ok well contrary to the name of my blog, I had a wonderful day. I spent the night with Liz in Granada, and we walked to the Lake Cocibolca to go kayaking. She knows someone who is trying to spread the name of his business around, so he was giving a free day, so we kayaked (if that is even a word) and when we were walking home, we noticed a little cabana bar on the beach which was open 24 hours from Thursday thru Sunday. Were talking about how that explains why there were so many drunk men passed out alongside the road. Not a few minutes after that, I look to the left side of the road and see a man laying on the ground passed out in the fetal position. With a double take, he had his pants around his ankles with his bare ass hanging out. With a triple take, his ass wasnt the only thing hanging out. He must have been trying to go number 2 when he tipped over and passed out, there was a big ol´piece of poopy hanging from his butt. It was times like those that I would have LOVED to have my camera on me. Oh well better him then me I say.
On a random note
The taxi drivers in Masaya love to rip people off, and they are always trying to charge more than they quoted when they reach your destination. I have come up with a fool proof plan. check it. So people in Nicaragua NEVER EVER EVER have change for larger bills, not even 100 cordobas. so they will tell you that they dont have change, and unless you dig in your pockets and purses and find it, they will not sell you what ever you are buying. So for example you go to an ice cream shop and get a cone worth 20 cords (1 dollar) and you give them a 100 cord bill, they will tell you they dont have change, and if you dont come up with the correct change, they will make you give them back the ice cream cone and refuse the sale. So the other night, Liz and I took a taxi to a club in Masaya whi SHOULD have cost 20 cords (10 each) but then we get out of the taxi and he is like, "woah woah it is 20 EACH" we were arguing about this, and I had the bright idea to whip out my 500 cord bill. BOO YEAH he looked at me like "ARE YOU SERIOUS" and told us to get out and drove off. see. FLAWLESS PLAN!! I have no worries that ANY taxi driver will have the change for a 500 so I shouldnt be ripped off any time soon.
ok t it for now, back to reading Harry Potter!
ADIOS
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Its an OBAMA-NATION
What an eventful night HUH?? Pretty damn exciting if you ask me, although you didnt Im just telling you. I thought we were going to be in for a long night last night, but faster than you can say "Maverick" even FOX News called the election for Obama!! This is really exciting I think and our future is SOOO bright, Im already wearing shades. Jan 20th couldnt come any sooner.
Well I went to Matagalpa last weekend for a Halloween party, and it was incredible! Matagalpa is such a wonderful city, with things to do, MANY clothing shops, and the weather cant be beat! The costumes were (to say the least) original yet effective. Some of my neighbors came over today and said congradulations on the election, and they were greeted with my support for Obama. I made a sign and posted it on my door just for this election.
My mom called the other night and we kind of planned out their trip when they come here to visit, and as of today we are going to Masaya, Matagalpa, Granada, San Juan Del Sur, Ometepe, and Leon. It is a lot of places to visit in 13 days but I think well manage, I just hope they dont get too bored while down here. ill try my best to uphold my promise to be the best tour guide or your money back.
The elections are going to be here in Masaya on he 9th, and we cannot leave to go anywhere because they have us on standstill, just in case if any violence breaks out, oh well I have 4 strong walls.
This school year is coming to an end which is nice because we have a minor break from thelittle bastards students. Classes have been going GREAT for the last few weeks because I think they know the final exams are coming and none of the teachers actually make the students THINK on exams so they know the rest of the year will be a cakewalk.
Well I dont have really much else to say now, but I promise you the blogs will be much better and conatain more "meat" once I get my new laptop during X-mas. it just sucks to have to pay for the internet AND write your blog. If you have any suggestions of thinkgs I could write about, please let me know.
ADIOS
IM PROUD TO BE AN OBAMANATION
Well I went to Matagalpa last weekend for a Halloween party, and it was incredible! Matagalpa is such a wonderful city, with things to do, MANY clothing shops, and the weather cant be beat! The costumes were (to say the least) original yet effective. Some of my neighbors came over today and said congradulations on the election, and they were greeted with my support for Obama. I made a sign and posted it on my door just for this election.
My mom called the other night and we kind of planned out their trip when they come here to visit, and as of today we are going to Masaya, Matagalpa, Granada, San Juan Del Sur, Ometepe, and Leon. It is a lot of places to visit in 13 days but I think well manage, I just hope they dont get too bored while down here. ill try my best to uphold my promise to be the best tour guide or your money back.
The elections are going to be here in Masaya on he 9th, and we cannot leave to go anywhere because they have us on standstill, just in case if any violence breaks out, oh well I have 4 strong walls.
This school year is coming to an end which is nice because we have a minor break from the
Well I dont have really much else to say now, but I promise you the blogs will be much better and conatain more "meat" once I get my new laptop during X-mas. it just sucks to have to pay for the internet AND write your blog. If you have any suggestions of thinkgs I could write about, please let me know.
ADIOS
IM PROUD TO BE AN OBAMANATION
Monday, October 13, 2008
Randomness
The other weekend, Liz and Diane came for a visit and we were just bumming around, going from market to market, when we decided to go to Payless shoes because I thought they were still having their BOGO sale, but when we got there we found that it had ended... too bad for them (I got 2 nice pairs a few days before). Dianne (who everyone calls Chinita or chinese girl, even though she is Korean) decided that she wanted to see if she could get a discount of her own. She went up to buy the sandals at the counter and asked the clerk if she could get a discount because she's "chinese" (and the sandals were made there) and she's pretty sure her grandmother MADE them, so that warrants a "family discount". With a straight face, Diane tilted her head to the side patiently waiting for him answer. The clerk had NO CLUE how to respond to that and in the end told her that there would be no such discount offered to her. Oh well it was worth a try, and because Liz and I bet her 10 cords that she wouldnt do it, she got a 20 cord discount in the end.
On my last visit to Granada, which was a blast to say the least. **wink wink Diane** Liz, Avi, Diane and I went to some other Americans' house (which was like a 6 star hotel compared to where I live) and I re-learned how to play canasta and we did a little drinky drinky of the ever so tastey Flor De Caña rum. On the taxi ride home, we decided to hit up a discoteca where we danced local dances until 3 AM. It was fun. The BEST part of it all, when I got home, I WASNT ROBBED!! I have been waiting for a few weeks to go on any over night journeys since the robbery.
OK well there are people waiting to use the internet so I gotta go now, ill be bak soon. CIAO
On my last visit to Granada, which was a blast to say the least. **wink wink Diane** Liz, Avi, Diane and I went to some other Americans' house (which was like a 6 star hotel compared to where I live) and I re-learned how to play canasta and we did a little drinky drinky of the ever so tastey Flor De Caña rum. On the taxi ride home, we decided to hit up a discoteca where we danced local dances until 3 AM. It was fun. The BEST part of it all, when I got home, I WASNT ROBBED!! I have been waiting for a few weeks to go on any over night journeys since the robbery.
