What didn't happen on my vacation?

After being gone for 9 months I finally got to go home! A quick little vacation, 10 days, then back to work. It was a surprise trip for a lot of people, my family and friends.

The Stress

During the planning of my trip I found a "cheap" airline, Spirit Air. DON'T EVER FLY WITH THIS COMPANY! They advertise cheap tickets then charge the absolute hell out of you for everything else. I was charged $43 for a checked backpack and $40 so I could bring a carry-on. WHAT?! (No where in my confirmation e-mail did it advise me of charges or where to look for them) Thennnn, after going through security, I bought a $3 water at the airport snack counter, Spirit searched my bag before I got on the plane and made me dump it out so they could charge me another $3 for more water. They were late, disorganized and I've never felt more stress during travel than I did that day. I was so afraid I would miss connecting flights and get stuck...I only had 10 days with my family...or so I thought.

My Baby

So I had a crappy flight. The important thing was I made it to Boston and my family was there waiting. My bags were accounted for, sweet, ready to go home! Then my mom told me that Clancy, our chocolate lab, was dying and wouldn't make it through the day. That was that absolute saddest thing anyone could have told me. He is such a good boy and my baby. I waited 9 months to come back and see him and he was dying. When we got home, he was laying on his bed and wagged his tail when we came in, such a sweet pupppy (a 13 year old puppy). He was so skinny, couldn't walk, didn't want to eat or drink. I sat with him a cried and cried and cried. Later my friend picked me up to go North while my dad took him to the vet. I love my Clancy.

Clancy, Summer 2010 <3

Friends, Family and Fun

Since a bunch of friends and family didn't know I was coming home it was a great opportunity to surprise them. First on the list was Courtney. My sister, myself and our friend James drove up to Laconia. Courtney has a lake house and was up there for the 4th celebrations. I went in through the back and jumped into the living room where everyone was waiting. We all expected her to start screaming but she just sat there looking at me. (What the heck friend! I flew from Costa Rica to surprise you! Do something!) After a minute she just kept saying What? What? What are you doing here?! We hugged, it was great.

We drove back down home the next morning to help set up for the party my mom had been planning. A 4th of July celebration/Julie is back party. Most of the party guests didn't know I was home so there was more fun in surprising people. I spent the day visiting and spending time with my family which I missed.

During the week it was decided that I would extend my vacation by a week, because 10 days was a silly idea and ridiculously short. YAY! The one thing Spirit Air didn't charge me for was to change the date of my return... weird.

The weekend of the 8th I met up with Nicole! We graduated Simmons together and were on the crew team. She planned the whole thing and let me tell you there wasn't a boring moment. Red Sox game at Fenway, Tequila Rian, shopping, restaurants, couples massage, Park Plaza Hotel! 

The only draw back to my visit home was that my stomach was constantly acting up. No, I will not go to the doctors during my vacation, so that was that.

The Surprise

As the extended part of my vacation came to a close, I packed my bags and went out for one last meal with my parents and sister. Bertucci's...pizza and ice cream, that's right! It was so hard getting to sleep my last night. I probably would consider it more of a nap, because I had to be out the door at 3am to make it to Boston and on my flight. I rolled over on my stomach and what a mistake that was. All of a sudden my chest was on fire. One minute the pain wasn't there and BAM! It was burning, burning, burning. I couldn't breath and I was sweating. I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone. It never lets up for a second. It starts horrible and stays horrible the whole time. (I've broken bones before...I would take a broken arm to that any day) The pain from my chest spread to my back and that's when I went to my parent's room. Give me something, anything to make it go away please please please. To be fair my mom was telling me all vacation to go to the doctor because of past episodes of pain I had while in Costa Rica as well as my stomach issues while home. She told me it was my gallbladder, she should know, hers was taken out years ago. I went back to my room. I'll just put the a/c on an wait it out, if I miss my flight I'm screwed. I opened a bottle of milk of magnesia and took shots...nothing. Still sweating and shaking and I'm going to die, I'm going to die of pain... so I gave in. Take me! Hospital! Run the red lights!

