So many times something happens and I can’t help but let out one of those uncontrollable laughs that just has to escape from inside. Most of the time I just want to share that moment with someone—like pop into Anna’s room during one of the more inappropriate times to have uncontrollable laughter. I try to make a mental note—to try to capture the moment exactly so that later I can put it into some kind of adequate words. That’s what I’ll try to do here. But then again when I think about what I am going to write about (not that I really think about it—it mostly falls out of my head down to my fingers and onto the screen) it is usually small little occurrences mixed into the daily routine of life that prove to be the most significant—at least to me—and I hope in some way are interesting to you.
I’ve actually already pre-written a blog that I have to post for you tonight. I wrote it this weekend when I also wrote about my time with Juan Carlos and his family that is so precious to me, but I had doubts that anyone would keep reading if I posted so much at one time—I mean, I’m not exactly shortwinded…ever! But I feel like there are a few thoughts I want to down tonight, so maybe this blog will pass the other blog on its way onto the page…
My computer had a stroke. I’m serious. I forgot if I told you or if I just think I told you that my computer has been a little on the frizz lately. My hypothesis is the heat and the effect that it must have on my computer’s ooooold age. It will start making a clicking noise and eventually blacks out and a little blue screen tells me that it is “dumping physical memory” which can never be good…eeek. It actually had recovered quite well (or so I thought) until…the stroke. I am currently missing out on the use of the a, q, z, 1, and ! keys (Obviously I must not be on the stupid computer since I was just able to type that) which, if you take a look at that line up, are pretty dang important keys! It has been a big pain to say the least of my frustration.
A funny thing happened last Thursday. On Wednesday there was a message on the whiteboard in the office of our school that everyone should report to Actos Civicos (think patriotic all school meeting) first thing in the morning. So of course at 7:10 when the kids are scrambling for their seats, I rounded them up quietly and neatly into their separate lines of boys and girls not knowing exactly where I was taking for them or for how long. We ended up on the grass in front of the flag (I must quickly stop to mention that September is the month of holidays in Honduras—many wrapped up into Independence Day—see parade picks :)). There are the usual national hymn and prayer. But then, all of a sudden the seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students start coming out in costume. They (unknown to their American teachers) have prepared an elaborate play of the Independence of Honduras. Imagine the surprise, delight, and ensuing chaos when a boy rides in on a HORSE! I thought that was going to be the highlight until someone set up fireworks about 10 feet away from all the children. I’m pretty sure I threw my body in front of the second grade. Details now get a little fuzzy. The fireworks get lit and shoot every which way. I not only feared for the well being and bodily safety of the students in my care, but the people in the street that very well could have been hit by the two fireworks that rocketed over the school’s gate and divebombed in that direction. One firework actually hit the tree above the office causing smoke to billow up from what looked like the roof—also a scary thought. Boy was I glad when they stopped setting off the fireworks. My kids had a good chuckle at my horrified face. A couple of them couldn’t help but comment on my transparent fear and concern and the horrified look that apparently accompanied those feelings (believe me, they tried to imitate the face and it DID look funny). Mister Adalberto our social studies teacher did get what appear to be serious burns all over his hand due to the lighting of the stupid fireworks. He did take that day off, but don’t worry, he’s back to school and teaching.
The other night I had one of the smile bursting laughter moments when our power came back on after being out for a good amount of time. I was trying to make guacamole by candlelight—a mildly to really frustrating experience due to the fact that there were some bad spots on all of the avocados I was cutting up. I finally started using my roommate’s flashlight which I tucked under my chin to shine at the avocado—I’m sure it was quite a sight. After cutting up a few of the aguacats (short for aguacates=avocados in español) I headed for my room to grab my own flashlight. It was a hopeless case. I couldn’t see anything and tripped over everything. I went back to the kitchen where I groped around for some matches—crossing my fingers that they would be in the same place where I last saw them (which is hoping for a lot when you share a house with 5 other people!) but there were some! and I had just lit the candle when…the power came back on. It was such a wonderful feeling, but the cause of the bursting laughter was the cheers that came from the street, from the houses all around celebrating that the light had come back! One of us started to giggle at the resounding whoops and hollers from outside and it was contagious. Happy celebratory laughter filled the house.
