Lupita and the other nuns how grateful I was for my experience at their school and how much it had changed my life forever. I spent the weekend at Nasara where I gazed at the breath taking stars at night and let the smell of the ocean take my breath away during the day. I returned to Nicoya and will go to Lena´s going away fiesta this afternoon at ther house. Lena has been so helpful here with translating and just being a friend. We will leave on Wenesday morning for San Jose together and then I will begin my journey on Thursday morning alone through Costa Rica:) Wish me LUCK & hope that I won´t miss any buses!
I love and miss you,
Ash
Monday, November 29, 2010
Week 3 in Nicoya
As San Ambrosio´s school year comes to an end there were many days in week three that were planned for special events. During week three the students participated in a sports day very similar to a field day back at home. The younger children were playing soccer and the older children were playing basketball. On Friday the entire school pre K-11th grade had a teacher appreciation assembly in the soda. This was a very thoughtful day were children had created letters for their teacher telling them how much they appreciated all their hard work. I was very suprised when "Teacher Ashley" was called to come up and get a gift from the students. The students & faculty are amazingly thoughtful and I felt so special. My gift was a small bag of letters from the students with a pair of earrings also. I tremendously enjoyed reading their letters and will keep them forever. One student wrote "Thank you for teaching me English, I wish you could stay longer, but will you please come back and visit again". This is when I learned the most valuable lesson here in Costa Rica. There were many days in the classroom when I was unable to understand what the students were saying to me in Spanish, and there were also many days they didn´t comprehend my insturctional guides in English, but somehow in all the mix they knew that I cared about them.. It doesn´t matter what language you speak to fall in love with children. If you are really passionate about teaching them to learn and caring for them as unique individuals they will fill it in their hearts.
During week three I began teaching the students about Thanksgiving and why we celebrate this Holiday in the United States. I could not find a book to illistrate the story so Lena and I demonstrated the story on the white board. We first drew a map of the world on the board and then posted pictures of Native Americans, Pilgrims, The Mayflower, The first Thanksgiving dinner in the correct places and told the story of how Thanksgiving came about in America. I was so proud to be able to share with them a Holiday where much love and thankfullness is present and it made me miss my family dearly. There were very eager to create their own Pilgrim and Native American craft. I gave each of the girls a femal pilgrim and indian to color, cut and paste together & a male for each of the boys. We then proceeded throughout the week to learn about the certain foods that were present at a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. They learned the vocabular for corn, pumpkin, apple pie, turkey, etc. We also read an English Bible verse everyday that reminds me of Thanksgiving and Lena helped me translate what it meant in Spanish "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." -1 Thessalonians 5:18 Many of the students asked me if I was sad becuase I wouldn´t be with my family on Thanksgiving, but I assured them that I was being blessed with another gift from God..spending Thanksgivng with them:)
On Friday after the Teacher appreciation presentation was finished I headed to the bus station for my first adventure in Costa Rica to Arenal Volcano. I was very nervous about my first trip just because I had no experience on riding the bus, but there were many friendly people who were willing to help me.My first bus left from Nicoya-Liberia, Liberia-Cañas, Cañas-Tiliran,Tiliran-La Fortuna. I had a BIG suprise when I reached Tiliaran!!! I had missed the bus for the day from Tiliran to La Fortuna(My final destination). There were taxis waiting when I got off the bus and the taxi driver let me use his cell phone so I could call Karla to see what I should do. The taxi driver offered me a 50$ taxi ride from Tiliran to La Fortuna. Let me remind you that I had been been on a public bus for about 4 and a half hours. My choices were very slim..take the taxi, go all the way back to Nicoya, or stay in a hotel and wait for the next bus in the morning(which was a 4 hour bus ride compared to an hour and a half taxi ride. I decided to pay the 50$ for the taxi ride. The driver was great company and spoke English very well. He had lived in California in previous years and told his story about the first time he ever went to the States. His friends were supposed to be at the airport waiting for him, but they were not and he could´nt speak English that well so he related to my shocking suprise. haha
When I arrived in La Fortuna the taxi driver dropped me off at the Hostel Gringo Petes. The hostel was super cheap at 8$ a night. I met what some peiple may call strangers there, but they were more like angels with their friendliness and advice about traveling. Most of the people were backpacking the country. I met two girls from Germany, a couple from Canada, a guy from Denmark, and an American girl from Idaho and a guy from Oregon. When I woke up on Saturday morning I went on a canopy tour at 8am. The canopy tour was at Los Cañones and one of the most thrilling things I´ve ever experienced. Ok, it wasn´t that great, but if you know me at all...you know I hate being off the ground. So to me, it was electrifying zip lining on a rope through the jungle. When I arrived back at the hostel Amanda and John invited me to joing them at Baldi Hot Springs for the day and dinner. I spent the entire day relaxing in the Baldi hot springs with my new friends. On Sunday morning I left for Nicoya. This time I did not take public bus, but instead took a private bus named Ride Costa Rica where I met friendly people from Australia and VERY, might I add VERY attractive guys from Spain. hahah
On Monday I went to the beach with the exchange students and took my first surf lesson. The lesson was totally rad and I even stood up on my first try! I hope to practice more while I am here.