We got to the ER around midnight...I still have 3 hours until I need to go to Boston...we're good. It was like a reunion with all your old friends. My mom is a nurse and worked 10 years in the ER before she transferred to endoscopy last year. I waited a few minutes while my mom registered me and spoke with the nurse. Then went back to a room. Blood was drawn, then beautiful, glorious, most magnificent pain meds were given, Diloded. Thank you tiny baby Jesus. Everyone said, yes most likely your gallbladder. However, the hospital is relatively small and the ultrasound tech goes home around 6pm, so I had to go home and come back in the morning to confirm and decide where to go from there.

As soon as I get up from the bed, I feel like  absolute s**t. The pain in my chest and back was gone, instead I feel like I could barf all my insides onto the floor. Lets just go, go to the car now, I'll lay back and feel better.  The nurse asks if I want to stay and hands me a bucket as I'm walking out the door. Thanks but no, I'll feel better at home. WRONG. I make it to my room and puke my brains out, lucky my mom the nurse has cat like reflexes, no a drop outside the bucket. I lay down, but don't sleep. Diloded makes me itchy as hell, then it wears of an pain pain pain again. I'm thirsty but can't drink anything in case of surgery the next day. We go back to the hospital earlier than my schedules appointment with ultrasound, maybe I can get the images soon and check back into the ER. That would be marvelous! Finally some luck because they take me early and I'm done with the ultrasound in 20 minutes and back in the ER 5 minutes later. This time instead of Diloded I get my best friend Morphine. She is a good friend. I feel brand new! No pain, no nausea no itching, it's fabulous! From there things go quickly- yes its the gallbladder complete with stones, thickening of the walls and an infection. All of which means surgery and I am so ready to get it out and be done with the trouble of it all. Sign this, initial that, have you eaten? No. Anything to drink? No. Great, ready to go then. My dad took the day off from work (he is also a pharmacist and worked in the hospital with my mom until a few years ago when he decided Siemens was a better fit). My poor sister had slept through the entire ordeal and was still at home sleeping, having no idea I'm in the country still or about to have surgery, surprise! She comes and sees me before I go under. I get a little extra medication and I'm in the OR. The last thing i remember is moving myself from the ER bed to the table and giving my apologies for flashing everyone. Those gowns are not the concealing type and slide so quickly.

I vaguely remember waking up and feeling sick, then getting sick and blacking out again. I stay over night. There is pain, but different from the burning and this time there is a nurse to shoot up my IV. Breathing deeply is out of the question, laying down is best and I'll just hold my pee because no way am I moving out of this bed. I get these two blankets rapped around my legs that give massages. How awesome! But really its to keep up my circulation. Oh those silly blood clots.

The next day I eat...more like drink, some broth and jello. That's about all I can handle anyways. I slip in and out of sleep all day. There are some visitors. I get a pillow pet! No idea what that was until I was given one. That little guy was my sidekick! I used him to hold against my sutures when I needed to cough or move, which helped so much. By that night I could get up to walk to the bathroom. What an accomplishment! I felt well enough to go home, after all home comes complete with a nurse and pharmacist, no problem in that. I get some Vicodin for the road and off we go. Throughout the next week all I do is sleep, watch a movie, eat a popsicle, sleep, watch a movie, eat a popsicle and its wicked awesome! Two weeks pass and I can walk around no problem, I get tired easily, no heavy lifting and all that, but I feel much better. I got 3 weeks added to my already extended vacation, which I was thankful for in more ways then one.

My House

The last eventful moment to my vacation was that my parents sold our home! Something they have been trying to do for a few years, but the market hasn't exactly favored those trying to sell. The best part is that they are moving to one of my favorite places, BOSTON! Looks like when I go home for Christmas I will be living in an apartment in Brighton across the street from my sister's new high school, St. Joseph's.

