I waited 5 months to get internet and now that I finally have it my computer doesn´t want to work. Somehow its filled with viruses. I probably got them when I put my USB in an internet cafe computer then used the same USB on my computer. Hopefully its in the process of being saved...we shall see.
Until then...fingures crossed
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Dear Callae Hackett at Siemens.
Thank you for your generosity. Its greatly appreciated and means the world to me.
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| I love my family <3 |
First Day of TEACHING...
Feb 24, 2011
First Day of English Class!
I didn't sleep at all the night before. I kept thinking about the fact that I've never taught English before, no experience, no idea what I'm doing, my Spanish is not the greatest...the kids are going to eat me alive.
La Escuela de Coope Isabel has 3 classrooms (including kinder) and a seperate building, el comedor, or the kitchen where food is prepared and students eat lunch. The day is split in 2, in the morning half the students have classes and in the afternoon they switch for the other grades. Esentially each student gets about 3.5-4 hours of school each day. (significantly less than in the States) In the morning first graders have one classroom and fourth and fifth share the other. In the afternoon sixth graders in one class with second and third combined in the other class.
For the first lesson I decied to teach greetings, something we can use at the begining of every class to establish a routine. We brainstormed, wrote, listen and played "hot potato," I gave out homework and that was the end of each class. The morning went surprisingly well. I had some free time around lunch. Then the afternoon classes began. I went to the sixth grade first. It was hot they had extra energy they needed to burn off but over all they listened and we got through everything I planned for their lesson. When I got to the second and third graders I made sure to establsh the class rules and what I would do when I needed their attention. This was the biggest class of the day and combined 2 very young levels. Started out great, everyone writing the vocabulary in their notebooks, when we got to the "hot potato" game the noise level went crazy and the class steadly fell apart. No matter what I did I couldn't get them back to where I needed them...thank god for recess. The class ended, I wasn't able to complete the lesson which was unfortunate, but I was so glad to go home where it was quiet.
My first day went better than expected. Productive lessons for the most part and I know where I really need to have perfect classroom management.
First Day of English Class!
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| 4th and 5th Grade Class |
La Escuela de Coope Isabel has 3 classrooms (including kinder) and a seperate building, el comedor, or the kitchen where food is prepared and students eat lunch. The day is split in 2, in the morning half the students have classes and in the afternoon they switch for the other grades. Esentially each student gets about 3.5-4 hours of school each day. (significantly less than in the States) In the morning first graders have one classroom and fourth and fifth share the other. In the afternoon sixth graders in one class with second and third combined in the other class.
For the first lesson I decied to teach greetings, something we can use at the begining of every class to establish a routine. We brainstormed, wrote, listen and played "hot potato," I gave out homework and that was the end of each class. The morning went surprisingly well. I had some free time around lunch. Then the afternoon classes began. I went to the sixth grade first. It was hot they had extra energy they needed to burn off but over all they listened and we got through everything I planned for their lesson. When I got to the second and third graders I made sure to establsh the class rules and what I would do when I needed their attention. This was the biggest class of the day and combined 2 very young levels. Started out great, everyone writing the vocabulary in their notebooks, when we got to the "hot potato" game the noise level went crazy and the class steadly fell apart. No matter what I did I couldn't get them back to where I needed them...thank god for recess. The class ended, I wasn't able to complete the lesson which was unfortunate, but I was so glad to go home where it was quiet.
My first day went better than expected. Productive lessons for the most part and I know where I really need to have perfect classroom management.
My Sweet New Ride
I got my bike! Now I can get to my other schools, ride to other volunteers and not depend on the bus!
Me and My Sweet New Ride Part1
The day I got my bike I decided to ride it home. Pital to Coope Isabel, about 50 minutes. I stopped in Los Angeles to see my aunt and show off my sweet new ride! I told her everything was perfect except the brakes didn't really work...no big deal right, who needs breaks? The down hill parts of my ride home were really exciting! Her husband came home about the time I was leaving to go back to Coope and insisted on looking at the breaks for me. Sure what the heck, thanks!
The next day Katherine (another PVC that lives in the area, and by area I mean 3 bus rides away) and I decided to meet up in Pital on our sweet new rides, aka bikes. we were going to meet in at 11, have lunch and hang out. I got ready and left my house at 10. The first couple minutes I was loving life, then I started to notice that it was really hard peddling my bike even though I had it on the lowest gear and the road was flat. "Egh probable just out of shape, no biggie." Then again there was this awful noise that wasn't there yesterday, but I was dedermined to get to Pital and see my friend. So I continued; legs burning and sweating my gringa butt off. Then this guy rides up next to me, stranger danger! No not really, in the campo everybody are friends. He says that my tire might be the problem and he has an air pump. So I stop, he helps, we start riding again. Nope not the tire, we stop, he looks at my bike, its the brakes. I was riding with my brakes ON the entire time...ha I totally knew that, yup. (My uncle had fixed my brakes a little too well.)
