K, so I forgot to tell you about this funny story that happened last week.
Well, since we can't drink the water, we have to get purrified water. In our apartment we have two five gallong jugs to refill with water each time. One of the girls and myself walked down the street to get new jugs of water. On our way back to the apartment a guy came jogging (literally jogging) from accross the street and took the water from our hands and started carrying them for us - both 5 gallong jugs full of water. I thought he would just leave them at the gate for us, but as we had our roommates open the gate, he started carrying them in. Then he walked them up to our apartment on the second floor. Well, I guess we live more on the third floor since the first is the parking area. Anyways, he had to set one down on the stairs and would not let us take it. He insisted on carrying each one into our apartment. He even put one of them in on the water dispenser. We asked his name, but he wouldn't leave it. We also offered hims a little bit of money for helping us, but he said he was the type of person who helps without wanting or taking anything. He saw we needed help and helped. Then he literelly ran off.
Now, I don't consider him a knight in shining armor, not even close. But, it was great to see that chivalry still exists in the most random of places.
Monday, October 20, 2008
October Update
Well, it is time to update you all on what has been going on.
These two months have held many personal ups and downs as I struggle with the school, my class, and other things.
First, the school. It was hard for me to fully understand what was expected of me as a teacher by the administration. Things were not always fully explained, and if they were explained, it was hard to understand because of the language thing. There are only 10 North American teachers. Everyone else with the school are Hondurans. So, during training, and any meetings we have, there always has to be a translator. Hence, things get lost in translation, or depending on who is translating, understanding their English. The first month and a half I felt as though I was being pulled along by my collar just barely getting by. Understanding how they want the paper work, things parents expect, and how they want our planning to be laid out. Finally, I feel as though I am getting things under control and organized. I feel as though I am beginning to understand what is expected of me by the administration – at least so far. We are just finishing our first period this week. So I may be feeling different as we are completing our grades and turning them in.
Another difficult thing with school has been my actual classroom. I have a class of 20 students, 9 boys and 11 girls. They are all Honduran – the cuties. I feel sorry for my poor kids, having me as their teacher. As a class we have had a rough start. It was hard for them at the very beginning to understand me and what I expected. We were both at a disadvantage; although some say they were at the advantage, because I don’t understand Spanish. This forces them to communicate to me in English or not at all. There are two in particular that I know have a harder time than the others. They are both bright children, but are not always able to fully follow the rules or directions that I give them. There are some times where I will have one of the other students talk to them in Spanish so that I know they will understand what I am saying. I feel for them when they ask me what a word is in English and I can’t help them. I ask if someone else knows, but I know that there is still a gap with most other things. Simple words that we know, and feel that our kids know, these students don’t. That is one thing I constantly have to remind myself and be aware of. But, on the whole, I feel that a lot of progress has been made since the first day of school. We are warming up to each other and beginning to get into a routine. There are still some students I am trying figuring out the best way to get the material across to them, or to find the best way to deal with their behavior. Slowly I am beginning to enjoy my class.
Sometimes I wonder why I am here and what the purpose of my presence here is. Then I remember that God has a reason, even though I may question that. I know that God led me here; I just hate the in-between adjusting parts of it. I don’t know what He is doing, I am just trusting. I know He will not fail me and will provide everything. It is just learning to be where I am and to live in the moment.
Although, it is great to know that I am coming home for Christmas (Lord willing). That is one thing that is helping me through these next couple months. Praise the Lord for awesome parents!
These two months have held many personal ups and downs as I struggle with the school, my class, and other things.
First, the school. It was hard for me to fully understand what was expected of me as a teacher by the administration. Things were not always fully explained, and if they were explained, it was hard to understand because of the language thing. There are only 10 North American teachers. Everyone else with the school are Hondurans. So, during training, and any meetings we have, there always has to be a translator. Hence, things get lost in translation, or depending on who is translating, understanding their English. The first month and a half I felt as though I was being pulled along by my collar just barely getting by. Understanding how they want the paper work, things parents expect, and how they want our planning to be laid out. Finally, I feel as though I am getting things under control and organized. I feel as though I am beginning to understand what is expected of me by the administration – at least so far. We are just finishing our first period this week. So I may be feeling different as we are completing our grades and turning them in.
Another difficult thing with school has been my actual classroom. I have a class of 20 students, 9 boys and 11 girls. They are all Honduran – the cuties. I feel sorry for my poor kids, having me as their teacher. As a class we have had a rough start. It was hard for them at the very beginning to understand me and what I expected. We were both at a disadvantage; although some say they were at the advantage, because I don’t understand Spanish. This forces them to communicate to me in English or not at all. There are two in particular that I know have a harder time than the others. They are both bright children, but are not always able to fully follow the rules or directions that I give them. There are some times where I will have one of the other students talk to them in Spanish so that I know they will understand what I am saying. I feel for them when they ask me what a word is in English and I can’t help them. I ask if someone else knows, but I know that there is still a gap with most other things. Simple words that we know, and feel that our kids know, these students don’t. That is one thing I constantly have to remind myself and be aware of. But, on the whole, I feel that a lot of progress has been made since the first day of school. We are warming up to each other and beginning to get into a routine. There are still some students I am trying figuring out the best way to get the material across to them, or to find the best way to deal with their behavior. Slowly I am beginning to enjoy my class.
Sometimes I wonder why I am here and what the purpose of my presence here is. Then I remember that God has a reason, even though I may question that. I know that God led me here; I just hate the in-between adjusting parts of it. I don’t know what He is doing, I am just trusting. I know He will not fail me and will provide everything. It is just learning to be where I am and to live in the moment.
Although, it is great to know that I am coming home for Christmas (Lord willing). That is one thing that is helping me through these next couple months. Praise the Lord for awesome parents!
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