OK well there are people waiting to use the internet so I gotta go now, ill be bak soon. CIAO
Thursday, September 25, 2008
You win some you lose some
Dell laptop $800.00, credit and debit card $15,000, USB stick $10.00. The fact of knowing that someone broke into your house and stole all of the above... priceless. So yeah just a little update that someone broke into my house this last weekend and stole some of my shit. I went to Granada on Saturday and when I came home on Sunday, I was going to watch a movie, but there was no laptop. I called the police and 3 hours later when they arrived (thank god I wasnt getting raped, and REALLY needed their help) one of them stayed in the truck and slept, while the other two took my police report. They decided that the person or persons got in through one of the doors, and the next day my landlord put new locks on the doors. I also went to the store and bought one of the rocks to sharpen my machete because I will be hell bent of they try to do it this weekend when I am home. I decided I would like to keep all the lights off and wait for him to come back and Ill chop his ass up. Ive already verified it with police that if I do hurt him, I will be OK because it was self defense. Soooo yeah Im still a little pissed, but a lot less pissed than I thought I would be.
On a brighter note, the new Ugly Betty, and Grey´s Anatomy are on tonight!! The office is new as well, but it´s at the same time as U.B. Damn it... choices choices choices. But there is a thunderstorm coming and Im sure the electricity will go out soon, so Ill come back in a few days and write about something else, who knows maybe Ill get the computer back... ADIOS everyone.
On a brighter note, the new Ugly Betty, and Grey´s Anatomy are on tonight!! The office is new as well, but it´s at the same time as U.B. Damn it... choices choices choices. But there is a thunderstorm coming and Im sure the electricity will go out soon, so Ill come back in a few days and write about something else, who knows maybe Ill get the computer back... ADIOS everyone.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Its a beautiful day in the neighborhood
Hello everyone, I have been very lazy lately. Well I mean on keeping up on my blog, otherwise I have been very busy! I decided that things were just not working out with the host family that I was living with, so I decided to move out into my own house. I am now living in the old home of Paul and Holly, and couldn't be happier! The first night was a little uncomfortable as all I had was a mattress and I had to sleep on the floor, but oh well the bed is very comfortable! The last few weeks I have been getting things for my house. I have made about 35 trips to the market buying everything from silverware, plastic tables and chairs (which are very expensive by the way), to laundry detergent, wood tables for my bedroom and living room, and bricks and planks of wood to make a bookshelf. It was fun buying the tables and very painless. The weird part was that I hired a local bolo (drunk) to put the three tables on his cart, and then push the cart through the streets to my house. At first he decided that we wanted to charge me 40 cords (2 bucks) but when he got to the house he said, “Well I pushed really far, and it weighed a lot and I'm really tired, I think you should give me something else.” I told him that I would give him 50 cords and we'd call it even but then he said, “No, I mean give me something from your house.” I decided that I had had enough so after I got the tables in the house, I gave him the 50 cords and just closed the door.
I think it was my third day, when I woke up at 8 AM, there were already 10-15 bolos out in the streets who had already “got their drink on” and had probably had it on for about 3 hours, they were singing, unfortunately it was no Latin American Idol by any means. These performances, by the way, were all being performed on my door step. It took a while to wait for them to get off the steps, and as soon as they started wandering off the steps, I took Holly's advice and started sweeping and then took a bunch of water and threw it all over, because the drunks wont sit on the steps if it's wet. That night I was getting ready for bed when I heard something jump my patio fence. Then I heard something start screwing around with my clothes line outside of my house. I walked to the back room and I could hear two people whispering and someone breathing loudly. What a fricking welcoming committee, I think, and of course I have nothing to defend myself with when he breaks in. So I did what any strong, well built man would do. I grabbed the bottle of Raid and I started spraying it out the opening of the roof/ceiling. I kept spraying and spraying, and after a while there was no more deep breathing, so I decided that they left. Now I'm trying to figure out if it was two men, or two really big cockroaches. The next morning I made my 38th visit to the market and bought myself a 20 inch machete... just in case. Every night I swipe the machete across the wall, just to let the bolos outside know that if they break in, I will not think twice to cut a bitch!
I think I have a best friend already after only a few days in my new house. He's 11 and his name is Roger. Paul and Holly said he was a good kid, and for the last couple of days he come over like 5-10 times a day, always when I'm watching a movie or watching “fair and balanced” Fox News. (I know, I know, but in my defense its the only good news station I get here.) On many of my journeys to the market, he tags along with me and helps do some of the shopping. When we were in the market and looking for a new hammock, the prices of course jumped up when they saw me coming so when we got home he told him mom, and she let me know that she would go with me and get things I needed for better prices.
I'm not exactly sure whats going on around this barrio because since I have moved in, people have been dropping like flies around here. You see, the way they let everyone know that someone has passed away, they attach huge speakers to a taxi, and the taxi drives around playing a recorded message letting everyone know who has passed, their brothers and sisters and when and where the funeral will be. It's weird because as I have said before they don't have addresses here such as 1505 Lopez Lane, but rather they use directions like “From the Faith Pharmacy three block north, and two block East”. So just the other day I was talking to Roger's family when said taxi drove around playing another death notice, and when they said the address of the person, everyone lifted their hand in unison and followed the directions counting the street blocks and at the end all realizing who it was. It seemed a little strange to me at first, but now I've gotten used to it.
One of my counterparts has introduced me to a few of her friends, “just to meet me” and in the end they all want free English classes. I have no problem giving free English classes, but I can only offer classes to so many people and I don't think she gets it. She really has no interest in having any English classes but wants me to teach everyone else. Just the other day I was introduced to another friend of hers, who also works at another school (FYI another death just happened, the taxi just went by) anyways. I met her and she asked me the normal question if I would be able to work with her students by offering them an advanced speaking class. I said I would talk to my boss to see if I could work at another school, because really if they needed a Peace Corps volunteer, the Peace Corps would have sent someone there. While talking about the classes my counterpart asked her how much they were offering to pay me. Before I had a chance to say that I cannot accept payment for my classes, she said that they have worked with PC volunteers and that we cannot accept payment. I asked her when the classes were, she dropped the bomb. They are on Saturday mornings from 8- noon, and if I could squeeze it in from 1PM-3PM as well. Right then I came to the conclusion that they don't have a teacher for this class, and since I work for free, why not take advantage of it...right?! I said I would call her after I had talked to my boss, we had our meeting at like 2PM. That evening between 6-7 she called 4 times to see if I had talked to her yet. I decided that I will work with them, but only if they follow the PC rule. There must be an English teacher in the room working with me, as I cannot teach a class alone, and my primary job here is a TEFL teacher trainer, and not a substitute teacher. Also I will do it every other Saturday because I need time for me as well. This afternoon when I went to school my counterpart asked me if I had gotten a hold of the teacher yet because they need me to start this Saturday and the next three Saturdays and she wanted to know if I was only going to work the 8am-noon or both shifts. LOL...WOW can we say FORWARD MUCH?!