Side note: My town has no paved roads, there are three roads leading in and out of my town. In the direction of Los Angeles the dirt road leads to a paved road. The paved road starts in Los Angeles and continues in the direction of Pital until you hit the intersection where you can turn left toward La Legua or right Toward Pital. At this intersection the road turns into dirt again with huge rocks and pot holes.
We get to the intersection where the paved road ends. I turn right toward Pital and he crossed the street towrad the fruit packing factory where he works. I forgot to ask him his name,thank you stranger. At this point I've been on my bike for an hour; its 11, I'm late to meet Katherine, the sun is burning hot, no shade and I still have another 3 miles to go. I get off my bike and start to walk because I'm tired and I'd rather not fall off my bike into the rocks. So I walk and I walk and I walk. Every car that passes has a cloud of dirt following it, which sticks to my skin because I'm dripping with sweat. Me being the really smart and well prepared PCV has water and a rain jacket but didn't bring extra sunblock or a hat. I am completely baking under the sun, walking on this dirt road, no clouds no shade. Any moment the vultures were going to come down and carry me away. I decide to alternate between riding an walking because all I want is to be in Pital, baby wipe the dirty away and chug some water.
I arrive around 11:50 and meet up with Katherine. She confirms that I look like a lobster from hell and we find a place to eat. After lunch we take my sweet new ride to be fixed which took at of 10 minutes and head to the soccer field for some more gossip and fruit. I bought more sunblock on the way and poured it all over myself but the damage was done, I was a bright red crispy gringa with a farmers tan that would beat any farmer. No amount of sunblock could help be now. We got on our bikes heading home around 3, his time my trip was much smoother. I passed the fruit factory just as the work day ended and turned onto the paved road heading for Coope. The first downward hill on the road is fairly steep and leads directly to an uphill. My brakes weren't really any better so I let go, crossed my fingers and hoped I wouldn't hit a bumb. I passed some walkers as I was speeding down and they yelled, "eso!" like I was incredibly cool for going so fast, but really, all I wanted was to not fall off. I made it, survived the first hill. When I got to the top I heard someone on a bike behind me, it was my friend! We rode the rest of the way to Coope together, he lives there aswell. Oh and I made sure to ask him his name, Louis.
When I got home my host mom was worried. I showered and she gave me aloe. The next few days she chased me around with sunblock, an umbrella and kept reminding me that, "I'm just too white for the Costa Rican sun." She is so good to me.
I love my sweet new ride, even if it forces me to walk in the hot sun until im burnt and thirsty.
The End
First Day of School! First Day of School!
Feb 10, 2011
First day of school and I'm the teacher, weird! English classes won't start for a while, I'm going to spend some time observing and getting into the swing of things.
I got a lot of stickers!
First day of school and I'm the teacher, weird! English classes won't start for a while, I'm going to spend some time observing and getting into the swing of things.
I got a lot of stickers!
Lions and Tigers and SLOTHS Oh My!
Jan 20, 2011
I saw 2 sloths today! Where was my camera? No where near me, awesome.
I saw 2 sloths today! Where was my camera? No where near me, awesome.
Town Meeting
Jan 18, 2011
My first town meeting, a little intimidating, but I got through it.
In preperation for the reunion; I made invitations, walked door to door and stood up at the end of Sunday Mass announcing, in Spanish, all the details. Most people in town knew there was a gringa living there now, some people knew why, but most people didn't have a clue. Having me arrive at their front door with invitations was a little strange for them, they weren't sure how to react.
After all that work I wasn't sure if the curiosity of meeting the new girl in town would be enough to draw in a big crowd. Other Peace Corps Volunteers warned me that many people will say they are coming and in the end you have 5 participants. So I was shooting for 5. I ended up getting around 35 people, success!
The twon meeting was split into 2 time slots; 4pm for women and 7pm for men. I did this on the advice of my host mom, firstly because of the differing schedules between men and women and secondly to encourage mens participation instead of sending their wives to find out whats going on.
Of course both meeting were running on "Tico Time" and started 15-20 minutes late. I began with and introduction of who I am, why I am here and some history of the Peace Corps. I also explain that the meetings are part of a town diognostic I have to complete before community developmnt projects can begin. By gathering information and gaining a better understanding of everything Coope, as well as the people, I can help organize and creat; effective, sustainable and meaningful community activities.
The Community Assessment Tool or CAT that I used for the first meeting was a maping activity. Each group of men and women were given news print paper, markers, crayons ect to draw a basic outline of Coope. Once that was completed each group was handed colored construction paper; red squares, green circles and yellow triangles. On the red squares the group were to write things they thought were dangerous in town and place the square in the that area of the map. The circles represented items the wanted but did not have and the triangles things then need. During the presentation of the maps I was able to ask quastions, see the different perspective between men and women and understand my community better.