During week three I began teaching the students about Thanksgiving and why we celebrate this Holiday in the United States. I could not find a book to illistrate the story so Lena and I demonstrated the story on the white board. We first drew a map of the world on the board and then posted pictures of Native Americans, Pilgrims, The Mayflower, The first Thanksgiving dinner in the correct places and told the story of how Thanksgiving came about in America. I was so proud to be able to share with them a Holiday where much love and thankfullness is present and it made me miss my family dearly. There were very eager to create their own Pilgrim and Native American craft. I gave each of the girls a femal pilgrim and indian to color, cut and paste together & a male for each of the boys. We then proceeded throughout the week to learn about the certain foods that were present at a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. They learned the vocabular for corn, pumpkin, apple pie, turkey, etc. We also read an English Bible verse everyday that reminds me of Thanksgiving and Lena helped me translate what it meant in Spanish "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." -1 Thessalonians 5:18 Many of the students asked me if I was sad becuase I wouldn´t be with my family on Thanksgiving, but I assured them that I was being blessed with another gift from God..spending Thanksgivng with them:)
On Friday after the Teacher appreciation presentation was finished I headed to the bus station for my first adventure in Costa Rica to Arenal Volcano. I was very nervous about my first trip just because I had no experience on riding the bus, but there were many friendly people who were willing to help me.My first bus left from Nicoya-Liberia, Liberia-Cañas, Cañas-Tiliran,Tiliran-La Fortuna. I had a BIG suprise when I reached Tiliaran!!! I had missed the bus for the day from Tiliran to La Fortuna(My final destination). There were taxis waiting when I got off the bus and the taxi driver let me use his cell phone so I could call Karla to see what I should do. The taxi driver offered me a 50$ taxi ride from Tiliran to La Fortuna. Let me remind you that I had been been on a public bus for about 4 and a half hours. My choices were very slim..take the taxi, go all the way back to Nicoya, or stay in a hotel and wait for the next bus in the morning(which was a 4 hour bus ride compared to an hour and a half taxi ride. I decided to pay the 50$ for the taxi ride. The driver was great company and spoke English very well. He had lived in California in previous years and told his story about the first time he ever went to the States. His friends were supposed to be at the airport waiting for him, but they were not and he could´nt speak English that well so he related to my shocking suprise. haha
When I arrived in La Fortuna the taxi driver dropped me off at the Hostel Gringo Petes. The hostel was super cheap at 8$ a night. I met what some peiple may call strangers there, but they were more like angels with their friendliness and advice about traveling. Most of the people were backpacking the country. I met two girls from Germany, a couple from Canada, a guy from Denmark, and an American girl from Idaho and a guy from Oregon. When I woke up on Saturday morning I went on a canopy tour at 8am. The canopy tour was at Los Cañones and one of the most thrilling things I´ve ever experienced. Ok, it wasn´t that great, but if you know me at all...you know I hate being off the ground. So to me, it was electrifying zip lining on a rope through the jungle. When I arrived back at the hostel Amanda and John invited me to joing them at Baldi Hot Springs for the day and dinner. I spent the entire day relaxing in the Baldi hot springs with my new friends. On Sunday morning I left for Nicoya. This time I did not take public bus, but instead took a private bus named Ride Costa Rica where I met friendly people from Australia and VERY, might I add VERY attractive guys from Spain. hahah
On Monday I went to the beach with the exchange students and took my first surf lesson. The lesson was totally rad and I even stood up on my first try! I hope to practice more while I am here.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Pura Vida-Week Two
During Week Two at school we spent most of the beginning days putting together the odds and ends for the English Multicultural Day on Wednesday. I made the brochure with the help of Karla for details about the program. The slogan for the English celebration was ¨Say Hello to the World¨. Thank God for the internet because when Karla ask me to make something up...I drew a blank. Anyway, the English Multicultral day was a day for the children to demonstrate their English skills and to emphasize the importance of learning English. The kinders sang the ABC song and children in first-sixth grade perfomed a skit to Eric Carl´s ¨The Very Hungry Caterpillar¨. Ninth Grade sang ¨Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton. This was a very sentimental moment for me because this particular song always makes me think of my father. He has a way of always letting me know he is watching over me..kind of like on the day of my senoir prom(an important day to most girls) when I heard Sweet Child of Mine in the car and cried the entire time. I may not see him, hear him, or feel him, but I know that he is always with me! The highschoolers put on a play about the importance of learning English as a second language in todays society. They did an amazing job and i was so happy to be a part of their special day.
