Copan, Guatemala, Honduras

Thanksgiving break was a success. I traveled to Copan Ruinas, and then Antigua, Guatemala with 5 other teachers. We had quite an adventure trip... good thing we are all so used to going with the flow now. We met some interesting people along the way and I learned about how other people in the world view the United States and the actions of our government. I think we also did our fair share of explaining that the United States is a large country, and the actions of our government do not necessarily reflect how every US citizen thinks. No government is perfect, ours included. But, it does make sense that we are constantly ridiculed because are such a strong force in the daily happenings of the greater world. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I feel it is important to always be tactful  and educated when conversing with people of other cultures.

The best part of the trip was horseback riding in Copan. Galloping along a stream in Honduras on Thanksgiving definitely makes my top 3 Thanksgivings! I will post pictures soon.

All is well here, with plenty of Christmas music and trees beginning to pop up all over town. A Christmas tree looks the same in Honduras as it does in the States... it makes the world feel just a little bit smaller.

Inspirational Women

Recently I’ve felt great appreciation for two very strong woman here in Gracias. One, Lorendiana owns a sweets shop. She runs her own high quality business, in a wonderful tour guide, and a strong independent woman. Her grand daughter attends Minerva. She is well known in gracias for her yummy popsicles and deliciously sweet home made wine. She has been more than welcoming to us.

Another woman, whom I do not remember her name, owns a restaurant here called Rencancito Graciano. It is in the tour books, has been in National Geographic and other travel magazines. She is Lencan and runs a restaurant that only serves traditional Lencan food made from ingredients in our area and served on materials made in this area. She calls her self a “big dreamer” with “different dreams.” She hopes to add a hostel to her restaurant, which is also self sustainable. She will have solar panels on her compound, and even has a binder of drawings for layouts. We visited her restaurant on Saturday and it was one of the most delicious meals I have had in Honduras. Her ponche pena was to die for. It is a warm, fruity punch with rum. It smelled like Christmas in a cup and tasted even better!

Teachers at dinner at Rencancito Graciano

On a school related note, parent teacher conferences went very well. We are about to start subtraction and I have been looking for plenty of ideas on the internet for how we can practice this without making any photocopies. Thank goodness for dice, dominoes, and playing cards!

Today one of the missionary families hosted a Thanksgiving. There were about 35 people there from 4 different countries and about 15 states! We had quite a feast. The Goodwin family is starting a children's home just outside Gracias and hopes to open it on February 1st. They welcomed us into their beautiful home for a feast, Honduran style. 

Photos of recent activities:

Osita and a rottweiler puppy playing

Garden at the Goodwins

Very full and happy after Thanksgiving!

View from my apartment one morning before school

Osita loves her new collar and leash!

Goodwin's set up for Thanksgiving

Gypsy loves fresh sheets from the lavenderia just as much as I do

Normal

I use the word normal as a title for this post only because my life feels normal only because my routine here feels normal now. Nothing about living here is normal, however. Time is definitely flying away down here, I can’t believe it’s been one month since I’ve posted. The past month has included Partial exams (equivalent to the end of a quarter). The task of giving a written test in each subject to a class of first graders who have never taken tests before is quite an experience. The good part is that we design our own tests. It was a long week, but we made it through and it was great to see what the students have learned 8 weeks into the year.

This second partial is a short one, as we already have midterm grades due. But this also means it is time for parent teacher conferences! The students will leave school at noon, and the teachers will stay for a few hours in the afternoon to talk to parents who come to school to pick up their child’s grade reports. I had hoped the set up would be more formal, but any parent interaction will be helpful.

During the past month, we have started a form of Math centers. This is a big accomplishment for us. It also makes me much happier at the end of the day J . We are not allowed to make any more photocopies , so we have been forced to be very creative in order to expand the topics we have to cover in the books.

I wish I could remember all the things my students do to make me laugh… but the list is so long. If I learn one thing from this experience, it is take a deep breathe and find something to laugh at. Our favorite times of the week are always Art, and a close second is Math centers. The students love dice, dominoes, and cards. Another teacher let me borrow a twenty-sided dice. When I showed my students, there eyes almost popped out of the heads! Here is a video of a few of my bright eyed first graders:

I have not traveled lately because I spent two weekends very sick. But, most of us have now built up our immune systems (and stomachs) and are ready to travel to Guatemala for Thanksgiving! We will also be receiving year long visas to stay in Honduras, which is exciting for those of us who plan to travel after the school year is finished.  

Classroom update

It's already time for the first partial, believe it or not. We spent this past week playing review games, making butterflies, spelling words, learning new songs, and practicing how to be good friends. My students have kept me on my toes, and I hope I have kept them on theirs! I have not posted much lately because we have been busy working away and flying through first! 

La Campa

Nina in the hammocks in the center of town

Upon arrival we immediately collapsed into the hammocks

I haven't updated lately because I've been out adventuring! Last Sunday, a few of us ventured to La Campa. This is a small town up in the mountains known for it's pottery. It was quite an adventure getting there and back. But, we did meet some cool new people. 

These pots were huge!

In the back, you can see the two huge kilns

View from up the mountain

La Campa

The coolest looking tree!

Church in the center of town

such a beautiful place

The cool tree again

Wait.. is it really Friday tomorrow??

The school year has really taken off... in a good way! I would say this has been the best week so far. The kids are settling in, and it's already time to test on Unit 1 in Math. Too bad the copier is broken... again. I feel like I learn about as much as the kids do everyday. I set a goal for myself to try one new idea each day. This idea could be as small as how I represent the number 26 to the students, or as big as a seating change. My students love identifying letters, colors, and words in our room. They also like to repeat phrases, words, point to pictures and learn the English words. This is mostly wonderful, but a little distracting when I'm trying to introduce a new topic. Overall, their interest and excitement is a very good "problem" to have. The best part of this week was Art on Tuesday. We made Consonant caterpillars...

I also had my first parent teacher meeting. It went very well and was so refreshing to talk with a wonderful and support team of parents.


One week ago, I adopted my first pet! I always told my Dad that I would adopt a cat as soon as I got my first apartment. One of the other school employees said she had two cats, and offered me one. I said yes, and a few trips to the agro vet (there is only one place in town to buy cat food), a few baths, a trip to a friendly Minerva family for saw dust later I have a cat. His name is Gypsy. Within the first 5 minutes he managed to get himself INTO the oven of the yellow house. He's adjusting well, and aside from the need to sweep my apartment everyday, we are a happy couple. Yes, I am a cat lady now. It's worth it. Arriving home from after a long day at school to play with a happy kitten is a pretty great stress reliever.

Last week the ferreria was here in town. It's basically a gathering of vendors in central park. We went a few times, and are finally starting to make some Honduran friends. They are friends of another teacher at the school.

My lastest obsession are leches. They are the strangest looking fruit I have ever seen but they are delicious. You peel the skin off and eat the inside fruit, and then spit out the seed.

I can't believe I've been for for almost 2 months. It's finally starting to feel like I'm going to be living here for the next 8 months. A group of us watched the premiere of Modern Family on ustvnow.com (lifesaver) last night and it made us all a little homesick for fall. There are times when I really miss the leaves changing, pumpkin bread, and football. But mostly, I'm starting to feel at home here in Gracias, Honduras. 

Independence Day Parade