On a better note, my mom emailed me and let me know she bought her tickets for the trip down here! Now I have to decide where I am going to bring them for their trip. I know for sure we will go to the Volcano here in Masaya, and prolly a day trip to Granada. I was also thinking the Selva Negra in Matagalpa. And also going to the Island of Ometepe. It is in the running for being one of the world's 7 natural wonders of the World. Not sure what there is to do there, but Ill have to talk to some of the volunteers on the island to have a better idea on how much time to spend there and what there is to do.
I think we will be skipping Managua because its not such a great place to be, with recent violence in the area towards foreigners and I know that if we take precautions we should be safe, but I would rather skip it and just be safe.
The least few days we were celebrating independence day here in Nicaragua, so we didn't have school from Monday-Wednesday so Lara, Adam and Elizabeth decided to stop by and spend a few days here in Masaya. It was great to see everyone, because it's been 7 weeks since I had last seen them. The first night we decided to join the local bolos and enjoy a little Flor de Cana, a wonderful Rum made here in Nicaragua. There were 6 of us, so the bottle that Lara and Adam brought didn't satisfy our needs so we decided to walk to the Pulperia, a little home based store where you can find most anything, to purchase another bottle. When we got to the store, the store owner was very very inebriated, so Lara thought it would be a good idea to try her bargaining skills and see if the owner would lower the price of the Rum. I thought it was a great interaction to watch! Kind of like going into Walmart and telling the clerk, “I will not pay more than 7 dollars for this 9 dollar bottle of Rum”. Well needless to say her bargaining skills were not up to par and we paid full price. Either way we had a great time, except for Elizabeth who decided it was the right time to come down with a little touch of something and spent the night resting in bed between visits to the bathroom. While having a conversation about what we planned to do after the Peace Corps, because you know that 670 days is JUST around the corner, Lara spotted a mouse running on the floor on my house, so as any normal person would do, we grabbed a headlamp and a 20 inch machete blade and went in search of our friend, Mr Mouse.(see picture below) We didn't find him, but we sure had a great time doing so.
The next morning we decided to go to the Laguna de Apoyo a little lake that was created by a crater, for a little dip and even more Tona. After swimming, we decided to try and hitchhike back to the highway because it is a long walk back UP the road to the highway, unfortunately the cars passing by were not having any of it, so no rides were offered. We decided to walk a little ways to the bus stop and wait for a taxi. We got home safe and sound with nothing major to report.
A few days ago, my next door neighbor brought me to the market to get some fruits and a hammock. She came over a few hours later and asked me if I would like her to show me how to make a refresco or a drink. I agreed and let her come inside to show me. She cut the oranges for me and squeezed the juice into the container and showed me exactly how much sugar and water to add. She used water from the faucet and not the bottled water I had but I decided when in Rome. After washing all the dishes she used, she told me that I had a lot of dust on my floor, and that I should really sweep that up. I informed her that Sundays are the days I do my cleaning when she looked at me and informed me that, “Hoy es domingo” Today IS Sunday. And grabbed my mop and started sweeping my floor with the mop and then proceeded to mop my floor for me. When she left she gave me an “Adios” and let me know that, “Te dejo con la casa limpa” I leave you with a clean house. What a nice lady she is. (Side note: I sure hope the taxi with the speakers doesn't come passing by reading her name)
After taking the advice of my neighbors and waiting until Independence Day, because there might be some good sales, I went to all of the stores looking for my good sales. Not a rebaja or sale in sight! I decided I could not wait any longer for a fridge, so I am pleased to announce that I am the owner of a brand new Mexican refrigerator. It's nice to actually be able to drink something cold and not room temperature... AND I NOW HAVE ICE... How great is that. Thank god for my bank account at home, as I spent a month and a half salary on the dang thing. I just hope that This fridge isnt like appliances back home... made to break. I decided to go with the cheaper of two fridges because after talking to the salesman at the store, he informed me that although the more expensive one comes with a three year guarantee, it's made in El Salvador and is more likely to break. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hope this buggers lasts two years.... Oops be right back, have to fill up on my ICE water!! Ahhh it's so nice to say that... ICE WATER.
OK back. Well there is nothing more to report on as of right now, I am finishing this up and I have to go to class. We'll see if any of the kids actually come to class because I was told by most of the teachers that since the students had Monday through Wednesday off, most likely, the will not come until next Monday. Well I leave you with a few pictures I have take from the last few weeks. I'll talk to you all again soon!
** yeah no class today, hardly any students came, so they told the ones that did to go home, and cancelled classes***
Lara not realizing Adam was drowning, he sure will be missed!
My front lock was stuck shut, had to have a neighbor come over and but me out of my own house....waste of 3 bucks for a lock.
THANKS Kayla for my first real meal I had at my apartment!
Lara VERY serious hunting for the mouse in the house.
Next door neighbor Roger.
The guys that clean the streets.
Our taxi ride to Laguna de Apoyo, what a tight ride!!
I think it was my third day, when I woke up at 8 AM, there were already 10-15 bolos out in the streets who had already “got their drink on” and had probably had it on for about 3 hours, they were singing, unfortunately it was no Latin American Idol by any means. These performances, by the way, were all being performed on my door step. It took a while to wait for them to get off the steps, and as soon as they started wandering off the steps, I took Holly's advice and started sweeping and then took a bunch of water and threw it all over, because the drunks wont sit on the steps if it's wet. That night I was getting ready for bed when I heard something jump my patio fence. Then I heard something start screwing around with my clothes line outside of my house. I walked to the back room and I could hear two people whispering and someone breathing loudly. What a fricking welcoming committee, I think, and of course I have nothing to defend myself with when he breaks in. So I did what any strong, well built man would do. I grabbed the bottle of Raid and I started spraying it out the opening of the roof/ceiling. I kept spraying and spraying, and after a while there was no more deep breathing, so I decided that they left. Now I'm trying to figure out if it was two men, or two really big cockroaches. The next morning I made my 38th visit to the market and bought myself a 20 inch machete... just in case. Every night I swipe the machete across the wall, just to let the bolos outside know that if they break in, I will not think twice to cut a bitch!
I think I have a best friend already after only a few days in my new house. He's 11 and his name is Roger. Paul and Holly said he was a good kid, and for the last couple of days he come over like 5-10 times a day, always when I'm watching a movie or watching “fair and balanced” Fox News. (I know, I know, but in my defense its the only good news station I get here.) On many of my journeys to the market, he tags along with me and helps do some of the shopping. When we were in the market and looking for a new hammock, the prices of course jumped up when they saw me coming so when we got home he told him mom, and she let me know that she would go with me and get things I needed for better prices.