Thursday I was invited by Madre Lupita to attend the sixth grade ¨Retiro¨. This day was such a blessing to me. I loved the culture and the bond that i saw between the students. A ¨Retiro¨ is much like an end of the year get together, but unlike public schools in the states... They celebrated their love for Jesus that day as well. ¨Hacerlo con amor para Jesus!¨Do it with love for Jesus. The Retiro was full of events so I will only highlight the things that really touched my heart.
Lena and Madre Lupita were talking about a sketch of Jesus on our prayer and Lena commented on how handsome Jesus was and Madre Lupita said Öh, Lena..Jesus was even more handsome than that¨. I was so overwhelemed by the Nuns love for Jesus and it was just an amazing thought to soak in for awhile. Imagine how handsome Jesus really was..What the savior in flesh really looked like. At the end of the Reiro they all made a compromise to Jesus. The entire day was in Spanish so Lena had to translate when I didnt understand. I said my compromise to Jesus in English because many of the students understand English, it is just hard for them to put their thoughts into words. The chlildren, teachers, and Madre Lupitia also joined hands and passed a wish along to the next person. I couldnt help but cry when Maria Jose looked at me and in perfect English said ¨Teacher Ashley, I wish for you the happiest time in Costa Rica and the best for your life.¨ Finally at the end of the day before they were picked up by their parents, the children read a letter that their parents wrote to them. Many of the students cried because the letters were filled with love and encouragement towards their children. I also could not hold back the tears. It is so nice to feel the love in the Latin culture and this even also made me miss my mother & family. I am so greatful that I was raised in a house where feeling loved was never questionable. I know that I am loved and supported 100% by many family members and friends. Thank you for being apart of my life & sharing your love with me.
Friday was an exciting day around Nicoya because of the annual Pica De Leña. This festival was amazing and rich in culture. Pica De Leña is a festival where they chop wood. The young adults go out Friday night(all night) dancing and partying(Have I told you that it is one big party here in Costa Rica). then at 3am Saturaday morning the town has a breakfast and the wood chopping begins! Men(I actually only saw one woman) chop wood all day long and then they gather downtown for the parade around lunch time. After the parade My host mother and my neighbors went to Playa Nosara(Nosara beach). The beach was breathtaking & so were some of the local surfers:) hahah. Dianada and I swam in the ocean for what seemed to be forever and then I finally settled down on a beach towel and read a book. After we left the beach we ate at Cafe de Paris-It was delicious! I hope to travel back to this beach to take surf lessons very soon!
On Sunday Karla and I went to Playa Samara again and I laid on the beach reading a book. I also forgot to wear sunblock! This was not a very bright idea and I woke up Monday morning with sunburn..OUCH! The sun plays no games here.I will post pictures tomorrow when I got to the internet cafe.
Paz y amor
Peace and love
Ashley!
On another note-I found out through my mother the recent news on Zahra Baker. I just want to say a little prayer for her. I know that she is in such a better place and may she forever rest in peace!
Happy Birthday Zahra!!!! Jesus said: "Suffer not
the little children for such is the kingdom of Heaven."