Always flexible…because life is so comica…
(Jaime, pardon this visa story that sounds so ridiculo when written down) I don’t really have a work visa that lasts for a year. Don’t worry—I’m not being deported or anything (but if I am, I’m heading straight toward chocolate!). There are a couple ideas being worked on—several plans of action—but one in particular sounds so funny it can’t help but be shared. Working at the school, we have several instant friends—dedicated, devoted people that help us out with whatever comes up and begs for assistance. Whether sharpening our knives with a machete, picking us (or anyone affiliated with us) from the airport, bringing us coffee from the mountain, giving us butt injections of antibiotics that contain who knows what, but are used to cure anything and everything ailing the volunteer (they come in three shot series—I’m praying that I won’t ever need this), these friends are around often and watch our backs ;) Our doctor friend hooked us up with his lawyer friend who helped write a letter to the mayor of San Pedro Sula (super industrial important city in Honduras that is only 45ish minutes-1.5 hour-ish away from me—which I might refer to as “the city” occasionally). Here is the ridiculous part. His plan went a little something like this…go to the park in San Pedro Sula on Thursday September 14. The mayor will be in front of the statue in the park at approximately 8:30 am. Introduce yourself to him, shake his hand, and hand him the letter. Certainly he will then agree to donate $4000 (US) so that all the teachers have work visas. Yeah right. That was my thought. That is probably your thought. I mean, how do we even know he will be there!?! Well, it was the day before Independence Day so he was going to be there participating in some special event. And, check this out…it actually worked. He was there. He read the letter and said, “Sure thing.” He probably said something way better and intelligent and in Spanish, but with similar meaning. We haven’t seen a check yet, but that we walked past a statue and this whole thing went down is super laughable to me. What a hoot.
Which leads me to part two of be flexible because life is so super funny. We’ll discuss tomorrow whether or not we have to go to Belize…you know…THIS weekend. No problem, you know, just a little trip to Belize. Ha! That might be the better short term solution to the visa issue. Just kind of funny to think about that might be my weekend plans—and we would probably have Friday off!
So this is getting long so I should probably end this fast. But just a few more things…
We can’t recycle. It just doesn’t happen here. People have checked into it, and we just aren’t sure how it can be done. Getting people to not throw their trash in their yards, out their windows—this would be a start.
That reminds me! One of the funny moments in my classroom! A few kids brought rocks into the classroom, but remember the structure that is my room…I just confiscated them and threw them out the window as I was teaching! Probably a little different than my other teacher friends! :)
Ok, enough. Heading to bed! Goodnight!
I’ve actually already pre-written a blog that I have to post for you tonight. I wrote it this weekend when I also wrote about my time with Juan Carlos and his family that is so precious to me, but I had doubts that anyone would keep reading if I posted so much at one time—I mean, I’m not exactly shortwinded…ever! But I feel like there are a few thoughts I want to down tonight, so maybe this blog will pass the other blog on its way onto the page…
My computer had a stroke. I’m serious. I forgot if I told you or if I just think I told you that my computer has been a little on the frizz lately. My hypothesis is the heat and the effect that it must have on my computer’s ooooold age. It will start making a clicking noise and eventually blacks out and a little blue screen tells me that it is “dumping physical memory” which can never be good…eeek. It actually had recovered quite well (or so I thought) until…the stroke. I am currently missing out on the use of the a, q, z, 1, and ! keys (Obviously I must not be on the stupid computer since I was just able to type that) which, if you take a look at that line up, are pretty dang important keys! It has been a big pain to say the least of my frustration.
A funny thing happened last Thursday. On Wednesday there was a message on the whiteboard in the office of our school that everyone should report to Actos Civicos (think patriotic all school meeting) first thing in the morning. So of course at 7:10 when the kids are scrambling for their seats, I rounded them up quietly and neatly into their separate lines of boys and girls not knowing exactly where I was taking for them or for how long. We ended up on the grass in front of the flag (I must quickly stop to mention that September is the month of holidays in Honduras—many wrapped up into Independence Day—see parade picks :)). There are the usual national hymn and prayer. But then, all of a sudden the seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students start coming out in costume. They (unknown to their American teachers) have prepared an elaborate play of the Independence of Honduras. Imagine the surprise, delight, and ensuing chaos when a boy rides in on a HORSE! I thought that was going to be the highlight until someone set up fireworks about 10 feet away from all the children. I’m pretty sure I threw my body in front of the second grade. Details now get a little fuzzy. The fireworks get lit and shoot every which way. I not only feared for the well being and bodily safety of the students in my care, but the people in the street that very well could have been hit by the two fireworks that rocketed over the school’s gate and divebombed in that direction. One firework actually hit the tree above the office causing smoke to billow up from what looked like the roof—also a scary thought. Boy was I glad when they stopped setting off the fireworks. My kids had a good chuckle at my horrified face. A couple of them couldn’t help but comment on my transparent fear and concern and the horrified look that apparently accompanied those feelings (believe me, they tried to imitate the face and it DID look funny). Mister Adalberto our social studies teacher did get what appear to be serious burns all over his hand due to the lighting of the stupid fireworks. He did take that day off, but don’t worry, he’s back to school and teaching.
