For a brief moment today I thought I was going to puke. And not because of the usual Central American suspects (amoebas, parasites, etc.). But because I had been offered excessive amounts of hospitality. Guatemalans are very hospitable...and in some ways it can be compared to Southern hospitality. Namely in the way of food, and lots of it. And when a Guatemalan offers you food, you don't turn it down. You eat it all. Every last bite. Because that is the polite thing to do.
So first up, my room mom had a surprise class party for me today. My class had a Christmas party outside of school that I was invited to (its very traditional for the teachers to go to these parties) but I was unable to go because of the last minute Mexico trip. And my class parents, generous and awesome as they are, surprised me today with a little party so I could celebrate with my students. And of course there was cake and coke. And it was a nice little treat. And I even got a lovely present.
Next, the PTA put on a special Christmas lunch for all the teachers. When I heard the PTA was providing lunch, I thought pizza in the teachers lounge. Nope. An extravagant display, Christmas tablecloths, decorations, nice plates and silverware. And a buffet of food. And they served us so there was no portion control whatsoever. These PTA ladies must think we go hungry or something because they just pile the food on our plates. Even getting through that meal was difficult. Don't get me wrong, it was all delicious. But just too much delicious. And after the meal, there was more cake, of course. But I painfully swallowed the last few bites, wanting to show my gratitude to these lovely women looking on with big smiles. They really went above and beyond to cook and put on such a fantastic meal.
But that's not the end. My room mom had asked a week ago to take me to McDonald's after school as a little Christmas present because she felt bad that I couldn't go to the class party. At the time I agreed to this I didn't realize it was the same day as this PTA lunch-- nor did I know how extravagant this lunch was going to be. When the mom picked me up, I was still incredibly stuffed, but what was I supposed to do? When we got there I explained that I wasn't too hungry and I only needed a little something. (I didn't need anything at all, nor want anything for that matter, but I didn't want to be rude). She proceeded to buy me a McFlurry and these potato things that they don't have in the States. Half way through the McFlurry I thought I was going to be sick. But they just watch you. And they paid for it. And they are doing a thoughtful thing for you. And you just have to force it down.
I'm just thankful that I don't eat lunch at my homestay sometimes, because there is no way I could eat all that she serves me for lunch everyday. Since I'm at school, I leave what I can't eat for the Dons. I even tried telling my host mom at the beginning of the year that I didn't need that much food, but she didn't want to hear it.
In other random updates...
It is freezing here. And there is no heat in the homes or in the school. And yes, I still leave the house every morning with wet hair. And yes, just like in the states, my host mom started telling me tonight that I shouldn't do that. I'm going to get pneumonia. I have heard that before... I do already have a pretty nasty cold.
Also, a student lost a tooth in my class yesterday.
I fly home on Saturday and will be in the states for 2 weeks. I hope to see you!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Feliz Navidad!
Its almost Christmas! This time next week I will be back in the states for 2 weeks. Crazy to think about. Time has flown. It's been an insanely busy week...only to be followed by another crazy week coming up. Definitely looking forward to a break, although I'm going to miss my students and fellow teachers a lot.
So this past week, as I mentioned, was insane. It was the week of the Christmas play at school and believe me--it is a huge ordeal. We've been practicing for months. This week we had a night of dress rehearsal and then the actual play. Please imagine having the entire elementary school backstage (Pre-kindergarten and all) and trying to keep them quiet and still for over an hour. After they have been in school all day and at the time when they are all hungry and tired. 2 days in a row.
But all turned out nice-- I enjoyed getting to watch from backstage while my class performed their parts. There were only a few minor incidents...
1.) Child getting stuck with handcuffs. One of the characters in the play was a policeman and had handcuffs. I saw another child playing with them and told him to stop and put them away before someone got stuck. And then I moved on to take care of other misbehaving children. I should have known to take them away right then, because sure enough, 10 minutes later I hear, "Miss Tusing, so and so is stuck."
And they were. Very stuck. I tried for a long time to get them out of the handcuffs, and finally with the help of another teacher they were free.
2.) Child getting stuck in the bathroom. One of my students said midway through the play that she had to go to the bathroom. We were at a theater and I didn't know where the bathroom was so another teacher offered to take her. But a few minutes later, that teacher's class had to go onstage so she came racing back. I knew my student was still in the bathroom so I was keeping an eye out for her. More minutes passed and she still wasn't back. I was starting to get worried, but I had no idea where the bathroom was. Finally I started wandering around to try to find her...and the way I got to her was by following her blood-curdling screams. She couldn't figure out how to open the bathroom stall and was stuck and terrified.