Thursday I was invited by Madre Lupita to attend the sixth grade ¨Retiro¨. This day was such a blessing to me. I loved the culture and the bond that i saw between the students. A ¨Retiro¨ is much like an end of the year get together, but unlike public schools in the states... They celebrated their love for Jesus that day as well. ¨Hacerlo con amor para Jesus!¨Do it with love for Jesus. The Retiro was full of events so I will only highlight the things that really touched my heart.
Lena and Madre Lupita were talking about a sketch of Jesus on our prayer and Lena commented on how handsome Jesus was and Madre Lupita said Öh, Lena..Jesus was even more handsome than that¨. I was so overwhelemed by the Nuns love for Jesus and it was just an amazing thought to soak in for awhile. Imagine how handsome Jesus really was..What the savior in flesh really looked like. At the end of the Reiro they all made a compromise to Jesus. The entire day was in Spanish so Lena had to translate when I didnt understand. I said my compromise to Jesus in English because many of the students understand English, it is just hard for them to put their thoughts into words. The chlildren, teachers, and Madre Lupitia also joined hands and passed a wish along to the next person. I couldnt help but cry when Maria Jose looked at me and in perfect English said ¨Teacher Ashley, I wish for you the happiest time in Costa Rica and the best for your life.¨ Finally at the end of the day before they were picked up by their parents, the children read a letter that their parents wrote to them. Many of the students cried because the letters were filled with love and encouragement towards their children. I also could not hold back the tears. It is so nice to feel the love in the Latin culture and this even also made me miss my mother & family. I am so greatful that I was raised in a house where feeling loved was never questionable. I know that I am loved and supported 100% by many family members and friends. Thank you for being apart of my life & sharing your love with me.
Friday was an exciting day around Nicoya because of the annual Pica De Leña. This festival was amazing and rich in culture. Pica De Leña is a festival where they chop wood. The young adults go out Friday night(all night) dancing and partying(Have I told you that it is one big party here in Costa Rica). then at 3am Saturaday morning the town has a breakfast and the wood chopping begins! Men(I actually only saw one woman) chop wood all day long and then they gather downtown for the parade around lunch time. After the parade My host mother and my neighbors went to Playa Nosara(Nosara beach). The beach was breathtaking & so were some of the local surfers:) hahah. Dianada and I swam in the ocean for what seemed to be forever and then I finally settled down on a beach towel and read a book. After we left the beach we ate at Cafe de Paris-It was delicious! I hope to travel back to this beach to take surf lessons very soon!
On Sunday Karla and I went to Playa Samara again and I laid on the beach reading a book. I also forgot to wear sunblock! This was not a very bright idea and I woke up Monday morning with sunburn..OUCH! The sun plays no games here.I will post pictures tomorrow when I got to the internet cafe.
Paz y amor
Peace and love
Ashley!
On another note-I found out through my mother the recent news on Zahra Baker. I just want to say a little prayer for her. I know that she is in such a better place and may she forever rest in peace!
Happy Birthday Zahra!!!! Jesus said: "Suffer not
the little children for such is the kingdom of Heaven."
Friday, November 12, 2010
Hello to My First Graders at Davenport!
Hola, (This is hello in Spanish)
Como Estan? (This means how are you guys doing in Spanish)
First of all I want you know that I miss you and think about you everyday! I am writting you a letter on my blog because I am at the local internet cafe and I want to update you about my journey.
Costa Rica is VERY beautiful!!! Can you believe I am wearing shorts and tank tops everyday while you are probably wearing coats? It is almost Thanksgiving and I am very sad that I will not be with my family on this special day, but I think that my host mom and I will cook a dinner and celebrate Thanksgiving together. Please remember to be always be thankful. I hope that you take the time to celebrate things that you enjoy and the people that you love this year for Thanksgiving and know that I am very thankful FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!
Ok..about Costa Rica!
Things that I love:
that it is always warm
Salsa dance classes
Making friends with complete strangers--I have a new German friend named Lena-she also teaches with me at the San Ambrosio School
RICE & BEANS! In Costa Rica they eat rice and beans with everything
the children all hug me and it reminds me of your wonderful hugs(especially yours Megan & Brock)
We get out of school early on every Wenesday:)
The beaches are very close to my house!
The people are kind here
I can walk or take a taxi to anywhere I need to go so there is no need for a car
The local ice cream shop is "muy rico" which means very yummy in Spanish
When you meet people and say hello you always kiss them on their cheek-HOW COOL!