I'm not exactly sure whats going on around this barrio because since I have moved in, people have been dropping like flies around here. You see, the way they let everyone know that someone has passed away, they attach huge speakers to a taxi, and the taxi drives around playing a recorded message letting everyone know who has passed, their brothers and sisters and when and where the funeral will be. It's weird because as I have said before they don't have addresses here such as 1505 Lopez Lane, but rather they use directions like “From the Faith Pharmacy three block north, and two block East”. So just the other day I was talking to Roger's family when said taxi drove around playing another death notice, and when they said the address of the person, everyone lifted their hand in unison and followed the directions counting the street blocks and at the end all realizing who it was. It seemed a little strange to me at first, but now I've gotten used to it.
One of my counterparts has introduced me to a few of her friends, “just to meet me” and in the end they all want free English classes. I have no problem giving free English classes, but I can only offer classes to so many people and I don't think she gets it. She really has no interest in having any English classes but wants me to teach everyone else. Just the other day I was introduced to another friend of hers, who also works at another school (FYI another death just happened, the taxi just went by) anyways. I met her and she asked me the normal question if I would be able to work with her students by offering them an advanced speaking class. I said I would talk to my boss to see if I could work at another school, because really if they needed a Peace Corps volunteer, the Peace Corps would have sent someone there. While talking about the classes my counterpart asked her how much they were offering to pay me. Before I had a chance to say that I cannot accept payment for my classes, she said that they have worked with PC volunteers and that we cannot accept payment. I asked her when the classes were, she dropped the bomb. They are on Saturday mornings from 8- noon, and if I could squeeze it in from 1PM-3PM as well. Right then I came to the conclusion that they don't have a teacher for this class, and since I work for free, why not take advantage of it...right?! I said I would call her after I had talked to my boss, we had our meeting at like 2PM. That evening between 6-7 she called 4 times to see if I had talked to her yet. I decided that I will work with them, but only if they follow the PC rule. There must be an English teacher in the room working with me, as I cannot teach a class alone, and my primary job here is a TEFL teacher trainer, and not a substitute teacher. Also I will do it every other Saturday because I need time for me as well. This afternoon when I went to school my counterpart asked me if I had gotten a hold of the teacher yet because they need me to start this Saturday and the next three Saturdays and she wanted to know if I was only going to work the 8am-noon or both shifts. LOL...WOW can we say FORWARD MUCH?!
On a better note, my mom emailed me and let me know she bought her tickets for the trip down here! Now I have to decide where I am going to bring them for their trip. I know for sure we will go to the Volcano here in Masaya, and prolly a day trip to Granada. I was also thinking the Selva Negra in Matagalpa. And also going to the Island of Ometepe. It is in the running for being one of the world's 7 natural wonders of the World. Not sure what there is to do there, but Ill have to talk to some of the volunteers on the island to have a better idea on how much time to spend there and what there is to do.
I think we will be skipping Managua because its not such a great place to be, with recent violence in the area towards foreigners and I know that if we take precautions we should be safe, but I would rather skip it and just be safe.
The least few days we were celebrating independence day here in Nicaragua, so we didn't have school from Monday-Wednesday so Lara, Adam and Elizabeth decided to stop by and spend a few days here in Masaya. It was great to see everyone, because it's been 7 weeks since I had last seen them. The first night we decided to join the local bolos and enjoy a little Flor de Cana, a wonderful Rum made here in Nicaragua. There were 6 of us, so the bottle that Lara and Adam brought didn't satisfy our needs so we decided to walk to the Pulperia, a little home based store where you can find most anything, to purchase another bottle. When we got to the store, the store owner was very very inebriated, so Lara thought it would be a good idea to try her bargaining skills and see if the owner would lower the price of the Rum. I thought it was a great interaction to watch! Kind of like going into Walmart and telling the clerk, “I will not pay more than 7 dollars for this 9 dollar bottle of Rum”. Well needless to say her bargaining skills were not up to par and we paid full price. Either way we had a great time, except for Elizabeth who decided it was the right time to come down with a little touch of something and spent the night resting in bed between visits to the bathroom. While having a conversation about what we planned to do after the Peace Corps, because you know that 670 days is JUST around the corner, Lara spotted a mouse running on the floor on my house, so as any normal person would do, we grabbed a headlamp and a 20 inch machete blade and went in search of our friend, Mr Mouse.(see picture below) We didn't find him, but we sure had a great time doing so.
The next morning we decided to go to the Laguna de Apoyo a little lake that was created by a crater, for a little dip and even more Tona. After swimming, we decided to try and hitchhike back to the highway because it is a long walk back UP the road to the highway, unfortunately the cars passing by were not having any of it, so no rides were offered. We decided to walk a little ways to the bus stop and wait for a taxi. We got home safe and sound with nothing major to report.
A few days ago, my next door neighbor brought me to the market to get some fruits and a hammock. She came over a few hours later and asked me if I would like her to show me how to make a refresco or a drink. I agreed and let her come inside to show me. She cut the oranges for me and squeezed the juice into the container and showed me exactly how much sugar and water to add. She used water from the faucet and not the bottled water I had but I decided when in Rome. After washing all the dishes she used, she told me that I had a lot of dust on my floor, and that I should really sweep that up. I informed her that Sundays are the days I do my cleaning when she looked at me and informed me that, “Hoy es domingo” Today IS Sunday. And grabbed my mop and started sweeping my floor with the mop and then proceeded to mop my floor for me. When she left she gave me an “Adios” and let me know that, “Te dejo con la casa limpa” I leave you with a clean house. What a nice lady she is. (Side note: I sure hope the taxi with the speakers doesn't come passing by reading her name)
After taking the advice of my neighbors and waiting until Independence Day, because there might be some good sales, I went to all of the stores looking for my good sales. Not a rebaja or sale in sight! I decided I could not wait any longer for a fridge, so I am pleased to announce that I am the owner of a brand new Mexican refrigerator. It's nice to actually be able to drink something cold and not room temperature... AND I NOW HAVE ICE... How great is that. Thank god for my bank account at home, as I spent a month and a half salary on the dang thing. I just hope that This fridge isnt like appliances back home... made to break. I decided to go with the cheaper of two fridges because after talking to the salesman at the store, he informed me that although the more expensive one comes with a three year guarantee, it's made in El Salvador and is more likely to break. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hope this buggers lasts two years.... Oops be right back, have to fill up on my ICE water!! Ahhh it's so nice to say that... ICE WATER.
OK back. Well there is nothing more to report on as of right now, I am finishing this up and I have to go to class. We'll see if any of the kids actually come to class because I was told by most of the teachers that since the students had Monday through Wednesday off, most likely, the will not come until next Monday. Well I leave you with a few pictures I have take from the last few weeks. I'll talk to you all again soon!