End of Vacation

Peace Corps Medical clears me to go back to Costa Rica August 11th.

I want to live here...

Bahia Ballena, Uvita

Finally made it to the beach. 6 hours and 3 bus changes from Coope Isabel to San Jose then another 7 hours and crowded bus down to Uvita. It was so worth it. Ballena is beautiful, hot and the beach is shaped like a whale's tail!

Because I'm on a Peace Corps budget and this place is wicked cool I stayed at Flutterby House Hostel. Tree house bunking and the ocean = awesome!

A plus to Flutterbly is that they are super conscience about how they treat the environment, lowering their eco-footprint and recycling recycling recycling! Just remember to follow this very important rule...

Can I change sites to the beach? So hard returning to reality.

Dear Teachers

Dear Teachers,

I would like to take this opportunity to give you; a high five, pat on the back, shake your hand, hug, bow in honor, curtsy and generally say THANK YOU for all that you do.

After exactly four months of teaching under my belt, I have come to the scientific conclusion that teaching is tough. I tested my hypothesis, followed the experimental procedure and was able to formulate a new law of science which states; teaching is difficult, very difficult.

Each generation depend on teachers to give their children the best education possible and to create bright, creative and successful adults. You are never given enough credit, pay or respect for the monumental task you agree to take on at the beginning of every school year. You are educators yes, but many times throughout the span of your career you also inspire and motivate. You the teacher, motivate students to set goals, work hard and  darn it, hand in your homework! You inspire students to make it happen! To fulfill dreams that were once thought impossible. You work; during the day, at night and on weekends. You plan, grade, organize, glitter, paint, type and bedazzle papers, chalkboards, bulletin boards, posters and classrooms to name a few. All of this is done during your vacation time, sleep time, lunch time and any other time that's considered "you" time, because when you are a teacher "you" time is really "how can I make things better for my students" time. During June you get landed with the classroom that smells funny and a fan that doesn't work. In winter you wear two sweaters to class because budget cuts have forced the school to cut back on non-necessary items like heat during a blizzard. In every group of students you have at least one who is rude, interrupts, distracts or refuses to participate. That student makes you want to pull out your hair, burn your teacher id badge and cry yourself to sleep. But, instead, you take that student under your wing, give them extra help and get them on the right track. During that same student's graduation he or she gives you a big hug after they receive their diploma and head out the door to college. You my friend, are a hero. You are patient, dependable and selfless beyond what is possible and never hear the words thank you enough. Thank you!

I have walked in the shoes of a teacher for 4 months and they wear pointed toe, 6 inch spiked heals as their leisure shoe. I now have blisters. I believe everything I have just written to be true about the teachers who helped me throughout elementary, high school, college and beyond. I hope I can be as generous and hard working as these people are, but I don't know if I'm that strong. Here is to 1 and half more years of retesting my experiment and hopefully coming out the other side in one piece.

I take my hat off to teachers, where would we be without them?

Much respect,
Julianne

Te Quiero Mucho Teacher.

At least once a week I think about my decision to join Peace Corps and become an English teacher. If I was being really honest, sometimes daily. On the service side of things, I think about that fact that I'm missing my sister's last 2 years of high school, including prom and softball games.  I'm not doing activities that I loved and made me feel like me, rowing for one.  I'm missing a whole bunch of things, with a whole bunch of people I love, who live thousands of miles away. I have doubts about the one thing I was so sure, so excited and worked so hard to get accepted into. I talked about Peace Corps non-stop before my departure with anyone who would listen. So why am I having this internal struggle...I got exactly what I wanted. With regards to my career, I'm a first time teacher. No teaching degree, no experience, working in three (count them... THREE) elementary schools. I organize, I plan, I make, I teach first through sixth grade and its hard, so hard for me. I struggle. I get tired. Sometimes I get lazy and just don't want to plan. Most time I don't even know if I'm enjoying what I'm doing, is teaching for me? Lots of time the answer is no.