Things that i miss about the Home:
My family
YOU guys!
My friends
The river near my house and the beautiful sounds that it makes
Being able to understand people ( I am not fluent in Spanish so I am not capable of understanding everyone and it can sometimes be overwhelming because I want to understand them so bad)
Hearing about upcoming snow!!!!!
driving my car & using my celephone(but it is good to be in a different culture where I do not have these material objects)
Please feel free to respond to this post with any questions that you have for me & I will answer them! I have so much to tell you that it is hard to find a place to start..so I will just answer any questions that you have for me. I have taken pictures and you can find them on the right side where is says Costa Rica pictues. I hope you enjoy them. Please remember that I love you and I hope that you are behaving for Mrs. Hayes and putting your best effort in your school work.
Pura Vida!!! (this is a saying in Costa Rica that is used frequently. It can mean many things such as everything is going great, pure life. full of life, cool, etc.
Ms. Mullett
Mrs. Hayes & Ms. Cannon-I miss you two so much and I hope that you have a great Thanksiving with your families & I can´t wait to see you when I return.
Catherine-I miss your seeing your blue eyes everyday and your beautiful handwritting!
Brock-I miss your hugs!You would love it here because the children play soccer during their breaks at school!
Olivia-There are people in Costa Rica who ride their horses in the street and it makes me think of you!
Durant-I went to the beach last weekend. I thought about you while I watched the sunset at the ocean.
Jazmin-I miss you sweet girl & I hope that you are doing well in reading. I still haven´t seen any unicorns here;)
Keria-I have a feeling that you would love it in Costa Rica because there are many things to do outside and you would also like playing soccer during breaks at school!
Joshua-Can you believe that when I arrived here the students were learning about plants in first grade? there are pictures of me eating passion fruit seeds. They look gross(kind of like tadpoles), but they are very yummy!
Megan-I miss your hugs too. When I am having a bad morning or I am sad at school I think about you and how you would brighten my day!
Nicholas-I saw monkeys on my first day on the way to school! They make noises that sound like they are angry, but my host mom assured me that they were not..its just the sounds that they make.
Elijah-The students conducted a play the other day at school. You would have loved it! Good luck in your future play with your parents!
Micha-There are lots of bugs here! I often get bitten by them and there are lizzards..how awesome?!
Isaiah-I wish you were here in Costa Rica with me to answer all of my questions when I teach. I miss you and hope you are reading like a CHAMPION:)
Austin-I hope that you enjoy my pictures and come up with wonderful questions to ask me. You would love it here with your vibrant imagination!
Ashton-I bet you are talking right now. hahaha. Just kidding. I miss you & I know that if you lived in Costa Rica you would have a lot of friends because you are so friendly.
Makenzie-Costa Rica is so beautiful..just like you! I hope that you enjoy the pictures and that you are giving your best in class.
Gilly-I am lonely without you in Costa Rica because I don´t have a partner here:( When I get back..will you please be my math partner again?
Kennedi- I wish you were here so that we could get our nails painted together:) I know how you liked it when my nails were painted.
Gwyneth-I write in my journal everyday..so that means I think about you everytime that I open it! Thank you so much for my gift.
Diana-I need you here to help me speak Spanish! A lot of the young girls here remind me of you because they always come to school with their hair curled like you do!
Adrianne-It is hard to pick a special helped like you because you were the best afternoon helper in the world and i miss you:)
Erwin-I have a girl who has the same last name as you in my classroom..GUZMAN! I know that you would love it here because everyone plays soccer!
Tony-I miss you and know that you would find Costa Rica to be beautiful! I hope that you are behaving and earning lots of stickers..I know you can do it! I BELIEVE IN YOU!
PS: My students are going to write your letters on Monday and I will mail them as soon as they are finished. They are so happy that you were kind enough to write them!
Como Estan? (This means how are you guys doing in Spanish)
First of all I want you know that I miss you and think about you everyday! I am writting you a letter on my blog because I am at the local internet cafe and I want to update you about my journey.