** yeah no class today, hardly any students came, so they told the ones that did to go home, and cancelled classes***
Lara not realizing Adam was drowning, he sure will be missed!
My front lock was stuck shut, had to have a neighbor come over and but me out of my own house....waste of 3 bucks for a lock.
THANKS Kayla for my first real meal I had at my apartment!
Lara VERY serious hunting for the mouse in the house.
Next door neighbor Roger.
The guys that clean the streets.
Our taxi ride to Laguna de Apoyo, what a tight ride!!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
If Its Yellow, Let It Mellow
Hey everyone, just a few updates since the last entry. Well we had a security meeting in Granada this last week and we talked about, well...... security, and we went over statistics of Peace Corps volunteers like robberies, assaults and such. There were nine of use that decided to stay the night in a hostel so we could all have a nice dinner together, and then go out afterwards. We waited for all of the girls to make themselves look pretty and then we headed out. I like Liz's statement when she said, “If two applications of that make-up don't make you look better, that just means your ugly...get your asses moving!” They took FOREVER to get ready, but I digress. We got on our way to the restaurant, all looking great, we were about a block away from the eatery when I heard a loud scream. I assumed it was just some of the volunteers screaming, you know when you get girls together they scream when they are excited, but when I turned around towards the scream, I saw Kristel fighting with some man, he had grabbed her purse and she was fighting to pull it back. In return he grabbed her around the shoulders and kinda pulled her whole body. Finally she let go, raised her hands (kind of like OK I give up) and the man took off running with her purse. It was really weird because I had never seen a robbery take place in person. Although it sucks some bastard stole her purse, she didn't lose her money or credit cards, because she kept all that in her pocket. She did on the other hand lose her digital camera, some make-up and her inhaler. Makes me wonder if we hadn't waited for so long for them to do their make-up if the man would have been there... either way SORRY KRISTEL!!! In the hostel there were signs in all of the bathrooms letting us know that sometimes the city shuts off the water due to a water shortage, and they give us a little rhyme to remember whether or not we should flush, “If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down.” I kinda like that.
So I'm still in the market for an apartment as I haven't found anything. I walked around for 3 hours today looking for places and didn't find a damn thing! I thought I was onto something when I came across a house that said for rent, so I asked the neighbors if they knew about it and they told me the mans name and that he was a doctor. His clinic was in the market, all the way across the city. I decided to make the trek, and hiked my ass across the city and meet him in person. Well I made it to the clinic, sweating HORRIBLY, and I think I scared the poor doctor. After waiting for one of his clients to leave, I found out that he had sold the house last year, and that I had walked all that way in vain. When I got home I called the number like I should have done in the first place, and when the woman answered, she told me it was 200 bucks. F-that I say, there is NO way that the house costs 200 bucks. Oh well. What ev. I found another place that was for rent, and when I went in and looked it was more or less 1 room with a little wall seperating it into 2 smaller rooms, with a really small bathroom, and the man let me know it was 175 dollars. It just sucks that as soon as they see white skin, they assume we are walking bank accounts and wipe our butts with 20 dollar bills. I think I am going to take another approach, I am going to have my counterparts call for me and ask, and see how much it REALLY costs. I recently found out that when you buy your first gas tank for your kitchen stove, it costs 800 cords (42 bucks). I don't think we get enough money to even survive, I'm surprised how some of these volunteers do it. Some people were told that if you don't earn enough money, you should use some money from home or that your parents could help This is not right in my opinion. WRITE TO YOUR SENATORS TELLING THEM TO INCREASE PEACE CORPS WAGES. LOL Now I sound like Tessa...write your senator. OK enough bitching.
Anyways, so I thought it would be funny to write a few ironic t-shirts that I have seen here that I think are too good to pass up and not share. Many people here wear t-shirts that they are not even sure what they say or what they mean. For example, my host mom in Dolores was telling me about when she lived in California, her neighbor's son gave her a t-shirt of a “pretty green plant”, well it turns out it was a marijuana leaf; needless to say that once she found that out she never wore it again. So the first t-shirt I saw in Jinotepe when walking home from the bank. It was a pregnant woman walking with another one of her children, and the t-shirt read, “I'm easy” Hmmm BIG surprise there huh? The second shirt I thought was funny I saw when I was walking to school. It was a downs syndrome girl whose shirt read, “Keep staring, I might do a trick.” LOL . And finally there was a little girl whose shirt said, “If you're rich, I'm single”. This reminds me of something. As soon as I began observing classes and introducing myself to my students, many of the girls asked if I was married and had a girlfriend. Well I knew it would be easier to say yes, I have a girlfriends back home so I told them yes. Then the teachers told me later that many of the girls wanted to be my girlfriend. That worried me a lot because the teachers didn't even bat an eye at that, and they thought it was normal. I guess its not too taboo for a young girl to date an older man, and I am talking about a 16 year old girl with a 26 or 27 year old guy. Just walking to class today I saw one of my students who is prolly about 15 or 16, and she was leaning against the church across the street and she was kissing a guy who looked like he had to be about 30. This really worries me, but here I guess it's normal.
One last thing before I let you go here. We have to co-plan with our teachers before we teach. Co-planning consists of us looking at the book, and what they are required to teach and us deciding some time of activity for the students. I have a policy that if we do not co-plan (without good reason), then I will not teach with them but rather I will go to class and observe. So I asked one of the teachers when he wanted to co-plan and he said on Monday at 7:40 am. Well I got to the school, and looked around for him for a while and went to the teacher's lounge and found out that he had left to go home; when I checked my watch, it was 7:46 am. Well on Tuesday I went to school, he handed me the book and said, “You are going to teach this” and then proceeded to walk to the back of the room and sit in a chair like he always does when I teach. (He sits in the back of the room and watches me teach the entire hour). I had had enough, so I told him that I wouldn't be teaching anything because we didn't co plan. He then responded with, “Well, you never showed up, I waited but you never came.” I couldn't do anything but laugh, because he tells me that I was late after I spent a good 10 minutes looking for HIM and HE already left to go home. Anyways I asked him when he would like to co-plan so I can start teaching again. He said he wanted to co-plan Tuesday at 8:20. So I made sure that I was going to get to the school on time, and about a block away from school I saw him riding towards me on his bike. I waved him down and asked him where he was going and he responded, “I didn't think you were going to come because you never came yesterday.” I answered, “Well I DID come yesterday, and I am here today. This is my job, I always come to school, and I am always here on time.” With an arrogant voice he asked me, “Well what time is it anyways”? It was 8:15. Then he responded with something like oh well you've finally arrived on time. So he was upset that he had to turn around and go back to school, and we went upstairs and began to co plan. After co-planning for our first class that I was going to teach, he decided to tell me that I am supposed to co-plan ALL of his classes; meaning the classes I teach with him and the classes he teaches alone. I told him that I am only worried about the classes that we teach together, because he asked me to co-plan his other classes for him last week and I agreed. Once I helped him decide what he should teach, we asked me if I could make all the materials he would need for the classes. I told him that I didn't have the materials to create the things he would need, and he responded by telling me that it wouldn't cost me too much, but he couldn't afford to do it because he gets paid to little. LOL I just am not sure what to do. I know that when we have the summer break during November, December and January, I am going to keep one of the teachers I currently work with and find 2 new ones. I am here to HELP the teachers, not do everything for them...ya know?!? I realize that working with me actually adds MORE work for them, but if they want to better their English and learn how to incorporate fun activities and different methodologies into their classes, they will have to WANT to work with me, and I completely understand if they don't have the time, as some of them have 2-3 jobs and work 7 days a week just to pay the bills.