Then little, tiny, quick as lightening moments happen with students and it completely turns me around again.

The most recent quick as lightning moment happened at Escuela El Carmen. I ride my bike to the school, about 20 minutes outside of my town. It is the poorest of the three schools I teach at. The schools is set up much the same as the others- two classrooms, bathrooms and a kitchen. There are enough desks and chairs for students but all other resources are scarce. I have to say, out of all three schools, I enjoy myself most at El Carmen. It is the best fit for me and I can't put my finger on why, it just worked out that way.

This past Thursday I was giving a lesson, my second to last for the day. I was giving the second graders a lesson on weather in English. (Sunny, Cloudy, Rainy) To have a little fun with learning I decided to make a weather dice. I gave each student a piece of paper that had an outline of 6 connected boxes, some of which had white tabs. Inside each box was a picture of one of the types of weather. Students colored the pictures, then cut out the connected boxes, folded and then glued the tabs in order to make the weather dice. Once finished gluing, the students tossed the dice and repeated the English word that corresponded with the picture face up.

During the gluing and cutting part of class, one of my students came to show me his dice. I said my usual praise of "what a good job! I love the colors you used, so creative!" before he turned to sit back at his desk he passed me one of the scraps of paper used to make the dice. As I was opening the paper another student came to show me their work as well. Daniel jumped in front of the other student and said "no, this paper is only for you." So I waited to open it. When all of the students where at their desks playing I opened my secret note from Daniel. It read, "Te quiero mucho," with hearts and a picture of a girl (which I assume is me). It was short, done on an impulse with scrap paper, but it made my day. No one told him to write a note, he just decide to draw a quick picture and say something nice. I'm sure he doesn't know I'm blogging about his small gesture or that he made me happy and impacted the how I was feeling about teaching at that moment. To be honest Daniel made me feel reassured of my decision to join, happy with being a teacher and that I was wanted. All of those feelings from this little boy who decided I was a nice enough person to receive a "te quiero mucho" note. 

Up until yesterday I was not happy with teaching. I'm not sure why that particular gesture changed my perspective, but it did. Since I began teaching students have given me positive comments that made me feel good, but didn't change the fact that I wasn't enjoying what I was doing. I don't expect to be fully in love with the job everyday (its a tough job). I don't know if teaching is my longterm path, but for now I fully enjoy visiting El Carmen and am so happy with being a teacher at that school.

Thank you Daniel for getting me out of my funk, doing something kind for someone else, and being the cutest darn second grader I know.

Book Donations! Please and Thank you!

Greetings from your favorite Peace Corps Volunteer,

As you all know, I am serving two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica. I was accepted to the TEFL or Teaching English as a Foreign Language program and have been living in Costa Rica since October. Currently, I work in rural Northern Costa Rica at three elementary schools and teach grades 1-6. These students are receiving English classes for the first time. So exciting for the kids and schools! 

The Challenge: These schools have basic materials and little funding to meet the needs of their students. Forget about English resources, there is nothing. I spend a majority of my time preparing for class by drawing, writing and making all materials for my students. 

The Need: Children's Story Books! This would be an amazing tool for teaching English. I am looking for book donations from friends and family who have outgrown their books. All types of children's books would be greatly appreciated!! I plan to take themes from books and create a more interesting fun lesson out of the stories. For example: "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," I could use that story to teach days of the week, numbers, colors and food. 

The Sad Factor: Children don't read for fun. There is no reading circle during school, bedtime stories at home, or book clubs during vacation. Books are expensive, many families can't afford to purchase them. As a result reading for fun and to promote learning is non-existent. I made a small picture book, complete with illustrations, for a 1st grade class to teach numbers 1-5. While reading the children where completely focused. They laughed when I spoke in funny voices or made silly faces. At the end of the story, I asked the students what was their favorite book to read? No response. Through a little more talking I found out that this was the first story book that had ever been read to the students. It made me so sad, because I loved bedtime stories, especially when my parents read to me. I still remember my favorite books and can't wait to read them to my own children one day. This is why I would love to incorporate books into my lessons. Firstly, to show that reading is FUN! Secondly, to use as an English resources and something I can leave behind that the children can continue to use after my two years of service.