At the mens' meeting some Nicaraguan men living in the town decided to drop in and see what was going on. This was a pleasant surprise, because in general, Nicaraguan immigrants are not well integrated into the town and are faced with widespread racism throughout Costa Rica. It was nice to have a population that doesn't normally participate, interested. Unfortunately, this event wasn't above the social problems of today, a few Ticos decided to give me an example of the racism and sour feelings between Ticos and Nicaraguans. It was the one bad note to an otherwise productive and fun first town meeting.
My first town meeting, a little intimidating, but I got through it.
In preperation for the reunion; I made invitations, walked door to door and stood up at the end of Sunday Mass announcing, in Spanish, all the details. Most people in town knew there was a gringa living there now, some people knew why, but most people didn't have a clue. Having me arrive at their front door with invitations was a little strange for them, they weren't sure how to react.
After all that work I wasn't sure if the curiosity of meeting the new girl in town would be enough to draw in a big crowd. Other Peace Corps Volunteers warned me that many people will say they are coming and in the end you have 5 participants. So I was shooting for 5. I ended up getting around 35 people, success!
The twon meeting was split into 2 time slots; 4pm for women and 7pm for men. I did this on the advice of my host mom, firstly because of the differing schedules between men and women and secondly to encourage mens participation instead of sending their wives to find out whats going on.
Of course both meeting were running on "Tico Time" and started 15-20 minutes late. I began with and introduction of who I am, why I am here and some history of the Peace Corps. I also explain that the meetings are part of a town diognostic I have to complete before community developmnt projects can begin. By gathering information and gaining a better understanding of everything Coope, as well as the people, I can help organize and creat; effective, sustainable and meaningful community activities.
The Community Assessment Tool or CAT that I used for the first meeting was a maping activity. Each group of men and women were given news print paper, markers, crayons ect to draw a basic outline of Coope. Once that was completed each group was handed colored construction paper; red squares, green circles and yellow triangles. On the red squares the group were to write things they thought were dangerous in town and place the square in the that area of the map. The circles represented items the wanted but did not have and the triangles things then need. During the presentation of the maps I was able to ask quastions, see the different perspective between men and women and understand my community better.
At the mens' meeting some Nicaraguan men living in the town decided to drop in and see what was going on. This was a pleasant surprise, because in general, Nicaraguan immigrants are not well integrated into the town and are faced with widespread racism throughout Costa Rica. It was nice to have a population that doesn't normally participate, interested. Unfortunately, this event wasn't above the social problems of today, a few Ticos decided to give me an example of the racism and sour feelings between Ticos and Nicaraguans. It was the one bad note to an otherwise productive and fun first town meeting.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Fine Dining
Jan 10, 2011
My sister invited me to go North to the Nicaraguan boarder with her, her cousin and a friend. No big deal, just ate some lobster. Apparently there are sharks in the Rio de Juan...say what?!?!
My sister invited me to go North to the Nicaraguan boarder with her, her cousin and a friend. No big deal, just ate some lobster. Apparently there are sharks in the Rio de Juan...say what?!?!
Christmas and New Year's
It didn't feel like christmas, which was good because I would have been a lot more homesick if it had. Both holidays passed uneventfully. Spent most of the time getting to know my host family.
I went to Pital, closest town that has things like a bank, supermarket, post office ect, to buy and extension cord. Conveniently the hardware store was out. (Go figure) Instead I bought supplies to make my own extension cord. Since I had no idea what I was doing I went straight to my Tico grandpa and made it together...okay well he make it and I held the flashlight.
I went to Pital, closest town that has things like a bank, supermarket, post office ect, to buy and extension cord. Conveniently the hardware store was out. (Go figure) Instead I bought supplies to make my own extension cord. Since I had no idea what I was doing I went straight to my Tico grandpa and made it together...okay well he make it and I held the flashlight.
The Rat
My new house is more spacious than where I lived for training, which was a pleseant surprise. I have my own room at the corner of the house with a door leading into the house as well as to the outside. (The only thing missing from my doorway into the house was an actual door.) The set up alows me to come and go as I please and be involved as much as I want with the happenings of the house or room to have privacy and space. (However, wanting to spend time alone is very unusual to Costa Ricans) The first thing I did when I got to my room was set up mosquito net, yes I am married to it now. (And fully committed to making it work :)
Once upon a time...
My sister decided to have a party with her High School friends since they were all back in town for the christmas holiday. She introduced me to them, we chatted for a bit and then I bowed out. They were all very welcoming, but I didn't want to have to think in Spanish or play catch up to understand all of the inside jokes from school. It was late...okay it was 9 o'clock, but I was really tired so I went to bed. (Yes, I'm and old lady who enjoys the early bird special and is married to my mosquiot net.) After I secure my mosquito net so that there was no way anything was getting in and I sure as hell wasn;t get out, I fell into a coma.