OK WOW this blog entry seems really negative, and seems like I am having a difficult time here, but really I just needed to vent a few things, and I honestly couldn't be enjoying my time here any more thank I am. I have met a lot of cool people, and things are going better with my family and my students and my third teacher I work with makes up for everything else. She is SOOOOOO eager to learn and is always asking me how she could make her lessons better, and to be honest (which I tell her) she is doing everything that many teachers lack. She brings in pictures for the students, brings in realia (things students can touch) and has the students come to the board to participate.
Well here are a few pictures I have recently taken that I thought I would throw up on the internet.
**
Ok a few days later, I think I may have found a place to live, not sure but in the process of negotiating prices.
Boy sleeping outside my house
Food I eate, gallo pinto, fried bananas, and fried cheese
view of my host familys house
everyone in Granada chillin out
So I'm still in the market for an apartment as I haven't found anything. I walked around for 3 hours today looking for places and didn't find a damn thing! I thought I was onto something when I came across a house that said for rent, so I asked the neighbors if they knew about it and they told me the mans name and that he was a doctor. His clinic was in the market, all the way across the city. I decided to make the trek, and hiked my ass across the city and meet him in person. Well I made it to the clinic, sweating HORRIBLY, and I think I scared the poor doctor. After waiting for one of his clients to leave, I found out that he had sold the house last year, and that I had walked all that way in vain. When I got home I called the number like I should have done in the first place, and when the woman answered, she told me it was 200 bucks. F-that I say, there is NO way that the house costs 200 bucks. Oh well. What ev. I found another place that was for rent, and when I went in and looked it was more or less 1 room with a little wall seperating it into 2 smaller rooms, with a really small bathroom, and the man let me know it was 175 dollars. It just sucks that as soon as they see white skin, they assume we are walking bank accounts and wipe our butts with 20 dollar bills. I think I am going to take another approach, I am going to have my counterparts call for me and ask, and see how much it REALLY costs. I recently found out that when you buy your first gas tank for your kitchen stove, it costs 800 cords (42 bucks). I don't think we get enough money to even survive, I'm surprised how some of these volunteers do it. Some people were told that if you don't earn enough money, you should use some money from home or that your parents could help This is not right in my opinion. WRITE TO YOUR SENATORS TELLING THEM TO INCREASE PEACE CORPS WAGES. LOL Now I sound like Tessa...write your senator. OK enough bitching.
Anyways, so I thought it would be funny to write a few ironic t-shirts that I have seen here that I think are too good to pass up and not share. Many people here wear t-shirts that they are not even sure what they say or what they mean. For example, my host mom in Dolores was telling me about when she lived in California, her neighbor's son gave her a t-shirt of a “pretty green plant”, well it turns out it was a marijuana leaf; needless to say that once she found that out she never wore it again. So the first t-shirt I saw in Jinotepe when walking home from the bank. It was a pregnant woman walking with another one of her children, and the t-shirt read, “I'm easy” Hmmm BIG surprise there huh? The second shirt I thought was funny I saw when I was walking to school. It was a downs syndrome girl whose shirt read, “Keep staring, I might do a trick.” LOL . And finally there was a little girl whose shirt said, “If you're rich, I'm single”. This reminds me of something. As soon as I began observing classes and introducing myself to my students, many of the girls asked if I was married and had a girlfriend. Well I knew it would be easier to say yes, I have a girlfriends back home so I told them yes. Then the teachers told me later that many of the girls wanted to be my girlfriend. That worried me a lot because the teachers didn't even bat an eye at that, and they thought it was normal. I guess its not too taboo for a young girl to date an older man, and I am talking about a 16 year old girl with a 26 or 27 year old guy. Just walking to class today I saw one of my students who is prolly about 15 or 16, and she was leaning against the church across the street and she was kissing a guy who looked like he had to be about 30. This really worries me, but here I guess it's normal.
One last thing before I let you go here. We have to co-plan with our teachers before we teach. Co-planning consists of us looking at the book, and what they are required to teach and us deciding some time of activity for the students. I have a policy that if we do not co-plan (without good reason), then I will not teach with them but rather I will go to class and observe. So I asked one of the teachers when he wanted to co-plan and he said on Monday at 7:40 am. Well I got to the school, and looked around for him for a while and went to the teacher's lounge and found out that he had left to go home; when I checked my watch, it was 7:46 am. Well on Tuesday I went to school, he handed me the book and said, “You are going to teach this” and then proceeded to walk to the back of the room and sit in a chair like he always does when I teach. (He sits in the back of the room and watches me teach the entire hour). I had had enough, so I told him that I wouldn't be teaching anything because we didn't co plan. He then responded with, “Well, you never showed up, I waited but you never came.” I couldn't do anything but laugh, because he tells me that I was late after I spent a good 10 minutes looking for HIM and HE already left to go home. Anyways I asked him when he would like to co-plan so I can start teaching again. He said he wanted to co-plan Tuesday at 8:20. So I made sure that I was going to get to the school on time, and about a block away from school I saw him riding towards me on his bike. I waved him down and asked him where he was going and he responded, “I didn't think you were going to come because you never came yesterday.” I answered, “Well I DID come yesterday, and I am here today. This is my job, I always come to school, and I am always here on time.” With an arrogant voice he asked me, “Well what time is it anyways”? It was 8:15. Then he responded with something like oh well you've finally arrived on time. So he was upset that he had to turn around and go back to school, and we went upstairs and began to co plan. After co-planning for our first class that I was going to teach, he decided to tell me that I am supposed to co-plan ALL of his classes; meaning the classes I teach with him and the classes he teaches alone. I told him that I am only worried about the classes that we teach together, because he asked me to co-plan his other classes for him last week and I agreed. Once I helped him decide what he should teach, we asked me if I could make all the materials he would need for the classes. I told him that I didn't have the materials to create the things he would need, and he responded by telling me that it wouldn't cost me too much, but he couldn't afford to do it because he gets paid to little. LOL I just am not sure what to do. I know that when we have the summer break during November, December and January, I am going to keep one of the teachers I currently work with and find 2 new ones. I am here to HELP the teachers, not do everything for them...ya know?!? I realize that working with me actually adds MORE work for them, but if they want to better their English and learn how to incorporate fun activities and different methodologies into their classes, they will have to WANT to work with me, and I completely understand if they don't have the time, as some of them have 2-3 jobs and work 7 days a week just to pay the bills.