Costa Rica is VERY beautiful!!! Can you believe I am wearing shorts and tank tops everyday while you are probably wearing coats? It is almost Thanksgiving and I am very sad that I will not be with my family on this special day, but I think that my host mom and I will cook a dinner and celebrate Thanksgiving together. Please remember to be always be thankful. I hope that you take the time to celebrate things that you enjoy and the people that you love this year for Thanksgiving and know that I am very thankful FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!
Ok..about Costa Rica!
Things that I love:
that it is always warm
Salsa dance classes
Making friends with complete strangers--I have a new German friend named Lena-she also teaches with me at the San Ambrosio School
RICE & BEANS! In Costa Rica they eat rice and beans with everything
the children all hug me and it reminds me of your wonderful hugs(especially yours Megan & Brock)
We get out of school early on every Wenesday:)
The beaches are very close to my house!
The people are kind here
I can walk or take a taxi to anywhere I need to go so there is no need for a car
The local ice cream shop is "muy rico" which means very yummy in Spanish
When you meet people and say hello you always kiss them on their cheek-HOW COOL!
Things that i miss about the Home:
My family
YOU guys!
My friends
The river near my house and the beautiful sounds that it makes
Being able to understand people ( I am not fluent in Spanish so I am not capable of understanding everyone and it can sometimes be overwhelming because I want to understand them so bad)
Hearing about upcoming snow!!!!!
driving my car & using my celephone(but it is good to be in a different culture where I do not have these material objects)
Please feel free to respond to this post with any questions that you have for me & I will answer them! I have so much to tell you that it is hard to find a place to start..so I will just answer any questions that you have for me. I have taken pictures and you can find them on the right side where is says Costa Rica pictues. I hope you enjoy them. Please remember that I love you and I hope that you are behaving for Mrs. Hayes and putting your best effort in your school work.
Pura Vida!!! (this is a saying in Costa Rica that is used frequently. It can mean many things such as everything is going great, pure life. full of life, cool, etc.
Ms. Mullett
Mrs. Hayes & Ms. Cannon-I miss you two so much and I hope that you have a great Thanksiving with your families & I can´t wait to see you when I return.
Catherine-I miss your seeing your blue eyes everyday and your beautiful handwritting!
Brock-I miss your hugs!You would love it here because the children play soccer during their breaks at school!
Olivia-There are people in Costa Rica who ride their horses in the street and it makes me think of you!
Durant-I went to the beach last weekend. I thought about you while I watched the sunset at the ocean.
Jazmin-I miss you sweet girl & I hope that you are doing well in reading. I still haven´t seen any unicorns here;)
Keria-I have a feeling that you would love it in Costa Rica because there are many things to do outside and you would also like playing soccer during breaks at school!
Joshua-Can you believe that when I arrived here the students were learning about plants in first grade? there are pictures of me eating passion fruit seeds. They look gross(kind of like tadpoles), but they are very yummy!
Megan-I miss your hugs too. When I am having a bad morning or I am sad at school I think about you and how you would brighten my day!
Nicholas-I saw monkeys on my first day on the way to school! They make noises that sound like they are angry, but my host mom assured me that they were not..its just the sounds that they make.
Elijah-The students conducted a play the other day at school. You would have loved it! Good luck in your future play with your parents!
Micha-There are lots of bugs here! I often get bitten by them and there are lizzards..how awesome?!
Isaiah-I wish you were here in Costa Rica with me to answer all of my questions when I teach. I miss you and hope you are reading like a CHAMPION:)
Austin-I hope that you enjoy my pictures and come up with wonderful questions to ask me. You would love it here with your vibrant imagination!
Ashton-I bet you are talking right now. hahaha. Just kidding. I miss you & I know that if you lived in Costa Rica you would have a lot of friends because you are so friendly.
Makenzie-Costa Rica is so beautiful..just like you! I hope that you enjoy the pictures and that you are giving your best in class.
Gilly-I am lonely without you in Costa Rica because I don´t have a partner here:( When I get back..will you please be my math partner again?
Kennedi- I wish you were here so that we could get our nails painted together:) I know how you liked it when my nails were painted.
Gwyneth-I write in my journal everyday..so that means I think about you everytime that I open it! Thank you so much for my gift.
Diana-I need you here to help me speak Spanish! A lot of the young girls here remind me of you because they always come to school with their hair curled like you do!
Adrianne-It is hard to pick a special helped like you because you were the best afternoon helper in the world and i miss you:)
Erwin-I have a girl who has the same last name as you in my classroom..GUZMAN! I know that you would love it here because everyone plays soccer!