I calmed her down and talked her through getting out. She got the door open and was standing on top of the toilet with huge tears in her eyes. I felt terrible!! But after a big hug and an assurance that I had been looking for her and wouldn't let her get lost, she was okay.
And the show went on.
Then, after an exhausting week from the play, just about all the teachers piled in the teacher van after Friday, immediately after school, to head to Mexico. Its a long story, but the purpose was to get our passports stamped so we wouldn't run into problems when leaving the country for Christmas. It was a great little mini vacation, made even better by the fact that it was payed for by the school. Quick trip though-- arrived Friday evening, had a Mexican dinner, walked around the central park of Tapachula, and then went to bed. The next morning we went to Wal-mart. There aren't Wal-marts in Xela. It was quite an experience. Perhaps it will lighten the culture shock a little for when I go home next week.
On the way home we made a game to guess how many tumulos (speed bumps) there are between the Mexican border and Xela (around a 3 hr. drive? maybe less). Because literally, every 30 seconds we had to stop to go over one. They are everywhere. And I think the final count was 124 or something ridiculous like that.
Also this week was Secret Santa amongst the staff. So much fun-- receiving little gifts and being sneaky and creative about giving them too. It was concluded today with a party at one of the board members homes. Definitely a fun time! Good food (we all brought a dish) and good times. My big present was some beautiful framed photos from Guatemala, which was perfect.
Ohhh, and I forgot. When in Guatemala moment of the week... My house mom collected all my underwear while I was gone and started the washing by hand process. I usually have them washed when I go to the laundromat, but she insisted that wasn't good for them. So she took it upon herself to do it. Embarrassing. And today when I got home, I had to finish the process. Scrubbing and rinsing out the soap in a pila (Concrete sink outside the house) to get all the soap out and then hang them to dry. So at this very moment, all my underwear is hanging in a line outside my house. Where it is available for viewing by everyone in the family. Including my older host brother. Normal for them, strange for me. And she must have picked up on my confused face when she was explaining the directions because she asked if I had ever done this before...to which I replied "No, I've only washed them in a machine." To which she said... she's going to teach me to be a good Guatemalan woman. And there you go.
Oh yeah, and apparently 10th grade Guatemalans think I look like Princess Diana. Not sure what to make of that...
Up for this week-- last week of school, lots of grading, and heading to Guate to fly home. See you soon!
So this past week, as I mentioned, was insane. It was the week of the Christmas play at school and believe me--it is a huge ordeal. We've been practicing for months. This week we had a night of dress rehearsal and then the actual play. Please imagine having the entire elementary school backstage (Pre-kindergarten and all) and trying to keep them quiet and still for over an hour. After they have been in school all day and at the time when they are all hungry and tired. 2 days in a row.
But all turned out nice-- I enjoyed getting to watch from backstage while my class performed their parts. There were only a few minor incidents...
1.) Child getting stuck with handcuffs. One of the characters in the play was a policeman and had handcuffs. I saw another child playing with them and told him to stop and put them away before someone got stuck. And then I moved on to take care of other misbehaving children. I should have known to take them away right then, because sure enough, 10 minutes later I hear, "Miss Tusing, so and so is stuck."
And they were. Very stuck. I tried for a long time to get them out of the handcuffs, and finally with the help of another teacher they were free.
2.) Child getting stuck in the bathroom. One of my students said midway through the play that she had to go to the bathroom. We were at a theater and I didn't know where the bathroom was so another teacher offered to take her. But a few minutes later, that teacher's class had to go onstage so she came racing back. I knew my student was still in the bathroom so I was keeping an eye out for her. More minutes passed and she still wasn't back. I was starting to get worried, but I had no idea where the bathroom was. Finally I started wandering around to try to find her...and the way I got to her was by following her blood-curdling screams. She couldn't figure out how to open the bathroom stall and was stuck and terrified.
I calmed her down and talked her through getting out. She got the door open and was standing on top of the toilet with huge tears in her eyes. I felt terrible!! But after a big hug and an assurance that I had been looking for her and wouldn't let her get lost, she was okay.
And the show went on.