OK WOW this blog entry seems really negative, and seems like I am having a difficult time here, but really I just needed to vent a few things, and I honestly couldn't be enjoying my time here any more thank I am. I have met a lot of cool people, and things are going better with my family and my students and my third teacher I work with makes up for everything else. She is SOOOOOO eager to learn and is always asking me how she could make her lessons better, and to be honest (which I tell her) she is doing everything that many teachers lack. She brings in pictures for the students, brings in realia (things students can touch) and has the students come to the board to participate.
Well here are a few pictures I have recently taken that I thought I would throw up on the internet.
**
Ok a few days later, I think I may have found a place to live, not sure but in the process of negotiating prices.
Boy sleeping outside my house
Food I eate, gallo pinto, fried bananas, and fried cheese
view of my host familys house
everyone in Granada chillin out
Sunday, August 3, 2008
First week in Masaya!!
Hello again! Well, I have gone through the change! No not THAT change you weirdos, the change from trainee to volunteer. It really feels nice to finally have the training wheels off. My biggest worry was how I was going to get everything to Masaya. I had all of my possessions staring me in the face at the hotel in Managua, and I was thinking about leaving half of everything at the PC office, then coming back in a few days to get the rest of my stuff but in the end I decided to take my chances and bring everything. I had my big backpack, two gym size bags full of clothes, my laptop bag, and a big “saco” (sack) full of books. Well I got safely to the bus station and successfully got onto the microbus and spent an uneventful 40 minutes on the bus. Now the fun begins. I got off the microbus and started loading everything onto my bag, and carrying everything in my arms. HA HA I would have loved to have been one of the people in the park watching me try to walk the 3 blocks to my house, having to stop every 15 steps to gather my breath and switch hands. After a half an hour I got to the house where I will be living for the next 6 weeks.
The first couple of days I went to the school and observed classes and talked to the teachers and gathered their schedules so I could create my schedule with the teachers. I asked them which classes they would like me to assist with so I could offer the assistance and they let me know. Turns out I have Mondays and Fridays off, which will be nice but that also gives me a lot of free time. In a few weeks I will also be starting my secondary project working at a telecentro, (a place where they offer different classes to children and adults) so maybe I can work there on Mondays and Fridays. I am also thinking about starting an English club with the students but have yet to figure out the logistics of it all. I have never started an English club before so I'm not really sure what we should do; I know we can play a few games but other than that I'm not really sure what to do, so I guess I'll have to ask other volunteers what I can do. There are also a few NGO's in Masaya that I could work with so that should also take up some of my free time. There is world vision and Masaya Volcano which were listed in my booklet as NGO's that I could work with, now I just have to find them.
I am also looking for an apartment to live in after the 6 weeks. The problem is that not everyone advertises that they are renting a place, you have to pretty much ask everyone you know or meet. I decided to ask the landlord of Paul and Holly if she knew anyone that is renting out a place, and she said that she didn't but she would be willing to rent the place to me if Paul and Holly move out. I think it would be a nice place to live, but she told me that the place is about 100 dollars a month, which takes up a good portion of my monthly allowance the PC gives me, so I think Ill continue looking. I also asked one of the men that owns a pulperia (a little “ma and pa store” where they sell random things one would need) and he said he would be willing to rent me a room for 90 dollars a month which includes water and electricity. That seems a little high to me, but if there is nothing else I know I always have a place to live, but I'm really looking for a place to live on my own and nothing against the family I live with now, but I cant wait for the 6 weeks to be done with. I will feel so much more integrated when I have my own place to live, it'll be nice to buy my own bed, my own refrigerator, my own everything... ahhhhhh the clock is ticking I better end this here and get my butt out there and look for a place.
I have been reading a lot lately, and I have started reading “The Hobbit” but I'm just not getting into it. I think one of the reasons is that it is written in British English and for the most part, I can understand almost everything but a few things are a bit difficult. The last two nights I have been watching the Harry Potter movies, and I think I'm going to try and get my hands on the books, because I think they would be great reads. Ohhhh I just saw on TV while typing this that there is another Harry Potter movie coming out: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.... cant wait till it comes out, I think I'll have to go to Managua to see it!!!
So I finally got the chance to wash my own clothes, and let me tell you, it was an experience! In the states, we have our washing machines. I guess you can say I had a washing machine in Dolores as well, her name was Isolina. My host mom refused to let me wash my own clothes, I'm not exactly sure why, but my best guess would be that it is the woman's job to do the laundry. I don't really agree with that but thats how the galleta crumbles. So I asked my new mom if I could wash them and she agreed. I started out with my undies, lathering them up and scrubbing them on the lavadero (little scrub basin, see photo) when it came to my white undershirts, I wasnt exactly sure how to wash them because I knew that if you scrub them too hard or too much they will stretch out, so I asked for a little help. She was explaining to me (in Spanish of course) how to do this, and I just was not understanding. Its one thing to talk about everyday things like what I did on vacation, or what my life was like at home, but when you start getting into concrete things where I don't have the vocab for, it makes it a bit difficult. As for my understanding now, you just wet the shirts, and rub a bar of soap on the necks of the shirt and in the armpits, then you transfer the soaking wet shirts into a little bucket with some other soap in it, then you put a plastic bag over everything and let the sun do the work. Not really sure what the sun does, but then after you let the shirts sit in the soapy water under the sun, you rinse the shirts and I guess they are clean. While I was doing this, not only was my host mom out watching me, but my two sisters were out there watching as well...talk about stage fright, I just couldn't perform. I got a little frustrated because my mom kept spouting out directions, and then shaking her head so I let her know maybe a little too bitchy that it was my first time every having to wash my own clothes here. But I think it all turned out well, as I have to wash them again tomorrow.
I start teaching on Monday, and the last few days I have been co-planning with 2 of the 3 teachers I will be working with. The third teacher, I don't think he understands what co planning means, but well see what happens. I feel really bad for the students as well as the teachers here in Nicaragua because none of the students have books, only the teachers do, and the English books they DO have are from the 1970-1980's and they are rugged, ripped and VERY out of date. So if the teachers want the kids to read something from the book, they have to write the dialog on the board and then the students copy that into their notebooks, which wastes a LOT of class time! They do not have the resources for photocopies for students to have, but they do have some photocopies for exams, and those who cannot get photocopies for exams, have to write the exams on the board, and then the students complete the exams in their notebooks! I thought that some resources were lacking in Spain last year, but now I realize I was very spoiled over there teaching!
