cursing

What does it mean when you curse after every slightest vexation?

*slightest vexations: A simple prick while cutting mangoes, accidentally closing a web page too early, a stranger who doesn't smile back, etc.

third quarter finals

"Too often we give our students answers to remember rather than problems to solve." ~Roger Lewin

Third quarter finals start next week. We're doing reviews this week. Today I gave a review to my sociology class and told them that I wouldn't be collecting it. I told them that completely the review would help them win a review game tomorrow and pass the exam but that I wouldn't be watching over their shoulder to make sure they did it. What happened? About 6 students worked on the review and the rest wasted another 45 minutes of their life.

Lazy.

They said, "Miss, you have to remember what it's like to be in our shoes." I stopped. Thought about that for awhile and realized that I was never like them. I was never that lazy in class. I always cared about my grades and about learning. I was never disrespectful to my teachers.


Good news: After finals I just have one week of school before Spring Break! For Spring Break I'm taking a surf trip to El Salvador!

computer trouble- pictures coming

Meghan left yesterday. It was wonderful seeing her and experiencing aspects of my life in Honduras with a close girl friend made me more homesick for the U.S.

Unfortunately my computer is giving me some trouble (i'm trying to do virus scans and update my antivirus stuff) but I promise to upload pictures soon!

In other news I got in HUGE trouble at work for missing days when Meghan was here. They made me have a meeting with all the bosses (four in total). However, by the end of the meeting they were all laughing and saying how they wished they could take my class! It was the first time I've ever had a positive, edifying conversation with them.

They've asked me to turn in a summary on Monday of all the activities and lessons I've taught so far as well as the ones I hope to get to before the year is over. It's crazy to think that I only have 40 or so more days left of actual school here.

i hate banks

Life is a war and each day is filled with many battles.

There are too many opponents: students, parents, bosses, banks, rules, traffic, taxi drivers, line-cutters ...

I guess it's important to remember that although we're fighting THEY aren't the enemy and winning isn't always what it appears to be.

But I want to win my fight against the bank and get back the money that was stolen from me. It's on Banco Atlantida ... you thought you could deny me with so little effort. Think again. I'm not quitting until you make a deposit!

la playa

Today I spent a wonderful afternoon at the beach with friends!

Yes, I have friends! :)

We went to a beach just outside of Sambo Creek where all the gringos have their big, beachfront homes. Several people raced their ATVs on the beach and a few played with jet skis

It was all so wonderful. Rosie, Rosie's friend, Hiromi, Alandino, Micah and I played in the waves and took lots of photos. Afterward we swam in una piscina. Then I laid in a hammock and relaxed until I was dry.

Dinner was a delicious seafood soup. Afterward we all crammed into Rosie's friend's (I can't remember his name) truck and drove back to La Ceiba ... just about a 12 minute drive.

I need to go to the beach more often!

educators

"Education is a companion which no misfortune can depress, no crime can destroy, no enemy can alienate,no despotism can enslave. At home, a friend, abroad, an introduction, in solitude a solace and in society an ornament."
~Joseph Addison, English essayist and poet

Lately I've been thinking a lot about education and the role I should play in my students' lives as their teacher.

Although my life has been relatively short, I've been had many titles: daughter, sister, friend, tour guide, reporter, editor, contributor, intern ... etc., but so far 'teacher in Honduras' has afforded the most challenges. One unexpected factor that surely contributes to the difficulty of my current adventure is the fact that many of my students come from broken families.

Every one of my "problem" students lives separate from their birth father. In a recent assignment about their childhood at least a third (about 30) of my students wrote that the one thing they regretted about their childhood was the fact that their parents split up. Here's what one male student wrote:

"My infancy was a little sad. My parents split up when I was four and because of that my life changed drastically ... It has been hard for me and for my mom. For my mom because she has to fill that space, the space that not even a step-father can fill."

Behavior isn't the only challenge with my students from split parents. A lot of them also have enormous amounts of anger and resentment toward their fathers.

Divorce isn't new to me, but for the first time I see exactly how detrimental divorce is on kids. I don't believe that every divorce is going to irrevocably screw up the kids involved, but it definitely has an effect. And this is where the world's education problems start.

It is my young, inexperienced opinion that the world expects too much from teachers. Teachers today are expected to teach not only their subjects but also discipline, respect and manners. These last lessons aren't supposed to be learned at school. They're supposed to be taught by parents! Teachers are meant to reinforce what is being taught at home.

More than anything I think the world needs more people who are dedicated to being good parents. Teachers play an important, necessary role in society, but they will only be able to accomplish a fraction of their potential in the classroom if parents don't do their job at home.

inspiration

Inspiration: n. an inspiring or animating action or influence.

12 things that inspire me:
1. Big waves
2. Coldplay performances
3. Pictures of faces
4. People whose lives confuse society (i.e. homeless, circus performers, motocross racers, etc)
5. Drinking coffee on a stormy day at the beach
6. Dancing for joy
7. Documentaries about Africa
8. Soundtracks
9. Song lyrics
10. Sunsets
11. Church services at Journey
12. People who are passionate

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?