Sometime later in the night I heard shuffling. I figured it was someone from the party looking for the bathroom, so I fell back asleep. Then I woke up suddenly but didn't understand why until I heard something in my room screaming and bangining into the walls, my bed, the outside door ect. My first thought was, "Its a monkey!" "What am I going to name him?" And then I realized it wasn't a monkey, it was a huge RAT! And I was trapped in my bed by my mosquito net with no lights. So I tried screaming...nope, no one heard me and it just made the rat run faster. When I knew it was under my bed I pole vaulted out of my bed and to the main part of the house.
After I successfully got everyone in my family out of bed and armed for a counter attack, the rat had gone...no doubt waiting and plotting its next ambush. My brother thought I was just hearing the rats in the ceiling, but I swear on the most holy of Nutella jars that there was a big, fat, gray rat running and screaming around my room. Needless to say for the next week I acted like a 5 year old who has monsters in their closet and jumped at every night time noise I heard.
To this day the rat still lerks in the shadows gloating at its successful escape while sneaking around the house at night...Mark my words I will catch him!
The End
Once upon a time...
My sister decided to have a party with her High School friends since they were all back in town for the christmas holiday. She introduced me to them, we chatted for a bit and then I bowed out. They were all very welcoming, but I didn't want to have to think in Spanish or play catch up to understand all of the inside jokes from school. It was late...okay it was 9 o'clock, but I was really tired so I went to bed. (Yes, I'm and old lady who enjoys the early bird special and is married to my mosquiot net.) After I secure my mosquito net so that there was no way anything was getting in and I sure as hell wasn;t get out, I fell into a coma.
Sometime later in the night I heard shuffling. I figured it was someone from the party looking for the bathroom, so I fell back asleep. Then I woke up suddenly but didn't understand why until I heard something in my room screaming and bangining into the walls, my bed, the outside door ect. My first thought was, "Its a monkey!" "What am I going to name him?" And then I realized it wasn't a monkey, it was a huge RAT! And I was trapped in my bed by my mosquito net with no lights. So I tried screaming...nope, no one heard me and it just made the rat run faster. When I knew it was under my bed I pole vaulted out of my bed and to the main part of the house.
After I successfully got everyone in my family out of bed and armed for a counter attack, the rat had gone...no doubt waiting and plotting its next ambush. My brother thought I was just hearing the rats in the ceiling, but I swear on the most holy of Nutella jars that there was a big, fat, gray rat running and screaming around my room. Needless to say for the next week I acted like a 5 year old who has monsters in their closet and jumped at every night time noise I heard.
To this day the rat still lerks in the shadows gloating at its successful escape while sneaking around the house at night...Mark my words I will catch him!
The End
A New Life
Training officially ended Dec 17, 2010 with the Swearing In Ceremony. Complete with Peace Corps diploma and a photo opp with the U.S. Embassabor to Costa Rica.
Dec 19,2010
Moved into my new house, with me new family in my new town- Coope Isabel. Coope is a small agricultural community of aprox 300 people that produces; pineapple, platanos and yuuca along side cattle ranches. If you are looking to see where I live on the map. Coope is in the Northern Low Lands in the Province of Alajuela, San Carlos. The closest town visible on a map is, Pital, I live about an hour North near El Rio de Tres Amigos.
Family :)
Awesome! The best way to describe my new family is awesome! I have a small imediate family (by Costa Rican standards), Mom-Mar de Luz, Sister-Glenda and Brother-Jose Alberto, plus our dog Oso. They have been nothing but kind and generous to me since the day I got here. I love love love my Peace Corps family.
My Family :)
Dec 19,2010
Moved into my new house, with me new family in my new town- Coope Isabel. Coope is a small agricultural community of aprox 300 people that produces; pineapple, platanos and yuuca along side cattle ranches. If you are looking to see where I live on the map. Coope is in the Northern Low Lands in the Province of Alajuela, San Carlos. The closest town visible on a map is, Pital, I live about an hour North near El Rio de Tres Amigos.
Plaza de Futbol, Coope Isabel
Family :)
Awesome! The best way to describe my new family is awesome! I have a small imediate family (by Costa Rican standards), Mom-Mar de Luz, Sister-Glenda and Brother-Jose Alberto, plus our dog Oso. They have been nothing but kind and generous to me since the day I got here. I love love love my Peace Corps family.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Back Online!
I've been very bad about updating this blog. My excuse, the nearest internet cafe is an hour by bus. However, as of today, I have internet! This weekend will be spent updating the blog and sharing all of my awesome experiences.
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