Last night around 2 AM I went out for a cig, (as I just got done watching Harry Potter) and I heard someone in the grass around the corner and I got a little freaked out, because there are a LOT of drunks around here that drink all night and then pass out WHEREVER, so I sat down and continued and then I herd this crazy noise and came to find out there was a couple of horses eating in the grass and then they came over to me and stared at me for a while and continued on their journey.
Well I need to get done with this entry here so I can watch the third Harry Potter... you know I got to set my priorities!! See you all later. I will get more pictures up once I take them.
Here are a few pics I have taken from swearing in and a few others
Elizabeth and I before swearing in... DONT WE LOOK JUST HOT
Pic with my host mother from Dolores, Isolina, and my ¨nephew¨Alexander after swearing in.
Everyone from TEFL Nica 47... what a great group!!
George Baldino the country director, Naiomi Till our training lady, and of course the focus of the picture...ME!
In the jeep back to the hotel after swearing in.
Elizabeth looking sexy while packing before heading to Chinandega! Hope the scorpion situation turned out for ya!
A fruit that I was given by my host mom. Mamones Chinos. They are a little sour but still good.
The first couple of days I went to the school and observed classes and talked to the teachers and gathered their schedules so I could create my schedule with the teachers. I asked them which classes they would like me to assist with so I could offer the assistance and they let me know. Turns out I have Mondays and Fridays off, which will be nice but that also gives me a lot of free time. In a few weeks I will also be starting my secondary project working at a telecentro, (a place where they offer different classes to children and adults) so maybe I can work there on Mondays and Fridays. I am also thinking about starting an English club with the students but have yet to figure out the logistics of it all. I have never started an English club before so I'm not really sure what we should do; I know we can play a few games but other than that I'm not really sure what to do, so I guess I'll have to ask other volunteers what I can do. There are also a few NGO's in Masaya that I could work with so that should also take up some of my free time. There is world vision and Masaya Volcano which were listed in my booklet as NGO's that I could work with, now I just have to find them.
I am also looking for an apartment to live in after the 6 weeks. The problem is that not everyone advertises that they are renting a place, you have to pretty much ask everyone you know or meet. I decided to ask the landlord of Paul and Holly if she knew anyone that is renting out a place, and she said that she didn't but she would be willing to rent the place to me if Paul and Holly move out. I think it would be a nice place to live, but she told me that the place is about 100 dollars a month, which takes up a good portion of my monthly allowance the PC gives me, so I think Ill continue looking. I also asked one of the men that owns a pulperia (a little “ma and pa store” where they sell random things one would need) and he said he would be willing to rent me a room for 90 dollars a month which includes water and electricity. That seems a little high to me, but if there is nothing else I know I always have a place to live, but I'm really looking for a place to live on my own and nothing against the family I live with now, but I cant wait for the 6 weeks to be done with. I will feel so much more integrated when I have my own place to live, it'll be nice to buy my own bed, my own refrigerator, my own everything... ahhhhhh the clock is ticking I better end this here and get my butt out there and look for a place.
I have been reading a lot lately, and I have started reading “The Hobbit” but I'm just not getting into it. I think one of the reasons is that it is written in British English and for the most part, I can understand almost everything but a few things are a bit difficult. The last two nights I have been watching the Harry Potter movies, and I think I'm going to try and get my hands on the books, because I think they would be great reads. Ohhhh I just saw on TV while typing this that there is another Harry Potter movie coming out: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.... cant wait till it comes out, I think I'll have to go to Managua to see it!!!
So I finally got the chance to wash my own clothes, and let me tell you, it was an experience! In the states, we have our washing machines. I guess you can say I had a washing machine in Dolores as well, her name was Isolina. My host mom refused to let me wash my own clothes, I'm not exactly sure why, but my best guess would be that it is the woman's job to do the laundry. I don't really agree with that but thats how the galleta crumbles. So I asked my new mom if I could wash them and she agreed. I started out with my undies, lathering them up and scrubbing them on the lavadero (little scrub basin, see photo) when it came to my white undershirts, I wasnt exactly sure how to wash them because I knew that if you scrub them too hard or too much they will stretch out, so I asked for a little help. She was explaining to me (in Spanish of course) how to do this, and I just was not understanding. Its one thing to talk about everyday things like what I did on vacation, or what my life was like at home, but when you start getting into concrete things where I don't have the vocab for, it makes it a bit difficult. As for my understanding now, you just wet the shirts, and rub a bar of soap on the necks of the shirt and in the armpits, then you transfer the soaking wet shirts into a little bucket with some other soap in it, then you put a plastic bag over everything and let the sun do the work. Not really sure what the sun does, but then after you let the shirts sit in the soapy water under the sun, you rinse the shirts and I guess they are clean. While I was doing this, not only was my host mom out watching me, but my two sisters were out there watching as well...talk about stage fright, I just couldn't perform. I got a little frustrated because my mom kept spouting out directions, and then shaking her head so I let her know maybe a little too bitchy that it was my first time every having to wash my own clothes here. But I think it all turned out well, as I have to wash them again tomorrow.
I start teaching on Monday, and the last few days I have been co-planning with 2 of the 3 teachers I will be working with. The third teacher, I don't think he understands what co planning means, but well see what happens. I feel really bad for the students as well as the teachers here in Nicaragua because none of the students have books, only the teachers do, and the English books they DO have are from the 1970-1980's and they are rugged, ripped and VERY out of date. So if the teachers want the kids to read something from the book, they have to write the dialog on the board and then the students copy that into their notebooks, which wastes a LOT of class time! They do not have the resources for photocopies for students to have, but they do have some photocopies for exams, and those who cannot get photocopies for exams, have to write the exams on the board, and then the students complete the exams in their notebooks! I thought that some resources were lacking in Spain last year, but now I realize I was very spoiled over there teaching!
Last night around 2 AM I went out for a cig, (as I just got done watching Harry Potter) and I heard someone in the grass around the corner and I got a little freaked out, because there are a LOT of drunks around here that drink all night and then pass out WHEREVER, so I sat down and continued and then I herd this crazy noise and came to find out there was a couple of horses eating in the grass and then they came over to me and stared at me for a while and continued on their journey.
Well I need to get done with this entry here so I can watch the third Harry Potter... you know I got to set my priorities!! See you all later. I will get more pictures up once I take them.
Here are a few pics I have taken from swearing in and a few others
Elizabeth and I before swearing in... DONT WE LOOK JUST HOT
Pic with my host mother from Dolores, Isolina, and my ¨nephew¨Alexander after swearing in.
Everyone from TEFL Nica 47... what a great group!!
George Baldino the country director, Naiomi Till our training lady, and of course the focus of the picture...ME!
In the jeep back to the hotel after swearing in.
Elizabeth looking sexy while packing before heading to Chinandega! Hope the scorpion situation turned out for ya!
A fruit that I was given by my host mom. Mamones Chinos. They are a little sour but still good.
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