Then, after an exhausting week from the play, just about all the teachers piled in the teacher van after Friday, immediately after school, to head to Mexico. Its a long story, but the purpose was to get our passports stamped so we wouldn't run into problems when leaving the country for Christmas. It was a great little mini vacation, made even better by the fact that it was payed for by the school. Quick trip though-- arrived Friday evening, had a Mexican dinner, walked around the central park of Tapachula, and then went to bed. The next morning we went to Wal-mart. There aren't Wal-marts in Xela. It was quite an experience. Perhaps it will lighten the culture shock a little for when I go home next week.
On the way home we made a game to guess how many tumulos (speed bumps) there are between the Mexican border and Xela (around a 3 hr. drive? maybe less). Because literally, every 30 seconds we had to stop to go over one. They are everywhere. And I think the final count was 124 or something ridiculous like that.
Also this week was Secret Santa amongst the staff. So much fun-- receiving little gifts and being sneaky and creative about giving them too. It was concluded today with a party at one of the board members homes. Definitely a fun time! Good food (we all brought a dish) and good times. My big present was some beautiful framed photos from Guatemala, which was perfect.
Ohhh, and I forgot. When in Guatemala moment of the week... My house mom collected all my underwear while I was gone and started the washing by hand process. I usually have them washed when I go to the laundromat, but she insisted that wasn't good for them. So she took it upon herself to do it. Embarrassing. And today when I got home, I had to finish the process. Scrubbing and rinsing out the soap in a pila (Concrete sink outside the house) to get all the soap out and then hang them to dry. So at this very moment, all my underwear is hanging in a line outside my house. Where it is available for viewing by everyone in the family. Including my older host brother. Normal for them, strange for me. And she must have picked up on my confused face when she was explaining the directions because she asked if I had ever done this before...to which I replied "No, I've only washed them in a machine." To which she said... she's going to teach me to be a good Guatemalan woman. And there you go.
Oh yeah, and apparently 10th grade Guatemalans think I look like Princess Diana. Not sure what to make of that...
Up for this week-- last week of school, lots of grading, and heading to Guate to fly home. See you soon!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Tis the season! It's almost Christmas. Which means its almost time for my two week vacation home. I'm getting pretty excited. I haven't been homesick much at all since I've been here, except after Thanksgiving break. At that point, it hit that I only have a few weeks until I'll be home for a little bit. And so now the time is dragging a little. Although there is quite a bit to be done in these next two weeks-- wrapping up a semester is hard work for a teacher. Writing samples need to be graded, standards turned in, grades calculated and entered... And these next few weeks are busy too-- Christmas parties, Secret Santa at school (which is a big deal, and I'm excited) and then heading off to Mexico next weekend. Which means this was my last weekend in Xela until after New Years. Crazy. I didn't know about the whole Mexico trip until about 2 days ago. And as hectic as its going to be, I'm glad we are doing it. Hopefully this will mean no border problems for me when I go home for Christmas and then return to Guatemala in January. Plus, almost all the teachers are going. Should be a good time.
On another note, I've realized how much I really do love my students. I haven't even finished the first sememster, and yet, the other day I just got to thinking about how sad it will be at the end of this year. I had to stop thinking about it or I would have started crying. When you spend all day, 5 days of the week with the same 11 children for this long, you get attached. Especially when they are as sweet as my class is. Even over the 5 day Thanksgiving break, I started to miss them. I'm just glad I've been blessed with a first year class that I can say that about.
Also, today I went to see my younger house sister in a fashion show. In the middle of the big grocery store. The one that I previously referred to as Wal-mart on crack. She was great!
And then I rode the micro bus by myself! And made it home safely! I was proud. I've ridden micros before, but always with other teachers. And I've ridden a chicken bus by myself, but the micros are much more intimidating to me. So yeah, I was glad to know that I could do it by myself.
Feliz Navidad! A little early :)
On another note, I've realized how much I really do love my students. I haven't even finished the first sememster, and yet, the other day I just got to thinking about how sad it will be at the end of this year. I had to stop thinking about it or I would have started crying. When you spend all day, 5 days of the week with the same 11 children for this long, you get attached. Especially when they are as sweet as my class is. Even over the 5 day Thanksgiving break, I started to miss them. I'm just glad I've been blessed with a first year class that I can say that about.
Also, today I went to see my younger house sister in a fashion show. In the middle of the big grocery store. The one that I previously referred to as Wal-mart on crack. She was great!
And then I rode the micro bus by myself! And made it home safely! I was proud. I've ridden micros before, but always with other teachers. And I've ridden a chicken bus by myself, but the micros are much more intimidating to me. So yeah, I was glad to know that I could do it by myself.
Feliz Navidad! A little early :)
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