Tony-I miss you and know that you would find Costa Rica to be beautiful! I hope that you are behaving and earning lots of stickers..I know you can do it! I BELIEVE IN YOU!
PS: My students are going to write your letters on Monday and I will mail them as soon as they are finished. They are so happy that you were kind enough to write them!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Costa Rica Week One
As some of you may know, my first scheduled flight to Costa Rica was canceled putting me in a panic frantically tring to figure out what to do next as I fly out of the country for the first time..all ALONE. Thanks to the gracious airline folks who did all the work for me and making me realize that i shouldn´t worry so much because it will all workout. I arrived in Nicoya around 8pm which meant that the picnic on the beach Karla had planned did not happen. We ate at a local chinese resturant for dinner in downtown Nicoya. Somehow everytime I eat at a chinese resturant and im REALLY craving fried wontons (with sour cream) I always manage to get the kind with the meat in them. Maybe I should be more specific next time, which is what I always say...
I slept very well my first night in Nicoya. I was exhausted physically and mentally from waiting in the airport from 5am until 1pm to catch a flight. Ok-I will stop complaining about that issue. When I woke up on Monday morning I was suprised to get straight up and in the shower around 5:30. School in Costa Rica starts at 7:00 am unlike schools in America that start at 8:00am. I fell in love with Costa Rica in the morning light as we drove to school. Everything in my vision was green, or brown, but you know I´m a dirt worshipper so I dont mind that one bit. When I arrived at San Ambrosio a few things caught my eye. The school is surrounded by a gate which has bob wire at the top. The soda (cafeteria) is outside and the classrooms have no electronics..they are simply classrooms with the doors flung open to feel the cool breeze. The children also have 5 minute breaks between classes to eat food or ya know..play soccer outside(they really do, its AWESOME). I am so happy that I chose to come here, but on my first day I learned that it would not be as easy as I had assumed. The language barrier is very difficult and most younger students do not understand anything that I say or vice versa. I hope that I can learn Spanish quickly so that I can communicate with the children as much as possible. I am working with preK-5th grade. Yes, that means I am teaching English to seven different classes during the day. The children were very excited to meet me on my first day and I received many hugs(which you know that I loved)!!! I also heard TEACHER!!! a lot. In Costa Rica teachers are not called by their last name..they are simply called teacher and the kids yell it at the top of their lungs. I am very excited to face my new challenge with boldiness and love combined. I believe that I have a lot to offer the students and know they have the same in return. After my first day of school I had a three hour salsa lesson. Needless to say, I slept very well on my second night too. Tuesday and Wednesday were very similar to day one at school because I was trying to learn the schedule and the routine of the classes. I taught second grade all alone and it was very difficult because their classroom management is non exsistent. Did I mention it is the end of their school year and their minds are more focused on their vacation time, but I don´t blame them. I remember what it was like to be a child in school. Oh, wait! I´m still the child who gets excited about vacation and can´t pay attention. As I was enjoying my coffee with Karla on Thursday morning we heard the principal telling the students something. Karla then translated and told me that classes were canceled due to the emergency that happened in San Jose. Their was a mudslide Thursday morning from all the rain and many people were missing. School was also canceled on Friday and the death toll was around 23.You may find more information on this event on Google if you would like more details. Since the bridges were closed to the beaches Karla and I did things in town on Thursday & Friday. I also went to town with my new German friend Lena and met some of her friends who are all fluent in Spanish.
On Saturday I got a little emotional. I was locked out of my house and my host mom was on her way to San Jose. I started crying because I didn´t know what in the world to do! So I went to the neighbors house to use the telephone(he probably thinks I am a crazy American girl) because I was trying to speak Spanish to him while wheeping. lol He did not understand me and only spoke Spanish, but he politely invited me into his home where I met his wife and son. Ricardo, Karlas friend, came to my rescue and made a copy of the correct key because Karla accidently left me the wrong one. I stayed in the house for the rest of the evening watching TV with Spanish subtitles trying to pick up on words. Saturday night I went out on the town with Lena while my host Mom was in San Jose at a Alejandro Sanz concert. Sunday morning Ricardo and his two daughters, Valeria and Gabreilla, invited me to their beach house where their nanny Rosie cooked an amazing pasta dish and we enjoyed a peaceful day at Playa Samara. Karla and Silvia joined us at the beach when they returned from their concert. Overall my week was amazing and I can´t wait to see what the future holds. I love and miss my family dearly, but I know this experience will be one for the books. How I mentioned how great God is???!!!????!!! Please continue to pray for me througout my journey.