The other night I had one of the smile bursting laughter moments when our power came back on after being out for a good amount of time. I was trying to make guacamole by candlelight—a mildly to really frustrating experience due to the fact that there were some bad spots on all of the avocados I was cutting up. I finally started using my roommate’s flashlight which I tucked under my chin to shine at the avocado—I’m sure it was quite a sight. After cutting up a few of the aguacats (short for aguacates=avocados in español) I headed for my room to grab my own flashlight. It was a hopeless case. I couldn’t see anything and tripped over everything. I went back to the kitchen where I groped around for some matches—crossing my fingers that they would be in the same place where I last saw them (which is hoping for a lot when you share a house with 5 other people!) but there were some! and I had just lit the candle when…the power came back on. It was such a wonderful feeling, but the cause of the bursting laughter was the cheers that came from the street, from the houses all around celebrating that the light had come back! One of us started to giggle at the resounding whoops and hollers from outside and it was contagious. Happy celebratory laughter filled the house.
Always flexible…because life is so comica…
(Jaime, pardon this visa story that sounds so ridiculo when written down) I don’t really have a work visa that lasts for a year. Don’t worry—I’m not being deported or anything (but if I am, I’m heading straight toward chocolate!). There are a couple ideas being worked on—several plans of action—but one in particular sounds so funny it can’t help but be shared. Working at the school, we have several instant friends—dedicated, devoted people that help us out with whatever comes up and begs for assistance. Whether sharpening our knives with a machete, picking us (or anyone affiliated with us) from the airport, bringing us coffee from the mountain, giving us butt injections of antibiotics that contain who knows what, but are used to cure anything and everything ailing the volunteer (they come in three shot series—I’m praying that I won’t ever need this), these friends are around often and watch our backs ;) Our doctor friend hooked us up with his lawyer friend who helped write a letter to the mayor of San Pedro Sula (super industrial important city in Honduras that is only 45ish minutes-1.5 hour-ish away from me—which I might refer to as “the city” occasionally). Here is the ridiculous part. His plan went a little something like this…go to the park in San Pedro Sula on Thursday September 14. The mayor will be in front of the statue in the park at approximately 8:30 am. Introduce yourself to him, shake his hand, and hand him the letter. Certainly he will then agree to donate $4000 (US) so that all the teachers have work visas. Yeah right. That was my thought. That is probably your thought. I mean, how do we even know he will be there!?! Well, it was the day before Independence Day so he was going to be there participating in some special event. And, check this out…it actually worked. He was there. He read the letter and said, “Sure thing.” He probably said something way better and intelligent and in Spanish, but with similar meaning. We haven’t seen a check yet, but that we walked past a statue and this whole thing went down is super laughable to me. What a hoot.
Which leads me to part two of be flexible because life is so super funny. We’ll discuss tomorrow whether or not we have to go to Belize…you know…THIS weekend. No problem, you know, just a little trip to Belize. Ha! That might be the better short term solution to the visa issue. Just kind of funny to think about that might be my weekend plans—and we would probably have Friday off!
So this is getting long so I should probably end this fast. But just a few more things…
We can’t recycle. It just doesn’t happen here. People have checked into it, and we just aren’t sure how it can be done. Getting people to not throw their trash in their yards, out their windows—this would be a start.
That reminds me! One of the funny moments in my classroom! A few kids brought rocks into the classroom, but remember the structure that is my room…I just confiscated them and threw them out the window as I was teaching! Probably a little different than my other teacher friends! :)
Ok, enough. Heading to bed! Goodnight!
posted by Sarah | 8:27 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home