New Job

A week ago Monday I had two interviews, one for a school that wanted a preschool English teacher, and one who wanted a conversation teacher for 1st-3rd graders. I got the job from the second interview, and started Monday at the school. I'm very happy with the situation.

And so begins again the daily commute beginning before the sun rises. This year the commute is much better, though. I listen to sermons, books, or music on the i pod on the bus, and then two more subway stops until Porvenir, the school. The first day I was so confused, but the teachers and other staff were very friendly and helpful. At lunchtime I found the cafeteria (goal #15 accomplished!!), but couldn't find the food. Imagine being faint with hunger, seeing a room full of teachers eating good smelling food, and no fount of said food in sight! So, I decided to solve the problem by forgetting my language skills of any sort, staring, and then asking, "¿Qué hago?" (What do i do?) I couldn't have asked...where do we pick up the trays? -or- Could someone show me where lunch is served? Instead of my caveman sounding question. Oh well. I survived. And even had someone to talk to during lunch (shouting over our echo off the concrete walls). After lunch I found the bathrooms (goal #2). After lunchtime I filled my water bottle at the same newly found bathroom, trying to end the huge headache I'd gotten by lunchtime probably from dehydration (perhaps stress too). Filling water bottle (goal #4).

By today I had a rough schedule of my classes. I will be seeing each 1st-3rd grader once a week. I'll start teaching in a couple weeks. Up till now I've gotten some keys, rearranged the desks, put up posters, cut out a bazillion visuals, read through the kids' text books, made copies, and done recess duty.

I'll keep you posted...things will pick up more when the kids start coming to my class closer to October.

Isma Comes Again

Actually, it's the same visit from August, but I wanted to post the pictures now, rather late. Notice: Isma had the camera most of the time. But I did sneak a few shots of him! Thanks Linda and Sonny for letting us stay at your house...we had a wonderful time!

Summer with Isma

Visit from Panama

Around the middle of August, I got the opportunity to spend a few days with my friend Arielle, who was in the country to visit family and go to a friend's wedding in Arkansas. Such fun! We went to the Cuban sandwich shop with Isma, wherein I embarrassed myself by failing to understand a word of Spanish (and how is it that I've lived in Spain two years??). Later, we played Bananagrams with Sandy and the rest of the girls and Isma took a look at their computer (qué majo, no?).

The pictures I have are from the weekend that Laurel and Arielle came up to the lake, the week before Isma came to visit. We beat ourselves up on the tubes, swam, played...of course...bananagrams, and generally had a good time. I've posted some pictures of us being lazy and of the awesome sunset that evening, if you follow the link below.

Arielle Visit

Bananagrams

It's like banana phone (the song is playing in my head), but without real bananas and very fun to play. Coolest game for word lovers! We found the game a couple years ago, courtesy of some friends (thank you Marti!!!). I'm so excited, I even have a post-game picture from this summer!

Rewind

Rewind back to July...and I'm posting the photos I took from the Collins' family reunion now. Mostly people shots...I tend not to take pictures when I'm swimming, in the canoe, sailing, biking, or biking. I leave those pictures to those staying behind. :) I do wish I had that photo with the running trophy, though. Hmmm...guess it will have to do in Mom's album in Facebook.

Fourth of July 2010