I slept very well my first night in Nicoya. I was exhausted physically and mentally from waiting in the airport from 5am until 1pm to catch a flight. Ok-I will stop complaining about that issue. When I woke up on Monday morning I was suprised to get straight up and in the shower around 5:30. School in Costa Rica starts at 7:00 am unlike schools in America that start at 8:00am. I fell in love with Costa Rica in the morning light as we drove to school. Everything in my vision was green, or brown, but you know I´m a dirt worshipper so I dont mind that one bit. When I arrived at San Ambrosio a few things caught my eye. The school is surrounded by a gate which has bob wire at the top. The soda (cafeteria) is outside and the classrooms have no electronics..they are simply classrooms with the doors flung open to feel the cool breeze. The children also have 5 minute breaks between classes to eat food or ya know..play soccer outside(they really do, its AWESOME). I am so happy that I chose to come here, but on my first day I learned that it would not be as easy as I had assumed. The language barrier is very difficult and most younger students do not understand anything that I say or vice versa. I hope that I can learn Spanish quickly so that I can communicate with the children as much as possible. I am working with preK-5th grade. Yes, that means I am teaching English to seven different classes during the day. The children were very excited to meet me on my first day and I received many hugs(which you know that I loved)!!! I also heard TEACHER!!! a lot. In Costa Rica teachers are not called by their last name..they are simply called teacher and the kids yell it at the top of their lungs. I am very excited to face my new challenge with boldiness and love combined. I believe that I have a lot to offer the students and know they have the same in return. After my first day of school I had a three hour salsa lesson. Needless to say, I slept very well on my second night too. Tuesday and Wednesday were very similar to day one at school because I was trying to learn the schedule and the routine of the classes. I taught second grade all alone and it was very difficult because their classroom management is non exsistent. Did I mention it is the end of their school year and their minds are more focused on their vacation time, but I don´t blame them. I remember what it was like to be a child in school. Oh, wait! I´m still the child who gets excited about vacation and can´t pay attention. As I was enjoying my coffee with Karla on Thursday morning we heard the principal telling the students something. Karla then translated and told me that classes were canceled due to the emergency that happened in San Jose. Their was a mudslide Thursday morning from all the rain and many people were missing. School was also canceled on Friday and the death toll was around 23.You may find more information on this event on Google if you would like more details. Since the bridges were closed to the beaches Karla and I did things in town on Thursday & Friday. I also went to town with my new German friend Lena and met some of her friends who are all fluent in Spanish.
On Saturday I got a little emotional. I was locked out of my house and my host mom was on her way to San Jose. I started crying because I didn´t know what in the world to do! So I went to the neighbors house to use the telephone(he probably thinks I am a crazy American girl) because I was trying to speak Spanish to him while wheeping. lol He did not understand me and only spoke Spanish, but he politely invited me into his home where I met his wife and son. Ricardo, Karlas friend, came to my rescue and made a copy of the correct key because Karla accidently left me the wrong one. I stayed in the house for the rest of the evening watching TV with Spanish subtitles trying to pick up on words. Saturday night I went out on the town with Lena while my host Mom was in San Jose at a Alejandro Sanz concert. Sunday morning Ricardo and his two daughters, Valeria and Gabreilla, invited me to their beach house where their nanny Rosie cooked an amazing pasta dish and we enjoyed a peaceful day at Playa Samara. Karla and Silvia joined us at the beach when they returned from their concert. Overall my week was amazing and I can´t wait to see what the future holds. I love and miss my family dearly, but I know this experience will be one for the books. How I mentioned how great God is???!!!????!!! Please continue to pray for me througout my journey.
Monday, October 25, 2010
My last week of Student Teaching in NC
As my student teaching experience in Lenoir, NC comes to an end..I reflect and smile:) The first graders at Davenport have been so wonderful! I am going to miss them tremendously and will be lost without Mrs. Hayes.
They have touched my heart forever.
They have touched my heart forever.
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