Books: These are just ideas...I will gladly accept and use anything you find to donate. THANK YOU!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?

The Rainbow Fish

Anything by Dr. Seuss

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

The Little Engine that Could

5 Little Monkeys

Good Night Moon

The Story of Ferdinand the Bull

Tikki Tikki Tembo

Guess How Much I Love You

The Berentstain Bears

Any book, all books would be an amazing gift for my students and something I know they will love.

If you find books you are willing to donate they can be sent to my mom or myself. If you are interested in donating please email me! I will give more details and contact information for send the books.

My email: julianne.davis23@gmail.com

THANK YOU/GRACIAS!

Julianne

The Wiggles

I never thought I would have The Wiggles on my itunes let alone ipod. Now I dance, sing and teach English with my Wiggle cd. It was probably the most fun I've had with my 1st - 3rd grade students. We learned how to shake, nod, clap, jump and stretch our sillies out, and wiggle them all away today.

In all seriousness it is a great tool. I'm going to use the song "Dr. Knickerbocker" for the parts of the body lesson, "Fruit Salad" and "Hot Potato" for different types of food... etc. The kids got so excited when I pulled out the stereo, everyone was listening and participating...most importantly speaking in English! Its hard to come up with activities for the youngest groups, there are only so many times I can ask the kids to repeat a word then color the picture before they revolt. Plus, they get rid of excess energy they may have used to interrupt or distract others in class.

If anyone has children cd's that your family has outgrown, including holiday music, please let me know! I would love to use as much music as possible.

"Were gunna shake, shake, shake our sillies out..."

Jazz Chants

Thanks to our IST-In Service Training, I learned how to make and use Jazz Chants in order to teach English.  They are a big hit with both my elementary school students and adult community class students.

A Jazz Chant is a rhythmic poem you can create in order to teach vocabulary, grammar structures, commands, etc. Verses are often repeated to reinforce the lesson and it is not necessary to make everything rhyme. Students can simply sing the words alone or add clapping, snapping or stop their feet to the rhythm. When students feel comfortable with the vocabulary you can separate them into groups and make a sing-off competition. 

In order to teach Jazz Chants;
1. I introduce the vocabulary or grammar structure by itself. Write it on the board and have students copy the information.
2. I bring a hackie sack with me to every lesson, another great tool. I pass the ball around and quiz the students, then let the students ask each other.
3. I write the new Jazz Chant on the board, which incorporates the lesson into the song and have the students write it in their Jazz Chants mini book.
4. We practice singing! The first couple of times I sing a line and the students repeat.

With younger students I like to make paper bag puppets they can use to sing the song. Sometimes we change our voices to a higher or lower pitch or make dances to go along with the words.

In all cases, elementary or adult, the students have a lot of fun learning the songs and spend the rest of the day singing what they learned.

In my Adult Community English Classes they are learning: introductions, greetings and basic conversations starters. For example: Hello, good morning, What is your name?

Here is of the Jazz Chants I use to teach this subject...

Hello good morning

How are you?

I'm fine, thank you (x2)

Hello good afternoon

How are you?

I'm good and you? (x2)

Hello good evening

How are you?

I'm bad (x2)

GOOD NIGHT!

(students like to shout the last line)

Last night I challenged my students to write their own Jazz Chants using the vocabulary we practiced and any other English words/phrases they know. It was a big success! One group came up with a chant that I think is hilarious!! Here it is...

Hey, good morning

Good morning (x2)

What's your job?

I don't work (x2)

SORRY!

My host brother's group came up with that Jazz Chant. I couldn't be prouder...hehe

I hope they will let me video record some of their songs in the future.